Athens , 11 March 2010

Mr. Savvidis: We will be talking with Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, who is on our telephone line. I’d like to say good evening to the Minister, who is in Washington.

Mr. Droutsas: Good evening.

Mr. Savvidis: I would like to ask you – beyond everything that has come out regarding financial issues – whether you have anything to point out to us that was discussed in the meeting between Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Obama, and whether you have anything to add to what you have already stated to the news media in Greece regarding his European tour.

Mr. Droutsas: Mr. Savvidis, I think we have every reason to be very satisfied with the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington, as well as with the European tour that preceded it.

With regard to confronting the difficult financial situation in our country, it was a clear message of support for Greece. Everyone has acknowledged that Greece, the Greek government, the Greek People are making a very serious effort.

Greece has prepared in a systematic manner, it has presented very serious measures. And this has give back to Greece the credibility that I am very sorry to say it had lost recently. And this was the first major hurdle for us: to regain this credibility. And I think that the Greek people can feel proud – in spite of how difficult the situation is. The measures that have been taken are tough. The coming weeks and months will not be easy. But the main thing is that on the international stage, Greece’s credibility and standing are back at the level we deserve.

Mr. Savvidis: Mr. Minister, of course the matter of credibility will be apparent mainly when the country goes out to ask for loans from markets. And that is where we will see whether the interest rates on loans will fall.

That, of course, is on the level of markets, but it really seems – and this is a journalistic assessment – that on the level of political leadership in Europe and the U.S., there was some change as compared to the initial picture at the beginning of this crisis.

What I want to ask you, Mr. Minister, is whether – beyond the economic issue – Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Obama raised any issues concerning foreign policy in their meeting: the Skopje issue, the Cyprus issue, relations with Turkey.

Mr. Droutsas: Foreign policy issues were of course discussed in both meetings; that with Mr. Obama and the one with Secretary Clinton.

They discussed issues of immediate interest to Greece, including developments on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, Greece’s role in the Balkans, and issue of the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

We had the opportunity to explain, to present Greece’s clear positions on these issues. And also to point out that beyond these issues, Greece is once again regaining its voice and the role it deserves, particularly in our neighbourhood, the Middle East and the Balkans.

Mr. Savvidis: Is there a specific U.S. proposal on the name issue of our neighbouring country?

Mr. Droutsas: There is no U.S. proposal. What we have is the Greek our national red line which we have been pointing out to our collocutors, i.e. an erga omnes compound name with a geographical qualifier. This is what we discussed and what we presented.

Mr. Savvidis: So, is the red line about whether Skopje will accept a discussion only on the name issue and differentiate this discussion from the language and identity matters, is Greece discussing these at all?

Mr. Droutsas: What Greece is discussing is the UN mandate, which is clear: finding a mutually acceptable solution with our neighbouring country.

Mr. Savvidis: Mr. Minister, I believe that we will have to opportunity for a discussion here at the studio at some point, but I wanted to ask you one more thing.

There were articles or rather interpretations of the Prime Minister’s statements that the issue of a stronger and more strengthened Greek presence in Afghanistan was also discussed. Is that true?

Mr. Droutsas: Mr. Savvidis, thank you for giving me the opportunity to once again make it clear that no such issue was raised. On the contrary, both Secretary Clinton – in our talks with her – and U.S. President Obama thanked us and expressed their appreciation for Greece’s contribution in Afghanistan, particularly taking into account – as President Obama said – the difficult financial situation that the country is now in. Nothing more was asked of us.

Both sides focused our attention on what the Greek side strongly believes, i.e. that it is now time for Afghanistan, the Afghan people themselves to take their country's future in their own hands. And this is why, we must concentrate on the issue of training, not only of their security forces, but across all levels . This is an area, where we – Greece - will see what we can do too. 

Mr. Savvidis: My last question, Mr. Minister, has to do with the Cyprus issue. We all remember the time of the Annan plan, when before the Greek delegation went to meet the U.S. leadership and before the issue moved forward within the United Nations, Mr. Erdogan had paid a visit to the then U.S. President.

From the point of view of semiotics, Mr. Erdogan visited the United States not long ago, and now President Obama met of course with the Greek Prime Minister. Is there some sort of decision on the Cyprus issue already made by the Washington-Ankara axis, which is being promoted as a solution to the problem?

And also could you give us a comment as Alternate Minister, if you will, on a topical  issue that has perplexed us, the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights essentially recognising the “occupation court”.

Mr. Droutsas: With regard to the Cyprus issue, there is a process under the United Nations; There are the efforts of President Christofias in his talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Talat; this is the ongoing process. And it is a process that we support fully. Once again, allow me to express my full support for President Christofias. We must focus our attention on this process rather than any other methodical action that some might think exists.

The only thing that exists is precisely this process, and we must use all our forces in order to find out how we can find the solution we want, a solution based on UN resolutions; a European solution, as we keep pointing out in all directions. Because let’s not forget, the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union. The Republic of Cyprus will be a member of the European Union even after a solution. So it should be able to function effectively within the framework of the European Union. This means that the solution agreed upon should fully respect the European acquis, the European Union rules, and this was one of the messages that the Prime Minister brought to Mr. Obama, when they spoke about the developments on the Cyprus issue. 

Mr. Savvidis: Mr. Droutsas, thank you very much for this interview.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you.

Athens, 11 March 2010

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Spyros Kouvelis met today, 11 March 2010, with Morocco’s Alternate Foreign Minister, Ms. Latifa Akharbach.

Mr. Kouvelis and Ms. Αkharbach discussed issues of bilateral interest during a working lunch.

Athens , 10 March 2010

Mr. T. Siafakas: On the line with us is Alternate Foreign Minister Mr. Dimitris Droutsas. Good morning, Mr. Minister.

Mr. Droutsas: Good day.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Thank you very much for being patient with us, we know that it is late in the United States. I will be brief, first of all, what is your assessment of Mr. Papandreou’s visit to the White House, your take on Mr. Papandreou’s contacts as a whole in the United States?

Mr. Droutsas: I think we have every reason to be happy and satisfied with our meetings here in Washington: today with President Barack Obama and yesterday with the Secretary of State, Ms. Clinton. I think we received a clear message of support and solidarity on the part of the United States with regard to Greece’s efforts, the efforts of the Greek people to address this difficult economic situation that the country is going through.

But I think that it is very important too that a message was sent to international markets that there is credibility once again. Greece is reliable, Greece has a reliable government that has taken bold steps to address this crisis.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Mr. Droutsas do we know whether Mr. Obama will come to Athens? Is there a response to the Greek invitation?

Mr. Droutsas: As would be expected, the Greek Prime Minister Mr. Papandreou extended an invitation to Mr. Obama in his talks today and, in all honesty, Mr. Obama’s spontaneous reply and reaction was that he always had a big wish to visit our country, and he definitely wants to do that in the course of his mandate.

In fact, he said that he would like to combine his visit to our country with a few more days so that he could also visit one of our beautiful islands, as he said.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Mr. Minister, I would like to ask you about the practical outcome of the Prime Minister’s effort, on this ongoing battle against speculators, what practical outcome these talks, this trip has had with regard to tackling international speculation?

Mr. Droutsas: Particularly with regard to the country’s financial situation and our fight against international speculation, I would like us to see these meetings, these contacts here in Washington in combination with the Prime Minister’s visits to Luxemburg, Berlin and Paris in the past few days. Mr. Papandreou has managed to build a common front within the European Union and, more particularly, in eurozone countries, the most important countries of the European Union – i.e. Germany, France – and the President of the Eurogroup, Luxemburg’s Prime Minister Juncker; a common initiative of all four of them against international speculation.

And he brought this initiative with him to Washington in his talks with the American President, where they said that now the European Union and the United Stated must tackle international speculation, particularly within the framework of the G-20, the world’s 20 most powerful economies. Because Europe is not the only one facing major problems due to the existing speculation.

Mr. T. Siafakas: You mentioned the G-20. I would like to task whether Greece will be invited to the G-20 in order to present this initiative with its own arguments and in order for measures to be taken, let’s say for a better oversight of markets.

Mr. Droutsas: Look, the G-20 is an institution, I don’t think we can talk about an invitation being extended to Greece to take part in it. Of course, I am not ruling it out. I cannot know at the moment, what developments we might have. But the important thing is that Greece is a significant part of this initiative within the framework of the EU, the eurozone.

This initiative was made possible through Greece, and through Mr. Papandreou’s personal moves and it will be put forward at the G-20 in cooperation with the United States, and U.S. President Obama.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Mr. Minister, you spoke about an common initiative of four parties. I want to ask you whether you expect practical action in a given direction, on this common initiative of four.

Mr. Droutsas: I can tell you that as an initial, immediate and common action, a joint letter will be sent by the four parties to the European Commission President, Mr. Barroso, the President of an institution that can launch action. In it we will be asking from the European Commission to examine the necessary practical proposals, the way in which we will be able to address the speculation phenomenon.

This will be an immediate, initial action on the part of us four, which will then end in cooperation with the European Commission on certain other proposals.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Mr. Droutsas, a question about visas. Mr. Papandreou called the visa waiver a vote of confidence in Greece. Does this vote have to do with security issues, financial issues, or with our country’s general image?

Mr. Droutsas: Mr. Papandreou used exactly the same words as President Obama; a vote of confidence in Greece, in the Greek government. Allow me to interpret it as a vote of confidence in the Greek government’s, the Greek people’s overall efforts these past few months with regard to the way it has addressed this economic crisis, the courage the Greek people have shown amidst this crisis.

But also as a vote of confidence in the manner in which the new Greek government assumed the responsibility of governance from the outset, the way it has been trying to conduct a foreign policy of initiatives once again, in order for Greece to regain – and indeed it has – a voice, a presence in international developments, particularly in our immediate neighbourhood, the Balkans, the Middle East. And I dare say that we have already taken the first steps.

I think that the entire international community appreciates that. And I think that it is very important that President Obama made this move that he called a vote of confidence in Greece.

Mr. T. Siafakas: With regard to Afghanistan, could you tell us very briefly if anything changes in our activities in the region?

Mr. Droutsas: I will be categorical on this, so as to avoid any misunderstandings. The U.S. President thanked us and expressed their appreciation of Greece’s contribution so far in Afghanistan, particularly taking into account – as he said – the difficult financial situation that the country is now in.

Mr. T. Siafakas: So there was understanding.

Mr. Droutsas: Not only was there understanding on their part, but as I told you he expressed his full appreciation and warm thanks to Greece. I would simply like to add here that it is a common belief – both in Greece and in the United States – that we are enetering a stage with regard to Afghanistan where the Afghan people have to start taking their future in their own hands. This is why we, Greece will focus on training the Afghans – not only their security forces, but across all levels – to help Afghanistan stand on its own feet once again.

Mr. T. Siafakas: Mr. Droutsas, thank you very much for this interview. Take care.

Mr. Droutsas: Thank you.

Athens , 10 March 2010

Ms. Bizogli: We will go direct to Washington now, where our colleague Nikos Meletis is with Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, so we can hear about the results of the Prime Minister’s meetings. Hello from Athens.

Mr. Meletis: Hello.

Mr. Droutsas: Good morning from Washington.

Mr. Meletis: I would like to start with a question for the Alternate Minister – an initial assessment of this visit by the Prime Minister to Washington.

Mr. Droutsas: The assessment of the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington can only be positive, beyond the visa waiver issue – the visa waiver program, into which Greece was officially included, as President Obama announced to the Greek Prime Minister during today’s meeting, which I think is a very pleasing and tangible result.

Beyond that, we had a very good discussion of how the economic situation in Greece is being confronted by the government and the Greek people: support from the U.S. – a clear message of support to Greece.

We also discussed foreign policy issues, of course. Issues of particular importance to Greece, such as developments on the Cyprus issue, Greek-Turkish relations, Greece’s role in the Balkans, and the fYROM name issue, of course.

Allow me to stress that Greece’s message, the Greek Prime Minister’s message on foreign policy issues as well, was that Greece is regaining its voice, gaining a role in international developments, particularly in our immediate region, the Balkans, the Middle East. Thus, Greece is once again a trusted ally and partner.

Ms. Bizogli: Mr. Droutsas, was this political support, as you said – the vote of confidence the Prime Minister referred to yesterday, that we got from the United States – accompanied by some swap from the Greek side?

Mr. Droutsas: Because I hear this often – that we go somewhere, particularly to the U.S., Washington, for meetings, and that Greece always has to have something to exchange in its pockets – I think it is time we put myths of this kind to rest.

Greece has firm, clear positions on all the issues of concern to it. It has a role to play in international developments. Greece doesn’t need to give anyone anything in exchange for the support it deserves on all the issues that concern us.

Mr. Arvanitis: So let’s ask some questions, Mr. Droutsas. At this point we want to tell our viewers that we have two very good colleagues with us, Mr. Giorgos Kyrtsos and Mr. Giorgos Lakopoulos.

Mr. Kyrtsos: What I would like to ask concerns our position on Afghanistan. Will our troop presence be strengthened? Will we go on dangerous missions? Because in the Netherlands, for example, the Afghanistan issue brought the government down. We know that the U.S. leadership wants European support. How did you handle this issue?

Mr. Droutsas: Good morning, first of all. And I will be very clear on the Afghanistan issue as well. What we heard from President Barack Obama was the expression of appreciation to Greece and the Greek government for what we have contributed on the Afghanistan issue, bearing in mind the difficult financial situation our country is in.

Allow me to stress that nothing additional was requested of Greece. There is satisfaction at Greece’s contribution, and the common assessment is that we have to emphasise the following issue in Afghanistan: for the Afghan people to take the future of their country into their own hands.

And we will be able to contribute in this direction through good training of forces in Afghanistan – not just security forces, but on all levels. And Greece can play a role in this.

Mr. Arvanitis: Mr. Minister, playing the devil’s advocate I might say that we got the visa and we are waiting for the other things, the major national issues, that is. I would like you to comment on that. What exactly did we get?

Mr. Droutsas: The full support of the leadership of the United States.

Mr. Arvanitis: Does that cost anything?

Mr. Droutsas: We had a very good discussion of the approach of Greece and the Greek government to foreign policy issues.

It is appreciated that the Greek government, from the very moment it took office, has once again exercised a foreign policy of initiatives, particularly as regards our region. And I am referring here in particular to the issue of the Balkans and Greece’s “Agenda 2014” for the EU accession perspectives of the countries of the Western Balkans.

And, of course, appreciation for the policy the Greek government intends to exercise with regard to Turkey; the new effort to work with Turkey. And this is what we will endeavour to do in the immediate future.

Mr. Meletis: Mr. Droutsas, if I may, I would like to ask the following: The U.S. side – not just yesterday with Ms. Clinton, but also in previous months and weeks – has been very interested in the Euroatlantic integration of the countries of the Western Balkans, including Skopje. One important obstacle to this course is the name issue. Doesn’t this create additional pressure on Greece to find a solution on the name issue – all the more so when we know that the NATO Summit is coming up in November? Are you feeling such pressure on the name issue here in the United States?

Mr. Droutsas: Allow me to be categorical here, as well. Neither in yesterday’s meeting with Ms. Clinton nor in today’s meeting with President Obama did anyone feel any kind of pressure in that direction. And allow me to explain why there is no question of pressure being exerted on Greece.

Greece – the Greek government – is the one who said from the very outset that we want this issue to be resolved. We have before us the European perspectives of all of the countries of the Western Balkans, including the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. But the resolution of the name issue is a prerequisite for that. That is clear, and we know who is now under real pressure. Greece’s positions on this are clear and well known in the United States of America. It is what we have called our national red line: a name with a geographical qualifier, for use in relation to everyone. This has been understood, and I think that the U.S. will help in this direction.

Mr. Lakopoulos: Mr. Droutsas, if I may, you said that the climate is better now. We said that Greece and Greek foreign policy have the trust and support of Washington. In a sense, if I understood correctly, you announced certain initiatives the Prime Minister is going to take on foreign policy issues within this climate.

But there are others in this game: Skopje, the Turks. There are difficulties on the Cyprus issue.

You said that pressure has not been exerted on Greece. I assume the same holds true for the others – pressure will not have been exerted on them. Consequently, what is it that will shift things in the direction of solutions on one or the other of these issues?

Mr. Droutsas: Look, I think that the initiative that the Greek government has shown on this in recent months is decisive. I have said repeatedly that through this policy, we are taking up the reins again. We are showing the direction in which we want to go, and right now the others need to follow.

Mr. Lakopoulos: Great. That is positive. It is as you say it is. But I don’t think the Skopje government’s positions on the name issue show any signs of changing. The Turkish airplanes continue to fly over Skyros. We have the given positions of Ankara on the Cyprus issue. How will things move on? That is what I’m looking for.

Mr. Droutsas: Look, I don’t think just enumerating the issues helps us. That is precisely why we are being so active, taking initiatives – precisely so that we can resolve all the issues that you enumerated. On the fYROM name issue, we have taken the reins into our hands again – we are pointing out the direction in which we need to move. I think that the real pressure is now on the other side. But we want – in an open and constructive manner – to find the solution we are pursuing.

With regard to the issues you raised concerning Turkey, it is in precisely this direction that we intend to move via our policy. We want cooperation with Turkey. We have the positive precedent of the policy we exercised from 1999 to 2004. Those are our experiences. That is our guide, if you will. And through this policy, we hope Turkey, too, will come with a constructive manner so that we can build a relationship of constructive friendship.

Mr. Lakopoulos: The Prime Minister invited the American President to Greece. Is there anything on that front?

Mr. Droutsas: I think it is obvious that the Greek Prime Minister extended an invitation to the U.S. President.

And Mr. Obama’s sincere reaction was that he revealed to us that was very sorry not to have visited Greece to date. He hasn’t had the opportunity. And it is his intention, at the first opportunity during this period, his term as president, to visit our country. And if possible to combine this with a visit to one of what he called our beautiful islands.

Mr. Lakopoulos: Could that happen now, within 2010?

Mr. Droutsas: Let there be no misinterpretations of what I said. He himself referred to his presidential term, but I don’t think it would be serious on our part right now to go into this.

Mr. Meletis: It’s a four-year term.

Mr. Lakopoulos: I think what you told us will suffice.

Ms. Bizogli: Let me ask you something else, Mr. Droutsas. What can we expect from the next G-20 meeting?

Mr. Droutsas: This was one of the very serious and important issues that the Greek Prime Minister discussed with Mr. Obama.

As you know, following Mr. Papandreou’s visit to Berlin and his meeting with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and following his visit to Paris and his meeting with French President Sarkozy, there is a joint initiative of the three, together with Mr. Juncker, the head of Eurogroup, against speculation on the international markets.

This is an issue that also worries the U.S. and the American President,  and it was said that the European Union and the United States – jointly, within the framework of the G-20 – will try to find the right way to confront speculation jointly.

I think that this is also a very important initiative – and success, I dare say – of the Greek Prime Minister and Greece, which started this initiative together with our partners in the EU. And now there is the cooperation we see with the United States.

Mr. Lakopoulos: Mr. Minister, if I may, on this issue. In recent days we have heard – the Prime Minister said it a couple of times yesterday – that there is an initiative from him, Ms. Merkel, Mr. Sarkozy and Mr. Juncker, but we don’t have anything more specific on that initiative. When we say “initiative against speculators,” what do we mean? Will a fund be set up? Will there be a Conference? What will happen?

Mr. Droutsas: I would like to ask you to be patient. In the coming days, this whole initiative will unfold and we will look at all of the details.

The first stage, which I can tell you, is a joint letter of the four leaders – Merkel, Sarkozy, Juncker and Papandreou – to the President of the European Commission, Mr. Barroso.

The European Commission, as you know, is the competent EU organ for creating the right mechanisms, for drawing up the appropriate proposals that will lead to very specific measures that the European Union will take against international speculation.

Mr. Arvanitis: As Greek Americans are among our viewers, what do you want from the Greek American community at this phase?

Mr. Droutsas: First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Greek American community here, which – as always – welcomed us very warmly and let us – including the Prime Minister – know and feel from the very first moment that we have their full support, which is very important.

And allow me to say that just a short while ago we had an excellent dinner with a number of Greek Americans who of course expressed their will to provide full support. We had a particularly good and important discussion, and a lot of important things were said – a lot of good advice/recommendations for the Greek Prime Minister as to how we can jointly confront the economic situation in Greece. Ideas and initiatives on how we can bring investments to Greece as a motor force for further growth of the Greek economy. And once again, allow me to express our gratitude.

Mr. Lakopoulos: One last question: Apart from the investments you mentioned, was there any discussion at this dinner of the initiative from Mr. Petsalnikos, under the auspices of the President of the Republic, for financial support of the solidarity fund from the business community or Greeks abroad?

Mr. Droutsas: The Prime Minister had the opportunity to inform the Greek American community of this initiative, and we will see how we might be able to implement some of the things we discussed in practical terms.

Mr. Meletis: Just for the record, this dinner that the Minister referred to was called the dinner of some 70-80 billion dollars – the estimated worth of the Greek Americans who were invited.

Ms. Bizogli: Right. Thank you, and good morning to you both.

Mr. Meletis: Let’s thank the Minister, because it is midnight here.

Mr. Arvanitis: Of course we thank the Minister, Nikos, and we thank you as well.

Mr. Droutsas: And I thank you. And once again, good morning to you in Athens.

Athens , 9 March 2010

A meeting was held today at the International Court of Justice in The Hague between the representatives of Greece and fYROM and the Court’s President, Mr. Hisashi Owada, regarding proceedings instituted by fYROM against Greece for the alleged violation by Greece of Article 11 of the 1995 Interim Accord.

This meeting was of procedural nature and was aimed at determining the further course of proceedings on this case following the lodging of written observations by fYROM on 20 July 2009 and by Greece on 19 January 2010.

The Court will issue an order in the coming days, which will also be uploaded on the Court’s website.

Greece was represented at the meeting by Ambassador George Savaides and the Head of the Foreign Ministry’s International Law Department and legal advisor, Ms. Maria Telalian.