GREECE: BRIEFING OF DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENTS BY FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN MR. G. KOUMOUTSAKOS

ISRIA
008_ALK1604.htm
Nov 14 2008
DC

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Good morning. As you know, Foreign Minister
Ms. Dora Bakoyannis will be meeting at 12:00 today with the Secretary
General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
(OSCE), Mr. de Brichambaut. They will make statements to the news
media, and then there will be a working luncheon in honour of the
Secretary General.

At 15:00 today, Ms. Bakoyannis will receive the Greek MPs participating
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. That meeting will also take place
at the Foreign Ministry.

Tomorrow morning, at 11:00, the Foreign Minister will be the first
and keynote speaker at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Greece’s upcoming
Chairmanship of the OSCE, and at 12:30 she will receive Saudi Arabia’s
Ambassador to Athens.

Later on Thursday, at 13:00, she will receive the Speaker of the
Uruguayan Parliament, and at 17:00 she will meet at the Foreign
Ministry with former Chancellor of Austria Mr. Schussel.

On Tuesday, 18 November, Ms. Bakoyannis will meet at the Ministry,
at 11:00, with her Saudi Arabian counterpart, Mr. Saud al-Faysal.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Valinakis will participate tomorrow,
Thursday, 12 November, in the meeting of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Defense and Foreign Affairs. This meeting will essentially
be the departure point for a new process provided for by the Ministry’s
statutes – that is, there will be hearings for Greek diplomats who are
to undertake representation of our country at the rank of Ambassador
in key countries for Greece’s foreign policy.

This particular hearing will be for Greece’s new Ambassador to Moscow,
Mr. Spinelis, and the new Greek Ambassador to Beijing, Mr. Georgakelos.

On Tuesday, 18 November, Mr. Valinakis will meet at the Foreign
Ministry with the Permanent Secretary of the Cypriot Foreign Ministry,
Mr. Emiliou.

Finally, I remind you that tomorrow, Thursday, at 11:00 – as
has already been announced – an event is being held within the
framework of the Ambassadors’ Forum on "OSCE – The 2009 Greek
Chairmanship-in-Office: Challenges and Priorities". Foreign Minister
Ms. Bakoyannis, OSCE Secretary General Mr. de Brichambaut, and Greece’s
permanent representative to the OSCE, Ambassador Ms. Marinaki, will
address the Forum, and there will be a Q&A session.

That’s it for announcements. Your questions, please.

Ms. Nikolaou: The UN Secretary General gave an interview yesterday,
and he seemed optimistic about the Cyprus negotiation process. Based
on what it knows so far, does the Greek government share this optimism?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek government has repeatedly expressed its
hope that the dynamic in the negotiations be such that we can move in
as short a time as possible to a final settlement on the Cyprus issue,
a definitive solution, based on specific principles and characteristics
that we have repeatedly set out – we’re talking about a bizonal,
bicommunal federation and all the rest that you are aware of.

The voicing of either optimism or pessimism has its significance,
but what is of profound and decisive importance – because it will
decide the outcome – is the substance of the discussion. What we can
say is that the stance, initiatives and general philosophy that have
so far governed the Greek Cypriot side and President Christofias is
in the nature of a substantial contribution in this direction.

Beyond that, we are waiting to see and assess how the other side will
respond to this firm and tangible desire of the Greek Cypriot side
for substantial progress and a successful outcome in the negotiations.

Ms. Fryssa: I would like a comment on an incident that took place in
Jerusalem a few days ago.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Greece’s firm position is that in Jerusalem, the
stature and mission of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre must be
defended. For this to be achieved, we have to have full respect from
everyone of the order, regulations and general status governing the
pilgrimage sites in the holy city of Jerusalem.

Mr. Fourlis: In the meeting we had two days ago with U.S. Ambassador
Mr. Speckhard, immediately following the U.S. elections, among other
things, he stated that the Skopje issue is a matter that concerns
Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), that
has to be dealt with by both of them. And he also said that it would
be good if we tried to resolve it ourselves, because it isn’t the
job of the new U.S. administration and that we shouldn’t expect the
new administration to solve it for us.

I would like to know whether you agree with these views of
Mr. Speckhard, and whether you have any further comment on the fact
that – as he said – equal pressure is being exerted in both countries,
both in Greece and in Skopje at the same time.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: As to whether the process on this problem
concerns Skopje and Greece, this is a restrictive interpretation:
it clearly concerns the UN – the negotiations are taking place within
the framework of the UN.

And of course it concerns the European Union, because it has looked
at the issue and there are references to it in texts adopted by the
Council. And it is well known that a corresponding text – with very
clear content concerning the direction things should take – has been
adopted by NATO, on the level of heads of state and government.

That is the framework. And these are objective facts. Beyond that,
the negotiations are clearly being carried out by the two parties
in the effort to find a mutually acceptable solution, within the
framework of a specific process.

Whether this process is useful for governments who believe and are
sincerely interested in helping things along through their actions,
views and stances is another issue. And no one – at least from
the Greek side – has rejected the expression of such interest, or
assistance for the process, which remains autonomous, of course.

And I say this with regard to what you said, and not as and
answer/comment regarding what was said by the U.S. Ambassador to
Greece. Moreover, as concerns the pace at which the process should
move, I have nothing to say but that Greece has a negotiator who
has negotiated with clear instructions and a clear mandate, who has
the trust of the Greek government and, thus, the leeway to manoeuvre
within the framework of his mandate. And this negotiator met the day
before yesterday with Mr. Nimetz and presented the Greek views on
the latest set of ideas presented to the two sides.

So Greece is present with its negotiator.

Let me remind you – just to close out this general stance – that
Greece, through the words of its Foreign Minister, has stated that
it is in no way dragging its feet – Greece does not believe in the
rationale of slowing things down. But neither is it rushing. It is
not the element of time that is of essence, but the content of the
solution that is achieved.

Mr. Papathanasiou: First of all, I would like a comment on the Turkish
Defense Minister’s statements concerning the persecutions of Greeks
and Armenians.

And following on from Antonis’ question: Do you – in spite of this,
and given that the U.S. Ambassador said that he doesn’t think it’s
right for the process to be slowed down in the interim between the
change of U.S. administrations – do you think that a new effort from
Mr. Nimetz, with a new proposal, would help the process? Do you have
any information to the effect that this might happen in the interim? Or
will the process be frozen?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Once again, so that we are clear on the nature
of the content of my answers, I would like to stress that I am not
commenting on statements made by the U.S. Ambassador; statements that,
in any case, I have not seen in their original form anywhere. What
you are saying gives me the opportunity to repeat how Greece sees
the matter.

Mr. Nimetz has been briefed on the stances of both parties on the set
of ideas he presented in October. He will judge and assess – based
on the information he now has and the discussions that have taken
place – the next steps within the framework of the implementation
of the mandate that he has from the Secretary General. At this time,
I cannot predict when or in what form he will continue things.

With regard to the statements of the Turkish Minister of Defense,
these statements are a little unfortunate. They are characterized
by an unacceptable and dangerous thinking that should have stayed
in a dark past to which such thinking belongs. I don’t think that
clarifications after the fact are enough to change or ameliorate the
initial negative impressions and feelings evoked by these statements.

Mr. Ayubi: Could you remind us of the issues to be discussed at the
meeting between Ms. Bakoyannis and the Foreign Minister of Saudi
Arabia?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I don’t have the points on the agenda at the
moment. This meeting will be held in the coming days; Not today or
tomorrow. What I can tell you with certainty, giving you the basic
outline, is that they will surely discuss bilateral cooperation in
all areas, with an emphasis on the economy, of course.

Don’t forget that Greece has a strong and substantial interest in
political issues in the broader Middle East region. And I think that
a good part of the meeting will deal with the situation, the current
state of affairs, and the prospects for the broader Middle East region.

That is the only thing I can tell you at the moment. If you are
interested, you can contact the press office and we will give you the
full picture – as soon as we have it – of the agenda and the purpose
of the discussions.

Mr. Santamouris: I would like to ask whether, based on Greece’s
observations on Mr. Nimetz’ ideas, we still consider these ideas
as a basis for discussions. My second question is whether there is
a deadlock in the Kosovo issue. Whether Athens will wait until the
European force goes to Kosovo in December. And whether this further
delay is linked with the fact that the recognition of Kosovo seems
a more distant prospect.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I will start with the last point that is
related with the state of play of discussions and consultations
within the European Union on the presence of a EULEX mission in
Kosovo. Developments over the past few days have shown that there
might be a positive dynamic for the resolution of this issue in a
reasonable amount of time. For there to be a definitive solution.

A plan has been submitted containing certain points and it seems at
the moment that talks and contacts between the European Union and
Belgrade, which had its doubts and qualms – are moving towards a
convergence of views. I cannot give you the exact timeframe, but it
seems that we are moving in the right direction.

With regard to the set of ideas by Mr. Nimetz and Greece’s reaction,
as well as the general prospects of these ideas, I would like to
remind you – and this is the message conveyed by Mr. Vassilakis to
Mr. Nimetz – that Greece has evaluated this set of ideas and it has
come to two main conclusions; i.e., that crucial aspects of the Greek
position have been taken into account.

But, at the same time, there is a series of points in this set of
ideas that need to be clarified, modified, and there are certain points
that are unacceptable given Greece’s position. Our view is that these
discussions need to move forward and the text needs to be adjusted
in all these manners, in order to form the basis for a solution.

This is Greece’s position. For negotiations to move forward, however,
the other side needs to have clear positions on this text. And I
cannot speak for them, but, in any event, as you can see, the dynamic
doesn’t depend solely on Greece’s stance.

Mr. Santamouris: In this presentation of positions that you just
gave us, is it still true that everything that is being said has to
do with the name, or do they have to do with the whole package?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: I think I gave exhaustive answers in a relevant
question that was raised by one of your colleagues at the last briefing
I gave you. To Greece, the subject of negotiations, having studied and
being committed to UN Security Council resolutions on this process,
Greece addresses these negotiations as negotiations with a clearly
defined subject and this subject is our neighbouring country’s name.

I would just like to tell you that I was waiting for confirmation and
I was just informed that the Foreign Minister is having a telephone
conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Lavrov. This
communication is taking place, as you may realize, on a Greek
initiative and it is a discussion mainly on our country’s preparation
for assuming the OSCE Chairmanship.

Ms. Kourbela: Are the relations between the European Union and
Russia now based on a new foundation, and what is Greece’s position
on that? Following the retraction of Poland and other Baltic states.

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: The Greek position’s starting point is that it
is in the interest of both Europe and Russia to have a substantial
cooperation, because we believe that this relationship is of strategic
importance. I understand that the 14 November EU-Russia Summit Meeting
will go ahead as scheduled.

You remember that previously, we were not sure that these discussions
would take place. Now, they will be held. This is an indication of
the fact that communication, contacts and consultations of this kind
are continuing and we will wait and see the outcome of these talks.

Mr. Caka: Mr. Koumoutsakos, Greece is one of the only countries that
has still not signed the EU Stabilization and Association Agreement
with Albania. What are the criteria that are preventing Greece from
making this decision about its neighbouring country?

And a second question. I said this before, with regard to the name
issue, in Albania there is again a strong current suggesting the
name Republica Iliria, for Albanian-speaking regions; analysts think
that there is no support for this at the moment, but that it depends
on political developments in Skopje that will lead to a clash with
the Slavic population. Does Greece think this Albanian choice is an
alternative for a solution?

Mr. G. Koumoutsakos: Let me start with the last point by giving you
an answer that you probably expect. Greece is taking positions on
proposals that are put forward on the negotiating table. Greece has
its own position, but it takes positions, it reacts to positions
submitted within the framework of this particular process.

Or with regard to positions supported officially by the other side
in the negotiations, Skopje. So long as there are positions, views
being heard, whatever their importance, but that are not the official
positions of our collocutors or Mr. Nimetz, there is no question of
Greece taking a position.

With regard to the first question. You are giving me the opportunity,
and I would like to ask you to underscore this and keep it in
mind, to reiterate that Greece has a firm strategy of support of
the rapprochement between our neighbouring states with European
organizations and Euro-Atlantic institutions, i.e., the European
Union and NATO.

The EU-Albania Stabilization and Association Agreement is of particular
importance in this context. We take a positive approach because we
believe that it is the necessary step in this rapprochement, which –
as I told you – is Greece’s strategic objective.

Indeed, it has not been submitted to the Hellenic Parliament and a
ratification discussion has not been held on it. The reasons for that
are simply due to the scheduling of the parliamentary process.

There is no political or other reason beyond that. These reasons are
of procedural nature and very soon we will have significant and fast
progress on this matter.

Thank you very much.