Athens , 9 September 2009

Journalist: In 1999 Greece and Turkey started what was called “Earthquake Diplomacy”. Ten years later, none of the major issues has been solved. Has the rapprochement between the two countries reached its limits?

Ms. Bakoyannis: This process requires oxygen. It requires good will and investment in a common future of cooperation and peace. It requires respect for the principle of good neighbourly relations and the peaceful resolution of differences, which should be a given for two NATO allies and prospective partners in the EU. There are no automatic, mechanical procedures. 1999’s “earthquake diplomacy” – the Greek-Turkish rapprochement that Greece had already begun pursuing as early as 1990 – is the result of specific actions on the part of political leaders. It is up to us to create more trust rather than squandering the trust that exists. Greece is genuine in its support of Turkey’s accession process and the Greek-Turkish rapprochement, under the condition that it is based on mutual respect and complementarity and that it is accompanied by tangible progress. We can get closer to one another. But words will not suffice for us to achieve this.

Journalist: Greece has been complaining about increasing overflights by Turkish fighter jets over Greek islands. What do you read into these incidents?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Greece isn’t complaining about the overflights. Greece condemns them because they are an unacceptable practice that is hazardous and is in violation of international law. Turkish fighter aircraft flying 100 meters over the rooftops of Greek islanders cannot change the status quo in the Aegean, but it might well cause an accident, as in the death of the Greek pilot K. Iliakis. We cannot have passengers on commercial flights looking out their windows to see Turkish fighter jets next to them. This conduct is dangerous, it strains our relations and it is incompatible with Turkey’s EU accession candidate status. It has to stop.

Journalist: The ever increasing number of illegal immigrants entering Greece from Turkey has also created tension between Athens and Ankara. Some believe Turkey might be trying to create instability and social unrest in Greece by facilitating the influx of illegal migrants. What do you think?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Illegal migration is a challenge being faced in common by Greece, Turkey and the EU as a whole. We have to combat this latter-day form of slavery, and in order to do this we have to work together. Greece has made great efforts and has succeeded in raising awareness among its EU partners so that specific actions can be undertaken, like strengthening FRONTEX, concluding readmission agreements with third countries and promoting the creation of a European coastguard. Within this framework, we want to help Turkey, and we can do this by providing economic support and jointly promoting Ankara’s readmission agreements with third countries. But Turkey will have to take its share of the responsibility, implementing the readmission agreement it has had with Greece since 2001 (Of the 69,000 illegal migrants Greece has requested be returned pursuant to the protocol, Turkey has accepted only 2,365), signing a corresponding agreement with the EU, and – most essentially of all – ensuring effective control of its borders to stop traffickers.

Journalist: Greece has been supporting Turkey’s EU membership application for the last decade – hoping also for a substantial improvement in bilateral relations, which, however, has not materialized. Instead we are seeing increasing tension. How long  can Greece continue to back Turkey’s EU aspiration under these circumstances?

Ms. Bakoyannis: In Greece, government after government has invested in Greek-Turkish rapprochement. Today’s government in particular: Kostas Karamanlis was the first Greek Prime Minister to visit Turkey in 40 years. In answer to these positive gestures, we heard positive intentions. But we have seen no tangible progress. In Greek politics, there is broad consensus on our policy on Turkey. But this is not a blank check – it is about balanced accounts. We want to see Turkey become a full member of the EU. We think it is in Greece’s interest and in Europe’s interest. But without shortcuts bypassing our principles and values. Full compliance, full accession. I have said this in person to my German counterpart, and I will state it publicly: this policy requires oxygen, but right now – due to Turkey’s stance – it is in danger of suffocating. The ball is in Turkey’s court. Greece want to see tangible progress in response to its gestures.

Journalist: At the end of the year the EU will review Turkey’s relations with Cyprus. For the time being there are no indications that Turkey will open it’s ports and airfields for Cypriot ships and planes. Turkey seems to be hoping for another adjournment. Would Greece agree to such an adjournment?

Ms. Bakoyannis: There is still time – a little time – for Turkey to meet its commitments to the EU. There is time to open up ports and airports and normalize its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. It is ludicrous to want to join a club when you do not recognize all of its members, especially when you need the consent of every member in order to get into the club. This circle cannot be squared. Turkey will be evaluated in December. And the evaluation will be objective. And as for the efforts to impose a timeframe and the threats we have been hearing from Turkey lately regarding the partitioning of the island, these raise serious questions as to Turkey’s true intentions.