Athens , 12 November 2009

Journalist: What are the foreign policy priorities that George Papandreou’s new government wants to set?

Mr. Droutsas: We have set a major goal: To once again give Greece a presence in all the major international issues. The center of gravity here is obviously the Balkans. We want Greece to be the motor force behind the European integration of the Western Balkans. We want to try to lead all the states in the region into the EU by 2014.

Journalist: Why 2014?

Mr. Droutsas: It is a symbolic date. 100 years after the outbreak of World War I. In general terms, one might say that 1914 is the root of all the problems and disputes we have in Southeast Europe. For this reason, we are saying that the EU – as the greatest peace project ever known – should take its responsibilities in this part of Europe as well and see to it that there is peace and stability.

Journalist: One problem the region has is the unpleasant dispute over the name; a dispute that Athens and Skopje have been involved in for years now, concerning the name of the country “Macedonia”, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), as the Greeks say. Do you have any ideas as to how one might get out of this impasse?

Mr. Droutsas: It is our sincere desire to see all of the countries in the region incorporated into the European Union, including FRYOM, of course. We will work very, very hard towards this goal. But we say clearly that Greece cannot consent to the opening of Skopje’s negotiations with the EU if the matter of the name of this state has not been cleared up first. Everyone knows our position: We want an official name with a clear geographical qualifier, and the name we agree on will have to be for use in relation to everyone – “erga omnes”, as it is called in international law.

Journalist: Might “Northern Macedonia” be such a compromise?

Mr. Droutsas: It is no secret that the latest proposal from the UN, under whose auspices the negotiations are being carried out, is “Republic of Northern Macedonia”. This is a proposal that the Greek side could take under consideration.

Journalist: Another difficult neighbour for Greece is Turkey. What is the situation in your relations right now?

Mr. Droutsas: In this case, as well, we want to follow and open policy on Turkey. The Greek government supports Turkey’s EU membership aspirations. We think that via this route, Turkey can institute the necessary reforms in the direction of a truly democratic state. A state in which democratic institutions have been consolidated; in which human and minority rights are respected; in which the role of the armed forces is not what it is currently. A state that takes care to maintain good neighbourly relations, that respects the territorial integrity of its neighbours, and that is ready for the Cyprus issue to be resolved. These are all issues that are on the table. Our policy is based on the principle that despite the issues that exist between Athens and Ankara, we focus on our common interests so that we can build the necessary trust. Then we will be able to deal with the difficult problems.

Journalist: One problem currently plaguing Greece is intensive illegal immigration via Turkey. Does Athens have the support it needs from its partners in the EU to deal with this problem?

Mr. Droutsas: This matter has really taken on major dimensions and Greek citizens are becoming more and more concerned about it. Illegal migration is an issue that cannot be dealt with by one country on its own – particularly a country like Greece, with exposed borders and its many islands in the Aegean. We will all have to make joint efforts on this issue.

Journalist: How big is this problem in terms of numbers?

Mr. Droutsas: We are talking about over 150,000 illegal migrants. Our problem is that we are a kind of bridge for regions currently under great pressure: Afghanistan, Pakistan and less recently Iraq. Many people in these regions see their futures in Europe. And they often give every last penny they have to traffickers in order to get a “ticket” to Europe. The road is from Turkey to Europe, via Greece. Generally speaking, Greece is a way  station for refugees, rather than a country of destination.

Journalist: How can the EU partners help?

Mr. Droutsas: What we are asking our EU partners to do is show solidarity and help us. Because the problem also concerns other countries in the region, like Malta. I say it openly: The understanding and support of the EU on this issue could really be much greater.

Journalist: What should have been done?

Mr. Droutsas: The first step should be the signing of a readmission agreement between the EU and Turkey. We hope that Turkey will collaborate with the EU on this matter. To date, Turkey has unfortunately not implemented the bilateral readmission agreement with Greece as it should. We are asking Turkey to control its borders coasts more effectively and deal with trafficking more consistently.

Journalist: At the end of the year, Greece is handing the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) over to Kazakhstan. Many are very sceptical about this upcoming OSCE Chairmanship. Are you, as well?

Mr. Droutsas: It will give Kazakhstan the opportunity to show – during its Chairmanship – that there are no grounds for scepticism.