Athens , 12 November 2008

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. Schüssel.

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.