Athens , 16 November 2009

Mr. Droutsas: Good evening. We are taking advantage of the presence here today of Defense Minister Venizelos to carry out a joint briefing.

This afternoon we had the first session of the General Affairs Council, and a short while ago we completed the informal meeting of Foreign and Defense Ministers with the Secretary General of NATO.

The Council looked at the EU strategy for sustainable development ahead of the preparation by the Presidency of the relevant progress report, with the aim of the adoption by the European Council of conclusions on the issue. We believe that the Strategy should emphasize the shift – as fast as possible – to low coal-consumption economies, the protection of biodiversity and natural resources, the promotion of social integration and the effort to combat poverty on a global level. This Strategy – which, as you know, is an important priority for the government – will have to be in excellent coordination with the Lisbon Strategy.

That brings us to the second subject we discussed today. During the Spanish Presidency, a new framework will be formulated for the Lisbon Strategy. We believe that this framework should not be bound by the measures for confronting the economic crisis, and emphasize the development dimension. And, as always, it must incorporate the social agenda and, naturally, the environmental dimension.

We had a brief discussion of the preparations for the December European Council as well as the European Council the day after tomorrow, which will make decisions on the persons who will fill the posts of responsibility provided for in the Lisbon Treaty.

We then had the first informal meeting of the NATO Secretary General and the Foreign and Defense Ministers. We discussed issues and exchanged views regarding the challenges being faced by the two organizations, respectively, in crisis management, exchanging lessons. Greece wants to play a leading role on this issue, as a country with significant participation in such operations. In fact, we have also presented a series of proposals for the rationalization, if you will, of the cooperation between the two organizations – the EU and NATO – because, as you know, this cooperation has met with some obstacles in recent years. Our aim and desire is for Greece to help shape a cooperation framework that will strengthen the capabilities and effectiveness of the two organizations’ actions, always with full respect for their discrete roles and procedures.

Before I give the floor to Mr. Venizelos, I would like to say a few words about the dinner that will follow. The basic issue we will be looking at will be Afghanistan and EU-Russian relations ahead of the EU-Russia Summit on 18 November. We believe that closer and closer cooperation with Russia is in the EU’s strategic interests.

And, as Greece, we too want to contribute in this direction. And I think this is a good opportunity to mention Greece’s role at this time – through the end of this year – as the Chairmanship of the OSCE. And here we have initiated a new process – the Corfu Process – within the framework of the OSCE, where we can discuss issues pertaining to the new European security architecture. The framework that shapes U.S.-Russian relations is also important in this discussion. Let me remind you that regarding this issue – as well as the issues of EU-Russian relations and the Corfu Process – we had the opportunity in Athens a few days ago for a detailed discussion with Russian Deputy Minister Titov, who visited our country. We had a very useful exchange of thoughts and views regarding the further close cooperation of our two countries.

Just a note regarding the OSCE. This morning, as the Chairmanship, Greece had the OSCE Troika-EU meeting. The OSCE Troika currently consists of Greece, the Chairmanship, and Finland and Kazakhstan, the previous and next Chairmanships, respectively.

Journalist: Mr. Minister, the Skopje issue. Did you discuss this issue at all?

Mr. Droutsas: No, and it isn’t on the agenda for today’s Council, so there was no reference to that issue.

Journalist: Ahead of the European Council, will there be a discussion of ...

Mr. Droutsas: As we have said repeatedly, Greece wants prior resolution of the issue. We have said repeatedly that Greece is the country that will contribute to and be the motor force of the accession courses of all of the countries in our neighbourhood, the Balkans.

And this holds true for FYROM, of course, but we have said just as clearly that the prior resolution of the name issue is a prerequisite for the opening of accession negotiations with Skopje. Here, again, Greece’s very clear position holds true, the clear national red line, which is well known. Within this framework, we are also taking initiatives. We want cooperation, we want contact with our neighbours, and we want contact with the neighbouring people. We are open here, but always with clear positions, clear statements.

Journalist: (off microphone)

Mr. Droutsas: Once again may I emphasize that Greece has made its strategic goal to be the country that will help all the countries of the western Balkans in their bid for EU accession. We have said that Greece wants to be and will be the real motor, if I can use this word, for the European accession of all our neighbors. And in this respect Greece has also already made a very specific proposal, saying that we would aim to see this process concluded in political terms under the year of 2014. This aim of course counts for Skopje. We want to help Skopje in this process, but in order to be able to do so, we will have to solve this issue that stands between our two countries, stands between Greece and FYROM.

So in this respect we want to work very hard. As you know Greece and Prime Minister Papandreou himself has already taken an initiative and had invited Prime Minister Gruevski for a first informal meeting, to get to know each other and in this spirit we want to collaborate and we want to seek a solution, always within the framework of the United Nations and in this respect we are also looking forward to the constructive position and response by Skopje.

Journalist: The Swedish Presidency briefed you on the procedural aspect of Thursday’s Meeting. Will they continue it and go into the next day?

Mr. Droutsas: So far, we know that the working dinner of the heads of state and government starts at 18:00. We’ll see on Thursday.

Thank you very much.