Athens , 20 June 2009

Journalist: There are various issues in Greek-Turkish relations. One of the top issues is the reopening of the Halki Seminary. Prime Minister Erdogan said that this issue can be discussed, but he also commented on your policy in Western Thrace. Principally, the matters of the Mufti and the associations in Thrace, which were taken to the European Court of Human Rights. What is your comment on this? Can these two issues be compared? What do you believe? Is it perhaps the case the Turkey doesn’t want the Halki Seminary to reopen because it doesn’t agree with this policy of yours?

Ms. Bakoyannis: As you raised a number of issues, I’ll start at the beginning. The Lausanne Treaty is in force. Of course, when the Lausanne Treaty was drawn up, there was a large Christian community in Istanbul.

Things have changed since then, because this Christian community has essentially dwindled to very few people – and there was a major discussion in Turkey recently on this subject. In contrast, the Muslim community in Thrace is prospering, growing, and we have a minority policy of which we are particularly proud. Greek minorities enjoy distinct advantages: that is, they get into the civil service more easily, they get into Greek universities more easily.

We follow this policy precisely because we believe that a European identity is very important for the children of Thrace, who have a very bright future throughout Europe and, of course, in Greece.

Now, the issue of the Patriarchate is completely different. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world. There are Orthodox Christians in America, Asia, Africa and throughout Europe. This is not a bilateral issue between Greece and Turkey. It is a matter of religious freedom. The reopening of the Halki Seminary is a precondition for the survival of the Patriarchate. A Patriarchate that – if its problems were resolved – could be one of Turkey’s best ambassadors: a large Muslim country that has – and I think this reflects well on everyone – a Christian leader within its borders is an exceptional passport. The Patriarch is an exceptional ambassador for Turkey’s European course.

So I don’t want the two issues to be linked, because they are not linked in and of themselves. They are not issues of mutuality, just as minority issues in general are not issues of mutuality.

Let me go to the Mufti issue that you raised. Muftis throughout the world – here and in Turkey – are not elected. They are appointed. And they are appointed everywhere. In Greece we have a further reason to appoint them. We appoint them because they carry out judicial duties; they are also judges.

Judges are not elected. They are appointed. The judge, that is, who implements the law.  That is why Muftis are appointed in both Turkey and Greece.

Journalist: One of the key factors in Greek-Turkish relations is the Cyprus problem. How do you see the negotiations? In your opinion, can change in the north impact the negotiations?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Greece supports the negotiations in Cyprus – taking place between President Christofias and Mr. Talat – with all its powers. We believe that the Cypriots can find the solution amongst themselves. It is very important that the two leaders have begun talks and made progress. Not enough progress has been made so far, but I would like to hope that they will conclude on a plan that we will call the Cyprus Plan. Hands off for everyone else.

Now, it is very important for us to realise that in the end, when – God willing – we achieve a solution that is successful, Cyprus is a member of the European Union, and this solution, the solution, must be a solution that is functional, practical; a solution that will enable Cyprus, as a member of the European Union, to participate effectively in the internal European process. And at the same time, it has to be a solution where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will live together.

I think this is the greatest challenge, and – in my opinion – those who approach the solution of the Cyprus issue in terms of two separate communities that we have to keep away from one another are wrong.

We will be successful in Cyprus if they live together. If we achieve this cohabitation. They certainly had problems with this is the past, but there were times when they lived together very well. If we achieve this coexistence within the European Union, within the security of the European Union, we should do it right.

Then we will have a real solution of the Cyprus issue, and it will be a very important message to all those Europeans who don’t want Turkey to join the European Union. Cyprus will be an example of success.

Journalist: One of your top expectations from Turkey on the Cyprus issue is for it to open its ports and airports. The European Union’s deadline for this is the end of 2009. How will you approach this at the Summit Meeting? Will you request a freeze in the opening of chapters, or do you prefer to put this issue on hold while the negotiations continue?

Ms. Bakoyannis: The decision to freeze 8 chapters is a decision of all Europeans, and all together, we Europeans said that these 8 chapters are being frozen so that Turkey can have time to fully implement the Ankara Protocol.

The Ankara Protocol is one of Turkey’s obligations. I want to explain, as best I can, that the European Union is one body. The member states of the European Union – each one, including Cyprus – all have the same rights. The countries coming in, who want to become members of the EU, are judged based on the criteria and prerequisites that the EU has set.

It is not just for Turkey. This was the case for Greece at one time, when we were not yet members of the EU. It is the case for Croatia and it was the case for Bulgaria. It is not something that the EU has invented just for Turkey. But if Turkey really wants to approach the European Union, it has to meet these criteria and accept them.

So the opening of harbours and airports to Cypriot products is one of the prerequisites that the European Union has set. And experience has shown that the European Union will maintain this stance. It won’t change.

Journalist: Of course, the Cyprus issue is not the only problem for Turkey’s accession to the EU. You have always stated that you support Turkey’s accession to the EU. You also have relations with Germany and France. You have contacts with them. Both of these countries have various proposals for Turkey. What is your comment on that. Is it likely that a special, privileged relationship will be given to Turkey?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Greece’s position is well known, and it is not the position of just our government. It is the position of the two major parties in Greece. When we said it, a lot of people were surprised. They said, “Greeks are coming and saying that they are in favour of Turkey’s European perspective? The Greeks, who have problems with Turkey?”

My answer to all the journalists – the French and Germans – who ask this question is that “yes, we Greeks, with greater sincerity and greater clarity and a greater dynamic, support Turkey’s European perspective.”

Why? Because it is in Greece’s interest as well. It is in Greece’s interest for us to have the best possible relations with our neighbouring country. We will have the best possible relations when Turkey has fully accepted the European acquis; the acquis communautaire.

Because a lot of our problems will have been solved automatically. Greece wants good relations with Turkey. This is clear. In this way – through Turkey’s European perspective – I believe that we have the best prospect for obtaining such relations on a bilateral level, but also because we believe that all of the peoples of the Balkans must have a European future. We are thus very clear on our position.

Now, you ask about the privileged relationship. It isn’t easy for the European Union to change its decisions. I said this before. What is the case regarding the Ankara Protocol – that the EU will not change its mind – is the case for Turkey’s European perspective.

Turkey has taken the decision to move ahead with accession negotiations. It may take time. It may not happen tomorrow, but the goal is full implementation of the European acquis, full accession. This is Greece’s position, and  we are very clear on this.

I think that for Turkish society – I have visited Turkey very often, I have many friends their, I have walked the streets of its cities – this European perspective is the greatest leverage for development, the greatest incentive to create.

Journalist: The migration issue has come to the fore recently in Greece, and your government has taken measures on it. I think that you have expectations from Turkey on this issue as well. What is Turkey’s role in this problem that Greece is facing?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Turkey has a very important role in Greece’s problem. Greece and Turkey have signed a Protocol. A Protocol on the readmission of migrants. What are we talking about here? We are talking about a large number of people – as many as 140,000 – who are on Turkey’s shores and are the victims of traffickers; that is, as abject as you can be in this world, and they are brought from Turkey to Greece.

This is where the Protocol comes in. It says that when they are arrested in Greece, they must be sent back to Turkey. But Turkey does not accept them back on its territory, creating various obstacles to their readmission.

What is the result of this? The result is that these traffickers are not deterred and essentially continue. There are so many economic migrants in Greece that it is impossible for Greece to manage them: Greece is a small country. But we have an obligation to the rest of Europe to guard our borders.

So it is a huge problem. I have discussed it repeatedly with Mr. Babacan. Mr. Babacan said at the time that “you know, they are just transiting through us, as well.” I know that they are transiting Turkey, and that is why Greece is supporting Turkey’s proposal that the European Union fund its government so the problem can be confronted on Turkish territory.

While we did this, there was no response from Turkey. I would like to hope that with Mr. Erdogan coming to Greece, we will have another opportunity to discuss this and agree that both countries have an obligation: first, to honour our agreements, and second, to put everything we have into fighting organized crime – trafficking – and send a message that we won’t stand for illegal migration.

Journalist: There is an ongoing discussion in Greece regarding the mosque. Why isn’t a mosque built in Athens? Will one be built?

Ms. Bakoyannis: One will be built, and I will tell you why it has not been built yet. In the past there were very, very few Muslims in Athens. We have mosques in Thrace that are not only built, but are also renovated by the Culture Ministry and the Region. It is part of European tradition, and if you go, you will see that there are many and that they are beautiful. There are also mosques in other areas of Greece.

Athens did not have a large Muslim community. But things have changed now. There are now many Muslim immigrants who of course have every right to a space in which to worship, to a Muslim cemetery, etc.

So the government has moved ahead, and in fact we have a site provided by the Church of Greece for the Muslim cemetery. This will be created now, and for the mosque that the government has decided on, space has been found and the Education Ministry is moving ahead with the implementation of this decision to build a very nice mosque in Athens.