Athens , 27 July 2009

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis made the following statements to Greek reporters after the GAERC proceedings today in Brussels:

We just completed an important Council meeting; the first meeting under the new Presidency. We were given an opportunity for an in-depth talk at the level of the 27, and I had a very useful discussion with my Swedish counterpart, which I hope will contribute to harmonious cooperation over the next 6 months.

Sweden has taken up the Presidency at a crucial time for the entire world: Global financial crisis, climate change, geopolitical instability are the three main characteristics that determine the environment in which Sweden will exercise its Presidency.

Crucial at a national level as well, given that decisions will be made by the Union this semester that will be of great importance for our neighbourhood. The enlargement issue is at the top of the Presidency’s agenda, and Greece will of course have a substantial say and role in this issue.

The Presidency presented its priorities today. I would like to focus on two issues:

1. Climate change

In December, the Copenhagen Summit on climate change will be held within the framework of the United Nations.

The EU plays a leading role. And it must keep this role.

The Union has set goals for itself, setting an example by placing the bar high.

But important issues – such as funding to address climate change – still remain pending.

The Swedish Presidency now needs time and flexibility in order to be able to negotiate. Greece supports it.

In view of the October European Council, when important decisions will be made, Greece encourages the Swedish presidency to undertake intensive negotiations with other important players, such as China, the U.S. and India.

The objective is to achieve the broadest possible consensus, allowing for the adoption of a substantial, representative and ambitious agreement in Copenhagen. The implementation of our commitments will signify a decisive turn in the European economy to a green development model that can provide the answers that Europe needs in order to address the global financial crisis.

2. Illegal migration and asylum-granting

The inclusion of this issue in the Swedish presidency’s priorities shows that the awareness campaign carried out by Greece and its southern partners has born fruit.

All of the EU’s members now recognize that the issue has European dimensions that go beyond national borders.

They recognize that the successful tackling of the challenges presented by the phenomenon of illegal migration requires community coordination and action.

Greece has already presented its views and ideas to the Swedish Presidency.

We will continue to do so in view of the adoption of the Stockholm Programme in order for the EU to have a substantial, cohesive policy with an emphasis on prevention and respect for human dignity.

A policy that

·       includes strengthening and expanding the existing structures such as FRONTEX,

·       bolsters the conventional – bilateral and community – cooperation framework with the signing and implementation of readmission agreements with home and transit countries, as well as the review of the Dublin II Regulation, and

·       provides for burden-sharing between all EU partners with regard to illegal migration and asylum applications – false or genuine.

I would now like to turn to the issues linked with enlargement.

As you know, we discussed Iceland’s accession application.

This application shows that the EU is still a pole of attraction and stability in these difficult times. Greece supports the enlargement process, which we consider one of the most successful policies of the EU.

It is within this framework that we support Iceland’s candidacy. Based on the principles that we have adopted, this application should be judged given the candidate country's performance and without influencing the course of existing accession processes and other applications.

We are satisfied because these positions are reflected in the Council's conclusions.

The most crucial issue of the enlargement dossier that the Swedish Presidency will be called upon to manage is Turkey’s candidacy.

Based on what has been agreed upon, December will see a verdict on the implementation by Turkey of the Ankara Protocol.

So far, Turkey has not upheld its commitments.

Turkey’s accession negotiations are based on principles and a clear negotiating framework that clearly provide for an obligation to respect good neighbourly relations and peaceful resolution of differences.

Over the past few weeks, Turkey has been following a policy of provocation that has reached the level of successive overflights by Turkish military aircraft over Greek territory and an attempt to establish claims to parts of Greece’s continental shelf.

This policy is unacceptable.

Today, I briefed my counterparts in detail on Turkey’s behaviour. Given that the December deadline is drawing near, other EU governments must have a clear picture of this situation so that we can make decisions jointly.

There cannot be any sort of a-la-carte compliance.

A selective implementation of what has been agreed upon cannot be accepted. If Turkey wishes to become an EU member state – as it says it does – then it should honour its signature.

Greece is the most sincere supporter of Turkey’s accession.

But once again I would like to make it clear that our position in favour of the need for respect for international law, good neighbourly relations and the Union’s principles and values is as firm as our support for Turkey's full accession to Europe.

We will make no concessions on this basic position.

Journalist: What have your counterparts said?

Ms. Bakoyannis: I briefed my counterparts. There was no discussion on this issue. I just presented the entire picture of Turkey’s activities. They wanted to have a picture in order to be able to follow developments from now on.

Journalist: Did you have a one-to-one meeting with Mr. Bildt?

Ms. Bakoyannis: I had a discussion on the sidelines of the meeting with Mr. Bildt about the way in which we intend to cooperate this semester.

Journalist: Regarding the same issue, what is your comment on yesterday’s statement by the LAOS party?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Exercising foreign policy requires responsibility, seriousness, and composure. Such statements, be they about an incident in the Aegean which the government is allegedly trying to take advantage of or about scenarios with aircraft being taken down, are basically lacking seriousness. Everyone must finally realize that frivolity, impulsiveness and lack of moderation on the part of the opposition have their limits.

Journalist: … (regarding the discussion with Sweden’s Foreign Minister and his statements on Cyprus).

Ms. Bakoyannis: Cyprus and Greece made their position clear from the outset and we briefed the Swedish presidency.

Journalist: Did you brief them today?

Ms. Bakoyannis: We had already briefed them.

Journalist: The issue of Turkey’s violations is not included in the conclusions. Will you seek such an inclusion in October’s conclusions?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Our goal today was not to include anything in the conclusions. Our goal was for a briefing to be held at the highest level, at the level of Foreign Ministers, those who at the end of the day have the responsibility for political decisions. I wanted my counterparts to know what the situation is. Not at the level of those who manage. Those who manage are already aware. European Commission officials already know it of course. But I wanted to present the reality at a political level, in order for us to be able to have a joint approach and evaluation in the discussions to come.

Journalist: …

Ms. Bakoyannis: Look, realities, as you know, are presented and noted down and evaluated by the European Commission.

Journalist: …

Ms. Bakoyannis: The progress report on Turkey will be made in time, at the time when it must be made. Beyond that, I hope that Turkey will realize that it is to its benefit to comply with the European Union’s criteria and prerequisites. I hope that, for the benefit of everyone, including Turkey’s own accession perspective.  

Journalist: … (on the possibility of Turkey’s progress report deadline being pushed back).  

Ms. Bakoyannis: There is no such position, at least not at my level. I don’t know if you’ve heard that at the journalists’ level, but at least at our level nothing like that has been heard or suggested. No such issue has been raised.

Journalist: Would you agree with such a proposal?

Ms. Bakoyannis: We cannot agree with hypothetical scenarios.

Journalist: Are you worried about the possibility of the European Commission proposing the start of accession negotiations with FYROM in the fall?

Ms. Bakoyannis: The Greek position is well known. Greece cannot consent to the start of negotiations without prior resolution of the name issue.

Journalist: …

Ms. Bakoyannis: There are various levels on which counterparts, partners and allies have been briefed. We have been following a specific policy for a very long time, we have briefed NATO, we have been briefing the European Union and the countries with which Greece has bilateral relations, as well as our partners and allies.  This time we thought it was necessary to do that at the level of the Council, and so we did.

Thank you very much.