Athens , 28 May 2009

Journalist: Madam Minister, what is at stake in these European elections?

Ms. Bakoyannis: What is at stake is Europe’s course, Europe’s perspective; what Europe will do in the face of major changes. We are waiting for the Irish to ratify the Lisbon Treaty through a referendum, so that we – as the Union – can take the step European citizens want us to take.

We need a European Parliament that will do daily battle with the Commission. And I want to say here that the European Parliament has very extensive authority in the new phase we are entering.

So it is very important for our country to be well-represented by experienced MEPs, by MEPs who are determined to go to battle on all the issues that concern Greece.

There is also something at stake for Greece, in the sense that the message of the elections – any elections, whether municipal or prefectural or European elections – is a political message. In my opinion, it is never hard to figure it out. These are not governmental elections. That is clear. The same government will be in power the day after the elections.

Journalist: But might the results be grounds for questioning the governments popular support?

Ms. Bakoyannis: In my opinion, no, Mr. Melissopoulos. In my opinion no, in the sense that we all know that the thinking behind the European elections is different from the approach to other elections.

I repeat that every type of elections has its own identity and characteristics. So European elections are different from national elections. And the citizen has a certain approach to European elections and another approach to national elections, when they are choosing the country’s Prime Minister.

Today, voters have a different approach, because they know that on Monday morning Kostas Karamanlis will be Prime Minister.

Journalist: PASOK is levelling charges of policy that leads to barbarism. How do you answer that?

Ms. Bakoyannis: I’ll tell you straight out that I was very dismayed to hear that phrase from George Papandreou. Not because it bothered me or I felt insulted, but because I didn’t expect that sort of statement from someone who wants to be seen as a modern politician.

You can’t have politics on these terms, with advertising slogans or phrases borrowed from various political contexts and used just because they sound good. Politics requires arguments, programmes, proposals. And what we expect from the main opposition party is for them to submit these proposals rather than having recourse to demagoguery, inflated promises or populism.

Journalist: Would early elections be a way out of the current problems and crisis?

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: In my opinion, no, Mr. Melissopoulos. Early elections would just intensify problems, because in Greece – as in other European countries – we are facing a major crisis. Everyone - everyone around the world - agrees that it is the biggest financial crisis since 1929.

So it is the government’s duty – and it has assumed this duty with a sense of responsibility – to lead the country out of this crisis and, at the same time, turn the crisis into an opportunity so that we can come out stronger from this crisis. This is our task, this is our obligation. I’m not saying this is easy; far from it. I think that it is very difficult.

It is a difficult battle, but we were called upon to fight and we must respond to the trust that Greek citizens put in us last September.

Journalist: One last question, please. Crucial foreign policy issues will be dealt with in the second half of 2009. Do you have any particular worries about possible developments?

Ms. D. Bakoyannis: The world around us is changing, Mr. Melissopoulos, and it is changing very fast. I spoke to you earlier about Europe and the new challenges that the European Union is called upon to face. We have always argued that Greece is stronger when Europe is stronger. Our country is stronger as an EU member state.

On the occasion of the review of Turkey's course, we will have a crucial discussion on whether or not it has responded to its obligations. More particularly, on the Ankara protocol and its implementation. There are negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Crucial negotiations that are taking place between President Christofias and Mr. Talat. Difficult negotiations. We will have to see how they move forward.

There is also the FYROM name: Negotiations under Mr. Nimetz will start after the elections at the end of the month. There will be a new effort of finding a mutually acceptable solution.

At the same time, there is the major challenge of the OSCE Chairmanship. As you know, for the first time in the Organisation’s history, we have invited 56 Foreign Ministers to Corfu in order to start a dialogue on European security, a dialogue which we all agree is necessary; a dialogue including all players, including Russia, Europe and the U.S.

So the challenges are significant. Greece handles foreign policy issues with self-confidence and faith in our arguments, our strengths and the Greek Diplomatic Service's activities.