I welcome today’s statement from His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who, with gravity, responsibility and reflecting the role of the Church, called for composure and self-restraint so that we can deal with this critical and sensitive issue peacefully and with prudence.
This evening I had a long conversation with the UN Secretary General’s Personal Envoy, Matthew Nimetz, who returned from Skopje. I clearly and sternly stressed that it is not within his competence to talk about what Athens’ policy is, much less to describe it incorrectly.
Based on the briefing I received regarding the talks Mr. Nimetz had in Skopje, I made it absolutely clear that the negotiations can take place only on the basis of what was agreed upon in Davos. After all, any negotiation in good faith takes place on the basis of convergences that have already been achieved.
February 2, 2018