JOURNALIST: The 68th UN General Assembly is happening at a critical time for our region. It’s not just the Syria issue and the Middle East – we also have the effort to jumpstart the dialogue on the Cyprus issue. Does the EU have a common policy on all these issues? And mainly, where are we with the Cyprus issue, and whether it will it will be the dominant issue in your speech to the General Assembly.
E. VENIZELOS: The 68th UN General Assembly is in fact starting at a time of intense instability and fluidity in our wider region. The aspirations of the Mediterranean peoples for a smooth transition to democracy – which started with the Arab Spring – have unfortunately not been realized, and the achievement of stability, prosperity and peaceful development is still being sought in our region. The most emblematic case is that of Syria, where the bloodshed and civil strife are continuing, with destabilizing repercussions for all the neighbouring states.
It is significant that, during our Meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, on 6-7 September, the Foreign Ministers of the EU member states expressed in a single voice a common European stance condemning the use of chemical weapons in Syria and calling for the opening of a political process – Geneva II – that will put an end to the civil conflict and lead a political solution to the problem.
In Vilnius we talked in depth with our U.S. counterpart, John Kerry, about the Middle East peace process. On 5 September I visited Cairo for talks with the Egyptian political leadership, and we laid the framework for productive bilateral cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, mainly in the field of energy issues. And the trilateral Greek-Egyptian-Cypriot political consultations are starting, with the first meeting on the Ministerial level scheduled to take place now, in New York.
In this unstable environment, Greece and Cyprus, members of the European Union, are islands of stability. Our cooperation is excellent. During my 5 July visit to Nicosia we agreed, with the Cypriot leadership, for there to be an automatic mechanism for consultations and exchange of views between Greece and Cyprus. And of course the Cyprus issue cannot but have a central place in my speech to the General Assembly this coming Friday, 27 September.
On the Cyprus issue, we are awaiting the initiation in October of a new effort to find a solution that, as we have made clear in every direction, must be viable, functional and just, and in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and the Republic of Cyprus’ membership in the EU. Thus, in close coordination with the Cypriot leadership, we support the negotiation process that is to begin under the auspices of the UN. But, as Cypriot President Anastasiades said a few days ago, these talks must take place following substantial preparation; they must be substantial talks, and not simply a formality with artificial timeframes.
JOURNALIST: How do you respond to the voices that are trying to link the activities of Golden Dawn with Greece’s upcoming EU Presidency. Do you fear there might be repercussions?
E. VENIZELOS: The activities of this openly neo-Nazi organization tarnish the country’s image. The European Union reacts institutionally when extreme-right, racist and xenophobic forces appear in national Parliaments and pursue a role. Other European countries have faced such phenomena in the past, without an economic crisis. But in contrast, while other countries are currently feeling the repercussions of the crisis, they are not experiencing phenomena like Golden Dawn.
The activities of criminal organizations – activities that fuel the vicious cycle of violence – will not be tolerated by the Greek state. The Greek government is taking all institutional measures and has asked the Greek Judiciary to implement the existing legislation’s stern penalties for the criminal actions that have been perpetrated. At the same time, the relevant criminal legislation will be enhanced. Rule of Law must and will be enforced.
Beyond that, the institutional functions of the European Union are governed by principles of law and rules, based on the institutional equality of member states and respect for the national sovereignty and dignity of each of those member states. In this context, Greece is fully prepared to meet its obligations as the EU Presidency. Any further discussion is superfluous.
JOURNALIST: And since we’re talking about Golden Dawn: Pasok was one of the first parties, if not the first, to ask for tough measures against this phenomenon. But on various social media there are comments like, “Since Mr. Venizelos is a member of the government, why doesn’t he take measures?”. How do you respond to that?
E. VENIZELOS: Pasok raised the issue in a very clear manner some time ago. Coalition governments are based on consensus and negotiation in good faith. We have decided, with the Prime Minister, on a clear and effective action framework. The latest tragic incident functioned as a catalyst.
It is distressing and unacceptable to see the emergence of neo-Nazi violence in a country that was the birthplace of democracy and humanistic values; a country that contributed decisively – paying a heavy toll in blood – to the historic defeat of fascism and Nazism.
These acts of violence are deplored by the Greek government and will be marginalized by Greek citizens, the vast majority of whom condemn intolerance and violence.
At the same time, there is an even more imperative need to reverse the economic conditions that have allowed for the emergence of such extremist conduct. After six years of economic recession and sacrifices made by the Greek people – six years that have left hundreds of thousands of Greeks unemployed and in despair – it has to be made clear to the European and international partners involved in Greece’s economic adaptation programme that there is a limit to the democratic endurance of societies in a lasting, ongoing recession. This is why we have said the neither the Greek economy nor Greek society can bear additional fiscal measures. The priority now is a return to a positive growth rate and the transformation of the state into a proper European state in the service of the citizen. The priority now is for the primary surplus our country is achieving, after years of large deficits, to have a positive impact for more vulnerable groups in society.
JOURNALIST: In a recent interview with the Italian news agency, you said that “Greece has completed 4/5 of this collective effort,” while you underscored that “the country has the largest structural primary surplus in the Eurozone, on the order of 5% of GDP.” But when will the results manifest themselves in the real economy and, consequently, in society? So that a positive outlook can take hold.
E. VENIZELOS: We are already seeing the first signs of recovery. The recession is slowing down, 2013 was an exceptional year for Greek tourism, the economy has recovered its competitiveness, and foreign investors are showing ever greater interest. The choice of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) as the route for carrying Azerbaijan’s natural gas from the Caspian to Europe, via Greece, is an example of a major direct foreign investment – in the amount of €1.5 billion – with no burden on the state. This project is expected to create 2,000 new jobs directly, and a further 10,000 new jobs collaterally. It is a vote of confidence in the Greek economy.
We have also seen the recapitalization of the banks, major projects are starting up again, and major economic reforms are starting to produce results – and 2014 will be the year when the Greek economy starts to recover.
JOURNALIST: During your stay in New York – beyond your meetings with your counterparts from various countries – will you be meeting with representatives of the Greek American community?
E. VENIZELOS: Of course. In addition to my meetings in the framework of the UN General Assembly’s Ministerial Week, I have scheduled meeting with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrius of America and with representatives Greek American organizations.
JOURNALIST: As you arrive in New York, what message will you send to Greek Americans, who have long been concerned at what is happening in the homeland?
E. VENIZELOS: I send a brotherly national greeting to the Greeks of America, to Hellenes abroad, to global Hellenism.
And I know that the situation in Greece is a source of pain and concern for Greeks abroad – they are concerned at the high unemployment, particularly among the young, and they too are trying to assist Greece. I would like to assure them that we will not allow the destabilization of the homeland, and that we are doing everything humanly possible to get past this harsh economic crisis and ensure that the great sacrifices the Greek people have made do not go to waste.
I would also like to call on Greeks throughout the world to come and invest in their country of origin. Greece’s investment law has been simplified, Greece is more competitive, and there are great opportunities for business activities in the sectors of investment, real estate, tourism
September 21, 2013