Journalist: Mr. Minister, Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu reiterated during his visit to Athens all of Turkey’s longstanding arguments on Greek-Turkish relations. So, what progress is being made in the exploratory contacts?
Mr. Droutsas: The Turkish positions are very familiar. And our positions are well know – they are strong and we express them. The framework in which the exploratory contacts are being carried out is the Law of the Sea. Turkey will have to adapt to international reality: 160 countries have ratified the Convention on the Law of the Sea. By a joint decision of our two governments, the exploratory contacts have been intensified. George Papandreou and Tayyip Erdogan are two leaders who can lead Greece and Turkey in this historic step, but we are obviously not talking about an interminable process: patience has its limits. After the upcoming elections in Turkey, we expect decisions: either to wrap up the issue or take it to The Hague. Mr. Erdogan’s credibility – from actions to words – will be on show.
Journalist: Mr. Davutoglu announced the continuation of flyovers of Turkish military aircraft over Greek islands, speaking of an “unclear” status in the Aegean, and the continued passage of Turkish warships into Greek territorial waters. A few days ago, a Turkish corvette harassed an Italian vessel on the Greek continental shelf. Ankara doesn’t seem to be taking note of Athens’ reactions to these practices. Is anything going to change?
Mr. Droutsas: Turkish provocations always get the appropriate reply; a reply that safeguards our sovereignty. This is our primary concern. We will not suffer the slightest dent in our sovereign rights. Turkey is trying to avoid the constraints of the Law of the Sea and impose its positions by military means. We are not allowing this, and nor can Turkey call Greece’s rights into question by these means. Turkey is simply hindering the efforts being made and calling its own intentions into doubt.
As I have already stressed, Turkey is jeopardising its own credibility. And I have said this outright to my Turkish collocutors. But what we want is to change the situation. If we don’t succeed, there will be tension. We know how to live in a state of tension with Turkey. But our government has boldly made a conscious political choice: we believe in the potential to improve Greek-Turkish relations, particularly in this state of affairs, with two prime ministers who have expressed their political will and can talk openly. We need to try, even in the face of Turkish provocations.
This is the policy that takes courage, unlike the dead-end sensationalism of the supposed super-patriots. That’s easy, but it’s not in Greece’s interests. They adopt as a given Turkey’s most extreme propaganda, calling us out because we continue to talk to Turkey. But they have never told us what their proposal is. Where do they want to take Greece on this issue?
There are circles in Greece that don’t want to see progress and normalization in our relations with Turkey. Some by conviction, and that is respected. But there are others who do this for political or party-politics reasons, or because they have other interests – even economic – for perpetuating military tensions. This exploitation of national issues and interests is condemnable. I know that I will come under great pressure and criticism – personally – from these circles. But, as I said, we have to try.
Journalist: Given that “Greece wants to settle all maritime zones with all its neighbours,” have we started a discussion with Turkey on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?
Mr. Droutsas: We are in exploratory contacts on the delimitation of the continental shelf, because this fully supports the existing sovereign rights (sovereign rights that exist ab initio and ipso facto) of Greece based on the Law of the Sea. The Law of the Sea has, of course, moved ahead: the notion of an EEZ is a reality, and in the Mediterranean the boundaries of the continental shelf and the EEZ coincide, de facto. Our policy is to delimit all of the maritime zones with all our neighbours. This is being done in a systematic manner and via a comprehensive approach.
Journalist: Where does Kastelorizo fall?
Mr. Droutsas: Open a map to see. Kastelorizo is part of the Dodecanese, and there is no basis for questioning that. But geography is not the issue. We know where Kastelorizo is. The issue is the delimitation of the continental shelf between Greece and Turkey, where there is overlap. From Evros to Kastelorizo. This is what I said in Mr. Davutoglu’s presence. I don’t think there can be a clearer stance. I would ask that we give greater weight to what the Greek government says, rather than jumping on the statements of Turkish officials.
Journalist: Things are developing fast in Libya, and the facts are changing from hour to hour. What will Greece do?
Mr. Droutsas: The international community showed that it is determined to put an end to the violence and bloodshed. The Security Council adopted the resolution that legitimizes further action and the achievement of this goal. Greece is obliged to be prepared to contribute, together with our allies, to having this resolution respected by the international community.
Journalist: What decided the negotiations last week on the extension on repayment of the loan and reduction of the interest?
Mr. Droutsas: What decided it was the credibility that our country has regained. That was our trump card. Compare it to the discredit in which we found ourselves 18 months ago. This is acknowledgment of the efforts of the Greek people and the conscientiousness with which the Greek government is making good on its commitments. It is a deep breath for continuing with the work we have begun. The sacrifices of the Greek people cannot go for nothing. And this is everyone’s responsibility – including that of the government, above all; it is the responsibility of all the political forces and of each individual citizen.
Journalist: Do you agree with the view that the government can’t function in the way conditions require it to function: that there are failures to keep pace, delays, absence of team spirit and a failure to perceive the seriousness of the situation?
Mr. Droutsas: The project being carried out right now is vast. We are endeavouring to bring about drastic changes and reverses in decades-old attitudes. So difficulties are to be expected, and there is always room for improvement. But I think – without intending to avoid self-criticism – that the discussion on the government’s performance is to a degree artificial and exaggerated so that it can serve political or personal interests – and not just on the part of the opposition. The goal, what is at stake, is so important that we – above all, those of us participating in the government – cannot pay attention to anything else or cancel out the effort ourselves. What I often observe is that citizens are far more mature than the politicians and the news media.
Journalist: Would a reshuffle or early elections help to send a message to regroup forces?
Mr. Droutsas: The members of the government are well aware of what they need to do and what the prime minister and citizens expect from us. So, as long as we are in these positions, we need to focus only on the great amount of vital work we have to do. If we all focus exclusively on our work and responsibilities, there is no basis for talk of reshuffles and elections. The public debate on these matters can do only harm, and I won’t enter into it, personally. I really wonder what purpose is being served by those who do enter into this debate. Let’s focus on re-establishing the credibility of politics and politicians with citizens. We can achieve this only by talking openly and honestly, even about taboo issues, if we want to ask for drastic changes. We have to have done with the image of the politician as power and establishment. The large electoral regions – the main reason for the “give-and-take” amongst politicians and other interests – have to be broken. We also have to suspend the MP capacity of cabinet members. You can’t carry out a Parliamentary check on yourself as the executive branch. An age limit should be instituted for public functionaries, a limit on terms as an MP; e.g., after two consecutive terms, a mandatory hiatus. We have to capitalize on experience, but one can contribute without holding an official title. You’ll say its easy for me to say this – I’m not an elected official. I’m sure I will hear that criticism. But I believe deeply in the need for such measures, as do others.
Journalist: When elections are called, will you run?
Mr. Droutsas: I don’t concern myself with that issue. I read various things – including in your newspaper – like, for example, that my “environment” is concerned about my recognizability and where I will be a candidate. I assure you that there is no concern and that there is no “environment”. I’m not second guessing: As long as the prime minister has faith in me, I have a lot of important work to do. That is my sole priority.
March 21, 2011