Journalist: Let’s talk to Gregory Delavekouras now, the spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, so he can tell us what the Greeks in Japan need to do. What do you advise them to do? Good morning.
Mr. Delavekouras: Good morning. We are in constant contact – through our Embassy – with the Greeks in Japan, and our Embassy informed them today that the Foreign Ministry had contacted airline companies and reserved some tickets, because we had reports of Greeks who were unable to find tickets to leave the country. So, they have been notified, and whoever wants to can contact the Embassy, by tonight, to make use of these reservations.
Journalist: Mr. Delavekouras, there was a rumour that an email was sent by the Embassy telling all the Greeks in Japan to return to Greece immediately. Is that the case?
Mr. Delavekouras: Not exactly, no. The Embassy has notified the Greeks there by email and telephone about this option for finding a ticket, so that whoever wants to can come back to Greece.
Journalist: So you are saying that whoever decides, on their own, that they want to return to Greece, can use these airline reservations to come back. You are not telling them to come back.
Mr. Delavekouras: No. There is an advisory: that trips to Japan be avoided. We are following the instructions and recommendations issued by the Japanese government. Right now …
Journalist: Have you spoken with any of these people? And what have they said? Are they afraid? Do most of them want to come back, or are they staying calm, like most of the Japanese?
Mr. Delavekouras: The Embassy is in ongoing contact with them, as you can see, and there is obviously great concern. There is great concern, first of all because we keep receiving different information. There is a sense of danger, and we have to handle that. That is why we are keeping them informed and staying in contact with them, so that we can deal with any eventuality, any need that arises.
Journalist: Right. Thank you very much.
Mr. Delavekouras: Thank you.
March 16, 2011