Response
D. KOURKOULAS: The current question refers to the activities of certain organizations of the diaspora, well known for their extremist positions, as well as to the matter of Reconciliation Park, which does not come within the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry.
I want to assure you that the Foreign Ministry is aware of the activities of these organizations, which are active on an international level and on the level of international organizations, such as the UN. So, we are fully aware of their activities and their irredentist propaganda, which is the product of an extreme populist nationalism worthy of the blackest pages of Balkan history.
The Greek side confronts these matters with resolve and composure. In the sense that the propaganda of these organizations, which sometimes goes beyond even the ridiculous, would be of lesser significance. Unfortunately, however, in many cases the activities of these organizations are supported or instigated by state or political factors in the neighbouring country. Greece has the rule of law – it has laws and specific processes that respect international principles on issues of citizenship and rights of the individual. The fact that this propaganda is supported by state agencies certainly has an unfavorable impact on our bilateral relations with the neighbouring country and the prospect of our cooperation in international organizations, such as NATO and the European Union.
Populist-nationalistic irredentism is dangerous whatever its origins. It poisons the relations between the two states, while also leading the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia into a kind of self-imposed isolation in the international community. We want good neighbourly relations with all countries, and our support of the European perspective of all our neighbouring countries is longstanding. But a prerequisite for this perspective is their realizing that the old nationalistic Balkan recipes no longer have a future, and that the European Union is based on the fundamental principle of respect for good neighbourly relations.
As for Reconciliation Park, it does not fall within our responsibilities. We do not think that the President of the Republic needs pointers from the Foreign Ministry.
Thank you.
Rejoinder
D. KOURKOULAS: We have made it clear to everyone, including our partners in the European Union, that good neighbourly relations, and thus non-support for irredentist nationalistic extremism, are an essential precondition for this country’s moving farther along its course to the European Union. This position has caused delays, and we are sorry about this, because we would prefer that there not be irredentism, that there not be pending problems, and that this country should progress along its European path. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in this phenomenon in recent years.
I want to assure you once again that our Embassies, our Permanent Representations, are working, often far from the media spotlights, to repel this kind of propaganda, which sometimes goes beyond the absurd. Our position is firm and has brought results. I refer you to the recent statements from European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle, who visited Skopje two days ago, and stated that good neighbourly relations are a fundamental prerequisite for any country that wants to join the European Union. This is something that I hope our neighbours will realize, and the sooner the better for all of us. So, I don’t accept your criticism that the Greek state is inert, is not taking the necessary measures. We will of course continue to work for the credibility of our political positions on the international stage, but part of this credibility consists in our avoiding falling into the trap of mimicking the populist nationalism that Skopje is adopting.
September 20, 2012