Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
This government is undertaking to carry out a difficult task within a very short time. It is a transitional government with a special objective. But this will not serve as an alibi or excuse if it doesn’t do its job well.
In foreign policy in particular, there needs to be constant readiness and a dynamic international presence. In the coming months, there will be difficult negotiations on finalizing the details of the 26 October Agreement. The Foreign Ministry will do everything in its power to assist the Prime Minister and the government.
And, naturally, as Greece is undertaking its responsibilities in full, we expect our partners to immediately stop all the talk we have heard – particularly in recent weeks – about the possibility of our country’s exiting the eurozone.
This rhetoric has a negative impact: it discourages investors at a time when investments need to be a priority. Our country’s international image has eroded to a dangerous extent. This has a psychological impact domestically and undermines our partners’ trust in us. We need to change our country’s international image. We need to correct our mistakes and stop the monotonous, incessant promotion of negative views of Greece.
We need to begin the effort to regain our country’s credibility and defend its standing. We need to remind the world who Greece really is; its achievements and its contributions to global civilization.
We have to promote our positive traits: our human resources, our infrastructure, our geopolitical position, the investment opportunities opening up, the fact that Greece remains an anchor of stability in an unstable region.
In this effort, we need the broadest possible cooperation among political forces. And, naturally, we need to mobilize the vast forces of Diaspora Hellenism.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
Greece’s strategic objective is to defend the peace, stability and security of our neighbourhood. In our northern neighbourhood, the Balkans, we are trying to create a zone of development, progress and close regional cooperation. This objective is synonymous with the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
Greek diplomacy in endeavouring to revitalize the enlargement process. We are preparing for the 2014 Greek EU Presidency, planning the first EU-Western Balkans Summit since 2003.
Obviously, the European integration of the Balkan country’s includes the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. On the name issue, the EU and Nato have stressed, in unanimous decisions, that the accession course of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia depends on respect for good neighbourly relations and, thus, on reaching a mutually acceptable solution.
Our position is well known and crystal clear. Greece has done its part in terms of compromise. The international community is aware of Athens’s readiness and its constructive stance, and it is also aware of Mr. Gruevski’s responsibility for today’s impasse.
In our southern neighbourhood, Greece will continue to support the struggles of the peoples in North Africa and the Middle East, always with respect for their sovereignty. The region needs the firm, calm support of partners like the European Union, who are not trying to create new spheres of influence.
Thanks to its longstanding relations of friendship with the region, Greece is a natural bridge linking the Arab world with Europe.
Our strategic choice to deepen our relations with Israel supplements our multidimensional policy in the region, enabling us to play a substantial role in the efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue. At the same time, we are creating opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
We are pursuing good relations with Turkey. The great majority of political forces have supported this strategic choice. But we want these relations to develop within the strict framework of respect for international law and national sovereignty.
We will continue to work toward mutually beneficial progress in our bilateral relations. But it needs to be clear to everyone that Greece does not back down on issues of national sovereignty and is determined to defend its rights and interests.
Greece has shown the sincerity of its intentions. We support Turkey’s European course, on the obvious condition that it meet the Union’s prerequisites.
Progress on the Cyprus issue and fulfilment of the obligations Turkey has undertaken to the EU with regard to Cyprus would lend considerable momentum to Turkey’s European perspective.
Greece fully supports the efforts of the President of the Republic of Cyprus to make progress in the negotiations. Unfortunately, the intransigence of Mr. Eroglu and the Turkish side – as was clear in the latest meeting – is an obstacle to progress.
Moreover, Turkey’s actions and threats – which question the Republic of Cyprus’ self-evident sovereign right to exploit its natural wealth – run counter to international law and have been condemned by the international community, and they undermine the stability of the region. We say clearly to Turkey that it needs to respect international law.
It is obvious that the delimitation of maritime zones between the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, beyond creating major economic opportunities, works as a catalyst for regional peace and security. Greece’s policy is the delimitation of all maritime zones with all its neighbours.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is part of the EU acquis. Thus, respect for, signing and ratification of the Convention is a fundamental element of the European perspectives of candidate countries.
As a coastal state and member of the EU, Greece does not relinquish any legal sovereign right. And the EEZ can be no exception to this fundamental principle and position of our foreign policy.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
In confronting the crisis, Greece needs to create new opportunities on a global level. We will continue our close cooperation with the U.S. government. We will re-intensify our historical relations with Russia, and we will work to further deepen our close partnership with China. At the same time, we need to try to broaden Greece’s horizons toward the emerging economic powers of Asia – India, a major country – Africa, Latin America and the Gulf. We can develop our economic relations with all of these countries.
The Foreign Ministry plays a decisive role in the country’s internationalization. In collaboration with the Culture and Tourism Ministry, we need to promote cultural diplomacy and further strengthen tourist flows into our country.
The Foreign Ministry’s services support Greek companies that are active or want to become active abroad.
At the same time, we need to promote the investment opportunities that are opening up here in Greece.
We need to capitalize on our country’s geopolitical position to carry through with major energy transport plans. It is positive that there have been recent indications that Bulgaria is once again warming up to the planned Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline. This cooperation is part of the EU’s broader strategy for enhancing Europe’s energy security through diversification of energy sources and transport routes, and it certainly remains among our country’s priorities.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
The Foreign Ministry has a decisive role in the national effort our country is making. But it is being asked to play this role with limited means, due to the fiscal state of affairs and the large – in comparison with reductions at other ministries – 40% budget reduction. Foreign Ministry personnel will continue to do their best to represent our country with dignity.
It goes without saying that foreign policy requires the greatest possible consensus. It is therefore important that there should be regular briefings of and dialogue with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as another valuable tool: the National Council on Foreign Policy.
Ladies and Gentlemen MPs,
At this critical time, we need to support the national effort to put Greece on the road to recovery. We need to work together to start regaining our international credibility. We need to stop being the easy victim of rhetorical exaggeration. We need to realize our potential while at the same time remedying our mistakes.
Each of us plays a role in shaping our country’s image abroad. So we have to be the first to promote what is positive about Greece and believe in our abilities. With self-confidence, we need to give our country the position it deserves.
November 16, 2011