STAVROS DIMAS: We had a very interesting and useful discussion with the President of the Republic. After all, he handled foreign policy issues for many years and knows them first hand. That is why is advice is invaluable. I briefed him on recent developments, on the meetings of the EU and NATO Councils in Brussels, and on the OSCE Ministerial in Vilnius, Lithuania, and on the various meetings I had with my colleagues from the U.S., Russia and other countries.
On the subject of the Councils, the decisions, the message being sent to Skopje is clear: that the name issue must be resolved through negotiations at the UN, through the designated process, and not in courtrooms. We hope that the government in Skopje will agree to our moving ahead with the negotiations so that we can reach a mutually acceptable name, to be used in all cases, erga omnes, and that will come out of the negotiations I referred to before.
JOURNALIST: What else did you discuss, besides the Skopje issue?
STAVROS DIMAS: We also discussed the issue of the economic situation and issues being dealt with by Europe right now and developments since the Summit Meeting. We believe that Europe will find solutions to the problems that exist, and that, without a doubt, our country will overcome these difficulties. We have the capabilities, we have the ability to confront the situation and not go through these difficult hours again. Thank you very much.
JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, do you think the Papademos government’s term should be extended, and until when?
STAVROS DIMAS: My opinion is that it has to do its job. I have a crystal clear position on foreign policy: that foreign policy doesn’t have transitional periods. Foreign policy is a constant and we must be prepared at any moment to meet the challenges that arise.
JOURNALIST: But economic policy?
STAVROS DIMAS: On economic policy, I think that what has been agreed upon amongst the political leaders and the parties will be carried out. Thank you very much.
December 14, 2011