I. TROUPIS: Now we have Foreign Ministry spokesperson Konstantinos Koutras on the line. Good morning, Mr. Spokesperson. Tell us how Athens sees the developments in our neighbourhood, because, let’s not forget, Syria is very, very close to us.
K. KOUTRAS: Good morning Mr. Troupis, and before I say anything else, I would like to wish you success in your new job, and I would also like to congratulate your associate on her very thorough reporting that we just saw.
I want to note that Greece is following the situation in Syria with extreme concern, and that’s why we had the broad meeting at the Foreign Ministry yesterday – a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos – to assess the situation, evaluate the information we are receiving from on the ground, and to look at what the day after will bring.
In any case, the Greek Foreign Ministry condemned this heinous crime of the use of chemical weapons, which violates every principle of international law – particularly humanitarian law – and calls the involved parties to an effort to find a peaceful solution.
I. TROUPIS: Mr. Koutras, do you think U.S. military intervention is likely?
K. KOUTRAS: Right now, all the possibilities are open. I wouldn’t like to make any comment on that.
I. TROUPIS: And we also have the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visit to Egypt, which is another area in turmoil, right? On 5 September, if I’m not mistaken.
K. KOUTRAS: That’s right, Mr. Troupis. This is a very important visit for a number of reasons. Greece’s interests in the wider region – and particularly in Egypt – are very extensive, very important, and render the visit imperative at this time.
I’ll just remind you that there are some 3,500 citizens of Greek origin in Cairo, and other 1,500 in Alexandria. In Cairo, we also have 1,000 Greek citizens, from Greece, who work for Greek companies, and there are some 7,500 citizens who have double citizenship. We have the Patriarchate of Alexandria, with its age-old presence and its extremely successful work in the region – not just in Egypt, but throughout Africa.
That is why Mr. Venizelos decided to travel to Cairo on 5 September for talks with the Egyptian government. We are well aware that it is a transitional government, which at the present stage is a credible collocutor, so that we can strengthen and promote our bilateral relations and point up Greece’s work as a stabilizing factor in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. As you well know, Greece was and is a traditional friend and close partner of Egypt, and we support and encourage the political transition process that is under way right now, because stability and progress in Egypt is of decisive importance to peace and stability, not just in Egypt, but throughout the region.
I. TROUPIS: Winding up, I would like to ask you whether there is concern regarding the Greeks who are there and any who visit as tourists, because, let’s not forget, Cairo, especially, is a tourist destination, and whether anyone has asked to return to Greece. Is there any problem for the Greeks who are there or for any who are travelling to Egypt?
K. KOUTRAS: So far, there hasn’t been a problem. And the assurances we have received from the competent authorities are that the security of the Greeks there is being handled in the best possible manner.
I. TROUPIS: Mr. Spokesperson, thank you. I hope we have the honor of seeing you here in our studio soon.
K. KOUTRAS: Of course – I am always at your disposal. Have a good day.
I. TROUPIS: We’ll talk to again if there is anything new. Good day.
August 27, 2013