JOURNALIST: You talked about a new foreign policy doctrine. What needs to be revised, Mr. Minister? And what does it need to contain?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: These things don’t happen overnight or on the fly. We need good preparation, analysis, in-depth discussion of all the parameters that determine our foreign policy. The world has changed, and a new state of affairs has arisen in our wider neighbourhood, where our country has an important role as a stable and stabilizing factor. Greek diplomacy is being called upon to once again become outward-oriented, and to stop being defined by reactions to the initiatives taken by others. It needs to be a policy of initiatives that will lead to the achievement of long-term goals.
Foreign policy boosts power and growth. It is a tool that, beyond defending the country’s rights, can and must create opportunities for the improvement of Greece’s place on the international stage, open up opportunities for political and economic cooperation and point up our comparative advantages.
So, it is important for all of this to be codified, which will strengthen the national character of our diplomacy and serve a long-term plan for how we want to see Greece in the future. The crisis brought to the surface longstanding pathogens in our national system. But it is showing us new roads, the first of which is the one that will help us strengthen our international standing and enhance our international image, which, unfortunately, has been damaged.
I have already sent a memo to all our Missions abroad with specific instructions for initiatives to be taken to promote Greece and activate our diplomatic machinery, so that the effort to change the negative perception of our country – resulting from the economic crisis – can start immediately on a global scale.
JOURNALIST: It is generally admitted that the Programme isn’t working out. What does the government need to do?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: From the time the country entered into its ‘adventure’ with the memorandum, New Democracy supported – and, naturally, it has the same stance as the government – that the programme needs to be re-examined in the framework of negotiations with our partners, in order to adjust those measures that proved ineffective or, in a number of cases, harmful.
JOURNALIST: Are you concerned that Greece might become the Iphigenia of Europe? Can the Union take that?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I don’t think Europe needs human sacrifices to confront the debt crisis we have been experiencing in a number of countries in the southern eurozone in recent years. The austerity policy has done enough. The problem lies in the different approach to the whole issue by the countries that have been hit, on the one hand, and the countries with strong economies – a difference that does not yet allow for the shaping of a different policy: a policy based on growth, investments, jobs and the strengthening of social cohesion; a policy that will lead us out of the crisis.
Today, more and more Union and eurozone officials, the President of the Commission, as well as leaders of many member states, are arguing for a new political approach to handling the crisis – an approach that is very close to the positions and needs of our country – and this strengthens our effort toward negotiation of the adjustment programme.
JOURNALIST: Following the elections, do you believe that SYRIZA is a “drachma” party”?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Things would be different if SYRIZA capitalized on this power it has derived from the current state of affairs, contributing to the shaping of a purely national policy. In other words, its policy is weakening the country right now.
I don’t think SYRIZA wants this, but that is the result of its stance. Though it has the potential, SYRIZA is in danger of losing the battle to become a credible and constructive opposition.
JOURNALIST: Evaggelos Venizelos and Fotis Kouvelis seem to be forming a “front” within the government. Are you concerned as to whether the government will hold together?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The government itself forms a united front, which is defined by the agreement of the party leaders. However, the ongoing conference of the leaders follows the development of the agreement and is not some kind of committee, nor a guardianship of the government. Consequently, its policy is determined by the Prime Minister.
JOURNALIST: Do you think Pasok’s problems will function as a time-bomb in the political system?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The only thing that is certain about Pasok is that it has a duty and historical responsibility to the citizens of Greece to share in the national effort to save the Greek economy.
JOURNALIST: A committee of inquiry on the memorandum, as the opposition requests? Or will this not help the political climate?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I’m not convinced of the effectiveness of inquiries. On the other hand, an investigation into why and how we got here would have its value.
JOURNALIST: It was decided that the measures will be taken now. What should the country try to get from Europe and the lenders – and when?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The decision of the three political leaders, based on the recommendation of the Prime Minister, responds clearly to your question.
Our goal remains the amendment of the agreement so that we can stop the extremely harmful repercussions of austerity and recession for Greek citizens.
Above all, however, we need national understanding. Society in its entirety is proving much more mature than the handlers of the crisis. I would say that we all need to show poise, prudence and responsibility in these hours.
JOURNALIST: One of New Democracy’s pre-election declarations was the immediate delimitation and declaration of the EEZ. Will this be carried out within 2012.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The EEZ issue is part of the policy agreement of the three parties and is a priority of the government. We have laid out a comprehensive strategic plan to maximize the benefits to Greece of capitalization on its natural wealth, which will contribute to the country’s development effort. As the Prime Minister stated, all actions will be taken cautiously, with resolve and with consensus. They will be taken at the right time, based on our planning, capitalizing on the potential provided to us by international law. What we want to do, in the end, is delimit all the maritime zones with all our neighbours. And beyond the obvious economic benefits we are pursuing, we think that the agreements on delimitation function as a catalyst for strengthening peace and security in our wider region.
JOURNALIST: Are there preconditions for a solution on the FYROM name issue? Because it is said that Skopje will raise the issue at the UN General Assembly in September, while there was a recent visit from Ban Ki-moon.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: A necessary precondition for the achievement of a solution is the political will of the interested sides. Greece has shown its readiness, doing its part in the process. The Skopje side has been clinging to the same positions for 20 years. We are seeking a credible collocutor. We conveyed this to Mr. Nimetz. Leaks about recourse to the UN General Assembly, which come from the Skopje government, are essentially attempts to circumvent the negotiation process. We remain firmly dedicated to the negotiation process, in the hope that we will see progress, because that is the only way we can free up the great dynamic in our relations with our neighbour.
JOURNALIST: When will we see you in Ankara? And to what end? And when will the reciprocal trip of the Prime Minister with the ministerial council be carried out to Ankara?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: We still don’t have anything specific to announce. We have agreed with Mr. Davutoglu that he is to visit Athens within the framework of the preparations for the Cooperation Council. There are many sectors in which we can see tangible benefits from our cooperating with Turkey. In the economy, trade, investments, tourism, dealing with illegal migration, and many other sectors where there is room for progress. For the first time the balance of trade between the two countries is positive for Greece, while tourism has been strengthened significantly by the flow from Turkey. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t problems. We have to deal with them based on international law and respect for national sovereignty. And wherever needed, we give the necessary diplomatic and operational responses.
The turmoil in the wider region points to the need for responsible conduct from everyone. And this is what we expect from our neighbours.
JOURNALIST: Within New Democracy are you concerned that the government policy is leaving ground for the popular Right?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Those terms are behind the times. They are part of the past: the time when those notions were explained historically, philosophically, ideologically and politically within society and the political system.
In the current state of affairs, the dilemma is, ahead with Europe and within Europe, or a disorderly retreat to yesterday, with whatever that entails in terms of hard times for our people. New Democracy has a unified line and there is no room for personal preferences. Our social base has given a clear mandate and will be exacting in judging each of us.
JOURNALIST: Overall, do you see developments in the political system? Will there be new factions – e.g., between Pasok and DIMAR or elsewhere?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The political system is already in a process of transformation. However, the new factions that have arisen are not viable.
Their role is temporary. What will certainly persist is the large middle-class part of society and the Republic. As for the Left, it is in a state of internal contradictions and confusion.
What is certain is that at the end of this journey, the two strong pillars of our political system will have been stabilized.
August 6, 2012