JOURNALIST: Even though the strikes are the news of the day, we have a very good reason for changing the agenda a little, and we have the pleasure and honor of having Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on the line to talk to us about another issue that impacts us directly: Obama’s re-election.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: And not just us. Through U.S.-European relations, it affects everything that happens in the economic sector. First of all, I’d like to say good morning to you and your listeners and wish you luck with your show.
JOURNALIST: Thank you very much. And we came second, from what I understand, because a few minutes ago you made a statement to Reuters about the Barack Obama’s re-election.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Yes, that’s true. First of all we congratulated President Obama, and I stressed in my statement what his speech this morning exuded and what I’m sure was noted by everyone who heard his speech. He set a standard of democratic and political ethos. But his opponent, Mr. Romney, did the same. In the end, in the United States, where Democracy functions despite the fact that election run-ups are very tough and hard fought, political ideals are very high, which indicates the degree of success of the Democracy in practice. In any case, beyond that I had the opportunity to refer to our bilateral relations – Greek-U.S. relations – which have been at the best possible level of late. We’re old friends, good friends …
JOURNALIST: You visited the U.S. shortly before the elections.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Yes, I went as Defence Minister, at the invitation of Defence Secretary Panetta. And I met recently with Hillary Clinton within the framework of the UN General Assembly.
I’d like to take this opportunity to say something. Our country’s international standing has certainly taken a hit, and we are making major efforts – with a plan and a strategy – to regroup and regain the position our country deserves on the international stage.
But beyond that, our country continues to be one of the main constants and stabilizing factors in the wider region, taking on missions in the name of international legality, within the framework of our NATO obligations – always under the principles that govern NATO and the UN.
But there is another factor: the Greek American community, which has been watching everything that is happening here with great concern. They feel bitter at the fact that our country’s standing has fallen, and they want to help. They want to contribute through a series of programmes and initiatives, many of which have to do with our bilateral relations with the U.S.
And one last thing – something very important, regarding President Obama, beyond the statements that were made. Obama’s re-election coincides with a drastic deterioration in the situation in the eurozone. You see what is happening in Spain, with Germany, in Italy the Monti government is facing elections in the spring, and in France there is an atmosphere of apprehension – waiting for the next storm. So this raises an issue that I think President Obama will handle with the maturity and skill that distinguishes him. Coordination between the eurozone and the U.S., which is a basic choice of Washington …
JOURNALIST: That’s what’s needed.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is clear that U.S. intervention in the eurozone is an immediate priority, because so much is happening in the wider region that if something isn’t done it will mean a major disaster for the global economy. I say this because President Obama has this overriding issue to handle. There is also the matter of relations with Russia. What Russia’s role will be in the future depends on U.S.-Russian relations. Also with China. And, finally, the extent that he can really help to shape developments in the Middle East.
JOURNALIST: That is what is on President Obama’s agenda, but what …
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: More or less. There are other issues: social issues, domestic reforms …
JOURNALIST: He has to handle a lot of issues at home and abroad. But for us, Greece, is the political agenda of the Democrats or Republicans favourable to Greece for the coming time?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The political agenda with regard to bilateral relations – let’s be realists – doesn’t differ from one party to the other. Everything is determined – at least with regard to U.S. foreign policy – by the country’s strategy.
JOURNALIST: Yes, but there is an introversion …
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: What I said earlier about Greek-American relations and our country’s role in the region as a constant factor would also be the case with another election outcome. We have already begun with the Obama administration. This recent period has been marked by an upgrading in our bilateral relations, which have reached their highest level since the fall of the dictatorship in Greece. This shows that we are on the right path, and there is a lot that we – Greece and the U.S. – need to do together and will do together. America is a very important factor in global stability and security, and it can contribute – given that our relations have risen to a very good level and are being upgraded – on our national issues as well.
JOURNALIST: Right. We had the pleasure and honor of having Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos with us. We’d like to thank you, but first I would like a prediction from you regarding the critical vote coming up in Parliament. What do you think will happen at midnight tonight?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: I would like to believe that prudence and patriotic responsibility will rule the day, so that tonight we can get through the first stage, passing these measures. They are painful, they are tough, but they will usher in – together with the budget, which I am sure will be passed on Sunday – a difficult period that will, however, in the end lead us out of the crisis.
We need understanding, social peace and cooperation. We need to realise that we are all on the same ship. We know what’s happening. We have gone through all the interpretations of how we got here over these past years. But allow me to say that things would be different if we had done what the Italians did three years ago. We should have formed a government of national unity from the very first moment the crisis knocked on our door. Some of us said it, shouted it, wrote it. But unfortunately those voices fell on deaf ears and we lost a lot of time.
But this government is pervaded by a strong sense of national responsibility. We know we have a very important mission. It is like governing at the core, in the heart of a war. I want to assure you that all of us – above all, the prime minister – are doing our utmost to open up the path of prospects and optimism for the Greek people and for all of us.
JOURNALIST: Minister, thank you very much for talking to us.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Thank you for having me. Goodbye.
JOURNALIST: Goodbye.
November 7, 2012