JOURNALIST: You took on the foreign affairs portfolio at one of the most critical times in our modern history. With the country’s negotiating power compromised, is there a higher level of vigilance on our pending national issues?
STAVROS DIMAS: The crisis affects everything. We mustn’t forget that. Greece is located in a difficult neighbourhood that has many serious challenges to face. That is why we need vigilance, as you said, and a greater diplomatic effort.
But there should be no doubts as to Greece’s ability to negotiate and to protect its interests. From the very first moment I took up my post, I did in fact have to deal with serious challenges, the most important being the consolidation of the decisions we have achieved in NATO and the EU on the issue of the name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
In a very short time, and under great pressure, we succeeded in achieving our goals. And this reaffirms the fact that Greece can handle things, despite the crisis.
JOURNALIST: On the Skopje issue, we had a negative development with the ICJ judgement.
STAVROS DIMAS: A serious legal analysis has to be carried out of every aspect of the judgement. But it certainly did create a difficult situation. It was to be expected that the government in Skopje would try to use the Judgement to circumvent the negotiations at the EU and the prerequisites that have been set by NATO.
Our goal was to avert these developments, so that instead of perpetuating the problem, a solution might be reached. After many meetings and contacts, the international community sent a crystal clear message. Immediately after the ICJ issued its Judgement, the EU, NATO, the UN and the U.S. sent the message that the solution to the name issue will not be a back-door solution, and they called for dedication to reaching a solution through the UN process.
This is exactly Greece’s position. The name issue will not be resolved in courtrooms, but at the negotiating table. I hope – for the good of our region – that Skopje gets the message.
JOURNALIST: There are analysts who say the Cyprus issue will open up soon, and they link this appraisal directly to the oil deposits discovered in the region.
STAVROS DIMAS: Unfortunately, I don’t see prospects for progress on the Cyprus issue, because the Turkish side is taking harder and harder stances, undermining the prospects for dialogue. On the horizon, of course, there is the new meeting of the two sides with the UN Secretary General early in the new year, but as things stand today, one can’t be optimistic.
As for the oil and natural gas exploration the Republic of Cyprus is carrying out, it needs to be underscored that the Turkish threats and provocation fell into a void and were condemned in a clear manner by all the major players.
Just last week, at the EU Council of Ministers, there was unanimous condemnation of this conduct on the part of Turkey, reaffirming the right of member states to explore for and exploit their natural resources, as provided for in the Convention on the Law of the Sea, which is part of the EU acquis.
In short, it needs to be clear that the energy and geopolitical map of the Eastern Mediterranean changed, and Greece and Cyprus have been made stronger by this change.
JOURNALIST: Why does Greece avoid dealing with the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) issue?
STAVROS DIMAS: We are not avoiding the EEZ issue. The opposite is the case. Just recently, the legislation on hydrocarbon exploration was brought up to date, making it possible to invite tenders for seismic exploration in the Ionian and south of Crete. The EEZ brings benefits that cannot go unexploited. At the same time, all the necessary actions are underway for exploitation of our natural wealth, which is hidden under the Greek continental shelf. The EEZ is the country’s sovereign right, and we do not relinquish our sovereign rights. Everything will be done based on our comprehensive strategy, guided by our national interests.
JOURNALIST: You are pro-Europe, and at the same time you know very well how the European system works. Why such timidity on the part of the Europeans in a crisis that is taking on ever greater dimensions? Is the German mindset of fiscal discipline the answer?
STAVROS DIMAS: Europe was slow in taking decisions. This raised the cost of dealing with the crisis greatly, also creating the danger of a complete catastrophe for the euro itself. For a time, in fact, they experimented on Greece, with devastating results, as we saw later. I really am pro-Europe. And I have long experience of the way the European Union functions. And that’s why I say that I am optimistic that Europe will manage. Fiscal discipline is part of the solution, but it is not enough on its own. We need a deepening of Europe; we need more Europe, with respect for the institutional equality of the member states. We need greater solidarity and awareness of the fact that what is good for each of us is good for Europe as a whole. And above all we need prospects. We need hope. We need development, because otherwise Europe will contract and be marginalized.
JOURNALIST: They threaten us constantly with being ousted from the eurozone. How stable and secure is the eurozone now?
STAVROS DIMAS: Greece is an intrinsic part of Europe and the euro. So, there shouldn’t be any doubts. It is true that bad choices, brought us the edge of the precipice. But by forming the transitional government, we showed our partners and the whole world that we are determined to do what is necessary to strengthen our position. As for the euro itself, it is in fact going through the biggest crisis in its short history, and the European endeavour itself is being jeopardized along with it. It is my conviction that Europe will emerge stronger and more unified from this crisis. And at long last it will have the necessary tools to gradually make our monetary union a real political and economic union.
JOURNALIST: Is it absolutely necessary for us to have elections as soon as possible? Wouldn’t it be reasonable for this government’s tenure to depend on developments?
STAVROS DIMAS: An agreement has been made between the party leaders and the Prime Minister, under the President of the Republic. I believe this agreement will be honoured. Beyond that, however, the transitional nature of this government is no excuse for our not doing our jobs well. Not just in the economy, where the government essentially has to manage the effort to save the country. On foreign policy, as well, the government’s mission is very important. Foreign policy never stops, and that is why our diplomacy must always be prepared and have quick reflexes.
JOURNALIST: In the opinion polls, the parties’ percentages do not point to any one party’s getting a parliamentary majority. Is there any common ground for coalition governments?
STAVROS DIMAS: When you go to the polls, anything can happen. But my opinion is that as we get closer to election day, the current will grow in favor of a majority government. But this doesn’t mean that a New Democracy government will not pursue the broadest possible consensus. No one is superfluous to the struggle our country mounting. We need to realise that from here on in we will work for common, collective interests – not for parties or individuals, which is what got us where we are.
JOURNALIST: Social realignment brings political realignment. Are we entering a new era?
STAVROS DIMAS: The first thing we have to ensure is that our country emerges from this crisis. At the same time, we need to make drastic changes so that we never re-experience what we are going through today. The Greeks are a capable people with great potential. But we squandered our comparative advantages and adopted self-destructive mindsets.
I think the crisis will leave a scar on our collective national conscience. There is little likelihood of the Greeks allowing a repetition of the kind of conduct that got us here. And this will bring a new era to the country’s politics. Every country and every people need leadership and vision. We have been through very difficult times in our history, but we always got back on our feet again. We’ll manage this time, too.
December 19, 2011