Journalist: Let’s go to Brussels to see what we have from last night’s initial meeting of the leaders and what we can expect – what is pending in the proceedings that will end shortly. We have Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas on the line. Good morning, Mr. Minister.
Mr. Droutsas: Good morning from Brussels, and many happy returns to everyone.
Journalist: Let’s look a little at the Greek issues, as Greece is the focus of attention at this Meeting. But there are issues being resolved definitively, and we want to see where we stand. So, have the extension, the interest rate and the option to buy bonds been finalized by the existing mechanism?
Mr. Droutsas: The issues of special interest to Greece – if I may refer to them in that way – have been finalized, and I stress that these issues were already finalized at the Eurozone Summit a few days ago, on 11 March. And I think this shows that Prime Minister Papandreou’s tactic and attempt to wrap these issues up on 11 March proved correct and prudent, if you will, because in recent days we have seen developments that, at that time, no one could have foreseen happening in this way.
I am referring here, Mr. Kofaios, to the developments in Libya, the developments in Japan, and, of course, the latest developments in Portugal, the latter of which dominated the climate at yesterday’s discussions – that is, in Portugal we had the resignation of the Portuguese Prime Minister. For that reason, I think it was correct and, in the end, very important that our issues – the three matters you referred to – were dealt with at the 11 March Eurozone Summit.
Journalist: And they just have to be ratified by today’s procedures.
Mr. Droutsas: Right now, the heads of state and government are looking at the Draft Conclusions, and they are going through them paragraph by paragraph. No problems are expected in this process, and towards the afternoon the procedure is expected to be completed: they will ratify the Conclusions officially.
Journalist: Right. Nevertheless, as far as we can see there is no official discussion of Portugal; that is, it has been the subject of discussion, but hasn’t been set down anywhere. Is that an accurate picture of things?
Mr. Droutsas: Yes, and nothing specific could be set down regarding Portugal. Let’s not forget that the Portuguese PM and government have resigned, so they can’t move ahead on anything, and that is also why the European Council can’t take any specific decisions on Portugal right now. We have to wait for the political developments in Portugal. From what we’ve heard, it’s clear that Portugal is heading for elections. So we will have to see the domestic political scene in Portugal, how things develop, so that the European Union can then take its measures.
Journalist: Right. Since you mentioned …
Mr. Droutsas: But as always – and this is a given – we express our solidarity; the whole of the European Union expresses its solidarity with Portugal, and I think this is the appropriate and necessary spirit.
Journalist: You mentioned solidarity and the domestic political scene in Portugal. There was a strong sense in recent days that countries like Germany and Finland didn’t want and don’t want the new mechanism to be described in too much detail, many of them publicly invoking domestic reasons: either upcoming elections or equilibrium in government coalitions, etc. Isn’t this the wrong message for Europe to be sending right now: that domestic matters are the priority at such a critical time?
Mr. Droutsas: Mr. Kovaios, unfortunately, I can’t disagree with you. Unfortunately, that’s how things are: a lot of developments in the EU are often characterized by and guided by – if you will – domestic imperatives. As you already mentioned, in Germany this year we have a number of elections in the various German states. In fact, on Sunday there will be an election in Baden-Württemberg.
In Finland, parliamentary elections are coming up in mid-April, and in both these countries, these issues – economic developments, the economic crisis – play a big role for a very simple reason: Germany is the largest contributor, and Finland is among the countries that – to put it simply – give more to the European Union than they get, so these issues are of great importance in domestic politics.
Unfortunately, yes, these developments lead to the European Union’s being unable to send the necessary, clear and convincing message to international markets. This is something that we, Greece, also noted from the very outset, because we have seen in recent months that we, as Greece, are doing what we have to do very seriously and responsibly, but developments within the EU itself often don’t help to the degree that we would like.
Journalist: Right.
Mr. Droutsas: But I stress that we are continuing – we must continue the responsible work we are doing. Please allow me to say this as clearly as possible: Greece has succeeded in regaining the credibility it had lost, and let’s not forget, Mr. Kovaios, that what we managed to secure a few days ago, on 11 March – these very important arrangements – we secured because Greece showed responsibility and credibility. If you remember, the German Chancellor herself, Ms. Merkel, said just yesterday in the German parliament that Greece deserves the EU’s support because Greece has credibility.
Journalist: But allow me to say that this credibility you refer to will be tested from here on in as to effectiveness: a lot of things are still pending, and a lot hangs on this.
Mr. Droutsas: We all still have a lot of work to do. Seriousness and responsibility are required, and I think the government shows this. Once again, the Greek people are the one’s who deserve the big “thank you” for the sacrifices they are making, showing responsibility that I am certain they will continue to show. Allow me to express the hope that the other political forces in the country will also show the same responsibility and support this truly difficult task.
Journalist: Right. Mr. Minister, in tandem with all this, we also have some new developments in the Libyan crisis. Reading the international press from yesterday evening, we see that it noted that with Turkey’s consent, the primary role is being given to NATO. In fact, we have some statements from your Turkish counterpart, Mr. Davutoglu, who says that the Turkish demands were satisfied so that Turkey could go ahead with this decision. What does this mean? I won’t ask that. I conclude that this means an upgrading of Turkey in this area, right when pressures on Kastelorizo are daily. What’s happening with this? Is Greece’s role being differentiated in its participating in this operation?
Mr. Droutsas: Mr. Kovaios, allow me to say that we shouldn’t confuse separate things. First, it is a fact that NATO finally reached – and I say finally because NATO delayed in taking this decision …
Journalist: With Turkey holding things up …
Mr. Droutsas: Precisely. But I’ll come to that. As of last night, there is a political decision. Some technical matters and final decisions are still pending on some operational plans, but it is a fact – and this is important – that on a political level there is an understanding, a NATO decision to take on the commanding role in these operations concerning Libya.
Now, NATO was delayed, as we know, because Turkey made its objections, and allow me to say that this is something we are now accustomed to: Turkey making objections wherever it thinks it can gain something on another front.
Let me be clear, Mr. Kovaios, Turkey has gained nothing more from this NATO decision, whatever it says. The fact is that there is now the NATO decision to get involved in this process – nothing more. Please, let’s not link all of these issues to issues like Kastelorizo.
No one is questioning the fact that Kestelorizo is Greek or anything else. Allow me to say that it is we ourselves – certain political forces in the country – who are saying such things, and I may sound a little angry or frustrated because once again we ourselves are the only ones creating problems for ourselves.
Journalist: You will allow me to disagree a little on that.
Mr. Droutsas: What we need is for everyone to show responsibility. That’s what we need.
Journalist: I agree that’s what we need. It’s just that I referred to Kastelorizo because Mr. Davutoglu himself make the famous statements on Kastelorizo – its being more in the Mediterranean; and we see Turkey’s dealings in the wider region, including with regard to Libya right now – not questioning its sovereignty.
Mr. Droutsas: Goodness, no.
Journalist: He raised the question to underscore Turkey’s role.
Mr. Droutsas: Turkey’s efforts and positions are well known, and what Mr.
Davutoglu said recently is also familiar.
Journalist: Right.
Mr. Droutsas: But just as well known, Mr. Kovaios, is what the Greek government has said. We have made and are making all the necessary replies to everything Turkey says and does. Once again, I call on everyone not to listen only to what any given Turkish official says – please listen much more and give greater weight to what the Greek government itself says. I think that the Greek government – and not just the current Greek government, but every Greek government – tells it like it is, and that is what we should give weight to.
Journalist: Right. Mr. Minister, Mr. Droutsas, thank you very much for this talk.
Mr. Droutsas: Thank you, too, and once again, many happy returns.
Journalist: Many happy returns to you. That was Foreign Minister Droutsas talking to us.
March 25, 2011