JOURNALIST: The 21 February decision was welcomed by Antonis Samaras as a window of opportunity. However, despite the drastic reduction in the debt, one cannot ignore the permanent monitoring mechanism, nor the legal obligation for prioritizing the servicing of the debt, nor the fact that the report from the lenders’ representatives concludes that as a country we are prone to accidents. In the end, should we see the glass as half full, or is the most difficult part still to come?
S. DIMAS: Greece was given an opportunity. And this opportunity cannot be missed. The effort will not be easy.
And there are certainly things in the agreement that no one likes. But there are now some basic things that we need to break the vicious cycle of recession. The New Democracy government’s top priority will be to stop the recession and move to recovery and growth – what we said from the outset – because this is the only sure way for the country to stand on its feet as soon as possible. And this can bring back hope and bring out Greece’s untapped resources.
JOURNALIST: From your experience of the European Commission, I would like you to answer realistically: is there room for change in the recipe for our achieving the Memorandum’s goals? In short, can the government that is elected ask for a renegotiation?
S. DIMAS: It will be the new government’s duty to negotiate. After all, that’s how the EU works. The goals are the same. Greece needs to adapt its spending to its real capabilities. But that doesn’t mean that the pie has to shrink.
In fact, the pie has to get larger. This is in our interest and our creditors’ interest. So, we can improve the mix and get better results that will also get us out of the crisis faster.
JOURNALIST: New Democracy’s decision to say “yes” to the second Memorandum led to 21 MPs’ leaving the parliamentary group and the party. If some of them do not persist in this stance and vote, for example, in favor of the implementation law, do you think they can be reincorporated into the party before the elections?
S. DIMAS: That is a matter for the New Democracy organs. My assessment is that no one is superfluous in this endeavor. It need only be clear that we are all working towards the same end. There have to be clear positions.
JOURNALIST: On the occasion of the NATO Secretary General’s recent visit, Turkey bridled at your statements on Ankara’s stance. Following the joint meetings of the ministerial councils and the impressive rapprochement of the past two decades, where do we stand now in our relations with Turkey? Has there been substantial progress, or has progress been limited to the symbolic level?
S. DIMAS: Turkish aircraft carried out flyovers on the eve of the NATO Secretary General’s arrival. The Turkish Foreign Ministry threatened the Republic of Cyprus regarding the latter’s exercising of its sovereign rights, and Turkey proceeded to call Greek sovereign rights into question.
We are the ones who are irritated. This conduct has to stop, because it provokes tensions in the region. It’s obvious that we will react. Greece wants the improvement of its relations with Turkey, and there is real potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. But our relations can be deepened only on the basis of international law and respect for the sovereignty of each side.
JOURNALIST: The FYROM Prime Minister will meet with Mr. Papademos, but without any signal so far that there is good will for settling the name issue. Has the new round of meetings with Mr. Nimetz made you more optimistic, or is this essentially an effort being made ahead of the NATO Summit in Chicago so that our neighbours can use it as an excuse?
S. DIMAS: There are no excuses for the Skopje government, and the unanimous decisions of NATO are in full effect. We reaffirmed them at the December Ministerial. Greece has shown at the negotiating table that it wants a solution. Skopje, on the other hand, has not budged an inch all these years, while at the same time it has constantly carried out provocative actions. Everyone knows this now, and unfortunately this blocking a solution. The Greek side will reiterate once again its readiness to make progress, its support for the UN process, and will request a stop to the attacks on our country. You can’t say you want progress while at the same time slandering and provoking your collocutor.
JOURNALIST: During his recent visit to Cyprus, Mr. Samaras focused his meetings on the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) issue. How parepared is Greece to make the move of declaring its EEZ, and what is the schedule for the next steps in this direction?
S. DIMAS: Greece has a comprehensive strategy and is making decisive moves based on its national interests. The energy developments in Cyprus are creating major opportunities, and that is why there is close coordination.
Exploitation of the country’s natural wealth is a top priority, and in this context we are pursuing the delimitation of all maritime zones with all of our neighbours.
At the same time, we are moving ahead with the process of exploration for and exploitation of hydrocarbons where there are positive indications. As for the EEZ, it provides benefits that cannot go unexploited. It is our country’s sovereign right, and we do not relinquish our sovereign rights.
JOURNALIST: You have already stated that New Democracy will have to pursue consensus following the elections, even if it wins an absolute majority. Now that a majority of citizens are saying in polls that they prefer a coalition government, how likely is the formation of a New Democracy-Pasok government after the elections?
S. DIMAS: It is risky to try to predict the outcome of the elections based on opinion polls, particularly at a tense time like this. It’s one thing to answer to a survey, and another to cast your ballot and choose the government that will lead the country through the greatest struggle in its recent history. The voter has a great responsibility, particularly in these elections. Elections are not the time for protest. They are the time to choose the country’s future. The Greek people are fully aware of what is at stake. But regardless of whether New Democracy gets an absolute majority, everyone accepts that there needs to be the greatest possible consensus if the country is to succeed in its struggle to emerge from the crisis.
February 25, 2012