We met today with Deputy Prime Minister Besimi, and we had the opportunity to look at the whole range of our bilateral relations, regional developments, and the European perspective of the Western Balkan region.
I would like say that this is my second meeting with Mr. Besimi. Last March, in our capacities as Ministers of Defence of the two countries, we met at the South-Eastern Europe Brigade headquarters in Tyrnavos.
Greece’s strategic goal is the creation of a space of peace, stability and development on our northern borders. The European perspective of our neighbouring country, and that of the whole region, is the most effective tool for realizing this vision. Always, of course, within the framework of respect for the criteria and compliance with the prerequisites the European Union has set in its unanimous decisions.
With Mr. Besimi, who is responsible for European Union affairs, we discussed ways to continue and deepen the cooperation that has already begun for some time now between the two countries on European integration issues and the provision of know-how.
In this context, it is of critical importance that we see progress in the coming time on compliance with the whole range of relevant criteria set by the Council of the European Union: The realization and implementation of substantial reforms in fundamental sectors, respect for good neighbourly relations, and, naturally, the reaching of a mutually acceptable solution on the name issue.
At this point I would like to make the reminder that Greece comes to the negotiations on the name issue with sincere will. Greece is convinced that the resolution of this issue will free up major prospects for cooperation, to the benefit of our peoples and the whole of our neighbourhood, of Southeast Europe.
It is important, as the negotiations continue under the auspices of the United Nations, for moderation and self-restraint to prevail. For counterproductive statements to be avoided; statements that undermine the effort to build good neighbourly relations and that are reminiscent of a Balkan past that the peoples of the region have paid for dearly and that we must leave behind us at long last.
Finally, we discussed the recent Belgrade-Pristina agreement, which we welcome. It is a development that shows that when there is political will and moderation, then the resolution of longstanding, complex issues can move ahead.
I thank Mr. Besimi for these useful talks, and with these thoughts I give him the floor.
F. BESIMI: Thank you, Minister Avramopoulos. It’s a great pleasure being here today in Athens in the Foreign Ministry, and I want to say that this is also an important day, a day before the European Day, 9th of May, that we spend today together with our delegations talking about the European perspective, about the common future, about a better future. I want also to say that what I saw here today is goodwill, hope and friendship, and honest approach towards our European perspective. I want to take this opportunity, also openly and officially to wish you a successful Presidency of the European Union the next year, and also it is important, as you have been the country promoting the so-called “agenda 2014”, that promising approach for European Union enlargement in Balkan countries.
I really see that we had the opportunity of talking about the cooperation, our bilateral cooperation and the European Union agenda in different fields. I want to say that there have been successful and fruitful meetings of expert level consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, talking about relevant issues of our European agenda. Concerning this, I think that the European perspective, which is our strategy, it is an option that can bring sustainable economic prosperity and social progress. It is of outmost importance that we have your support in this process, as economic cooperation is very strong, the largest investors and the largest trade. This is in our conscience and also our people communicate. We think that with the open approach and the good and friendly will we can build trust and we can talk openly about the issues that are in front of us. The challenges that we face therefore come and go. In this respect, as we state, as I saw here, we have talked also about the European perspective for our countries and the region, I really do know that we will have the capacity and the courage as soon as possible to overcome all the challenges, including the name issue, and I look forward to finding a joint solution, acceptable for both sides, for one day we are part of the same family, because we are looking forward for the same future.
In this respect, I once again would like to reiterate my position and interest to join the European Union. We need openness when talking about open issues, and finding a solution for the name issue as soon as possible, that will be acceptable for both sides. Once again, honorable Minister, I want to congratulate you for the next Presidency of the European Union, and we are looking forward for your agenda 2014 taking place from the next year.
Thank you very much.
D. KATISMENTE (ANA): Mr. Minister, I would like to ask you about the Prime Minister’s upcoming trip to China. I would like you to tell us exactly what this trip means for the Greek side.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s upcoming trip to China really is of special significance. First of all, is reaffirms the mutual appreciation of and will to build strategic cooperation between the two countries, and of course it will be a springboard for the promotion of our already excellent bilateral relations. And it will open a new chapter in the sector of the economy and, of course investments. Moreover, this visit, which is taking place at a very important time, is indicative of the recognition of and confidence in the policy Greece is exercising to bring about the recovery of the Greek economy.
S. JAKUPI (ALSAT TV): I want to ask how do you assess this meeting, and do you think that it will bring balance between the relations of Skopje and Athens and better relations between the two countries. Thank you.
F. BESIMI: Thank you very much for your question. As I mentioned, meetings always bring us closer, we can talk openly on issues that we look forward to work together on, in terms of achieving our goal, and we have the same goal, the region to be part of the European Union. We share the same vision to ensure the stability and prosperity of the region. Also, we are aware that there are challenges ahead of us, but only mutual respect and confidence building and trust building among us, we can move forward, and from that point of view I see these meetings as a step forward to our goal.
I want to thank once again Minister Avramopoulos, and also would like to say that it is part of our duties to deliver the promise to our people, the promise for better future. Let us look ahead throughout the opportunities to build our common future in the European Union. So, this is the impression that I got from today’s meeting, and we have to do our work and our institutions have many opportunities to make this possible. So, this is how I see this, and, as I mentioned, we want to see as soon as possible the name issue solved, that we move ahead for European perspective agenda for the Council and this will help also as a political signal for the region and will promote the EU optimism for the Balkans.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The fact that there are problems doesn’t mean that we don’t talk about things. The opposite is the case, in fact: these meetings are particularly useful and constructive, because they shape, create, consolidate a climate, an atmosphere of trust in our relations. I said at the outset that Mr. Besimi and I are not meeting for the first time. We have met in the past and we have developed a relationship of good faith and a sincere willingness to cooperate.
On the other hand, we mustn’t forget that very many Greek enterprises are currently active in our neighbouring country – Mr. Besimi said this earlier – and relations between entrepreneurs have developed in an impressive manner. Things would be much better, of course, from the moment we reached a point of mutual understanding and agreement on the name issue. We have sent a clear message to our neighbours regarding our positions on this issue. The UN special negotiator also knows our positions, and we would like to believe that prudence, moderation and reason will prevail, and that a mutually acceptable solution will be found; a solution based on mutual historical, cultural respect.
But at the same time, we are encouraging dialogue. Already, what is taking place here today is accompanied by a dialogue between our two peoples. As I said before, business activities – even visits and tourism – enable us to talk to one another. We are neighbouring peoples. Greece – and I stress this once again – is one of the stabilizing factors in its wider region of Southeast Europe. Through its policies, Greece safeguards peace, cooperation and security.
What is important and arises from today’s meeting – what we reaffirmed through what we said, as well as in public statements so far – is that on the conditions set by the European Union, the path is open for our neighbouring country to become a member of the European family. Greece has always been a bridge between all its neighbouring countries and Europe. It has shown this by its firm stance and, as I said earlier, by playing a vital, stabilizing role.
I will close by once again pointing to the need for us to move ahead at a fast pace with resolving this problem that is still holding the two countries apart. Our positions on this are clear, and we repeat them: We will move ahead to the acceptance of a name with a clear geographical qualifier that leaves no margins for irredentist policies and that, of course, leaves no room for doubt on highly sensitive matters of cultural and historical respect.
May 8, 2013