Initial statement of Foreign Minister Kotzias to foreign and Greek correspondents following the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s extraordinary meeting on Ukraine (Brussels, 29 January 2015)

Following yesterday’s extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, on Ukraine, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias held a press conference with Greece and foreign journalists. Below is the Minister’s initial statement in its entirety:

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

A multiday negotiation ended with a good compromise for Europe and Greece. There were tireless efforts from our diplomats, throughout these days, from Athens and, in particular, from Greece’s Permanent Representation to the European Union, as well as within the framework of Coreper. Today, at the extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, they contributed to a logical and good decision. I think that the negotiations during these days achieved our country’s goals and contributed towards a more reasonable Europe. As an old hand at negotiations, I can say that strong nerves and patience are required from us as well as from those who comment on the negotiations. Because hasty comments and hasty extreme comments, whatever their origin, do not help.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, characterized the amended text agreed upon today. She responded in the best manner. She was asked whether Greece gained anything. And she responded to the journalist, saying it was apparent that things have been removed from the previous draft. Of course, she was also asked about me, and she was kind enough, as she was kind enough to welcome me, to explain that the Greek delegation, in a European manner, but staunchly defending its views, contributed to this good compromise.

The majority of our observations were accepted. First of all, I want to say that one of the things removed from the original text – the same text that existed until today – was the reference to the 27 January statement of the Heads of State and Government. This is of great significance, because, as you know, the Greek government argued that this agreement was not reached based on the European rules. There was an announcement from the office of the President of the Council, which tried to reposition the issues in relation to the announcement made by the Greek Prime Minister, Mr. Tsipras. The omission of the reference to this decision essentially shows that it was accepted that there really was not unanimity, because Greece had not been included in the approval process.

The text calls on all sides to take responsibility. There is a more specific reference to Russia. This reference has to do with its responsibilities in its relations with the separatists. There is no direct reference to Russian responsibility.

The main thing we wanted to be removed, and for which we fought for two hours – half of the time we were in the Council was spent on this issue – was the proposal for new sanctions. This was certainly a difficult negotiation. Unusually for the Council of Ministers, many Ministers spoke two, three or four times. The phrase providing for the new sanctions on Russia was removed. We explained, in my intervention, that the sanctions are not producing results, as sanctions – as is apparent from a number of countries, including Iran, Iraq and Cuba, as well as in the case of Russia – have not averted what they supposedly want to avert.

We called on the Council of Ministers to think strategically, and not just with regard to today, about what the precise goal of our policy is on the issue of Ukraine and in Russia. That is, whether we want a broken Russia, a state of affairs that would, however, mean a lot of pain for the whole of Europe. Because, as the Greek delegation underscored, our country is within a triangle of instability, with Ukraine in the north, Libya to the west, and the Middle East in the east. Emanating from us, with our limited capabilities, are waves of stabilization. But any effort towards destabilization will destabilize our region as well. The problems of destabilization from Russia, Ukraine, North Africa are huge, and no one can foresee the risks that will arise.

In this sense, we called upon the present Council not to move ahead to new sanctions against Russia. I must mention to you that there was a country that moved to veto, but it was not Greece, as the international press had expected. This veto was put forward because a phrase was to be removed – and we had debated for an hour and a half on this issue. The Greek delegation explained clearly that this phrase would be removed – otherwise our work would not be able to move ahead. This country was isolated and, in the end, creatively, agreed to a text that does not provide for heavy sanctions or new sanctions against Russia. What is provided for is the extension of the sanctions that have been imposed in the past, which, however, rather than being extended to the end of the year, will be reconsidered in September.

It was also agreed for the Council to explore and think about new lists. This will probably be discussed at the Council’s next meeting. But these lists are subject to approval and ratification by each country, and we would not like to see the inclusion of persons we will not accept.

Moreover, as of yesterday, the defence of the ethnic minorities in Ukraine was added to the draft. We introduced this phrase with reference to the Greek minority of Mariupol, which is suffering under the current state of war. It is a phrase that was added out of sensitivity to the Greek community there.

I would also like to add that the Council agreed – in line with our fundamental thinking – that Europe should today pursue the implementation of the Minsk agreement through dialogue with Russia, a partner we must engage in dialogue, and not through new sanctions.

I think our fundamental goal was achieved: to show the European nature of our country, the responsible policy of the Greek government and its Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras. The orientation of the political and administrative personnel of the Foreign Ministry towards a responsible foreign policy and towards a policy on Europe, with responsibility, was confirmed today and was also confirmed by what the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said. Moreover, it was confirmed that one must negotiate despite multiple pressures.

Personally, I must tell you that the shameful, sycophantic articles that came out in Greece and abroad prove the ignorance that exists with regard to the notion of negotiation. Certain circles in Athens think that negotiation means unquestioning adoption of the text that is sent from Brussels, and that bowing to this is proof of Europeanism. This is a deeply flawed outlook. Greece’s Europeanism does not lie in bowing before the opinions of third parties, but in its consensual and creative policy. Above all, it lies in the perception that the country must have its own opinion, for what is good and right for Europe. We began this negotiation three or four days ago, and it ended today, with the fundamental thinking that what is good for Europe is peace and stability in Ukraine, without creating alienating rifts between Russia and the EU.

I also need to note that the goals we set were drawn up with the diplomatic service of our Ministry and, of course, with Greece’s Permanent Representation to the EU. We have good diplomats, I repeat; diplomats who think critically. And we, too, have a lot to learn from them. This collaboration and the manner in which the negotiation was carried out show that we can have a line of contribution to the future of Europe; a line that also corresponds to our fundamental interests.

Thank you very much.”