Greek ambassador Panos Kalogeropoulos: Together with its partners in the European Union, Greece unreservedly supports Lebanons sovereignty.
What feelings and ideas does the Greek national day inspire in you? Is the Greek nation aligning itself more towards Hellenism?
For each person belonging to a nation, the feast day of his own country is supposed to be an occasion of joy, but also of contemplation, especially when the fact commemorated represents an event both heroic and tragic, as was the case of the Hellenic War of Independence of 1821.
For an ambassador serving abroad, being able to celebrate the national day has a particular importance because at that moment, in the eyes of the authorities and the people where he is posted, he is the very embodiment of his country.
In my opinion, national festivals and all other events of that kind should be, not occasions for the expression of a blind nationalism, but rather a time to look into the reality of his homeland and to analyze its progress and shortcomings, and above all, to see how one could accomplish more than the previous generation.
How would you describe Greece?s relations with the other members of the European Union? Is Athens in favor of Turkey joining the EU?
They are relations between members of the same family, which have made a fundamental and deliberate choice to belong to the Union, to share the same values and principles and to leave behind them past antagonisms in order to build a common destiny. For Greece, the tenth member of this community, which now counts 27 members, the European Union is a community of destiny based on mutual respect and solidarity, where hostile intentions and territorial claims have no place.
In this context, Greece is considering the European perspective of Turkey, in the context of building bilateral cooperation, developing political, economic, cultural and other exchanges, and of consolidating an atmosphere of friendship far removed from threats or suspicions.
In other words, we want a Turkey which is European in its relations with its neighbors, which respects treaties and international law, human rights and the rights of minorities. Turkey must conform to all the criteria and conditions required in order to qualify for adhesion as a full member. It?s a long road that Turkey must set out on. We are ready to help it in its efforts.
What problems requiring rapid decisions now confront the Greek government?
Over the last decade, Greece has witnessed a considerable economic growth, which is the result of economic reforms made following its entry into the eurozone. These reforms concern, notably, reining in the public deficit and reducing the external debt and inflation, as well as privatization of big enterprises of public utility (DEKO) in order to promote investments, increase the competitiveness of Greek goods and services, and thus the wealth of the country.
What has the impact been of the election of Demetrios Christofias as president of Cyprus? Hes been presented as the president of Cypriot reunification. Is that still possible?
We salute the expression through the ballot box of the will of the Cypriot voters, as we would have done if the other candidate had been chosen by the people.
Its true that Mr. Christofiass election seems to have given a new dynamism to the process of reunifying the island, divided since 1974. The question has been formulated as if the complexity of the Cypriot problem lays in the choice of persons. But such a complex problem is not one that can be resolved only by the presence of certain persons. One must consider all the ramifications of the matter, not least that of the presence of tens of thousands of foreign troops since 1974.
We are now witnessing a serious economic downturn in several parts of the world, particularly in the United States, whose economy may now be in recession, according to many economists. How do you see the economic situation in Greece?
According to estimates, our economy will grow by four percent this year, and inflation will rise slightly, due especially to the rise in the price of petroleum. There has been an impressive inflow of foreign direct investment, which rose from 607 million dollars in 2005 to 5.7 billion dollars in 2006.
But unemployment, which especially affects women and young people, is still acute, hovering about eight percent.
The government?s objective is to take social measures concerning good governance and the viability of the system of social security, as well as combating unemployment by creating new jobs based on services and on modern technologies.
Is the political situation one of stability?
Thirty-four years after the restoration of the democratic parliamentary system, the Third Hellenic Republic is more stable and prosperous than ever. The alternation in power of the big parties of the center-left and the center-right is at the heart of the political system. After the elections of 2007, the New Democracy Party was returned to office, with Costas Caramanlis as prime minister. At the same time, as in all similar political and social systems, we notice a new tendency of younger voters to experiment with other political parties and to envisage new approaches to new challenges. The political landscape is thus becoming more varied and in time may become less predictable.
The independence of Kosovo has created a new reality
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has raised fears for the future of the Balkan region. How has Greece reacted, and what has Athens suggested to prevent trouble after Serbia's threats of retaliation?
Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence has created a particularly delicate new reality in the Western Balkans. The position of Greece has been determined by respect for the principle of a peaceful solution of differences, a solution obtained through dialogue and negotiation, not as the result of unilateral initiatives and accomplished facts.
For the moment, the stability and security of the region are the principal objectives to be guaranteed at all cost. Greece calls on all the parties involved to abstain from any action likely to stir up tension. The active presence of the European Union and its collaboration with NATO's KFOR force are necessary. Athens intends to make its own contribution to it.
In regard to recognition of the new order of things -- which in any case does not constitute a precedent -- Greece will adopt its stand only at a later stage, after examining in depth all the developments and their dimensions and their impact on the security of the region, and on its own interests.
Lebanon's complex crisis
How do you see the Lebanese political crisis? How might it be resolved?
Here we have a complex and many-faceted crisis, in which we can discern several levels: the sharing of power and competition of political parties, the continuation or not of Lebanon's own socio-political formula -- i.e., what future for Lebanon's society and state --, a regional aspect?
At the moment, it seems that these various levels and parameters, which exercise a direct influence on one another, have not found a position of mutual equilibrium. Thus we see political instability, institutional paralysis and security risks.
Reaching a solution to this acute crisis is a responsibility and a duty for the political class and for Lebanese society. It?s not for foreigners to dictate anything, though they may offer their good offices. Greece, as well as its partners in the European Union, unreservedly supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon, a friendly country. In this context, we strongly support the plan for the solution of the crisis adopted unanimously by foreign ministers of the Arab League, and we urged its implementation so that a Lebanese president could have taken part in the Arab summit in Damascus.
Would you have preferred being posted to a country other than Lebanon, which was characterized by a less agitated political landscape?
I feel perfectly at ease in Beirut and very happy with my work and the conversations I have with political personalities of all persuasions and with businessmen and people of society in general. It could not be otherwise, given the open, welcoming and friendly character of the Lebanese.
In addition, what you call ?political agitation? is what gives diplomatic action in Beirut its special interest. It?s the most attractive element for a professional. Each foreign posting is different and needs to be evaluated on its own terms.