Presenting Greece's main foreign policy goals and directions on Monday, Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas stressed that the key aim for Athens is to occupy its rightful position on the international scene. "The aim and promise of the new government is for Greece to once again win its place on the international stage, to put an end to the inertia of the past and protect our sovereign rights, expand our horizons, enhance our relations with friendly countries and develop new, mutually beneficial relations where today we find a vacuum," the minister said. Droutsas said the government had a "difficult start" when, just 10 days after it was elected, the European Commission unveiled progress reports for Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) containing several references that undermined Greek interests or were "positively dangerous", such as a position about not allowing "bilateral differences" to affect the progress of candidate countries.
In this context, he stressed the importance of the "2014 agenda" for the western Balkans, saying that through this "ambitious plan" Greece was seeking to once more play a leading role in the region.
Questioned about the likelihood of a visit by Prime Minister George Papandreou to the United States, Droutsas said that following a verbal invitation extended by U.S. President Barack Obama during a brief meeting with Papandreou on the sidelines of the Copenhagen climate summit, a process was underway to find a convenient date.
'Name dispute'
Athens was adopting a policy of aggressive diplomacy, in which it undertook initiatives and clearly indicated a constructive and open-minded stance during negotiations, Droutsas said. At the same time, it had a clear-cut and uncompromising "national red line" that insisted on a composite name with a geographic qualifier for all uses.
The minister said Greece had succeeded in "restoring reality" in conclusions of the European Council in December, making it clear that a solution to the "name issue" was a condition for the start of EU accession talks and also giving Skopje a message that a solution was possible if it was backed by a clear political will.
"Unfortunately, the initial reactions of [by the fYRoM side] do not inspire optimism," he added, stressing that Greece would continue with negotiations at the United Nations until the desired solution was found.
Relations with Turkey
In terms of relations with neighbouring Turkey, the minister repeated Athens' support for Turkey's full accession to the European Union, but underlined that this was not unconditional and that Turkey must comply fully with the terms of the EU and certain self-evident conditions, such as fully respecting international law, good neighbour relations and Greece's territorial integrity.
He underlined that this was also reflected in the conclusions of the European Council in December, with phrasing that was "firm and objective and for the first time recorded important factors, such as the reference to respecting maritime law".
In response to questions, he said that no meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was currently on the cards but indicated willingness to meet the Turkish minister at the first opportunity.
The minister added that a policy of supporting Turkey's European course remained a "useful tool" for foreign policy provided that it was effectively used.
He also referred to the issue of delineating the Aegean continental shelf, saying that this was still outstanding because the previous government's policy had not made it possible to resolve this issue, in line with goals set at the time of Cyprus' accession to the EU, adding that Greece was prepared to go to the International Court of Justice at The Hague if necessary.
Droutsas clarified that there were several fields in which Greece was seeking close cooperation with Turkey, such as climate change and environmental issues affecting the entire region, where piecemeal and isolated actions could not bring results. He also pointed to the Middle East as another area for joint action, reminding reporters of initiatives such as the joint visit to the Palestinian Territories by Papandreou and then Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem.
Cyprus issue
Droutsas underlined the government's commitment to actively helping Cyprus with actions rather than words, pointing out that the first foreign visit carried out by Prime Minister George Papandreou had been to Cyprus. He stressed that Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and his government had Athens' full support and confidence, adding that complete cooperation and coordination of action between the two governments, on both the Cyprus issue and all other sectors where the two countries might cooperate as EU member states, was continuing.
The minister repeated that Turkey must contribute to a solution of the Cyprus problem and repeated, in response to questions, that the current proposals of the Turkish-Cypriot side could not be a basis for negotiations.
Droutsas noted that the proposals of the Turkish-Cypriot and Turkish sides had led to a "certain disappointment" because they did not lead in a direction that might guarantee constructive negotiations.
International relations
The minister referred to the results of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit held in Athens, saying that this had led to the adoption of a political proclamation urging member-states to adhere to the Corfu Process and that Greece would thus be at the centre of the dialogue on creating a new security architecture within the organisation. He also pledged that as part of the OSCE Troika, Greece would make even better use of its position in the OSCE.
He referred to a series of planned changes in the organisation and working methods of the foreign ministry and Greek diplomacy, in order to better use the country's "added value".
The minister also announced that the focus will be shifted more to economic and energy diplomacy through the support of Greek businesses abroad, secondly to cultural diplomacy and promoting Greece as a tourism destination through closer cooperation with the culture ministry. Thirdly, he emphasised developmental diplomacy, with a shift toward green development.
Droutsas particularly mentioned Greece's relations with so-called "emerging powers" such as Brazil, India, South Africa and China, combined with a strengthening ties with existing allies such as the United States and striving to give Greece the influence it should have in the Middle East, through its position as the EU's easternmost border in the Balkans and Eastern Mediterranean.
Kouvelis
On his part, Deputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis referred to development cooperation issues, during the presentation of main foreign policy axes, and expressed support on behalf of Greece for development programmes in countries in need of it.
Kouvelis said that the effort concerns the strengthening of the effectiveness of programmes in our neighbourhood, the Black Sea countries, the Black Sea, the Balkans and the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean, without relations being disregarded with the major partners, the European Union, the United States, Russia and such countries as Japan, the Asian countries or the countries of Latin America.
The target is "in each region and each topic to map and target the comparative advantages that Greece will seek in each region," the deputy minister stressed, so that our missions will become effective and productive.
12.01.2010
