Dialogue with Turkey, FYROM
Do you see any solution soon to the problem with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? What will Greece do in the event that Skopje stands firm on its use of the name «Macedonia»? Our policy on this is clear. Greece is a major player in the Balkans today. It is a bridge between countries in the region and Europe. However there is a serious outstanding issue on which we, and if you will allow, myself personally, made a move to solve two years ago. Unfortunately we have not seen any gesture from the other side. In fact, in some cases we have seen provocations. We would like to have good relations. We want to help this country, as all others, to find its way toward Europe. But a mutually acceptable solution must be found and that means that that country will at some point have to make a substantial change to the positions it has taken to date. Is there any likelihood of Greece exercising a veto? Within the context of the policy I have described to you, Greece will not give up any of the possibilities open to it. However, there is no way we will go ahead with what they themselves call their «constitutional name.» In Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has won a clear majority. Do you see a window of opportunity, if you win the elections, to reach an agreement on the issue of the continental shelf? Again, our policy on this is clear. The goal is to normalize Greek-Turkish relations. That much has been quite clear from all the moves that have been made over the past few years. After all, the climate in our relations is good, as it is at many other levels of cooperation. Of course, there is a problem. Exploratory talks are continuing. At the moment there is no progress, that is the truth. The will is there, but Turkey has to realize that international law, international treaties are non-negotiable. Our approach to the question of Turkey’s future in Europe is also founded on that basis. We want – we and Europe – a Turkey that will gradually adopt European ways of behaving, European principles and standards. That is why our position on this issue is «full compliance, full accession.» I am not satisfied with progress so far. However, that is something Turkey will have to decide. Of course, a new government, and a strong one, will have a greater ability to move ahead with the necessary reforms. I would like to hope so – but in the end it isn’t up to us. What do you think Erdogan has in mind? You know, in politics, intentions and words aren’t what counts in the end, but actions. At any rate I can tell you that I feel that we have, naturally with differences of opinion, a steady interlocutor, which has not always been the case in recent decades. How important is the opening to Russia and the relationship with President Vladimir Putin? We have traditionally enjoyed good relations with Russia. There is no outstanding issue, either at the political level or in international organizations or in transactions between our countries, particularly in the energy sector. I believe that these relations are also of particular benefit to our country from the geopolitical viewpoint, both with regard to progress in the region and in a purely economic sense.
