Foreign Minister Ms. Dora Bakoyannis was interviewed in Athens by journalist Chritiane Scholtzer for the German daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. The interview was published on 17 March, under the title “There is no shame in compromise: Greek FM Bakoyannis talks about the name disagreement with ‘Macedonia’, the Cyprus issue and recognition of Kosovo”.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Ms. Bakoyannis, Greece is putting pressure on “Macedonia”, but the Skopje government is in crisis. How might the Skopje government move on this particular issue?

Ms. Bakoyannis: The situation in the Balkans in difficult. History continues to be present, even today. That is why we have to build a future on firm foundations. This future has to be European. This holds for the whole region.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: But “Macedonia” wants to join the EU and NATO, and Greece is threatening to block such a prospect.

Ms. Bakoyannis: For 17 years, Greece held that the name of our neighbouring country could not include the term “Macedonia”. This was no whim; there were many reasons for this. But we have since shifted our position.

Three months ago we made it clear to our Parliament that for us to accept a name it will have to include a geographical qualifier that makes it clear that a ‘Greater Macedonia’ is not being pursued. We have to find a name that represents this multiethnic people but is not a basis for propaganda that involves claims on the territory of other states. This is vital to the stability of the whole region.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: In recent days, Skopje has mounted a global press campaign that includes a photograph of “Macedonian” troops in Kabul. The Skopje government stresses that its country deserves to be admitted to NATO. What will you do if there is no compromise?

Ms. Bakoyannis: If there is no compromise, we will block their accession. Europe has been built on compromises. There is no shame in compromise.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: But that’s true for Greece, as well.

Ms. Bakoyannis: We have already made our compromise. It wasn’t easy for us either; great political risk was involved. But for a compromise to be reached, it takes two – just like the tango. We also need the good will of Skopje on this issue. Skopje has much to gain from such a move: Accession to NATO and the EU.

The bottom line is that we are neighbours. States don’t choose their neighbours any more than we, as individuals, choose our families. Greece is the number-one investor in the region. We have invested a great deal of money there.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: That’s the paradox: Greece has very good economic relations with “Macedonia”, so this disagreement is something of an anachronism.

Ms. Bakoyannis: Our policy is about the future. For some years now, we have been trying to send positive messages; we see our neighbours as friends, not enemies. We have to work together as much as possible. But in this region you can’t sweep problems under the carpet, because they’ll just re-emerge.

There is a photograph of Prime Minister Gruevski laying flowers at a monument that depicts a “Greater Macedonia”. As a geographical region, half of Macedonia is Greek and a third of it is Bulgarian. This doesn’t make for good cooperation. We have to leave the past where it belongs: in the past.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Can a country’s name deter nationalistic flare-ups?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Much of this rhetoric and nationalist feeling is connected with the fact that our neighbours want to justify their constitutional name. If we agree that this nationalism is a thing of the past, then we will have firm foundations.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: But this stance has isolated you in Europe.

Ms. Bakoyannis: I don’t see it that way. We have found considerable support since it was made clear that Greece has shifted its initial position. Greece has been a member of NATO for over 50 years, and we expect understanding from our allies and friends.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Do you think there is still a chance an understanding will be reached before the NATO Summit?

Ms. Bakoyannis: I’m optimistic. After all, this isn’t about nuclear weapons – it’s a matter of political will. There is enough time if the will is there.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: A UN agreement – the 1995 Interim Accord – allows for an invitation to be addressed to Skopje now and for the negotiations to continue for two or three years, until the country joins NATO. Why don’t you want that?

Ms. Bakoyannis: We have already been waiting for 17 years now. It’s no longer an issue of gaining time. Nor to we need a Committee of Historians. We will not take part in a discussion of whether Alexander the Great was a Slav. Even schoolchildren know that is nonsense. This is about the future of a region in which we often come up against old problems. That’s why we have to clear up this situation. There are other problems in the Balkans. It is vital that we not abandon Bosnia-Herzegovina economically. It also has to be made clear to the Serbian people that we want their country to belong to Europe.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: And what’s happening with the Kosovo issue? Will Greece recognise Kosovo?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Not right now. We have to see how things develop. What is important to us is that the situation remain stable and minority rights be respected. We will be very careful about making any decision.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: New talks on the Cyprus issue are starting this week. The Turkish side is in favour of bringing back the Annan Plan, which the Greek Cypriots rejected by a large majority in 2004.

Ms. Bakoyannis: That is not the case. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated to the news media that the Annan Plan no longer exists. We need something new. We need the Cyprus Plan that both sides will be able to sign in the end. Of course, this plan will have to be based on the UN resolutions and meet with the approval of the EU.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Does that mean that Cyprus no longer needs guarantor powers: Greece, Turkey and the U.K.?

Ms. Bakoyannis: No, Europe is the great guarantor power that embraces the whole region. Because Europe provides security for minorities and human rights.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: There is hope that an agreement might be reached by the end of the year.

Ms. Bakoyannis: That may be a little too ambitious. We shouldn’t set deadlines, but that doesn’t mean we should discuss things indefinitely. We have new governments in Cyprus, Turkey and Greece; governments that can all help to bring down the last wall in Europe.

Süddeutsche Zeitung: Your government has a narrow parliamentary majority. Workers’ unions are organising continuous strikes to protest social security reforms. How stable is your government?

Ms. Bakoyannis: Very stable. It’s a four-year government. We have been elected to implement a policy of major reforms. The social reforms we need have been passed over for years. Other European governments have also needed to go through this stage.

Source: MFA

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