By Dimitri Tsakas
Special to The National Herald

Greek FM Talks About Domestic and Foreign Policy; Weighs in on Omogeneia Voting Rights

NEW YORK - In an exclusive interview with The National Herald, Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni, who is in New York for the opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations presented her country's positions on the major Foreign policy issues with candor and determination.
She also responded to our questions about the financial crises and how that affects her country, the internal political situation of Greece, as well as the issue of granting the right of vote to the Greeks living abroad.

Following is the interview:

THE NATIONAL HERALD: Negotiations on the name row with FYROM are continuing, and as you reiterated in Paris last Friday, the Greek side continues to seek out a solution for “a name with a geographical qualifier for all uses.” Unfortunately, the FYROM Government has adopted an increasingly hard line position, in which it has included national identity claims such as “one people, one language.” What is the United States’ role in all this in light of their desire to see FYROM join NATO and the EU?

DORA BAKOYANNIS: Greece’s position on the issue of FYROM’s name is clear and well known to our friends, partners and allies. Greece adopted a clear-cut strategic position on the issue of FYROM’s name at the NATO Summit in Bucharest, as well as at the most recent EU Summit. The conclusions made at both summits capture in the best possible way the reality that is being shaped from here on in, which our northern neighbor is obliged to adapt to. Greece has consistently sought regional stability and cooperation with Western Balkan nations. These are the two fundamental and inviolable principles of our foreign policy. They are preconditions that carry decisive weight in our clear-cut strategy for supporting the nations in our region on their path to entering European and Euro-Atlantic organizations. Now is the time for FYROM to take the necessary steps and cover the ground that separates us. Until today, not only has it not done so, but as of late it has added a policy of provocative actions, irredentist claims, and nationalistic outbreaks resembling policies and tactics of days long gone to its already existent intransigent position. I hope that FYROM will soon abandon these practices and work with Greece on finding a mutually acceptable solution. This, at any rate, is what is directed in the final texts of the most recent NATO and EU Summits.
It is common knowledge that we do not agree with the United States on everything – especially when it comes to the issue of FYROM. In spite of this, the Greek message to all is clear and unambiguous: We desire a solution based on a composite name, with a geographical qualifier that will be applied universally. Greece is ready for a mutually acceptable solution, but it fully retains all its rights as a member of the EU and NATO.

TNH: Although there seems to be restrained optimism over the future of the Cyprus reunification talks, the first meetings between Cyprus’ President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot Community leader Mehmet Ali Talat showed that the Turks continue to insist on red lines, like the creation of a new state (“virgin birth”) and the retention of Turkish guarantor status in a EU member state. Do you believe that Turkey truly desires a settlement, or are they just using these negotiations as a pretext?

DB: It appears that some people have not comprehended that which is self-evident: Cyprus is a member of the European Union, a member of the UN, and it has vested interests based on international law. It has its own place in the international scene, and of course, no Cypriot has the desire to lose any of these rights, because if he or she does so, it will go against the better interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus is a full-fledged member of the European family. We are talking about a nation whose integrity and safety will be guaranteed by the European Union in the most effective way. I am certain that this prospect cannot but strengthen the sense of safety that both Greek and Turkish Cypriots feel – a feeling that is of vital importance in bringing together the two communities and reuniting the island.

We all support President Christofias and the political leaders of Cyprus in the efforts they have assumed to put an end to an injustice, an unacceptable situation that has been going on for 34 whole years. It goes without saying that we are following and evaluating Turkey’s proposals for the settlement of the Cyprus issue very closely. Under no circumstances, however, should these proposals serve as an excuse for the lack of progress in reunification talks. On the contrary, it would be in Turkey’s best interests – particularly in regard to prospects for EU accession – for substantial progress to be achieved in the settlement of the Cyprus issue. This is the reason why I believe that the Turkish Government should encourage the Turkish Cypriot side to show a constructive spirit at the negotiations.

TNH: Recent polls in Greece show a relative change in the popularity of the two largest parties. To what do you attribute this change, and what measures should the Government take to reverse it?

DB: Greece is going through a period of changes and reforms. This is the road that our Government has chosen, and it is a difficult one. There are problems that linger. However, we are determined on resolving them and moving forward. We are continuing our work for the full duration of our term, as we envision Greece becoming a country that plays a leading role regionally and internationally, which develops dynamically and equally in all sectors, which provides opportunities for all, and which is socially just. We have set lofty goals and we are steadily reaching them. Nevertheless, we are going through a difficult economic period filled with uncertainty. The global economic crisis has led us all to experience feelings of insecurity and discomfort. The effects of international developments, combined with our own domestic problems are being reflected on every poll that is being conducted. Each one of us is going to be judged during this difficult period, and I certain that the citizens of Greece will recognize the accomplishments of the Government and the new developments that are gradually changing their daily lives.

TNH: Your visit to New York has coincided with the financial crisis that is plaguing the United States. What do you believe will be the effects of this crisis on the EU and Greece in particular?

DB: We are living in a time of insecurity and economic uncertainty. The home loan crisis, the ever changing price of oil, and the general crisis that has come about because of fluctuations in the markets illustrate the difficult position in which most international markets now find themselves in. The global financial crisis is more serious and drawn out that what most people originally expected. Nevertheless, the news from Greece and the European Union is encouraging. Up until now, Europe’s economy has faired well in the face of the unfavorable conditions that exist in the world’s markets, and the European Union remains far from the risk of recession. It is an extremely difficult environment, but I believe that Greece is steering its economy steadily. During the past four years, it has achieved tangible results in the area of its economy and development.

We are constantly seeking to promote the best possible coordination among the institutions responsible for our economic policy – the Government, Central Bank, and other authorities that oversee our financial system – so that the Greek financial sector continues to move ahead in a safe climate, despite the negative conditions present internationally. We are optimistic about the future and we are making every possible effort to meet the challenges and resolve the problems that remain.

TNH: Unfortunately, Greece’s main opposition party PASOK rejected the draft bill proposed by the Government which would have essentially given Greek expatriates voting in Greek national elections the same rights as voters living in Greece. Do you remain hopeful that a happy medium will be reached so that this bill can be passed before the end of the year, and if so, how can the Greek Community of the Diaspora contribute to the realization of this goal?

DB: The presence of Greek expatriates in foreign countries, who essentially comprise a second Greece, which is active and dynamic outside the borders of the Greek state represents an especially important force multiplier for Greece in the international community. It is our firm belief that productive and fruitful cooperation between the Greek metropolis and Greeks of the Diaspora is the strongest guarantee for a better tomorrow for Greeks all over the world.

In this framework then, we – the Prime Minister and his entire administration – expressly pledged to secure the right for Greeks living abroad to vote in national elections from the place of their permanent residence. We believe that in this way we are fulfilling an important obligation that the Greek state owed to them, since this is something all Greeks living abroad have been wanting and asking for, regardless of what part of the world they live in. It is important to achieve the widest possible consensus on this issue, in part because a two thirds Parliamentary majority is required to pass this legislation. Unfortunately, the main opposition party in Greece has for some time now been searching for pretexts to avoid taking action in this particular area. All the efforts that the Government has made towards this end until now have been blocked by the unsubstantiated excuses and delay tactics that the remaining political parties in Greece have been systematically relying on. We are insisting, however. We will submit a third draft bill to PASOK because we want to secure the widest possible approval. There is only one issue that is non-negotiable: that the votes of Greeks abroad will count. These votes are going to be applied to the final tally. We are hoping that there will be people out there who will finally manage to free themselves from the petty politics and self-serving motives that have been shaping their decisions up until today. We are hard at work strengthening and promoting cooperation between the Greek metropolis and the Greek Diaspora. Important steps have already been taken. We reorganized the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, we secured its institutional role, we expanded its sphere of activity, and we made it more representative so that the voice of the Greek Community Abroad can be heard increasingly louder. Voting rights for Greek expatriates remains an important pledge for the Greek Government, and we will continue to work vigorously to secure it by the end of this year, as the Prime Minister has stated.

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