JOURNALIST: What are the main issues the two governments will be discussing at their upcoming meeting? What does the Greek government expect from the talks between the cabinets? Will they be signing specific agreements?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Greek-Bulgarian relations are a model of cooperation, particularly in our neighbourhood. They are tangible proof of the power of the European endeavor and its potential to function as a catalyst for peace, progress and growth. I hope our other neighbours follow us in this spirit and work with us, so that we can build a new Southeast Europe that is an intrinsic part of the European family.
The relations between the countries in the region will not be determined by the conflicts of the past, but by the peace and development projects of the present, and by the shared vision of our future. The Bulgarian people have an age-old history. Like all peoples in the region, they have been through difficult times that have left their mark, but without keeping them from envisioning a different, better future in the European Union.
The Bulgarian people are a hardworking and determined people. When the borders opened and the old regime fell, thousands of Bulgarian citizens came to Greece, trying to fix their lives. And they did it. They prospered, and many of them remain in Greece, which they consider their second homeland. On the other hand, many Greeks have invested, live, and work in Bulgaria of late, contributing in this way to the development and progress of both countries.
The second Greek-Bulgarian High Level Cooperation Council, which convenes in Athens, on Monday, marks the mutual investment of our countries in our cooperation in ever more of the most important sectors. We are allies in NATO and partners in the European Union. But that doesn’t mean we will pass up opportunities to capitalize on the huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in sectors that immediately impact the day-to-day lives of our citizens; sectors like the environment, commerce, tourism. The Greek government’s main pursuit is to broaden and deepen this strategic cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria in all sectors of common interest.
So there will be one-on-one talks, beyond the Prime Ministers, between the various Ministers of the two countries. There will be a detailed review of a series of issues, and major cooperation initiatives will be undertaken. Finally, as the culmination of our dialogue, we will be signing agreements on, among other things, issues concerning education and culture, agricultural development, radio frequencies, and tourism.
JOURNALIST: How would you comment on the latest developments in the energy sector in Bulgaria – that is, withdrawal from the plan for the construction of the Belene nuclear power plant, the signing of the final investment decision on the South Stream natural gas pipeline, the decision to hold a referendum on the future of nuclear power development?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The decision to use nuclear energy is a very serious decision, and it is important that the Bulgarian people have the opportunity to express their desires. Greece has made its own choices on the nuclear energy issue,. In any case, a country that chooses to include nuclear power in its energy mix needs to comply fully and strictly and consistently with the rules and legislation deriving from the international contractual framework and European standards. As a result, there is a need for frequent inspections, which are necessary for the implementation of safety regulations, as well as close monitoring of the programmes and facilities.
But beyond nuclear energy, Greece and Bulgaria have a lot of potential for broad cooperation in the energy sector. We are neighbouring countries that are strategically positioned for transporting hydrocarbons to Europe. Don’t forget that a few years ago, when Bulgaria was facing problems with its natural gas supply from the north, Greece immediately made up for the shortages, keeping the homes of our friends in Bulgaria warm during the winter.
That experience taught us that we need to step up and expand our cooperation. South Stream is an important project that has Greece’s support, as does the linking of Greek-Bulgarian natural gas pipelines, the TAP, and even the Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline, which remains, in our opinion, a useful plan for our neighbourhood and Europe.
JOURNALIST: The differences between Athens and Skopje over the name of our common neighbour and, by extension, over the cultural and historical heritage of the region, are well known. Lately, there has been an intensification of the differences between Skopje and Sofia, which again concern the history and culture of the area. In the context of recent developments, how do you see Sofia’s stance on the efforts of certain circles in Skopje to distort the past and the identity of Bulgarian culture in the region?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: It is reasonable for each country to have its sensitivities on issues that it considers to be of paramount importance. Both the Greek and Bulgarian positions on the policy and conduct of Skopje are well known. Our sensitivities are different. But there is a shared major concern over the rise of nationalistic phenomena and populist rhetoric and the cultivation of a climate of intolerance. These provocative actions are not compatible with European values or good neighbourly relations, which are the cornerstone of the European architecture. A country that says it has European aspirations and a European orientation, like the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, should show in action that it respects the principle of good neighbourly relations. And we are here to support FYROM on its new course, as soon as it meets the conditions deriving from the Community acquis.
JOURNALIST: When will the Komotini-Kardzali border crossing be going into operation?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The border-crossing points between the two countries bring our societies closer together. They are important for the development of bilateral trade, particularly on a local level. They are part of our long-term planning that is aimed at enhancing cross-border cooperation and the creating multiple benefits for local communities. In this spirit, there are already five border crossings in operation. We are moving ahead at a steady pace, despite the difficulties that have arisen from time to time, toward completion of the Komotini-Kardzali border crossing.
JOURNALIST: What are the repercussions of the economic crisis in Europe and, in particular, in Greece for the development of bilateral relations on the economic and other levels?
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Europe is at a crossroads. What this crisis is testing, above all, is Europe’s unity; the ties and solidarity among the member states. I am certain that we will come out of this crisis stronger and more unified. And together we will build our great new country of Europe.
In this era, national economies are interlinked. Knowledge, technology, money know no borders. Western prosperity and high standards of living are spreading to emerging economies, and the crisis of a single bank or a single country can have global repercussions. In this global environment, cooperation – particularly with neighbours – is not just an option. It is an imperative need in the face of international competition. Our cooperation with Bulgaria is already at a very high level, but that doesn’t mean we should relax. What we need to do is leave no opportunity unexploited.
It is true that the economic crisis prompted us to start thinking and operating differently. Greek businesses are internationalizing their operations, seeking business opportunities and new markets. And Greek enterprises play a leading role in Bulgaria. In this way, Greece is gradually regaining its competitiveness, while putting its economic house in order. Greece will turn the game around and win. And Bulgaria and the whole of our wider region stands to gain from this success. We have a common future.