D. AVRAMOPOULOS:It is a special joy for me to meet today with my friend and counterpart, Cypriot Defence Minister Fotis Fotiou, whom I welcome. Mr. Fotiou is visiting Greece in order to attend the oath-taking ceremony of new Second Lieutenants at the Hellenic Military Academy, tomorrow morning at 09:30.
We decided to take this opportunity to personally discuss and exchange views on our countries’ defence and, naturally, have the Hellenic National Defence General Staff prepare a briefing for him, which will be presented after the press conference.
I will soon officially visit Cyprus, as is customary, in my new capacity as Minister of Defence. It is up to us to define the details of this visit.
We just had a first, very useful exchange of regards and views, centred on defence shielding and protection of – Greek and Cypriot – Hellenism’s defence and security interests, which is joint national concern.
We also discussed matters of bilateral interest, concerning the critical sector of defence and military cooperation between our two countries.
We performed a review of strategic and operational issues, aiming at better coordinating our two Ministries and updating operational matters that relate to new geopolitical and geostrategic parameters in the South-eastern Mediterranean.
The current priority for Cyprus is to face up to the financial crisis, but also to reopen essential negotiations on the Cyprus issue, expected next October.
Greece absolutely defends Cyprus’ right to exercise its sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Nothing can break the decisiveness of the Republic of Cyprus to exercise its inalienable, internationally recognised statutory sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
Greece remains, under any circumstances, regardless of possible financial difficulties, the preeminent force ensuring security, sovereignty, independence and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
Besides, this is our country’s general role as stabilising factor in our broader area.
As far as the proposal made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiadis, is concerned -to submit a request for the accession of Cyprus in the ‘Partnership for Peace’-, Greece will assist the Cypriot side in all phases of the relative procedure.
Once more, I would like to welcome my friend Fotis Fotiou and wish him every success at the Cypriot Ministry of Defence; success which is attested and confirmed by the tokens of new Cypriot policy in the field of defence and security to this day.
F. FOTIOU: I would like to sincerely thank the Greek Minister of National Defence, my friend Dimitris Avramopoulos, whom I know for years, for his heartfelt and brotherly hospitality, and also wish him the best of success in his new duties, albeit they are not new. You have already been here.
With my friend the Minister, we just had a sincere and fruitful meeting and, once more, we communicate the message that the relations between our two countries will be developed, and further enhanced, in the best possible way.
Cyprus encounters a problem of invasion and occupation by Turkey and, in the struggle to assert its rights, it has Greece -and this is certain- that is a stable, permanent, unselfish supporter for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.
During our meeting we made a review of the very close and, I would like to underline that, diachronic cooperation existing in both Ministries’ areas of pertinence, and we reaffirmed our, already excellent, relations.
However, we are jointly called to re-plan and update our defence cooperation, based on new data and developments perceived in the area of South-eastern Mediterranean, as well as based on new perspectives opened after the discovery of carbohydrate reserves in our region.
I would like now, in the clearest possible way, to send a message: the development of our natural resources is our sovereign right and cannot be questioned by anyone. We act in the framework of international law and no extortion, no challenge will stop the realisation of such planning.
We were particularly interested in the issue of energy security. It is self-evident that energy security, as well as maritime security, is a basic component of modern developments taking place in the broader geopolitical and geostrategic area belonging to Cyprus and Greece.
Therefore, further development in the field of energy security is imperative.
Moreover, I would like to thank the Greek Minister of National Defence for the interest he has shown concerning our intention, our decision, for now it is a decision, to submit membership for the programme Partnership for Peace, one of the New Government’s, under Nikos Anastasiadis, basic proclamations.
I have affirmed mister Minister that our effort will not be abandoned and I have practically asked once more, since we have discussed this before, Mr. Avramopoulos’ help, as well as the Greek Government’s, so as to crown this effort with success.
We also discussed matters pertaining to Greece assuming EU Council presidency, as well as prospects to be promoted by Greek presidency, and I have said to Mr. Minister that Cyprus is ready to help and support Greece, and especially the Ministry of Defence, to have a successful presidency.
To conclude, I would like to say the following. During this period both countries experience hard times due to the unprecedented financial crisis tormenting both countries. We should not bent, on the contrary – Hellenism – united, through a collective effort should endure and work hardly in order to give hope and perspective for an exit of the crisis, hope and perspective for the new generation.
That is what I believe both Governments, and Hellenism in general that experiences hard times, are called to realise through collectiveness and I would say that, yes, national awakening is needed.
I believe that the two countries’ governments are at close cooperation to discover the best that can be done.
Thank you once more, dear friend Minister, for your hospitality and I am certain that we will soon see you in Cyprus. Besides, you undertook to soon officially visit Cyprus.
JOURNALIST: I would like to make a question as to recurrent Turkish threats also concerning the developments for the recapturing of natural gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as to the unfortunate anniversaries -such as the Turkish invasion- which carry on and relate to the Cyprus issue, since Turkey insists on a two state solution.
This essentially forbids the extraction and exploitation of natural gas and attempts to connect financial crisis to the Cyprus issue. How will you deal with such pressure that will probably escalate due to additional factors?
F. FOTIOU: First of all, I would like to say that we are used to this kind of contestations and challenges have become regular.
What is essential is that in few months a new cycle of discussions on the Cyprus issue will begin. We proceed to these discussions in good faith, after of course having prepared correctly, so as to find a fair, viable solution of the Cyprus issue, always based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council.
In this period, we cannot have such challenges by Turkey, if Turkey really wishes this new procedure to come off.
Therefore, I repeat that no contestation, nor extortion and threats will stop our planning concerning our national resources in our Exclusive Economic Zone.
This is our sovereign right. And I do not believe that there will be any connection between the Cyprus issue and our sovereign rights in the Exclusive Economic Zone. If some people may believe that, in view of the financial crisis, we are as vulnerable as to sell out our sovereign rights, my opinion is that they deceive themselves.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: The resolution of the Cyprus issue will form new security and stability conditions in the area. We like to believe that during this delicate and sensitive, indeed, period we experience, statements aggravating the situation will be avoided.
The message is clear. Greece remains the guarantor of security and integrity of the Republic of Cyprus. As I said earlier, we are the guarantors for Cyprus’ interests. On the other hand, we would like a solution of the Cyprus issue as soon as possible. This will release powers, bring neighbouring countries closer and form a secure and stable environment.
It is a circumstance during which prudence and realism will prevail. I believe that this has been realised by our neighbours in Turkey and, in the future, statements aggravating the ambiance and not contributing to the common goal that has been set, will be avoided.
JOURNALIST: I would like to address a double question to the Cypriot Minister. How do you practically perceive the reinforcement of democracy’s deterrence capability in the years of the Memorandum. Since tomorrow 29 new Second Lieutenants will be admitted to the National Guard, yet additional requirements exist. Is it possible that you will obtain some vessels to defend energy security?
And the question for the Minister of National Defence; whether Greece, in the aforementioned framework, intends to enforce Cyprus with materiel that is not actually in active service, yet that can be quickly done. I.e, the missile torpedo boats that have been withdrawn, etc.
F. FOTIOU: I will simply say that the financial crisis is no excuse for the effectiveness of our Armed Forces to be deteriorated, and we will not allow this.
Naturally, we take financial capabilities into consideration, in view of this crisis, yet we will do, and we already do, what is possible so as to maintain at a high level this Armed Forces’ effectiveness.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: As far as defence cooperation between Greece and Cyprus is concerned, we have a broad range of issues long underway. Many of these programs are already being materialised and others will follow so as to ensure the island’s defence shielding.
The cooperation between the two Ministries is close, admirable, in terms and conditions of mutual awareness, comprehension and understanding. Details on this cooperation will be officially released when the procedure and discussions will be completed.
JOURNALIST: So before, hearing the Cypriot Defence Minister referring to the need of Hellenism’s awakening, I immediately thought of Mr. Avramopoulos’ initiative, few months ago at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to re-open the issue of German war reparations and the forced war loan.
Mr. Avramopoulos, this issue also takes other dimensions after the public stances made by Mr. Schäuble during his visit here in Greece, and by Germany’s chancellor.
I would like your opinion, your comment, provided of course that you keep up with this issue.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: Of course I keep up with it, besides it stands to reason. We do not alter our stance every time we change public office or role. The Government has consistent policy.
I would like to refer you to an older statement, in my capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs, which applies completely. I would like to remind once more that international justice is the one to decide, above and beyond states and governments, on matters such as German reparations that pertain to international law and international courts.
When the time will come, it is there that any views and stances of interested parties will be definitively judged. We shall wait and see.