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M. LAJCAK: It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Avramopoulos. I know that this is a bit non-standard time, but it is the only time at which we can meet with the media as well.
I would like to assure everybody that the Hellenic Republic is a great friend of Slovakia and there are many, many things that we have in common. Just to mention a few of them, we have some things in common from history. We are shortly going to celebrate the 1150th anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Slovakia’s region from Thessaloniki. Also, we are going to celebrate, shortly, 20 years of diplomatic relations with the Hellenic Republic, and shortly, the 10-year anniversary since the accession treaty, which included Slovakia’s accession to the EU.
The Hellenic Republic will again take the Presidency of the European Union on the 1st of January 2014. It will be already the fourth time, or rather they had it already four times previously, so they have great experience. That is why we will initiate a very close cooperation and coordination with the Hellenic Republic so that we can benefit when we take the Presidency in 2016.
As mentioned previously, the Republic of Slovakia and the Hellenic Republic are very friendly states that are very close to each other, having very many things in common and the same opinions on most of the issues, including in respect to the EU, and we have many things that we can share or work together on. For example, in respect to the Western Balkans, to the Middle East and the Mediterranean area, we are certain we can benefit from the experience of our friends. And on the other hand, they can, perhaps, profit from the experience that we have in respect to the Eastern partnership.
The Hellenic Republic is going through a very complicated period these days and I am very pleased that we could provide solidarity to this country, that we were on its side at the right moment and we can already speak of the great commitment and responsibility on the side of the Greek government in fulfillment of the commitments that they have had to take. So once again, we can only confirm that the decisions taken on a national level and on the European level have been good and they were all aimed at the stability of the Greek economy, at future growth, and all that contributes to the improvement and enrichment of cooperation.
We discussed our opinions in detail. We discussed the issues of the Eurozone and of the EU. We agreed on the fact that our relations and cooperation have to be further intensified. For example, since 2008, there has not been a visit of Prime Ministers or the President on either side, and the Minister is visiting this country after three years since his predecessor visited this country. So we just have to intensify the political dialogue so that it reflects the high quality of the friendship we share with each other.
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: First of all I want to thank my colleague and friend Miroslav Lajčák for the warm and cordial welcome. I want to tell you, Miroslav, that I was very happy to find out that we have so many things in common, something that will bring us much closer in the future, not only in the framework of the European family but also on a bilateral basis.
I would also like to express my thanks to my colleague for the very useful and productive talks we had here today, in the very beautiful city of Bratislava.
Greece and Slovakia are partners in the EU, in the European family. And I want to take this opportunity of this visit to convey the warm friendship and deep respect that the Greek people feel for the people of Slovakia.
This visit is inaugurating a new period in the relations between the two countries.
As Miroslav said, this year we are going to celebrate together very important historical events.
One thousand and one hundred fifty years of an historic march in the field of the religion, of friendly diplomatic relations, and ten years since the accession of Slovakia in the European family.
Also, we opened the door and paved the way for more visits at the level of prime ministers and Presidents of the Republic. And we will keep cooperating within the European institutions, but also on a bilateral basis, exchanging experiences, know-how and expertise.
Minister Lajčák and I talked about the economic crisis in Europe: That the European family, through its principle of solidarity, can emerge stronger from this crisis. That by working together we will make the European market more competitive, ensuring a future of prosperity for all our peoples.
I briefed my colleague on the results Greece is getting from its implementation of the structural reforms and economic programme that we agreed on with our partners.
The government of Greece and the Greek people are moving ahead resolutely with this programme, returning the Greek economy to growth and competitiveness. I would also like to stress – which is also a message to the Slovak people – that everyone in Greece recognizes the contribution of the Slovak people to this effort. Neither the contribution of the Slovak people nor the sacrifices and hard work of the Greek people will be allowed to go to waste.
What is ultimately at stake in this European crisis is our common currency, which means the EU’s standing in the global economy and the prosperity of all the countries, all the peoples, within the eurozone.
My friend Miroslav and I also took the opportunity of our meeting to discuss a number, as I said before, of regional and international issues of concern to our countries, with reforms and developments in Eastern Europe.
As you know, Greece’s support for European enlargement in our neighbourhood is firm and longstanding. We believe that the future of all the Western Balkan countries lies in the European family. And that our neighbours’ progress towards meeting European standards will consolidate peace and security in Southeast Europe. Will pave the way to our common European future.
The perspectives of our Western Balkan neighbours has a wider, I would say, political dimension, given the distressing rise in nationalism we are seeing in a region where nationalism has historically led to great tragedy.
So we need to work hard, to bring lasting stability – European stability – to the Western Balkans. The first steps on this path, of course, are respect by all for good neighbourly relations, and sincere efforts to resolve the pending issues in the region.
We also covered the Cyprus issue, as well as our relations with Turkey and its accession process, and I briefed Mr. Lajčák on the latest developments in these issues.
We also talked about the dire situation in Syria, the prospects for the Middle East peace process, and what role the EU can play in nurturing democracy and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
Last but not least, allow me to mention that this year, celebrations commemorating the 1150th anniversary of the arrival in Great Moravia of Missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius, Equals-to-the-Apostles, will take place here. Remembering their legacy and the invaluable contribution of the two Thessalonikian brothers is of paramount importance.
I would also like to mention that I had very fruitful talks with Prime minister of Slovakia this morning. And I look forward to receiving very soon in Athens my good friend Miroslav, in order to give a follow up to what we have discussed and decided today. I consider him, as I said, and I mean it, as a real friend and whatever brought us closer together will be to the benefit of our common European course and of our two peoples.
Once again, I want to express my thanks to my colleague.
Foreign Minister Avramopoulos stated the following in response to journalists’ questions on the situation in Cyprus:
D. AVRAMOPOULOS: First of all, there is not the same recipe for all countries. You know that almost all Southern European countries are going through difficult times because of the economic crisis. There are big differences between the crisis in Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, in Greece. It is also different in Cyprus.
What is the same? These are really difficult and defining moments we are all experiencing in Europe. What we must bear in mind is not just tax numbers and fiscal technicalities, but also the common principles that brought us together and inspired the visionary founders of the European Union.
The core principle lies in the notion of solidarity among member states – solidarity with those in need, with those who are in jeopardy, like Cyprus, and then, the European Union must extend a helping hand. By helping the Cypriot people, we help the peoples of Europe.
This is not a luxury. It is an obligation to the common history we share as Europeans and to the common future we have decided to build together. This crisis is undermining the foundations of Europe, and, as I was telling Miroslav, the crisis does not recognize borders, and you never know when the crisis might come knocking at your own door.
After all, the economy of Cyprus was considered to be one of most powerful ones in the Eurozone some years ago.
So, we must stick together, and all the decisions we make within the European Union must also take into consideration this dimension, this parameter of the crisis, and work together in order to find the best recipe to get out of it.
We need to bear in mind that we proceeded with economic unification before deepening, enhancing, and completing the political unification in Europe. Through this crisis we are becoming more mature and more decisive about our future. That’s the remedy for this situation: solidarity and political unity are the way out and the way forward.
We must never forget what the European Union is all about. It is not only numbers, it is culture, it is history, it is the future. It is about an end to rivalries. It is about sticking together, in this spirit of unity, to move ahead, to build the European architecture, so that all our nations – and I believe this day is not far off – can get through the crisis, getting out of it with something more decisive in uniting our countries and our nations under the same auspices of the European Union.
The Eurozone will consolidate the European Union, which is an instrument of peace and stability, and today our generation of politicians is responsible for what our legacy will be. It was our destiny to cope with the crisis, but it is our duty to solve it, and look in a very auspicious way to the future of our great, common country, which is Europe.
I have already mentioned the need to consolidate the European Union, to ensure a better future for all the peoples of Europe. Through the crisis, by learning through the crisis, we can do more for them. During this period of crisis, there are many ideas and many proposals, but this has not changed our determination to move ahead on the path I described earlier. So, the European perspective is a one way street for all of us. As European partners, we must practice solidarity. We cannot desert one another.