Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis gave an interview to RIA Novosti ahead of his May 28 visit to Moscow
1) What results do you expect from your visit to Moscow?
It is with great pleasure that I will be visiting Moscow once again, on an invitation from President Putin. This visit constitutes one more link in a long, rigid chain of regular, fruitful meetings. We have been working closely together for the last 4 years, on a number of important issues, with a view to elevating Greek-Russian relations to the best possible level. So far, the results could be described as excellent; and I am confident that we will further expedite our efforts to the benefit of our peoples. I should add that my forthcoming visit will emphasize the continuity in our relations and confirm the political will towards deepening and enhancing our thorough cooperation in numerous fields. I will most certainly thank President Putin for his strenuous efforts in this direction. I should avail myself of this opportunity to highlight the essence of the, as President Putin has described it, "strategic" relationship between Greece and Russia and reiterate my will to further pursue its strengthening. Finally, I definitely look forward to meeting with president-elect Dmitry Medvedev, as I´ m confident that he will also concur to the need to seize the many new opportunities that will certainly occur in the future.
2) How is the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project progressing, and how do you see its role in European energy security?
The international consortium, which will undertake the construction and operation of the BAP, has already been established in Holland. The project will be funded by a "project finance" scheme based on the guaranteed supply of oil. During the next few months the project consortium will present the necessary feasibility studies for the pipeline and will prepare the transit agreements to be signed with Greece and Bulgaria. Obviously, the project is considered well underway and there is no need for any governmental intervention for its development, at least at this stage. European energy security is facing a set of serious challenges, among them the need for diversifying energy supply sources. It is, thus, nearly certain that significant amounts of oil and gas from the Caspian region will reach the European market in the near future. Supply diversification should be considered, therefore, as a crucial component of the European energy security policy. The Burgas - Alexandroupolis Pipeline project will provide an alternative and supplementary route allowing the diversification of the Russian crude oil exports through its southern gate currently depending on the transit passage through the Bosphorous Straits. There, the existing maritime passage restrictions delay substantial quantities of crude oil from accessing promptly the international markets. Therefore, the importance of the project in the European and global energy security is considered paramount.
3) How do you view cooperation with Russia in the gas industry, particularly in constructing the Greek part of the South Stream?
Over the last 20 years, Greece and Russia have established a long and productive cooperation in the field of natural gas. It is estimated that, by the end of the 2015, Greece will be consuming 7 million cubic meters of natural gas yearly. Currently 80% of our consumption is imported from Russia. Therefore, Greece has requested the extension of the existing bilateral agreement with Russia on the gas supply up to the year 2040. The South Stream project is for Greece a very challenging one, as it will guarantee the diversification of the supply sources of Europe, thus enhancing its energy security and providing for a more open and competitive internal market of natural gas. The project enjoys, therefore, broad political support by the Greek Government. An initial cross examination of the project has already been carried out by the Greek - Russian experts group established for this purpose.
4) How do you view the prospects for tourism development between Russia and Greece?
President Putin quite rightly mentioned, during our meeting in Moscow last December,that tourism can be seen as the barometer of our relations. We welcome an ever increasing number of Russian tourists in Greece. We, nevertheless, hope to do better each year. Not only is tourism an important factor, which allows to balance more evenly our trade/economic relations, but, more importantly perhaps, it brings closer our two peoples in such areas as culture and civilization. In this respect we are doing everything we can, within the possibilities offered by the EU, in order to facilitate the tourist flow.
5) Is there any other area of business where Greece wants to cooperate with Russia?
Business activity between Greece and Russia has recently been reviewed in Athens, during our yearly Intergovernmental Economic Commission. Construction, banking, new technologies are only a few fields, in which prospects are bright, and there is ground for optimism. The Russian market is very attractive for Greek agricultural products and in particular wine. Of course, private initiative is predominant in these matters, although governments and state organizations can and must play their facilitator's role thoroughly.
6) Greece and Russia are close in their cultural heritage. How do you view present and future cultural cooperation?
Culture and history constitute the backbone of our deep-routed ties. We are giving this aspect of our relations high consideration. As an example, let me mention the exciting and ambitious project that President Putin and I have decided to go forward with, namely to simultaneously organize events in 2013, in view of the Sochi Winter Olympics of 2014, within the framework of respective "Years" of Greece in Russia and of Russia in Greece. Such important projects will definitely bring out the best both countries have to offer in the area of culture and civilization. I should also add, that the Greek government has decided to include lessons of Russian language in high school curricula as a pilot programme. Finally, we are concluding our plan to establish a Department of Slavonic Studies at the Kapodistrian University of Athens, as promised.
7) How does Greece see the situation in the Balkans developing, in view of recognition by some countries of Kosovo's independence?
As a principle, Greece has always been in favor of agreed solutions and against any fait accompli. After the establishment of a new situation on the ground in Kosovo, which of course can not pass unattended, our main concerns remain unchanged: First, how to maintain peace and stability both in Kosovo and in the Balkans, Second, how to build a prosperous future for the countries and the peoples in the region, and Third, how to protect the rights of minorities and the cultural heritage. What comes first is Kosovo moving towards stability. Efforts must be focused on strengthening democratic institutions and maintaining its multiethnic and multicultural character. The ESDP mission to Kosovo will bring out the Union's leading role and strengthen the sense of security amongst all ethnic communities. Regarding the issue of recognition of the new state of affairs, which is a sovereign prerogative of each state, as we have repeatedly stated, we will take our decisions, after a thorough examination of all developments, as well as dimensions and consequences these developments might have for regional security and our national interests.
8) What is the Greek position on the official name of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and what do you expect from Russia on this matter?
The name issue is not a problem of a merely historic, psychological or emotional dimension, but a real political issue of good neighborly relations in a region torn for centuries by interethnic and civil wars, hatred and instability. The only solution to the name issue is a mutually accepted settlement. Greece has done its part by accepting the idea of a composite, single and "erga omnes" name, which will not allow the monopolization of the term Macedonia and will not offend the national heritage and identity of any of the states concerned. Driven by the desire to see this issue finally resolved and committed to continue working towards succeeding in this endeavour, we extended, after Bucharest, an invitation to the political leadership in Skopje to resume talks within the UN process. We expect that political leaders in Skopje will halt behaviours belonging to past centuries and reciprocate our honest invitation. Greece's goal is not to humiliate FYROM. We want to support them in their efforts for a better future. We don't want to result with winners and losers. We want a solution that will benefit the whole region, a win-win solution for all. We deeply appreciate Russia's commitment to support our efforts towards a final resolution of this problem, as demonstrated by recent statements of Russian officials indicating that Moscow will endorse the outcome of the ongoing negotiations and adopt a name that will be mutually acceptable. We trust that Russia, also in its capacity as permanent member of the Security Council, will spare no effort to safeguard the credibility of this principal UN body and ensure full implementation of its resolutions, as well as respect of the fundamental values and principles of the UN Charter, on which international relations are founded.
