ΣΥΝΕΝΤΕΥΞΗ

ΤΟΥ ΠΡΩΘΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΥ κ. ΚΩΣΤΑ ΚΑΡΑΜΑΝΛΗ

ΣΤΗΝ ΓΑΛΛΙΚΗ ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ

“LE MONDE DIPLOMATIQUE”

 

 

  1. Le role politique de la Grece au niveau regional;
  • Relation avec la Turquie – position de la Grece vis –a-vis d’ une eventuelle adhesion a l’ UE;
  • Athenes carrefour europeen geostrategique de la zone sensible du proche orient.
  • La Grece plateforme pour les investissements dans les Balkans.

 

Le role politique de la Grece au niveau regional;

 

We support Turkey’s accession to the EU, provided, of course, that it fulfills all the criteria and requirements set by the EU documents and Council decisions, with no exceptions or discounts. This is a policy goal we have opted for, although the Greek public opinion has –as you know- strong reservations. And we do this because we believe that a Turkey that adopts European principles and values both internally as well as in relations with its neighbours will be a reliable neighbour and will contribute to the consolidation of peace, security and prosperity in our region.

 

 

In this regard, I would like to stress the importance we attach to full implementation of the Negotiating Framework and the Accession Partnership for Turkey, as agreed last year.

 

We were pleased to see our concerns reflected in these important documents, especially the need for an unequivocal commitment by Turkey to good-neighbourly relations as a requirement for the advancement of the accession process, and the fulfillment by Turkey of her contractual obligations under the Association agreement and, in particular, its Additional Protocol.

 

Obviously, in order for Turkey to become an EU member, she has to renounce all its illegal claims against Greece. Turkey has to prove in practice the sincerity of her commitments and promises. Clearly, as we say, “the ball is in Turkey’s court” and it is in her own interest to abide by her commitments, so as to become, eventually, a member of our community of values.

 

– Relation avec la Turquie – position de la Grece vis –a-vis d’ une eventuelle adhesion a l’ UE;

 

Greek Turkish bilateral relations have shown improvement over the last few years.  Our countries have been cooperating in a number of important areas, such as trade, transport, energy, banking, tourism and culture.

 

We have the political will to pursue further advances in closer cooperation and good relations.

 

 

We remain preoccupied with the on-going Turkish military activity in the Aegean. It is a cause of serious concern to the Greek public. Same with any threat of the use of violence as is reflected in the “casus belli”. Turkey, in accordance with the Negotiating Framework on the Accession to the European Union, has made an unequivocal commitment to good-neighborly relations.

 

Despite the considerable efforts made by the Turkish government, we have been sensing a slowdown in the pace of reforms. Especially, as regards freedom of religion, only very limited progress has been made by Turkey in terms of both legislation and practice.

 

Primary need is to recognize the global reach of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to protect the rights of non-Muslim communities and to allow the reopening of the Halki Seminary.

 

 

 

 

– Athenes carrefour europeen geostrategique de la zone sensible du proche orient.

 

If we are to look at the map of Eastern Mediterranean, Greece emerges as the extended hand of Europe towards the Near East. History is even more compelling than geography. From Alexander’s era (that is since the 3rd century B.C.), there is a continuous presence of Greece in the area we call today Lebanon, Syria, the Palestine, Israel, Jordan, the Sinai peninsula, Egypt and Libya. The Greek language and civilization have been instilled and brewed together with the local civilizations for centuries. Even when Islam expanded to this part of world, the Greek civilization and culture remained as an underlying but influential source of knowledge and inspiration. This is perfectly witnessed by the works of Arab scholars during the period that is known in the European history as the “dark ages”. And one shall not forget that until 40 or 50 years ago, large Greek communities had been flourishing in almost every country and major city of the Near East.

 

Given our solid historic ties with all nations of the Middle East, I believe that modern Greece, being an integral part of the European political and economic structures, has the potential for a significant contribution to the European approach of the Near East. Europe has no interest, whatsoever, to be entangled in a clash of civilizations or religions in the Near or – more broadly – in the Middle East. We have much to lose and nothing to gain from such a course. The existing problems (that is the Arab-Israeli conflict, terrorism, the need of reforms) call for a cautious, coherent and complex European intervention on various levels. Europe has to address not only governments and regimes in the Middle East but also the people living there. We need to establish a dialogue with society in each and every country of the area and this shall be done in terms of an orchestrated pan-European effort.

 

For all Europeans (and not just for the Greeks) the Near East is our neighbourhood. We are to live close to the nations, religions and populations of this region. No barrier, fence or wall will be of any use for Europe. Such obstacles may stop few thousands of immigrants but cannot stop the problems of the region from crossing over to our territory. Perhaps, if we, Europeans, were to consider the situation in the Near East more in terms of the need to live side by side with these people and less in terms of safeguarding our so-called vital interests in the area, then we Greeks might have to say a thing or two to the rest of our European partners, as well as to our overseas Allies.

 

– La Grece plateforme pour les investissements dans les Balkans.

 

Bilateral economic and trade relations with our neighbouring countries are constantly advancing. Many Greek companies operate in the Balkans, in almost all sectors of economic activity and have initiated considerable direct investment programmes, or marketing agreements. Over the last decade, our enterprises have invested more than ten billion euros in the whole region, including Turkey.

 

Greece is the first investor in Albania, FYROM and in Serbia and Montenegro, as well as a leading investor in Bulgaria and Romania. Greek banks are performing very well in the greater region and their operations are expanding at double-digit rates of growth every year. The  acquisition of the majority of shares of the FinansBank by the National Bank of Greece, as well as of Tekfen Bank by Eurobank, currently under way in Turkey, constitute the most recent developments in that field.

 

Greek Foreign Direct Investments contribute to the development, stabilization and modernization of the Balkan economies. Moreover, the Greek investments can guarantee today the existence of all the necessary supporting services, which are a prerequisite for any new investment and our business communities are well integrated in these countries. In that sense, Greece is today a stable gateway of foreign investors to Southeast Europe. A number of partnerships between Greek and foreign companies is already in place and it is expected that this tendency will continue in the future’.

 

 

  1. L’ amelioration de l’ environnement institutionnel et economique pour les createurs d’ entereprise;

Last week the Institute for Management Development announced that Greece’s competitiveness has improved substantially over the course of last year. This is solid proof that the institutional and economic environment for entrepreneurs in Greece is getting better, and this is not coincidental. It is the result of our administration’s commitment to enact and promote policies that stimulate economic growth and the creation of jobs by providing a dynamic, competitive, outward-looking and efficient economic environment.

 

Despite challenging global economic conditions, characterized by many imbalances and high oil prices, we are witnessing a spectacular improvement of economic indicators in Greece. Growth is strong. The economy grew by 4% in the first quarter of 2006. Unemployment has been declining steadily since March 2004. Exports grow much faster than nominal GDP. Investment grows substantially. After a prolonged period of slow growth, tourism has been improving at a quick pace.

 

Greece has entered an era of macroeconomic stability, a competitive tax regime, more flexibility in labour, capital and product markets, more investment in education and training, more balanced growth. The prospects of the Greek economy are solid and promising. We have a strategic geopolitical position to offer in a dynamically growing region and an environment full of business opportunities: in the energy sector, in real estate, in trade, in tourism and in the service industry.

 

  1. L’ après Jeux Olympiques:

Les Jeux Olympiques de 1992 a Barcelone ont permis a toute une region de se positionner comme une capitale economique, culturelle et touristique.

Les succes d’ Athenes 2004 a permis de repositionner la Grece au niveau intenational. 2 ans après les olympiades, quel est le bilan que la Grece peut tirer de cette manifestation;

 

The 2004 Olympic Games were held in Athens 2780 years after they were first organised in 776 B.C. The image of a competent Greece traveled all over the globe and left the best of impressions. The entire world saw a contemporary and secure European country with modern infrastructure and high quality services. We succeeded because we were organized, worked around the clock, had specific goals, and functioned with professionalism & dedication. The success of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games raised our national self-confidence, enforced our “can-do” attitude and left us with the conviction that the country has the capacity to excel in an increasingly competitive world.

 

  1. Relation France–Grece: La France fait partie des partenaires privilegies sur le marche hellenique. L’ ouverture du marche financier a permis a des institutions francaises de s’ implanter solidement dans l’ economie grecque. Quels sont a ce jour les autres secteurs qui puissant susciter l’ interet des investisseurs francais;

 

Greece constitutes one of the most appealing destinations for French direct investments. In 2005 French investments reached 287 million EUROS rendering France the second largest foreign investor in Greece. The creation of the legal framework for Public Private Partnerships (PPP) provides a platform for future entrepreneurial cooperation, especially in the construction sector, the most successful example of which being the participation of French companies in the construction of the Athens Metro System. French investors could also participate in the ongoing privatization program of Greece, which will accelerate in the forthcoming months.

 

Furthermore, the deregulation of our energy sector and the country’s location as an energy transportation hub facilitates cooperation on energy issues. It is also important to note the development of the sector of renewable energy sources in which French companies, that have developed an advanced know-how, could operate successfully.

 

It is also worth mentioning that the Greek real estate market is currently one of the most attractive in the Mediterranean region, offering investors the chance to build, in highly competitive prices, an entire and well diversified property portfolio in Greece and giving the opportunity to France to share its savoir-faire and expertise.

 

The distribution of goods in the Greek market constitutes an excellent opportunity for strengthening the collaboration with French retail groups with international experience. One example is the recent opening of the famous FNAC store. Moreover, it is my firm belief that French companies can profit from using our well-established network and know-how in South-eastern Europe for doing business in the region.

 

I urge French investors to see Greece as a top destination for investments and business activity. The country’s future prospects, its modern infrastructure and her stable environment guarantee a successful course.

 

  1. Importance et enjeux du tourisme en Grece.

 

We work hard to achieve the convergence of the Greek economy with the more developed economies of the Union. The role of tourism is crucial to our vision. At this point in time tourism represents 18% of our GDP, but according to the WTTC (World Travel and Tourism Council) Greece has realised only 15% of its potential. Therefore, we constantly invest in our strengths in order to transform the Greek tourism and leisure industry and re-position ourselves on the World map. The best promotion of Greece is Greece itself. We have the best “sea, sun and mountain” combination around the globe. We have about 3.000 islands of all sizes, more than 3.000 years of history and over 300 mountains, which puts Greece on the top list of all destinations, as we provide original and indelible experiences to all our visitors.