MESSAGE OF PRIME MINISTER KOSTAS KARAMANLIS
Bucharest, 3 April 2008
Men and women of Greece,
United, with confidence in our abilities, we fought a successful battle.
With firmness and resolve, we are moving towards our ultimate goal: A
definitive solution to the problem.
At the NATO Summit Meeting here in Bucharest, we discussed the
applications of three countries that want to become new members of the
North Atlantic Alliance: Albania, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia. It was unanimously decided that Albania and
Croatia will accede to NATO. Due to Greece's veto, FYROM is not joining
NATO.
I had said to everyone - in every possible tone and in every direction -
that "a failure to solve the name issue will impede their
invitation" to
join the Alliance. And that is what I did. Skopje will be able to become
a member of NATO only after the name issue has been resolved. This is an
important development in this long-standing issue; a development in
favour of our national interests; a development that shows that resolve
and solid reasoning have results when they are used correctly.
We fought hard for many months. Tough negotiations and counterproposals
on an international, diplomatic and political level. Greece exercises
its foreign policy with confidence, resolve and prudence. And confident
countries do not waste energy making short-lived impressions.
Today and yesterday, during the meeting, we reiterated our strong
arguments, clearly stating our positions and intentions. We did not find
ourselves alone, as perhaps some feared we would. In fact, we found
supporters in other Alliance leaders.
We still have work ahead of us, and the effort will continue. This issue
didn't end in Bucharest. What did end was the delusion some have that
they can play on the international stage without meeting basic
obligations. Everyone has to respect the rules.
Greek women and men,
As always, I will be frank with you. We are in midst of a long journey.
But I want you to know that I am proud of what we have achieved
together.
Now I want to address our neighbours and tell them that Greece's goal is
not to humiliate them, but to support them; support a new country trying
to get on its feet. We don't want there to be winners and losers as a
result of our differences. What we want is understanding.
We want a solution that takes into account the sensitivities of everyone
involved and strengthens stability in the region. We want a solution
that ensures good neighbourly relations. So I am extending a new
invitation to the political leadership of Skopje for us to continue the
discussion within the framework of the UN, in pursuit of a solution that
will benefit the whole region.
Greek women and men,
What
happened here in Bucharest shows that Greece is quite capable of
defending its interests. Two things are required of us in achieving our
goals: We have to be trusted abroad and united at home. All the
political powers. I have always believed - and I still believe - that
party rivalry must be kept out of our foreign affairs, for the benefit
of our country. Let us always remember that a foreign policy of quiet
confidence - with a clear strategy and systematic work - can get
results.
As a society we deserve to feel confident today in our country's
achievements. I know that the problems that each and every one of you
faces in your day-to-day lives are numerous. But I also know that
through hard work and systematic efforts we can solve problems large and
small. We just have to believe and fight for it. Each of us on our own,
and all of us together. Thank you for your trust.
