JOURNALIST: We have a series of issues that are developing, which I believe determined in general Greece's position on the international scene, as well as regional developments, but there is, of course, also the issue of the Prespes Agreement, which also gives rise to various scenarios. We shall take a look at all this with Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Giorgos Katrougalos, whom we have on the line. Good morning, Mr Katrougalos. G. KATROUGALOS: Good morning to you and to your listeners. JOURNALIST: Let's take things in chronological order, and let's begin with Alexis Tsipras’ visit to Moscow. You were there also, there was a working meeting with the Russian President as well as with a government Committee. The agreements were concluded. We would like for you to tell us the outcome of this meeting; is it positive, did it bring about good results? G. KATROUGALOS: This meeting was a complete success, both on the part of the leaders, with the Prime Minister’s meetings with the Prime Minister of Russia and the President of the Russian Federation, as well as on a lower level, with the Joint Intergovernmental Committee whose mission is to define the economic goals of the cooperation between the two countries. And it was positive, because, on the one hand, it rekindled our excellent relations, which were nonetheless overshadowed by last summer's episode, and also because it placed our cooperation on track, especially in the field of the economy and culture, on new improved terms. JOURNALIST: So, have all potential problems been overcome, in other words? Because we noticed that there was no reference, neither by Vladimir Putin and, when he was asked, moreover, in his statements, in the statements he made with Alexis Tsipras, he said that all these things are essentially in the past, and that we must look towards the future. G. KATROUGALOS: Both sides have agreed that this is behind us. We felt, and continue to feel, that a message ought to be sent related to the protection of our sovereignty, but we did not feel that this corresponds to a component, a decisive component in our differences. Our relations, as you know, have traditionally been excellent, and we intend, within the framework of our multidimensional foreign policy, for them to remain excellent. JOURNALIST: You too, Minister, are going to participate in meetings that exist in the European framework of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, a rich agenda which exists: Iran, Venezuela, Ukraine. In reality, all these things come to determine all these discussions. They will also determine the European Union’s stance in a very fluid international scene where indeed we especially have activity on the part of the US on all these fronts, and indeed we could say that fronts are being rekindled which we believe have at least closed, whether we are talking about Ukraine... G. KATROUGALOS: Quite right. It truly is a troubled and complex region for which we, in order to be able to have a compass, have two guiding principles: respect for International Law and the certainty that only through dialogue can these differences be resolved. And of course, we have a home - this is the European Union - but we are attempting to act as a political bridge with those countries with which we have relations, which permit us to play the role of the intermediary. JOURNALIST: But in any case, we have the developments in the Sea of Azov, and the whole scenario there thus becomes even more complicated. G. KATROUGALOS: It is true, the Ukraine is a constant problem for the European Safety System, and on this point, we insist that the Minsk Protocol, which stipulates the political steps required for the situation to return to normal, be respected. We want a de-escalation of tension. The last thing Europe needs is a new focus of tension, and indeed at its very centre, its heart, and this is also one of the things that we shall discuss today. JOURNALIST: I would like to visit the topic which I believe concerns many, more so the public dialogue, because what is the most concerning is that this can lead to political developments. We are speaking, of course, about the Prespa Agreement. We had statements by Zaev recently which, if you want my humble opinion, were blown out of proportion a bit, related to “Macedonians of the Aegean” and other such things. Do you believe that problems exist which could also jeopardise implementation of the Prespa Agreement, first of all? G. KATROUGALOS: Listen, it is obvious that during the period up to ratification, but mainly after the phase of its implementation, both sides must strive to respect the letter and the spirit of the Prespa Agreement. And we are stressing this to the other side, in every possible way. During our bilateral contacts as well as the meetings I had at NATO with the Secretary-General of NATO, and with Ms Mogherini, I stressed the need for the statements that are made not to be different to those arising from the Agreement. From there, the Agreement is a given. And indeed, perhaps it was useful that this discussion took place, given the opportunity of those statements, so that we can clear things up, that there are no irredentist elements in the Agreement, and that, on the contrary, the Agreement is a tool which we possess for every doubt, every trace of irredentism, to disappear. And this is why the vacillation I see in certain political powers recently surprises me, precisely because the Prespa Agreement remained exactly as it was. And precisely, the discussion that took place shed light on the elements of the Agreement which make it mutually beneficial for both countries, especially for our country, because it is we who must be concerned about irredentism, not the other side. JOURNALIST: Do you believe that, in fact, these statements were made by fYROM, by the country’s Prime Minister? Were they perhaps made in the context of political management of this whole situation? Because this pertains to an agreement which leads to reactions in the neighbouring country. It does not go over easily, and perhaps some statements of that type were made. G. KATROUGALOS: I do not wish to further comment on the statements themselves. It is clear, though, that both sides are trying to convince our people as to why this Agreement is mutually beneficial. We must accomplish this with arguments that have depth and relate to the Agreement's text, and we must do this in a manner so that the efforts of the one side don’t hinder the efforts of the other side. JOURNALIST: Nonetheless, what we hold on to is - and the Greek side is doing so and wishes the same thing for all sides - to remain focused on the Prespa Agreement, on the Agreement itself, because it is this which resolves all the issues; therefore, there is no thought even of interpretative statements or certain additional assurances, as we understand it. G. KATROUGALOS: As I told you, there are two goals: one immediate, and one on the medium to long-term. The immediate goal is for the Agreement to be ratified by both sides, and the second, of course, is for it to be complied with. It is in this context that we are doing everything possible, and we shall do so to also clarify the meaning which can be derived from a simple reading of the text. And whatever else is required, we shall accomplish it. JOURNALIST: Let's focus on our own issues so that we can conclude with that. Do you believe that the Prespa Agreement will be passed by the Hellenic Parliament? Because, as you too mention, there are powers that now seem to be vacillating and may have relied on the discussions of the previous period as an excuse. G. KATROUGALOS: I have no doubt that the Agreement will pass, and I hope for their political reliability. Not because doubt exists that the Agreement will pass in the end. And these powers to which we are referring - to say things as they are - are Potami. And Potami will return to its own statements, its initial stances, precisely because no field for differentiation exists as a result of current events. I repeat, whatever needed to be clarified has been clarified. The Prespa Agreement did not change, it had the same letter, it has the same letter now also, and its spirit is that which we must protect. JOURNALIST: Thank you very much.
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