G. KATROUGALOS: We had a discussion in a positive climate, seeking consensus where a background already exists for a national line. I decided, after also communicating with the other political powers, to invite to this National Council on Foreign Policy (NCFP), as I will do in future ones, representatives of Potami and ANEL as well. That is because the institutional framework of the NCFP permits this, and because it was agreed more generally also, as a result of the discussion that took place on this matter within the Council, that we share view that issues of foreign policy ought to be discussed more broadly between political powers in an effort to seek a consensus.Yet, consensus does not mean co-management. The argument has been heard coming from at least two parties that as 2019 is an election year, there must be limited management of major foreign policy issues on the part of the Government.We must be clear on this point. This is not a caretaker government. We are a majority Government which acts based on its plan. Many of the issues that are presently in progress did not start being discussed now; for instance, the issues with Albania and the respective discussion to the whole slew of the differences between us. This is a negotiation which began years ago, which Nikos Kotzias had brought very close to being resolved.Therefore, we shall endeavour for the fullest possible information to be provided to all political parties, both at our own initiative as well as at the initiative of the others, each time that it is requested of us, but we are not going to shirk the responsibility we have as a Government to promote these issues, which pertain to crucial foreign policy issues, without any intention for surprises, without any intention to divide; quite the contrary. Just like we have served the national line to date on all issues, this is how we will continue now.In this context, I briefed the NCFP in detail about what was discussed during the Prime Minister’s recent visit with President Erdogan. I also responded to individual questions; for example, one of the parties brought up the allegations by the Turkish Government’s spokesperson, on the eve of the meeting, that supposedly there would be discussions on the islands. I clarified, that the discussion pertained exclusively and solely to migration flows towards our islands, precisely because one of the issues we wish to safeguard is the strict implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement also with regard to the migration issue. Indeed, I reiterated that the subject of the discussion, and of the whole meeting between the Prime Minister and President Erdogan, was not a negotiation on the substance of open issues but precisely reopening of dialogue on a systematic and organised basis, and the effort to implement confidence-building measures already taken in the past, from the Papoulias-Yilmaz Memorandum up to the most recent, in an effort to ease tension.I subsequently briefed the NCFP about the upcoming talks I will have with UN Special Envoy Ms Jane Lute, with whom I have a meeting this coming Tuesday, and the national line was confirmed on the Cyprus issue, for its international dimension to be stressed by Greece, its dimension as an issue of invasion which must first and foremost be handled in terms of International Law, and with the sole issue of negotiation on the part of the Hellenic Republic being an end to the unacceptable system of guarantees and the departure of occupation forces, with a specific timetable.Other issues were also broached. I asked for other issues to be broached that were not part of the daily agenda which, beyond Greek-Turkish issues, also pertained to Brexit. With regard to Brexit, let me tell you that I informed that we will submit, in the coming days, legislation that will provide for regulation of the rights of British subjects who are established in our country, in the same way and on the condition of reciprocity in handling the rights of Greek citizens in Great Britain. Precisely because our first concern is to safeguard the rights of our fellow citizens who study and work in the U.K., and in the same way of course, we wish to also safeguard the rights of the British, with an eye towards the aftermath of Brexit. This, in the event that a withdrawal agreement does not exist - as we all continue to hope despite the fact that the margins are getting tighter - and these matters will need to be regulated in a bilateral manner. And here we are proceeding just like other European countries are proceeding.Finally, an issue was raised by New Democracy with regard to our stance towards Venezuela. I underscored, as I have done many times, that our position is not different to the European Union’s position. We shaped, together with the other European countries, the position of our common political home, to seek, in other words, a democratic and peaceful way out of the crisis, with the people of Venezuela expressing themselves, and precisely pinpointing the role of the European Union in the establishment of a group of countries that would ensure the conditions for carrying out fair election so that the people of Venezuela can have their say. The related statements by the High Representative of the European Union, Ms. Mogherini, are in the same vein, and we are always aligned to these general principles which the European Union respects; those of democracy, peaceful resolution of differences through political dialogue. Thank you very much.JOURNALIST: If we have understood correctly, Minister, New Democracy requested that you refrain from proceeding with the decrees for extension of territorial waters in the Ionian?G. KATROUGALOS: You will have to ask New Democracy. Its position on this was not completely clear. Its position was that because 2019 is an election year, we should not proceed - in their opinion - with resolutions that are binding for the Government to follow. We explained what I said to you earlier, that as regards the systematic work we have invested in, in negotiations, we are not going to relinquish it, precisely because this would be to the detriment of our national interest, but we will endeavour for our moves to be made following expansive political contact, political dialogue, nonetheless maintaining our right and competence and responsibility, as a Government, for us to decide. Because this is precisely what we were called upon to do.JOURNALIST: The next round of exploratory talks, do you ever specify it?G. KATROUGALOS: That will be among the last things to take place in the context of the organised dialogue we have begun with Turkey. The meeting of the Greek Secretary General with the Turkish Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs is expected soon. At the same time, there will be consultations on a technical scale with participation of the Ministries of National Defence and Foreign Affairs for implementation of the confidence-building measures. This will be followed by my meeting with Mr. Çavuşoğlu, with the immediate goal not being reopening exploratory talks, which will precisely be the pinnacle of the entire effort, but rather preparation of the High-Level Cooperation Council, and possibly an Economic Forum.According to the progress of those political consultations, we can also see reopening of the exploratory talks on the horizon in the medium term.JOURNALIST: Do you have any comment on Mr. Erdogan’s statements related to the EEZ, the Aegean, and the Mediterranean?G. KATROUGALOS: We voiced our opinion with regard to all the statements by Erdogan to which the members of the NCFP referred. The specific question you asked me was not raised. Our position in favour of International Law is clearly a fixed one. We are not a revisionist power. We want International Law to be implemented, and for all the problems we have to be resolved through democratic and political dialogue.Thank you very much.
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