Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs George A. Papandreou met with German counterpart Joschka Fischer in Athens yesterday. In their statements to the press afterwards, both ministers agreed that the talks, which concentrated on European issues, were “positive, open, and constructive”. Their discussion focussed on the expansion of the European Union, the impending summit at Tampere in Finland, and the problems of refugees and illegal immigration, asylum, migration, and human rights. Two other important institutional matters were also on the agenda: the shortcomings of the Amsterdam Treaty and the whole question of European identity, defence, and security.

Earlier in the day, the Ministers met with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss the reconstruction of the Balkans, the Stability Pact, Greek-Turkish relations, and Cyprus.

“Greece holds a very special position in the Balkans”, Joschka Fischer said. “The political future of the entire Mediterranean region is of increasing importance to the European Union. Following the recent elections in Israel, we hope progress will be made and solutions can be found to the wider problems in the Mediterranean.”
Referring to Greece’s role in the reconstruction of the Balkans, and specifically the choice of Thessaloniki as the hub for regional development, Mr. Fischer said: “The German government is firmly committed to the recent decision made by fifteen political leaders at the Rio de Janeiro summit. All that remains to be decided is how that decision can be put into practice.”

Mr. Fischer warmly welcomed the Greek initiative that resulted in the recent meeting between Mr. Papandreou and Turkish Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Ismail Cem in New York, which he described as  “a positive step that offers fresh hope for improved relations between Greece and Turkey in the future”. Mr. Fischer stressed that despite the difficult problems that still need to be resolved, particularly Cyprus,
“it is in the interest of Europe to avoid a potential conflict between Greece and Turkey by making every effort to create solutions to these problems.” He said that specific initiatives would be discussed within the European Union and reiterated Germany’s position that the future of Turkey should not be separate from the future of the European Union.

Mr. Fischer praised both Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Simitis for their stabilizing and constructive role in the recent Kosovo crisis, despite enormous pressure. “Both men took care to promote positive prospects for the future of the region, a future based on development and eventual integration with Europe.”

Both Mr. Fischer and Mr. Papandreou made it clear that the decision to establish the headquarters of the Agency for the Reconstruction of Kosovo in Thessaloniki was final.

Mr. Fischer announced that he will meet with the Turkish Minster for Foreign Affairs in Ankara next week, but refused to disclose any details about the nature of their talks.