INTERVIEW WITH TAZ NEWSPAPER

1, November, 1999

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"If Turkey's EU candidacy is reduced to an empty label, in other words if it is not a real candidacy with all the commitments that entails, the Turkish political elite might consider it a temporary psychological victory. But the European Union will have lost a great opportunity." The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. George A. Papandreou said  in an interview with the German daily  Tageszeitung (Taz) today.

GREATER OPENNESS AND HONESTY

In his interview, Mr. Papandreou explained Greece's position and objectives regarding Turkey's EU candidacy: In response to a question about how Greece's European allies have reacted to Turkey's candidacy, Papandreou said  that now Greece is no longer being used as a scapegoat to justify the EU's hesitant policy towards Turkey, Greece''s policy is having a beneficial influence on other EU members. "The EU must now address this issue as a whole, with greater openness and honesty. All
the member states must now take a clear position about whether or not they want Turkey in Europe."

Asked what Greece wants, Papandreou replied: "Greece wants a European Turkey in the real sense of the word, not in name only. This means that Turkey will have to carry out democratic reforms, change its foreign policy perspectives, and rid itself of fears. Once these changes are made,  Turkey will be equipped to search for solutions to disputes and problems, including bilateral relations with Greece." He added that "Greece supports the acceptance of Turkey as a real, rather than a virtual EU candidate at Helsinki. We have to be honest about what we expect from Turkey, and likewise Turkey has to accept her
responsibilities."

Papandreou stressed that Greece is not calling for specific actions from Turkey, but a gesture of goodwill from Ankara would help to improve the political climate. " For example, if Turkey agreed to begin negotiations on the Cyprus issue. Turkish Prime Minister Ecevit has already announced that Turkey has no territorial claims in the Aegean. This is an important step, but it should also be put into practice."

CYPRUS ACCESION TO THE EU

"What we areseeking from our European partners is that Cyprus' entry into the EU is in no way obstructed by an indirect Turkish veto. This assurance should also act as an incentive for Ankara. We should say to Turkey: Yes, we want you to join the European family, but we would like to have the Turkish Cypriots in our family even sooner. Why would you want to keep them out of the same family you would like to join yourselves?"

MINORITIES  IN THE BALKANS

"Minorities were always used as a means to change borders in the Balkans. Greece is seeking to have a European influence in South East Europe. If Greece wants to play this role, we must prove to our neighbours that we are  trustworthy. That is why we place great emphasis on the importance of international institutions, such as the Council of Europe and OSCE. The Greek public is starting to realize how beneficial the integration of the Muslim minority in Greece could be. This integration brings with it the democratic right of all citizens to have their own ethnic identity, whether they are Turks, Pomacks, or Romany."