What are you most interested in? Strategic ties? Military ties? Economic ties? I do not see relations with Israel as developing in piecemeal fashion. Relations between countries are not static.For example, as I mentioned, the discovery of major reserves off the coast of Cyprus and Israel changes the geo-economic situation in the region. It opens up new opportunities for cooperation between Greece, Israel and Cyprus. That is why it is now strategically even more important that a viable solution be found to the Cyprus problem, and we are counting on the support of Israel to achieve this.Prime Minister Netanyahu has been speaking to world leaders and urging them to support your country’s economic recovery plan. Has this helped? I would like to warmly thank the Israeli leaders for their support, which is so important in these times.Greece is traversing a difficult and painful economic crisis.Whilst not underestimating its seriousness and the reforms we need to adopt, I believe that, to a great extent, it reflects the systemic crisis of the euro.The Eurozone does not have the political institutions to properly manage the problems that have arisen. This leaves us at the mercy of credit rating agencies as we have failed in our pledge to curb their powers. We have to ask ourselves serious questions about the role they are playing.Today it is Greece. Tomorrow it could be another country. In the absence of common economic governance and [with] political unification without procedures and measures that will promote economic convergence, the Eurozone will undoubtedly reach a dead end.Quick-fix responses will not solve the problem.
Earlier this year, Greece hosted the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Why is it important for Greece to have ties with the Jewish Diaspora? In what way can the Jewish and Greek diasporas cooperate? Both Greece and Israel have large and vital diasporas, which closely monitor and support their respective homelands on issues of national interest.Improved ties between Greece and Israel have also brought Jewish and Greek communities in the diaspora closer. This rapprochement clearly provides them with an opportunity both for local cooperation and for enhancing the mutual support of our national interests.There are those who argue that the improvement in Israeli-Greek ties is a result of the deterioration in Israel- Turkish ties. Is there anything to that? In diplomacy there are always connections, influencing factors, objective and subjective criteria, changing geopolitical and geoeconomic factors that shape relationships. What I want to assure you (and this, I believe, is the crucial point), is that our relations are now on solid ground. Of course it is up to our governments and our officials to strengthen ties and to assure a solid, long lasting relationship that will be to the benefit of both our countries.I understand that you will be traveling to Ramallah after coming to Jerusalem. What message will you be bringing to the Palestinians? Greece has always been present in the Middle East. Large Greek communities live here.The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is here. We have an interest in a stable, secure and prosperous Middle East. The political deadlock in the peace process remains and affects the wider region. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict also deeply affects the people in the area. They are the ones to suffer. It is their future that is at stake.In substance we support a two-state solution – a democratic Palestinian state alongside Israel within secure borders. As far as the process is concerned, I remain convinced that direct negotiations between the two sides are the only way to achieve a comprehensive and viable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through its good relations with all countries in the wider area, Greece has contributed to the peace process and will continue to do so. Ultimately, of course, it is up to the parties involved to make the hard choices that will be necessary in order to achieve results.You will be attending an economic conference in Israel. What is the goal? What type of investments are you looking for from the Israeli private sector?The Greek-Israeli Business Forum on Investment and Trade to be held in Tel Aviv on Tuesday is an opportunity to further our trade and investment relations.It is a key priority. During the conference, business people from both countries will have the possibility to expand trade and investment, promote tourism and create new opportunities in both our nations. This year we expect 400,000 tourists from Israel. I would like to thank the Israeli people for their choice. In a concrete way they are showing their solidarity with Greece and the Greek people.