EUROPE  INTERVIEW
George A. Papandreou
Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs

November 1999

George A. Papandreou, Greece's minister of foreign affairs, recently spoke with EUROPE's editor-in-chief Robert J. Cuttman.
 

Robert J. Cuttman :  What does it mean to you to be a European in the twenty-first century?

George A. Papandreou : To be 'European' in the twenty first century means to live by a fresh set of principles that are equally founded on the history of Europe and the contemporary reality now arising from the process of European unification. At the same time to be European is a great challenge. How can we maintain our common traditions, such as democracy and humanism, equal rights for all, multicultural plurality, and a strong sense of social conscience, in a new globalized world of technological advances in information and biotechnology? This challenge poses important political and ethical questions that will have a profound bearing on the future of political reforms in the European Union.

Robert J. Cuttman :  How do you think Europe will look economically and politically in the year 2020?

George A. Papandreou : Given that we are living in an age of remarkable fluidity in all fields of human activity, including international relations, it would be unwise to make predictions about the long-term economic and political future of Europe. However-purely as a theoretical exercise and taking into consideration the increasing trend toward globalization and regional unification...l could imagine the following scenario for Europe in the year 2020: Alter successfully achieving monetary union and, hopefully, political union soon afterwards, with a strong defense and common foreign policy component, it is logical to assume that Europe with emerge as one of the two or three most powerful economic and political forces in the world.

Robert J. Cuttman :  How will the euro change life in Europe in the new century?

George A. Papandreou : The euro and the accompanying public and legal reforms, together with the subsequent stabilization of prices and currencies, will create favorable conditions for the macroeconomic environment. Consequently, investments, development, and employment will intensify and thrive. Ultimately, the citizens of Europe will themselves benefit from these economic policies. At the same time, the abolition of costly exchange rates, both for international business and/or individual transactions, will simplify the related procedures to the benefit of all citizens. Deeper issues of cultural identity, common educational policies, and political unification will soon top our agendas.

Robert J. Cuttman :  Do you believe Europe will be a global player in the new century?

George A. Papandreou : As I already mentioned, the institution of the European monetary union will lay the foundations for Europe to become a major player in the international political arena. Moreover, the imminent expansion of the European Union to include new members, such as Cyprus and several other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the prospect of political union, will guarantee that Europe plays an even greater role on the world stage during the twenty-first century. The successful accomplishment of European unification will have a positive impact, not only within Europe itself but also in global economics and international relations in general, since a unified Europe will inevitably improve international economic and political stability.

Robert J. Cuttman :  What do you see as the major threat -political, economical, or any other problem- in the new century?

George A. Papandreou : There are a number of problems that might concern citizens worldwide during the twenty-first century, from national security and illegal migration to unemployment, protection of consumers, and the environment. In my opinion, one of the main problems we face is the absence or inadequacy of international organizations to deal with such issues and the weakness of our nations to efficiently deal with these issues on a national level. In today’s increasingly global society, these issues go beyond national borders. They require concerted, international cooperation. And while the international community must set up the relevant mechanisms and institutions to arbitrate and intervene in such matters -this in itself poses a profound question on what our democratic institutions will look like in the future. What does ‘citizen participation’, or 'direct elections' or 'plebiscites'. 'political parties', and ‘parliaments' mean in a globalized world and in the European Union structures? I therefore believe the issue of democracy will be a major issue in the forthcoming century.

Robert J. Cuttman :  Are the Balkans as much a part of Europe as, say, France or Germany?

George A. Papandreou : The Balkans are, of course, part of the European continent, but until recently Europe was divided because of the cold war. Apart froth Greece, all the countries in the region were incorporated into the Eastern European communist bloc. As a result, they were condemned to remain largely undeveloped with weak or nonexistent democratic institutions. Now, with plans for European expansion underway, two Balkan countries, Bulgaria and Romania, will soon be joining the European Union. Furthermore, in the aftermath of the Kosovo crisis, the European Union has already drawn up a proposal to forge closer ties with the so-called "Western Balkans", through the conclusion of agreements that will further stability and affiliation. I believe that the incorporation of the entire Balkan region into the European Union will reduce the distance that currently separates it from Europe and thus restore unity to the whole European continent.

Robert J. Cuttman :  Can the Balkan nations join the European Union in the early part of the twenty-first century?

George A. Papandreou : We must create a clear and realistic road map for all Balkan countries toward accession into the European Union. As I mentioned, two candidates, Bulgaria and Romania, are already in the process of negotiating their entry into the European Union, so they are at a more advanced stage that the rest of the Balkan nations. The European Union has set down a series of political and economic criteria that each candidate state will fulfil. In other words, each country must comply with the acquis communantaire. All candidates must fully comply with these common objectives. Therefore, the entry of each country depends on its individual progress in meeting these criteria. Naturally, the European Union has a duty to support the efforts of every candidate state, thus ensuring that they all join the European community as swiftly as possible.

Robert J. Cuttman :  What did the West accomplish by fighting in Kosovo?

George A. Papandreou : The West reacted as it saw fit to the unacceptable policy of ethnic cleansing carried out by Slobodan Milosevic. While the war is over, the results of this campaign are not only the positive outcome of the return of refugees to their homeland, but we now must face a more difficult task of reconciliation, reconstruction, and democracy building. Greece expressed serious reservations about the use of military force from the very start of the conflict. Throughout the bombing campaign, I personally carried out intensive efforts to defuse the crisis and promote a peaceful resolution through diplomatic means. I believe that in dealing with regional problems that inflame nationalistic fervor, we should not resort to violence of any kind. Instead, we should fight ethnic tension with the powerful weapons of mutual understanding and cooperation. Had development of the whole of southeast Europe been accomplished years before, with the help of the international community, I believe that we would have insured a safe way to avert this crisis and similar crises in the future. Therefore, all developed countries have a duty to actively and fundamentally participate in the peace and reconstruction process of the Balkans.

Last month, Creek Foreign Minister George Papandreou became the first hi ranking Greek official to travel to Istanbul since devastating earthquakes precipitated a thaw in the two nations' relations. The following are excerpts from a speech Papandreou delivered in Istanbul on October 3 when he encouraged both Greeks and Turks to seize the opportunity to “stop perpetuating fear and despair and begin producing security and hope for a peaceful future between our two countries”

"Last week, at the United Nations General Assembly, I joined hands with my Turkish counterpart to support a joint effort between our two countries to help the United Nations respond to natural disasters. That Turkey and Greece are suddenly able to work together on this particular issue -which affects human lives- reveals the brightness of the light that now shines down on both our countries.

I personally reject the idea that we are locked into an ‘age-old’ enmity, that we are part of the so-called clash of civilizations. I believe that our aspirations for the principles of democracy, security, and prosperity will overcome historical strife. W a must not be slaves to history...

The end of the cold war has showed us that a civil space exists, defined by an ever deeper and ever wider European Union of states. The use of force has lost its past legitimacy. In this civil and common space, Greece and Turkey have the ability to live in peace...

I hope that the day comes when our visions will overcome our fears and hopes will become reality."