What is your opinion on the development of Greek and French economic and business relations during the last years?
I would say they are rather good and quite prosperous for France. Greece is the fourth or fifth country in the world, with which we have achieved a commercial surplus. France sells mainly to Greece nutrition commodities, automobiles, current goods of general use, cosmetics, medicine, spare parts and many bank & insurance services. Today, we are also interested in investments in eco-tourism. Greece offers much potential. Areas like Peloponnisos or Epirus are suitable for eco-tourism infrastructure. Moreover, investments in transport and the pharmaceutical sector are of equal interest to us.
As far as investing is concerned, what's France's on the occasion of the Olympic Games in Athens?
As far as direct investing is concerned, France is the first investor in Greece. These investments represent 30.000 job vacancies for Greece and 1% of your country's Gross National Product. Talking of the Olympics, several French companies responded to the proclamations for the works in the Olympic facilities, as well as for other side works. Therefore, it was French companies that supplied the necessary automation for the tram, the suburban railway and the toll system in Attica Highway. Moreover, French companies provide a whole series of services related to the Olympic Games, such as mass feasting systems, specialized material for sports halls, etc. In general terms, we are satisfied with France's participation. Of course, we would like to have taken part in the provision of security material, but in this sector there was 100% an American monopoly. France was only engaged in the Olympics security by training members of Greek forces, such as commandos and other similar specialties during this and the last year. We also provided technical specialization to the fields of collecting and processing intelligence. Moreover, we purvey French services AWACS to Greece -apart from those of NATO-, as well as technical support in cases of fire extinction and dealing with physical disasters (earthquakes, etc).
Since you have mentioned intelligence services, I would like to ask how close is the Greek and French co-operation in this sector.
It is quite close. France is included in a group of ten countries that offer counseling to the Greek government on security matters.
The completion of the bridge that connects Peloponnisos with the Western Europe is a fact, Mr. Ambassador. What does this project represent for France, which took an active part in its construction?
It stands for a lot of things. First of all, it constitutes a huge technological achievement for a French Association. It truly is a real piece of art, the best ever to be carried into effect in Europe during the last ten years. Secondly, it is a great financial co-operation, since, on one hand it was completed by a Greek and French consortium and on the other it will be managed by means of tolls, which the automobiles crossing the bridge will have to pay. These considered, it should be noted that based on this project a whole and well-elaborated financial mechanism was created, in which the European Investment Bank and other banks also participate. Thirdly, the completion of the bridge bears a worldwide message for any construction and transport company; that they can come and work in Greece on a basis of public-private co-operation. This seems suitable for huge projects, such as highways or the underwater tunnel of Thessaloniki, parking lots or even systems for the filtering of drinkable water. These projects can become a reality through construction contracts, which are made with the government. As you see, the bridge represents three things and the message is that important infrastructure works can be carried out.
Mr. Ambassador, during the last few years we hear a lot about the strengthening of the French and Turkish relations. Will this development change the way France views Turkey's EU accession, especially after the visit of the Turkish Prime Minister in your country?
The French position, as this was expressed to the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit in Paris, is that my country initially agrees with Turkey's European perspective. We await, of course, the European Commission's report and the results of the discussions, in order to see whether a starting date for the EU accession negotiations will be set and which date will that finally be. This is the official French position. However, there is a hidden worry as far as dates are concerned. We would like to know the starting date for Turkey's EU accession talks, so as to see how close it will be to the time of the referendum for the approval of the European Constitution that will be held in France. If Turkey's case concurs with the poll there is a risk that many Frenchmen will vote against, mixing up the two cases.
We must be objective. Turkey's EU accession does not meet with a large part of the public opinion in many European countries, mostly in France and Germany, in spite of the goverments' official thesis. Therefore, caution and thorough informing of the European public opinion is required; and that takes time. If we do not provide such an informing, then in the extent that a date will be set and during the process withdrawals will follow we will enter a phase of succeeding crises with Turkey. On the other hand, we can't build Europe in absentia of the public opinion. Therefore, we should follow an educational process against the European public opinion, something that stands for the Turkish public opinion too. Turkey's accession also presupposes "a pedagogy of the spirit" for the Turks, which has to do with the acceptance by their part of the common values.
What do you think of the relations between France and the USA?
I consider them friendly, without of course one of the countries being subservient to the other.
Do you believe there can be a resolution of the Cypriot case?
I believe there can be, since the conditions are ripe at the time. Moreover, the Democracy of Cyprus is a member of the EU, and this has a special effect, in the degree that Turkey aims at its EU membership. However, once again, a certain pedagogical method should be followed, in order to achieve the best possible informing of the public opinion. I also add, that for Turkey to enter the accession negotiations, it should acknowledge Cyprus, which will be an important, symbolic decision. Under these circumstances, the process for Turkey’s EU accession constitutes an important motive, to find a solution for the Cypriot case.
In the process, the French Ambassador mentioned the cultural and educational relations between Greece and France and the two countries' plans for co-operation in this sector.
By: N. Peter Kramer
