Greece, 1997

Before I begin my speech,

may I associate myself with the final appeal made by

Prince Albert of Monaco, who preceded me at this rostrum.

Perhaps this Organization can be instrumental in achieving

an Olympic truce for the Olympic Games of 2000 and for

those of 2004, which we will host in Athens. I think that

this is an initiative that the Organization should take

seriously.

Allow me to warmly congratulate you, Sir, on your

election. Your qualities and skills augur well for the

progress of this session. Moreover, I am especially pleased

to salute in your person a representative of the Ukraine, a

country with which Greece maintains long-standing friendly

relations. I wish also to pay tribute to your predecessor,

Ambassador Razali Ismail, for the effective manner in

which he performed his functions.

The Greek Government is impressed with the way the

new Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has been

discharging his duties. His great experience warrants the

hope that his ongoing endeavours aiming at the reform of

this Organization will be crowned with success.

On this occasion, I would like to express my

appreciation to the United Nations membership at large

for electing Greece to one of the positions of Vice-

President of the General Assembly.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Minister of

Luxembourg, in his capacity as President of the Council

of the European Union, delivered a statement to which

my Government fully subscribes; we subscribe as well as

to the Union’s memorandum, which has been submitted

to the Assembly. I would like, however, to elaborate

further on some issues of particular interest to my

country.

As the millennium draws to a close, Greece, located

at a crossroads of countries and civilizations, is striving

to free the twenty-first century from the scourges of the

past, thus offering to our region prospects of progress and

prosperity. We are the only member of both the European

Union and of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO) in our region, and we thus we function as the

latter’s link to Europe, guided by our firm belief that

conflicts and prejudices have to be overcome through

respect for international law and the principles of the

United Nations.

In this context, we believe that Greece is able to

play an important role in the Security Council and are

therefore seeking election to that body, to one of the two

non-permanent seats allocated to the Group of Western

European and Other States for the biennium 1999-2000.

Deeply dedicated to the purposes and principles of the

United Nations Charter, we are ready to take our share of

responsibility for international peace and security. Indeed,

Greece has been actively participating in several

peacekeeping operations as a troop-contributing country.

This year, we became a member of the Special

Committee on Peacekeeping Operations. We have

advocated the Committee’s expansion as a positive step

forward, and we support any effort aimed at improving

the peacekeeping capabilities of the United Nations.

Furthermore, Greece has confirmed its willingness to

participate in the stand-by arrangements system and has

joined other Member States in the continued efforts to

4

enable the Organization to react more quickly and more

efficiently to future peacekeeping requirements. As I

reaffirm our palpable commitment to peacekeeping, I wish

also to express my country’s deep appreciation for the

courage and dedication shown by peacekeeping personnel

in confronting challenges to peace and security.

Comprehensive reform and restructuring of the United

Nations system, including the size and working methods of

the Security Council, must be attained with a view to

meeting the changing needs of the world community as it

moves into the next millennium. The reform package

presented by the Secretary-General in July is a response to

this necessity and constitutes a welcome step towards

modernizing and strengthening the United Nations. Greece

will contribute in a constructive and positive way to the

success of the efforts undertaken by the Secretary-General

through his proposals.

We live in a world characterized by globalization and

the introduction of new technologies; hence, the United

Nations is called upon to pursue a broader set of objectives

focusing on democratic development, sustainable

development and higher living standards for all citizens of

the world. The political commitment of its Member States

and their contribution of adequate resources constitute the

two fundamental prerequisites for the success of the United

Nations. In this context, we welcome the determination of

all Member States, in particular those that play a major role

in the Organization’s decision-making process, to fulfil their

financial obligations on time and in full.

Greece, a State Member of the United Nations since

1945, will continue to honour its obligations to the United

Nations, gradually increasing its annual contribution to the

peacekeeping operations budget, moving from group C to

group B on its own initiative.

The nineteenth special session of the General

Assembly, on the overall review and appraisal of the

implementation of Agenda 21, held last June, gave us the

opportunity five years after the United Nations Conference

on Environment and Development, the Rio Conference, to

renew and reinforce our commitment to sustainable

development. Greece, with one third of the coastline of the

entire Mediterranean basin and almost 3,000 islands, has a

specific interest in promoting the management of coastal

zones, sustainable tourism, sustainable water management

and policies to combat desertification and deforestation.

We have been uninterruptedly implementing a long-

term strategy for the protection of the environment while

sharing with the international community the belief that

Agenda 21 can be implemented only through a sense of

common responsibility. However, the major

environmental problems of our planet cannot be

successfully tackled if socio-economic ills such as poverty

are not combatted and eradicated.

Since the last session of the General Assembly, the

prospect of a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus

problem has, regrettably, remained elusive. For 23 years

now Turkey has maintained more than 35,000 occupation

troops on the island, blatantly defying international law.

At the same time, the Turkish Cypriot population, for the

protection of which the invasion was allegedly

undertaken, has dwindled dramatically since 1974, due to

political oppression coupled with the massive influx of

settlers from mainland Turkey.

The Government of Greece aims at a reunited

Cyprus, a common home to all of its inhabitants. We

maintain that a settlement on the basis of the resolutions

of the United Nations and the high- level agreements of

1977 and 1979 can bring peace and reconciliation to the

island. Such a settlement should provide for a bizonal and

bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty and

international personality and with its independence and

territorial integrity safeguarded through effective

international guarantees. There is no doubt that a

functional solution of the Cyprus problem would

eliminate a source of instability in the region and

contribute to the improvement of Turkish-Greek relations.

The main obstacle, however, remains Turkey’s aim

of legitimizing the status quo. Ankara’s negative stance

and lack of political will were once again displayed

during the direct talks recently held under the auspices of

the Secretary-General at Glion-sur-Montreux. As the

President of the Security Council pointed out in an

informed briefing to the press,

“substantive progress at this time was impeded by

the attempt to bring preconditions to the table by the

other party, and here of course I mean the Turkish

Cypriots.”

On the other hand, the constructive stance of the Cypriot

President, Mr. Clerides, at the talks was praised by the

President of the Council in the same statement. His

proposal for the demilitarization of Cyprus must retain

our thorough attention.

5

Greece unwaveringly supports the process of Cyprus’s

accession to the European Union, which will commence at

the near future. We believe that its accession will benefit all

the island’s inhabitants. It could also act as a catalyst for

the solution of the political problem. We sincerely hope that

Turkey will eventually realize the benefits of the accession

of Cyprus to the European Union, especially for the Turkish

Cypriot population, and will change its present stance.

Our relations with Turkey have taken an additional

downturn since 1996, when our neighbour added direct

territorial claims to the existing policy of demands, threats

of war and constant pressure, in an attempt to subvert the

territorial status quo established more than 70 years ago by

international law and treaties. Its attempt to back these

claims by military means in January 1996 resulted in a

crisis that just fell short of war.

Greece, while determined to protect, by all legitimate

means, its sovereign rights stemming from international

law, sincerely agrees that there is a need to establish normal

good neighbourly relations, based on the principles of

international law and respect for international treaties —

something which Turkey seems determined to ignore.

It has been a consistent policy of our Government that

Greek-Turkish relations should be addressed in a context of

respect for international law and treaties. Greece has made

it its policy to channel such relations through accepted rules

of behaviour and the principles recognized in international

life. The Madrid Joint Statement, signed by Turkey's

President, Mr. Demirel, and the Greek Prime Minister,

Mr. Simitis, provides a welcome initiative which might

contribute to a gradual improvement.

The problems that really exist must be dealt with by

legal means provided for by international law, and

specifically through the International Court of Justice. Such

a step would open possibilities for a gradual build-up of

good-neighbourly relations and the establishment of

confidence and cooperation in every field. In this sense, we

are waiting for a move by the new Turkish Government to

work in this direction — away from statements and acts

which confuse the issue and relate to a past that we must

transcend by means of those principles of international law

that are enshrined in the United Nations Charter, and that

our gathering here pledges to serve.

In the Balkan Peninsula, the area where Greece itself

is located, the situation is gradually improving. My county

has played an active role within the framework of various

international activities designed to promote peace,

stability, good neighbourliness and development in the area.

Greece values its historical relations with Albania. It

is committed to continuing to work for the strengthening

of cooperation between the two countries in all fields and

to extending assistance for the rehabilitation of the

country, in particular after the recent crisis. Our

contribution to Operation Alba and the Organization for

Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) presence has

been essential and prompt.

The Greek minority in Albania will remain an

important factor of friendship between the two peoples,

actively contributing to the progress of their country.

Greece fully supports the process initiated with the

Dayton Agreement. Maintaining excellent relations with

all actors in the Yugoslav drama, we contribute

substantially in keeping the peace. We have sent out

massive humanitarian aid from governmental and non-

governmental sources alike; we have deployed our

soldiers with the Stabilization Force (SFOR); we have

sent observers both on the European Community Monitor

Mission and OSCE teams; and we are actively engaged in

reconstruction work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am

proud to report that we are among the few not only to put

forward the money pledged at the 1996 Donors'

Conference, but actually to have brought to completion

the programmes we undertook to fulfil. Furthermore, we

are increasing our contribution for 1997, by 35 per cent.

All this, I must note, took place while we were massively

engaged in stemming both the Albanian crisis and the

deterioration of the financial situation in Bulgaria.

Persistence in implementing the Dayton Agreement,

encouraging democratization and opening up to the

market economy and to the international community will

provide guidance for all on ways to overcome present

difficulties and will enable all actors to normalize their

relations with each other, the United Nations and the

international community in general.

Honouring the Interim Accord with the former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), we continue

talks under the auspices of the Special Envoy of the

United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Vance, about the

final name of that country. We hope that the Skopje

Government will realize the need for an early solution to

this issue.

In the multilateral field, we have persistently

promoted the process of cooperation and good

6

neighbourliness in southeastern Europe, actively

participating in such regional schemes as Royaumont, the

Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI), Balkan

Cooperation, and Black Sea Economic Cooperation. The

Declaration adopted in Thessaloniki on 10 June 1997 by the

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of countries of southeastern

Europe has given a substantial impetus to this process.

In the same spirit, in early November Greece will host

in Crete a summit of countries of southeastern Europe.

The situation in the Middle East continues to concern

us. In fact, recent terrorist actions like those in Jerusalem,

as well as the tragic situation in the West Bank and Gaza,

constitute the tangible consequences of the stagnation of the

peace process. Revival of both the peace process and the

peace hope requires adherence to and full implementation

of the relevant United Nations resolutions and international

agreements. The parties have to live up to their

commitments. Real peace is a just and global one — in

Israel as well as in Lebanon, where the need to implement

Security Council resolution 425 (1978) continues to be

painfully felt. Greece supports any efforts which could have

positive results, and hence we encourage those undertaken

by the European Union's Special Envoy in the Middle East.

Moreover, our country is willing to offer any assistance

aimed at the strengthening of peace and stability, security,

and economic and social progress, as well as the

establishment of confidence among all parties to the Middle

East problem, in favour of the peoples of the area.

Greece is following with particular interest the recent

developments in Africa, auspicious or ominous as they

appear. Indeed, an increasing number of African countries

are adopting pluralism as a form of Government and open-

market principles for their economy. It is Greece's belief

that on the eve of the twenty-first century the international

community must encourage and assist African countries to

promote pluralism, respect for human rights and a free-

market economy. Important developments will take place

during this century in Africa.

Latin America, with which Greece has traditional ties

of friendship, is consolidating the pace of development of

recent years. Also, through successful regional integration,

the countries of the region are assuming a stature on a

worldwide scale that truly reflects the importance of the

progress the region has achieved.

Last June's Bucharest Meeting between the Black Sea

Economic Cooperation Council and the Southern Cone

Common Market (MERCOSUR) is a telling example.

Greece, both bilaterally and as a member of the European

Union, is looking forward to an increasing,

comprehensive and substantial dialogue with the Latin

American countries, to the benefit of international

cooperation, trade liberalization, and stability.

The United Nations remains mankind's best hope for

jointly solving the problems that collectively beset the

world community. We therefore fully support the call for

the reform of the United Nations. However, we strongly

believe that any decision regarding the future form and

function of our Organization should be taken by

consensus and should reflect the needs and aspirations of

all Member States — big and small, rich and poor

alike — in whose hands and political will the destiny of

the United Nations lies. Greece is prepared to shoulder its

share of responsibility in this ongoing reform process.