OPENING UP THE QUESTION OF BORDERS IN THE BALKANS WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS
Joint press conference at the occasion of the official visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic, H.E. Constantinos Stephanopoulos, to the Republic of Slovenia

Ljubljana, 10 November 1999



Milan KUCAN
We view the visit of President Stephanopoulos of Greece, a friendly country, as an extremely important visit and event for Slovenia. Most of you know that we have had several visits from Southeast European countries these past few months: Croatia, Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro. This visit of the President of the Hellenic Republic is of special importance and quality since Greece is an EU and NATO member state and has an insider's view of the strengthening of enlargement processes as well as a significant and important influence in both institutions.

Relations between our two countries are rated very highly, as good, friendly, unproblematic. They are relations based on an attachment to the same values woven into the foundations of European democratic tradition, on the same interest for peace, solidarity and co-operation, and on the same understanding of responsibility in a globalising world.

The central topic is our joint responsibility and concern for the developments in Southeast Europe. A high similarity of views became apparent here our concern that a comprehensive concept of the international community is not recognised as regards the political future of countries in Europe's southeast, especially those countries that emerged on the territory of the former Yugoslavia. One notices an insufficient transparency in the unity of European states concerning certain specific issues within this concept. This is also due to the fact that the international community has failed to confront the historical roots of the Balkan conflicts, which would be a solid foundation for devising a long-term concept. We similarly believe that it is urgently necessary to support the processes of bringing democracy into life in all of these countries, transforming this situation of - neither peace nor war - into a process of long-term stabilisation.

It is urgently necessary to support the efforts of the European Union and of all those countries of Europe that have taken on the responsibility of appeasing the situation between nations and states in the Balkans and that have come to understand that this is a European problem. It is from this aspect that we deem the Stability Pact to be of particular importance. On the one hand it represents the recognition of this responsibility, while on the other hand it is also an immense opportunity for laying the foundations of a new coexistence, as well as an opportunity for cooperation between the Hellenic Republic and Slovenia in specific economic projects as well as in joint projects concerning the democratisation of life and the strengthening of security in the area.

We stand convinced - as our talks have demonstrated - that Europe's coming to the Balkans is imminent in order to open up and intensify the path to approximation of Balkan states and nations in European integrations. We also share the position that these conflicts are not primarily interethnic conflicts or even a clash between developed cultures and civilisations. The essence of these conflicts lies in a clash between totalitarianism and democracy. That is why the process of democratisation must be supported if we wish to prevent these conflicts from turning into interethnic, intercultural, religious and civilisational conflicts.

Greece persistently and consistently supports Slovenia's accession to the European Union and to NATO. In doing so they are also offering concrete assistance by way of projects and advice. Like Slovenia, Greece believes that the enlargement processes of the two institutional frameworks, the EU and NATO, are irreversible. But concrete evidence and concrete examples of this irreversibility are also required. Slovenia's ambition in this context is clear: to set a date of accession, thus giving no alibi to either the EU or the candidate countries. We strive for an individual treatment of each country, not for package accession. Also understandable is our ambition that any open bilateral issues between member states and candidate countries should not pose an obstacle for the intensification of the accession process, for gaining full membership. I brought this to the attention of our guest and collocutor, President Stephanopoulos. I believe that we will have an opportunity to discuss these issues in greater detail in our further talks.

I gladly accepted the invitation to visit Greece. I am looking forward to the possibility of continuing in Athens with this very intensive dialogue that Slovenia and Greece have established.


Question
What is both Presidents' opinion on the issue of unalterable borders, also with a view to the events in the Balkans?

Milan KUCAN
It is as President Stephanopoulos mentioned. Slovenia's position is the same. This is a very sensitive issue. I believe that all European countries must assume responsibility for this position regarding unalterable borders. Even a possible different position cannot just be a matter of a part of Europe. There are consequences for Europe's safety as whole, for Europe's future as a whole, and that is also why it is necessary to assume a common responsibility. This also justifies the proposal that sooner or later a conference of European states concerning the political future of the Balkans will have to take place, looking first at the historic roots of these conflicts - what are the reasons behind constant instability in destabilisation of Europe - and also assume responsibility for a decision as to the future.

Besides, I believe that it would require very strong argumentation to change the position laid down in the Helsinki Final Act, which discusses not only unalterable borders, but their openness as well. And the latter is what concerns the democratisation of life in certain countries and their opening up to the values on which life in modern Europe is built on. Concerning your question as to the role of Greece in the Stability Pact I believe that Greece, due to its geopolitical position and its position and influence within the EU and NATO, must play one of the key roles in seeking the foundations for a new coexistence and development in the Balkans, particularly on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, and must thus also have initiative within the Stability Pact. Just as I believe that due to its responsibility toward all other European states as to the developments beyond our southern border, Slovenia must also have an initiative.

Question
Ljubljana is a very beautiful city. As I know, your daughter Ana is an architect. Do you believe that she would be prepared to participate in the project of reconstruction of Athens?

Milan KUCAN
I am very glad to hear that you like Ljubljana, that you compare it to Athens. Unfortunately I only know Athens from pictures and films or documentaries on television. My daughter is a landscape architect. She designs landscapes, and if she were invited to put her skills to the test at such demanding projects, she would do so gladly, provided the university department where she is conducting her docentship would allow it.


Photo: BOBO