This interview was first published in three major Bulgarian newspapers: Standard, Monitor, and Trud.

Mr President, recently you addressed a letter to the Libyan leader Muammar Caddafi about the Bulgarian nurses. What is your prognosis about a possible positive evolution of the case and the return of the nurses in Bulgaria?

Probably you know that I was among the firsts, perhaps the first, who raised the question to Caddafi. I sent him a letter speaking about the Bulgarian nurses in a very straight way.

I think the case is actually in the Supreme Court and we could hope a positive verdict. Of course there is an internal problem in Libya. But I am convinced that Caddafi will like to find out a solution which is humanly acceptable.

The case is discussed also in the European Parliament. Some friends of Caddafi expressed their concern. I must say that my relations with Caddafi are long standing, historical and friendly. Let's hope that we will find out the best possible solution to the problem, which is a concern not only for you, but for all of us. I think, at least it is my opinion, that we could have a lot and reliable hopes for the good ending of the problem.

Mr President, your influence in the present-day politics on the Balkans is quite substantial, as is your contribution to the development of the Greek-Bulgarian bilateral ties. How do you evaluate the Greek-Bulgarian relations?

I am glad you remember that I am a staunch champion of Greek-Bulgarian friendship. And my efforts in this respect yielded some practical results. Of course we shouldn't forget the historical engagement of Georgios Papandreu, Konstantinos Karamanlis, Andreas Papandreu, Konstantinos Mitzotakis, Kostas Simitas and the present PM Kostas Karamanlis in favor of the bilateral collaboration and the sincere friendship between our countries.

My efforts in that field lead to concrete results. We solved some chronic problems and opened the checkpoints on the borderline. I will remember all my life a very moving episode when I and my Bulgarian colleague by that time Petar Mladenov opened the Svilengrad-Ormenion checkpoint while the snowstorm was raging. Thousands of people on both sides were waiting this to happen and we were sure that it was a celebration of the friendship, comprehension and respect between our nations.

Another long-standing problem that we resolved was the waters of Mesta River.
I have always been of an opinion that these relations are of key importance to the peace on the Balkans. And I am glad that now the Bulgarian-Greek relations have reached a very important stage in their development, namely the accession of your country into the EU, which Greece has supported from the very start.

Many historians consider that the relationship between France and Germany are a good example how to overcome the past. I could declare that the Greek-Bulgarian relationship is deeper and better developed.

I am also glad that the agreement for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline was signed a few days ago. I think this is a very important project, which shows the two countries' readiness for cooperation.

For me it is a personal satisfaction, because I launched this idea when I was Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1994. Then we signed a memorandum but it was still rather a dream than a real perspective. Today we are about to accomplish it. I am very happy that now we are members of the same family and it adds a different dimension to our friendship.

We will work together on various programs and EU-projects on the Balkans and jointly with Romania we will work to resolve questions of mutual concern in the field of energy and others.
And I am also happy because now our two countries are members of a common European family and, together with Romania, will form a Balkan core in the EU.

 The Balkan countries should have their say in the process of decision making in the EU. I think we should prove that the Balkan peoples are the Salt of the Earth. Personally, I am proud of my Balkan origin.

This is an incredible initiative, Mr President, but how would you answer to some critical remarks suggesting that the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline will increase the energy dependence of our countries on Russia?

I think that our countries are not more dependent on Russia in terms of energy supplies than any other European country, especially Germany. If one looks at the quantity of oil that is transported, it is obvious that the thesis of our energy dependence on Russia is not logical.

I also think that Russia should have good ties with the EU. I hope that one day Russia will become member of the European Union and I insist on this. Thus, we should no longer speak of energy dependence on Russia.

How would you comment the situation on the Balkans and especially Turkey's will to become member of the EU, the problems with regards to Kosovo, to Macedonia?

To the first question - there is something very clear and fundamental: Greece has supported and continues to support Turkey's accession to the EU. But of course Turkey must fulfill the conditions that the EU imposes to all candidate countries. Your country is a good example with this respect. You have fulfilled the EU's criteria and you became member of the EU.

We warmly supported your candidature but we have never thought of saying to you: Look, you can keep some negotiation chapters open, you do not need to fulfill the conditions - you will join the EU in any case.

We did nothing of that kind - everything should be respected, as you did. Why shouldn't Turkey comply with the conditions and the obligations for EU membership? You alone helped yourself to achieve your EU membership. I think that Turkey should do the same as a candidate country. We would like to see some day Turkey as a EU member state.

This is in your interest and in our interest; our three countries have common borders. We would like these borders to be European borders and we would like to avoid the problems between neighbors or problems that damage the good-neighborhood.

The same applies to FYROM (Macedonia). We, in principle, support the accession of this country to the EU. But some problems must be solved. Skopje signed a document which also includes my initials. There is an article in this document which says that a solution to the problem of the state's name should be found - one name that is commonly accepted by both countries, FYROM and Greece.

There are some things that the candidate states must not only understand. They must also work for the accurate implementation of the requirements and obligations for membership.
The Kosovo issue is very important. I hope that a solution will be found that will be founded on the respect of the minorities' rights, and on something very important - the resolution on Kosovo not to violate one main principle of the international law and of the UNO, which is the indefeasibility of borders.

In Kosovo, apart from the Albanian majority exist the Serbian and Rom minorities - they should have the right to live in peace and in their homes. That is to say, the decision on Kosovo must be very equitable, in order not to create tensions which would be fatal for our region.
The war against former Yugoslavia was not in our region's favor.

Many have been killed, a lot has been destroyed. And to be honest - it was very painful for me when planes of a Union we were members of (NATO) bombarded another European country which was then former Yugoslavia and which today's Serbia is.

I also cannot forget (in my capacity of Foreign Minister at that time) what kind of economic consequences and damages Bulgaria and Greece endured. I remember that with my Bulgarian colleague at that time Georgi Pirinski we sent declarations to the EU and the UNO with requests for compensations, since we suffered losses at the amount of 3 billion euros because of the embargo which was imposed on former Yugoslavia.

We do not want to go through similar situations anymore. And that is why we want a decision on Kosovo to be found, which will secure peace not only in Kosovo but also in the whole region and in whole Europe. Because when there is a "storm" on the Balkans, there is a "storm" in the whole of Europe.

Mr President, I feel almost obliged to say that you have quite a few things in common with our President Georgy Parvanov...

Maybe because we are both Socialists!

You also share in common a stand on the war in Yugoslavia; you both are keen on sports. Have you had talks with your Bulgarian counterpart on these issues?

Of course, we've talked about this! I am looking forward to visiting Sofia and I also feel a little bit nostalgic about it. I will meet with some old friends of mine; a piece of my heart is in Sofia, because I have had many nice moments in this city.

I also collaborated with the Bulgarian political leaders of different periods of the political life in Bulgaria. Such collaborations are difficult to forget. This urges us to understand each other better and to meet the problems we have to face hand in hand.

That is namely why I congratulate once more Bulgaria for its EU accession. This is a historical step for the Bulgarian people, as it was once for Greece. I am convinced that this is also a chance for the other people of Europe.

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