Closing of International Conference on Libya in Paris | Statement to members of international media
PRIME MINISTER
PRESS OFFICE
September 1, 2011
MR. G. PAPANDREOU: We are facing a new and a hopeful phase in the Libyan revolution. Greece has made a very specific proposal now for the humanitarian aid, the dire need for water. We can transfer up to 175,000 cubic meters of water every 10 days, which will increase the capacity for water in Tripoli by 50%, and we can do so of course if there is the necessary funding. And this is our first proposal to help this transition now in Tripoli.
But of course we have a future ahead of us in the building of democracy, the democratic institutions, the reconstruction of Libya. It is of course a Libyan-led process, but it’s one where we all can help.
I also mentioned that it’s very important that the oil production is managed in a transparent and a way which strengthens the state institutions.
And Norway made a proposal. It’s a model in how one handles the revenues and resources of oil. And I think this is very important for Libya, and it’s also very important for democracy.
Finally, I think that we are seeing in Libya just one part of the many acts of Arab spring, the Arab revolution. And it’s a great opportunity for Europe and the Arab world to meet together, the peoples of our countries, east and west, north and south in the Mediterranean, and make the Mediterranean truly an area of peace, cooperation, but also stimulating growth, which our region does very much need.
JOURNALIST: Are you not impressed with the Libyan leadership now and you feel that they can get the institutions that have been lacking for the last 42 years back into place?
MR. G. PAPANDREOU: Well, this is the challenge. No one can expect from a revolution and from a country which didn’t have institutions, and I know this because Greece went through a dictatorship also. You have to almost begin from anew.
And this is where I think the international community, but also countries that have gone through similar problems, that have lived through dictatorships, authoritarian regimes – we know what it means to try to build, from the bottom up, the democratic processes.
But we will be there, next to them, to help. It’s a Libyan-led process, but I think it’s a great hope for big changes in the Arab world.
JOURNALIST: (away from microphone) …Libyan oil production, and what is the position of Greece in that? I mean your participation.
MR. G. PAPANDREOU: Well, we have no specific, at this point, desire or demand for any participation. I just mentioned a very general principle, that we know that oil production in countries can be a blessing, but it also can be a curse. If it’s not managed well, it can lead to corruption, it can lead to elites or some gaining profit but the people suffering.
And I think this is why we need very strong institutions, for the benefit of the public, for the benefit of the Libyan people.
And this is where Norway has made a proposal which I very much support. Thank you very much.