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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-10-26Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>October 26, 2001CONTENTS
[01] Prodi in Nicosia, says Cyprus among the first for EU accessionNICOSIA, 26/10/2001 (ANA - G. Leonidas)European Commission President Romano Prodi, addressing the House of Representatives on Thursday, said that Cyprus is among the first countries which will join the European Union and that the citizen of Cyprus will participate in the 2004 Euroelections.Prodi said in his address that Cyprus is proceeding very well with accession negotiations and congratulated the government and the House for efforts they are making to harmonies Cyprus with European established practice. Prodi, who arrived in Cyprus for a two-day official visit, met earlier in the afternoon with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides. In his speech, Prodi said EU accession is in the interests of all, not only for economic prosperity reasons but also for political security and stability in Europe. He expressed disappointment over the discontinuation of proximity talks because, as he said, the Turkish Cypriot leader-ship did not accept the general secretary's invitation for the resumption of the talks in September. He further said that despite its disappointment, the EU gives its full support for these efforts. Prodi hailed the improvement in Greek-Turkish relations and said it will certainly facilitate a solution to the Cyprus issue. Welcoming Prodi, House of Representatives Speaker Demetris Christofias said the progress in accession negotiations is due to a great degree to the joint effort by all the political forces of Cyprus, as well as to full support provided by public opinion. Prodi's talks with President Clerides focused on the negotiations for Cyprus's EU accession and the present phase of the Cyprus issue. They also discussed the situation created in the wake of the terrorist attacks in the United States and the campaign under-taken to crack down on international terrorism, as well as the new Middle East crisis. The talks were held during a working luncheon given in Prodi's honor by President Clerides. Official talks between them will be held at the presidential mansion on Friday morning. [02] President in Thessaloniki to attend "OCHI Day" celebrationsThessaloniki, 26/10/2001 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday night launched a stinging attack against those who find "entertaining" the attempt to create panic among the people through the new form of terrorism, that of the anthrax scare.Stephanopoulos, who arrived in Thessaloniki to attend celebrations marking Greece's "OCHI Day" celebrations on Sunday, admitted however that there would be economic repercussions in Greece from the dramatic international developments. He said that following the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, "things have changed. The world witnessed a form of terrorism which it could not imagine, a form of terrorism which not only struck the most powerful nation on earth and people who want to live in a democratic way, but also our way of life." The president added that "the major achievement of the terrorists, which we must confront at all costs, was to succeed in sowing fear in the hearts of people" by continuing to send envelopes with anthrax "which has created a sense of panic throughout the world." "I want to stress that we in Greece are completely secure against any such form of threat and we should in no event succumb to fears which are cultivated or exploited by foolish and vile people who believe they can mock and entertain themselves at the expense of the security of an entire nation." President Stephanopoulos, who arrived at Macedonia airport in the northern city at 8.30 p.m., was met by Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis, Defense Undersecretary Loukas Apostolidis, Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos and the armed forces leadership. [03] FM Papandreou meets with new deputy ministersAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Thursday held his first working meeting with the ministry's newly appointed deputy ministers, following Tuesday's government reshuffle.Papandreou returned from an official visit to Hungary on Wednesday, one day after Premier Costas Simitis shifted Tassos Giannitsis from the labor and social insurances ministry to the foreign ministry as Papandreou's alternate. Giannitsis, one of the few non-deputies in the Cabinet, is expected to focus on Athens' preparations for assuming the rotating EU presidency during the second half of 2003. Former minister Yiannis Magriotis, a MP elected from northern Greece, was picked as the other deputy foreign minister. "I am anticipating a close, friendly and substantive cooperation; we have significant priorities for Greece that range from the Greek (EU) presidency to the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations and Cyprus," Papandreou said in greeting the two new deputy ministers. Afterwards, the Greek FM, in his capacity as chairman of the Euro-Med Forum, departed for Morocco to attend a Euro-Mediterranean summit. The summit, convened by Moroccan King Mohamed IV, is expected to cover issues related to international anti-terrorism efforts, as well as issues focusing on the European Union's relations with southern Mediterranean countries. EU members participating in the Euro-Med Forum include France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece, along with candidate-state Malta. Other participating nations include Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. In later comments, a foreign ministry spokesman said Papandreou will table his proposal for holding an international conference bringing together the world's major religions and civilizations. The idea for holding such an all-faiths conference was also discussed at last week's EU General Affairs Council. According to spokesman Panos Beglitis, the target date for such a conference is late December. [04] National Economy Deputy Minister Pachtas to visit AustraliaMELBOURNE, 26/10/2001 (ANA/S. Hatzimanolis)Greece's National Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pachtas will be proclaimed honorary professor of Melbourne's La Trobe University during his visit to Australia from November 7-10.Pachtas, who will be in Melbourne at the invitation of the university's dean, Professor Michael Osborne, will give a lecture on the theme "The Greek Economy and Greece's position in Europe". According to Osborne, the Greek minister will be honored for his services towards Greeks abroad, Greek education and the National Center of Greek Studies and Research faculty at La Trobe University. [05] FM to visit Pakistan and Iran next weekAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)The foreign ministry announced on Thursday that Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou would visit Islamabad on Nov. 1, where he is set to meet with Pakistani leader Gen. Pervez Musharraf.The Greek FM will subsequently leave Pakistan for Tehran for talks with Iran's leadership. In a related development, new Deputy FM Yiannis Magriotis leaves for Attalya, Turkey this week to participate at a regular six-month session of foreign ministers from the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member-states. [06] Greek-Turkish agreement minutes to be signed on FridayAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Minutes concerning the exchange of agents for the ratification of Greek-Turkish agreements on economic cooperation and the mutual promotion and protection of investments will be signed at the foreign ministry on Friday morning.The Greek foreign ministry’s Turkish Department director Kyriakos Rodousakis and Turkish Ambassador Ali Tuygan will sign the agreements. The two agreements will be applied as of November 24, completing the relevant process regarding the nine Greek-Turkish agreements signed by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Ankara in January 2000 and in Athens in the following month. [07] Gov't criticizes ND focus on Cabinet's last-minute decisionsAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)The government criticized a tabled question by main opposition New Democracy this week regarding last-minute Cabinet decisions prior to Tuesday's government reshuffle, calling the issue part of ND's "opportunist policy".New government spokesman Christos Protopapas, who was promoted from deputy labor minister to press and mass media minister by the prime minister this week, said Cabinet members' actions in the run-up to the reshuffle were legally taken and are merely regulatory acts. He also said the government's operation cannot cease prior to any reshuffle. Forty-nine New Democracy tabled a Parliament question on Wednesday requesting details of the actions taken by ministers in the period between the end of ruling PASOK's congress over the weekend and Tuesday, when they knew that a Cabinet reshuffle would take place. According to the ND deputies, the Constitution dictates that ministers and deputy ministers must restrict their activities over such a period to simple management of everyday affairs and the handling of urgent situations. In other statements, Protopapas said the government was not compiled for any pre-election campaign, but rather, it aims at completing the government's programs before being judged by voters at the end of its four-year mandate. In response to other press questions, the spokesman said there is no issue revolving around the fact that former minister Theodoros Pangalos was not included in the new Cabinet, adding that the selection of ministers and deputy ministers lies exclusively within the prime minister's domain. Finally, Protopapas noted that there is no scheduled meeting on the horizon between Premier Costas Simitis and Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos. Conversely, he said, a meeting between the Archbishop and the education and religious affairs minister is still pending. [08] Gov't comments on reports of Turkish warplane violationsAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Athens reiterated on Thursday that all "necessary actions will be taken" in reply to questions over reports that Turkish warplanes violated Greek airspace on Wednesday.New government spokesman Christos Protopapas made the comment during a regular press briefing. [09] ND leader inspects work at Macedonia airportThessaloniki, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Costas Karamanlis on Thursday inspected work being carried out to upgrade and expand Macedonia airport in Thessaloniki and accused the government of mockery and contempt for the people of Thessaloniki and for Macedonians.Karamanlis, who arrived in the city to attend national anniversary celebrations, was given a guided tour of the airport by Civil Aviation Service deputy governor George Souladakis and airport chief Yiannis Kanavakis and was briefed on the development of work being done. In a statement afterwards, Karamanlis criticized the government, saying that different rates and different effectiveness are necessary to promote the region's major projects. Karamanlis termed the city's present airport provincial which is unworthy of a city such as Thessaloniki which is seeking the role of Balkan metropolis. He further criticized the prime minister for the promise he made in September 1997 that Thessaloniki will have a new airport in 2001 and added that in the best of cases expansion work will finish in 2006. The project of expanding and upgrading Thessaloniki airport costs 220 billion drachmas and it is expected to be completed in two phases. The expansion of building installations is expected to be accomplished by 2003, while the new passenger terminal must be completed by 2006, as well as the extension of the runway towards the sea to facilitate transatlantic flights. [10] European Parliament on Turkey and Copenhagen criteriaSTRASBOURG, 26/10/2001 (ANA - O. Tsipira)The European Parliament plenum, in a resolution ratified here on Thursday, calls on Turkey to commit itself on the implementation of Copenhagen criteria in 2002.According to the resolution, the European Parliament urgently requests from Turkey to propose in 2002 a specific timetable for the swiftest possible implementation of the Copenhagen criteria which, in any case, will have to be completed before the end of the current decade. The timetable is one of the most strongly expressed requirements by the European Parliament for Turkey through the report by the "Committee on Turkey's progress towards accession", whose rapporteur is French Eurodeputy Alain Lamasour. Lamasour presented two reports. One concerns Turkey's accession course in 2000 and the other the granting of economic pre-accession support. The European Parliament's plenum ratified both reports with a large majority on Thursday but without a roll call vote-taking place. According to observers' assessments, the report on the accession course is moderately worded, while Lamasour stresses progress achieved but also underlines what remains to be done. Consequently, it has been termed a "dialogue report", since it is apparently accepted by Turkey in general as well. The report makes special reference to the Cyprus issue, requesting from the Turkish authorities to adopt a constructive stance and exercise their influence and call on the Turkish Cypriot side to resume proximity talks. [11] European Court condemns Greece on legislation harmonizationBRUSSELS, 26/10/2001 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)Greece was condemned by the European Court on Thursday for failing to meet time limits for harmonizing its legislation with European Union directive 96/48 EK of 1996, concerning the creation of infrastructures for a high-speed inter-European railway network (TGV).The decision, which does not anticipate economic sanctions, obliges Greece to comply immediately, which has already been done but outside time limits. According to diplomatic sources, processes for issuing the relevant Presidential Decree by the Greek government have already been completed with its publication in the government gazette on October 11, 2001. The European Commission withdrew the recourse but its resignation was rejected by the Court as coming too late. Greece argued that the delay was due to time-consuming bureaucratic processes anticipated by Greek legislation. [12] Kuwaiti parliamentary delegation in AthensAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis received a three-member parliamentary delegation from Kuwait on Thursday, which expressed gratitude for the very close relations existing between Greece, Kuwait and the Arab world.Special mention was made during the meeting to the condemnation of terrorism and to the contribution of Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou to the diffusion of the crisis, as well as to the effort to resolve the Palestinian issue. The Kuwaiti deputies supported Greece's bid to assume the post of a non-permanent member of the Security Council over the 2005-2006 period. Magriotis thanked the parliamentary delegation for its support for the Greek bid and for Kuwait's position on the Cyprus issue. Magriotis also received the President of the Council of Hellenes Abroad Andrew Athens in the presence of Expatriate Hellenism secretary general Dimitris Dollis. [13] Christodoulakis to unveil economic growth plan next weekAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis on Thursday said he will unveil his main policy goals and the condition and the course of the Greek economy next week.Economy Deputy Minister Christos Pahtas, speaking to reporters after a meeting with the new National Economy and Finance Minister, said that the ministry would send for approval and financing to the European Commission spending totalling more than 750 billion drachmas. Pahtas said the EU's contribution to the sum exceeded 550 billion drachmas. Pahtas surprised reporters announcing that all details regarding a Second and a Third Community Support Frameworks would be available through the Internet from November 1, 2001. Ministry sources also said that a new development law was expected to be implemented from spring 2002. [14] Investment in high-risk capital in Greece at 0.16 pct of GDPBRUSSELS, 26/10/2001 (ANA/B.Demiris)Investment in high-risk capital in Greece represented 0.16 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2000, among the lowest in the European Union, its executive Commission said in a report on Thursday.The highest figure in the 15-member EU was posted by the United Kingdom at 0.40 percent of the country's GDP and the lowest by Austria at 0.07 percent, the report said. The average for the EU is 0.23 percent of the bloc's GDP against 0.70 percent in the US. [15] Athens Int'l Airport first in Europe to reduce chargesAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Athens' new international airport Eleftherios Venizelos is the first airport in Europe to announce a significant reduction in parking and landing charges for most of the airlines, an airport statement released on Thursday said.It said that the airport's Board of Directors, headed by chairman Prof. Vaitsos, unanimously approved the Management's proposal for a "targeted reduction aimed at supporting airlines in light of the very difficult times they are facing". "We believe that the measures will contribute to the cost cutting efforts of the airlines operating at the Athens International Airport," CEO Dr. Matthias Mitscherlich said. "Within our own limited margins, we tried to support the majority of our airline-customers. We will continue to find ways to assist airlines in order to get out of the crisis". Athens International Airport has decided to restructure landing and parking charges and offer significant discounts, as the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and their disastrous effect on the airline industry have drastically affected the airport's traffic, and despite the fact that a significant drop has been projected for the next year, the announcement said. It said this was possible due to the positive results of the airport's first five months of operation, while a review of the current structure of the airport's parking and landing charges also aims at improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of the airport in view of its vision to develop into a hub. More specifically, in an effort to provide valuable support to the severe financial situation of airlines and responding to their pledge for assistance, Athens International Airport proceeded with the following three measures, effective as of November 1, 2001, in order to immediately relieve airlines: Also, the airport is investigating the potential of implementing, as of January 1, 2002, an incentives measure under specific conditions to support thin international routes. [16] Greece shows rapid growth in use of digital technologyAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Greece is showing a high rate of growth in the adoption of digital technology, a senior executive of Microsoft, the global software giant, said on Thursday.Jean-Philippe Courtois, the president of Microsoft Europe, Africa and the Middle East, was holding a presentation in Athens of the company's new Windows XP technology. Presentations for the new software, which comes in professional and home editions, were held simultaneously around the world. Available in Greek by the end of the year, Windows XT is based on Microsoft Windows 2000, with added technology that makes it safer and faster, Courtois said. [17] ASE follows European bourses lowerAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Disappointment over a decision by the European Central Bank to leave interest rates unchanged in the eurozone, combined with news of lower profits in the first nine months of 2001 by major listed companies, created a negative climate on the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, with equity prices ending substantially lower.The Greek market followed a negative reaction of other European markets to ECB's rate decision. The general index ended 1.10 percent lower at 2,365.10 points, off the day's lows, with turnover a low 29.8 billion drachmas, or 87.6 million euros. The Investment, Publication and Holdings sectors recorded the biggest percentage losses (2.82%, 2.73% and 2.24%, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.88 percent lower the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 1.18 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 1.05 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 258 to 68 with another 32 issues unchanged. Equity futures end lower: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Thurs-day ended at a deeper discount than the previous close with players opening mostly short positions, traders said. The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.80 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 1.18 percent. Bond prices rise in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper. The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 4.95 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 43 basis points. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.4 billion euros. Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover. [18] "Melina Mercouri" award for the preservation of cultural landscapesPARIS, 26/10/2001 (ANA)UNESCO's "Melina Mercouri" international award for the protection and preservation of cultural landscapes (UNESCO-Greece) was due to be presented here on Thursday night.This year, the forest of Djebel Murdjadjo and the old city Sid El Houari of Algeria, as well as the Forest Center of Lygra in Norway were honored. The "Melina Mercouri" international award is given every two years by UNESCO to persons or a group of individuals who work towards the preservation and promotion of landscapes. [19] Greek documentary shares top awardSTRASBOURG, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Awards were given at a ceremony held at the "Odyssee" here on Wednesday for the best European documentaries, with a Greek documentary sharing first place.The Week of European Documentaries, due to end on Friday, was held under the auspices of the Council of Europe. The Greek-French production (1997) "Sinasos - Memory of Topography" by Timonas Koulmasis and Iro Siafliaki, shared the first prize with the Spanish-French production (1999) of "The anarchist Buenaventura Durruti" by Jean-Louis Comolli. The Greek film receiving an award constitutes a registration of national memories on "lost motherlands" with the focus of attention shifting between Greece and Turkey and noting tensions and memories of the other side of the Aegean. [20] EU-sponsored seminar on film scripts on SamosAthens, 26/10/2001 (ANA)Screenplay writers and directors from several European countries arrived on the eastern Aegean island of Samos this week to participate at an international seminar focusing on film scripts, expected to last until Saturday.The event is organized by the Mediterranean Film Institute within the framework of the European Union's MEDIA program. [21] Exhibition of art by Greek childrenSTRASBOURG, 26/10/2001 (ANA)An exhibition of art by Greek children was inaugurated here at the Aubette Mansion on Wednesday.The exhibition was organized at the initiative of the Press Office of the Permanent Greek Delegation at the Council of Europe and the Museum of Greek Children's Art in Athens, under the auspices of Greece's Press and Mass Media Ministry. Present at the inauguration, among others, were Greek Eurodeputies, the entire foreign diplomatic missions at the CoE, professors and pupils. The children's paintings show their sensitivity towards the protection of the environment. [22] European Commission President addresses Cyprus House of RepresentativesNICOSIA, 26/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)President of the European Commission Romano Prodi said here on Thursday the European Union would be delighted if the efforts to settle the Cyprus question were to bear fruit before enlargement, underlying at the same time that "this is not a precondition for Cyprus' accession."Speaking on Thursday afternoon before the plenary of the House of Representatives Prodi said Cyprus will join the EU and will be among the first candidate countries to do so, noting that "we are aiming to complete negotiations with all countries that are sufficiently prepared by the end of next year, with a view to accession in 2004, hoping that Cyprus' citizens will vote in the European elections of 2004." "There can be no question of delaying an historic process in which the security, stability and well being of Europe as a whole is involved," Prodi said, noting that "there is a window of opportunity now for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to reach an agreement before Cyprus' accession. "Every effort should be made to take full advantage of this opportunity" the European official noted and stressed that "history would not look kindly on those who knowingly let this opportunity slip." Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, ministers, other high-ranking officials, ambassadors and other foreign diplomats, including US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston, who is currently in Cyprus, attended the plenary to listen to Prodi's speech. Referring to the Cyprus question Prodi expressed profound conviction that "a settlement is within reach" and pointed out that the European Union with its acquis will never be an obstacle to finding a solution to the Cyprus problem because it "never seeks to determine the constitutional arrangements or the security arrangements of its member states." He expressed confidence that the EU can accommodate whatever arrangements the parties themselves agree to in the context of a political settlement and added that "as an EU member state Cyprus will of course have to participate in the Council of Ministers 'with one voice'." Prodi said the European Commission was seeking to broaden understanding of the acquis and related issues throughout Cyprus and noted "given a political settlement, EU membership will bring benefits to all Cypriots and in particular will enable those in the northern part of the island (Turkish Cypriots) to catch up rapidly in terms of economic performance and living standards." "Following a settlement both Greek and Turkish Cypriots will participate in the work of EU institutions, helping run the Union and shape its future," President of the European Commission noted, adding that "projects involving both communities on the island can address specific problems, dispel misconceptions and improve understanding." He expressed disappointment over the rejection of UN Secretary-General's invitation by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to resume peace talks in September. Prodi also expressed deep regret that his scheduled meeting on Friday with Greek and Turkish Cypriot trade unionists will not take place because the occupation regime in the Turkish-occupied areas of the island did not allow Turkish Cypriot trade unionists to meet him. The meeting was scheduled to take place at the Ledra Palace Hotel, situated in the UN-controlled buffer zone in the divided capital Nicosia. Prodi said Cyprus' preparations for membership must continue to be pursued vigorously and that further legislative work must also be done in some fields on which negotiations have been provisionally concluded. President of the European Commission, who was accompanied by EU Enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen, was welcomed by House President Demetris Christofias, who thanked Prodi on behalf of the Cyprus people "for the firm promotion by the European Commission of the provision of the Helsinki Summit decision, which envisages that the solution of the Cyprus problem is not a prerequisite for the accession of Cyprus to the EU as well as for the conviction that Cyprus will become a member of the EU during the first wave of enlargement." [23] Weston says Cyprus issue remains a very high priority for USNICOSIA, 26/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)The Cyprus issue remains a very high priority for the US, State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston said here on Thursday, adding that the US administration is working towards a just, durable and comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus question.Speaking after meeting President Glafcos Clerides, Weston expressed his government's and his personal appreciation for Cyprus' cooperation and outstanding support in international efforts to combat terrorism.| Weston said his visit to the island was taking place "in the wake of the examination of the Cyprus issue by the Security Council and the endorsement of the Security Council of the continuation of the good offices mission." The US official arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday night after visits to Turkey and Greece, where he held talks on Cyprus with government officials. Weston indicated that despite efforts against terrorism "we have not lost sight of other important issues, important priorities for the US, one of which remains a very high priority and that is working towards a just, durable and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus issue." He referred to the "outstanding support, cooperation and sympathy of the Cyprus government and its people" to the US in the wake of the terrorist attacks and added "there will be many other opportunities for cooperation and support and we look forward to the continuation of that from Cyprus." Replying to a question on the issues discussed during his meeting with President Clerides and earlier with Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Weston said they were "very good meetings" which "will continue". Asked whether he received any messages from Turkey regarding its position on the Cyprus issue, during his visit there last Tuesday, Weston said he had "very good and very important meetings in Ankara", adding one of the issues on the agenda was the Cyprus question "and to have discussions on the subject in Ankara is an indication of the sort of message I received." Weston, who is accompanied by State Department Cyprus Desk chief James Sivers, will meet Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Friday in the occupied part of Nicosia. He leaves on Saturday. [24] British FM said to have stressed to Ankara need for Denktash to return to negotiating tableLONDON, 26/10/2001 (CNA/ANA)British Minister for Europe Peter Hain said on Thursday that British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw stressed during his visit in Ankara last week the need for Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table and repeated his government's position that the solution of the Cyprus question is not a precondition for Cyprus' accession to the EU.Invited by CNA to say what Britain can do to avoid the danger of the marginalization of the Cyprus question, Hain said the UN peace engagement on Cyprus should be supported and appealed to Denktash to join that process, underlying that this was something that Straw stressed on a visit to Turkey last week. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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