![]() |
Compact version |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
Thursday, 15 August 2024
![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
|
Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-09-24Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>September 24, 2002CONTENTS
[01] PM, foreign minister satisfied with election results in GermanyCOPENHAGEN 24/09/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)Clearly satisfied with the results of Germany's general elections over the weekend, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday told reporters that the victory by Germany's social democrat and Greens coalition was a ''guarantee that Europe would go forward in accordance with our views and goals''.Simitis was in Copenhagen to attend a joint summit of EU and Southeast Asian countries (ASEM). According to the Greek premier, the re-election of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder would ensure the continuity of Europe's common foreign and security policy, which was necessary in these difficult times, as well as policies for growth, social justice and social cohesion. Finally, he said it would also act as a guarantee for European enlargement that would limit regional inequalities. Speaking from Athens, meanwhile, Greek foreign minister George Papandreou similarly welcomed the re-election of the Social Democrat-Greens alliance, which was largely due to rise in support for the Greens party led by his German counterpart Joschka Fischer. Commenting on Fischer's 'personal success' in Sunday's election, Papandreou said he was particularly satisfied that he would be able to continue working with the German foreign minister who - in addition to being a colleague and personal friend - was also a ''friend of Greece.'' Asked how the German election results affected EU developments, Papandreou explained that as European unification deepened, developments in one country influenced all the other countries of the Union. He said that the re-election of two center-left coalitions -- first in Sweden and on Sunday in Germany -- ''reinforces our ability as the Greek Presidency of the EU to advance certain issues considered of top priority for the center-left forces of Europe''. Other members of the Greek government, including Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, said the results marked the end of a conservative backlash by European voters seen in the past year. From the opposition parties, the election result was commented on by Athens mayoral candidate Dora Bakoyianni, a high-ranking member of the center-right main opposition New Democracy. Bakoyianni noted that Schroeder's party had seen its majority drop sharply compared to the previous elections and that the big winner of Sunday's polls was Greens leader Joschka Fischer, who had been rewarded by the Germans for his foreign policy. She predicted that the German chancellor would be up against serious problems in economic issues and unemployment, which many in ND believed would also affect EU policy. Simitis congratulates via telephone re-elected German Chancellor: Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday called Germany's re-elected Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder to congratulate him for his victory in Sunday's elections. Simitis also called Green Party leader Joschka Fischer to congratulate him for the decisive contribution of his party in the election victory of the governmental coalition, formed by Germany's SPD and Green party. Simitis, who is in Copenhagen for the ASEM meeting, according to sources, will visit Berlin, Paris and London, after the Brussels Summit scheduled for Oct. 24 and 25. He will be in London on October 28 for talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in Paris on November 6-7 where he will be meeting French President Jacques Chirac, and in Berlin on November 8 for talks with Gerhard Schroeder. [02] Germany's Schroeder lauds Simitis for Greece's role in Balkans,EU BERLIN 24/09/2002 (ANA - P. Stangos)Germany's narrowly re-elected Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Monday lauded Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis' role in Greece and the Balkans at large.Schroeder, during his first press conference after his Sunday election victory, responding to questions of Greek journalists, said that Greece, despite the fact that it is a small country, plays a positive role not only in the Balkan region, but also in Europe in general. ''Germany respects the deeply role of Greece, under the leadership of by friend Costas Simitis, who's voice is especially significant within the circle of our European colleagues,'' Schroeder said. Earlier in the day, Simitis had expressed his satisfaction for SPD's victory in the elections, while according to sources Simitis congratulated the German Chancellor in person during a telephone conversation they had. [03] Cyprus solution still achievable, UN envoy says after talks in AthensAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)The two sides on Cyprus were still capable of arriving at a final solution despite missing the original June deadline, UN special envoy for the Cyprus issue Alvaro de Soto said in Athens on Monday, after talks with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.De Soto stressed that all was not lost and that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan was convinced that a solution was achievable, despite the great differences that still existed between the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot sides on the divided island. The UN envoy was in Athens on Monday to sound out Greek positions relative to ongoing UN efforts for a solution to the Cyprus problem. He is currently conducting another tour of Athens, Nicosia and Ankara to prepare for the meetings planned by Annan with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York on October 3-4, where the UN chief will again attempt to mediate for a final solution to the Cyprus issue. Commenting on the meeting, Papandreou said he had conveyed the Greek government's positions on the Cyprus problem, Cyprus' accession to the EU and relations between the EU and Turkey. The Greek minister also underlined that an opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem still existed and called on all the interested parties to take advantage of this for a final solution that was in accord with UN resolutions and European practice. The UN envoy described his talks with Papandreou as 'interesting' and announced that he would be visiting Ankara next week. [04] Simitis to visit London, Paris and Berlin in October, NovemberCOPENHAGEN 24/09/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)Prime Minister Costas Simitis will visit Berlin, Paris and London, after the Brussels Summit scheduled for Oct. 24 and 25, it was announced here on Monday.Simitis, who is in Copenhagen for the ASEM meeting, will be in London on October 28 for talks with British Prime Minister participation of the European Union's leadership and that of many Asian countries to focus on current affairs of common interest, such as the crisis in the Middle East, Iraq and Korea. Prime Minister Costas Simitis arrived here to represent Greece at the ASEM meeting, along with the rest of the EU's leaders, except for German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and British Premier Tony Blair. ASEM is an informal process of dialogue and cooperation bringing together the fifteen EU member-states and the European Commission, as well as ten Asian countries. The Asian participants in ASEM are: Brunei, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The ASEM dialogue addresses political, economic and cultural issues, with the objective of strengthening the relationship between our two regions in a spirit of mutual respect and equal partnership. The first ASEM Summit was held in Bangkok in March 1996, giving rise to an ongoing process including summit-level meetings every second year, ministerial-level meetings in the intervening years (although now normally once a year) plus a range of meetings and activities at working level. On the question of Iraq, the participants agreed that a solution for the problem should be sought within the United Nations' framework. The problem of the Middle East was also a focal point of the meeting and the leaders are expected to express their concern over the ''siege'' of President Yasser Arafat, while they announced their support for a dialogue between North and South Korea. [05] FM Papandreou cites phone contacts with ArafatAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou on Monday said he spoke by phone with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat a day earlier in order to ascertain the situation at the latter’s besieged Ramallah headquarters.The minister said Arafat, via the Greek government, called on the European Union to intervene, a request that led to Papandreou’s later contacts with his Danish counterpart and an announcement that the EU will send a delegation to the strife-ridden West Bank as part of international efforts to defuse latest crisis. On his part, Papandreou reiterated that there “are extremist political forces on both sides that do not want the peace process,” while reiterating that the goal is for Israel’s security to be safeguarded, while at the same time establishing a Palestinian state. Finally, asked if Arafat’s political career is at an end, Papandreou answered in the negative, saying that his latest encirclement by Israeli forces have significantly strengthened his political clout. [06] Deputy FM Yiannitsis to address EuroparliamentAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Greece's deputy foreign minister Tasos Yiannitsis will address the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday, before returning to Athens that same evening.According to sources, Yiannitsis' address will cover issues regarding the European Union's defense sector, as Greece was presiding over the European Common Security and Defense Policy. [07] Defense minister and Evert discuss prospects of war in IraqAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Monday met New Democracy MP and former leader Miltiades Evert to discuss the prospects of a US invasion in Iraq in February and developments in the Cyprus problem.Both men said a US war on Iraq was a likely prospect, while Evert noted that this would seriously affect Greece. They also called for unity within Greece in dealing with major foreign policy issues, such as the Cyprus problem. [08] Main opposition seeks to up political stakes in local pollsAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)A strategy meeting at main opposition New Democracy's headquarters on Monday decided to give a stronger political tone to the imminent local government elections next month, with the slogan 'send a message'.The message in this case would be one bearing the signature of ND's central party headquarters, as confirmed during the meeting chaired by ND leader Costas Karamanlis. Analysts said the decision satisfied ND Central Committee Secretary Vangelis Meimarakis, who had initially disagreed with using this tactic as a basic element in the Attica super prefecture campaign only. [09] Athens mayor supports Bakoyianni's candidacy for AthensAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Outgoing Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos on Monday expressed support for Athens mayoral candidate Dora Bakoyianni, saying she would be his personal choice for his successor in the mayor's seat.The mayor refused to give a similar vote of confidence for ND's candidate for the Attica super-prefecture Yiannis Tzanetakos, however, saying that he was speaking as Athens mayor and restricting himself to issues concerning the Athens municipality. Bakoyianni is the candidate fielded in the Athens municipal elections by main opposition New Democracy, which had also backed Avramopoulos' candidacy. Avramopoulos had quit New Democracy during his second term as Athens mayor in order to found his own party, the Movement of Free Citizens, which he later disbanded citing financial problems. Asked to comment on Avramopoulos' statements later in the day, Bakoyianni thanked him and said the support of an experienced Athens mayor that had served the city for eight years was valuable. [10] Turk arrested on Limnos on espionage chargesAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)A 54-year-old Turkish man charged with felony espionage was again granted a two-day extension on Monday to better prepare his statement before an investigating magistrate on the large eastern Aegean island of Lesvos.The suspect, identified as Mehmet Murat Pekinel, was arrested Friday afternoon while allegedly photographing military installations on the northeast Greek island of Limnos, which lies near the Dardanelles Straits. According to reports, 57 rolls of film were confiscated on the man, along with maps of various Greek Aegean isles. In his initial statements to police, Pekinel – who was traveling with a temporary German passport -- denied the espionage charges and claimed the photographs were for his personal use. Three Turkish nationals of Kurdish descent were charged with spying exactly one year ago after a lengthy investigation on Lesvos reportedly turned up evidence at the trio’s temporary residence. The three Kurds were arrested in late August 2001 after coast guard officers found two handguns on their possession during a routine check at the isle’s main port. Maps and telecommunications equipment later confiscated at the trio’s run-down residence apparently detailed defensive maneuvers on land and around the island’s sea region. Both Lesvos and Limnos lie off the densely populated western Turkish coast. [11] Judicial council OKs DNA testing of first woman 'N17' suspectAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)An appellate court council of jurists on Monday extended its approval for DNA testing of the latest individual -- and first woman -- arrested on “November 17”-related charges.The latest judicial council ruling affects Angeliki Sotiropoulou, 40, the companion of one top “N17” suspect and the ex-wife of another, one-time fugitive Dimitris Koufodinas and Savvas Xiros, respectively. DNA testing, in this case, would ostensibly be used to match hairs found in two Athens-area “N17” hideouts and clandestine arsenals. A handprint, among others, lifted from one of the two “safe houses” (Damareos street) was the basis of three felony terrorism-related counts against Sotiropoulou. She remains jailed at an Athens-area prison, along with 16 other “N17” suspects, pending trial. In a previous statement to an investigating magistrate – one cited in the appellate council’s written justification for revoking Sotiropoulou’s temporary bail and ordering her incarceration last week – the self-described beekeeper said she visited the infamous Damareos apartment a year and a half ago with Koufodinas. However, she told authorities the apartment was empty at the time and that Koufodinas claimed it not only belonged to one of his clients, but that he was given the keys to “keep a few things there”. De Villiers interest in 'N17': In a related development, noted French spy novelist Gerard de Villiers apparent failed to gain the permission by the Korydallos prison authorities for visits to the 17 “N17” suspects. De Villiers had reportedly requested permission to visit the suspects, especially alleged Paris-born “N17” leader Alexandros Giotopoulos. The French author exited the prison Monday afternoon without replying to reporters’ questions. [12] Alleged ''N 17'' member petitions for restraining order against TV stationsAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Alleged ''November 17'' terrorist group member Angeliki Sotiropoulou on Monday submitted to an Athens court a petition calling for restraining orders against seven television stations and four journalists.She petitioned the court that the television stations Alter, Alpha, Antenna, ET-1, NET, Mega and Star do not air data of her personal life and to remove their transmission equipment from in front of her home. The petition also targeted journalists Nikos Kakaounakis, Fotini Pipili, George Trangas and Anna Panagiotarea. The petition will be brought before the court on Tuesday. [13] Anti-war rally to be held in Athens on September 26Athens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)The Solidarity Committee for the Palestinian people and the Athens Labor Center will be organizing an anti-war rally in Athens on September 26 against possible military action in Iraq.The rally will begin at Eleftherias Park at 7 p.m. and will head for the embassies of the United States and Israel. According to an announcement by the Solidarity Committee, composer Mikis Theodorakis and 30 other artists, rectors, journalists, trade unionists and peace activists will be participating. [14] FM to receive British ambassador on Tues.Athens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou will receive British ambassador to Athens, David Madden, on Tuesday at his office, it was announced on Monday.[15] Corporate bond market draft bill to be submitted in OctoberAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)The Greek government will submit to parliament a draft bill on the restructuring of the domestic corporate bond market in October, Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Monday.Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with representatives of the Greek Banks' Union to discuss the issue, Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that the new bill would aim at facilitating Greek companies in issuing corporate bonds to cover their funding needs and to develop the corporate debt market in the country. Under the new legislation, Greek companies will only need a board decision to issue a corporate bond, the value of which could exceeded 51 percent of a company's equity capital. Corporate bondholders will be able to form groups to better defend their interests, while market authorities will start issuing a rating list of corporate bonds. The new bill also envisages that companies will be able to secure future claims, including real estate assets. Greek Banks' Union chairman, Theodore Karatzas, said that decisions taken to expand the corporate bond market were very significant as they would facilitate companies in raising capital and harmonize the country's institutional framework with that of the European Union. [16] Greek MEP discusses contract worker issue with PresidentAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Monday received Coalition of the Left and Progress MEP Alekos Alavanos at the request of the latter to discuss the issue of public-sector workers employed with temporary contracts.Alavanos told the president that the draft presidential decree presented by the government to regulate this issue conflicted utterly with the relevant EU directive and, if passed as in its present form, would not stand up in the European Court. [17] Athens hosts ROUTES 2002 airline development conferenceAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Developments in the air transport sector after the September 11th terrorist attacks were the focus of discussion during "ROUTES 2002", the 8th World Airline Development Conference, held in Athens.This year's conference is hosted at the Astir Palace Vouliagmeni Hotel in Athens and sponsored by the Athens International Airport. The two-day conference brings together representatives from 130 airline companies and 250 airports around the world. The conference has particular significance for Greece as the Athens International Airport was expected to present its competitive advantages and business opportunities to foreign airlines, particularly in the Middle East, the Balkans and Eastern Europe. [18] GNTO discuss tourism cooperation with US, CanadaAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Greek National Tourist Organization’s chairman, Yiannis Patelis, on Monday met with Canadian ambassador Mr. Philip Somerville to discuss increasing tourist arrivals from Canada to Greece.GNTO chairman also met with US commercial attache in Athens, Mr. Walter Haji, to discuss bilateral tourist cooperation. Mr. Patelis recently visited the US and Canada and met with the two countries' large travel agencies. [19] Greece wants to award cotton producers extra compensationBRUSSELS 24/09/2002 (ANA/G.Zitouniatis)Greece on Monday asked the European Union for permission to award domestic cotton producers extra compensation for 2001-2002, taken from national funds.Agriculture Minister George Drys told an EU farm ministers' meeting that he was seeking the 15-nation bloc's understanding so that losses incurred by cotton producers could be offset. The farmers had faced difficulties in meeting the requirements of a new set of rules due to the time of the year the rules were ordained, and a delay by the EU's executive Commission in providing a clear-cut interpretation of key points, which came after sowing, Drys said. He added that the subsidies would not have an adverse impact on fair competition. [20] Greek stocks end 1.73 percent lower on MondayAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Greek stocks ended a turbulent session, marked by a 95-minute halt of trading due to problems with the electronic trading system OASIS, lower on Monday, disappointing investors who hoped for maintaining a recovery trend that started last Friday in the Athens Stock Exchange.The general index dropped 1.73 percent to end at 1,853.98 points, with turnover a low 62.5 million euros. The Cement, Insurance and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (3.21 percent, 3.12 percent and 2.92 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 2.03 percent, reflecting losses in blue chips like National Bank (off 3.18 percent), the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.46 percent lower and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 1.95 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 277 to 48 with another 32 issues unchanged. The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Commercial Bank of Greece, Alfa-Alfa, and Mohlos. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 61.4 mln euros Monday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Day's Market Turnover: 61.4 mln euros Bond Market Close: Sellers match buyers on Monday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond [21] Japanese tourist arrivals to rise sharply ahead of Athens 2004Athens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)The Athens 2004 Olympic Games, agro-tourism and theme parks were attracting Japanese tourists visiting Greece, Development Deputy Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos said on Monday.Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Japanese tour operators in Tokyo during the Yokohama international tourist trade fair, Mr. Georgakopoulos said that a large number of Japanese were expected to visit Greece for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and stressed that Japanese have also expressed interest in participating in volunteerism programs during the games. He noted that a decision to establish direct air links between Tokyo and Athens would also help in promoting Japanese tourist arrivals in Greece. A total of 16 million Japanese were traveling abroad each year, of which 3.5 million traveled to Europe and only 100,000 of them were visiting Greece. Greek tourist authorities are expecting a 5.0 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Japan in 2003. [22] Radio still popular in the EU as shown by Eurostat dataBRUSSELS 24/09/2002 (ANA-G.Daratos)A report published on Sunday by the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) showed that in the age of sound and image transfer advanced technology, the radio still holds a salient position among the media used for information and entertainment by European citizens.According to Eurostat data, approximately 99% of European households own at least one radio device, while the total number of radios throughout the EU reaches 340 million. The number of radio stations in the EU dropped from 7,600 in 1994 to 5,500 in 2000, with Italy in the lead as the country with the most radio stations, according to the report. An adult European citizen spends an average of 162 minutes daily listening to the radio in comparison to 204 spent in front of the TV monitor. Having the third lowest ratio after only Spain and Portugal, Greece in 1997 averaged 475 radios for every 1,000 people, compared to 918 radios for every 1,000 people throughout the 15 EU member-states. The 1999 turnover in the EU radio sector reached 10 billion Euros, approximately 10% of the total TV and radio turnover that reached 52 billion Euros. Posting a drop of 28% between 1994 and 2000 throughout Europe, the number of radio stations increased by 800% in Greece during the same period. In 2000 there was a total of 25 public and 241 private stations in operation in Greece, while this year 53 radio stations are operating through the Internet. [23] NYC mayor meets with Ecumenical Patriarch in IstanbulISTANBUL 24/09/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)New York's Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg on Monday visited the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos in his office in Phanar.Bloomberg called the Patriarch not only a religious leader of the Orthodox Church, but also a man who worked toward bringing different religions together, so that people can understand each other and to co-exist. Following his visit in Athens, Greece, Bloomberg arrived here intending to meet with Vartholomeos. The Patriarchal Holy Synod held a banquet in his honor. [24] Border guards arrest trucker carrying 25 illegal immigrantsAthens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Border guards arrested a Polish truck driver in northern Greece on Monday for carrying 25 Iraqi illegal immigrants to Athens for a fee of 10,000 euros.Sichi Benedict-Waklao, 44, was arrested at the 8th milestone of the Makri-Ancient Mesimvria motorway. Two accomplices of his were also arrested at the 14th milestone of the Alexandroupolis-Komotini motorway, who drove ahead in a car to warn of possible police roadblocks. They are Borisnionek Slavomir, 51, and Tomascewski Zbigniu, 39. The illegal immigrants told police they crossed into the country in the region of Feres with assistance from a Turkish immigrant smuggler. The two vehicles were confiscated, while the people arrested will be brought before a public prosecutor in the city of Alexandroupolis. [25] Athens Classic Marathon on Nov. 3Athens, 24/09/2002 (ANA)Greece’s athletics federation (SEGAS) announced on Monday that the annual “Athens Classic Marathon”, which traces the classical route from the ancient Marathon battlefield to the Greek capital’s Panathenian Stadium, will be run on Nov. 3.The Athens marathon is dedicated to the memory of noted Greek peace activist, 1930s track star and physician Grigoris Lambrakis, whose shocking and politically motivated 1963 assassination in Thessaloniki inspired film director Costa-Gavras’ “Z” in 1969. [26] EU Ambassador: Cyprus role in EU enlargement will be ''instrumental''NICOSIA 24/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)The new Ambassador of the European Commission to Cyprus Adriaan van der Meer presented his credentials to President Glafcos Clerides on Monday, saying that Cyprus' prospective role in EU enlargement will be ''instrumental''.He also reaffirmed commitment to the Helsinki and Seville European Council conclusions and expressed the EU's full support to the UN process and to the initiatives taken by the Secretary General towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue. Receiving van der Meer's credentials, President Clerides said Cyprus looks forward to playing its role in the historic process of enlargement and expressed the government's firm belief that the prospect of accession is an important catalyst in efforts to find a solution to the political problem. Presenting his credentials, van der Meer conveyed a message of friendship and cooperation from the European Commission's President Romano Prodi. He said ''the Union's southward enlargement will indeed bring a new geographic dimension to the Union, providing access to the Eastern Mediterranean, to the Middle East'', adding that ''Cyprus' prospective role in this direction will be instrumental''. The new ambassador noted that his intentions were, ''together with the members of the Delegation, to accelerate financial assistance, to further stimulate bicommunal contacts and to increase understanding of the accession process among the citizens of Cyprus''. ''I believe that the people of Cyprus should become fully informed both of the challenges as well as of the benefits of membership and how accession will positively affect their daily lives'', he said. Van der Meer added ''we are fully aware that, for Cyprus, accession to the EU is an opportunity to reunify the island, a prospect that shall prove to the benefit of all'' and reiterated the EU's ''full support to the UN process and to the initiatives taken by the Secretary General towards a settlement of the Cyprus issue''. Replying, the president said that ''the next enlargement of the EU constitutes an important step in the long process of European reunification and integration'' and that ''Cyprus looks forward to playing its role in this historic process''. ''We firmly believe that the process and the prospect of accession is an important catalyst in the efforts for finding a solution to the political problem, which has tormented Cyprus for so many years'', he added. The president noted that ''our primary goal is to reach a peaceful negotiated settlement to the Cyprus problem, based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, in accordance with UN resolutions'', adding that such a solution should guarantee a state of Cyprus with a single sovereignty and international personality and a single citizenship, with its independence and territorial integrity safeguarded. ''Any solution should also enable Cyprus to fully assume the rights and obligations of its membership to the European family, where it should be able to speak with a single voice'', he added. The president assured ''we shall continue our efforts to achieve this internationally accepted goal, with the same spirit of good will and determination, despite the continued negative attitude of the Turkish side and its efforts to change the agreed basis for a solution''. President Clerides also said respect of the Helsinki conclusions, which said a Cyprus settlement was preferable but not a precondition for accession, was of ''paramount importance if the necessary messages are to be correctly conveyed to the Turkish side in order to convince it to show the required flexibility for the successful outcome of the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem''. [27] Solana and Lord Hannay discuss Cyprus problemBRUSSELS 24/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)The EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana met on Monday in Brussels with Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Lord David Hannay and discussed the Cyprus problem.A spokesman for Solana told CNA that the High Representative and the British envoy reaffirmed that the Cyprus problem was entering a crucial stage and that efforts to reach a settlement should be intensified, in view of the Copenhagen European Council in December and decisions to be made on enlargement. He added that Solana backs efforts to solve the Cyprus problem and is in contact with the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who is conducting talks on the island between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. The spokesman said Monday's meeting was in the context of Solana's meetings with all parties involved in the Cyprus problem. President Clerides and Denktash launched UN-led direct talks in January this year, with a view to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem. [28] Cyprus chief negotiator certain of accession toEU NICOSIA 24/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus' chief negotiator in accession talks with the European Union, George Vassiliou, pledged that on December 14, the European Council in Copenhagen would approve Cyprus' accession to the European Union together with the remaining nine candidate member states.He again called for ''vigilance'' and ''nerves of steel'' in handling provocations, while regarding the Turkish threats in the event Cyprus enters the EU before a settlement to the Cyprus problem, Vassiliou replied that they should seriously be taken into consideration. However, he estimated the Turks are trying to create impressions within the EU and are not something, which could be implemented. ''We are progressing well and surely we comply with the Copenhagen criteria and I am certain the European Commission's report which will be given to us in Brussels on October 9 will be very positive for Cyprus'', Vassiliou said when asked to comment on Greek press reports about the draft of the progress report. ''Based on the facts that we have before us today, I can state for sure that on December 14 in Copenhagen the Council will approve Cyprus'' accession to the EU with the remaining nine countries'', Vassiliou added. Regarding the need for the Copenhagen European Council to judge Cyprus' candidature based on the Helsinki conclusions, Vassiliou said ''Cyprus has done whatever possible during the negotiations to achieve progress and the fact that we have had no progress is unfortunately due to (Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf) Denktash and his advisors''. [29] Foreign Minister: Denktash's proposal not helpfulNICOSIA 24/09/2002 (CNA/ANA)A Turkish Cypriot proposal on the solution of the Cyprus question is not considered by foreign diplomats as helpful in the effort to break the deadlock in the peace talks, Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has said.Speaking on his return from New York, after two weeks of meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly, he said Monday's meetings in Athens by the top UN envoy conducting the talks, Alvaro de Soto, are part of his efforts to prepare the ground for a meeting in early October between President Glafcos Clerides, Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. ''None of my interlocutors believes that the document Denktash put forward at the talks is a paper on which somebody can rely to break the deadlock,'' Kasoulides noted. The paper, which Denktash presented as an improvement on an earlier proposal he had put forward, ''is nowhere near the point which could help solve the Cyprus question.'' The minister pointed out that a single sentence among the many pages of the proposal, which could be useful in the future, does not make the paper positive. ''The President has replied all the points made in this document,'' he added. President Clerides and Denktash have been engaged in direct talks for the past nine months but no substantive progress towards a settlement has been achieved so far. Denktash insists on the creation of two separate states whereas President Clerides supports the reunification of the island, divided since Turkish troops invaded in 1974, under a bizonal, bicommunal federation as provided for by numerous UN resolutions. Replying to questions, Kasoulides said Britain, the US and the UN hope to present the two sides to the talks an overall solution plan after Turkey's general elections, on 3 November, adding that Kofi Annan will have the final word on this matter. Commenting on Monday's meetings in Athens between de Soto and Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou he said ''the discussions must be part of de Soto's efforts to prepare the ground properly for the 3-4 October meeting in New York and to see his attempts to find a negotiated settlement yield results.'' Commenting on Cyprus' European Union accession course, Kasoulides said the government has no indication that the country's membership is ''at risk.'' He said the EU will take a political decision on the candidate states at the EU summit in December and recalled that the referendum in Ireland to ratify the Nice Treaty has to say ''yes'' before things move on. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |