Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-06-07

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] French president praises 'masterly way' Greek EU presidency has handled

[01] French president praises 'masterly way' Greek EU presidency has handled issues

PARIS (ANA - O. Tsipira) - French President Jacques Chirac expressed appreciation on Friday for the ''masterly way'' with which the Greek European Union presidency has handled the EU's affairs so far.

Chirac was speaking after holding talks with Greek Prime Minister and current European Council President Costas Simitis, who arrived in Paris as part of his tour of European countries and briefed him on the EU summit to take place in Thessaloniki on June 19-20.

The talks were also attended by Foreign Minister and Council of General Affairs President George Papandreou, Deputy Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin and European Affairs Minister Noelle Lenoir.

Chirac said the main issue of the summit is the Convention, adding that the report by European Assembly President Valery Giscard d'Estaing will be obtained and there will be the opportunity of discussing it.

''All the ability of the Greek presidency will be needed which will allow us to reach a final agreement. Undoubtedly, it is a difficult issue, but I have absolute faith in the Greek presidency and I told the prime minister that France will do everything possible to support and help the presidency,'' Chirac said.

The French president added that a draft constitution will be able to be reached.

On his part, Simitis thanked Chirac for his praise, but added that success was due to the assistance of France which helped Greece during a period of crisis which was not at all easy.

The prime minister said on the issue of the Convention that there were some countries saying that discussions must be continued because a compromise has not yet been reached.

''The presidency does not agree. There must be a continuation. Decisions must be taken in Thessaloniki on the Intergovernmental Conference. A decision must also be taken that this Intergovernmental Conference will finish its work before the Euro-elections in June 2004, because the Europeans must be aware of the draft of the new constitution before they are summoned to the polls,'' he said.

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