Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-08-29

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: Greek stance on EU-Turkey ties unchanged; commitments though must be fulfilled

[01] Karamanlis: Greek stance on EU-Turkey ties unchanged; commitments though must be fulfilled

Karamanlis emphasised that Athens' strategic decision to back Turkey's European prospects is unchanged, although Greek leadership is taking into account all of the latest developments and information.

In echoing the most recent statements by several top Greek foreign ministry officials, Karamanlis reminded that Ankara must fulfill all the criteria governing that country's course towards the EU. He added that an appendix tacked on by Turkey to its extension of a customs protocol with all 10 new EU members -- whereby the EU hopeful reminded that it continues to not recognise EU member-state Cyprus -- merely created more problems "that must be dealt with within the EU framework".

The Greek prime minister also stressed that Ankara should desist from creating "ambiguities" as far as the substance and meaning of its signature on the document extending the customs protocol was concerned. He said Ankara was now called upon to implement the protocol with all of the EU member-states.

Regarding FYROM, the Greek prime minister tersely noted that the land-locked neighboring country's leadership failed to react positively to an initiative by the UN Secretary General for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the "name issue" and, moreover, showed no cooperation in the matter.

"This is a parameter that must be calculated, and one that weighs on the examination of that country's (FYROM) European prospects," Karamanlis said.

Along those lines, the Greek PM made it clear that as far as Athens is concerned, "there is no prospect of discussions regarding FYROM's accession talks to proceed."

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article