Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-06-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU-Turkey relations dominate Karamanlis-Vanhanen talks

[02] Papandreou to visit Iran and Israel

[01] EU-Turkey relations dominate Karamanlis-Vanhanen talks

Afterwards, Vanhanen urged Turkey to respect the principles and priorities of the EU if it wanted to make progress toward accession, including the implementation of an extended Customs Union Protocol with the Cyprus Republic.

He clarified, however, that if Turkey fulfilled these commitments then it must be able to become a full member of the EU.

Karamanlis, on his part, underlined Greece's support for Turkey's European prospects but stressed that the final outcome of its accession talks depended on its ability to fully comply with the criteria and requirements made by the EU, on its respect of European principles and values and on its commitment to good-neighbourly relations.

While urging Turkey to accelerate domestic reforms, the Greek prime minister expressed support for Turkey's full EU accession, explaining that Turkey must have an incentive in order to meet the commitments it has undertaken.

"A European Turkey that respects European principles and values will benefit all," the Greek premier stressed.

Karamanlis said that he had briefed his Finnish counterpart on the latest developments concerning the Cyprus issue and announced that the United Nations was now examining if conditions existed for a resumption of efforts for a solution.

Talks between the two men additionally covered the European prospects of Balkan countries, with Karamanlis supporting their EU entry as the best way to ensure peace, stability and prosperity in this volatile region, as part of a lengthy and difficult process.

The two sides also discussed EU priorities during the period when Finland takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency on July 1. Karamanlis said that Greece attaches great importance to the goals set by the Finnish presidency, such as competitiveness, boosting innovation and research and the social dimensions of these policies.

The Greek prime minister stressed that the Finnish presidency had the task of keeping the European Constitutional Treaty in the forefront and implementing the measures already decided.

After the meeting, Karamanlis departed for Stockholm where he is due to meet Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson on Tuesday.

[02] Papandreou to visit Iran and Israel

The PASOK party leader had repeated contacts on this issue with International Atomic Energy Committee President Mohammed el Baradei recently.

Papandreou, who will arrive in Tehran on Monday, is expected to meet the president and the foreign minister of Iran, as well as the Supreme Security Council secretary whom he had met in Athens recently.

He will then be visiting the Middle East on Tuesday and will be having meetings with the new government of Israel.

Papandreou's programme includes a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

PASOK's leader will also be meeting Patriarch Theofylaktos during his stay in Jerusalem.

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