Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-01-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM interviewed by Bulgarian newspaper

[01] FM interviewed by Bulgarian newspaper

Bakoyannis also referred to the importance of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project, the Kosovo issue, the name issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), but also to the death sentence of five Bulgarian nurses and of the Palestinian doctor by Libya's authoritities.

"Allow me to send a message on behalf of the Greek people to the Bulgarian people, our sincere, brotherly 'welcome' to the European family. We are extremely happy that Bulgaria henceforth constitutes a member of the EU, and with intense desire we await to cooperate for a better and more brilliant European Union," Bakoyannis told the newspaper.

The Greek foreign minister expressed the conviction that "Bulgaria's and Romania's accession will constitute yet another important step for the construction of the European neighbourhood, of peace, democracy, economic growth and prosperity."

Bakoyannis underlined the importance of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and of the Turkey-Greece-Italy natural gas pipeline for energy stability in Europe, saying:"Greece is not only part of the EU but also a warm supporter of the Union and we aspire to jointly develop it with our European partners. From this point of view, we constitute part of the European energy policy, within the framework of which our countries are transformed into energy centres through the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, as well as through the natural gas pipeline, which starts from Turkey and concludes in Italy, crossing through Greece."

Regarding the matter of the status of Kosovo, Bakoyannis stressed the need "for a European solution to be found to the problem," that is, a solution which "will correspond to the principles and values of the EU," and for it to be a viable solution, it should favour "stability and security and be based on the respect of the rights of minorities."

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