Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-02-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis holds talks with Slovenian counterpart

[01] PM Karamanlis holds talks with Slovenian counterpart

Karamanlis said that Greece wants a mutually acceptable solution that will not leave behind winners and vanquished, adding that Greece has taken great steps and it is now up to FYROM to cover the distance attributed to it. The Slovenian prime minister said on his part that his country wants the issue of the name to be resolved and stressed that the path to a solution is a compromise.

He said Greece was ready to make the compromise and FYROM should on its part make important steps on the name issue. He added that FYROM lost opportunities towards a solution because it did not show enough flexibility.

The two leaders also discussed the European prospects of the Western Balkans, which is a priority for the Slovenian European Union presidency. The Slovenian prime minister said that Greece and Slovenia support the European prospects of the Western Balkans, provided that the preconditions set by the EU are met.

Both also expressed support for the signing of the Interim Agreement between Serbia and the EU, that will facilitate Serbia's European course, while also helping stability in the wider region.

Karamanlis said that the countries in the region must have a strong and coordinated voice and reiterated that on the issue of Kosovo unilateral and hasty actions must be avoided and the unity of the EU must be maintained. The Greek prime minister added that the region's future belongs to the EU.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of the EU's Reform Treaty, energy, climatic changes and the environment. The Greek prime minister said that Greece hails better and closer cooperation between the Mediterranean countries, as is anticipated by the proposal made by France.

The Greek delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Slovenian prime minister after the meeting.

Karamanlis, who is accompanied by Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valynakis and the director of the press office Yiannis Andrianos, will return to Greece on Wednesday morning.

Caption: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (L) shakes hands with his Slovenian counterpart Janez Jansa in Ljubljana, on Tuesday, February 5, 2008. ANA-MPA/Wilelmos Antoniou.

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