Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM on FYROM: 'No solution means no invitation'

[02] Light earthquake off Zakynthos

[01] PM on FYROM: 'No solution means no invitation'

"Without a mutually acceptable solution, there can be no relations like allies; there can be no invitation to the neighbouring country for participation in the same alliance," Karamanlis said in Parliament, replying during the Hour of the Prime Minister to a question tabled by Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis on the developments in Kosovo and the Balkans.

"If the neighbouring state wishes to accede to NATO, if it truly desires to accede to the European Union, it is obliged, in practise, to prove that it can be a real ally and partner. It is obliged to prove, in practise, respect of the principles of international law. It is obliged to prove that it fulfils all of the prerequisites. It is obliged to travel the distance corresponding to it, in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution to the outstanding issue regarding its name," Karamanlis said.

Referring to the ongoing "difficult and complex" negotiations on the FYROM name issue, Karamanlis said its positive outcome would have a positive effect on the neighbouring country's relations with Greece, "which is the oldest EU and NATO member in the region", and would strengthen the prospect of upgrading and expanding the cooperation between the two countries, as well as contributing to progress in the region.

Replying to main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou with respect to a leak, to an Athens daily a day earlier, of the proposal submitted on Tuesday to Greek and FYROM negotiators, Karamanlis stressed that "the only thing that the leak of this document does not help is the Greek government in the difficult battle it is waging".

"You, in particular, as a past foreign minister for a number of years, and with many corresponding incidents of leaks of confidential documents during your tenure, should know this, and understand what I am saying," Karamanlis said, directly addressing himself to Papandreou, who earlier accused the government of "dealings" with the mass media but without having no trust in political parties.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

[02] Light earthquake off Zakynthos

According to the Athens Observatory's Geodynamics Institute and the Thessaloniki Aristotelion University's Geophysics Laboratory, the quake was recorded at 6:57 a.m. (04:57 GMT), at a distance of 235 kilometers west of Athens, with its epicentre in the sea region east of Zakynthos.

The quake comes amid heightened seismic activity off southwestern Greece over the past month.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of the picturesque Ionian Island of Zakynthos.

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