Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias meets Mesic

[01] Papoulias meets Mesic

After the one-hour discussion, Papoulias stressed that relations between the two countries were very good, and noted that there were margins for their further enhancement at economic and trade level.

He said the discussed such matters as the FYROM name issue, the Cyprus problem and Greek-Turkish relations, stressing that "we desire Croatia's support and solidarity".

Papoulias further stressed the importance of strengthening the European prospect of the western Balkans provided, however, that they fulfilled the accession prerequisites, and assured that Greece backs Croatia's EU accession course.

Mesic, in turn, noted that this was his last visit as head of state, given that Presidential elections for his successor will be held in two months.

He said that he and his Greek counterpart discussed matters concerning the wider region, and stressed that relations between the two countries are good and "without open issues".

Soon, Mesic noted, Croatia will be a member of the European Union, as it was in the final stage of its accession negotiations, and stressed that "our accession must not in any way be linked to open issues which we may possibly have with any of our neighboring countries", adding that Croatia backs the EU accession of all the countries of the region.

Papoulias afterwards hosted a luncheon in his Croatian counterpart's honor, during which he reiterated Greece's support of Croatia's accession course and recalled that Greece had also backed Croatia's participation as a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council because "we share the same principles and values of good neighborhood, respect of human rights, respect of the rules of international law and respect of the territorial integrity of states".

Mesic stressed that there should be no "grey zones" in the wider region with countries that do not accede the EU, and called on Greece to assist in the accession of all the countries of the region.

Caption: President of Republic Karolos Papoulias (R) welcomes his Croatian counterpart Stepjan Mesic at the Presidential mansion in Athens on Tuesday 3 November 2009. ANA-MPA/ SYMELA PANTZARTZI

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