Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] The country is now ready to turn page, says EU Commissioner Moscovici

[02] FM Kotzias: We insist on full withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus

[01] The country is now ready to turn page, says EU Commissioner Moscovici

Moscovici who arrives on Monday in Athens said that "according to the conclusions of the first review and the good progress in the second review, I believe that now the conditions are suitable for the discussions that must be held in the next Eurogroup meeting" adding that "May's agreement defines clearly the next steps, with three packages of measures (long-term, short-term and mid-term) that remain to be agreed. The further discussions on the debt will play a very important role in IMF's participation in the programmes as it was agreed in May".

Moscovici said it is 'absolutely feasible" the staff agreement to close in the following days. Based on this agreement the Greek authorities must implement those agreed and to rapidly proceed with the necessary next steps in order the second review to be completed "This, however, demands the total cooperation and participation of all the interested parts".

Referring to the thorny issue of the changes in the labour market, Moscovici noted that there is still work to be done adding that progress has been recorded.

[02] FM Kotzias: We insist on full withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus

"The bottom line is the definition of the Cyprus problem which is the occupation of northern Cyprus by the Turkish troops" he noted adding that "unless some consider 'solution' the handover and mean the Turkish occupation troops to remain on the island. Let's say it clearly. They charge me because they do not dare to say clearly that they support the legalisation and remaining of the illegal occupation Turkish troops on the island".

He referred to the same forces that had sternly attacked him when he was appointed Foreign Minister "forces from abroad and from inside the country that do not want an independent multidimensional foreign policy", he said.

"What annoys them is that we can't support the position that Turkey can have guaranteed interventional rights in Cyprus or that Turkey can keep forever its troops on Cyprus". We insist that the troops must withdraw within a reasonable period and a clause to exist that will give a specific date of the final withdrawal.

Kotzias clarified that the Greek government was not involved in the five stages of the negotiation adding that he even refused to express his opinion to Cyprus' government. "I was attacked when we refused to go to Switzerland to discuss the territorial issue" he explained and certified Greek government's intention for a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in order to examine if there are "any bridges and possibilities for an agreement'.

Finally, asked on Erdogan's provocative stance, Kotzias said that the Turkish president "has his eyes fixed on the Middle East and want to reach the oil of Mosul and to have some rights in the area".

On Albania and its Prime Minister Edi Rama, Kotzias referred to the package of deliberations on the solution of the existing issues between Greece and Albania before the start of Albania's accession procedure to EU and expressed the hope the Albanians, in the next period, to meet more and better the conditions for their accession course. "Personally, I want Albania in EU as well as a more democratic Albania with European characteristics that will also be a good neighbour".

Asked on newly elected US President Donald Trump, Kotzias said that his election expressed objective and international trends and phenomena that exist and in EU . On the Greek positions he referred to his contacts with Trump's staff noting that "we will explain and struggle to keep the ears of Mr. Trump's government open".

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