Greece said yesterday that its treatment at the hands of some of its European partners at the Cannes summit was "crude, blatant and cynical".
Following on from Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou's statements Tuesday that pressure put on Greece over Turkey's relations with the EU and the Skopje issue during the two-day EU summit had been orchestrated and part of a wider strategy to sacrifice the national interests of smaller EU states in order to promote the interests of the major powers, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the summit showed "that Europe is a constant, harsh negotiation which cannot be dealt with on the basis of fixed criteria".
On Monday, French President Jacques Chirac, presiding over his first EU summit, drew fire from the Greek prime minister when he proposed inviting Turkey to the next EU summit in Madrid, a plan supported by the next EU president, Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.
Mr. Papandreou told EU leaders that such an act was tantamount to rewarding a country for ignoring basic human rights, invading and occupying Cyprus and its more recent incursion into Iraq, and continually threatening Greece.
Mr. Papandreou locked horns with Mr. Chirac again the next day when the French president asked Greece to unilaterally lift trade sanctions on the neighbouring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Mr. Papandreou said the proposal was a "provocation for Greece and myself personally," and urged his EU partners to exert pressure on FYROM and not on Greece. Mr. Chirac told reporters after the summit that all 15 members had agreed to pressure the European Parliament over ratifying a customs union with Turkey.
The pact hinges on approval by the parliamentary assembly - the only directly-elected body in the E U. "Eurodeputies vote according to conscience and not in line with government policy of member-states," Mr. Venizelos said. He said the EU-Turkish customs union was "a complicated procedure" and which involved "many Community bodies mainly the European Parliament." "All these facts widen the distance between Turkey and the European Union dramatically," he said. "Everyone has now realised that the problem does not exist in Greek-Turkish relations but in relations of Turkey with Europe."
Asked whether it had been useful to Greece to lift its veto on the customs union between Turkey and the EU, Mr. Venizelos said the lifting of the veto had been combined with the prospects of a Cyprus accession in the EU, setting of a date for negotiations for its accession and the commencement of pre-accession talks.
In Brussels yesterday, Greek Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos raised the issue of Mr. Chirac's statements regarding EU members exerting pressure on the European Parliament with European Commission president Jacques Santer, who briefed the parliament on developments in Cannes. Mr. Alavanos added that, normally, the 15 should have undertaken to exert pressure on Turkey for democratic reforms which it has promised to make, rather than agreeing to pressure the European Parliament to accept.
In Athens, the opposition reacted forcefully to the developments with main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert leading the calls for consultations with the government. Mr. Evert called for an extraordinary meeting of the Greek Parliament at which all parties would be briefed by the prime minister. "The (EU summit in) Cannes has been a major failure for Greek foreign policy," Mr. Evert said. He said he held the prime minister and the government responsible for "being caught off guard despite being warned."
Mr. Evert said Mr. Papandreou did not keep a cool head in view of developments. "Mr. Papandreou's statements (Tuesday) showed a lack of composure," he added. "Greece has been alienated from almost all European countries and this can lead to impasses," Mr. Evert said, adding that "foreign policy, the government and the prime minister are non-existent."
Asked whether he would agree to a meeting with Mr. Papandreou in order to be briefed for developments in Cannes, Mr. Evert said Mr. Papandreou should have briefed political parties before his departure. "Political party briefings are not enough now," Mr. Evert said, adding that "the Greek people must be aware of developments in Cannes."
Mr. Evert reiterated his party's position for the establishment of a foreign policy council. He added that "we protest the fact that the US do not help us. Now we say the same for Europe. It may be true. But what is at issue (here) is what we achieve by facing the situation fatalistically."
His comments drew a response from Mr. Venizelos later, who criticised Mr. Evert for "ignoring the European reality" and "facing European Union negotiations on the basis of inflexible positions, which shows his lack of knowledge of history and weakness t o comprehend reality."
Mr. Venizelos said Mr. Evert had never requested a briefing from the prime minister, adding that, however, he was constantly briefed by Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias. Suggesting that Mr. Evert await the return of the prime minister to Athens, Mr. Venizelos said his request for an extraordinary convention of the Greek Parliament could not be justified by developments. Asked whether a council of political leaders would be convened, Mr. Venizelos said such a council was always convened if there was a reason.
In Brussels, the leader of the opposition Political Spring party, Antonis Samaras, requested the immediate convening of the council of political leaders to prepare strategy to deal with developments. "It is clear that certain European countries, in the name of certain economic interests, have put, in Cannes, at test not only (the principle of) Community solidarity, but also the European Union idea itself," Mr. Samaras said.
He added, however, that "these countries in no case represent the whole of the European Union." "Political Spring has warned before against American pressures in Europe towards the same pro-Turkish and pro-Skopje direction," Mr. Samaras said. He added that "in view of recent developments there is a pressing need for the immediate convening of the council of political leaders under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic."
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga led her voice to Mr. Evert's call for an extroardinary parliamentary session. In a letter to President of the Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis, Ms Papariga said that "following recent developments in the summit at Cannes, it is absolutely necessary to hold a debate on EU developments for the complete briefing of the people and the clarification of the positions of each political force."
Ms Papariga also accused the EU of trampling upon the interests of the European peoples. The EU "is trampling upon the sovereign rights and national independence of our country and others," she said. "Turkey's privileged relations (with the EU) and the indifference to the genocide of the Kurds and the Cyprus problem is the result of the (Greek) government and other parties' policy, who have collaborated to formulate and implement the EU policy," she said.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said the outcome of the Cannes summit was "negative for Greece and the European Union as a whole", accusing the government of failure.
In Brussels, European Commission President Jacques Santer told reporters yesterday that the "customs union with Turkey depends on the development of political rights, human rights (in Turkey) and the problem of Cyprus."
Clearly differentiating his position from views held by the French Presidency, Mr. Santer added "I believe we must see in an overall way what we can agree on." "I hope a way out is found so that we can adopt and promote this decision (customs union), but it is too early to announce it at the present moment," he added.
Mr. Santer said there was no decision to invite Turkey to the next EU summit, adding that it was up to the Spanish presidency to examine the issue. Mr. Santer earlier briefed the European Parliament on developments in Cannes. He admitted that the "15" discussed the issue of pressuring the body over customs union with Turkey at Cannes, clarifying that the Council of Ministers had adopted a position on Turkey within a framework including the Cyprus issue, democratic rights in Turkey, and measures to guard them.
Mr. Santer said the European Parliament should assess the situation in Turkey and decide. "The European Council will not take over the role and competencies of the European Parliament," he said, adding that in a discussion on Turkey's democratisation process, he realised that "progress has been made."
Mr. Santer added that "the European Council took under consideration the geopolitical strategic position of this big country and feels that all democratic efforts should be supported also in view of the fact that they will result in making possible the customs union as of January 1, 1996."
Ankara yesterday expressed "satisfaction" at the French support and proposal to invite Turkey to attend future EU summits.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Nurredin Nurkan said Ankara was satisfied at the fact that "French President Jacques Chirac made known at the EU summit his support for the significant issue which had been discussed during talks with Prime Minister Tansu Ciller in Paris." "Unquestionably, such a special status (as that proposed to be attributed to Turkey) is in line with the development of our relations with Europe which are determined by the clear cut political goal of the Ankara Agreement and which are about to enter a significant phase with the customs union."
Referring to Mr. Papandreou's reaction, Mr. Nurkan said: "We are aware of Mr. Papandreou's reaction to Mr. Chirac's proposal, but what is important is the decision which has been reached during the summit, and which is in the direction of Turkey's expectations." Ankara also warned Athens to abstain from actions which would further impede a settlement of problems between the two countries.
Mr. Nurkan, referring to Mr. Venizelos' statements Tuesday that developments in Cannes were "a manifestation of the well-known stance of Greece's EU partners towards Turkey" said: "We are not of the opinion that the problems between Greece and Turkey can be solved through polemics and accusations. Like all international problems, Greek-Turkish problems can be solved through dialogue.
"Greece must avoid actions which complicate the resolution of the problems between the two countries." "Before advising other countries on their relations with the European Union," Mr. Nurkan added, "Greece must (learn how to) behave as a true European country, mainly towards resolving political problems and the struggle against terrorism through dialogue." The Turkish Ministry spokesman also said that "good neighbourly relations call for respect of mutual interests."
In its weekly meeting yesterday, the European Commission approved without discussion Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti's proposal to dismiss objections concerning the bidding procedure for construction of the Rio-Antirrio bridge, connecting the Peloponnese with mainland Greece.
The procedure for the selection of the final contractor had been blocked after the company whose proposal for an underwater channel had originally been rejected claimed alterations in the terms because the project had, in the meantime, become eligible f or financing as part of Inter-European Networks.
Yesterday's British press strongly criticised French President Jacques Chirac's "arrogant, aggressive, rude and undiplomatic" attitude at the Cannes summit.
More specifically, The Independent and Wall Street Journal newspapers said that the French president either offended or displeased many European leaders, such as the Dutch, Greek, Italian and Swedish prime ministers and the German chancellor, during the European Council's summit.
The Danish press and media considered the French European Union Presidency a failure and criticised President Chirac. Jyllandsposten, Denmark's biggest newspaper, carried a report entitled "Chirac ordered the guests about." It said the French president offended several of his guests at the European Council, taking foreign diplomats by surprise.
According to European diplomats, President Chirac abused his role as host and Council President, speaking whenever he wished, creating difficulties for speakers, commenting on each speech and grading it, behaving in a fractious manner and arguing with European Commission President Jacques Santer.
In a report entitled "Unsubstantive meeting in Cannes", the same newspaper said few and insignificant results were achieved, while there was a lack of will to effectively combat unemployment. The newspaper Politiken carried the title "Fiasco in Cannes" and Berlingske Tidende "Incompetence in Cannes."
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras held talks with European Commission President Jacques Santer and Western European Union (WEU) Secretary-General Jose Cutilheiro on European affairs in Brussels yesterday.
In a statement after his meetings, Mr. Samaras said he told his interlocutors his party wanted an economically-developed and socially-sensitised Europe, prepared to defend its member-states against threats from third parties. Mr. Samaras told Mr. Santer he considered methods such as those applied in Cannes to be unacceptable, pointing out to Mr. Cutilheiro that protecting national security through European mechanisms was the prime target.
Mr. Samaras called on Mr. Cutilheiro to have the WEU's clause anticipating that remaining countries support a country when it was threatened by a third country included in the new convention to follow the intergovernmental conference. He said Greece was a case in point as it was being threatened by Turkey. Mr. Samaras also called on the government to promote this position at the intergovernmental conference.
Prospects exist for increasing US investments in Greece in the tourism sector as well as other areas of the economy, US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Niles said yesterday.
Mr. Niles told reporters after a meeting with the new Tourism Minister Nikos Sifounakis that the purpose of his visit was to congratulate Mr. Sifounakis on the assumption of his duties and to promote the interests of American firms in the tourism sector.
He cited as an example US companies seeking the assignment of regional casinos in Greece, such as on the island of Rhodes. Mr. Sifounakis said relations between the two countries in the tourism sector and their advancement to the benefit of both sides had been discussed.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need to rekindle the flow of American tourists to Greece, Mr. Sifounakis said, while they also discussed the possibility of a US-Thessaloniki air link (via Delta Airlines) to serve northern Greece.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos met yesterday with a delegation of the Kurdish Parliament-in-exile, expressing support for its cause.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Constantopoulos said safeguarding the rights of the Kurds was an issue for all peoples, an issue of peace and security in the region and a prerequisite for democratisation and modernisation in Turkey. He said the customs union between the European Union and Turkey should not go ahead unless the Ankara government fully respected human rights and moved in the direction of resolving the Kurdish and Cyprus issues.
National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis will fly to Tirana next month for talks with the Albanian government and military leadership, Defence Ministry sources said yesterday. They said Mr. Arsenis' trip was scheduled for July 3. The same sources said he would meet with his Albanian counterpart Safet Zhulali, President Sali Berisha and Orthodox Archbishop Anastasios. He will return to Athens July 4.
National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis held a meeting yesterday with US Ambassador to Athens, Thomas Niles. The meeting was held within the framework of Mr. Arsenis' regular series of contacts with foreign ambassadors to Greece.
Bulgaria's Air Force Chief Miho Mihos will pay an official two-day visit to Greece beginning July 5, Defence Ministry sources said yesterday. They said the Bulgarian chief will meet with his Greek counterpart to discuss details of a joint military exercise in Bulgaria in September.
The Greek Air Force will hold a two-day exercise next month, sources said yesterday. They said the aerial training exercise, code-named Kamberos, would be held in Kranaea from July 11 to 13. The sources said the exercise would end with an air display to be attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Fifteen new vessels will be officially included in the Greek Navy in a ceremony at the Salamis naval station tomorrow. The ships include frigates, gunboats, missile launchers and a troop carrier. The National Defence Ministry's political and military leadership, deputies and the ambassadors of the United States, Germany and the Netherlands have been invited to attend the ceremony.
Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Pope John Paul II yesterday had their second meeting during the Patriarch's visit to the Vatican and discussed matters concerning the relations between the Christian Churches.
The Catholic newspaper Avenire has hailed the Patriarch's visit, quoting the Pope as saying "it is blessed by God". "The Patriarch," writes the paper, "is a man of the Christian East, but knows Catholicism and the western world very well. He will face a Pope who comes from the East, but represents the western tradition. The unification of the churches depends on humans: we are convinced that the meeting between the two spiritual leaders is an event of great significance which accelerates the course towards the full communion of the churches". Yesterday, the Patriarch visited St. John's Basilica and Rome's French Seminary where he lived as a student for three years.
In a letter to the Pope, Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America Iakovos describes the Patriarch's visit as a "godsend mission," and stressed the need for unity in Christendom. "I pray with all my strength, faith, and soul that this meeting is completed with a triumphant announcement that Christendom is one, ready to serve not only people in Bosnia, but the world over, because all humans belong to one another, and it must be made possible that they live in harmony and peace," he said.
A special parliamentary committee yesterday approved a controversial bill restricting Greek media ownership. Parliamentary sources said the bill was "voted in principle".
The bill calls for tighter restrictions on media ownership and explicitly prohibits "simultaneous participation in a mass media company and corporations assuming public works or state procurements". Private investors are limited to a 25 per cent stake in television networks and banned from "simultaneous participation in more than two media groups".
The bill also restricts scenes of gratuitous violence and pornography, to protect children watching television. Press Minister Evangelos Venizelos, who drafted the bill, said it was in line with "complete and strict European guidelines".
The qualifying round of the European basketball championship ended in Athens last night with Greece, Yugoslavia, Lithuania, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Russia and France advancing to tomorrow's quarter-finals. Yesterday's results: Yugoslavia 92 - Germany 79, Italy 93 - Sweden 61, Slovenia 94 - Finland 72, Russia 102 - Turkey 93, Lithuania 91 - Israel 75 and Croatia 81 - France 72. Final Standings: Group A: Yugoslavia 12 points, Lithuania 11, Greece 10, Italy 9, Israel 8, Germany 7, Sweden 6. Group B: Croatia 12 points, Spain 10, Russia 10, France 10, Slovenia 8, Turkey 7, Finland 6. Quarter-finals: Yugoslavia - France, Croatia - Italy, Lithuania - Russia, Spain - Greece.