Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] FYROM, Cyprus top agenda of Greek, British premiers in London meeting

[02] FYROM president says country ready to confront terrorism of Albanian nationalists

[03] Greek defense minister says Athens won't increase its KFOR contingent

[04] Deputy foreign minister arrives in Washington for contacts with leading members of Greek community

[05] Israeli embassy condemns what it calls Palestinian Authority 'terrorism'

[06] Greeks have limited tolerance toward minorities, placing third in EU survey

[07] Gov't to critics: Rowing center 5 kms from Marathon battlefield

[08] Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki appeals to Attica mayors for cooperation

[09] Vatican envoy meets with Greek Archbishop, discusses papal visit to Greece

[10] Church of Greece delegation at Patriarchate next month

[11] Report on Greek social security system to be unveiled in early April

[12] EU Council of Agriculture Ministers discusses cotton sector

[13] Greek EU-approved projects total 8.4 trillion drachmas

[14] Greek closed-end funds' asset value increases

[15] International group to bid for road network projects

[16] OA's workers to meet Transport Minister next Tuesday

[17] US to fund Anatolia College training program for Balkans

[18] Large Turkish local gov't, business delegation in Kavala

[19] Technical Olympic opens branch in North Carolina

[20] ETMA in joint venture deal in China

[21] Demand for blue chips pushes Athens bourse higher

[22] Public invited to tour new airport's facilities Tuesday and Wednesday

[23] Opportunity for EU entry to Greek, Turkish Cypriots, US cabinet nominee says

[24] Cyprus government expects EU to stand firm on its decisions regarding Turkey

[25] EU Commissioner Verheugen to meet UN's de Soto

[01] FYROM, Cyprus top agenda of Greek, British premiers in London meeting

LONDON, 21/03/2001 (ANA L. Tsirigotakis)

Following the meeting, Simitis said, I had a very friendly and open discussion, with Prime Minister Blair, for issues that are of concern to us. Of course, firstly, we discussed the developments in the Skopje, we both were of the opinion that this negative development must come to an end, since a negative development would mean a spread of the crisis in the Balkans.

I found out during this discussion, as I realized during other discussions, that there exists the will and the process has been set in motion so as to have an intervention, which will be decisive, he said.

Some time is needed, however, for this process to be completed, the (necessary) climate is needed as well, but I have no doubt that the European Union would tolerate for some people to go forward in the name of some ideas, which are out of date here in Europe, ideas that could place doubt on peace and cooperation in the Balkans, Simitis said.

Of course I discussed developments in Europe, how it will be and which form will it take, we discussed Greek-British cooperation, Greek-Turkish affairs and the Cyprus issue, he said, adding on the issue of Cyprus, the British premier supports that the talks should proceed in New York and through these talks this grand problem should be resolved.

[02] FYROM president says country ready to confront terrorism of Albanian nationalists

SKOPJE, 21/03/2001 (ANA - P. Dimitropoulos)

"Unfortunately, our fears and concerns came true," Trajkovski said of the Albanian extremists who are activating themselves "against the stability of FYROM" and are involving themselves in "the most savage, violent and terrorist acts."

Trajkovski said FYROM's territorial integrity and sovereignty is being threatened, adding that "we shall not negotiate with the terrorists and militarism motivated by nationalism containing elements of racial hatred and which are directed against our efforts to build a healthy multinational society."

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, addressing the conference, stressed Greece's strong concern over the escalation of tension in the region of the central Balkans. He appealed to all sides to show the necessary self-restraint to prevent peace in the Balkans from being jeopardized and for symptoms of destabilization from being aggravated.

Kaklamanis also conveyed the Greek government's opposition to whatever activities undermine FYROM and lead the region to complete destabilization.

"The path we should follow is an evident one-way path: multifaceted and open cooperation," Kaklamanis said.

Other speakers spoke in the same spirit and stressed the view that strengthening regional cooperation between Balkan countries contributes to efforts to join them to Euroatlantic structures.

Romanian Senate President Nicolae Vacaroiu said the countries in the region did not do enough to make southeastern Europe a stable region with certain prospects of success for continuous economic growth and that "the promotion of a multicultural and multinational society does not legalize the acts of secessionist groups or social forces disputing the territorial integrity of countries or trying to change internationally-recognized borders by force."

Croatian Parliament President Mate Granic also expressed support for efforts being made by the government of FYROM to safeguard the country's territorial integrity and condemnation for the extremists.

"The role of the international society is to help in the protection of FYROM's borders and its democratic development," Granic said and referred to the Yugoslav army's entry into the security zone with which "we are certainly facing new challenges in this area."

Turkish National Assembly Deputy President Vecdi Gonul condemned violence by extremist elements on FYROM's northern borders, saying Turkey is opposed to all armed actions regardless of origin and cause.

Albanian Parliament Deputy President Namik Dokle said the military provocations or the actions of extremist groups in the Presevo valley and in FYROM in past days are a cause for concern and solutions to these problems pass through one voice alone, that of political and democratic dialogue.

Kaklamanis was due to meet Trajkovski and FYROM Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski later in the day.

[03] Greek defense minister says Athens won't increase its KFOR contingent

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Greek minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos reiterated Athens' position on the violence in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), referring to a small "group of (Albanian) terrorists ... who wish to repeat the Kosovo and south Serbia 'experiment'."

He also noted that Greece isn't planning to reinforce its military force now serving in the NATO contingent controlling Kosovo (KFOR), while adding that Athens has dismissed the possibility that the conflict - now mostly centered around the northwestern FYROM city of Tetovo - will spread further south.

According to the visiting Iranian minister, Vice-Adm. Ali Shamkhani, both delegations reiterated their countries' devotion to the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions as the only way to solve security problems in several sensitive regions.

In touching on his government's attitude towards the United States, the Iranian official expressed a wish that a new US administration will lead to a change in Washington's policy vis-a-vis Tehran.

In commenting on US policy for the Mideast, Shamkhani said Washington presents itself as the defender of democracy while retaining close ties with countries that don't promote these same principles.

Regarding bilateral issues, both defense ministers said areas of joint cooperation could be found in the fields of logistical support, health services and even in the defense industry.

Finally, both men condemned the systematic destruction of historical monuments and artifacts by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, and expressed their support for international efforts to stop the vandalism, which as the Iranian minister noted, "doesn't have any relation to Islam."

[04] Deputy foreign minister arrives in Washington for contacts with leading members of Greek community

WASHINGTON, 21/03/2001(ANA - T. Ellis)

Niotis will also take advantage of the opportunity provided by the signing by US President George W. Bush of the proclamation on Greek independence by which March 25 is set as a "Celebration Day for Greek and American Democracy" to visit the White House in the framework of the relevant ceremony to be held on Friday.

After the ceremony at the White House, Niotis will leave for New York to represent the Greek government at the Greek community's parade marking the March 25 national anniversary on Sunday.

[05] Israeli embassy condemns what it calls Palestinian Authority 'terrorism'

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

According to a press release issued by the embassy, First Secretary Jacob Dayan said Israel's attempts to improve conditions for the Palestinian population had not met with an "appropriate response" from the Palestinian Authority.

"On the contrary, during the last day a wave of criminal terrorist attacks was launched against Israeli civilians," he said.

Dayan also charged that Palestinian Authority security groups, such as 'Force 17' and the Fatah movement "had stepped up terrorist activities" and reinforced ties with Islamic extremists elements.

"A price will be exacted from those who harm innocent civilians and undermine stability in the Middle East," the press release concluded.

[06] Greeks have limited tolerance toward minorities, placing third in EU survey

BRUSSELS, 21/03/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The overwhelming majority of Greeks, 78 per cent, of those questioned, responded they were not disturbed by other's religious beliefs conflicting with their own, compared to a European Union-wide 82 per cent.

The Danes seem to be the most disturbed with religious minorities, as 31.7 per cent answered "yes", the Belgians placed second with 25.6 pre cent and the Greeks with 20.1 per cent came third compared to a Union average of 14.3 per cent.

Specifically, toward minorities 27 per cent of the Greeks questioned in the poll said they were "intolerant", 43 per cent said they were "undecided", 22 per cent declared that they were "passively tolerant" and 7 per cent "actively tolerant", accounting for all four of the basic categories used by the survey.

The report noted that as the Union-wide "passively tolerant" stood at 39 per cent and the "undecided" stood at 25 per cent, thus these groups should be the targets of government action to lessen and prevent negative reaction against minorities.

The Center stressed that politicians should express a clear opposition to racism and xenophobia.

The survey included 16,078 persons from around the Union and was conducted between April 5 and May 23, 2000

[07] Gov't to critics: Rowing center 5 kms from Marathon battlefield

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

The campaign to overcome environmental groups' opposition and recent criticism by Greek archaeologists over plans to build the 2004-related complex - including an artificial fresh-water lake - at the Schinias site, 35 km northwest Athens, was picked up by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos.

Venizelos, whose ministry oversees the organizing committee (ATHOC) for the 2004 Games, said the long and narrow man-made lake will stand five kilometers from the battlefield -- where the ancient Athenian army won a critical battle against the Persian forces in 490 BC.

Reiterating past statements by government officials and ATHOC, Venizelos said the lake would also be built directly atop land currently occupied by a 1950s-era airfield runway, whereas footpaths to the battlefield and the nearby Schinias wetlands are envisioned as part of an overall plan to upgrade the area.

During a press conference in Athens, Venizelos responded to sharp criticism by the country's influential Archaeological Society by emphasizing that while the complex may be constructed in the "greater Marathon region ... it will not be built near the battlefield ... We tried to clarify that there's a difference between the actual site from the historical event; and that the natural landscape is something different from the place name."

However, Venizelos said he isn't going to answer the Archaeological Society's lengthy protest letter, which among others, derides any assertion that today's small plain between the battlefield and the coastline during antiquity didn't exist, but instead was created by soil erosion over the centuries.

Finally, two high-ranking officials of the state-run Central Archaeological Service (KAS) for the Marathon district said excavations in the area have not been undertaken until today due to financial constraints.

ATHOC, health ministry cooperation: Meanwhile, in an unrelated development on Tuesday, ATHOC president Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Greek Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos unveiled some of the major points of a program to cover medical and health care needs during the holding of the Games in August 2004.

Among others, 11 hospitals in the greater Athens area and seven elsewhere in Greece -- three in Thessaloniki, one in Volos, one in Patra and one in Irakleio, Crete -- will be able to serve a wide spectrum of individuals, including members of the extended 'Olympic family', ATHOC employees and volunteers, the local and foreign press corps, sponsors' employees as well as visitors to the Games.

The total for the Athens 2004 health care budget stands at 360 billion drachmas. (1 euro equals 340.75 drachmas)

[08] Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki appeals to Attica mayors for cooperation

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Daskalaki said the meeting was the first of a series of meetings to also be held with the remaining municipalities in Attica, as well as with many municipalities from other parts of Greece.

"Our purpose, as an Organizing Committee, is double. We are preparing Athens for the games and, at the same time, projects and actions for the 'day after.' We want many of the things we will be doing for the games to stay in the capital as a deposit of the Olympic Games and for the sake of its inhabitants," Daskalaki said.

[09] Vatican envoy meets with Greek Archbishop, discusses papal visit to Greece

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Church of Greece's influential Holy Synod last week acquiesced to a pilgrimage this spring to Greece by Pope John Paul II - the first-ever by a pontiff to the modern Greek state and the first by a Roman Catholic pope in Greece proper for more than 1,200 years. The visit will take place on May 4 and 5.

Santiri stressed that he delivered a message from the Pope to the Greek Archbishop conveying the pontiff's "love and joy".

Details of the discussions were not made public, but according to reports the detail of the papal visit will be worked out soon by a joint committee comprising members of the Holy Synod of the Greek Church and the officials of the Vatican.

[10] Church of Greece delegation at Patriarchate next month

ISTANBUL, 21/03/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The meeting will be the first since the Church of Greece's influential Holy Synod last week acquiesced to a pilgrimage this spring to Greece by Pope John Paul II - the first-ever by a pontiff to the modern Greek state and the first by a Roman Catholic pope in Greece proper for more than 1,200 years.

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos called for a resumption of regular meetings between the two Orthodox institutions during Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' visit to Athens in October 2000. A December meeting was postponed due to the illness of Patriarchate delegation's chairman.

[11] Report on Greek social security system to be unveiled in early April

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to the foreign press, Giannitsis said the ministry would remain steadfast to its policy in talks with trade unions and employers over changes in the social security system in the country.

He also stressed these proposals would be backed by the government and ruling PASOK party and urged all sceptics to outline their difference positions.

Giannitsis, however, declined to comment on recent comments by President of the Republic, Costis Stephanopoulos, supporting unions' positions on the issue.

He emphasized that the country's social security system was already facing financial problems and predicted that in the next eight to nine years it would face even greater pressure, although he avoided using the term "collapse".

Giannitsis also referred to similar problems facing other EU countries and acknowledged the government's debt to the Social Security Fund, worth 1.3 trillion drachmas, and said that although these money would be paid to the system it was unable to solve the problem and that a reform was necessary.

The labor minister said that an EU summit in Stockholm by the end of the month would determine the frameworks of social policy among member-states and put the basis for a unified stance on the issue.

Giannitsis also stressed that official statistics showed that the country's unemployment rate fell to 11.2 percent in the second quarter of 2000.

[12] EU Council of Agriculture Ministers discusses cotton sector

BRUSSELS, 21/03/2001 (ANA - V. Demiris)

Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis supported Greece's positions at the council, which also examined latest developments regarding the "mad cow" and foot-and-mouth diseases, as well as the situation prevailing in the sugar sector.

[13] Greek EU-approved projects total 8.4 trillion drachmas

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Presenting the progress of EU-funded projects in Greece, Pahtas said approved programs included: competition, information society, road networks, harbors, urban development, culture, employment and training and education. The EU has also approved a program for the development of central Macedonia, the first regional program to be approved by the European Union.

Pahtas stressed the implementing a Third Community Support Framework in Greece "will be a long and uphill road".

[14] Greek closed-end funds' asset value increases

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

The figures also showed that the investment sector index rose 1.5 percent over the same period, exceeding a 0.2 percent increase in the general index of the Athens bourse.

The investment index now stands 4.5 percent lower since the beginning of the year, compared with a 7.5 percent fall in the general index over the same period.

[15] International group to bid for road network projects

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

A statement issued by the group said the cooperation of the three Greek construction companies with their three foreign counter-parts had great chances of success in their bid.

[16] OA's workers to meet Transport Minister next Tuesday

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

OA's workers demonstrated outside the ministry building at noon in protest against government's plan for the sale of the national carrier, in the framework of a work stoppage action on Tuesday by the country's transport workers.

According to sources, Transport Minister Christos Verelis pledged there would be no lay-offs at a first stage in Olympic Airways and that any surplus workers, following its sale to a private investor, would be transferred to other agencies.

The same sources also quoted Verelis as admitting that higher fee costs at a new Athens airport, to officially begin operating next week, were excessively burdening the national carrier.

[17] US to fund Anatolia College training program for Balkans

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

The grant, which was announced at a ceremony in Athens by US Ambassador Nicholas Burns on Monday, forms part of the Southeast Europe Cooperative Initiative (SECI) and will be given to the 'Anatolia' American College of Thessaloniki, in partnership with Koc University in Turkey and the American University in Bulgaria.

The three-year training program is aimed at customs brokers, freight forwarders and truckers working in the region and forms part of the World Bank's efforts to foster smoother procedures at the borders of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM and Romania. The ultimate aim is to cut the costs of trade and reduce customs clearing time, thereby promoting increased trade in the region.

The education and exchange program will introduce standardized curricula for use throughout the Balkans and will also include a website and distance-learning modules, that will extend its reach to all six of the target countries.

[18] Large Turkish local gov't, business delegation in Kavala

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Tourism in the Kavala region and the nearby verdant island of Thassos was one of the items up for discussion, as several Turkish businesspeople focused on the prospect of increasing the flow of Turkish tourists to the area. More than 10,000 Turks vacationed in greater Kavala region last year, according to data supplied by the municipality.

The Turkish delegation arrived in Kavala from nearby Sappes, where they participated in events marking the signing of a cooperation protocol between local government representatives from the two countries.

[19] Technical Olympic opens branch in North Carolina

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

The company has a subsidiary in the US, Technical Olympic USA, which is a housing developer.

[20] ETMA in joint venture deal in China

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

The new companies will be named Heilongjiang ETMA Chemical Fiber and Heilongjiang Longma Chemical Fiber.

The Greek company will hold 51 percent in each company and Heilongjiang the remaining 49 percent.

ETMA's participation in the joint ventures is to offer its know-how and expertise on rayon fiber production.

[21] Demand for blue chips pushes Athens bourse higher

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Traders said buying activity resumed in the last half-hour of the session with demand for blue chip stocks in the banks and telecommunication sectors, such as Alpha Bank, National Bank and Hellenic Telecoms, pushing the general index above the 3,100 level again.

The index ended 1.16 percent higher at 3,108.39 points, with turnover 165.61 million euros, or 56.43 billion drachmas, of which 2.04 million euros were pre-agreed block trades.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.34 percent up at 1,782.35 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index jumped 1.52 percent to 376.82 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,609.81 +1.05% Telecoms: 1,017.67 +0.80% Insurance: 1,409.12 -0.42% Investment: 1,283.39 +1.30% Construction: 1,504.34 +1.60% Industrials: 1,923.75 +1.28% Holding: 3,486.16 +3.21% Base metals: 999.33 +2.09% Minerals: 1,037.11 +0.31% Publishing: 987.89 +1.42% Textiles: 1,190.11 +5.63% Retailing: 1,132.98 +1.37% IT: 1,065.23 +2.06% IT solutions: 1,030.71 +1.93%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 330.56 points, up 1.63 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 290 to 50 with another 32 issues unchanged.

ETMA (p), Ellatex, Maxim, Fieratex, Voyiatzoglou, Daios Plastics, Axon Holdings, Giannousis and Micromedia were the biggest percentage gainers of the day, gaining more than 11.70 percent.

Korfil (p), AAA, Multirama, Ekter, Themeliodomi, Olympic Catering, Eurodrip, Follie-Follie, Levenderis and Mesohoritis suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

Alpha Bank, Eurobank Ergasias, Naoussa Spinning, Hellenic Telecoms and Balkan Export were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 38.56 Alpha Bank: 31.00 Commercial Bank: 50.48 Eurobank: 18.80 Piraeus Bank: 13.26 Lambrakis Press: 12.60 Altec: 7.16 Intrasoft: 11.92 Titan Cement (c): 38.14 Hellenic Telecoms: 15.46 Panafon: 6.40 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.10 Attica Enterprises: 7.60 Intracom: 20.82 Mytilineos: 8.10 Minoan Lines: 4.86 Viohalco: 9.92 Coca Cola HBC: 17.04

Bond prices drop in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in light trade with selling seen mainly in long-term paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.274 percent from 5.283 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 58 basis points, the same as the session before.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 580 million euros (197 billion drachmas) from 620 million euros (211 billion drachmas) in the previous trading day.

Sell orders accounted for 336 million euros of turnover.

Greek bond yields ease slightly: Greek bond yields fell slightly during Tuesday's regular auction of state securities by the country's Public Debt Management Organization.

The average weighed yield of a three-year state bills, worth 1.1 billion euros and paying an annual coupon of 6.60 percent, fell to 4.54 percent. Bids submitted totalled 3.595 billion euros, 3.27 times more than the asked sum. The organization finally accepted bids totalling 1.1 billion euros and non-competitive bids worth 220 million euros.

The issue was a re-opening of a January 2004 issue. Settlement date was set March 23, 2001.

Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Tuesday, in line with the bourse indices on which they are based, traders said.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.34 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.52 percent higher.

Turnover was 34.6 million euros on 6,232 contracts traded, the dealers said.

[22] Public invited to tour new airport's facilities Tuesday and Wednesday

Athens, 21/03/2001 (ANA)

Those wishing to visit the new airport will be able to get there on free buses, which depart from the Ethniki Amyna metro terminal from 9:00 until 16:00 local time.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, in the presence of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, will inaugurate the airport on March 27.

[23] Opportunity for EU entry to Greek, Turkish Cypriots, US cabinet nominee says

WASHINGTON, 21/03/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"I think that the European Union is the great goal out there and we ought to be able to make sure that all people in Cyprus whether in the North or the South, have the opportunity to get in the European Union," Grossman said.

"And to do that they're going to have to settle the problem," he added.

"It's surely in the interest of Turkey that there be a settlement on the island. It's surely in the interest of most of the Turkish Cypriots, I would say, to have a settlement on the island," he said.

"We have got to impress on the Turkish Cypriots and the people in Ankara that they have got to get involved in this negotiation. And we've got to use, it seems to me, leverage. But I use that term kind of in a positive way, in terms of what Cyprus is going to do to get into the European Union," Grossman noted.

Grossman has served as a US Ambassador in Ankara.

[24] Cyprus government expects EU to stand firm on its decisions regarding Turkey

NICOSIA, 21/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Noting that the program neither does nor correspond to EU decisions in Helsinki or Nice, the spokesman said Nicosia and Athens will inform

Brussels and others of their assessment of the program with a view to have the text altered.

"It is blatantly obvious that Turkey does not respond to the demands its partnership agreement has set out. We expect the EU to stick to its own decisions and within this context ask Ankara to adjust the text of the program," Papapetrou said, invited to comment on it.

He said the government's assessment of references relating to the Cyprus question and to other issue would be communicated to Brussels and to others. Invited to say what options are open if there is no change in the program, the spokesman replied "I believe it would be very difficult for the EU to renounce its own decisions and I cannot imagine any other response from Brussels than asking Turkey to change the text."

"The program avoids any reference to Turkey's obligation, emanating from its partnership agreement, to support actively UN efforts for a successful outcome of the process of talks which started in December 1999," the spokesman said, adding that Ankara and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have torpedoed the proximity talks process.

He said the reference to "a mutually acceptable settlement with a view to establishing a new partnership in Cyprus based on the sovereign equality of the two parties and the realities of the island" is not in line with EU calls on Turkey to back a comprehensive settlement taking into full consideration of UN resolutions.

Turkey's position that a solution should be based on the realities on the island is contrary to UN resolutions, which consider the current division and continuing occupation by Turkey of part of Cyprus unacceptable.

The spokesman noted also Turkey's attempt to disassociate the Cyprus question from its obligations with respect to the EU by including the reference to Cyprus in the introduction and not in the chapter on the political criteria.

"There is no reference to the strengthened political dialogue which on the basis of the EU Helsinki decisions is firmly linked to the political criteria," the spokesman said.

Papapetrou said a statement by Mesut Yilmaz, responsible for Turkey's EU affairs, that the program reiterates Ankara's long-standing position on Cyprus is proof that Turkey has not responded at all to what it was asked to do by the EU and added "neither Cyprus nor the EU can feel pleased with this."

[25] EU Commissioner Verheugen to meet UN's de Soto

BRUSSELS, 21/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The meeting was made known by the EU's chief negotiator in the accession talks with Cyprus, Leopold Maurer, during a session in Brussels on Monday organized by the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee to discuss issues relating to the accession negotiations.

Maurer said that some two weeks ago Verheugen discussed the Cyprus question with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, while the issue was also brought up in the political dialogue between Ankara and the EU.

The EU's negotiator said Turkey's stance on the Cyprus problem has not changed, but added it is positive that Ankara is now ready to discuss the issue.

The UN-led talks to settle the Cyprus problem, that got under-way in December 1999, reached an impasse when after five rounds Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash described them as a waste of time and said he would no longer participate unless his illegal regime in the areas of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognized.

In its decisions the EU has said a settlement in Cyprus is not a precondition for the Republic's accession and calls on Ankara to back the UN Cyprus peace effort.

During the Committee meeting, Cyprus' chief negotiator in the accession talks with the EU, George Vassiliou, briefed the members on the Republic's course and replied to questions.

Vassiliou, a former Republic President, has been carrying out the talks since they opened in 1998.

Cyprus is considered to lead in the process of adopting the European laws and regulations and has already closed 17 of the 29 chapters of the aquis communautaire.

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