Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens satisfied over latest EU-Turkey talks, stressed Cyprus solution

[02] PM to chair Executive Committee meeting on PASOK's congress on Wednesday

[03] 'Nov. 17' group attributes bomb attack against Michaloliakos to US secret services

[04] US State Department calls N 17 claims of US involvement in terrorist attack " utterly absurd"

[05] Karamanlis: Time to put the past behind us and move forward

[06] Greece issues demarche to FYROM gov't over vandalism of Greek press office in Skopje

[07] National Town Planning Council to be established in Greece

[08] Presidential decrees on hirings of EU citizens tabled at PM's office

[09] Ex-president Berisha claims his party first after Sunday vote

[10] Greece only EU country with accelerating growth, Papantoniou says

[11] Public Power Corp. to start presentations ahead of float

[12] ETBAbank announces tender to sell 26 pct stake and management

[13] Greek-Israeli Technology Forum begins in Athens

[14] Athens bourse hurt by politics, minister says

[15] Greek stocks continue their free-fall on ASE Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

[16] Australian PM to take up Parthenon Marbles' return with Blair

[17] FM says dialogue necessary on effective strategy for combatting drugs

[18] Greenpeace urges Greece to speed up creation of wind parks

[19] Former U.S. president says Greece will make Olympic Games history

[20] Repatriated Greeks receive nationalization papers

[21] 4th Cyprus-Aegean-Thrace journalists meeting to take place in Cyprus in 2002

[22] EU experts visit Hania to examine refuse management program

[23] Court hears lawsuit for Ricomex assets seizure, workers intercede in favor of company

[24] IOC vice president reportedly requests Greek support for his IOC presidential candidacy

[25] Council of Europe calls on its members to ensure Turkey's compliance with decision on human rights case

[26] EU calls on Turkey to contribute towards Cyprus' problem resolution

[01] Athens satisfied over latest EU-Turkey talks, stressed Cyprus solution

LUXEMBOURG, 27/06/2001 (ANA � M. Spinthourakis)

According to reports, Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem outlined Ankara�s positions on a variety of issues, whereas representatives from the EU states focused their questions on several significant areas � Cyprus, the human rights and minority situation in Turkey, democratic institutions, press freedom, jail conditions in the country as well as Greek-Turkish relations � all of which comprise �litmus tests� of specific progress that Turkish leadership must make to approach Europe.

Along those lines, the issue of this week�s banning of the Virtue Party in Turkey played high among Europeans� concerns. A Turkish constitutional court dismayed the EU by outlawing the main opposition party on charges that it was a center of "Islamic and anti-secular activities.�

In commenting on the session, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou underlined that Athens has every reason to be satisfied because it was made clear in the wake of the Helsinki agreement that �a series of issues, which in the past were the subject of bilateral contacts between Greece and Turkey, are now listed on the agenda of regular talks between the EU and Turkey.�

He also noted that, whereas in the past, the attainment of common positions between Greece and its EU partners vis-a-vis EU-Turkey relations was a tedious and often impossible task, today this procedure has been considerably simplified.

Papandreou added that Athens feels justified by its stance over the years regarding the need for Turkey's EU candidacy to be real and not a "mock candidacy", while emphasizing that Turkey must now meet - through actions, not just words -its commitments towards the EU.

Cyprus: In citing Turkey's positions regarding the long-standing Cyprus problem, Cem again offered a more-or-less generalized view:

"The Cyprus problem is a difficult issue both for Turkey and Greece, as well as the other involved parties," he said, before saying the Turkish Cypriot side is at present "making efforts for the creation of a new atmosphere at the United Nations."

Papandreou, meanwhile, reminded his EU counterparts and the Turkish FM that the Cyprus issue continues to remain as the primary difference between Athens and Ankara, a "thorn" whose resolution is a necessary prerequisite for a further improvement in bilateral relations.

Roughly one-third of the east Mediterranean island republic is occupied by Turkish troops, 27 years after a Turkish invasion force landed on Cyprus.

[02] PM to chair Executive Committee meeting on PASOK's congress on Wednesday

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Simitis will be having a relevant meeting with PASOK's secretary Costas Skandalidis at noon on Wednesday, while on Tuesday he held talks with the party's organizing department secretary Mihalis Neonakis.

After his meeting with the prime minister, Neonakis said he briefed him on matters regarding the organizing of the congress. He added that decisions would be taken at the Executive Bureau's meeting on Wednesday and at the Central Committee's meeting on July 13.

Referring to the issue of delegates and whether new registrations will take place, he said final decisions would be taken by the Central Committee to which the Executive Bureau will be making a relevant recommendation.

Minister says PASOK congress will give new policy impetus: Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Tuesday that a congress the ruling PASOK party is to hold in October would provide government reform policy with fresh impetus and content.

The congress, which was brought forward by several months, should not affect the government's performance, the workings of the economy, or moves towards reform, Christodoulakis told reporters.

Populist policies lead to election defeats finance minister says: Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said in Larissa, central Greece, on Tuesday so-called "left-turn" policies are populist and lead to election defeats.

He was referring to those who are looking forward to a change in the ruling PASOK party's policy through the party's congress in October.

Papantoniou participated in meetings attended by Parliamentary deputies, prefects, mayors and social partner representatives from the region of Thessaly.

Referring later to the water-supply problem in Thessaly at a press conference, Papantoniou said credits amounting to 160 billion drachmas have been earmarked for relevant projects, including the Smokovo dam.

Commenting on developments in PASOK, he said the October congress will take place to clarify and support the policy being followed, refusing to discuss any case of a change in the government's economic policy.

"I refuse a return to the era of populism, deficits and over indebtedness," he said.

Papantoniou further said all socialist parties in Europe are moving in one direction, which accepts the principles of economic stability and fiscal discipline. He added that parties moving in such directions are those, which win elections all over Europe.

[03] 'Nov. 17' group attributes bomb attack against Michaloliakos to US secret services

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

In an 11-page proclamation sent to the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia" and appearing in the newspaper's Tuesday edition, the group said that the January 22 attack on main opposition New Democracy (ND) party deputy Vassilis Michaloliakos was carried out by the American secret services so as to "exercise pressure on the government" to vote in the new law against organized crime and to "rally the political world in its acceptance".

It further called public order minister Michalis Chrysohoidis a "known small-time employee of the Americans".

Commenting on the proclamation, Michaloliakos said he had "no intention of legitimizing the terrorists by engaging in a dialogue with them".

"As a citizen and a politician, I am obliged to join forces with the State in the clash with organized crime and for Democracy's definitive victory against terrorism," Michaloliakos said.

As for the "November 17" claim that the US secret services were behind the attack, the main opposition MP said "the question arises how is it possible for terrorists to know (the activities) of secret services".

Michaloliakos, 48, who is elected in the Piraeus A� voting district and had recently moved to the port city, was injured by glass shards in the chest and legs as he emerged from his car and was preparing to enter the building where his apartment is located. The blast was attributed to a homemade device detonated by remote control, which had been planted in a nearby car. Michaloliakos' brother, who was accompanying him, was also slightly injured.

No group assumed responsibility for the attack, but eyewitnesses said they saw two young men fleeing from the scene immediately after the explosion, and police believe they escaped on a motorcycle waiting nearby.

Gov't refuses to comment on 'November 17' proclamation: We don't engage in political dialogue with terrorists, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said on Tuesday, when asked to comment on a proclamation sent by the terrorist group 'November 17' to the liberal newspaper 'Eleftherotypia'.

"What is certain," the spokesman added, "is that there was a terrorist strike, the investigation of which is now in full swing." He added that the united front to eradicate the scourge of terrorism was not in question.

In 25 years of known activity, 'November 17' has been responsible for the deaths of 23 Greeks and foreigners, while police efforts to uncover the elusive group have so far been in vain. The group's latest victim was Brigadier Stephen Saunders, a military attache working at the British Embassy, who was shot and killed while driving to work on a traffic-laden Athens highway in June 2000.

[04] US State Department calls N 17 claims of US involvement in terrorist attack " utterly absurd"

WASHINGTON, 27/06/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

"The allegation that the U.S. was somehow involved in an attempted terrorist murder of a member of the Greek Parliament - that's what the November 17 people are saying - is totally and utterly absurd," Boucher said.

"We 're not going to engage in some debate with a terrorist group. We work with the Greek authorities on bringing perpetrators of this kinds of acts to justice," he concluded.

[05] Karamanlis: Time to put the past behind us and move forward

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

During the first-ever visit by a political party leader to the Piraeus prefectural council, Karamanlis responded to criticism by ruling PASOK officials and the prime minister on ND's past, saying "we must look forward".

He said certain quarters were attempting to create a climate of division and set up trenches and dividing lines for petty political purposes.

"The wounds of the past have closed with the contribution of everyone. No one wants to return to the past, the more so the citizens, who face serious problems," Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis criticizes gov't over Piraeus' development: Main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis sharply criticized the government on Tuesday for what he called its lack of development strategy for the country's largest port, Piraeus.

Karamanlis made the comments during a tour of Piraeus, where he said the port "has the capacity and prospects that, however, a paralyzed government cannot give it".

He also stressed that the passenger-shipping sector must be characterized by rules of free competition, towards the benefits of passengers and consumers as well as safety.

[06] Greece issues demarche to FYROM gov't over vandalism of Greek press office in Skopje

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

The act of vandalism apparently took place late on Monday night and thus the Greek government requested of the FYROM government to enforce the mutual commitments and respect for the integrity of the Greek diplomatic missions in Skopje.

The Greek government also requested effective protection measures for the Greek diplomatic and other offices in the country, which is within the responsibilities of that country's government.

[07] National Town Planning Council to be established in Greece

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

The establishment of the National Council on City Planning and Sustainable Development was announced by the minister during a press conference in Thessaloniki, and will be charged with implementing European Union directives on relevant issues.

[08] Presidential decrees on hirings of EU citizens tabled at PM's office

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

The draft decrees, signed by the prime minister and the finance minister, also define posts at which European citizens cannot be hired, apart from Greeks.

[09] Ex-president Berisha claims his party first after Sunday vote

TIRANA, 27/06/2001 (ANA - I. Patso)

Berisha, who led a mostly right of center opposition coalition, warned the government of his opponent, Premier Ilir Meta, not to "rig or change the election result."

During a press conference here, Berisha also reiterated his claim of police intervention in various parts of the impoverished country, while he called on international observers to closely monitor the second round, scheduled for July 8.

No official results have been announced as yet with the second round of voting to take place in more than 40 constituencies.

In contrast with Berisha's charges, several Albanian press commentators and international observers praised Sunday's vote as fair, as well as dramatically more organized and peaceful than previous elections.

[10] Greece only EU country with accelerating growth, Papantoniou says

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Papantoniou said that the growth rate of the Greek economy this year was above 4.5 percent, the highest rate in the past 25 years, despite negative international developments.

The minister admitted that 2001 was characterized by conditions of instability and uncertainty in the world economy, citing the perpetuating oil crisis, the downturn of the US economy, and the continuing stagnation of the Japanese economy, which he said obliged international organizations to release lower predictions than last fall.

It is noted that economic growth in the "eurozone" this year has been anticipated at 2.5 percent, against 3.5 percent last fall.

Papantoniou said that despite the negative international developments, 2001 was for Greece the sixth consecutive year in which the growth rate of its economy was higher than the average growth rate of the entire eurozone.

Inflation this year also remained at low levels, the state budget had a surplus, the country's public debt was reduced substantially for the first time, and the growth rate of investments was 12 percent, the minister said.

He further referred to an increase in real incomes in Greece, which he attributed to the positive indicators of the Greek economy, noting that real salaries rose by 2.6 percent compared with a 0.7 percent average in the eurozone.

Greece, he added, had won the wager of convergence, and would also win the wager of development.

[11] Public Power Corp. to start presentations ahead of float

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

The firm will then hold presentations for institutionals in France, the United Kingdom and the US, due to begin in the middle of July, Christodoulakis told a news conference.

In addition, the Public Gas Enterprise is to call two international tenders by the end of July to find investors that will buy stakes in two new natural gas supply companies, he added.

[12] ETBAbank announces tender to sell 26 pct stake and management

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Under the terms of the tender, all candidate strategic partners must be certified Greek or international financial institutions, or to control a 51 percent equity stake in a financial company.

All bidders are able to bid for up to 66 percent of ETBAbank's equity. Bids are not binding at this stage.

The deadline for submitting non-binding bids is July 16.

[13] Greek-Israeli Technology Forum begins in Athens

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

More than 45 Greek companies participated in the first day of the forum, organized by the trade department of the Israeli Embassy in Greece and the Export Institute of Israel in cooperation with the Greek Federation of Information and Communications Companies.

The outgoing Israeli ambassador, Ran Curiel, addressing the forum, stressed the emphasis given by his country in forging closer relations with Greece in trade issues and in particular the developing new technology sector and noted that the forum was an opportunity to establish such relations.

George Papakonstantinou, national economy ministry's secretary, said the timing of the forum offered a very good chance to enhance business activity between Greek and Israeli new economy companies.

Greece's entry in the euro zone, implementing a structural reforms program in the Greek economy, such as deregulating the telecommunications market, and drafting of a business program funded by a Third Community Support Framework, were all contributing in creating a favorable climate to develop bilateral partnerships, Papakonstantinou said.

The volume of trade transactions between Greece and Israel totalled 300 million US dollars last year, with Israeli exports to Greece totalling 160 million dollars and Greek exports to Israel totalling 140 million drachmas.

Greek exports included food and farm produce, chemicals, metals, plastics and rubber products and textiles.

[14] Athens bourse hurt by politics, minister says

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

"The stock market today, especially in recent days, is suffering from politicization, and I believe that there are too many political statements around," Papantoniou told reporters on a visit to Larissa.

"When the bourse again links up with the performance of the economy, then things will become much more normal. The point is the de-politicization of the stock market," he added.

[15] Greek stocks continue their free-fall on ASE Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said rumors of an imminent cabinet reshuffle had only a temporary positive impact on share prices, that soon came under heavy pressure, with blue chip stocks like Hellenic Telecoms (-4.16%) and National Bank (-4.0%) leading the decline.

A total of 82 shares ended at their lowest levels this year, along with the majority of sector indices.

The general index ended 2.37 percent lower at 2,638.27 points, off the day's lows of 2,616.01 points, for a net loss of 22.15 percent since the beginning of 2001. The index has lost 14.58 percent since ASE's upgrading into a developed market on May 31.

Turnover was an improved 186.70 million euros, or 61.57 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,511.62 points, off 3.11 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 2.47 percent to 296.33 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 830.61 points, off 1.69 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 251.38 points, off 1.84 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 268 to 57 with another 36 issues unchanged.

Equity futures drop in edgy trade: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange posted a decline on Tuesday in the wake of nervous, volatile trade on the main market.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 2.65 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 2.38 percent lower.

Traded were 13,729 contracts on turnover of 92.4 million euros.

Bond prices rise in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished higher in heavy trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.44 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 49 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.3 billion euros (454.6 billion drachmas).

Buy orders accounted for the majority of turnover.

[16] Australian PM to take up Parthenon Marbles' return with Blair

MELBOURNE, 27/06/2001 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

Last year, Howard had refused to back the demand for the return of the Marbles when asked to do so by the Australian-Hellenic Council.

But after tens of thousands of signatures were collected and repeated local Greek press front-page stories on the issue, Howard said he would take the issue up with Blair when they met in October at the British Commonwealth Summit in Brisbane.

"Since the return of the Marbles touches a large part of the Australian population, I am obliged to bring it up with Mr. Blair," Howard said.

Officials of the Australian-Hellenic Council, headed by World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) coordinator for Oceania Costas Vertzagias, called on Howard at the prime minister's office in Canberra and presented him with petition for the return of the Marbles and other demands signed by tens of thousands of Australian citizens.

Vertzagias told ANA that the prime minister also promised to study the request that his government provide financial assistance to Australian citizens of Cypriot origin whose property rights have been violated by the Turkish occupation regime on the island republic and wish to press lawsuits against Turkey.

Sources close to the Australian premier said that Howard had brought up the issue of a solution to the Cyprus issue with his Turkish counterpart Bulent Ecevit but had not received a satisfactory reply, as Ecevit claimed the Cyprus issue was settled in 1974 (the year of the Turkish invasion and occupation of the northern sector of the island).

The 5th century B.C. Marbles were removed from the Parthenon by British diplomat Lord Elgin in the early 19th century with tacit permission of local Ottoman administrators then ruling in the area. Elgin removed the friezes and other parts of the impressive Parthenon temple, dedicated to the ancient goddess Athena, and sold them to the British Museum in 1816, where they have been housed since.

[17] FM says dialogue necessary on effective strategy for combatting drugs

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou added, however, that one should utilize local and international experience and scientific data to be in a position to contribute to a certain degree to a more effective handling of a phenomenon, which is threatening our civilization.

He said a modern policy on drugs should place priority on combatting the illegal drugs trade, while users should be handled as citizens in need of care with the purpose of reducing harm threatening both themselves and their environment.

[18] Greenpeace urges Greece to speed up creation of wind parks

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

During a press conference held by the organization in Athens, climate change program coordinator Machi Siderou said that both the infrastructure and the existing legal framework in Greece were inadequate.

The targets set by the EU for Greece were to cover 20.1 per cent of its electricity needs through 'gentle' forms of energy by 2010. Greenpeace said that these targets would only be met halfway, in spite of incentives given by the Development Ministry, unless additional measures were taken to improve the legislative framework and infrastructure (e.g. public power networks).

[19] Former U.S. president says Greece will make Olympic Games history

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Bush arrived at Mytilene in the morning on board the yacht "Alexander", belonging to the Latsis family, and visited the town of Plomari later on.

After jogging for about five kilometers, Bush said he was enthusiastic with the island and remembered "joint efforts with (former Greek prime minister) Constantine Mitsotakis for a solution to the Cyprus issue, which, however, did not meet with success although the solution was close."

Late in the afternoon Bush and his wife were due to visit Agiasos, while his departure had been scheduled for 10 p.m.

[20] Repatriated Greeks receive nationalization papers

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Valasopoulos was speaking after the swearing-in ceremony of the first 130 ethnic Greeks, all from former Soviet Union countries, to receive Greek nationality under the new laws.

The new procedure calls for an interview with the applicant, a check on the documents he or she has submitted and the unanimous agreement of a special committee. Greek nationality is then granted by decree of local regional or prefectural authorities.

According to Valasopoulos, the simplified procedure would mean that applications would be processed within 15 days, instead of three months under the previous system. He added that 11,000 repatriated Greeks had made applications for nationality so far, the vast majority of which would be granted. He predicted that 30,000 applications would be received by the end of 2001.

The process of acquiring Greek nationality, which is granted only to members of established ethnic Greek communities abroad, is distinct from the process of acquiring Greek citizenship, which is open to all foreign nationals that fulfill certain requirements.

[21] 4th Cyprus-Aegean-Thrace journalists meeting to take place in Cyprus in 2002

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

According to other decisions taken unanimously, the monthly circulation of the magazine "Triiris", published by the Poseidonion in Nicosia, will be pursued.

A website will also be created in the Internet which will contain news and information from the regions of Cyprus, the Aegean and Thrace.

[22] EU experts visit Hania to examine refuse management program

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

They also made readings and took samples of earth, as well as being briefed on overall planning in meetings with local officials.

The European experts will prepare a report, which they will submit to the European Environment Committee in 10 days' time.

[23] Court hears lawsuit for Ricomex assets seizure, workers intercede in favor of company

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

In the first civil suit against the Ricomex firm's owners and partners, Michalis Kendristakis -- whose wife was one of 39 people trapped under the building's ruins after a devastating earthquake struck the Greek capital on September 7, 1999 -- is demanding seizure of company assets of up to 510 million drachma in compensation for the salaries his wife would have received had she lived and compensation for mental anguish.

The lawsuit came after a local prosecutor recently unveiled a long-awaited indictment against 11 individuals, charging among others, intentional manslaughter for the collapse of the Ricomex building housing the company offices and the plant itself. Numerous building code violations were believed to have dramatically weakened the multistory building's tolerance to the 5.9 Richter earthquake.

Kendristakis' wife was a receptionist at the firm.

In his suit, Kendristakis claims that the owners were planning to sell the company to a German firm in order to avoid paying compensation for the 39 victims and to the tens of injured.

Ricomex officials denied any blame in the collapse of the building, and said the company would be forced to close in the event the court ruled in favor of the assets seizure.

They also told the court that the company was providing allowances for all the children of the victims, as well as pensions and other benefits.

A total of 102 of the approximately 150 employees at the company's Athens plant submitted a statement to the court in support of the firm.

The court was expected to issue a ruling in the next few days.

[24] IOC vice president reportedly requests Greek support for his IOC presidential candidacy

Athens, 27/06/2001 (ANA)

Pound, who had been critical in the past of Greece's preparation of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, is optimistic that he will ultimately have Greece's support at the IOC's elections to be held in Moscow in July.

[25] Council of Europe calls on its members to ensure Turkey's compliance with decision on human rights case

NICOSIA, 27/06/2001 (ANA/CNA)

In Cyprus Attorney General Alecos Markides and Achilleas Demetriades, lawyer of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou who won her case against Turkey before the Court, welcomed the adoption of a third interim resolution by the Committee, saying the member states should now take action to ensure the execution of the Court ruling.

Markides told CNA this is not the end of the road and Demetriades wondered whether European Union member states, which are also Council members, will take other steps to enforce the Court ruling and take into consideration Turkey's non compliance with its international obligations.

The Committee also expressed its resolve to "ensure with all means available to the organization, Turkey's compliance with its obligations under this judgment.

"The Strasbourg-based Court ruled in December 1996 that Turkey is guilty of continuous violation of the human rights of Loizidou to peacefully enjoy her property in Turkish occupied Cyprus and ordered Ankara to pay compensation and allow Loizidou access to her property.

The Court also said Loizidou must be regarded as the legal owner of the said property and held Turkey responsible for human rights violations in the areas of Cyprus it occupies since its troops invaded in 1974.In its resolution, the Committee of Ministers "deplored very deeply the fact that, to date, Turkey has still not complied with its obligations under this judgment" and stressed that all member states of the Council of Europe must accept the principles of the rule of law.

The Committee "calls upon the authorities of the member states to take such action as they deem appropriate to this end (ensure Turkey's compliance with its obligations under the judgment)."It recalled its previous resolution, which described Turkey's refusal to execute the Court ruling as a demonstration of the "manifest disregard" by Turkey of its international obligations.

Invited to comment on the resolution, the Attorney General said Turkey seems to be isolated and stressed that "we shall continue with our effort until Turkey complies with the Court ruling." "The new resolution is stronger than the previous two resolutions butt his is not the end of the road, the matter will remain open until Turkey executes the judgment," Markides told CNA.

He pointed to the call on the authorities of member states to take action to ensure compliance and said this is the first time such wording has been adopted and could lead to something in the future.

Lawyer Achilleas Demetriades said the resolution "signifies the willingness of the Committee to supervise the execution of the judgment" but noted that it could have been "stronger."

"The resolution stresses that the recognition of the binding nature of the judgments is a requirement for membership of the Council but most importantly it declares the Committee's resolve to ensure with all means available to the organization Turkey's compliance with the obligation," he told CNA today.

Demetriades said the most important element of the resolution is its call on member states to take action they consider appropriate to ensure compliance by Ankara. "Now the question is to what extent will they take other steps to bring about the enforcement of the judgment," he said, and wondered whether the non enforcement of the ruling was brought up as a matter of compliance by Turkey with its obligations under international law and not as a political issue, at today's EU-Turkey Association Council meeting in Luxembourg.

Replying to questions about a letter Loizidou has sent to the Committee of Ministers, he said this was brought to the attention of the Committee and added "we hope it created a positive effect so that members do not forget that this is an individual application."

[26] EU calls on Turkey to contribute towards Cyprus' problem resolution

BRUSSELS, 27/06/2001 (ANA/CNA)

EU enlargement Commissioner Gunter Verheugen pointed out to Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem the need to solve the Cyprus issue prior to the accession of Cyprus but also reminded him that a political settlement would facilitate Cyprus' accession but it is not a priority.

Speaking at today's 40th meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council, in Luxembourg, current EU president Swedish Foreign Minister Anna Lindh told Cem that the Cyprus question, human rights and Greco-Turkish relations are the three important priorities the EU will focus on in the framework of its partnership with Turkey. Cem described the Cyprus question as a very difficult problem for Turkey, Greece and others involved in it and said the Turkish Cypriots were currently having discussions with the United Nations, while Ankara was contributing to these discussions in order to give impetus to the talks on the Cyprus problem, so that they bear fruit.

Today's session was attended by the Foreign Ministers of Sweden and Greece, Lindh and George Papandreou and by Spanish Secretary of State Ramon de Miguel.

Turkish foreign minister said the Cyprus problem must be solved before accession to the EU because, as he claimed, Cyprus' accession to the Union without a prior settlement of the political problem would complicate matters. Lindh said today there is an opportunity to solve the problem and it should be seized because once membership talks are concluded, this opportunity may no longer exist.

Papandreou described today's association council as particularly successful because this was the first meeting relating to the EU-Turkey partnership agreement in which the monitoring tools were put in place.

A joint EU-Turkey press release, issued after the council meeting, welcomed the EU conclusions at Goteborg, which said the enlargement process is irreversible and that good progress had been made in implementing the pre-accession strategy for Turkey.

"The Council looked forward to concrete measures to implement priorities in Turkey's Accession partnership and its national program for adoption of the acquis communautaire," the press release said.

The Council noted that further work was needed in Turkey's alignment of its legislation with the acquis. "The Association Council examined the issues included in the enhanced political dialogue and political criteria and agreed that, at this stage, these issues were of significant importance. In particular, the human rights situation in Turkey as well as the Cyprus issue were discussed," the press release said.

The Council welcomed improvements so far achieved in Greek-Turkish relations in various fields.

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