Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] IOC Coordinating Committee official sees progress in Athens 2004 preparations

[02] President concludes visit to Australia

[03] President arrives in New Zealand

[04] ND leader attends memorial at New York's "Ground Zero", addresses expatriates

[05] ND leader addresses Greek community of Chicago, focuses on national issues

[06] Karamanlis arrives in Toronto

[07] Shooting incident in front of the premier's home in central Athens

[08] PM and health minister to hold talks on Monday

[09] Tsohatzopoulos believes possible gov't reshuffle to be a ''positive development''

[10] Minister says PASOK has qualitative, political superiority

[11] Kaklamanis calls for more active role of EU's parliaments

[12] Mitsotakis did not meet Kokkalis in New York, flew non-stop Phoenix-Frankfurt

[13] Construction of Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline to begin in 2003

[14] Epirus a cross roads, national economy minister says in Ioannina conference

[15] Ecumenical patriarch and pope to sign Venice Commitment

[16] Ecumenical patriarch visits Saint Apolinarios basilica

[17] 7th Inter-Balkan Journalism Conference ends in Thessaloniki

[18] President conveys message to Bush and other world leaders

[19] Accession will contribute to peace effort, European Parliament says

[20] British envoy for Cyprus arrives for talks

[01] IOC Coordinating Committee official sees progress in Athens 2004 preparations

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Oswald, who was speaking in an interview with the ''Athens 04'' magazine, the official publication of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games Organizing Committee, said he does not like being called a judge or supervisor of Olympic preparation but an ''associate.''

''The timetable is still very pressing and I believe that we must never be satisfied, there is always ground for improvement,'' Oswald added.

He also believes that the 2004 Olympic Games ''will affect both the future of Greece and that of the Olympic Movement'', adding that he will be pleased ''only when the athletes, the spectators and all the rest leave Greece satisfied in August 2004.''

On the issue of security measures for the 2004 Games the IOC official said "our experts team approves the planning made by the Greek government, which has cooperated with other governments that have at their disposal specialists on main security issues".

Oswald further stressed that ''Olympic traditions and ceremonies, many of which were developed in Ancient Greece, help the Olympic Movement considerably in disseminating the message for peace all over the world. They show that peoples can brush their differences aside and cooperate.''

In an article in the same magazine, Education Minister Petros Efthymiou says the Olympic Games, returning to their birthplace, should be unique Games.

Efthymiou says the education ministry is participating in this great effort to promote the unique Olympic Games with the Olympic Education program.

He says Olympic Education is creating an integrated framework which is promoting the positive positions of life and sensitizing young people on the value of volunteerism, based on the axes of sports, culture, the Olympic Truce, the lifting of social exclusion and on multiculturality.

Efthymiou further says it is a struggle for understanding and respect for particularity, a message given with the Paralympic Games and the training of the new generation in understanding people with disabilities and their equal rights in social life.

He also said the ministry has placed emphasis on human potential to implement the Olympic and Paralympic Education program with the hiring of 2,000 physical training tutors.

In addition, the program was applied to 450,000 pupils at 3,000 schools in the country during the 2000-2001 year and educational material (eight books) was distributed at all levels of education.

ND leader calls for unity of all Greeks for the success of Athens' 2004 Games: Greeks have to work in unity for the success of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis stressed in an article he wrote for the next issue of "Athens 04" the official publication of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee, due out in a few days.

Karamanlis stressed the importance of unity of all Greeks all over the world, saying "we have to move on united, without exclusions and party expediencies. The magnitude of the effort is such that only united all Greeks can succeed in the common aim. The attitude of 'us' and 'you' does not fit in the Olympic Games".

"The undertaking of the organizing of the Games had, from the first moment, the support of the vast majority of the Greek people, beyond the party choices and estimates," he added.

Speaking about the assignment of the 2004 Games to Athens by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Karamanlis stressed that it was the result of an intense, organized and substantial Greek effort.

He added that it was a strategic choice, which was changing to a great degree the orientation of the IOC to that date, giving to the Games a human dimension and a human face, slowing down the without bounds commercialization.

Commenting on the construction projects that are underway in light of the Games, the main opposition leader said that they should be such that would have something to offer to the next generations, as they are part of the heritage "we will leave for them".

He, once again, stressed that no more time should be wasted as only about 800 days before the Games remain, adding "everyday life does not improve with one use expendable infrastructures. Athens should have its facade changed, to change along with it Greece's facade. We should not be content with the small, the few, the miserable".

Speaking about volunteerism, Karamanlis called it one of the most important indicators of success for such an event, providing examples from Sydney and Barcelona and stressing that there is a necessity for continual provision of information and discussion with the public, without petty party or other expediencies.

"The Greeks were, is and will be ready for selfless offer. We all should work together toward the same direction, without state compensations, which are diluting the meaning of the offer," he underlined.

Concerning the major issue of the communication strategy, Greece has to follow, so as to promote the modern European Greece to all the world, Karamanlis said that we should not be content with the Greece of sun, sea and fun, but our aim should be a Greece of development, history and culture.

"This strategy should be clear and should reach to all corners of the world," he added.

Speaking about the Paralympic Games, he stressed that "they should become the occasion of substantial social intervention of the state and the life of thousands of citizens, so as they might gain equal access to everyday life".

Concluding, he underlined that "the constructive criticism" of ND has had as its only aim the success of the Games' organizing in all aspects, saying that "the organizing of the Olympic Games is everyone's affair. It demands by all of us to respond to this great challenge".

[02] President concludes visit to Australia

SYDNEY, 10/06/2002 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Early on Saturday, local time, Stephanopoulos inaugurated the new wing of the "Vasiliada" old peoples home and healthcare center in Sydney, where 400 elderly people are housed.

He lauded the efforts of the personnel of "Vasiliada" and accompanied by Australia's Greek Orthodox Archbishop Stylianos he visited with them and the residents of the facility.

Stephanopoulos, deviating from his schedule, he visited a local Greek school and the Olympic Games' facilities, center stage of the previous Olympic Games.

There, a gathering of Greek and Greek-Cypriot expatriates warmly welcomed the Greek president.

[03] President arrives in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, 10/06/2002 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Stephanopoulos will remain here for three days aiming to strengthen the relations of Greece with New Zealand and to amend the bonds of the 4,500 strong Greek expatriate community of the country.

Upon his arrival he was welcomed by the country's Governor General Dame Silvia, Cartwright and was treated to a welcoming ceremony by the New Zealand's Mari tribe.

Speaking in an event organized by the local Greek community in Wellington, Stephanopoulos apologized for not having visited the country sooner, a place where Greeks live and prosper.

He stressed that the bonds connecting the Greek expatriates with the land of their origin were unbreakable, adding that they may feel far off than other Greek expatriates in other countries, but that it is certain that they feel their homeland in their heart.

He called on the youth of the Greek community to speak the language even with an accent and to seek and visit the roots of their parents and grandparents in Greece.

Stephanopoulos also sent a message to the older generations, stressing that the post war years' divisions were over, "now we are totally united" and this is "very great. All that past has been erased from our thoughts and hearts".

He spoke of Greece's prosperity and economic progress, without omitting the challenges of the country as it expends effort to reach the developed countries of Europe.

The Greek president then spoke of the country's national issues, the Cyprus problem, the Greek-Turkish relations and the other Balkan neighbors, including the problem with the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

The obligations scheduled on the president�s agenda include a visit to the memorial of New Zealand's citizens that died at the Battle of Crete.

[04] ND leader attends memorial at New York's "Ground Zero", addresses expatriates

NEW YORK, 10/06/2002 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Later in the day, Karamanlis addressed a meeting organized by the Greek expatriate community in New York, saying ''a grand thank you for the welcome, the love and the trust you have shown to me''.

He expressed ''the gratitude of all our country men for the harsh struggles, you (expatriate Greeks) have given to promote the national positions'' of Greece, underlining the necessity for solidarity and cohesion of expatriate Greeks today more than ever.

He admitted, however, that Greece has not done as much as it should have for the expatriates, especially in the sectors of education, so as the next generations may continue to ''carry Greece in their hearts''.

Karamanlis' speech focused on Greece's nationals issues, on the Cyprus problem and Turkey' behavior, stressing that ND supports Turkey's European Union orientation.

''Cyprus has the right to enter at last the European family,'' he said and then commenting on Turkey's unacceptable behavior concerning the Cyprus problem, he added ''the stance of ND toward Turkey is clear. We support the good neighborly relations and cooperation relations''.

''We support the long-term European orientation of the neighboring country. Turkey, however, should behave as a European country and respect international law, human rights, as a country that does not threat to use and does not use violence''.

Karamanlis also spoke of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the opportunities for Greece's exposure around the globe and also spoke of his party's proposed policies for the Greece's future.

[05] ND leader addresses Greek community of Chicago, focuses on national issues

NEW YORK, 14/06/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

He stressed that in handling these matters there cannot be thoughts of partisan politics and adopted as tough position toward Turkey and especially toward its military power structure.

He went on to indirectly criticize the government for its policies, stressing that ND did not agree with the tactics of ''one sided backtracking''.

''The Greek-Turkish dialogue, the issue of the Euroforce, the inter-communal talks in Cyprus, the Convention for the Future of Europe, as well as the upcoming Greek presidency of the European Union demand vigilance and unity of the forces of all Greeks, Partisan expediencies are not allowed,'' he said.

''Partisan flags on nationals issues cannot even be thought of. When (late president) Konstantinos Karamanlis placed Greece in the European family, we had two basic aims, firstly to establish our security and secondly to achieve our real economic and social convergence with our partners. Today these aims have not been accomplished yet. Greece is the only member-state of the Union, which has its borders threatened by its neighbors,'' he stressed.

''Everybody knows that we do not threaten anyone. We want - more than anything else - the immediate resolution of the problem. The resolution of the Cyprus problem should be in accordance to the decisions of the United Nations and the key to this problem is in Ankara,'' Karamanlis underlined.

''In no event, though, can the intransigence of the Turkish side abort or postpone the accession of Cyprus in the European Union, which can and should take place during the course of the Greek presidency of the Union in the spring of 2003,'' he added.

Speaking of Ankara's policies and the problems in bilateral relations he said that ''we do not accept secret commitments and unofficial agreements''.

Addressing the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and its President Andrew Athens, Karamanlis said that ''the communities of Greeks are the most effective embassies of Greece in 140 countries on five continents of the planet. You make up a second Greece, almost as numerous as that of the motherland. A Greece that honors our traditions, that wages tough battles for the defense of our national issues, that prospers''.

After his visit's end, Karamanlis departed for Washington D.C.

[06] Karamanlis arrives in Toronto

MONTREAL, 10/06/2002 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

Karamanlis is due to visit the church of Saint Dimitrios and hold talks with the Metropolitan Community of Toronto's board and representatives of the Greek-Canadian Congress and the Greek-Canadian Federation.

He will also have contacts with the Panmacedonian Union and ND's local organization and address a meeting of expatriate Greeks at the Greek Community Center before leaving for Washington.

[07] Shooting incident in front of the premier's home in central Athens

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

''The investigation, which is already underway, to determine the causes of these actions will delve deeply, '' he noted, adding that further details will be announced shortly

According to authorities, a drug addict, who was rejected from the detox program of the Organization Against Drug Abuse (OKANA) a health ministry agency for failing to abide by his therapy, entered at about 10:30 a.m. Saturday the offices of the agency and, at gun point, he robbed a quantity of Methadone, a heroine derivative used in detox therapy programs.

The drug addict, Dimitris Aivatzidis, fired on the main window of the OKANA offices and took off, reaching the close by Exarchia police station in central Athens, where he forced a police officer to surrender his pistol at gun point, hijacked a passing by car and drove off.

Soon he reached the adjacent Kolonaki neighborhood, where the prime minister has his home and fired on the guards of the premier's residence asking of them to surrender, but the fired back.

At that point, as the police officers defended the entrance of the premier's apartment building Aivatzidis fired on the glass widow of the entranceway and took off, pursued by a police officer on a motorcycle.

The ''Z Team'' motorcycle officer trailed him to his home in Koukaki neighborhood, near the Acropolis of Athens, providing information to police headquarters and thus a sizable force arrested him in his home.

Aivatzidis was then taken to the Attica Vice Squad headquarters for interrogation.

Apparently, according to Attica's police chief the premier was in his home during the incident and demanded a full-blown investigation into the incident, which he said must include the reasons why the drug addict went to OKANA to rob it at gunpoint.

The police chief also said that the questioning will also delve into the reasons why Aivatzidis robbed the police officer of his handgun, while the investigation will also include the reasons why the perpetrator managed to reach the premier's home unhindered, after allegedly committing to major felonies.

At press time, Aivatzidis was in local hospital where he was treated for a gunshot wound at the leg, sustained during his apprehension, where is under close guard.

Investigation ordered into shooting in downtown Athens: Prime Minister Costas Simitis demanded an in-depth investigation concerning the shooting incident in central Athens on Saturday, during which a 38-year-old drug addicted man shoot at the entrance of the premiers' residence.

Later on Saturday Justice Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis ordered an emergency investigation concerning the incident, stressing that after the arrest and interrogation of the perpetrator Dimitris Aivatzidis, he expected that the motive of the attack will become known

He also ordered an investigation concerning the possibility of negligence on the part of the police.

He said that the it is the duty of the police to provide security for all citizens, adding, however, that "isolated incidents, even especially unpleasant ones, do not negate the substantial effort underway."

Meanwhile, an Athens prosecutor charged Aivatzidis with attempted murder, robbery, arson, malicious damage of private property and illegal possession of a firearm.

ND official says incident at PM's residence not isolated: The main opposition New Democracy party, in a statement by its official responsible for issues pertaining to public order Vyron Polydoras on Sunday, said the incident outside the residence of Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Saturday was not an isolated one.

During the incident, an armed drug addict fired at the entrance to the residence before being chased and arrested by police.

''The citizen in Greece is living in a state of insecurity and the hypocritical public order ministry is responsible for this. This state is no longer tolerable,'' he said.

Polydoras also called on Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis to resign.

[08] PM and health minister to hold talks on Monday

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Papadopoulos had made his statement several days ago at a time when Simitis was paying a weeklong visit to China.

Simitis, who appears to be annoyed by the way with which the minister announced his intentions through the press and without notifying him beforehand, had a telephone conversation with Papadopoulos and reportedly told him ''we shall see about it when I come back.''

On his part, Papadopoulos maintains it is a personal decision, which is not related to the government, and the government's work and, consequently, he had the possibility of choosing himself the way with which he would publicize such an important personal decision.

Press sources said that in the event Papadopoulos is replaced in the government, it is possible that Simitis might make certain other changes in the government as well, such as of transport and sports deputy ministers Spyros Vougias and Yiannis Kourakis who will be running for the mayorships of Thessaloniki and Irakleio Crete respectively.

[09] Tsohatzopoulos believes possible gov't reshuffle to be a ''positive development''

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

The interview was published a day before the meeting of Prime Minister Costas Simitis with Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos, who had announced his withdrawal from politics at the end of the government's term.

In the interview Tsohatzopoulos spoke of this development, saying that he hoped the issue was ''of concern the leadership of the party as well''.

He stressed that a government reshuffle was ''in my thoughts, believing that the best period would be that leading to the municipal elections''.

The minister expressed his concern over the development of Greece's nationals issues over the next few months, stressing that ''it is very difficult at the same time period, to succeed in three different targets (the Cyprus issue, the Euroforce and Cyprus' accession to the Union)''.

''There is a necessity for the mobilization of the highest degree'' by the government, as well as the other parties of Parliament,'' he concluded.

[10] Minister says PASOK has qualitative, political superiority

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Skandalidis said ''PASOK cannot lose from this ND'', adding that it would be a ''mistake'' if the people elected the main opposition party to become government.

He acknowledges difficulties facing the ruling party in the present conjuncture, which is unfavorable for it. He also added that the prediction made by PASOK's secretary Costas Laliotis that the difference with ND in opinion polls will be covered will soon become reality.

Skandalidis further said, referring to October's municipal elections, that ''PASOK will go to win and shall win'', adding that PASOK will also win the next general election under Costas Simitis.

[11] Kaklamanis calls for more active role of EU's parliaments

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Kaklamanis made the statement during his address to the European Union Parliament Presidents' Conference taking place in Madrid, Spain.

He underlined the necessity for the upgrading of the role of national parliaments both on a European and on a national level, but stood against the creation of a EU Senate, saying it would only make more complex an already complex situation.

Parliament president says EU foreign policy in embryonic stage: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said on Saturday the citizens of Europe are displeased not only with the democratic deficit but also with the embryonic form in which the European Union's foreign and defense policy sector is in.

Kaklamanis, who was addressing the conference of EU Parliament presidents in Madrid, Spain, also referred to the problem of the so-called ''Ankara text.''

He said it is a text, which was created without any authorization from the EU by the governments of England, the United States and Turkey.

Kaklamanis also said that in the text it is demanded in an offensive way for the EU and its peoples that whatever action by this European military force to be subject to a veto by whatever NATO country, even if it is not an EU member-state and even if this force does not use NATO's infrastructures.

[12] Mitsotakis did not meet Kokkalis in New York, flew non-stop Phoenix-Frankfurt

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Mitsotakis, who was in Phoenix, Arizona for medical treatment, said that he did not use New York as a stop over, as he flew from Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport non-stop to Frankfurt, Germany and then to Greece.

He said that he would seek the punishment of those that published, what he called a ''slanderous'' and ''self-evident lie''.

The report was published in the current edition of the Athens weekly newspaper ''Ependitis''.

[13] Construction of Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline to begin in 2003

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Speaking at a conference organized by the local office of ruling PASOK party at the Greek-Turkish frontier prefecture, Tsohatzopoulos said that Evros will become Greece's gateway for natural gas.

He also said that in 2003 construction of the natural gas pipe network will begin in the adjacent Komotini prefecture, along with the construction of the Greek-Turkish pipeline, which will cost 40 billion drachmas.

[14] Epirus a cross roads, national economy minister says in Ioannina conference

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

''Epirus is not only a gate toward the rest of Europe and the Balkans, it is also a point of attraction for development,'' he said, adding that ''over the past few years significant steps were made in closing the development gap separating Epirus from the rest of the country's regions''.

He said that these efforts should continue, adding that ''the state has planed a wide program of training for every sector that is interested in participating in this development. With these facts we all believe that Epirus will be proven to be a land that is missing nothing in taking advantage of its new great advantage, that is the fact that it is the cross roads''.

[15] Ecumenical patriarch and pope to sign Venice Commitment

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

Vartholomeos, along with other dignitaries and specialists, is currently participating in an Ecology Conference organized by the Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarchate and focusing on the protection of the Adriatic Sea's environment.

This 4th conference of its kind is being organized upon a ship which departed from Durres, Albania, last week and is due to end at Venice, on Monday after stopping in all major coast cities of Italy, Montenegro and Slovenia.

Albania's Archbishop Anastasios also participates in the ''floating'' conference.

During the last day of the conference on Monday, Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos will speak of the relation between ecological theology and ecological policy.

On Tuesday morning the Ecumenical Patriarch and Venizelos will inaugurate the exhibition organized in Venice by the Greek Institute and the Byzantine Culture Museum of Thessaloniki on ''The Byzantium through the eyes of a collector.''

[16] Ecumenical patriarch visits Saint Apolinarios basilica

RAVENA, 10/06/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The congregation, composed of Orthodox pilgrims and Catholics, who visited the historic basilica to watch the Orthodox service, listened to the ecumenical patriarch and the Orthodox clergymen with emotion.

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos also attended the service, while the congregation included many Greek intellectuals and members of the Greek Institute of Venice.

The Catholic archbishop of Ravena and cardinals from the Vatican watched the service with hundreds of Catholic faithful, which the Archdiocese of Ravena had translated into Italian and had distributed among the congregation to enable it to follow the service, which was being conducted primarily in Greek.

Patriarch Vartholomeos addressed the congregation in Greek and Italian, thanking the Catholic hierarchy for the love with which they hosted the Orthodox service at Saint Apolinarios.

Saint Apolinarios is a basilica of the 5th century B.C., adorned with unique mosaics, which was an important center of the first Christian centuries.

[17] 7th Inter-Balkan Journalism Conference ends in Thessaloniki

Athens, 10/06/2002 (ANA)

The conference was attended by 70 journalists and directors of news agencies from countries in southeastern Europe.

ATHOC managing director Marton Simicek, conveying the compliments of Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos Daskalaki, provided data concerning the Games.

Simicek said 4.5 billion television viewers are expected to watch the opening ceremony, 200 heads of state will visit Athens, 20-21,000 journalists will cover the Games, 2,021 medals will be given to athletes and 15,500 people will be working for the Games.

[18] President conveys message to Bush and other world leaders

NICOSIA, 10/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

of the International Democratic Union in Washington next week.

The message will be conveyed by Nicos Anastassiades, President of the Democratic Rally (DISI), who left Saturday for the American capital to participate in the meeting.

Speaking on departure, Anastassiades said the message refers to the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and to the wish of the Greek Cypriot side at the UN-led peace talks to find a just and viable solution prior to Cyprus' accession to the European Union, on the basis of UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire.

Anastassiades said he would attend a dinner hosted by Bush in honor of world leaders participants to the meeting and he will have the chance to brief them about developments in Cyprus and the country's bid to join the EU.

After the meeting, Anastassiades in his capacity as president of the House Foreign Affairs Committee will have contacts in Washington and New York with US administration officials and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council respectively.

President Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash have been engaged in peace talks since January this year. So far no concrete results have emerged from the talks, which take place under UN auspices.

The Turkish Cypriot side insists on its demand for two separate states in Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot side wishes to see Cyprus reunited, under a federal roof, joining the EU.

[19] Accession will contribute to peace effort, European Parliament says

NICOSIA, 10/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

The Committee encourages Turkey, which continues to occupy Cyprus' northern areas, to support ''actively'' the ongoing direct talks, which began in mid January this year between President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash with a view at finding a comprehensive settlement.

It calls on Denktash ''not to hinder the work of EU representatives.''

The progress report on the state of the enlargement negotiations with candidate countries, issued by the European Parliament, said that the Foreign Affairs Committee reaffirmed in a draft resolution that ''only a single sovereign Cypriot state will be permitted to join the EU.''

It notes that ''in line with UN resolutions, this state may be bizonal and bicommunal'' and adds that exceptions to existing EU laws can be accommodated but ''there can be no derogation from the principles on which the EU is formed.''

Welcoming the peace talks, the Committee said it hoped that the ''prospect of Cyprus' accession will contribute to a new momentum for resolving the Cyprus question.''

The aim, Euro MPs say, ''should be to reach agreement by 2002 and they call on Mr. Denktash not to hinder the work of EU representatives.''

The resolution supports contact at all levels between the two communities but voices concern at the situation ''in the northern part of the island as regards freedom of expression and the lawsuits and mounting pressure against some independent media.''

Euro-MPs said the macro-economic climate of Cyprus continues to improve and its budget deficit has been cut and adds that 27 chapters in the accession negotiations have been provisionally closed.

''Progress still remains to be made on transposition and implementation, as well as on the adoption of a number of laws which are still outstanding,'' they said.

With regard to Turkey, the Committee notes that it is a candidate country but has not started accession negotiations yet and encourages the country to proceed with constitutional reforms and fully implement the pre-accession strategy.

''The Committee encourages Turkey to actively support the ongoing talks on the Cyprus problem,'' the progress report said.

The EU is expected to decide in December the names of applicant countries it will invite to join.

[20] British envoy for Cyprus arrives for talks

NICOSIA, 10/06/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Hannay is scheduled to meet House President Demetris Christofias Tuesday and later the same day he will talk to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Dentkash.

He will also see UN Secretary General's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who is to brief him on the course of the ongoing direct talks he is conducting between the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides since January this year.

De Soto is in Rome to brief UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the talks, since Annan's visit to Cyprus in mid May. He returns to Cyprus Monday. Hannay will be le

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