Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece moves fast towards achieving Lisbon targets, report says

[02] Greek president begins three-day official visit to Lebanon

[03] Papandreou begins successive meetings with PASOK secretaries

[04] Simitis, Papandreou, Chrysohoidis to have weekly consultations up to elections

[05] Gov't terms Papandreou proposal for young jobless a ''bold breakthrough''

[06] PM says new PASOK leadership is new leadership of country

[07] Pyla is a fine example of co-existence, says Karamanlis

[08] ND leader addresses party's women members

[09] Communist Party leader terms FM's social security proposal 'wish to employers'

[10] Parliament votes through government's development bill

[11] British institute comments on Greek election, Papandreou presence

[12] German FM Fischer discusses Cyprus issue in Ankara talks

[13] Avramopoulos to meet Karamanlis, returns to ND

[14] Greek reports highest EU inflation rate in December, Eurostat

[15] UK bankers visit Kavala Oil site to discuss funding of operations

[16] Gov�t to launch Loan Guarantee Fund for small enterprises

[17] French business delegation to visit Thessaloniki

[18] Greece attracting low level of foreign investment, survey shows

[19] Greece, Turkey to sign EU transport pact on Thursday

[20] Greek stocks jump 2.16 pct on Wednesday

[21] IOC Coordinating Committee president satisfied with Olympic Games projects

[22] Patriarch Vartholomeos departs on visit to Cuba

[23] French culture ministry awards special honorary distinction to Sifounakis

[24] Foreign ministry on guarantees for return of 'Tasman Spirit' crew

[25] UN chief says good offices on Cyprus still available

[26] Cyprus solution depends on political developments in Turkey, says Poos

[27] Belgian senator blames Denktash for no progress in Cyprus

[01] Greece moves fast towards achieving Lisbon targets, report says

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The report, expected to be approved by the European Commission, on achieving Lisbon agenda priorities, shows that Greece - although it remains at the bottom of the EU league - has made significant progress in the last couple of years. The EU's executive describes the country's progress as one of the most satisfactory within the Union.

The report says that although Greece has not managed to drastically reduce unemployment, it managed to raise employment rate above a 70 percent target set by the EU Commission as a percentage of men aged 15-64 years.

Greece also reports improvement in productivity in the last two years moving closer to Spain but lagging behind compared with Portugal.

The report said that Greece's comparative position in the EU was low along with Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Greece, however, along with Belgium and France, reported significant progress in achieving Lisbon targets since 1999, in contrast with Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Portugal whose progress was "disappointing" according to the Commission.

The Commission report said that all EU member-states faced difficulties in achieving Lisbon targets and urged for more efforts in the future.

Greece and Ireland recorded the biggest increase in improvement in the last three years, the report noted.

The report stressed that Greece showed the second lowest employment levels among women and the second highest rate of long-term unemployed people in the EU. The country also delayed action in promoting a reform of the social security and pension system, while it also lagged behind in adopting EU legislation.

On the other hand, the report said that Greece showed the highest percentage increase in labor productivity in the period 1999-2003, it has adopted satisfactory measures to combat unemployment while it showed the second highest level in business investments in the period 1999-2002 within the EU.

[02] Greek president begins three-day official visit to Lebanon

BEIRUT 22/01/2004 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Stephanopoulos was accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and a large delegation of Greek business people.

The Greek president began his visit by depositing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a tour of Lebanon's National Archaeological Museum.

He also had successive meetings with Lebanese Parliament President Nabih Beri, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares.

His talks with Lebanese officials focused mainly on improving bilateral ties between Greece and Lebanon, particularly in trade.

Stephanopoulos is to meet Lahoud later on Wednesday, when he will sign two bilateral agreements and one cooperation protocol.

His visit is the first by a Greek head of state to Lebanon since democracy was restored to Greece in 1974.

Greek, Lebanese presidents hold talks, cooperation agreements signed: President Kostis Stephanopoulos, currently on a three-day official visit to Lebanon, on Wednesday evening met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud at the Baabda Mansion and discussed with him bilateral issues, economic and business cooperation between the two countries, as well as the situation in the Middle East.

Stephanopoulos, in his talks with Lahoud as well as earlier in the day with the parliament president, prime minister and deputy prime minister, noted the impressive changes in Lebanon and the reconstruction of Beirut after the end of the civil war, and stressed the need for the further strengthening of relations between Athens and Beirut.

Following the conclusion of the talks between Stephanopoulos and Lahoud, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, who accompanies the president to Lebanon, signed, on behalf of the Greek government, with Lebanese ministers a tourism cooperation agreement and another on the international transportation of goods and people, as well as a protocol on scientific and technological cooperation in the agricultural sector.

The Greek president planted in the compound of the Baabda Mansion a ''cedar of friendship'' and later attended an official dinner hosted in his honor by President Lahoud.

On Thursday, Stephanopoulos and Lahoud will attend the start of the sessions of the business forum of Greek and Lebanese businesspersons, with the given fact of the political will of the two sides to further strengthen the economic relations between the two countries.

Stephanopoulos is accompanied on his visit by 69 businesspersons who are active in the broader region of the Middle East.

[03] Papandreou begins successive meetings with PASOK secretaries

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The first meeting was with Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, after which Papandreou linked the imminent ''grass-roots vote'' for the new party president with the major changes he intends to bring about within PASOK, saying it would be a new start since it was taking place with a new system and a different way of thinking.

He said the meeting with Tsohatzopoulos had focused on ways in which the latter could contribute to PASOK's victory in the elections, while he stressed that the party would wage this battle united and that no one was dispensable.

Papandreou expressed his great pleasure over Tsohatzopoulos' active participation in the ''new start for the democratic faction'', while Tsohatzopoulos stressed that this was a time for PASOK to stand united and that conditions were ripe for a ''new age that demands new answers and new political proposals''.

Immediately after his meeting with Tsohatzopoulos, Papandreou met Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, who had served as party secretary in the mid-90s.

After the meeting, it was announced that Skandalidis would be included in the election strategy team as soon as soon as an interim minister was appointed at the interior ministry in the run-up to the elections.

Papandreou said the meeting had focused on the changes and reforms within PASOK and the new start that was beginning with the invitation to society to participate in the election of the new president that would lay the foundations of a new era and a different kind of political life and political function for parties.

Skandalidis said that Papandreou had proved he was the man for this new era and underlined his confidence that PASOK will emerge victorious from the elections, even if the fight proved difficult.

Former party secretary Costas Laliotis, who had resigned at the request of Prime Minister Costas Simitis in July, stressed that he would be in the ''front lines'' of the party's efforts to win the elections after meeting Papandreou.

The former minister refused to change his mind about running for Parliament, however, insisting that he would only agree to occupy the 12th position on the party's state deputy list - practically guaranteeing that he will be left out.

Laliotis said the electoral battle would be a difficult one and that the effort to win demanded participation, faith and a common path with the majority of the people.

Referring to Papandreou's soon-to-be-confirmed succession to PASOK's leadership, he said this marked a new era, changed the ''map of political forces'' and sparked hope among the electorate - particularly the young.

In a brief statement after the meeting, Papandreou said his talks with Laliotis had been open and friendly and had concerned the future of the PASOK party and the new start that was underway.

FM and PASOK leadership candidate holds dialogue with working women: Foreign Minister and PASOK party leadership candidate George Papandreou held a dialogue with working women at a municipal theatre in the Athens district of Kallithea on Wednesday, making a series of proposals on the interests and rights of women in Greece.

Most questions put to him concerned the acute problem of unemployment facing women, and mothers in particular, and the even more acute problems experienced by single parent families, as well as such issues as violence in the family and the participation of women in politics.

Proposals made by Papandreou included the creation of a network of small model children's day care centers which can even be based in the homes of women capable of looking after children of a pre-school age. The centers will function under specific preconditions, of course, and will be subsidized and controlled by local administration.

Papandreou also proposed more flexibility in part-time employment programs for women and the establishment of a paternity license for fathers accepting to exercise parental duties at home, to enable their wives to work, in accordance with the Swedish model.

Other proposals he made during the dialogue were the subsidization of social security contributions for an employer hiring the mother of two children, with the measure being extended from the first child for a single parent family, as well as the establishment of special training programs to enable women to use the internet and do a great deal of work while sidestepping bureaucracy.

[04] Simitis, Papandreou, Chrysohoidis to have weekly consultations up to elections

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Press deputy minister Telemachos Hytiris told reporters after the one-hour meeting that the three officials would hold similar weekly meetings immediately after the election of the new PASOK leader and up until the March 7 elections.

[05] Gov't terms Papandreou proposal for young jobless a ''bold breakthrough''

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas made the comments in response to questions about Thursday's proposal by Papandreou, the sole candidate for PASOK's leadership in an election of February 8.

He said Papandreou hoped to tackle a bias in joblessness among young people with an effort to create many thousand new jobs.

Protopapas also clarified that the years worked by young people would not count toward their insurance coverage since no contributions would be paid to social insurance funds, while noting that the proposal could be the subject of dialogue and suggestions for improvement.

The foreign minister proposed that businesses be allowed to hire young people for up to four years on full pay and medical benefits but without paying their insurance contributions.

Protopapas said the proposal would be a major incentive to businesses and would help many young people gain work experience and better employment opportunities. He also said the cost for social insurance funds in this age group would be extremely low, while the government was already paying out to place workers in programs.

The spokesman noted that there were already two types of incentives to encourage youth employment: traineeship and subsidized employment. These had proved unable to tackle a hard core of unemployment affecting mainly the young, he added.

He described the new measure as extremely flexible and pointed out that it had already been tested in various forms in other European countries, where it had proved successful.

[06] PM says new PASOK leadership is new leadership of country

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Simitis began his tour with a visit to the Tzanneion hospital where he visited its new wing. He said 26 new hospitals are being built in the country, primarily in rural areas, and on their completion the population's requirements for hospital treatment will be met to an extent of 75 percent.

The prime minister then visited the port, toured the Olympic Zone, boarded a harbor corps vessel and inaugurated a new passenger terminal at the location of Akti Vassiliadi.

Speaking to crowds which had gathered to listen to him, Simitis referred to the government's great achievements from 1996 onwards and made detailed reference to projects which have been carried out in the wider region of Piraeus.

He said the Korydallos prison will be removed and noted that at present 70 projects are underway in Piraeus, whose budget exceeds 550 million euros and which will radically change the image of both the region and the city.

Simitis further said that during the new four-year term negotiations will begin for the fourth Community Support Framework (CSF) and wondered whether this can be done by those who had claimed that there wouldn't even be a third CSF.

He also said the new era has no place for the main opposition New Democracy party, adding that the new era will have PASOK at the country's helm.

[07] Pyla is a fine example of co-existence, says Karamanlis

PYLA, Cyprus 22/01/2004 (ANA/A.Panagopoulos/CNA)

Speaking to journalists after touring the village on Wednesday, he said Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots �on a daily basis, bring the vision of a united and free Cyprus closer to its implementation�, adding that �as of today, I am more optimistic that we are working towards a feasible goal�.

�The world is changing. Our neighborhood is changing. Cyprus cannot lag behind. There is only one road which leads to security, prosperity, justice and equality before the law. It is the road to Europe�, he said.

During the last stop of his two-day visit, Karamanlis visited the St. George Church where schoolchildren gave him a warm welcome as Priest Apostolos handed him the icon of St. George.

Karamanlis visited the Turkish Cypriot coffee shop, accompanied by the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot community leaders, Ahmet Sakali and Christakis Antoniou respectively.

The Greek politician told the two leaders, �you seem to be getting on fine and giving a great example�. Sakali called on Karamanlis and Greece to make every possible effort to bring peace to Cyprus.

Karamanlis concluded his tour of the village with a visit to the newly restored mosque of the village and the Cultural Centre where he planted an olive tree.

The Greek opposition leader returned to Athens on Wednesday afternoon.

[08] ND leader addresses party's women members

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis outlined the main aspects of policy he will be applying, primarily for women. A policy providing greater possibilities for women, more options and equal opportunities.

The ND leader announced that a family having three children will be considered a large family and promised the enactment of an independent equality authority for the implementation of laws and the creation of a family charter for the financial and legal framework for family support.

Karamanlis said the Greek woman is experiencing the pressing problems of life, the high cost of living and unemployment as she is watching a dwindling family budget.

He further said remuneration for women's labor is 26 percent lower than that for men, adding that equality remains on paper since the Greek woman sees that there is no professional development in labor, her participation in Greek decision-making centers is very limited, professional advancement to higher levels is difficult and the welfare state is not functioning.

Karamanlis also said that behind figures there are families in despair that are seeking dignity, while thousands of young people are experiencing unemployment which has taken on explosive dimensions.

[09] Communist Party leader terms FM's social security proposal 'wish to employers'

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

She also accused the two mainstream political parties of trying to ''erase their anti-popular policy with disorientating discussions''.

Papariga, who made her statement during the presentation of her party's election tickets in Piraeus, said the proposal will open the page of uninsured temporary labor and will call on employers' unions to develop direct relations with schools and educational establishments to obtain uninsured labor from them.

[10] Parliament votes through government's development bill

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Voting in favor of the finance ministry bill were deputies of the ruling PASOK party with the opposition voting against.

[11] British institute comments on Greek election, Papandreou presence

LONDON 22/01/2004 (ANA)

According to the Hilfe institute, part of the Oxford Economics Group, �by stepping down and allowing George Papandreou to lead PASOK into the 7 March general election, Prime Minister Costas Simitis has removed a considerable risk factor to his government�s chances of being re-elected.�

The country report on Greece also notes that current Foreign Minister George Papandreou, the only candidate to succeed Simitis at the helm of ruling PASOK ahead of the March 7 poll, is �well-suited to lead the party and to counter (main opposition) New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis.�

The London think-tank also forecasts that Simitis �is tipped to be the next president of the EC when Romano Prodi ends his mandate later this year.�

In commenting on the Greek economy, the Hilfe report stated that it was among the most vigorous in the European Union, with Eurostat figures showing GDP growth of 5 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2003, compared to 0.6 percent in the EU and 0.3 percent for the euro-zone. The group also said that National Statistics Office figures show inflation in the country at 3.1 percent in 2003, lower that the projected 3.5 percent.

Conversely, the reported stated that �...Despite strong economic growth � a pattern uninterrupted even during the recent global downturn � Greece still lags behind the most developed European economies�.

[12] German FM Fischer discusses Cyprus issue in Ankara talks

ANKARA 22/01/2004 (ANA/A. Abatzis)

Fischer, following a meeting he had with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, referred to the contribution of the European Union ''within the framework of the Annan plan'', while he said that on Wednesday, before arriving in Ankara, he had a meeting in Germany with Annan.

Fischer did not disclose details and when asked whether he was conveying a message by the UN chief to Turkey, he avoided answering, stating that the Erdogan-Annan meeting had prevalence.

Fischer referred to Turkey-Europe issues and noted that ''in the event that some solution is found as soon as possible, this will create a very good climate,'' stressing that ''apart from the two sides in Cyprus, Ankara and Athens will also contribute to this.''

[13] Avramopoulos to meet Karamanlis, returns to ND

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

[14] Greek reports highest EU inflation rate in December, Eurostat

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The EU executive's statistics agency said there were Greek figures for October and November due to a strike by workers in the country's Statistics Service.

Greece reported the highest inflation rate in the EU in December, followed by Ireland (2.9%) and Spain (2.7%), while Germany (1.1%), Denmark and Finland (1.2% each) recorded the lowest rates.

Eurozone's annual inflation fell to 2.0 percent in December from 2.2 percent in November and from 2.3 percent in December 2002. The inflation rate fell to 1.8 percent in December in the EU-15 from 2.0 percent in November and 2.2 percent in December 2002.

Greece was one of the 11 EU member-states that recorded a decline in their annual inflation rates in December, while the inflation rate rose in Belgium (from 1.3% to 1.7%), France (from 2.2% to 2.4%), Sweden (from 1.7% to 1.8%) and was unchanged in Germany.

Germany (1%), Austria and Finland (1.3%) recorded the lowest average inflation rates last year, while Ireland (4%), Portugal (3.3%) and Spain (3.1%) the highest average rates over the same period.

[15] UK bankers visit Kavala Oil site to discuss funding of operations

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The delegation, accompanied by Regal's officials, visited the oil rig at Kallirahi Thasos and were briefed over new drillings at the site.

The 13 bankers represent banks that have funded or plan to fund oil and other activities by Regal Petroleum in the region. The company also plans to take over management of gold mines in Halkidiki after completing funding negotiations with several UK banks.

Drillings made at the Kallirahi site founded two hydrocarbon fields.

The Prinos oil field produces around 3,700-3,800 oil barrels per day. The company expects to begin commercial exploration of an oil field located at New Peramos, Paggeo, Kavala Sea, hoping to produce around 20,000,000 barrels of oil. These oil fields are expected to secure Kavala Oil's viability at for a decade, experts said.

[16] Gov�t to launch Loan Guarantee Fund for small enterprises

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The fund will offer guarantees to bank loans towards small enterprises. National Bank, Emporiki Bank, EFG Eurobank, Omega Bank and Hellenic Bank have already signed contracts with the fund, with other commercial banks expected to follow through.

Mr Kalafatis said that the first five program of loan guarantees included: newly set-up companies, or companies operating for up to three years (the fund will guarantee 50-55% of the loan), companies operating more than three years and employ up to 10 workers (the fund will guarantee 40-45% of the loan), working capital loans up to 25,000 euros (the fund will guarantee 55-60% of the loan), enterprises that employ more than 15 workers (the fund will guarantee 45-50% of the loan).

The Greek minister stressed that an Operational Program for Competitiveness, funded by a Third Community Support Framework program, absorbed 27.7 percent available funds so far.

[17] French business delegation to visit Thessaloniki

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The group of businessmen, accompanied by French ambassador in Athens Bruno Delaye, will be briefed on Thursday on the advantages and prospects by the chairman of the Thessaloniki chamber of commerce and industry, Dimitris Brakatselos.

The French delegation comprises businessmen involved in the fields of construction, banking activities, insurance, transport, drinks, car rental, household appliances, distribution of foreign press, industrial equipment, raw material for chemical products, and animal-breeding.

During the briefing, the prospects for development of Greek-French business cooperation will be discussed.

The French businessmen will be addressed by Brakatselos, Federation of Industries of Northern Greece (SBBE) executive vice-president Yannis Stavrou, Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEBE) chairman Evgenios Plalis, Ambassador Delaye, and chairman of the Greek-French chamber of commerce and industry Constantine Constantinidis.

[18] Greece attracting low level of foreign investment, survey shows

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The outlook for foreign investment in Greece would remain weak until policy measures were taken to create the right environment, which meant abandoning a piecemeal approach to statutory measures, the report said.

At the same time, economic reform in countries of central and eastern Europe was proceeding at a brisk pace, increasing their attractiveness as an investment venue, it added.

The president of the Association of Greek Industry, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos told a presentation ceremony for the survey that total investments in Greece represent 25 per cent of gross domestic product, exceeding the European Union average.

The main factors that had spurred investment in Greece were EU funds, capital from the Athens bourse, increased demand linked to the Athens 2004 Olympics, and a shift in the economy, Kyriakopoulos said.

[19] Greece, Turkey to sign EU transport pact on Thursday

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Under the terms of the memorandum, Greece's Egnatia highway, which links the country's northwest and northeast, will extend to Istanbul.

The move will give new impetus to European transportation, opening the way to the Middle East with Greece as a hub.

[20] Greek stocks jump 2.16 pct on Wednesday

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Traders said that an initial buying activity for selected bank stocks fanned a general buying activity in the Greek bourse pushing the general index 2.16 percent higher, to end at 2,489.37 points after surpassing the 2,500-point level during the session.

Turnover was a heavy 231.1 million euros.

All sector indices scored gains with the Holding, IT and Bank sectors recording the biggest percentage gains of the day (3.35 percent, 3.19 percent and 2.91 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 2.40 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 2.23 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index increased by 1.58 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 248 to 67 with another 46 issues unchanged.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of January 21 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,270 1,241

[21] IOC Coordinating Committee president satisfied with Olympic Games projects

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

Oswald was speaking after a meeting between the IOC's delegation, which has been in Athens over the past two days, and Deputy Culture Minister Nasos Alevras, Olympic Games Secretary General Costas Kartalis and members of the Organizing Committee.

Government officials, however, do not share Oswald�s concerns and are confident timetables will be implemented absolutely.

Regarding projects which are lying marginally inside timetables, Oswald said he received assurances that they will be delivered in time without any delay resulting from the election period in the country.

''This morning, I and my colleagues from the IOC watched the progress of projects in Athens. It is wonderful for one to see many people working hard all over the city. Every time I am in Athens I am impressed by the change I observe. However, a great deal of work still remains to be done. The time limit of August 13 (the date on which the Olympic Games will begin) appears to be bigger the closer this day gets,'' Oswald said.

The Coordinating Committee's president and his associates will be visiting Athens on a monthly basis until the projects have been completed.

[22] Patriarch Vartholomeos departs on visit to Cuba

ISTANBUL 22/01/2004 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Prior to his departure, Vartholomeos referred to the controversy triggered by his plans to visit Cuba, in spite of the continuing 40-year embargo imposed against it by the United States.

''We are aware, as is everyone, of the problems that exist between Cuba and the rest of the world, especially the U.S. We believe that the violation of human rights and religious freedoms, on the one hand, and the exclusion of a people from the international community and their sentencing to poverty and want, on the other hand, to be equally condemnable acts,'' he said.

Vartholomeos expressed hope that his ''purely ecclesiastical and spiritual visit'' will help improve these relations for the benefit of the Cuban people.

He said his visit was being undertaken at the invitation of Cuba's leader Fidel Castro in order to inaugurate the new Church of St. Nicholas in Havana, which he said was a gift of the Cuban people to the Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Vartholomeos described Castro's decision as an ''eloquent gesture'' that transmitted a host of messages.

[23] French culture ministry awards special honorary distinction to Sifounakis

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

The special distinction was presented by French Ambassador to Greece Bruno Delaye at a special event held at the French Embassy in Athens on Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing the French ambassador, Sifounakis thanked him personally, the ''friend country France'' and French Culture and Communications Minister Jean Jacques Aillagon for the honor they bestowed on him. He noted that ''despite that this distinction is directed to me personally, it first of all belongs to the people of the Aegean.'' Sifounakis added that ''the Aegean was always a source of inspiration'' and that the culture of the Aegean, its rare architectural heritage and its unique environment ''constituted and constitute the field of my scientific efforts, the central theme of the books.''

[24] Foreign ministry on guarantees for return of 'Tasman Spirit' crew

Athens, 22/01/2004 (ANA)

According to sources, Pakistan has informed Greek authorities that it will immediately release the five Greek seamen currently being held in Karachi, provided the Greek government, the shipping firm Polembros and the insurance firm American P&I Club give adequate guarantees that the seamen will return if their presence is required during the trial for the tanker accident.

Responding to questions, Loverdos noted the strenuous efforts made by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos to secure the seamen's release, while noting that the insurance and shipping firms also had an obligation to contribute to a solution of the problem in the same positive way.

The tanker ran aground outside the channel leading to Pakistan's main port in Karachi on July 27, spilling 28,500 tones of crude oil and causing the worst oil spill in Pakistan's history.

[25] UN chief says good offices on Cyprus still available

UNITED NATIONS 22/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer in Germany on Wednesday, Annan said they discussed the Cyprus problem and ''the question of the reunification of the island.''

''I made it clear to my good friend the Foreign Minister that my good offices are still available, provided the parties show their willingness and the will to move forward and settle their differences,'' he added.

Annan noted that ''we have made proposals to the parties last year, that proposal is still on the table, and I'm getting indications from all concerned that they may want to resume negotiations, but we haven't reached the stage where I would get involved yet.''

''I have heard from one of the parties and I am waiting to see what I hear from the others, and I will have the opportunity also of discussing this issue with (Turkish) Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan in the next few days,'' he concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. The Greek Cypriot side has expressed its willingness to negotiate a settlement on the basis of a twice-revised solution plan proposed by Annan.

[26] Cyprus solution depends on political developments in Turkey, says Poos

BRUSSELS 22/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

During a debate at the Foreign Affairs Committee on the examination of proposals-resolutions for acceding states, Poos informed his fellow Euro MPs about the latest developments on Cyprus.

He said the solution to the Cyprus problem depends not so much on the political situation in the Turkish-occupied north but on political developments in Turkey and for this reason, one should note the 23rd January when Turkey's National Security Council will convene to discuss Cyprus.

This shows, he said, that in Turkey the institution that decides is neither the government nor the Parliament but the National Security Council, in which the army plays a decisive role.

On January 24, he added, there will be another ''high-level'' meeting in Turkey with the participation of so-called Turkish Cypriot prime minister Mehmet Ali Talat and his ''foreign minister'' Serdar Denktash.

Referring to the draft report of the Commission, he said the absence of an agreement in Cyprus is not a precondition for Turkey's accession but it is a serious obstacle to Ankara's European aspirations.

''We hope the political forces in Turkey will seize the opportunity at this moment and reach a settlement before May 1. If we don't make use of this opportunity, it will be hard for Turkey to enter the EU, occupying a part of an EU member state, prohibiting it to use its air space and boycotting its ships,'' he concluded.

[27] Belgian senator blames Denktash for no progress in Cyprus

BRUSSELS 22/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Vivier stressed that the time is ripe for decisions to be taken, noting that there is now a political change in the Turkish Cypriot side.

Vivier presided on Tuesday over a meeting of the Committee, which discussed the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' EU accession course. Cyprus' Harmonization Coordinator Takis Hadjidemetriou was the main speaker.

The Belgian senator said that it is important to reach a Cyprus settlement before May 1, 2004, when Cyprus will join the European Union. He expressed the view that if there is no settlement by then a long period will pass by until a settlement is reached.

Vivier, who has been appointed as Rapporteur for the Cyprus problem at the Senate, announced he will visit Cyprus January 28-29 to continue his meetings with the parties concerned, before drafting a report that will be tabled before the Committee by the end of February.

In his speech, Hadjidemetriou said the Greek Cypriot side has accepted the Annan plan, as the basis for negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

He said Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos made known to the UN Secretary-General of his readiness for substantial negotiations, without any conditions or delay, whenever such negotiations are convened by the UN chief.

Hadjidemetriou stressed that the prospect of Cyprus joining the EU became a catalyst, which created a new unifying spirit of all people on the island.

Moreover he assured that the EU acquis communautaire will be fully in force in Cyprus by May 1, 2004 and noted that Cyprus is not expected to cause any economic burden or disruption to particular sectors or regions of the EU.

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