Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU launches infringement procedure against Greece over erroneous fiscal statistics; Athens responds

[02] PM Karamanlis confers with ministers ahead of negotiations on EU's 4th CSF

[03] Justice minister Papaligouras, Public Order minister Voulgarakis head to Brussels Thursday for EU ministerial council

[04] Tourism minister visits Turkey, says politicians must build new architecture in relations between two countries

[05] European Parliament Foreign Relations Committee ratifies report on Turkey's European prospects

[06] WEU Parliamentary Assembly ratifies amendment on FYROM's name

[07] Greece-Bulgaria defense cooperation discussed in Sofia

[08] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos disappointed that no issue concerning Patriarchate is being solved

[09] Senator Snowe strongly denounces possible U.S. flights to Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus

[10] Deputy FM Stylianidis underlines need for protection of human and minority rights in Albania

[11] Ministers stress need for immigration policy

[12] PASOK leader Papandreou accuses gov't of creating 'insecurity and social contrasts'

[13] EU sports ministers hold informal meeting

[14] Tourism ministry sees rising American interest in Greece

[15] First conference/exhibition on Alternative Forms of Tourism opens Friday

[16] Tourism research institute praises new development law as 'kiss of life' for Greek tourism

[17] Deputy Tourism Minister Liaskos says from NY that messages are encouraging for attraction of U.S. tourists to Greece

[18] Black Sea Bank gets first syndicated loan

[19] OECD asks Greece to take part in project on aiding smaller firms

[20] Conference in Athens on investment in the Arab world

[21] Bilateral air transport agreement to be signed with Bosnia on Thursday

[22] Stocks nose up in bid to consolidate

[23] ABNA General Assembly opens Friday in Thessaloniki

[24] BSEC ministers' meeting to be held in Athens on Dec. 1-3

[25] Celebrations for anniversary of Crete's union with Greece held in Hania

[26] ATHOC President Daskalaki proclaimed 'European Personality of the Year'

[27] Public prosecutor launches inquiry into complaints about TV ratings firm AGB

[28] Cyprus expects improvement of EU summit draft conclusions

[29] European Greens support viable Cyprus settlement

[01] EU launches infringement procedure against Greece over erroneous fiscal statistics; Athens responds

BRUSSELS 2/12/2004 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

While conceding that information supplied by Greek authorities in September that revised deficits for 2000-2003 had considerably reduced "elements of non compliance" by Greece, the Commission said there were still a number of problems that had to be addressed in the reporting and control of deficit-related data by Athens and that it had decided to launch the infringement procedure to prevent incorrect or incomplete data transmission in the future.

The Commission said it had also decided to launch a letter of formal notice to the Greek authorities after their failure to provide the Commission with statistical data in accordance with the protocol for the excessive deficit procedure.

According to a Commission announcement, the situation denoted "persistent systemic risks in the relevant departments of the Greek administration," which it said produced lasting effects in the specific and the general capacity to respect the legislation concerned.

In a report to the European Parliament and the Council on Wednesday, the Commission said it had decided to carry out a detailed analysis of Greece's deficit and debt since 1997 after the Greek government informed the Commission in September 2004 that it had significantly revised the country's deficits from 2000 to 2003, compared with the figures provided in March, following an informal audit of state books.

The final Eurostat report revised government debt upward for all years since 1997 by 2.1 per cent on average, indicating that the government deficit ratio had always exceeded 3 per cent of GDP - the maximum ceiling for countries in the euro-zone - during that period.

Apart from the weaknesses in the reporting of budgetary data by Greece, the Commission also identified insufficiencies in the "budgetary data provision" by Eurostat and "limits of the budgetary data reporting and provision system as a whole".

It said it intended to propose measures to ensure the credibility of the entire statistical system through the "adoption of the highest standards as regards the independence, integrity and accountability of the national statistics offices and the reinforcement of the control and inspection capacities of Eurostat".

Presenting the Commission's decision on Wednesday, a spokeswoman for European Commissioner for monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia was reassuring regarding the reliability of Greek budgetary data in the future.

Noting that there was now "close and continual good cooperation" between Greek authorities and Community services, the spokeswoman stressed the necessity to "look to the future and ensure that similar problems are not repeated".

In response to other questions, she said Greek authorities bore the largest share of responsibility for the problems but part of the blame also lay with Eurostat, which had not given the problem the required political dimension and had confined itself to the technocratic aspects of the case, but also member-state government that had been informed of the problem.

The spokeswoman fully absolved the Bank of Greece, however, saying that the country's budgetary data had never been presented to the central bank for ratification.

She also said the Commission was not currently considering penalties against Greece, such as stopping funding to Greece from the Cohesion Fund, for example, if it failed to meet the deadlines and that the Commission had no intention of imposing political sanctions.

Greek Finance Ministry: Commission's letter concerns previous governments

Responding to the Commission's report later on Wednesday, the Greek finance ministry stressed in an announcement that there was no danger that Greece would wind up before the European Court of Justice as a result of the infringement procedure launched by the EU, stressing that the formal notification sent to Greece concerned the practices of previous PASOK governments in the years 1997-2003.

The ministry underlined that the current Greek government was "cooperating closely and constantly with the European statistics service to restore transparency to fiscal data", while also underlining the government's determination to insist on a policy of transparency and reliability of fiscal data.

Gov't comments on Eurostat report regarding Greek economy, statistics: The findings of the Eurostat report presented in Parliament by Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis were the 'best answer' to those who questioned the wisdom and necessity of the audit of state books carried out by the government and the subsequent revision of fiscal statistics, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said on Wednesday.

Stressing particular points of the EU report, particularly references to the reliability of Greek budgetary data and the revision carried out in 2002, the recording of defense spending and others, Roussopoulos said the report had clearly proved "the systematic concealment and provision of incorrect data" by PASOK governments.

"This was a practice that defamed the country in the EU over a series of years. Now is the time of truth and responsibility and the government wants to restore transparency to public finances," he added.

In response to other questions, Roussopoulos denied that the government's actions had placed Greece in a "state of custodianship", noting that all countries that joined the eurozone had undertaken certain commitments and that Greece could not be an exception.

"Greece has restored its credibility within the EU and this is an important tool for solving the problems," Roussopoulos said.

Asked if the government's policy of 'gradual economic adjustment' was compatible with the requirements of meeting EU rules, Roussopoulos stressed that those predicting that the government will impose harsh austerity measures had been proved wrong before.

"The government has achieved a great deal with its policy of mild adjustment and will continue down this path," he said.

The Eurostat report, based on a detailed analysis of the Greek deficit and debt back to 1997, ordained the upward revision of the Greek government debt to GDP ratio over the entire period and concluded that government deficit ratio had been above the 3 per cent of GDP limit set by the EU throughout that period.

The European Commission on Wednesday announced that it was starting an infringement procedure against Greece over its provision of incorrect and incomplete statistics.

[02] PM Karamanlis confers with ministers ahead of negotiations on EU's 4th CSF

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Attending the meeting were economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis and deputy minister Christos Folias, development minister Dimitris Sioufas, interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, and foreign minister Petros Molyviatis and deputy minister Yannis Valinakis.

Pavlopoulos told waiting reporters after the meeting that the discussion concerned the preparation, preparedness and efficiency of the administrative structures for the 4th CSF.

[03] Justice minister Papaligouras, Public Order minister Voulgarakis head to Brussels Thursday for EU ministerial council

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Thursday's session is the last meeting of the Justice and Internal Affairs ministerial council under the Dutch EU presidency.

The Council will discuss matters of judicial cooperation, matters concerning EU cooperation with the countries of the western Balkans, and fighting organized crime and corruption, as well as matters related to the exchange of information on and combatting of terrorism.

After their Council meeting, the EU ministers will meet with their western Balkan colleagues to discuss the fight against organized crime as well as protection of borders.

It is noted that Papaligouras, as of April 1, 2005, takes over the helm of the SE Balkan Cooperation Organization against organized crime and corruption.

[04] Tourism minister visits Turkey, says politicians must build new architecture in relations between two countries

ISTANBUL 2/12/2004 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

Avramopoulos further said "it is fortunate that two young people with modern views are prime ministers in the two countries today", adding that "the more Greeks and Turks get to know each other the more they appreciate and respect each other."

The tourism minister met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who hosted a luncheon in his honor at his residence in Ankara. He also held talks with Tourism and Culture Minister Erkan Mumcu, with whom he was to inaugurate an exhibition on Wednesday titled "Melina Mercouri-Top Kapi."

Avramopoulos also visited the Phanar on Wednesday where he was received by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos who conveyed to him the bitterness of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek community on continuing pressures and problems, despite the promises of the Turkish government.

[05] European Parliament Foreign Relations Committee ratifies report on Turkey's European prospects

BRUSSELS 2/12/2004 (ANA/A. Simatos)

The Foreign Relations Committee expresses its support for the political reforms process and for constitutional and legislative changes being promoted in Turkey, but adds that Turkey must meet the political criteria set in Copenhagen, particularly with regard to the human rights sector and fundamental freedoms, both in theory and in practice.

The report, ratified with 50 votes in favor 18 against and six abstentions, notes that "the beginning of negotiations will be the beginning of a process of a long duration which due to its nature will be an 'open-end' process and will not lead 'a priori' and automatically to accession. In every case that target of negotiations is the accession of Turkey but the realization of this ambition will depend on the efforts of both sides and, consequently, accession does not constitute the automatic consequence of the beginning of negotiations."

On the question of the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, following a relevant proposal by former French prime minister and current Eurodeputy Michel Rocard, the report says "the beginning of negotiations naturally necessitates the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey" based on the logic that the negotiations will be held (if they get under way) between Turkey and the EU's 25 member-states, including Cyprus.

[06] WEU Parliamentary Assembly ratifies amendment on FYROM's name

PARIS 2/12/2004 (ANA/O. Tsipira)

The amendment was proposed by the head of the Greek delegation, Deputy Elsa Papadimitriou.

The amendment's text says "it is underlined that it is important that all the members of the UN comply with all decisions and it (the Parliamentary Assembly) expresses its regret over the recent unilateral recognition, by the United States, of FYROM as 'Republic of Macedonia' in contrast to the spirit of decisions 817 (1993) and 845 (1993) of the UN's Security Council."

Speaking before the vote was held, Papadimitriou spoke of a "bomb by newly-elected President Bush" and called on her colleagues to accept the amendment, stressing that it had already been accepted by the Political Committee.

[07] Greece-Bulgaria defense cooperation discussed in Sofia

SOFIA 2/12/2004 (ANA/ B. Borisov)

"I want to believe that much better days are coming for cooperation of our countries' armed forces. We took important decisions and I believe that the next steps which will be taken will confirm the excellent relations between the two countries," Douvas told the press after visiting the "Georgi Rakovski" military Academy in Sofia.

In statements to the ANA, Stoikov expressed his gratitude for the support of Greece's armed forces for the speedier adaptation of the Bulgarian army to the standards and demands of NATO.

[08] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos disappointed that no issue concerning Patriarchate is being solved

ISTANBUL 2/12/2004 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

"We are disappointed. None of our problems has been solved. We have more attacks and on the eve of the setting of a date for Europe. I express the complaint and disappointment of the Christians and of the Mother Church," he said.

"We are very sad both as a Patriarchate and as a community. At a time when we were expecting our problems to be over new things are appearing," he added.

Vartholomeos directed explicit questions to Ankara, Athens and Brussels "why the issues described by the European Commission's report on Turkey and the Turkish government has promised to address are not being handled."

He went on to say "I cannot explain this even to myself. I am disappointed and I am not hiding it. I am saying this in public."

[09] Senator Snowe strongly denounces possible U.S. flights to Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus

WASHINGTON 2/12/2004 (ANA/T. Ellis)

As member of the sub-committee for air navigation, Snowe expresses her intense displeasure over the fact that two members of the transport security service had recently visited airports in the Turkish-occupied northern part of the country to investigate the technical infrastructure and the existing possibilities for the acceptance of American aircraft. The Republican Senator of Maine notes that the international organizations recognize as legal flights only those which are made with the agreed opinion of the internationally recognized authorities of the country. Within this context, she notes that despite the negative ruling of the International Civil Aviation Organization but also the lack of interest on the part of American airline companies, the government of U.S. President George W. Bush insists on examining the possibility of flights to the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.

Snowe reminds that it is the steadfast position of the United States to maintain direct relations only with the legal and internationally recognized government of the Republic of Cyprus, something, which in any case, also derives from relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

Concluding, she calls on the relevant secretaries to make clear U.S. policy on this matter and to explain why they sent to the occupied north of Cyprus members of the Air Transport Security Service at the time when it would be more necessary for them to deal with the internal safeguarding of security regulations at American airports.

[10] Deputy FM Stylianidis underlines need for protection of human and minority rights in Albania

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The two sides discussed issues concerning the Greek minority which lives in Albania as well as in Greece. They firmly supported the need for strengthening Greece-Albania bilateral relations in the sector of development policy and recognized the role of the minority as a bridge of peace, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

[11] Ministers stress need for immigration policy

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou said the precondition for the integration of immigrants is access to knowledge with the preservation of the mother tongue, which is necessary in the country for all immigrants' children.

The conference was held at the Zappeion Hall by the Panhellenic Women's Organization "Panathinaiki" under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Equality.

[12] PASOK leader Papandreou accuses gov't of creating 'insecurity and social contrasts'

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou said the budget is ''anti-social, the government does not meet its obligations towards the pensioners on the basis of the existing law, creates insecurity with its foreign policy and with the re-emergence of the high cost of living.''

[13] EU sports ministers hold informal meeting

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Orfanos said it cannot be possible for international federations to impose their views on the national law of each country and indeed when governments satisfy all their claims.

"We want independent sports federations. But this wherever it is necessary. We built stadiums which are suitable for the Champions League and we cannot have a system of federations' elections," he said.

Orfanos also received congratulations from his EU counterparts for the successful holding of the Athens Olympic Games.

[14] Tourism ministry sees rising American interest in Greece

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The announcement said that U.S. interest was stronger chiefly because of the positive impression created during the Olympic Games in Athens, a climate that the ministry hoped to make use of.

The minister briefed American tourist enterprises about the new measures being introduced by the Greek government for tourism, such as the investment opportunities under the new developmental law that also had a special separate chapter on tourism and tourist infrastructure.

[15] First conference/exhibition on Alternative Forms of Tourism opens Friday

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The three-day exhibition on Alternative Forms of Tourism opens Friday afternoon, with the participation of agencies from Greece and the Balkans involved in alternative tourism.

During the parallel conference, speakers will analyze issues pertaining to alternative forms of tourism, the problems in Greece, agro-tourism as a lever of growth for the provinces, and the projection of tourism in western Macedonia and in Florina prefecture.

Taking part in the exhibition will be the prefectural governments of Grevena, Iraklion, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Kastoria, Kozani, Pella, Preveza, Hania, Florina, the Bulgarian municipality of Smolian, development companies, and eco-tourism companies.

[16] Tourism research institute praises new development law as 'kiss of life' for Greek tourism

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Presenting its latest report, meanwhile, ITEP predicted a 5 per cent rise in tourist arrivals and stopovers or higher, boosted by the positive image broadcast by Greece during the Olympic Games and the government's statements about an aggressive advertising and promotional campaign.

[17] Deputy Tourism Minister Liaskos says from NY that messages are encouraging for attraction of U.S. tourists to Greece

NEW YORK 2/12/2004 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Liaskos presented the conclusions of his contacts with travel agents and representatives of the tourism industry in the United States but also with officials of the Greek-American community.

"I was very satisfied with my contacts," Liaskos said, and noted the objectives set by the Greek government and that of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for the development of Greece's tourism.

[18] Black Sea Bank gets first syndicated loan

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The term of the loan is 3 years and BSTDB will use the proceeds for general funding purposes, management said in a statement.

This transaction is BSTDB's first long-term loan from commercial banks.

BSTDB has mandated Bayerische Landesbank (Germany) and Sanpaolo Imi S.p.A. (Italy) to act as lead arrangers for the loan on a fully underwritten basis. The issue was oversubscribed, the statement said.

Joining as lead arrangers of the issue were General Bank of Greece SA, Natexis Banques Populaires, London Branch (France) and Raiffeisen Zentralbank �sterreich Aktiengesellschaft (Austria). Managers were Baden-W�rttembergische Bank AG (Germany) and Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft (Germany), it added.

BSTDB is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Its headquarters are in Thessaloniki.

With an authorized capital equivalent to about 1.5 billion US dollars, the bank supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing financing, guarantees, and equity for operations in the public and private sectors in its member countries.

At the end of September 2004, project financing and corporate lending represent over 80% of the bank's commitments, with short term trade financing accounting for 14% of the portfolio.

BSTDB is rated Long Term Baa2 and Short Term P2 by Moody's.

[19] OECD asks Greece to take part in project on aiding smaller firms

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The OECD's deputy secretary, Herwing Schlogl, told Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas in a letter that the country could help in the global organization's work to improve the companies' access to international markets by contributing to a study, and hosting a world meeting on the matter.

[20] Conference in Athens on investment in the Arab world

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Delegates will also look at the investment climate in the southeastern Mediterranean in relation to the Arab countries; business ties between those countries and Greece; and the role of the media.

The conference is arranged by three non-government organizations: the Greek Leadership Communications Institute, Humanitarian and Euro-cultural Growth and Cooperation (HEDA-GREECE), and the Mediterranean Cooperation Institute.

[21] Bilateral air transport agreement to be signed with Bosnia on Thursday

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Liapis will leave for Sarajevo on Thursday to attend the international conference of the European Reconstruction and Development Bank on the "Development of the infrastructures of SE Europe."

The bank is financing major infrastructure projects, mainly road and railway networks, not only in Greece but in other countries of southeastern Europe as well.

During his stay in Sarajevo, Liapis will be received by President Paravic. The agreement to be signed is part of a series of cooperation measures agreed during the visit recently made to Sarajevo by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[22] Stocks nose up in bid to consolidate

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,655.95 points, showing a rise of 0.04%. Turnover was 152.3 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.24% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.76% up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.79% percent higher.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 153 to 132 with 73 remaining unchanged.

[23] ABNA General Assembly opens Friday in Thessaloniki

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The General Assembly, called by the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA), will be attended by the general directors of the national news agencies of SE Europe.

The General Assembly will review ABNA's activities throughout 2004, plan its activities for 2005, and elect the national news agency that will assume the rotating ABNA presidency for the coming term.

In its 10 years of existence, ABNA has take important initiatives in developing the ideals of Balkan cooperation, peaceful co-existence of the peoples, democratic principles, and pluralism in information dissemination in the Balkan peninsula.

By proposal of the ABNA General Secretariat, the assembly will discuss matters related to improving and development cooperation among the region's news agencies, such as the operation of a joint portal, the establishment of inter-Balkan journalism awards, the development of joint business activities, etc.

Regular ABNA members are the Athens News Agency and MPA from Greece, ATA from Albania, Anadolu from Turkey, BTA from Bulgaria, Rompress from Romania, Tanjug from Serbia-Montenegro, MIA from FYROM, and SRNA from Bosnia-Herzegovina, while observer status is held by STA from Slovenia, FENA from Bosnia-Herzegovina (from the Croatian-Moslem federation), and Moldpress from Moldova.

[24] BSEC ministers' meeting to be held in Athens on Dec. 1-3

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Greece currently holds the presidency of the BSEC.

The meeting is due to last until December 3, with the participation of Deputy Public Order Minister Christos Markoyiannakis and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, as well as high-ranking officers of the police force.

Apart from the main theme of organized crime, the ministers will also discuss the wave of immigrants from Asia to Europe, human-trafficking, combatting terrorism and drug-trafficking.

The aim of the conference is the signature of an Additional Cooperation Protocol for combatting terrorism and a Joint Declaration on fighting human trafficking.

[25] Celebrations for anniversary of Crete's union with Greece held in Hania

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

The government was represented by Deputy Public Order Minister Christos Markoyiannakis, who underlined that this was a great anniversary that marked the time when Crete and the rest of Greece chose to proceed united.

[26] ATHOC President Daskalaki proclaimed 'European Personality of the Year'

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

Apart from Daskalaki, other candidates in the same category were Greek national soccer team coach Otto Rehhagel, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Eurodeputy Paul Van Buitenen and the head of the European Defense Organization Nick Witney.

The ceremony was held on November 30 at the Palais d'Egmont, in Brussels, in the presence of many representatives of the European Parliament, the Belgian government, the municipal authorities of Brussels and of the business and journalistic sectors.

The honorary distinction was received from former European Parliament president Pat Cox by Marton Simitsek, the head of ATHOC's Games Operation Department, who represented Daskalaki who was unable to attend due to other commitments she had.

[27] Public prosecutor launches inquiry into complaints about TV ratings firm AGB

Athens, 2/12/2004 (ANA)

In the course of his inquiry, Papangelopoulos on Wednesday asked to see a report by TV Viewer Ratings Research Control Committee inspectors. He is due to decide if there are grounds to pursue the case within the next few days.

[28] Cyprus expects improvement of EU summit draft conclusions

NICOSIA 2/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on Ankara's reactions to the conclusions, which say Turkey is obliged to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, Chrysostomides said this was merely a repetition of Ankara's positions.

''Ankara seems to deny for the time being to recognize its fundamental obligation towards the Republic of Cyprus and above all, of course, towards the EU, that is to recognize all EU member-states, with which it will be negotiating on an intergovernmental level throughout the accession negotiations, if it receives a date on December 17'' to begin accession talks with the EU, the Cypriot Spokesman said.

Asked how the government was going about informing EU governments and institutions on its positions, Chrysostomides said this was done ''with all the visits of the President, those of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and our diplomatic services,'' which he described as ''especially intense.''

[29] European Greens support viable Cyprus settlement

NICOSIA 2/12/2004 (CNA/ANA)

In a resolution adopted on the Cyprus issue at the first council meeting of the European Green Party/EFGP, which took place in Dublin from November 26 to 28, the European Greens also refer to

Turkey's EU prospects, noting that ''Turkey should take the necessary steps in order to start the process of recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, in the perspective of Turkey's accession to the EU.''

''The EU, Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus should indicate a positive perspective towards a sustainable solution to the Cyprus problem and describe a time schedule for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops. The Cyprus government should not stand in the way of Turkey's accession path,'' they add.

They say ''the Cyprus issue remains unresolved, following the result of the referenda'' on a solution plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, adding that ''it is now urgent to enhance the efforts that would bring the two communities together and get over the disappointment of not reaching a solution last April'' at the referenda.

The European Greens ''support the efforts of the EU to provide financial support to the Turkish Cypriots and bring an end to their economic isolation'' but at the same time ''wish to ensure a sustainable development on the island, which is especially threatened by hasty and mass tourism development.''

''Furthermore, the property rights of refugees should be ensured and European citizens must be informed that the selling and buying of property in the occupied area is illegal, unless the rightful owners have given their consent,'' the European Greens add.

Concluding their resolution, the European Greens ''identify that several environmental problems on the island, such as soil degradation from disused quarries, sea pollution, loss of biodiversity, unrestricted tourism development and intensive agriculture all over Cyprus need immediate action, which can only be successfully addressed by initiatives of the EU and especially the Green Group.''

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