Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-07-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with ministers on devastation caused by Rafina fire, first indications point to arson

[02] PM discusses current affairs with interior minister, Cabinet secretary

[03] Public order minister announces overhaul of Thessaloniki's police force

[04] Turkey must change to become part of EU, Patriarch Bartholomew warns Turkish authorities

[05] Justice minister refuses to accept resignation of Appeals Court justice

[06] Gas station owners welcome blanket tax on fuel

[07] Souflias optimistic about public works progress, public investments program

[08] Greek budget deficit fell 11 percent in first half

[09] Greek household debt low, report says

[10] Passenger traffic down in Northern Greece's airports in Jan-April

[11] Gov't working to spur marine tourism

[12] Suburban railway celebrates its first birthday

[13] Greek tourist enterprises ask ministry to tackle Internet fraud

[14] Greek stocks fall on profit taking

[15] PM Karamanlis expresses best wishes to renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis on his 80th birthday

[16] Oldest species of trout in Greece in danger of extinction

[17] Onassis Foundation awards 42 scholarships for 2005-2006

[18] Turkey signs key EU customs union protocol with ten new countries

[19] EU Commissioner says Turkish Cypriots self-isolated

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with ministers on devastation caused by Rafina fire, first indications point to arson

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

In addition, 14 people, including firefighters, were injured in the battle with the blaze.

At the same time, the Fire Brigade was conducting a preliminary investigation into the causes of the fire, which has tentatively been attributed to arson according to indications available thus far, while Athens First Instance Prosecutor Epaminondas Vrakatselis on Friday ordered an urgent preliminary investigation by the prosecutors' office, in tandem.

According to the order, all the parameters of the case and each and every charge regarding the conditions of the fire would be investigated, including all press reporters citing charges of arson made by the local residents.

Karamanlis and his ministers praised the immediate mobilization of the state machine and the coordination that enabled the fire -- which broke out in the coastal port town of Rafina on Thursday morning and quickly spread to several other areas fanned by high winds of up to 9-beaufort velocity -- to be extinguished by an immense team of firefighters and land and in the air after a Herculean operation, hampered by adverse conditions, that lasted some 10 hours. The fire spread to the residential areas of Neos Voutzas, Drafi, Perivolakia, Aghia Triada, Aghia Kyriaki, Pikermi, Kallitechnoupoli, and on the border with Artemis (Loutsa), heading towards Spata and Pendeli, before being placed under control.

The premier, who rushed to the front line of the firefighting effort on Thursday together with public order minister George Voulgarakis and other government officials, said Thursday that the burned area would be designated for immediate reforestation, and the decision was reaffirmed during Friday's meeting.

Government sources said that the planning was impeccable and had immediate results, given that in a matter of 10 hours the devastating fire was extinguished despite adverse conditions that included nearly zero visibility due to the thick smoke from the flames, and the strong winds that fanned and spread the blaze, as well as the high waves resulting from the winds in the sea off Rafina that hampered the efforts of the firefighting planes taking part in the operation.

The sources said the prompt mobilization of supplementary firefighting forces from the periphery and deployment of 500 conscripts specially trained in such phenomena had also contributed to the success of the operation.

An unprecedented force of 180 firefighters with 60 fire engines, some 600 conscripts and a 100-man team of the EMAK emergency operations squad, volunteers and local residents, aided by 8 firefighting planes and 6 helicopters dropping water and flame-retardant materials on the blaze, 20 water tankers from neighboring municipalities, and an additional 20 fire engines with their crews that rushed to the area from the Peloponnese and the Sterea region (central Greece), took part in the massive operation. Most of the force remained on the scene throughout the night, on alert for the eventuality of a rekindling of the flames, while the airborne teams resumed water-dropping at the crack of dawn to avert the prospect of rekindling.

The emergency meeting was attended by interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, development minister Dimitris Sioufas, environment, town planning and public works minister George Souflias, national defense minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, public order minister George Voulgarakis, agricultural development minister Evangelos Basiakos, and health minister Nikitas Kaklamanis.

Voulgarakis told reporters after the meeting that the coordination of the effort had been very good, resulting in the success of the firefighting operation despite the adverse conditions.

Teams from the Eastern Attica Prefectural Authority commenced inspection and recording of the damage early on Friday, assisted by local authorities. The Fire Brigade's directorate for crimes of arson also commenced preliminary investigation into the causes of the fire.

Voulgarakis said that according to indications so far, in tandem with the tentative assessments of the Fire Brigade, the fire appeared to be the work of arson, given the numerous fronts and the fact that some were running in a different direction than that of the wind, while Pavlopoulos said that those who thought they would gain even an inch of forestland with such actions were mistaken.

Fire Brigade officials told ANA, too, that the fire was most likely the work of arson, given that it began on three simultaneous fronts at a distance of one kilometer from each other, while in the space of 15 minutes a total of 9 different fronts were blazing in the Rafina area.

Also speaking to reporters after the meeting, the defense minister said that aerial photographing of the fire-ravaged area would commence immediately on Friday, and the aerial photographs would be made public next week so that "every citizen will be a participant, and will also be able to make sure that, where there was forest, there will again be forest", as the minister said Karamanlis stressed during the meeting.

Once the photographing of the stricken area by air was completed, the Prefecture would immediately and formally declare it an "area for reforestation" and begin planting saplings for anti-flooding protection.

Basiakos, in turn, reiterated to the press that "where there was forest, there will once again be forest".

The municipalities to which the fire-stricken areas belong were accepting applications, as of Friday, by residents who had suffered losses in the blaze for an emergency benefit ranging from 230 euros to 600 euros, while on the basis of the applications turned in interest-free loans would be issued fore the rebuilding of the homes and businesses destroyed in the fire.

The town planning ministry would also issue prefab homes to those whose main residence was burned down in the fire.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos told a press briefing later that the fire-stricken residents would receive compensation in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Public order minister praises emergency services response against fire in northeast Attica: Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis on Friday stressed that he was pleased with the coordination of emergency services and other bodies involved in battling the large-scale fires that broke out in northeast Attica on Thursday.

Voulgarakis attributed the blaze to arsonists and said it had been the most difficult fire to break out in the area in recent years, having multiple fronts that endangered both property and people that could have claimed many victims.

"I am extremely pleased with the coordination of all involved, the fire department, police, army, local authorities and prefectures, as well as all the volunteers whose self-sacrifice allowed us to bring the fire under control," he said.

He also rejected any delay by the fire department to arrive on the scene.

Voulgarakis made the statements in Thessaloniki, where he met members of New Democracy's administrative committee for the Thessaloniki Prefecture. The meeting covered the restructuring of Thessaloniki's police force and ruling New Democracy's policies.

The minister also commented on general politics, saying that he did not see any prospect of an imminent cabinet reshuffle or of early elections. He declared himself satisfied with the first round of government reforms and that their widespread approval by the public was reflected in opinion polls and the low turnout for demonstrations.

Fire department convinced arson involved in northeast Attica fires: Fire department officers on Friday said that all the evidence concerning the fires that broke out on the northeast Attica coast on Thursday pointed to deliberate arson. Four more fires that broke out in the same area on Friday were further confirmation, they said.

The new blazes were reported in Aghia Marina, Mati and Nea Makri but were quickly put out by fire-fighting helicopters before becoming dangerous.

Officers of the fire department's investigating force said Friday's fires occurred in spots where neither an accident or negligence were plausible causes, while they all broke out in a more-or-less straight line within minutes of each other, as if set by someone using a vehicle.

The fire department considers Friday's attempts to be a continuation of Thursday's fires, taking them as further confirmation that the fires in Rafina and Neos Voutzas were arson, since they also broke out at several points at the same time.

The fire department investigated the area where the fires were set on Friday but found no clues or objects left behind by the suspected arsonists.

At the same time, the fire department stressed that the rapid spread of the fire was made possible not just by high winds but also because the ground had not been cleared of underbrush and the necessary precautionary measures were not taken, while thick smoke rising from the ground did not allow fire-fighting aircraft to make accurate drops.

Another fire broke out on Thursday in a landfill site in Tanagra but was quickly put out.

Public power corporation says grid suffered heavy damage in Rafina fire: The Public Power Corporation (DEH) on Friday said that the Attica power grid suffered extensive damage during Thursday's fire in Rafina, Neos Voutzas, Kallitechnoupoli and Pikermi.

A DEH announcement said that more than 60 electricity sub-stations were off line, while more than 210 wooden poles and several kilometers of cables had been incinerated.

It said repair teams from all Attica had managed to restore power to most of the areas affected, where this was possible, in spite of extremely difficult conditions. Work was continuing, with further reinforcements from other areas of Greece, to restore power to some 2,500 DEH clients that still had no electricity.

According to DEH, power would be restored to most of these by this afternoon, and the rest by Saturday, with the exception of extremely difficult cases.

[02] PM discusses current affairs with interior minister, Cabinet secretary

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

No statements were made after the meeting.

[03] Public order minister announces overhaul of Thessaloniki's police force

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

He also announced that 440 police officers will be added to the force, while the ministry will allocate � 1.5 million annually in addition to funds already allocated from the budget.

Voulgarakis emphasized that the ministry wants to strengthen the police force and presented a draft plan of the basic changes geared towards meeting the demographic needs and particularities of each municipality in the prefecture.

The draft plan, aside from providing for additional officers, also calls for the creation of a new aliens' dept., highway patrol, special police forces, drug enforcement, an agency dedicated to human trafficking, a witness protection program, and an electronic crimes squad, among others.

The region's mayors will have the chance to submit their proposals and suggestions in August before the restructuring plan is finalized.

[04] Turkey must change to become part of EU, Patriarch Bartholomew warns Turkish authorities

ISTANBUL 30/7/2005 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"If we really want to become Europeans, we must change our attitudes, not just make some reforms and pass a few new laws that are sometimes implemented and sometimes not," he stressed.

"We must radically change the way we think, and this is what the Europeans are telling us," he added.

The Patriarch made the statements during the scheduled opening of a summer camp for children organized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, whose opening had been so delayed by the failure of Turkish authorities to push through the necessary paperwork that parents had taken their children back home.

"We are declaring the start of the Paidopolis, even though only symbolically, because our children's camp is opening without our children. And this is due to the hard-heartedness of certain state services, who made sure that it delayed using various ways and means, and each time found some excuse to prevaricate," Bartholomew said, pointing out that July had already passed.

The Patriarch also spoke bitterly of the way that Turkish authorities handled the Patriarchate's institutions and property, and the fact that the Turkish State had refused to re-open the School of Theology on Halki, which has now been closed for 34 years.

"The Ecumenical Patriarchate has never intended to create problems for the State and our government. But, on the other hand, it demands its rights from the State and does not allow the State to press, repress and be unjust to its citizens, to its own citizens. We are not strangers in this land," he stressed.

[05] Justice minister refuses to accept resignation of Appeals Court justice

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

[06] Gas station owners welcome blanket tax on fuel

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

"Normalization of the petroleum product market, which has a great impact on the economy and growth, is imperative for cooperation in the sector and no-one should be allowed to exploit it," the trade group said in a statement.

Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Thursday that fuel consumption taxes would be merged after a register of consumers was compiled in the drive to curb racketeering.

Under the new measure, end-users will pay no extra cost. Under attack will be tax evasion, adulteration of fuel, and racketeering, especially in sales and distribution, Alogoskoufis said.

The plan will be implemented in two phases.

From October 15, 2005 to April 30, 2006, the government will collate data on heating fuel sales from sales companies and gas stations; and from consumers including private individuals, farmers and apartment block managers. Heating oil will still carry a 21-euro tax per 1,000 liters.

In the second phase starting in May 2006 when heating fuel and diesel oil taxes are merged, consumers will again pay the lower rate for heating oil, but shop using a government-endorsed personalized electronic card containing a record of previous purchases and the holder's tax number and address.

The card will be inserted into portable computers at the time of purchase and the data cross-checked in ministry archives.

Wrongdoers will be fined and also face criminal proceedings, with fake invoices incurring criminal charges and withdrawal of a company's operating license.

Gov't forced into U-turn over fuel tax by public outcry, Coalition party says

The government had been forced into a temporary U-turn rather than face a public outcry over its fuel-tax unification plan, which would add new financial burdens on consumers, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party official Panagiotis Lafazanis said on Friday.

He was referring to the new system for controlling diesel and heating oil sales announced by the government on Thursday.

Lafazanis noted that there was not enough time until April 2006 to create a reliable database of heating oil consumers and traders, and that the system announced would be bureaucratic and complicated and fraught with insuperable technical difficulties.

At the same time, he slammed measures designed to combat the vast trade in ship fuel as "completely inadequate" and the fact that the government had not taken any measures to reduce the financial burden for lower income brackets.

[07] Souflias optimistic about public works progress, public investments program

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

"The Public Works Ministry and its political leadership will be judged at the end of 2005, but mostly in 2006-2007, when projects exceeding � 12 billion will be under way and all of Greece will have been turned into an enormous work site absorbing funds at triple the rate of previous years," Souflias said.

The minister also emphasized that the ministry's current leadership during the 10 months it has been in office, has completely reshaped the manner in which public works are carried out and has also set up an innovative public works auction program for 2005 with a total budget of � 5 billion.

According to Souflias, projects totalling � 4.4 billion have already been auctioned, while contracts have been signed and projects are under way which exceed � 2 billion.

Finally, he said that the absorption rate of a public investments program is judged at the end of the year, since according to statistics approximately 50% of funds are absorbed in the fall.

[08] Greek budget deficit fell 11 percent in first half

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

A finance ministry report said regular budget's net revenues rose by 3.6 percent in the first six months of the year, compared with the same period in 2004, while spending rose by 6.7 percent and primary spending fell by 3.5 percent over the same period. Last year's budget reported increases of 12.7 percent for total spending and 16.7 percent for primary spending over the same period.

Interest spending rose 14.6 percent in the January-June period, reflecting payment of a 2001 swap in April.

[09] Greek household debt low, report says

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

The report, conducted by Th. Mitrakos, G.Symigiannis and P. Tzamouranis on "Greek households' debt" was based on a central bank's survey conducted in the period from October 2002 to January 2003.

The report also noted that the vast majority of Greek households could afford servicing their debts.

Another report, by Daphne Nikolitsa on "Per capita income, productivity and participation in labor market" showed that despite high rates of improvement in the last few years, Greece lagged in productivity in the EU-15 and stressed that this development was the main reason for the country's lower per capital income.

Possible causes for lower productivity are thought to be in the business climate (bureaucracy, regulations), lack of competition, smaller size of Greek enterprises, delaying in adopting new technologies and weakness of the education system. Another decisive factor was the country's low employment rate.

An article by Bank of Greece's governor, Nikos Garganas, published in a central bank's bulletin, focused on recent developments in Europe and in particular some populist rhetoric doubting the purpose of a single European currency. The Greek central banker rejected as irrational any doubts over the outlook of the Eurozone and stressed that introducing a single monetary policy was a very successful move as it ensured price stability in the euro zone. He noted that the result of this policy was record low interest rates in the Eurozone.

Garganas noted, however, that price stability and low interest rates were not enough to speed up growth rates and improve living quality in Europe, although they were the necessary basis for developing a more dynamic Europe. The Greek central banker said recent developments confirmed that a monetary union needed greater flexibility and higher level of competition than in national economies.

[10] Passenger traffic down in Northern Greece's airports in Jan-April

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

A report by the Bank of Greece on Regional Economic Conjuncture showed that passenger traffic at the five airports in Macedonia and Thrace fell to 989,217 in the January-April period from 1,054,445 in the corresponding period in 2004 (although traffic was up in the airports of Kastoria and Kozani).

Passenger traffic in the Macedonia airport of Thessaloniki eased to 857,200 in the four-month period from 906,700 last year. The airport recorded the biggest percentage traffic increase in January (7.2 pct) and the biggest drop in March (-17.5 pct).

Passenger traffic in the Kavala airport fell during all four months to 52,400 from 66,200 last year, with March recording a 31.3 percent drop in traffic.

The Alexandroupoli airport reported passenger traffic of 76,635 people in the January-April period from 79,017 last year, with April traffic up 30.4 percent.

On the other hand, traffic in the airports of Kastoria and Kozania totalled 1,480 and 1,502 in the four month period, up from 1,313 and 1,225 last year, respectively.

[11] Gov't working to spur marine tourism

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

The specialized form of travel should be natural to Greece and carried a wide margin for growth, Liaskos told an awards ceremony for the Aegean yachting rally.

An infrastructure for marine tourism and new products were being evolved, and a new development law offered incentives for the creation of marinas and improvement of existing facilities, he noted.

Marine sports including the Aegean rally acted to publicize the sector, Liaskos added.

[12] Suburban railway celebrates its first birthday

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

According to the company, the suburban railway is following a stable upward trend since a relevant survey showed that 94.3 percent of passengers using it said they were absolutely satisfied with services provided for them.

Prospects of extending the railway are extremely positive, since extensions to Corinth (the Corinth-Athens route is expected to begin in September), Piraeus, Halkida and Thiva, which are proceeding at a speedy rate, will change the transport map in Athens.

The suburban railway began operating only 15 days before the beginning of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, without undergoing a test period, but succeeded in performing its mission, carrying about 35,000 passengers on a daily basis throughout the duration of the Games.

Today, this means of transport is preferred by over 15,000 people daily and the credibility rate of its routes reaches 98.5 percent. The duration of the Athens-Athens airport route has been reduced from 41 to 38 minutes and the cost of the ticket is now down to six euros.

[13] Greek tourist enterprises ask ministry to tackle Internet fraud

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

POET called for administrative and legal penalties for companies that advertised tourist services that they were not licensed to provide. It also proposed that the ministry create and publish a list of licensed tourist agencies in each area on the Internet, which would be updated on a regular basis.

In the letter, POET noted that there were hundreds of cases where individuals working from a website at home were offering Greek holidays to unsuspecting tourists all over the world, who believed that they were dealing with official Greek tourist agencies, and booked rooms in hotels at a huge profit.

[14] Greek stocks fall on profit taking

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

The index ended 1.06 percent lower at 3,271.78 with turnover a heavy 231 million euros.

The Telecommunications (2.92 pct), Mineral-Cement (2.35 pct), Insurance (1.56 pct) and Industrials (1.11 pct) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while the Food-Beverage (2.44 pct), Publications (2.34 pct) and Investments (0.32 pct), scored the biggest gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 1.15 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.17 pct and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.25 pct down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 163 to 108 with another 57 issues unchanged.

[15] PM Karamanlis expresses best wishes to renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis on his 80th birthday

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

Karamanlis sent Theodorakis a photo album titled "Greece of Takis Tloupas", containing texts by Antonis Karkayiannis and George Hourmouziadis.

The dedication attached wrote "Dear Mikis, I wish you wholeheartedly best wishes and happy and creative years. With love and appreciation C. Karamanlis."

International conference honors Theodorakis' 80th birthday: An international conference dedicated to the work of famous music composer Mikis Theodorakis in honor of his 80th birthday, kicked off on Friday in Hania, Crete.

Dozens of people attended the event, which opened at Hania Cultural Centre on Friday afternoon, including Athens Supraprefect Fofi Gennimata, Hania Prefect George Katsanevakis, the First Parliament Vice-President Sotiris Hatzigakis and the composer's daughter Margarita Theodoraki, among others.

The conference is dedicated not just to the composer's music but also to his political activities.

[16] Oldest species of trout in Greece in danger of extinction

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

The limited reproduction of this sub-species, the Salmo trutta peristericus, endangered its continued existence, which depended mainly on the quality of the water in the rivers and the ecological condition of the two small brooks in which it lives. The particularly small population in the Aghios Germanos (St. Germanos) river was threatened by fishing, while illegal fishing with the use of chlorine, nets and other methods that killed off the adult population was also a major threat. A further prospective threat to the sub-species was the pollution caused by local stables and technical projects carried out without taking into consideration the sensitivity of the species, in the wider area of Mt. Varnounta.

With a view to preservation of the species, as well as the taking of administrative measures for its protection, the Prespes Protection Society is commencing a study on the ecology of this sub-species, which was placed on the "Red list" of endangered species of fresh water fish endemic to the Mediterranean in early 2005.

The program is being conducted in cooperation with the Tour du Valat foundation of France, with financing by WWF-Hellas.

[17] Onassis Foundation awards 42 scholarships for 2005-2006

Athens, 30/7/2005 (ANA)

The grants and scholarships have been awarded to students, professors, translators, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers from countries such as Australia, Germany, Georgia, UK, US, China, Turkey, Uzbekistan and others.

Recipients will be contacted personally, but can also visit the website at www.onassis.gr to review results.

Since 1995, the Foundation has awarded more than 500 grants and scholarships.

[18] Turkey signs key EU customs union protocol with ten new countries

NICOSIA 30/7/2005 (CNA/ANA)

According to the news agency, Turkey also tabled a declaration making clear the signing does not mean Ankara now recognizes the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus says full implementation of Ankara Agreement required: A Turkish statement of non recognition of the Cyprus Republic, including a provision that Ankara forbids the entry of Cypriot aircraft and vessels, will not satisfy the European Union, Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said on Friday.

He also noted that what is important is the full implementation of the Ankara Agreement to cover all EU member states, new and old, in all fields.

The spokesman was commenting on reports in the Turkish press that Ankara, after signing the protocol expanding its customs union to the ten new members of the EU, will issue a declaration of non recognition that will also include a note that the customs union refers only to industrial products and that its airports and ports will be closed for Cyprus.

Chrysostomides said that the decisions of the working team at COREPER are there and all possibilities have been discussed, noting that if

Turkey does not sign the protocol, accession talks with the EU cannot start.

Responding to questions, Chrysostomides said that the EU's reaction has already been decided, noting that if something new comes up the view of the Republic of Cyprus will be requested.

EPP - ED Group: Turkey - EU accession talks require recognition of Cyprus: Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament Hans-Gert Poettering has stated that accession negotiations with Turkey require the recognition of Cyprus.

Accession negotiations with Turkey are impossible as long as the question of the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey is not settled, he said.

According to an EPP - ED Group press release on Thursday night, Poettering was reacting to reports that both the Turkish side as well as the current British EU Council Presidency consider the signing of the so-called Ankara Protocol, about the extension of the Customs Union between Turkey and the EU to the new member states, does not mean the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey.

According to Poettering the position of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is a contradiction in itself, signing on the one hand the protocol to the Ankara Agreement that implies the legal and political recognition of Cyprus while on the other hand denying the recognition of Cyprus in a planned declaration. Poettering said it is disconcerting that Council President Blair accepts this interpretation.

Poettering noted that ''negotiating means accepting each other as negotiating partners. The negotiating partners of Turkey would be all

25 EU-member states. How can Turkey negotiate its accession to the EU without recognizing one of its members?''.

Apart from the fundamental question - about whether Turkey should be member of the European Union or not - negotiations should not be strained by uncertainties about international law, he added noting that confusion concerning international law and politics were the

result, which was not a good basis for the relationship between the EU and Turkey, he added.

Poettering said that if Cyprus refused to agree to a negotiating mandate for the European Commission concerning the start of the

negotiations in the Autumn, the Cypriot government would only be acting as a consequence of this situation. As the negotiating mandate

required a unanimous decision, the Council Presidency is well advised to coordinate its position with all member states first, he added.

[19] EU Commissioner says Turkish Cypriots self-isolated

NICOSIA 30/7/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The Commissioner said he was prevented by Talat to cross over into the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic and hold meetings with Turkish Cypriot political parties, adding that this was an issue that should be examined by the EU.

Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said that Talat does not wish for cooperation with the EU but rather just to enjoy the financial fruits of the EU regulations, noting that the European Commission should examine the Turkish Cypriot leader's stance.

Asked to comment on the development, Chrysostomides said it is certain that the EU will express its discontent regarding the stance of the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Kyprianou said ''here we have a discrimination against me since all Cypriot politicians as well as European officials do not face these obstacles.''

''It seems that I am the only one who is not allowed,'' he said, adding that perhaps Talat has not understood how the European Commission functions and that Kyprianou represents the Commission.

''The Turkish Cypriot parties are Cypriot parties and I asked for a meeting with them. I am interested in their prosperity as I am concerned about the other 450 million Europeans,'' he noted.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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