the administrative capacity to effectively apply and implement the acquis; - Turkey's unequivocal commitment to good neighborly relations and its undertaking to resolve any outstanding border disputes in conformity with the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the United Nations Charter, including if necessary jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice; - Turkey's continued support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem within the UN framework and in line with the principles on which the Union is founded, including steps to contribute to a favorable climate for a comprehensive settlement, and progress in the normalization of bilateral relations between Turkey and all EU Member States, including the Republic of Cyprus. - The fulfillment of Turkey's obligations under the Association Agreement and its Additional Protocol extending the Association Agreement to all new EU Member States, in particular those pertaining to the EU-Turkey customs union, as well as the implementation of the Accession Partnership, as regularly revised.

7. In the period up to accession, Turkey will be required to progressively align its policies towards third countries and its positions within international organizations (including in relation to the membership by all EU Member States of those organizations and arrangements) with the policies and positions adopted by the Union and its Member States.

8. Parallel to accession negotiations, the Union will engage with Turkey in an intensive political and civil society dialogue. The aim of the inclusive civil society dialogue will be to enhance mutual understanding by bringing people together in particular with a view to ensuring the support of European citizens for the accession process.

9. Turkey must accept the results of any other accession negotiations as they stand at the moment of its accession.

Substance of the negotiations

10. Accession implies the acceptance of the rights and obligations attached to the Union system and its institutional framework, known as the acquis of the Union. Turkey will have to apply this as it stands at the time of accession. Furthermore, in addition to legislative alignment, accession implies timely and effective implementation of the acquis. The acquis is constantly evolving and includes: - the content, principles and political objectives of the Treaties on which the Union is founded; - legislation and decisions adopted pursuant to the Treaties, and the case law of the Court of Justice; - other acts, legally binding or not, adopted within the Union framework, such as interinstitutional agreements, resolutions, statements, recommendations, guidelines; - joint actions, common positions, declarations, conclusions and other acts within the framework of the common foreign and security

policy; - joint actions, joint positions, conventions signed, resolutions, statements and other acts agreed within the framework of justice and home affairs; - international agreements concluded by the Communities, the Communities jointly with their Member States, the Union, and those concluded by the Member States among themselves with regard to Union activities. Turkey will need to produce translations of the acquis into Turkish in good time before accession, and will need to train a sufficient number of translators and interpreters required for the proper functioning of the EU institutions upon its accession.

11. The resulting rights and obligations, all of which Turkey will have to honor as a Member State, imply the termination of all existing bilateral agreements between Turkey and the Communities, and of all other international agreements concluded by Turkey which are incompatible with the obligations of membership. Any provisions of the Association Agreement which depart from the acquis cannot be considered as precedents in the accession negotiations.

12. Turkey's acceptance of the rights and obligations arising from the acquis may necessitate specific adaptations to the acquis and may, exceptionally, give rise to transitional measures which must be defined during the accession negotiations. Where necessary, specific adaptations to the acquis will be agreed on the basis of the principles, criteria and parameters inherent in that acquis as applied by the Member States when adopting that acquis, and taking into consideration the specificities of Turkey. The Union may agree to requests from Turkey for transitional measures provided they are limited in time and scope, and accompanied by a plan with clearly defined stages for application of the acquis. For areas linked to the extension of the internal market, regulatory measures should be implemented quickly and transition periods should be short and few; where considerable adaptations are necessary requiring substantial effort including large financial outlays, appropriate transitional arrangements can be envisaged as part of an on-going, detailed and budgeted plan for alignment. In any case, transitional arrangements must not involve amendments to the rules or policies of the Union, disrupt their proper functioning, or lead to significant distortions of competition. In this connection, account must be taken of the interests of the Union and of Turkey. Long transitional periods, derogations, specific arrangements or permanent safeguard clauses, i.e. clauses which are permanently available as a basis for safeguard measures, may be considered. The Commission will include these, as appropriate, in its proposals in areas such as freedom of movement of persons, structural policies or agriculture. Furthermore, the decision-taking process regarding the eventual establishment of freedom of movement of persons should allow for a maximum role of individual Member States. Transitional arrangements or safeguards should be reviewed regarding their impact on competition or the functioning of the internal market. Detailed technical adaptations to the acquis will not need to be fixed during the accession negotiations. They will be prepared in cooperation with Turkey and adopted by the Union institutions in good time with a view to their entry into force on the date of accession.

13. The financial aspects of the accession of Turkey must be allowed for in the applicable Financial Framework. Hence, as Turkey's accession could have substantial financial consequences, the negotiations can only be concluded after the establishment of the Financial Framework for the period from 2014 together with possible consequential financial reforms. Any arrangements should ensure that the financial burdens are fairly shared between all Member States.

14. Turkey will participate in economic and monetary union from accession as a Member State with derogation and shall adopt the euro as its national currency following a Council decision to this effect on the basis of an evaluation of its fulfillment of the necessary conditions. The remaining acquis in this area fully applies from accession.

15. With regard to the area of freedom, justice and security, membership of the European Union implies that Turkey accepts in full on accession the entire acquis in this area, including the Schengen acquis. However, part of this acquis will only apply in Turkey following a Council decision to lift controls on persons at internal borders taken on the basis of the applicable Schengen evaluation of Turkey's readiness.

16. The EU points out the importance of a high level of environmental protection, including all aspects of nuclear safety.

17. In all areas of the acquis, Turkey must bring its institutions, management capacity and administrative and judicial systems up to Union standards, both at national and regional level, with a view to implementing the acquis effectively or, as the case may be, being able to implement it effectively in good time before accession. At the general level, this requires a well-functioning and stable public administration built on an efficient and impartial civil service, and an independent and efficient judicial system.

Negotiating procedures:

18. The substance of negotiations will be conducted in an Intergovernmental Conference with the participation of all Member States on the one hand and the candidate State on the other.

19. The Commission will undertake a formal process of examination of the acquis, called screening, in order to explain it to the Turkish authorities, to assess the state of preparation of Turkey for opening negotiations in specific areas and to obtain preliminary indications of the issues that will most likely come up in the negotiations.

20. For the purposes of screening and the subsequent negotiations, the acquis will be broken down into a number of chapters, each covering a specific policy area. A list of these chapters is provided in the Annex. Any view expressed by either Turkey or the EU on a specific chapter of the negotiations will in no way prejudge the position which may be taken on other chapters. Also, agreements reached in the course of negotiations on specific chapters, even partial ones, may not be considered as final until an overall agreement has been reached for all chapters.

21. Building on the Commission's Regular Reports on Turkey's progress towards accession and in particular on information obtained by the Commission during screening, the Council, acting by unanimity on a proposal by the Commission, will lay down benchmarks for the provisional closure and, where appropriate, for the opening of each chapter. The Union will communicate such benchmarks to Turkey. Depending on the chapter, precise benchmarks will refer in particular to the existence of a functioning market economy, to legislative alignment with the acquis and to a satisfactory track record in implementation of key elements of the acquis demonstrating the existence of an adequate administrative and judicial capacity. Where relevant, benchmarks will also include the fulfillment of commitments under the Association Agreement, in particular those pertaining to the EU-Turkey customs union and those that mirror requirements under the acquis. Where negotiations cover a considerable period of time, or where a chapter is revisited at a later date to incorporate new elements such as new acquis, the existing benchmarks may be updated.

22. Turkey will be requested to indicate its position in relation to the acquis and to report on its progress in meeting the benchmarks. Turkey's correct transposition and implementation of the acquis, including effective and efficient application through appropriate administrative and judicial structures, will determine the pace of negotiations.

23. To this end, the Commission will closely monitor Turkey's progress in all areas, making use of all available instruments, including on-site expert reviews by or on behalf of the Commission. The Commission will inform the Council of Turkey's progress in any given area when presenting draft EU Common Positions. The Council will take this assessment into account when deciding on further steps relating to the negotiations on that chapter. In addition to the information the EU may require for the negotiations on each chapter and which is to be provided by Turkey to the Conference, Turkey will be required to continue to provide regularly detailed, written information on progress in the alignment with and implementation of the acquis, even after provisional closure of a chapter. In the case of provisionally closed chapters, the Commission may recommend the re-opening of negotiations, in particular where Turkey has failed to meet important benchmarks or to implement its commitments.

[07] Papandreou resumes sharp criticism of gov't; targets budget, EU-Turkey talks

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou, the former foreign minister in the previous Simitis government, mostly centered his criticism on the ongoing budget and Athens' response to Turkey's European prospects.

The PASOK leader said the 2005 budget was a baseless document, as the international price of oil, the level of interest rates and the government's intent at securitization of debt was "up in the air". Along those lines, he said it was premature to expect that the EU Commission will approve of the securitization plan, while again charging that the government's economic policy is "benefiting the few and harming the many".

Regarding the last-minute deal on Monday allowing for the commencement of long-delayed EU-Turkey accession talks, Papandreou included criticisms of Athens' role in the negotiation process, or, as he charged, Greece's lack of substantive involvement.

Nevertheless, he defended the Simitis government's and his role in developing the "Helsinki criteria" applied to Turkey's EU prospects, while again saying PASOK supports the neighboring country's European orientation.

"With the lack of a clear-cut negotiation framework, and with the lack of specific timetables, along with numerous vague interpretations of the negotiating text, we will continue to have concurrent crises, where Greece alone, of course with Cyprus, will be called upon to bear the burden. It (Greece) will be alone to deal with whatever crises erupt in the European Union regarding the issue of Turkey," Papandreou told his Parliament group members.

Finally, Papandreou said he spoke with Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos on Monday, with the latter briefing him on the latest developments regarding the EU-Turkey issue. Additionally, he blamed the government for not utilizing, coordinating, or exploiting, as he said, "our experience and knowledge".

[08] Defense minister on visit to Armenia

YEREVAN, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

During his visit, the Greek minister will hold talks with Sargsyan, and will also meet with Armenian president Robert Kocharyan, Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, and Patriarch Garegin of Armenia.

The agenda of the talks include bilateral military and technical defense cooperation and reorganization of the Armenian Armed Forces, matters relating to NATO and the European Union, as well as the security situation in SE Europe and the wider region of the northern Caucasus.

[09] EU Commissioner Almunia due in Athens on official visit this week

BRUSSELS, 5/10/2005 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The Commissioner is also scheduled to meet members of the Greek Parliament's economic affairs committee.

In statements to Greek correspondents in Brussels concerning the visit, Almunia expressed satisfaction at the continued high growth rates of the Greek economy in the year following the Athens Olympic Games, noting that these were above 3 per cent and exceeded both the European Union and the Eurozone averages.

He also referred to the need for reforms and strategies that will sustain the high growth rate of the Greek economy over the coming years.

Concerning Greece's fiscal performance - especially the very high public deficit and debt figures - Almunia said that at the end of this year there will be an assessment of the measures taken by Greek authorities to reduce the public deficit to 3.6 per cent of GDP in 2005 and to under 3 per cent by the end of 2006.

According to figures released by the European statistics agency Eurostat in September, the Greek public deficit for 2004 was calculated at a massive 6.6 per cent of GDP, making it the highest in Europe and more than double the 3 per cent ceiling required by EU treaties for the Eurozone members.

Almunia said the Commission is expecting to receive details of the measures taken by the Greek government by the end of October, with its forecasts for 2005 and an outline of the draft budget for 2006.

The Commissioner also stressed the need to introduce structural changes rather than one-off measures to improve fiscal stability in Greece.

He said the two main challenges faced by Greek authorities were a high trade deficit and public debt, which was the highest in the EU.

At the same time, Almunia expressed satisfaction with cooperation between Greek authorities and the Commission's agencies to improve the quality of Greek statistical data but noted that, despite the improvements, additional effort was needed to overcome outstanding issues and the shortcomings of the past.

While in Athens, Almunia will attend a meeting of the governing council of the European Central Bank that is taking place in the city and will speak at a conference on "The European Social Model and the Greek Economy" taking place at the Athens Hilton Hotel.

[10] Greek gov't approves draft bill on energy market deregulation

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, approved four draft laws submitted by Development ministry envisaging the deregulation of electricity and natural gas markets, promoting the use of bio-fuels and the formation of a National Energy Council.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said the two first draft bills would create new opportunities for energy investments in the country, while the bill on bio-fuel would offer Greek farmers the opportunity to cultivate energy plants to cover up to 5-6 percent of oil needs by 2010. The use of bio-fuel would both save money and improve environmental protection in the country, Sioufas said.

The Greek minister said a National Energy Council would offer energy counsel services to future governments. Commenting on the reaction of Public Power Corporation's workers to a plan to deregulate the country's electricity market, Sioufas said the draft bill was long overdue and expressed the hope of a successful completion of talks with all interested parties.

Sioufas reiterated the government's decision to change labor status for new hirings in Public Power Corporation.

[11] US State Dep't spokesman refers to Sioufas talks in Washington

WASHINGTON, 5/10/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

Replying to questions during a regular press briefing, McCormack said: "There was a meeting on September 28th" and the two officials "reviewed cooperation between Greece and the United States on a variety of energy issues, including working together in the International Energy Association and also discussed Greece's energy sector liberalization, as well as Greek efforts to expand its pipeline connections with its neighbors."

[12] Unemployment in Greece reached 9.9 pc in March, according to European Statistical Service

BRUSSELS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

As regards Greece, unemployment among men amounted to 6 percent in March, 2005, while the corresponding figure for the eurozone was 7.6 percent and 8 percent in the 25-nation EU.

Unemployment among Greek women amounted to 15.5 percent in the same month, while the figures for the eurozone and the 25-nation EU were 10.4 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.

The highest unemployment rate in the 25-nation EU in March this year was recorded in Poland with 18.1 percent, followed by Slovakia with 15.9 percent and Spain with 10 percent.

On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rate was in Ireland with 4.3 percent, followed by Britain with 4.6 percent and the Netherlands with 4.8 percent.

According to more recent data provided by Eurostat, unemployment decreased slightly in August this year, compared to March, and reached 8.6 percent in the eurozone and 8.7 percent in the 25-nation EU.

[13] President Papoulias declares GSEE's Labor Academy open for business

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

The mission of the Labor Academy which opened on Tuesday at the Athens Municipality's Technopolis centre is to provide additional training to trade unionists and provide them with the tools required to ably represent workforces.

Among those attending the inauguration ceremony were Employment Minister Panos Panagiotopoulos, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, Parliament vice-president Yiannis Tragakis.

Papoulias expressed his best wishes for GSEE's efforts to upgrade the quality of the trade union movement in the country, stressing that the Greek workforce needed and deserved the best possible trade union representation during a "difficult time of great unemployment and strong insecurity".

In a brief address, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos said that the trade union movement had an obligation to provide trade unionists with effective management and problem-solving tools in order to deal with the problems that workers faced on a daily basis.

He also thanked the Athens municipality for providing the facilities to house the Academy.

Panagiotopoulos conveyed the best wishes of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and said that the government supported the foundation of the Academy, stressing that Greece needed to make great strides to catch up with the rest of Europe with respect to life-long education.

He said GSEE's initiative was necessary for Greece to become competitive in the framework of globalization.

The main opposition leader said the Labor Academy was a "historic decision" since knowledge was the basis of democracy.

He also underlined that the trade union movement was called on to fight for a different role, "to carve an alternative path against the policies of neoliberal growth" in order to "win the wager of humanizing globalization".

Bakoyianni said the municipality was very happy to be able to GSEE's initiative by providing premises for the academy and expressed hope that other municipalities would follow Athens' example.

Opening of Labor Academy an event of extreme importance, development minister says

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said on Tuesday that the opening of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece's (GSEE) Labor Academy was an "event of extreme importance."

The minister further said that the Labor Academy is an institution whose ultimate aim is upgrading the standard of employees and it has the ambition of providing the trade union movement's members and cadres with technical and practical skills, as well as with general knowledge.

He added that the Academy also aims at upgrading the trade union movement to enable it to respond effectively to the challenges of the times and the needs of society.

Sioufas stressed that the development ministry provided financial support for the establishment of the Academy and it will continue to support it during its operation.

[14] Gov't seeks to attract investments in tourism sector

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

Addressing a real estate conference PRODEXPO 2005 in Athens, Liaskos said it was the first time that a government was drafting a national plan to support tourism and protecting the environment. The Greek minister said that a strategic plan by ETA -Tourism Real Estate Enterprise- envisaged attracting private investments. ETA's portfolio includes around 360 real estate assets.

[15] Greek stocks end lower on profit taking

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

The composite index fell 0.46 percent to end at 3,390.20 points, after hitting a new intra-day high of 3,422.15 points. Turnover was a heavy 577.7 million euros, of which 302 million euros were the sale of 9,169,970 shares by National Bank to domestic and foreign investors.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.46 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.44 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.62 percent.

Most sector indices ended lower, with the Publications (1.65 pct), Holdings (1.62 pct) and Industrials (1.16 pct) recording the biggest percentage losses of the day. The Insurance (3.43 pct), IT (2.16 pct) and Investments (1.22 pct) scored gains.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 184 to 102 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Bond Market Close: Buyers

outstrip sellers

Foreign Exchange Rates: Wednesday

Reference buying rates per euro released

by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.203

[16] Theodorakis, Greek scientist and Turkish composer Livaneli receive Soranos awards

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

The ceremony was attended by Livaneli and Papageorgiou, while Theodorakis excused himself on grounds of ill health and sent a message to the gathering. Both Theodorakis and Livaneli stressed that their cooperation aims to promote relations of friendship between the Greek and Turkish peoples.

The award is named after the legendary doctor Soranos of the 1st century A.D., who is credited with being the first gynecologist in ancient Anatolia. It was established in 1991 and is awarded to people who contribute with their action to peace in the world.

Past recipients of the Soranos award include Turkish businessman Rahmi Koc, Turkish writer Yassar Kemal, former politician Erdal Inonu and former Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem.

[17] Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer speaks at Athens Concert Hall

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

Gordimer answered questions put to her by her audience and also read extracts of her own short story - "The Ultimate Safari" - that went into the unique anthology "Telling Tales". This extraordinary book edited by Gordimer is a collection of 21 short stories donated by some of the greatest writers of our time, whose proceeds will go entirely toward raising money for an AIDS treatment charity.

Inspired by efforts like Band-Aid, Gordimer sought to produce a literary equivalent, creating a rare book with a truly stellar cast of authors, including Gunter Grass, Woody Allen, Margaret Atwood, Arthur Miller, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Salman Rushdie, Chinua Achebe, Amos Oz and Kenzaburo Oe, among others.

Addressing an audience of Athenians at the Concert Hall on Monday night, 82-year-old Gordimer also urged the West to give South Africa more time to find its feet in establishing a well-run democracy.

"Is your democracy, in the West, which has existed for hundreds of years perfect? Give us time in South Africa. We live in a country of 46 million people, where 10 per cent are white, similar to the Nazis. We have a long history of oppression and Africans know that this began not in 1948 but in 1952. A country where it was a crime for a black man to fall in love with a white woman, where the money spent on the education of a white child was 13 times more than for a black child. We have changed much in the past 10 years since apartheid was abolished. But how can you change everything in 10 years?" she said.

According to the Nobel laureate, South Africa's top problem at the moment was illiteracy - affecting 50 per cent of the country - and semi-literacy, which she described as gargantuan in Africa.

Neither blacks nor whites were able to absorb the vast resources of their native languages and this was apparent and a problem in the country's executives, she said.

[18] Author J. Rifkin addresses Karamanlis Foundation event

ATHENS, 5/10/2005 (ANA)

Through numerous comparisons, Rifkin supported that Europe has a more sophisticated value system than the US.

He also noted that Americans embrace the Protestant ethic according to which laziness is considered a sin, while Europeans view laziness as a pleasure.

Despite the differing approaches, Rifkin pointed out that in 2003, Europe's GNP was greater than that of the US.

He also said that Europe is the world's greatest exporter, but that Europeans fail to realize their power.

In closing, Rifkin described the elements that make up the European dream: diversity, quality of life, love of the environment, peace and collectiveness.

[19] Cypriot President satisfied with EU agreement on Turkey

NICOSIA, 5/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a House of Representatives plenary session held in honor of European Parliament President Josep Borrell, who is on an official visit to Cyprus, and asked if he was satisfied with the developments in Luxembourg, President Papadopoulos said, ''Yes, I am satisfied.''

Commenting on Borrell's remarks at the plenary session for the cooperation of the Cypriot Police and the ''police'' in the Turkish occupied areas to combat terrorism, President Papadopoulos said Borrell's statement was an expression of concern regarding the fact that criminals can escape to the occupied areas without facing a trial, noting that ''they do not hand them over to be tried in court.''

[20] Spokesman says Turkey represents illegal reality in Cyprus

NICOSIA, 5/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The spokesman was commenting on remarks by Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Gul in early Tuesday morning in Luxembourg, after the ceremony to mark the beginning of the accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey.

Gul referred to ''two realities on the island,'' adding that Turkey would like to see a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem and that the appropriate place for facilitating a solution was the United Nations.

''The Republic of Cyprus agrees with Gul's last point, that the Cyprus problem should be solved within the framework of the United Nations,'' Chrysostomides said.

He added though that ''it should be explained to Gul that there are two realities on the island, the one being the legality, represented by the legitimate government of the Republic of Cyprus, and the other is the reality of the illegality, which is still being supported by Turkey, the occupation power.''

He added that the European Union has shown that it supports the reality on the island, which is based on legality.

Chrysostomides referred to the ''clear messages'' sent to Ankara by the French minister of foreign affairs for the full implementation of the Customs Union Protocol, the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as soon as possible, as well as for the normalization of the relations between Turkey and Cyprus as soon as possible.

''The French Minister of Foreign Affairs also said that Turkey should make changes and reforms in order to accede to the Union, otherwise no accession will take place,'' he said.

Chrysostomides said that ''this was acknowledged by Gul as well, who said that in ten year's time Turkey would be unrecognizable, meaning that it will change to such a degree that it will be able to comply with the EU principles.''

Turkey on Tuesday officially opened accession negotiations with the EU. Since 1974 Turkish troops occupy one third of the Republic of Cyprus' territory. Cyprus is a full EU member state since May 2004.

[21] Cyprus maintains benefits through Turkey's negotiating framework

NICOSIA, 5/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

He added that paragraph 7 of the negotiating framework regarding Cyprus' participation in international organizations remains the same, but he did not rule out the possibility that other non EU member states, meaning other members of international organizations, to which Cyprus could submit an application for membership, would use their veto right, adding that Norway or the US could for instance block Cyprus' participation in NATO.

Chrysostomides noted though that Cyprus has no intention of becoming a NATO member, adding that Turkey is vetoing Cyprus' accession to other international organizations such as the OECD.

''Paragraph 7, former 5, of the negotiating framework has not changed at all. The Presidency's explanatory declaration issued after many interventions towards the EU, is just a statement that becomes part of the Council and states actually what is already self-evident, that international organizations are autonomous and have their own rules and procedures,'' he said.

Regarding the benefits Cyprus gains through the negotiating framework, Chrysostomides referred to the last two paragraphs of the framework text, the EU counterstatement to Turkey's unilateral declaration that it does not recognize Cyprus, as well as the references of the EU Council's Legal Service that Turkey's participation in the intergovernmental conference is a de facto recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

''Paragraph 7 is binding for Turkey and the explanatory declaration does not mean that Turkey could stop Cyprus' accession to any other organization,'' he explained.

Chrysostomides said that the Union's explanatory statement was made so that Turkey could agree on the negotiating framework and to satisfy its prestige.

''Turkey has to realize that it should comply with the EU conditions because it is negotiating with a big nation block on an intergovernmental level and the 25 member states are not ready to let her enter on her own conditions,'' he concluded.

[22] EP President praises Cyprus' stance at EU-Turkey road map agreement

NICOSIA, 5/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, Borell also said that Turkey will have to fulfill the political and economic criteria set out by the EU.

''I thanked the President of the Republic for the attitude of the Republic of Cyprus about the starting of negotiations with Turkey'', Borell told the press after the meeting, adding that ''I think Cyprus had a very positive contribution.''

The EP President pointed out that it would have been a disaster if the Foreign Ministers of the European countries had not been able to reach an agreement in order to start negotiations.

''It would have been very very bad for European credibility,'' he added, noting that ''we think it's a good thing to start the negotiations and Cyprus has made very important contribution to that.''

As regards his expectations from Turkey, Borell said that Turkey, as every candidate state, will have to establish a plan in order to fulfill all the political and economic criteria required by the EU.

Neither more nor less than that,'' he added. Replying to a question whether Turkey would abide by its obligations as set out in the negotiating framework, Borell said ''Why not when you start negotiations with someone is on the basis of mutual trust.''

[23] Borrell says Turkey's EU accession negotiations imply recognition

NICOSIA, 5/10/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Borrell noted that the recognition of Cyprus is a necessary component of the accession process, adding that the solution of the Cyprus problem must be based on respect for the acquis communautaire and on the Union's founding values and principles.

The European Parliament President was addressing the Cypriot House of Representatives on the occasion of his official visit, in the presence of Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos, President of the

House of Representatives Demetris Christofias, Cypriot EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Marcos Kyprianou, as well as members of the cabinet and diplomats.

In his address, Christofias said that the government expects a full and non-discriminatory implementation of the Customs Union Protocol, adding that it is unacceptable that EU principles are changed to serve candidate countries and their interests.

He added that Cyprus has shown every good will for Turkey's EU course, since it believes that the accession of a democratic Turkey to the Union would contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability in the area, provided that Turkey respects and fulfills the political criteria and the EU principles.

Borrell referred to President Papadopoulos' constructive stance, ''who, rather than using the veto at the European Council of December 2004 or at the effective opening of negotiations with Turkey, has preferred the approach of consensus and, therefore, of European integration.''

''Yesterday the EU opened accession negotiations for the future accession of Turkey. This implies, in the opinion of the European Parliament, the recognition by Turkey of the Republic of Cyprus, even if that recognition is not yet official. I myself have said as much before the Grand Assembly of Turkey. This view is shared by the Council of Ministers of the EU,'' he said.

Referring to efforts to solve the Cyprus issue, he said that the EU is ''fully aware that the division of Cyprus has to be resolved within the framework of the UN, in agreement with the two communities,'' reassuring that ''the EU has made a firm commitment to finding a satisfactory solution for all sides.''

Borrell said that the division of Cyprus is ''an open sore for Europe, a wound which we all need to strive valiantly to heal as soon and as fully as possible,'' adding that ''the division is not acceptable, it is anachronistic.''

He expressed his disappointment for the rejection of the plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan by the Greek Cypriots, noting though that the will of the people must be respected.

''We greatly welcome the position of the present leader'' of the Turkish Cypriot community Mehmet Ali Talat, ''in favor of a solution permitting reunification'' and ''in this context the EU has proposed economic and trade measures to aid northern Cyprus and has repeatedly asked for them to be implemented.''

He warned that if no agreement is reached, the aid package foreseen this year for the Turkish Cypriot community (120 million euros) would be lost.

''As well as being unfortunate, this runs contrary to the measures your government has taken to facilitate the work and improve the social conditions of the Turkish Cypriot community,'' he noted.

He added that ''we have to regain trust and there are simple measures we can take to do this.''

''For example, we do not understand why the police forces on both sides do not collaborate in order to avoid a crime committed either in the north or the south. Equally, we do not understand why the mobile telephone networks cannot cover the whole island,'' he said.

Borrell noted that in a revised form, the Annan plan could offer a starting-point for a solution that would be acceptable to all, adding that ''the only way to reach that point is via direct negotiations between the leaders of both communities and there is no reason to delay this any further.''

In his address, Christofias said that ''unfortunately Turkey spares no effort in order to achieve a direct or indirect recognition of the faits accompli of the invasion of Cyprus and the continuing occupation including the recognition of the illegal and subordinate to regime which she has established in the occupied area.''

Referring to the lifting of so called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, he said that the Cypriot government is not against the improvements of the living standards of the Turkish Cypriots, nor can one blame the isolation, which led to their economic malaise.

''It must be taken into account that any assistance and any exchanges carried out must respect international law and the sovereignty of the

Republic of Cyprus. Any action which may provide recognition to the illegal regime or cultivate notions about two separate states, must be avoided,'' he said.

Regarding efforts to solve the Cyprus issue, he said that the ''we made superhuman efforts to find a workable and viable solution so that Cyprus may accede to Europe as a united country.''

''However, the stifling pressure exercised and the disregard of the concerns of the Greek Cypriot community led, despite our warning to this effect to the international factors, to the rejection of the one sided and unjust plan, which was put to a referendum on April 24, one week before Cyprus' accession to the EU,'' he added.

Meeting with Christofias: Earlier, Borell said that there is no point in recognizing Turkey as an EU candidate country, if it does not recognize a Union's member state.

''There is no point in recognizing Turkey and letting her enter the EU, if one member does not recognize another member. In this issue, the European Parliament has exceeded the EU Council. Also we want and demand that the Customs Union Protocol is fully implemented and equally for each member state,'' Burrell pointed out after a meeting with Cypriot House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias.

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