Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prime Minister opens inaugural IGF conference in Athens

[02] Papandreou holds talks with International Labor Organization general director

[03] BSEC ministerial meeting in Moscow

[04] Bakoyannis interviewed by UN Regional Information Centre magazine

[05] Government on reforms to higher education

[06] Main unions propose 'national dialogue' on education

[07] Turkey must abide by EU rules, Greece reiterates

[08] FM spokesman denies invitation for EU-Turkish Cypriot community talks

[09] European Parliament President Josep Borrell visits Lesvos

[10] Special ministry accounts not secret, government notes

[11] Inner cabinet meeting on health issues Tuesday

[12] PM has working meeting with FinMin

[13] Trial of former DEKA board postponed for March 19, 2007

[14] Deputy FM meets Japanese and Argentinian ambassadors

[15] Finance minister expects budget deficit to drop to 2.6 pc in 2006

[16] Greece, China seek to expand tourism cooperation

[17] Social security bill tabled in Parliament

[18] Employment minister discourages early retirement

[19] Halyvourgiki company completing investment program totaling 220 million euros

[20] IT system for GAO payroll-pensions upgraded using Olympic equipment

[21] Carrefour Marinopoulos company to expand in Cyprus

[22] Greek retail sales index up 13.1 pct in August, yr/yr

[23] Greenpeace opposed to tax-exemption for lignite

[24] Joint Platform functioning for operation of Athens and Cyprus Stock Exchanges

[25] Greek stocks end slightly lower on Monday

[26] ABNA renamed, institutes new journalism awards

[27] Greece, South Africa sign science and technology agreement

[28] New president elected at National Commission for Human Rights

[29] PASOK deputies on violence at soccer and basketball matches

[30] Cypriot President: Turkey must return Varosha, for a meeting to take place

[31] Cyprus: Gul cannot blame others when Turkey does not fulfill obligations

[32] Greek Cypriot side's request for meetings not answered yet

[33] Cyprus government not aware of visit by Finnish officials

[01] Prime Minister opens inaugural IGF conference in Athens

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In opening the UN-sponsored forum, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said the four-day sessions aim to inaugurate a process to "meet one of the main challenges of our time: the future form of the Internet and its capacity to provide increasing opportunities for an inclusive global community".

"In this first IGF meeting, we expect to set the scene and establish a solid and comprehensive framework and network to focus on issues such as affordability and availability of the Internet; interconnection costs and security; management of critical resources and technology transfer; multilingualism and local development of software; capacity building and participation of multi-stakeholders from developing countries," he said.

On his part, Greek transport and communications minister Mihalis Liapis, whose ministry co-organized the inaugural IGF, greeted more than 1,200 delegates representing national governments, corporate executives, academics and IT experts from around the world by highlighting the fact that the east Mediterranean country that hosts the Forum has drastically jumpstarted efforts over the past two-and-a-half years to expand broadband access in Greece to catch up with its EU partners, with the rate of expansion amongst the highest in the world today .

"We are proud that this, first important effort to govern the Internet and render it more accessible, takes place here, in Greece. It is indeed an effort for the benefit of all mankind," Karamanlis concluded.

European Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding, used the term “digital divide” - which also featured prominently in Karamanlis’ address - to describe separation of the “wired world” of roughly one billion people and the five billion inhabitants of the earth without any access or Net knowledge.

“This digital divide must be bridged … That is why the EU continues to work to bridge this divide as the biggest contributor. We’re not just talking about screens and cables,” Reding said, stressing that multiculturalism on the Net is of vital importance, “that’s why multilingualism is so important.”

The birth of the IGF was one of the most significant outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) that took place in Tunis in November 2005, which was the culmination of a series of UN-sponsored WSIS conferences over the two-year-period 2004-2005.

The IGF Greece 2006 conference structure consists of eight main sessions. The Greek Minister of Transport and Communications Michalis Liapis will chair the opening and closing sessions, whereas the other sessions of the Forum will be chaired by a high level panel of speakers from all around the world.

The roles and functions of the Forum are set out in paragraphs 72-79 of the “Tunis Agenda for the Information Society”. Briefly, its main purpose will be to discuss a wide range of issues related to Internet Governance, and, where appropriate, to make recommendations to the international community. The working and function of the Forum will be multilateral, multi-stakeholder democratic and transparent.

Recently, UN Secretary General . Kofi Annan extended invitations to all stakeholders and relevant parties to participate at the inaugural meeting of the IGF. By making use of the World Wide Web he invited all stakeholders: governments, the private sector and civil society, including the academic and technical communities, to attend the first meeting of the IGF in Athens. The overall theme of the meeting is "Internet Governance for Development". The agenda is structured along the following broad themes.

 Openness - Freedom of expression, free flow of information, ideas and knowledge

 Security - Creating trust and confidence through collaboration

 Diversity - Promoting multilingualism and local content

 Access - Internet Connectivity: Policy and Cost

The conference will conclude on November 2.

[02] Papandreou holds talks with International Labor Organization general director

GENEVA, 31/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The meeting lasted for about an hour and coincided with the announcement of the annual report on youth unemployment that has now become an explosive problem internationally.

Speaking after his meeting with Somavia, the PASOK party president said that the discussion concerned precisely Somavia's report, "as well as possible initiatives that may be taken by the Socialist International and the International Labor Organization on youth unemployment, as well as the shaping of a proposal on dignified employment for all."

Papandreou also said that the "aim is contributing to the combating of unemployment worldwide and the utilization of international experience in Greece, where many weaknesses exist and a new model is necessary that will link training with employment."

Somavia's report contains much information on unemployment among young people, noting that the young population is increasing by 10-15 percent a year in the world, while employment among youth is only increasing by 3 percent.

The issue of unemployment concerns 2.8 billion working people who are paid less than two dollars a day. Many of them come from countries that have socialist parties belonging to the Socialist International.

[03] BSEC ministerial meeting in Moscow

31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The 12 BSEC members are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding in Moscow expressing the political will to construct the road corridor - a Greek proposal submitted formally to the organization last April at the initiative of the deputy foreign minister in cooperation with BSEC general secretary ambassador Chrysanthopoulos as part of the Greek presidency's efforts for Black Sea-EU rapprochement.

The proposed road will link the Black Sea countries creating a single market and contribute to the speedier movement of people and goods, thus boosting development.

The road will begin from the port of Alexandroupolis in northeast Greece and continue to Komotini, Haskovo-Bulgaria, Bucharest-Romania, Kisinau-Moldova, Odessa, and Mariupol, around the Azov Sea and down to Novorosisk-Russia where many pipelines end up making it one of the main energy ports. The road will continue to Batumi and Poti-Georgia -two ports linked with the Armenian and Azeri mainland- expand to Trabzon, Ankara and Istanbul and end up again in Alexandroupolis over the second bridge agreed by Greece and Turkey to be constructed in Evros, northeast Greece, during Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis’ trip to Istanbul last June.

According to the memorandum expected to be signed, the Greek side has suggested the city of Thessaloniki for the seat of a Technical Secretariat whose powers will be exercised by the Egnatia SA construction company, which apart from being responsible for the construction of Egnatia Odos motorway also has the Istanbul-Thessaloniki pan-European road axis management.

Deputy Foreign Minister Stylianidis is also expected to present a cultural project in Moscow referring to the revival of the Argo ship voyage. A replica of the ancient ship that carried the Argonauts has already been constructed and is expected to sail to the Black Sea coasts early next summer on the occasion of the BSEC 15th anniversary and the summit meeting in Istanbul.

A second memorandum is expected to be signed in Moscow establishing new sea routes that will link Black Sea ports, leading to the improvement of port facilities, and to speedier sea transportation.

The Greek side is also expected to put an emphasis on the tourist sector, the banking sector, culture, education and administrative reform.

The BSEC meeting at senior officials’ level will convene in Moscow on October 30 and 31 to prepare the ground and define the agenda for the foreign ministers’ meeting. The next BSEC presidency will be taken over by Serbia.

[04] Bakoyannis interviewed by UN Regional Information Centre magazine

BRUSSELS, 31/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

In the interview, which appeared in the October issue of UNRIC Magazine, Bakoyannis stressed that the Greek UN presidency focused on Middle East after the Lebanon crisis and African issues. She pointed out that the Security Council had convened to discuss the problems in the Middle East and the Palestinian problem for the first time in 20 years during the Greek presidency, in a meeting that she described as "constructive".

Regarding UN resolution 1701 for Lebanon, Bakoyannis said that this should be implemented fully, though conceding that it had some flaws.

"It is a compromise and we understand that. Nonetheless, it is a significant and extremely vital step towards sustainable peace," the Greek minister underlined.

According to Bakoyannis, the resolution lays the groundwork for a political solution to an exceptionally complex issue.

She called for swift reconstruction of Lebanon and support for the government of Lebanese PM Fuad Siniora, while stressing that the captive Israeli soldiers must be returned safely home.

"The Palestinian issue must, finally, be resolved," she added, stressing the need to support more moderate governments in the region and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas.

Regarding outgoing UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Bakoyannis said that he had responded to the challenges that arose in the past decade with "consistency and unnerving commitment" and could be proud of the work that he had done, while describing his successor Ban Ki-Moon as an experienced diplomat, who knew how to build bridges and alliances.

Regarding the future of the United Nations, the Greek minister said the organization should remain "vigilant and adaptable" in order to cope with the challenges that it faced both now and in the future.

[05] Government on reforms to higher education

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

At the same time, he stressed that the government would exhaust all margins for dialogue because it considered that educational reforms a top priority that required the broadest possible consensus and wanted all views to be heard.

"Dialogue is continuing," the spokesman said, while urging student groups that have refused to participate in this dialogue to come forward and state their views to the parliamentary committee processing the bill.

He also welcomed as "positive" the fact that both students and politicians appeared united in wanting a new environment for education, in which Greek universities were upgraded.

Regarding the foundation of private, non-profit universities included in the government's program, Roussopoulos said that this could not happen during the term of the present government since it required a revision of article 16 of the Constitution.

[06] Main unions propose 'national dialogue' on education

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In the letter, they note the need for a long-term strategic approach and continuous dialogue with the parties directly involved when renewing educational policy, as well as the need for broad consensus, intermediate measures and reforms that do not cancel out the strategic direction, while noting that educators should be the "trustees" of this strategic effort.

They say that the goal of the initiative is to discuss education as public policy but also issues relating to life-long education and training.

[07] Turkey must abide by EU rules, Greece reiterates

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Turkey must comply or face measures and sanctions, he added.

[08] FM spokesman denies invitation for EU-Turkish Cypriot community talks

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

[09] European Parliament President Josep Borrell visits Lesvos

31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Borrell, who was accompanied by main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) Eurodeputy Nikos Sifounakis, was briefed by the museum's director, assistant professor Nikos Zouros, on the museum's activities for the protection and projection of the Petrified Forest. Zouros also referred to the international recognition of the Petrified Forest as member of the World Network of Geoparks of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and of the Network of European Geoparks.

The European Parliament president stated that he was impressed by "an excellent Museum which was created with the contribution of the European Union for a unique Monument of Nature, the Petrified Forest of Lesvos."

"I admired the exhibits in a Museum with particularly interesting planning which allows us to make a long trip to Europe's historic past and to look to the future," Borrell added.

[10] Special ministry accounts not secret, government notes

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He was responding to questions regarding articles appearing the press about the accounts in question.

According to the spokesman, the majority of these accounts were for revenue to fund the favors benefits and bonuses paid to different categories of civil servants and formed part of the issue of establishing a uniform pay scale for the civil service.

[11] Inner cabinet meeting on health issues Tuesday

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Earlier, the prime minister will meet Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and at 13:00 he is scheduled to meet European Parliament President Josep Borrell Fontelles.

[12] PM has working meeting with FinMin

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

No statements were made after their meeting, which lasted for more than one-and-a-half hours.

[13] Trial of former DEKA board postponed for March 19, 2007

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The seven face breach of faith charges connected to loss-making transactions by DEKA on the Athens Stock Exchange in the run-up to the 2000 elections.

A three-member appeals court had originally allowed to walk away from the charges by converting them to misdemeanors, for which the statute of limitations had expired, on the grounds that DEKA was a societe anonyme company with legal autonomy from the state.

This decision was later reversed by the Supreme Court's criminal section, however, which found that the lower-level court had misinterpreted and wrongly applied statutes concerning embezzlement of state assets, since DEKA's property was simultaneously the property of the Greek State, regardless of the "legal cloaks" imparted by laws making it a societe anonyme company.

The initial indictment referred to losses of millions of euros in DEKA assets from transactions -- mostly the buying of large chunks of shares of bourse-listed state-run enterprises -- ahead of the April 2000 elections, ostensibly to boost the stock market's general index.

PASOK narrowly defeated New Democracy in that election, forming another government under Costas Simitis until the March 2004 election.

[14] Deputy FM meets Japanese and Argentinian ambassadors

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to a foreign ministry press release, Stylianidis asked of the two ambassadors on how continuity will be given in cooperation which has started both following the official visit to Japan by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis as well as his own visit to Latin America last winter.

[15] Finance minister expects budget deficit to drop to 2.6 pc in 2006

VIENNA, 31/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/D. Dimitrakoudis)

The minister defines the restructuring of the budget as a strict control of expenditures, an increase in VAT by one percentage point to 19 percent and the combating of tax evasion which, as he said, reaches a huge amount.

The information campaign due in November will try to make Greek public opinion understand that it cannot expect low taxes on the one hand and, on the other hand, the provision of productive public services, unless it realizes the problem of tax evasion.

Alogoskoufis stressed during the interview that Greece is maintaining a good relation with neighboring Turkey and has a positive view of its accession course to the European Union, because it will be better for the region if this country is reformed and approaches Europe more.

The finance minister also said that it is clear that Turkey must honor its commitments towards Cyprus and it must be assisted in this respect.

[16] Greece, China seek to expand tourism cooperation

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Both ministers expressed their determination to seek actions aimed at boosting tourism, such as promoting attractive travel packages.

The Chinese minister underlined his countrymen’s interest to visiting Greece and said he would support Greek ad campaigns in China.

[17] Social security bill tabled in Parliament

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Among other things, the bill anticipates the possibility of debts being paid off either with a lump sum, with an 80 percent discount on additional duties and other surcharges, or gradually with up to 96 monthly installments with a 50 percent discount.

According to another arrangement "the possibility of the unemployed receiving a reduced pension without the precondition of having 100 days of insurance every year over the five-year period preceding the pensioning application is extended until 12/2/2009."

The bill also deals with issues concerning self-employed professionals' agencies, as well as press fund issues.

[18] Employment minister discourages early retirement

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Those who will lose out are the ones who will be swayed by this climate and be led to early retirement," the employment minister added.

Tsitouridis was speaking during meetings he had with the boards of the Professional Chamber of Thessaloniki and of the Light Industry Chamber of Thessaloniki.

He underlined that "on the government's agenda, on the reform of the social insurance system, there are no age limit increases, no reduction in pensions or of contribution increases."

The minister stressed that the wealth of the social insurance funds, which was registered for the first time in 2005, comes to about 26-27 billion euros, when the corresponding portfolio of the Bank of Greece amounts to 20 billion euros.

[19] Halyvourgiki company completing investment program totaling 220 million euros

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to a relevant announcement, the first stage of the investment program, totaling 150 million euros, was completed in 2004 and included a new modern steel works and the installation of the most modern lengthy products facility in the world.

The second phase of Halyvourgiki's investments was completed in record time since relevant contracts were signed in early 2005, amounting to 70 million euros and concerning the establishment of a second lengthy products facility, as well as two new units for the production of wire having an annual production capacity of 150,000 tons.

[20] IT system for GAO payroll-pensions upgraded using Olympic equipment

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

It said that antiquated central computing systems had been replaced by adapting technological infrastructure used for the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

The new system is expected to reduce waiting times and improve services for pensioners, as well as saving an estimated 420,000 euros spent annually on maintenance of the old system.

[21] Carrefour Marinopoulos company to expand in Cyprus

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The Chris Cash&Carry Public Ltd company is currently active in Cyprus with nine outlets, five hypermarkets and four supermarkets. All the Chris Cash&Carry hypermarkets were upgraded in October and renamed Carrefour.

Two more hypermarkets are expected to open in Nicosia in 2007, creating new jobs.

[22] Greek retail sales index up 13.1 pct in August, yr/yr

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

NSS, in its monthly report, attributed the 13.1 pct jump in the index to a 16.2 pct increase in food store sales and to an 11 percent rise in department store sales in the same month.

[23] Greenpeace opposed to tax-exemption for lignite

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

During a press conference, the head of the environmental group's local campaign against climate change, Dimitris Ibrahim, said that lignite was now considered one of the least efficient and most polluting power sources in existence.

Lignite consumption by the Public Power Corporation - the main electricity provider in Greece - generated 43 million tones of carbon dioxide a year and accounted for 40 percent of production of this greenhouse gas in Greece, he said.

The construction of more lignite-fuelled power plants, including private ones, would further exacerbate the problem, Greenpeace believes, while it holds that use of lignite as a "cheap fuel" is a false economy when seen in the long-term.

Ibrahim also noted that the tax exemption was introduced just two months after the tax was imposed on lignite, following an EU warning that free competition was being undermined through the PPC's free access to lignite reserves over the past decades, while pointing to the fuel's negative impact on general health.

According to one scientific survey conducted in the U.S., pollution generated by lignite combustion is estimated to cut life expectancy by 14 years, causing a marked rise in serious respiratory ailments, he added.

[24] Joint Platform functioning for operation of Athens and Cyprus Stock Exchanges

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Cyprus Stock Exchange President Akis Kleanthous said "we are absolutely satisfied with the achievement of our strategic targets, including the complete reshaping of the Stock Exchange institution in Cyprus."

Athens Stock Exchange President Spyros Kapralos said on his part that "cooperation between the Stock Exchanges of Athens and Cyprus through the Joint Platform is cooperation that consolidates the autonomy and national identity of the stock exchanges."

[25] Greek stocks end slightly lower on Monday

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Foreign Exchange Rates

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.271

[26] ABNA renamed, institutes new journalism awards

31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The first awards, consisting of a public commendation and a money prize, will be handed out in 2007 to a journalist and a photojournalist from a SE European country. In the following years, when the necessary financial resources are available, awards will be received by a journalist and photojournalist from each Balkan country.

The ABNA members also decided to proceed with the amendment of the association’s charter, as well as establishing cooperation with the Association of Arab News Agencies (FANA).

On January 1, 2007, ANA-MPA President and General Director George Tambakopoulos will take over the rotating presidency of the association for one year, while Macedonian Press Agency General Director Spyros Kouzinopoulos was elected General Secretary of the association. The next general assembly meeting will be held in Athens in 2007 and the following one in Belgrade.

The ABNA General Assembly was attended by the national news agencies of Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency was represented by managing director Nikolas Voulelis.

[27] Greece, South Africa sign science and technology agreement

31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The five-year agreement, to be automatically renewed for more five-year periods in the future, was signed by Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and South Africa’s Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena.

Speaking to reporters, after the signing of the agreement, Sioufas said South Africa was a strong country with impressive results to all sectors and not only in economy, research and technology and stressed that bilateral relations were very good and based on solid foundations.

The Southafrican Minister stressed his country’s will to cooperate with Greece due to the country’s significant role in the EU and noted that the agreement signed would present innovative solutions to improve both countries’ living standards.

[28] New president elected at National Commission for Human Rights

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papaioannou is the representative of Amnesty International on the Commission and a former president of Amnesty International's Greek section. The election was held on October 26.

[29] PASOK deputies on violence at soccer and basketball matches

ATHENS, 31/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In view of violence which occurred on Sunday at soccer and basketball matches, the main opposition deputies spoke of "endemic violence at stadiums, the country's defamation internationally, confession of the weakness of intervention by the political leadership as well as an unclear institutional framework regarding the competencies for the cracking down of unlawful conduct at sporting grounds."

Five fans arrested for weekend's sports violence: Five supporters of the Piraeus' team Olympiakos were taken before a police court on Monday after they were caught in the act of vandalizing the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Sunday night after a basketball game between Olympiakos and the Athens-based club Panathinaikos.

The five youngsters and an underage Albanian were part of a larger group of Olympiakos fans that caused violent incidents and attacked journalists' boxes, injuring two journalists when they hurled objects against them.

All five were held in custody while the Albanian was set free and a regular court date set.

[30] Cypriot President: Turkey must return Varosha, for a meeting to take place

NICOSIA, 31/10/2006 (CNA/ANA/MPA)

Turkey and Cyprus on the Finnish presidency's initiative to avert a crisis in the Euro-Turkish relations.

He stressed however that for such a meeting to take place, Turkey must state that it is accepting the return of the fenced off part of Famagusta (Varosha) to its lawful inhabitants.

To a question on the sidelines of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual general assembly, why all ports and airports in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus are not included in the Finnish Presidency's proposal, the president replied that "since the Luxembourg presidency (of the EU), it was stated that every discussion on the regulation for direct trade should go together with the return of Famagusta and that there should be a sort of moratorium on the use of land which belongs to Greek Cypriots in the occupied areas".

"The opening of all ports and airports, as you understand, affects the large issue of sovereignty. This would mean territorial waters and Flight Information Region, which surely are not included in the package for direct trade. The regulation for direct trade has a limited range and cannot be exalted to a solution on the fundamental aspects of the Cyprus problem", the Cypriot president stressed.

Invited to confirm reports in the Turkish media that during the weekend there will be a meeting in Helsinki where Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Turkish Prime Minister Tayip Erdogan and Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas were invited to attend, the president replied that "there were some thoughts of meetings between Turkey, which according to the UN decisions has the responsibility for the area of Famagusta, and the Republic of Cyprus".

President Papadopoulos said that if Erdogan wants to include Talat in the delegation, that "is his problem. Neither with the UN resolutions, nor in practice Mr. Talat has any role concerning the return of Varosha. The discussion on the Direct Trade regulation is another issue, but such issue has not been raised".

To a question if the meeting will be held, President Papadopoulos replied: "I cannot confirm nor deny. I said there were some thoughts. For this to happen, firstly Turkey must state that it is accepting to return the fenced off part of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants, and then we will consider a meeting with Mr. Talat".

Asked on the possibility of a proposal by the Finnish Presidency to be submitted by 8th November when the Commission is due to publish its progress report on Turkey, the president replied that "it depends on the Finnish presidency, if it believes it has formulated a final proposal or ideas, for the time being they are merely ideas which are being developed, so they will have chances of being accepted. Neither I, nor you or Finland can say if the chances of them being submitted are getting bigger or smaller".

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

According to reports, the Finnish EU Presidency is working on a draft proposal, providing for the opening of the Turkish occupied port of Famagusta under EU administration for 24 months, in combination with the opening of Turkish ports to ships carrying the Cypriot flag and the transfer of the closed city to the UN.

The fenced-off area (Varosha) of Famagusta is under Turkish military administration. Security Council resolution 550 (11 May 1984) ''considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha (Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.''

[31] Cyprus: Gul cannot blame others when Turkey does not fulfill obligations

NICOSIA, 31/10/2006 (CNA/ANA/MPA)

Pashiardes was invited to comment Gul's statement in an interview with 'Radikal' newspaper that some countries and leaders are trying to block Turkey's EU course using the Cyprus issue as a pretext.

"If there are some people who are trying, as Mr Gul alleges, to block Turkey's accession course using the Cyprus question, something that we are not aware of, then Turkey has a problem with them and not with Cyprus," Pashiardes noted.

The truth is, he said, the only one who is hampering Turkey's accession course is Turkey itself and the only way to remove from those, whom Gul is referring to, the potential to hinder Turkey's accession course, is for Ankara to respond to its European obligations and fulfill its European engagements.

"Gul cannot blame others when his country has the sole responsibility and is solely to blame for not complying with the EU recommendations," he added.

Invited to comment on a statement by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan that the Finnish Presidency's proposal, aiming to avert an EU-Turkey crisis, "which is not very logical" can be negotiated, Pashiardes said he could not understand why Erdogan deems the effort of the Finnish Presidency illogical.

"If he deems as illogical our demand for the return of the town of Varosha to its lawful inhabitants, in our point of view it is very logical and we will stick by it", he added.

[32] Greek Cypriot side's request for meetings not answered yet

NICOSIA, 31/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

from the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller to resume talks between the representatives of the leaders of the two communities for the implementation of the July 8 agreement, noting that so far the government had not received any relevant invitation.

Replying to questions, Pashiardis said that no meeting had been scheduled for Monday.

''Mr. Moller knows that our side is ready and willing at any time to attend such a meeting,'' he said, pointing out that a meeting ''depended on the Turkish side.''

He added that ''we have already requested from Mr. Moller the resumption of the meetings and so far we have not received any invitation,'' noting that ''it appears that the Turkish side is not showing any real intent to cooperate for the materialization of the July 8 agreement.''

Pashiardis noted that the efforts of the Turkish side ''are focused on the political upgrading of the pseudostate and not the preparation of substantive negotiations that would lead to a mutually acceptable solution of the Cyprus problem.''

Asked about press reports that outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan intended to become involved in proposals for the technical committees, Pashiardis said any effort would be welcome towards convincing Turkey to cooperate in a constructive manner for the success of the Finnish EU presidency's proposals and the implementation of the July 8 agreement.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in the presence of UN Undersecretary General for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

Following the agreement, senior aides of the two leaders in Cyprus, Tasos Tzionis and Rasit Pertev, began meetings in the office of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller in the UN-controlled buffer zone to work out the modalities for the implementation of the July agreement.

[33] Cyprus government not aware of visit by Finnish officials

NICOSIA, 31/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Finish President, to avert a crisis in the Euro-Turkish relations, Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardes said here Monday.

Replying to questions, Pashiardes noted that the return of the fenced-off town of Famagusta, which is a necessary precondition for the successful outcome of the initiative, must be determined within a logical period of time.

He reiterated that the Cyprus government is in constant contact and continued deliberations with the Finnish President, in an effort to make this initiative succeed, adding that "the success of this initiative depends primarily on the Turkish side's intention and political will."

He said that "the return of the town of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants is a necessary precondition so that the effort of the Finnish Presidency, which we appreciate, succeeds."

Pashiardes pointed out that there should be a deadline for the return of the lawful inhabitants of Famagusta.

He added that this timeframe should not last for many years but should be a logical period of time.

The fenced-off area (Varosha) of Famagusta is under Turkish military administration. Security Council resolution 550 (11 May 1984) ''considers attempts to settle any part of Varosha (Famagusta) by people other than its inhabitants as inadmissible and calls for the transfer of this area to the administration of the United Nations.''

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