Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-02-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-Arafat-Talks

[01] Simitis-Arafat-Talks

Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat discussed latest developments in the Middle East on Friday night, while Simitis stressed that "we condemn the extortionary tactic of an economic blockade being applied. Solutions with poverty and misery cannot be found."

Arafat arrived in Athens from Vienna at noon and called on the Greek government to mediate to enable the European Union to play a more active role in Middle East peace processes.

Simitis and Arafat said later the situation in the Middle East is very dangerous and the Greek prime minister in particular spoke of a tragic situation in Palestine, adding that peace is an indisputable necessity.

The Greek premier said a resumption of talks is imperative to have normalcy restored in the region. He also called for an end to the economic blockade of Palestinian territory since escalation, as he said, does not benefit anyone.

The Greek side agreed to raise the Middle East issue as a top priority at the EU's Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday.

Simitis said views were exchanged between the two delegations on the tactics to be adopted to ensure that the EU's intervention in the Middle East issue will be more effective.

He further said that the Middle East issue will also be discussed during the meeting between Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou and US Secretary of State Colin Powell, on the sidelines of the NATO ministerial session, in Brussels on February 27.

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