Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-03-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Informal EU Defence Ministers Council examines Amber Force

[02] Weather Forecast: Rain and storms on Sunday

[01] Informal EU Defence Ministers Council examines Amber Force

The European Union's informal Defence Ministers Council convened in Zaragoza, Spain, over the weekend to discuss the Spanish EU presidency's proposal on the Council changing from an informal to a formal one and the replacement of the multinational Amber Force stationed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Greece supported the Spanish proposal and in turn called for the issue being raised at the conference on the revision of the EU's treaty, while Greek Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said later that the proposal was accepted.

''We want this issue settled at the conference set up to shape the new treaty in the European Union, to enable the European Defence Policy to become an EU policy and the subject of a regular Council of Ministers,'' he said.

Papantoniou further said in essence it is an inter-governmental conference, but Greece wants this Council to acquire a much more substantive basis for the promotion of the European dimension of defence policy.

Replying to questions from the press, Papantoniou said that, apart from Greece, some other countries also agreed with the Spanish proposal, while ''other countries have some greater reservations.''

On the question of the replacement of Amber Force, Papantoniou said Greece was positive, but also called for ''caution and not haste.''

Elaborating on the reasons dictating Greece's position, Papantoniou said ''the Americans should not pull out of the Balkans because they are a stabilising force and should stay there so that there can be an involvement by the U.S. in the Balkans.''

Papantoniou also mentioned the fact that FYROM is heading for an election as a second reason.

[02] Weather Forecast: Rain and storms on Sunday

Rain and storms are forecast throughout the country. Snow will fall on high ground and in low-lying areas in central and northern Greece. Winds variable, very strong to gale force. In the north, temperatures will range from 0C to 7C; on the rest of the mainland and Ionian from 2C to 9C; and in the islands from 4C to 12C. Rain and storms in Athens and snow on high ground with temperatures between 6C and 9C. Snow will fall on Mount Parnes. Rain or sleet and snow on high ground in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 5C to 7C.

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