Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus President, T/C leader reach five-point agreement on commencement of talks at technical level, in meeting with UN deputy

[02] PASOK leader criticises gov't at Black Sea Greeks conference

[03] ND secretary addresses event on local gov't elections

[04] Greece, Ukraine reaffirm good bilateral relations

[05] Road Safety Week exhibition in Thessaloniki

[01] Cyprus President, T/C leader reach five-point agreement on commencement of talks at technical level, in meeting with UN deputy chief

Papadopoulos and Talat agreed during the meeting with Gambari that the technical committees on the Cyprus problem should begin their work by the end of July and that the leaders themselves would meet from time to time to review the process.

President Papadopoulos is due to arrive in Athens on Sunday for talks with the Greek political and state leadership on the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, in light of Gambari's visits to Ankara, Athens and Nicosia. Papadopoulos will meet separately on Monday with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and prime minister Costas Karamanlis.

Gambari told reporters after the three-hour meeting that a number of very important issues were discussed and that the two leaders expressed their commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on a bizonal bicommunal federation and political equality.

He added that there was recognition of the fact that the status quo is unacceptable and its prolongation will have negative consequences, and that a comprehensive settlement is desirable and should not be further delayed.

Gambari said there was agreement that the process should begin immediately involving bicommunal discussions on issues affecting everyday life and comparatively substantive issues.

He noted that there was commitment to ensure that the right atmosphere prevails for this process to be successful.

Gambari, flanked by the two leaders, read out a joint statement to reporters, elaborating the "Set of Principles" agreed upon.

The full text of the joint statement follows below:

''Set of Principles"

1. Commitment to the unification of Cyprus based on a bi-zonal,

bi-communal federation and political equality, as set out in the

relevant Security Council resolutions.

2. Recognition of the fact that the status quo is unacceptable and

that its prolongation would have negative consequences for the

Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

3. Commitment to the proposition that a comprehensive settlement is

both desirable and possible, and should not be further delayed.

4. Agreement to begin a process immediately, involving bi-communal

discussion of issues that affect the day to day life of the people

and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both of which

will contribute to a comprehensive settlement.

5. Commitment to ensure that the 'right atmosphere' prevails for this

process to be successful. In that connection, confidence building

measures are essential, both in terms of improving the atmosphere and

improving the life of all Turkish and Greek Cypriots. Also in that

connection, an end must be put to the so-called 'blame game'.

Decision by the two leaders:

The Technical Committees on issues that affect the day to day life of

people will commence by the end of July provided that, at the same

time, the two Leaders will also have exchanged a list of issues of

substance and its contents to be studied by expert bi-communal

working groups and finalized by the Leaders.

The two Leaders will meet further, from time to time as appropriate,

to give directions to the expert bi-communal working groups as well

as to review the work of the Technical Committees.''

[02] PASOK leader criticises gov't at Black Sea Greeks conference

Whatever was gained by the Black Sea Greeks who decided to return to the land of their forefathers, they gained due to the policy of the preceding PASOK governments, despite whatever mistakes or omissions made, Papandreou said.

PASOK, he added, had changed the philosphy and policy of restoration, listening to the expectations of the returning Greeks and approving millions of euros in relevant expenditures.

Making a lengthy reference to the policy followed by his party regarding the returning Greeks, Papandreou pledged that PASOK would work decisively with them to resolve matters of concern to them, and accused the New Democracy government of not having taken even one measure to assist the Pontian Greeks, although promising "the moon and the stars".

He accused the government of having halted the housing programme for the returning Black Sea Greeks and a number of other "creative efforts" that had commenced under the PASOK governments.

Turning to the national issues, Papandreou said there was a visible lack of strategy on the part of the government, which was leading to serious mistakes and missed opportunities.

Particularly regarding Turkey, the main opposition leader said that initiatives, vigilance and dynamic proposals were necessary, and accused the government of missing two great, historical opportunities: in December 2004, when the EU was deciding if and when it would set a date for commencement of accession negotiations with Turkey, and in 2005, shortly before those negotiations began.

For PASOK, he continued, the Cyprus issue remained an international problem and a problem of occupation, adding that his party would not abandon the efforts for reunification of the island, so that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike could fully enjoy the benefits of Cyprus' Eu accession.

Papandreou added that all the UN efforts for new initiatives should be encouraged, provided, however, that it was apparent that Turkey also desired a solution of substance.

The PASOK leader also recalled that he had recently undertaken an initiative for the formulation of a new national strategy, on which he briefed the prime minister and the other political parties, as well as President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias and former President Costis Stephanopoulos.

The goal, he said, was to formulate a national strategy so that no more opportunities would be lost, and so as to enable the formulation of a region of peace, respect of human rights, and respect of international law.

Commenting on Papandreou's address later, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the Greek people realised that the PASOK leader "has selected the barren road of popularism", adding that "when he follows this path even on the sensitive national issues, then he himself reveals to all the breadth of the irresponsibility that unwaveringly characterises PASOK's political word".

[03] ND secretary addresses event on local gov't elections

Addressing an event in Thessaloniki organised by the Constantine Karamanlis Institute of Democracy, in conjunction with the ND policy planning secretariat and local government secretariat, Zagoritis said that the needs of the local societies "have no colour", adding that ND would not sacrifice the benefit of the citizens "on the altar of manufactured polarisation".

He said that the polarisation aspired to by PASOK, through the creation of manufactured tension, "does not concern us, does not touch us, and we do not respond to tactics that are alien to our ethos and political perception".

"We do not repsond to PASOK's tactics, which are tactics of defeat".

Zagoritis outlined the work accomplished by the interior ministry with respect to local government, which he said ND "actively supported by eliminating the local governments' debts and creating a modern framework for their operation".

He added that ND dared to make deep changes, such as setting a 42 percent minimum for election of mayors from the first Sunday of local government elections, so as to better express the people's desire in the local socieites.

Addressing the same event, deputy interior minister Athanasios Nakos noted that the ministry had settled the local governments' debts, written off the fines and surcharges inherited from the PASOK governments, and 'gave the local governments the opportunity to take out new loans under auspicious terms".

[04] Greece, Ukraine reaffirm good bilateral relations

The two deputy ministers discussed the progress in negotiations on an agreement between the EU and Ukraine for simplification of visa procedures. Valynakis expressed Greece's particular interest in the achievement of an agreement, and reiterated Greece's firm support and active role in the EU, aimed at the speedy conclusion of the negotiations.

Valynakis also briefed his Ukraine counterpart on the recent significant increase in the number of visas issued by the Greek consulate in Kiev, which jumped by more than 100 percent in the first five months of 2006 against the corresponding period in 2005.

The talks also focused on Ukraine-EU relations, as well as Greece-Ukraine bilateral relations.

Valynakis further expressed Greece's support for the deepening of Ukraine-EU relations, while Veselovskyi expressed appreciation for Greece's support, and noted Greece's leading and substantial role in the wider region of SE Europe, in the framework of establishing strong bonds between the countries of the region and the EU.

The two deputy ministers also reaffirmed the very good level of bilateral relations between the two countries, which they said were characterised by a spirit of cooperation, and agreed on further development of those relations in areas of mutual interest.

[05] Road Safety Week exhibition in Thessaloniki

The exhibition, which will run through July 16 at the Traffic Circulation Education Park in Asprovalta, will be inaugurated on Monday evening, and will be open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 6:00-10:00 p.m..

The purpose of the exhibition is to inform the public and increase public awareness on road attitude and safety, the smooth circulation of pedestrians and vehicles, correct traffic regulation, prevention of road accidents, and teaching traffic education and safety to pedestrians and drivers, and particularly youngsters.

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