Foreign Ministry press spokesman Panos Beglitis stated that the domestic political developments in Cyprus do not affect the decisions reached in the Copenhagen Summit meeting concerning Cyprus' EU accession. He also denied Cypriot press reports according

to which, Athens is involved in the political developments in Cyprus.

Mrs. Wallstrom will visit the archaeological site in Athens and the Olympic projects in the region of Schinias, while in the afternoon she will meet with representatives of non-governmental organizations for environmental issues.

Mrs. Wallstrom will be in Athens until January 10 to participate in the meeting of the European Commission with the Greek cabinet.

Of the stocks trading today, only 14 recorded gains and the overwhelming majority of 330 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained unchanged.

The talks will focus on ways to speed up Romania's EU accession negotiations as Greece currently holds the rotating EU Presidency.

Romania is expected to become an EU member in 2007 according to the Copenhagen Summit meeting decision last December.

According to the Reuters news agency, a Greek Foreign Ministry official has pointed out that the Greek government is expected to send a delegation headed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou to seven moderate Arab states in early February. The goal of the mission will be to launch talks aimed at averting the war in Iraq.

The Greek official stated that the hopes for a peaceful settlement of the crisis have not disappeared, adding that the European Union will encourage all peace initiatives.

According to information, the Arab states will be called to play a more active mediating role between the United States and Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein aimed at averting a likely crisis, given the fact that the Arab states have already expressed their op position to a new war in Iraq.

in response to the document dated December 18 in which the deadline for the solution of the Cyprus problem was set on February 28.

The Greek Prime Minister stresses that the present historic conjuncture must be used for the solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that the accession of Cyprus into the EU offers a boost to the efforts made toward this direction. It is also noted that t he solution of the Cyprus problem must be fair, permanent and operational. Also, the Turkish side is blamed for refusing so far to make use of its capabilities as a guarantor power in Cyprus and join Greece in a dialogue on the security measures on the is land.

In addition, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot community are being called on to display constructive stance and good will for a solution to be reached in Cyprus as soon as possible.

Ocalan's lawyers had requested that their client should be represented in court through his attorneys. They said that Mr. Ocalan wishes to be represented in the court but the Turkish lawyers were unable to visit the Turkish prisons where he is held in or der to have him sign the necessary documents that will allow his representation in the Greek court through his attorneys.

The European Commission pointed out that the growth rates of the Greek economy will be very strong in the following years. This will be due to the high public and private investments within the framework of the preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games and

the significant inflow of 3rd Community Framework of Support funds until 2006.

The European Commission concluded that fiscal developments and especially, the slow pace in the decline of the public debt index in a period of considerable growth for the Greek economy cause concern and make imperative the need for the adoption of direc t measures. Those measures will be adopted to secure Greece's reliable and speedy fiscal adjustment to European standards and bring the country's public debt down by the year 2006.

Mr. Papandreou appeared relatively optimistic regarding the prospects that are being opened for the Cyprus issue, the Aegean continental shelf issue as well as the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

On the European stance regarding Iraq, Mr. Papandreou stated that the EU and the United States share a very close cooperation on a number of world issues but this does not mean that the two sides share the same positions on every issue. He expressed the wish that regardless of what the developments will be the decisions will be made through the UN using collective procedures.

Mr. Papandreou stated that it is hard to say what the EU stance will be and stressed that he does not want to make hypothetical scenarios before unshakable evidence is presented by the UN and the Hans Blix report is received.

The Greek Foreign Minister predicted an overall reexamination of the Turkish policy on Cyprus and characterized the present conjuncture as a historic opportunity. Referring to the recent interview by Turkish election winner Mr. Erdogan, he said that the statements made by the Turkish leader prove that the two sides will reevaluate the past policies and will try to build a new approach. He said that it is a very important indication which means that the taboos and prejudices of the past should be abandone d. Unfortunately, said Mr. Papandreou, certain leaders and especially, Mr. Denktash appear to be clinging on to past prejudices.

Mr. Papandreou appeared hopeful that an agreement will be reached on Cyprus within the framework of the UN deadline, adding that according to his opinion an effort should be made for an agreement to be reached by February 28. He stated, however, that if the timetable is not met it will not be the end of the procedure.

The Greek Foreign Minister appeared relatively optimistic on the Aegean continental shelf issue on which exploratory contacts are underway between the Foreign Ministries of Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Papandreou also saw positive prospects for the final normalization of the Athens-Skopje relations with the solution of the issue of the FYROM name given the close economic ties between the two countries. Mr. Papandreou also acknowledged that the issu e of the FYROM name is a hard one.

Mr. Papandreou pointed out that one of the main priorities of the Greek EU Presidency will be the strengthening of the EU relations with the Balkan countries. He also referred to the assistance that will be offered to them in order to be prepared for the ir future accession into the EU by adjusting their institutions to the European standards.

The Greek ambassador presented to the Romanian authorities Greece's priorities during its EU Presidency and expressed optimism that Romania will complete at least four of the EU negotiation chapters in the first half of 2003.

Mrs. Grossomanidou pointed out that Romania could make a significant progress in sectors such as, energy and transportation.

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article