Bonn comments on Athens' role over Kosovo

The German foreign ministry State Secretary yesterday expressed appreciation for what he called the responsible stance by Athens regarding the Kosovo crisis.  Guenter Verheugen made the statements following talks here with his Greek counterpart, Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos
Kranidiotis.  Mr. Verheugen also said Greece had a "major role" to play in the stabilisation of the region after the end of the war in Yugoslavia. Diplomatic sources said the German official was "devastated" by NATO's bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade late Friday night, which he described as "a catastrophic mistake".  According to the same sources, Bonn believes efforts begun by G8 foreign ministers last Thursday, aimed at transferring the handling of the Kosovo crisis from NATO to the United Nations would most likely "slow down".  The Kosovo crisis was at the centre of talks yesterday between Mr. Verheugen and Mr. Kranidiotis, who stressed the Greek government's support for the initiative of the German EU presidency for a Balkan Stability Pact which, he added, was based on a numb er of Greek ideas.
Speaking to Greek reporters, Mr. Verheugen said he had expressed on behalf of the German government "the great respect and appreciation for the stance of the Greek government which, located as it is in this difficult and sensitive region, is acting with a high sense of responsibility..." "Greece has the greatest experience in the region and borders with Albania, a country which plays a key role in the Stabilisation Pact. We believe that Greece can play a major role in promoting and implementing the pact and, as Mr. Kranidiotis stressed, it is willing to do so," Mr. Verheugen said.
Other issues discussed were preparations for the EU summit in Cologne on June 3-4, the course of negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the EU and Turkey's relations with the Community.  Mr. Kranidiotis and Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos arrived in Bremen Sunday night to attend a two-day meeting of the Western European Union (WEU).
The issues of Cyprus and relations between Turkey and the EU are expected to be discussed at length when Mr. Verheugen visits Athens in July.  Replying to reporters' questions, the German minister, who in the past expressed the view that Cyprus' accession to the EU should not depend on any "de facto" veto from Turkey, said negotiations should continue and any political decisions taken subsequently.