Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-09-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Stephanopoulos tells NATO chiefs Greece wants peaceful coexistence with its neighbors

[02] NATO military chiefs conclude Monday's convention session in Athens

[03] Papandreou and Cem to discuss CBMs after Greek FM's talks with Albright

[04] Athens' ambassador to Ankara voices Greek support for Turkey's EU candidacy

[05] Ecevit discusses Greek-Turkish affairs Cyprus problem

[06] New Greek ambassador to Cyprus arrives on island

[07] Karamanlis launches new attack on government on vested interests

[08] Synaspismos leader meets with Parliament president on transparency issues

[09] Omonia leader briefs UK foreign ministry on state of Albania's ethnic Greeks

[10] Serb student organization 'Otpor' and Greek movements to hold concert in Thessaloniki

[11] Papantoniou unveils national strategy on economic growth

[12] Meeting between striking trade unionists and Papantoniou fails to produce results

[13] Simitis to chair cabinet meeting on 3rd CSF, meeting with Nat. Economy team

[14] Greek stocks succumb to profit taking, end lower

[15] National Bank carrying out cautious expansion in Balkans

[16] Cosmote launches mobile-portal services

[17] 65th TIF ends 10 day run

[18] Petzetakis plastic pipes get two new Balkan deals

[19] Hellenic Petroleum chief meets Iranian oil minister

[20] Alpha Bank cuts deposit rates

[21] Efthimiou offers best wishes to students as new school year begins

[22] Drama short length film festival to honor Finland

[23] Spokesman on Church petition for ID cards

[24] Kaklamanis receives Cairo University students of the Greek language

[25] UN-led Cyprus proximity talks resume in New York on Tuesday NEW

[26] Clerides describes talks he had in New York as constructive NEW

[27] EIB expresses interest in funding Cyprus projects

[01] President Stephanopoulos tells NATO chiefs Greece wants peaceful coexistence with its neighbors

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

In his address, the president underlined that Greece wishes to co-exist with all its neighbors in a climate of peace, cooperation and good neighborliness.

Stephanopoulos added that "this is also of course valid for our ally Turkey with which we aim to develop friendly and productive relations. To this effect, we have already proceeded since last year in recoursing to specific friendly actions."

The president added: "I hope that NATO will support the policy which the Greek government has initiated."

Stephanopoulos referred to the importance of the geopolitical area which Greece covers, being on the crossroads of three continents, as well as to its importance as a country, which neighbors regions plagued by years of crisis.

"This sensitive and strategic position of Greece intensifies our responsibility to observe these crises, upgrades our role for the creation of the necessary conditions for stability, peace and security in the region and increases our sensitivity regarding what is going on there, both as an EU-member country and a NATO country," Stephanopoulos said.

The president referred to the decisive role of NATO for the maintenance of peace in Europe and to Greece's participation in it since 1952, stressing that the alliance's new strategic perception confirms its position that the UN Charter constitutes the cornerstone of international law and order and accepts the major role of the Security Council as the competent agency for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Stephanopoulos further said that for Greece it is important that Europe's identity, defense and security increases, which will have as its basic element the constant cooperation with NATO.

He also expressed satisfaction over the recent activation of the NATO headquarters in Larissa. This new headquarters, in connection with activation of the remaining headquarters in the southern region, will upgrade the alliance's potential and contribute to the sincere strengthening of relations of its member-states in the southern sector, "consolidating even more stability in our region and international peace," he concluded.

[02] NATO military chiefs conclude Monday's convention session in Athens

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Following the session, the Chairman of the Military Committee Italian Admiral Guido Venturoni said that the good climate between Greece and Turkey was a reality, adding that the committee was applying efforts to aid its continuation.

He said that during the closed session the leaders of NATO discussed the deployment of the alliance's forces in locations to be decided in 2001, following examination of conditions, capabilities and the local military forces of the selected locations-regions.

Speaking on Yugoslavia, he said that the committee's first and foremost concern was securing normalcy and peace especially during this time, as that country is scheduled to hold elections on Sept. 24.

He said that Greece, France and Italy were reinforcing their forces in light of the elections in Yugoslavia, aiming to avert unrest, incidents and development of tension.

On his part, Greek National Defense General Staff Chief General Manoussos Paragioudakis said that the Greek military force in Kosovo was at the brigade level, stressing that beyond the securing of normalcy during elections, the Greek force will be under KFOR orders regarding other peacemaking related issues.

Both men said that the committee wishes for free elections to take place in Yugoslavia.

Speaking on NATO's future, Venturoni said "we should realign the availability of deployable forces and deal with our deficiency in high readiness forces, something that should be given special emphasis during the process of NATO's structural change".

The annual rotating Convention of NATO's Military Committee will take place in Greece and Turkey this year and will include discussions about the alliance, military issues, social events and the observation of a military exercise.

The convention began in an Athens hotel on Sunday and will continue in Istanbul from Wednesday to Saturday, as this annual event always includes visits, entitled MC Tour, in two to three NATO countries.

All 19 NATO member-states are expected to participate via their National Defense General Staff Chiefs, while the Supreme Alliance Commander Europe and the Supreme Alliance Commander Atlantic will represent the high command of the alliance.

The convention was initially scheduled to take place in Greece and Turkey last year but was rescheduled due to the earthquakes that hit Turkey on Aug. 17, 1999 and Greece on Sept. 7, 1999. Last year's convention was moved to Brussels.

On the sidelines of the convention, the participants will watch a transatlantic military demonstrations exercise.

[03] Papandreou and Cem to discuss CBMs after Greek FM's talks with Albright

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

After his meeting with Albright on Thursday, Papandreou will have talks with Cem on Friday on "all issues," the spokesman said, after which the Greek and Turkish delegations would get together for a working dinner on Saturday to assess the progress made in bilateral relations so far and to discuss Confidence Building Measures (CBMs).

According to Hytiris, Greece's position remains unchanged and moves within the framework of NATO and the 1988 memorandum on CBMs signed by then foreign ministers Karolos Papoulias and Mesut Yilmaz.

The spokesman also announced that Papandreou would be meeting his Balkan counterparts during his stay and would address the United Nations on Thursday.

Asked if he would be meeting the foreign minister of Fed. Yugoslavia, the spokesman pointed out that the two men had met and spoken just recently in Belgrade.

[04] Athens' ambassador to Ankara voices Greek support for Turkey's EU candidacy

ISTANBUL, 12/09/2000 (ANA - E. Aretaios)

"Greece is the only European Union member state that has direct contact with Turkey on European issues, and Athens wishes to transfer to Ankara all its experiences in the EU, so as for Turkey to avoid making the same mistakes," Korantis said.

"Over this past year interesting developments in Greek-Turkish relations took place," Korantis said, noting the positive developments in the economic and tourism sectors.

Responding to relevant questions, Korantis said "Greece's arms program is purely of a defensive character", adding that all countries were being armed, within specific limits.

[05] Ecevit discusses Greek-Turkish affairs Cyprus problem

ISTANBUL, 12/09/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Responding to a question on whether Greek-Turkish problems can be resolved, Ecevit said that over the past few months Greek-Turkish relations have entered an "atmosphere of dialogue", adding that the economic and cultural relations between the two countries were developing in a very positive way.

"It is time, however to discuss the basic problems between Greece and Turkey, as well. As long as Greece continues to refuse to discuss the Aegean issues and those of airspace, there will not be positive developments."

Greece does not recognize any of Turkey's claims concerning the Aegean or Greek airspace as having sufficient legitimacy to even warrant discussion, apart from that of dividing the Aegean continental shelf, for which it has directed Ankara to go through the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

Discussing the Cyprus problem, Ecevit said that the 4th round of Cyprus proximity talks that start on Tuesday in New York were unlikely to yield important results "so long as the reality in Cyprus is not recognized."

The regime in northern Cyprus is still not recognized by any state apart from Turkey and has been repeatedly condemned by UN resolutions. Turkey is seeking a solution to the Cyprus problem that would officially confer statehood on the Cypriot occupied territories. The Turkish premier, who in 1974 had ordered Turkish troops into northern Cyprus and set up the illegal Turkish-Cypriot regime that still occupies the northern third of the island republic to this day, conceded that relations between the two countries had entered "an atmosphere of dialogue" in the past few months and were developing extremely well in economic and cultural areas.

[06] New Greek ambassador to Cyprus arrives on island

NICOSIA, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Panagopoulos said for as long as Turkish intransigence continues "we are obliged to strengthen the upgrading of the island's defense consistently on a daily basis in the framework of the unified defense doctrine."

He said the two governments have set UN Security Council resolutions as the ultimate point which anticipate the reunification of the island, the establishment of a bizonal and bicommunal federation with a single international identity, one sovereignty and without foreign troops, settlers and refugees.

[07] Karamanlis launches new attack on government on vested interests

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Karamanlis said that no force can stop ND and that it was inconceivable for a few groups of marginal interests to impose their views on political authority.

Karamanlis said that "in essence the prime minister is covering up the phenomenon, either because he lacks the possibility to react or because he believes he is favored by forces not belonging to institutions".

[08] Synaspismos leader meets with Parliament president on transparency issues

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Following the meeting Constantopoulos said that the efforts of Synaspismos were fruitful, adding "the issue of vested economic interests in politics is real, it is not constructed, it is an issue of the past the present and the future, for this reason it should be confronted today."

He also said that this issue regarded all parties, adding, "we reached a point to have five institutional powers, the legislative the executive, the judicial, the media and the vested economic interests, in essence one power the vested economic interests and this is the danger."

Constantopoulos noted that he requested of Kaklamanis the expansion of the Parliament Committee on Institutions and Transparency.

[09] Omonia Leader briefs UK foreign ministry on state of Albania's ethnic Greeks

LONDON, 12/09/2000 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

While in London, Dules met a number of officials, particularly those in charge of human rights issues and the Balkans, and agreed that there should be regular contact, in order for them to keep abreast of developments for Albania's Greek minority.

In interviews to the BBC's Greek and Albanian service, the visiting politician referred to conditions for Albania's Greeks and the behavior of the official Albanian state towards them, while he also underlined the significant help the minority receives from neighboring Greece.

[10] Serb student organization 'Otpor' and Greek movements to hold concert in Thessaloniki

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

"We are not prepared to live in a dictatorship simply because the US is against Milosevic," Jovan Ratkovic, a student, said in Thessaloniki on Monday. Ratkovic was one of four youths arrested last week when they attempted to meet Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou at the Greek ambassador's residence in Belgrade. They were ultimately released following a demarche by Papandreou.

Ratkovic arrived in Thessaloniki as an "Otpor" representative to announce the concert organized by the student organization on Saturday together with the Greek citizen organizations "Intervention" and "European Expression."

[11] Papantoniou unveils national strategy on economic growth

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Presenting a national strategy on economic growth, Papantoniou said it would focus on creating fiscal surpluses to help in raising ample venture capital to fund business projects in the so-called "new economy".

The second axis was to complete a structural changes plan and to fully open the Greek economy to international competition. Finally, the third axis was to create a cohesion and fraternity society envisaging tax cuts, reducing unemployment and boosting employment, Papantoniou said.

Referring to rising world oil prices, Papantoniou said: "There is a concern that oil prices will not fall easily or quickly. Political pressures will continue on oil producers but the impact of higher oil prices on the Greek economy will be smaller compared with the other EU member-states".

Papantoniou said that the government has no more room for cuts in fuel taxes.

He predicted that inflation would end at 2-2.5 percent this year, to fall around 2.0 percent in 2001, and that the economy would grow at 4.1 percent, accelerating to 5.0 percent next year.

"Greece has a comparative advantage right now because of the large infrastructure projects, currently under way, compared with the other European Union countries. Privatization and converging interest rates are also offering additional comparative advantages to the Greek economy," he noted.

"These advantages will cease to exist in the next few years. That's why we have to invest in high-risk economic sectors," Papantoniou said.

[12] Meeting between striking trade unionists and Papantoniou fails to produce results

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

According to the trade unionists, participation in the first day of the strike was considerable and reached 95 percent in many services.

During their meeting with Papantoniou, the trade unionists called on the government to withdraw the amendment even at the last moment and allow OTE to develop and be modernized without the state losing control of the strategic Organization.

[13] Simitis to chair cabinet meeting on 3rd CSF, meeting with Nat. Economy team

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Prior to the cabinet meeting, the spokesman added, the premier would be meeting with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Deputy National Economy Minister Christos Pachtas on Wednesday, to discuss the 3rd CSF, its regional aspects and the mechanisms of implementing it.

[14] Greek stocks succumb to profit taking, end lower

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Dealers said Monday's change of course was a normal reaction of the market following its "violent" rise last week and predicted that stock prices would stabilize around current levels before starting a new round of advance.

The general index ended 3.31 percent lower at 4,236.90 points, off the day's highs of 4,459.38 and the day's lows of 4,223.66 points. Turnover was a heavy 201.15 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 2,403.89 points, off 4.30 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.77 percent to 575.65 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 8,180.41

-6.35% Leasing: 768.90 -3.33% Insurance: 2,417.07 -1.65% Investment: 1,751.98 -3.34% Construction: 2,076.90 -1.16% Industrials: 2,563.45 -1.37% Miscellaneous: 4,415.31 -2.26% Holding: 5,504.59 +3.74%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 696.43 points, off 3.58 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 263 to 83 with another seven issues unchanged.

Alpha Bank, Teletypos, National Bank, Viohalco, Panafon, Hellenic Telecoms and Bank of Piraeus were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 15,300 Titan Cement (c): 14,700 Alpha Bank: 15,010 Hellenic Telecoms: 8,045 Commercial Bank: 18,300 Panafon: 3,960 Hellenic Petroleum: 4,350 Eurobank: 10,200 Attica Enterprises: 3,220 Intracom: 13,705 Lambrakis Press: 10,520 Minoan Lines: 3,915 Heracles Cement: 6,550 Hellenic Bottling: 4,800

Equity futures drop, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday, in line with the indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 4.30 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.77 percent lower.

Turnover was 22.961 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,027 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 14.854 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,479 contracts changed hands on turnover of 8.107 billion drachmas.

Bonds slip in light trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in light, lackluster trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.064 percent from 6.04 percent in the last two sessions.

The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points from 79-80 basis points a trading day earlier.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 46.1 billion drachmas from 18 billion drachmas in the session before.

Of the total, sell orders accounted for 34.1 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma up vs. euro, down vs. dollar: The drachma on Monday ended higher against the euro and lower versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the flaccid euro was set at 338.220 drachmas from 338.250 drachmas in the previous session.

Also at the fix, the rampant dollar was set at 394.260 drachmas from 387.760 drachmas a trading day earlier.

Closed-fund investment companies assets fall in August: Greece's 17 closed-fund investment companies' net assets totalled 1.071 trillion drachmas in August, down 120 billion drachmas from the previous month, Union of Institutional Investors' figures showed on Monday.

The sector's net asset value showed a 13.9 to 52.6 percent decline from the start of the year.

A total of five companies were showing a premium ranging from 13.3 percent to 591.6 percent over the same period, while the other 12 companies were trading with a discount ranging from 3.1 to 23.5 percent.

The investment index on the Athens Stock Exchange fell 12.8 percent in August compared with a 10.8 percent fall of the general index.

It showed a 49.8 percent fall from the start of the year, up from a 35.7 percent decline of the general index.

[15] National Bank carrying out cautious expansion in Balkans

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

"We know how they must overcome their difficulties. The approach takes place through the transfer and application of our own successful model," Karatzas said in a feature on National Bank in the International Herald Tribune.

He added that National's role no longer was to support Greeks abroad, as they had now been fully integrated into the societies in which they lived.

[16] Cosmote launches mobile-portal services

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Customer access to MyCosmos will be made through sending messages, the SIM card, the WAP advanced technology and the voice identification system, exclusively owned by Cosmote in Greece.

MyCosmos was set-up in cooperation with Antenna TV, Flash Radio, Yahoo and Bank of Piraeus.

Cosmote plans to offer additional services from its mobile portal, such as stock transactions, and information on recreation, news and customer service.

[17] 65th TIF ends 10 day run

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Goods from the honored countries, the USA and Turkey, were showcased in expansive spaces. Cars, construction materials, telecommunications and food products dominated the exhibitions of the two countries.

Among the many exhibits, was that of the Greek rescue team that took part in efforts to recover people trapped in rubble during last year's Aug. 17 earthquake in Turkey and the Sept. 7 earthquake in Greece. The team, numbering more than 400 members set up a training "wooden climbing wall" at the waterfront just outside the grounds of the fair.

[18] Petzetakis plastic pipes get two new Balkan deals

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

The Athens-listed firm is to supply 600 kilometers of its Teleflex piping for fiber optic cables to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's state telecom.

It will also supply state-owned Bulgar Gaz of Bulgaria with 206 kilometers of Teleflex, Petzetakis said in a statement.

[19] Hellenic Petroleum chief meets Iranian oil minister

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

The two officials discussed existing cooperation between the Greek firm and Nioc of Iran in crude oil supplies and research and exploration in hydrocarbons.

They also sounded out the possibility of cooperation in natural gas and petrochemicals.

[20] Alpha Bank cuts deposit rates

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Rates on its Alpha 400 and Alpha 410 deposit accounts fell to 4.75 percent and 5.0 percent respectively, the bank said in a statement.

At the end of June, Alpha lowered its consumer loans to 9.75 percent.

[21] Efthimiou offers best wishes to students as new school year begins

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

He was present in a western Athens elementary school opening, where he noted that following the improvements on the educational reform, schools were expected to take a better course, stressing that demands for a better quality education would increase every year.

He added that the educational sector "is nobody's field, it is the peoples", stressing that there cannot be confrontations damaging the educational process.

Meanwhile, extraordinary measures and checks to all of Attica's schools were under way in efforts to improve operational conditions and the safety of students, at orders from Greek Police leadership.

[22] Drama short length film festival to honor Finland

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

The International Competitive Section of the festival includes 93 films from 49 countries, the Greek Competitive Section includes 21 fictional films and the Students' Competitive Section 11 films.

Finland will be the honored country on Tuesday, as 11 Finish movies will be screened, showcasing the work of artists from a country that is better known for its architects, designers, composers and musicians, but lesser known for its film production.

Finnish Film Institute Promotion Director Maria Palasalo said "one can be much more experimental in the short length movies and express elements that stun and unsettle us. One should go to short film festivals, to see the directions the new film making is taking."

[23] Spokesman on Church petition for ID cards

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

On Thursday, meanwhile, the Church will begin collecting signatures on the identity-card issue (the on-going dispute between Church and state regarding a decision to stop recording religious beliefs on the police-issued document).

Acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris, when asked to comment on Monday on rumors that the Orthodox Church of Greece planned to use the worship of the Holy Cross to collect signatures in support of its positions on identity cards, said it was "inconceivable for the official Church to behave like some para-religious group."

"I hope it doesn't happen," he added, "but if it does it will show who respects what's sacred and holy and who uses it. It will also show that the Church underestimates the people, their faith and their intelligence."

The spokesman also criticized the leader of main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, over his failure to take a stance on the issue of identity cards or to say whether he will abolish them on coming into power.

[24] Kaklamanis receives Cairo University students of the Greek language

Athens, 12/09/2000 (ANA)

Speaking to the group Kaklamanis noted the importance of language as a bridge of communication between peoples and especially the youth, adding that the youth is obliged to promote their ideas of civilization, peace and cooperation, thus aiding humanity to exit from the dead ends it is confronting at this time.

"We and you as people, should be proud, that our predecessors created two great civilizations from which modern humanity continues to draw ideas and models in very many sectors, such as science, art, aesthetics, humanitarian ideals, those than man needs today," Kaklamanis said.

[25] UN-led Cyprus proximity talks resume in New York on Tuesday NEW

YORK, 12/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to questions during his daily briefing on Monday, the UN Secretary-General's press spokesman Fred Eckhardt also said the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot sides cannot be forced to discuss issues, pointing out that the peace effort that opened last December has so far aimed at bringing them to the point where they could go into the substance of the Cyprus question.

Eckhardt said the new round of Cyprus proximity talks will open on Tuesday afternoon with separate meetings UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be having with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, along with their delegations, at the New York headquarters.

Three rounds of proximity talks have been held since they opened last December, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations to reach a settlement in Cyprus, divided since Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 percent of its territory in 1974.

Invited to describe the climate in which the talks resume, the UN chief's spokesman said a new blackout requested continues, but expressed the view that "if we did not feel that there was a chance progress could not be made, we wouldn't keep plucking away at these talks."

"We have no illusions about the complexity of the issues, the effort in recent times has been to get beyond the procedural and into the substance. The Secretary-General has said he hoped this time they will begin discussing the core issues."

The UN has defined four core issues to be discussed, namely constitution, security, territory and property, including the refugee issue.

Asked what action the Secretary-General will take to render the talks substantive, Eckhardt said "the parties can't be forced to discuss something they are not willing to discuss."

"I think the process thus far has been to try and bring them to a point where they feel they have agreed on the procedural issues and are now both ready to get down to the substance," he added.

He said that the UN chief's special adviser for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who has been conducting the talks and is expected to take over on Wednesday, will have to say whether the substance will be discussed or not.

[26] Clerides describes talks he had in New York as constructive NEW

YORK, 12/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Invited to comment on the meetings he had on the sidelines of the UN Millennium Summit regarding the Cyprus issue, President Clerides said "they have been so far quite good, constructive".

He noted that from the briefing he had about the Clinton-Sezer meeting, it seems that Clinton insisted that negotiations on solving the Cyprus problem must take place at this stage.

Asked if he is satisfied with the outcome of the Clinton-Sezer meeting, President Clerides said "this action leaves me pleased, we will see the result with the commencement of the talks".

On Sunday, President Clerides was awarded the Archbishop Demetrios Gold Medal by Archimandrite Kleopas Strongylis, on behalf of the New York Greek Orthodox Community of the Transfiguration of Christ.

Receiving the Medal, President Clerides assured that no solution to the Cyprus problem would be signed, unless it safeguards Greek Hellenism on the island.

[27] EIB expresses interest in funding Cyprus projects

NICOSIA, 12/09/2000 (CNA/ANA)

Referring to his meeting with Klerides, Hackett described it as "another milestone in the rapidly approaching destination of Cyprus to membership of the EU".

He added that the EIB decided this year "that candidate countries for membership to the EU will be treated on effectively the same footing in terms of the way the EIB works with them".

The EIB official pointed out that "the ceilings we had with those countries will be removed", adding that "the operational procedures for member states will apply for the candidate countries".

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