Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Patten calls for EU role in Mideast after talks with Greek FM

[02] Kinnock-Papandreou meeting focuses on Commission reforms

[03] FM receives Britain's special envoy for Cyprus issue

[04] Yugoslav FM says Serbia no relation with Cyprus situation

[05] Public order minister holds talks in Sofia with Bulgarian counterpart

[06] Archbishop Christodoulos back in Athens after Jerusalem trip

[07] PM defends govt's record on laws executing the new Constitution

[08] EU must shoulder its responsibilities, ND leader tells PPE conference

[09] Israeli envoy dismisses charge of 'intervention' vis-a-vis local journalists

[10] EU military committee chief at Greek defense ministry

[11] Greek minister attends Downing Street event by Cherie Blair

[12] Sixth Economist 'Government Roundtable' in Athens next week

[13] Tax reform aimed to boost growth, employment, gov’t spokesman

[14] Unemployment drops to 10.5 pct in 2001

[15] Development minister holds talks with Commissioner for transport and energy

[16] Main opposition says gov't strong on PR, weak on action

[17] EAB delivers first six Patriot launching systems

[18] Early pensioning payments to farmers until Monday April 15

[19] Greek, Turkish officials to attend customs launch Saturday

[20] Greek weekly economic review

[21] Greek stocks end week 1.13 percent lower

[22] Public works minister: cruise ships to be enlisted for Olympics hospitality

[23] Commission takes action against 8 member-states over air quality

[24] EU to conduct progress check on Athens meat market hygiene

[25] Government denies it has proposed a three-zone solution

[26] Security Council President hopes Denktash heeds UN call

[27] US envoy: Clerides more flexible at talks than Denktash

[01] Patten calls for EU role in Mideast after talks with Greek FM

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

The British Commissioner also noted that Israel, despite being a country governed by the rule of law, was now violating human rights.

Apart from the Mideast crisis, Patten and Papandreou also discussed preparations for an EU general affairs council on Monday, issues pertaining to the Greek presidency of the EU in the first half of 2003, European enlargement, the Cyprus problem and EU relations with Russia, China, the United States and the Balkans.

In statements afterwards, the EU Commissioner particularly stressed the importance of Greece's extensive knowledge of the Balkan region.

Referring to the Mideast and the talks with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Madrid, meanwhile, the two men said the only way out of the present crisis was to implement the decisions of the UN Security Council.

The humanitarian aspects of the crisis were also discussed during the meeting, after which both men stressed the need to support the efforts of the UN High Commission for Refugees and to get humanitarian aid through to the Palestinians.

While underlining that the EU did not condone suicide bombings, Patten said that breaking up the Palestinian Authority would only lead to anarchy. The issue would be discussed by EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to formulate the EU's response to the difficult crisis, he added.

Papandreou announced that Athens had sent humanitarian aid worth 500,000 euros to the Palestinians and was now working with the Jerusalem Patriarchate to distribute this through the camps.

The Greek minister said the situation in the region presaged a wider instability and polarization, not just in the Middle East but also in the wider Moslem and Arab worlds and in Europe.

Regarding a planned joint initiative with Turkey for a visit to the region by himself and Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, Papandreou said the visit had a symbolic nature since Greece and Turkey were two countries separated by age-old rivalries which they were now trying to overcome.

This symbolism had lent an added weight to the initiative that was appreciated by the Arab world, international organizations and the European Union presidency, he added.

Patten meets with alternate FM Yiannitsis: Visiting European Commissioner Chris Patten, who holds the external relations portfolio, met Friday in Athens with alternate foreign minister Tasos Yiannitsis for a review of the situation in the Middle East, the western Balkans, and the Mediterranean.

Patten discussed with Yiannitsis the priorities of the Greek EU presidency slated for the first half of 2003.

In a brief statement after the meeting with Yiannitsis, Patten noted that the ''main characteristic of foreign policy is the un-expected''.

Patten said that his meetings aimed early planning and the Commission's relations with the upcoming Greek EU presidency.

Yiannitsis said after the meeting that they had discussed current developments, and ore particularly the basic issues were discussed, including the Euro-Med conference to take place in Valencia in less than two weeks.

He said this discussion was overshadowed by the heavy cloud in the Mediterranean, the Arab countries participating in the conference, and Europe due to the developments in the Middle East.

Yiannitsis also met later with Britain's special envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hannay.

Lord Hannay made no statements after the one-hour meeting, while Yiannitsis told reporters they reviewed the developments and prospects in the Cyprus issue.

Lord Hannay, who is due to meet with foreign minister Papandreou later in the day, will be visiting Cyprus next week.

[02] Kinnock-Papandreou meeting focuses on Commission reforms

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Kinnock, the former EU Commissioner for transports, made the statement after meeting in Athens with Foreign Minister George Papandreou, and in light of a Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003.

He also said Greece’s role is critical in ironing out the procedure towards enacting institutional reforms for the EU Commission following an upcoming expansion.

Finally, the British Commissioner said Athens’ experience and contributions in the expansion process have been especially positive.

Besides Commission reform issues, which fall under Kinnock’s portfolio, both men also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East.

[03] FM receives Britain's special envoy for Cyprus issue

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

“We’re in the midst of a significant phase,” Papandreou said, while again citing a “historical opportunity” for solving the Cyprus problem due to the island republic’s pending EU accession.

He also pointed to the troubling Mideast situation, where he said an unsolved international problem has led to another round of violence.

“We hope that this doesn’t occurs elsewhere, and we expect all to cooperate on the basis of UN resolutions,” he added.

On his part, Sir David merely referred to “opportunities and dangers”, saying the former should be seized and the latter avoided.

Finally, in answer to a press question, Sir David reiterated the British side’s commitment to Helsinki summit agreements on Cyprus’ EU prospects.

Alternate FM meets Hannay: Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis had a one-hour meeting with Britain's special envoy for the Cyprus, Lord David Hannay, on Friday for a review of developments on the island republic in view of a visit there by Hannay next week.

The two men were not available for questions afterwards and Yiannitsis simply read out a short announcement saying that they had reviewed the latest developments and prospects on Cyprus. He described the meeting as useful and said he was in constant contact with Lord Hannay.

[04] Yugoslav FM says Serbia no relation with Cyprus situation

ISTANBUL 13/04/2002 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, Svilanovic said ''Montenegro and Serbia have nothing to do with the situation in Cyprus.''

Denktash had used the example of Serbia-Montenegro to support his view on the recognition of a separate Turkish Cypriot state on the island.

Svilanovic, who signed agreements with Cem on cooperation between the two countries on educational and cultural issues, referred to relations between Yugoslavia and Turkey, saying that ''we shall develop our relations further and we shall improve them even further in the future.''

Svilanovic had also visited Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos at the Phanar on Thursday and discussed issues concerning the present situation in Yugoslavia, relations between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Patriarchate of Serbia and the importance of religion for the prevalence of peace in the world and the Balkans in particular.

[05] Public order minister holds talks in Sofia with Bulgarian counterpart

SOFIA 13/04/2002 (ANA - M. Borisov)

In a joint press conference after their talks, Chrysohoidis said that following the recent abolition of visas for Bulgarian citizens within the framework of the Schengen Treaty, ''we are essentially a unified area.''

The Greek public order minister, who is on a one-day visit to Bulgaria, said that ''stability, security and peace in the Balkans is a top priority for us.''

The two ministers, who described their talks as ''extremely constructive and fruitful,'' said they examined a wide range of issues, mainly the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the combatting of organized crime.

Police attaches will be appointed at the embassies of the two countries in Athens and Sofia to coordinate issues concerning the competent services, the said.

According to Chrysohoidis, the two countries will intensify the exchange of information while competent officials will have frequent contacts to coordinate their efforts in the combatting of cross-border organized crime.

The Greek public order minister said Greece is offering the Bulgarian police the possibility of being trained through seminars and exercises. Representatives of Bulgarian services will be able to attend extensive exercises which will start in autumn in Greece for the security of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

''The Greek government attributes particular importance to the safe holding of the Olympic Games, for which special planning is being made. Bulgaria, as a neighboring country, will play an important role in this sector. We agreed with the minister (Petkanov) to shape a new framework of cooperation on the way with which the Bulgarian police and the Bulgarian authorities will contribute in general,'' Chrysohoidis said.

Chrysohoidis said about 10 per cent of immigrants to Greece are Bulgarians, most of whom entered Greece illegally, but over the past years have been legalized and incorporated into Greek society and constitute an exemplary foreign community.

[06] Archbishop Christodoulos back in Athens after Jerusalem trip

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Christodoulos said his visit had aimed to give support and encouragement to the people struggling in the war-ravaged Mideast, so they did not have the feeling that they were on their own.

''The Church of Greece undertook the responsibility, in cooperation with the Greek foreign ministry and the Jerusalem Patriarchate, to deliver humanitarian aid in the form of food and medicine and anything else the people might need as this tragedy that seemingly has no end unfolds in the region,'' he said.

During his visit, Christodoulos said he met with Christian religious leaders in Jerusalem for talks, after which they made a joint announcement asking the politicians to find a solution to establish peace in the region and not disturb the status quo in the Holy Lands.

He said Israeli authorities had refused him permission to visit Bethlehem in order to accompany the truck delivering aid.

''I am sure Israeli authorities will accept the food and humanitarian aid we are preparing,'' he added.

[07] PM defends govt's record on laws executing the new Constitution

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Admitting that the government had missed its own deadline for passing laws executing the Constitution, Simitis said that this was an internal issue for the government and the result of its effort to present good legislation, not the result of negligence or procrastination.

The prime minister noted that many of the executing laws related to upgrading existing legislation by a Constitutional act, still others had already been tabled and voted on by Parliament and others were now being tabled in the current period.

In his question, ND MP Prokopis Pavlopoulos had pointed out that under the schedule presented by then interior minister Vasso Papandreou, all 40 laws needed to execute Constitutional reforms should have been tabled in Parliament by March 2002.

[08] EU must shoulder its responsibilities, ND leader tells PPE conference

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting of the European People's Party (PPE) grouping of the European Parliament on "The Stability Pact: A new approach", Karamanlis said that the September 11 attacks in New York and Washington DC and the "incomprehensible developments in the Middle East" had turned the greatest proportion of US and world attention to other fields, away from the Balkans.

The battle against terrorism was "a battle we understand but also support", Karamanlis said, adding, however, that "we all have the obligation to not allow the further development of terrorist methods in the western Balkans or anywhere else".

"This is why we must not leave the much-suffering region of the western Balkans to fate. We must not leave our big mission in the middle. Today's world cannot suffer from half-finished jobs. The European Union has the responsibility and historic choice to carry on its important task in the reconstruction of the Balkans," Karamanlis stressed.

The ND leader referred to the "plethora of organizations and mechanisms" that have been set up to tackle the needs of the western Balkans, stressing that their coordination was necessary so that their action would be effective.

In that direction, he added, the creation of a regional cooperation mechanism of the western Balkan states could be set up with which neighboring countries as well as the EU member states could be linked.

"Such a mechanism should not be seen as en effort to replace those countries' way to the EU, but on the contrary should be considered a mechanism to aid in that effort," he explained.

Addressing the same conference, PPE chairman Wilfried Martins said that the PPE was determined to encourage creative policies in the Balkans, adding that the target was full accession of the Balkans in the European Union.

Yugoslav president Kostunica cancels visit

after minister's suicide: Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica at the last minute cancelled a trip to Thessaloniki on Friday following the suicide of the Yugoslav federal health minister in Madrid.

Kostunica was due in Thessaloniki on Friday for a meeting of the European Popular Party (PPE) grouping of the European parliament on the theme "Stability Pact: A new approach".

Yugoslav federal health secretary Miodrag Kovac hanged himself early Friday in a hotel room in Madrid, where he was attending a weeklong UN conference on ageing.

A day earlier, Serbian former interior minister Vlajko Stojiljkovic shot himself outside the Yugoslav parliament shortly after he was ordered to face a UN war crimes tribunal.

Kostunica, who was due to arrive in Thessaloniki in the early afternoon, was due to meet with PPE chairman Wilfried Martens and Greek main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, before addressing the PPE conference.

[09] Israeli envoy dismisses charge of 'intervention' vis-a-vis local journalists

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

In his statement, Amb. David Sasson denied the claims, while countering:

“Let it be clear once and for all that there is no sort of ‘political intervention’ against the press, but on the contrary, these claims are completely ludicrous.

“What we believe in is a free dialogue that is supposed to exist in free and democratic countries, and certainly in a country like Greece,” he states, adding:

“Everyone, including embassies, has the inalienable democratic right to express their criticism to journalists when they feel that all evidence is not brought to the public correctly ... Any attempt to try and avoid or prevent such an exchange of ideas is clearly undemocratic behavior,” the press release quoting Sasson concludes.

On Thursday, ESHEA sent a letter to the Israeli embassy stressing that journalists retain the sole responsibility for what was broadcast, and that the only judge of their work could be public opinion.

"You can understand, we assume, that when a genocide is being carried out, the press and the broadcast media in Greece cannot keep quiet," the ESHEA letter read.

[10] EU military committee chief at Greek defense ministry

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

During his meeting with Armed Forces General Staff chief General Georgios Antonakopoulos, Hagglund discussed issues related to the operational planning of European capability relative to the European Army.

[11] Greek minister attends Downing Street event by Cherie Blair

LONDON 13/04/2002 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The hostess for the evening was Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

''Our talk (with Mrs. Blair) was on the social dimension of Europe and we spoke of the era when I was commissioner and Mr. Blair held the opposition's employment portfolio and at that time there was a great dispute concerning the social contract,'' Papandreou said.

The ''Oxford Philomusica'' was created in 1998 in Oxford, with Greek-Cypriot Marios Papadopoulos as artistic director. Papadopoulos started off the evening by playing compositions on the piano.

The orchestra works closely with Oxford University's music department and offers students an opportunity to train and acquire experience working with professional orchestra musicians.

The Greek minister, who has been in London since Wednesday, met with Greek correspondents in London on Thursday for an open discussion on domestic issues in Greece and the international political scene.

[12] Sixth Economist 'Government Roundtable' in Athens next week

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Several top regional leaders along with a handful of Greek ministers and political leaders -- including Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis -- former Israeli PM Ehud Barak and Palestinian minister of planning Nabil Shaa’th, as well as the EU’s High Representative for common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana, will address delegates at the conference – entitled “Leadership Strategy for Global Recovery Through Regional Cooperation”.

[13] Tax reform aimed to boost growth, employment, gov’t spokesman

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

"A tax reform must benefit workers, pensioners, businesses and all productive forces, to deal effectively with tax-evasion, to facilitate draining of added funds from idle wealth and to create a simple, transparent and citizen-friendly tax system," he said.

Speaking to reporters, Protopapas noted that the government has already organized a wide-range dialogue to discuss the issue before the government announced its final decisions.

Commenting on a report on tax reform, drafted by an independent experts' commission, Protopapas said the commission was set up one year ago and noted that the report was not binding for the government.

The commission's recommendations was a matter to be discussed, while Economy and Finance minister merely presented the government's general principles on the tax reform issue, government spokesman noted.

[14] Unemployment drops to 10.5 pct in 2001

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

The NSS said in a statement that the average jobless rate by region in 2001 was as follows: Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, 9.3 percent; Central Macedonia, 10.9 percent; Western Macedonia, 15.9 percent; Epirus, 12.1 percent; Thessaly, 12.2 percent; the Ionian islands, 10.2 percent; Western Greece, 10.3 percent; Central Mainland Greece and Evia, 13.3 percent; Attica, 10.4 percent; the Peloponnese, 8.6 percent; the Northern Aegean, 6.6 percent; the Southern Aegean, 12.0 percent; and Crete, 6.9 percent.

[15] Development minister holds talks with Commissioner for transport and energy

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

They met on the sidelines of the annual general assembly of the Association of Industries of Northern Greece.

Following their meeting, Tsohatzopoulos said they discussed the linking of inter-European networks in the region so that through Bosnia and Croatia but also with the link to Bulgaria and Turkey the electricity network is completed. He said they also discussed the transport of natural gas.

It was disclosed that de Palacio discussed with the Greek development minister the interest shown by the European Union on energy deregulation issues, noting that the EU relies very much on the way Greece will handle the issue, as the procedure for deregulation is expected to be concluded during Greece's EU presidency.

They also discussed the possibility of the EU financing the construction of a natural gas pipeline in Turkey, as well as issues concerning electric energy networks in the Balkans.

The issues of electric energy networks in the region will be discussed at length in June in Greece during a meeting of the competent ministers of Greece, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the competent EU Commissioner.

[16] Main opposition says gov't strong on PR, weak on action

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

"A year after formal deregulation of the electricity market, the Public Power Corporation has yet to introduce a financial separation of its operations, which is a requirement of liberalization and the implementation of investments by private sector electricity producers," said ND's production and trade spokesman, George Salagoudis.

[17] EAB delivers first six Patriot launching systems

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

The delivery of the systems was made during a special ceremony at the Tanagra military airport.

An EAB statement said the project signaled a significant step in the assembly of Patriot systems in Greece. EAB is responsible for the final assembly and for the operating completion of the system. The six Patriot launching systems have been totally assembled in Greece.

Siemens, Intracom, ELFON, METKA, Hellenic Vehicles Industry and EBO are also participating in the assembly program.

Patriot is a full anti-aircraft wide-range missile system, very effective against fighter aircraft attacks, ground-to-ground missiles, surface missiles or unmanned aircraft.

[18] Early pensioning payments to farmers until Monday April 15

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

It has been estimated that monthly pensions will amount to between 311 and 367 euros. The program is being applied throughout the country, while priority is being given to border and insular areas.

The program aims at providing a satisfactory income for elderly farmers, replacing elderly farmers with others who are younger in age and transferring agricultural businesses from elderly farmers to younger people to enable new enlarged businesses to be created which will be economically viable.

[19] Greek, Turkish officials to attend customs launch Saturday

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Fotiadis said in a statement that the customs post, located at Ypsala on the border with Greece, would aid in combatting smuggling, including drugs.

It would also allow a greater movement of goods, boosting trade.

As part of rapprochement between the two countries, an agreement has been forged in the customs sector, and talks held on practical issues of management.

[20] Greek weekly economic review

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed that the report has not yet been evaluated nor adopted by the government and said that they were going to be discussed in a dialogue with social partners. Simitis said that the government would present is official proposal on tax reform at the end of May and stressed that the government was aiming a reform to benefit workers and pensions and to combat tax evasion in the country.

The government also unveiled on Thursday its new energy strategy plan. The plan, with an horizon until 2010, envisages the creation of 55,000 direct job positions and another 91,000 indirect jobs, with investment totalling 5.5 trillion drachmas.

The new development plan also includes creation of a new regulatory framework in electricity and natural gas markets and expansion of the country's electricity grid and natural gas network.

Civil servants staged a successful 24-hour strike on Thursday protesting against government plans to reform the country's social security systems.

Greek annual inflation surged to 4.0 percent in March from 3.4 percent in February, reflecting high increases in food and beverage prices and tobacco prices. Inflation prospects were not favorable amidst violence in the Middle East and a decision by Iraq to suspend oil exports for one month.

Construction activity rose 9.8 percent last year, reflecting a surge in the southern Aegean region (28 percent). Thessaly was the only region to record a decline in activity in 2001.

Hellenic National Tourism Organization will open an office in Beijing, while a Chinese airline will start charter flights, once a week, from China to Athens carrying 250 passengers. These were the results of a visit by Deputy Development Minister Dimitris Georgakopoulos to China.

[21] Greek stocks end week 1.13 percent lower

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.07 percent to 2,203.39, with turnover a low 62.4 million euros.

Hellenic Telecommunications Organization saw its shares jump 2.91 percent.

The Insurance, Publication and Food-Beverage sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (2.09 percent, 1.68 percent and 1.16 percent, respectively), while the Telecoms and Retail sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.59 percent, 0.05 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.16 percent lower, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.56 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.54 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 232 to 78 with another 48 issues unchanged. The general index ended the week with a net loss of 1.13 percent.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Cosmote, Panafon, Alpha Bank, Coca Cola and National Bank of Greece.

Equity index futures at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange fell on Friday, tracking the main market, which failed to hold onto early gains.

Trade was thin with turnover at 44.3 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips shed 0.16 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.56 percent.

Bond prices rise in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Friday finished slightly higher in active trade focusing on 15-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.50 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 32 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 2.1 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for just over half of turnover.

[22] Public works minister: cruise ships to be enlisted for Olympics hospitality

LONDON 13/04/2002 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

Speaking from London, she also repeated that all facilities for the Athens Olympics would be ready on time and that the city would organize a great Olympiad.

Papandreou, whose ministry is responsible for the construction of several key infrastructure projects and facilities related to the Olympics, particularly stressed that all programmed test events would be held on time, with the first to take place in August.

Regarding hospitality, the Greek minister said that every possible measure and solution was being employed to ensure that there was no accommodation shortage, either for those involved in the Olympiad or for foreign tourists and visitors to the Games.

Apart from hotels and rented rooms around the Greek capital, she said, alternative accommodation on cruise ships would be offered, as well as special holiday packages in other areas of Greece offering daily trips to Athens to watch Olympics events.

In addition, Papandreou said that new procedures were now being in place to quickly resolve problems and delays created by the objections of archaeological services or local government to planned Olympic projects.

[23] Commission takes action against 8 member-states over air quality

BRUSSELS 13/04/2002 (ANA)

The Commission said it issued so-called “letters of formal notice” -- the first stage of formal infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty -- to Luxembourg, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Spain, Germany and Greece for what it cites as the countries’ failure to provide data for 2000 on carbon dioxide emissions and other “greenhouse gases”, as well as the removal of carbon dioxide by sinks.

The Commission notes that this information is essential to ensuring progress in relation to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including the Kyoto Protocol.

Furthermore, in its online press release on Friday, the Commission adds that “letters of formal notice” have also been sent to the UK, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Germany for failing to notify the Commission about national regulations regarding an EU Framework Directive for assessing and managing air quality.

This information was due by July 19, 2001. A formal request (in the form of a so-called 'Reasoned Opinion' has been sent to Ireland to report on carbon dioxide emissions from new passenger cars. This report was due by 1 July 2001.

“Reasoned Opinions” have also been sent to Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Greece, Spain and Portugal for failing to transpose into national law limits on certain air pollutants. This transposition should have been done by July 19, 2001.

“... the Commission has sent a ‘Reasoned Opinion’ to Greece for failing to “adapt a power station at the Linoperamata/Irakleio on Crete using the best available and most cost effective technology, as is required under a Directive aimed at combating air pollution from industrial plants. The power station concerned is a source of local airborne pollution”, the Commission states.

Commenting on the decisions, EU Commissioner for the environment Margot Wallstrom stated:

"Reliable information on carbon dioxide emissions and carbon sinks is essential if we are to effectively tackle climate change. The Commission is determined that member-states should fulfill their commitments when it comes to providing this information.

“Air pollution is a local issue as well as a global one, and the Commission is committed to making progress on improving the quality of the air that citizens breathe. That is why we are now reminding member-states that they need to strengthen their national air pollution laws,” she said.

[24] EU to conduct progress check on Athens meat market hygiene

Athens, 13/04/2002 (ANA)

In February, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that tenders would be called for improvement projects at Rentis meat market after the EU's conclusion that the abattoir posed a threat to public health.

A senior European Union official had noted earlier that despite progress Greece had made in improving overall food safety, it lacked qualified inspectors and should concentrate responsibility for the sector into fewer hands.

Robert Coleman, general director of the EU Commission's health and consumer protection division, said that the government had been given a report stating problems identified during inspections at the market.

One problem was that Rentis' abattoir could not be modernized to meet specifications and should cease operations. The government had set in motion a plan for closure, Coleman said.

He emphasized that the government had shown willingness to resolve the problems.

As part of an attempt to improve food safety in Greece, a detailed report was to be given to the government that contained a description of inadequacies, existing policy and proposals for action, and deadlines for solution of the problems.

The government would then comment on the document so that a mutually acceptable agreement could be forged on what action to take to improve food safety. Progress in implementation would then be monitored, Coleman said.

[25] Government denies it has proposed a three-zone solution

NICOSIA 13/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

On Thursday night a local TV network quoted a US report, dated March 19, 2002, by Carol Migdalovitz of the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division, that claimed that the Greek Cypriot side ''reportedly propose that they control 52 per cent of the land, give 24 to the Turkish Cypriots and 24 to a central authority with special status over Morphou, Karpass, and two other regions, where Greek Cypriot refugees could resettle.''

''With regard to broadcast information that a report drafted on behalf of the US Congress has information about a Greek Cypriot proposal for a three-zone solution, the government wishes to deny categorically this information,'' Papapetrou said.

He stressed the government ''has never submitted such proposals and the said report is far from reflecting reality.''

[26] Security Council President hopes Denktash heeds UN call

UNITED NATIONS 13/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

He also said the Council wants the dialogue between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides to continue and be based on Council resolutions and invited the leaders of the two communities to use more the UN good offices.

Asked by CNA if he believed that Denktash has taken seriously the Security Council message on the talks, Lavrov replied ''I certainly hope so because the message was very clear that we want the solution, we want this dialogue in the format of direct talks to continue.''

He stressed that the Council wants this dialogue to ''be based on Security Council resolutions and we want both participants of the dialogue to make more use of the UN good offices, be it in the person of the Secretary General, be it in the person of his Special Adviser, Alvaro de Soto.''

Asked when de Soto, who has conducted two rounds of direct talks, will be briefing the Council again, Lavrov said that would depend on how the dialogue continues but there is no set date at present for another briefing.

[27] US envoy: Clerides more flexible at talks than Denktash

WASHINGTON 13/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking before an audience at a meeting of the American Hellenic Institute, Weston said the US has outlined this view at a recent Security Council meeting which discussed developments in Cyprus.

Weston said that all interested parties, including the US, have to work hard to reach a settlement by June, a target date mentioned first by Denktash and adopted by Clerides and the UN Security Council.

The US envoy reiterated Washington's backing for Cyprus' accession to the European Union and indicated that EU accession could act as a catalyst on the peace process.

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