Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin: Greek economy on good course, not affected by int'l developments

[02] PM confers with environment minister

[03] FM Bakoyannis in Ankara for BSEC meeting

[04] Rehn spokeswoman calls for intensified efforts to find mutually acceptable FYROM name solution

[05] Nimetz statements on the FYROM issue

[06] Gov't on press allegations over public sector appointments

[07] PASOK leadership contenders address party members

[08] Papandreou addresses local administration officials in Patra

[09] PASOK's Venizelos visits Rethymno, Crete

[10] Gov't again queried on developments in PASOK

[11] SYRIZA leader visits Heraklion, Crete

[12] Five new Greek Eurodeputies assume duties

[13] Ecumenical Patriarch meets with Italian PM Prodi

[14] Voulgarakis represents Greece at EU con'f on maritime policies in Lisbon

[15] Greek, Serbian enterprises seek closer cooperation

[16] Parliamentary debate on construction of motor way

[17] European Commission approves measures in support of Greek road infrastructure

[18] Tourist development minister holds talks with Hotel Chamber

[19] Tourist arrivals to rise by 6.0 pct this year

[20] Achilles Technical signs 11.14-mln-euro contract with Astir Vouliagmeni Hotel

[21] New board of Greek association announced

[22] SEB officials in Strasbourg

[23] 8th PRODEXPO conference on utilization of real estate

[24] Aegean Airlines receives int'l distinction

[25] Greek stocks jump 1.73 pct on Tues.

[26] ADEX closing report

[27] Greek bond market closing reprot

[28] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[29] Art auction opens in support of wildfire victims in Peloponnese and Evia

[30] Fourteen people to stand trial in Alex disappearance case

[31] Athens court imposes suspended sentence on newspaper owner

[32] Greeks developing into one of the most overweight people in Europe

[33] Thessaloniki seawall promenade revamped

[34] 'Dilos Initiative' working meeting in Halkidiki

[35] Drug arrests in Thessaloniki

[36] Rain on Wednesday

[37] Cyprus hosts conference on terrorism and the media

[38] Britain aims at comprehensive settlement of Cyprus problem

[39] Archbishop addresses Interreligious Conference in Naples Politics

[01] FinMin: Greek economy on good course, not affected by int'l developments

Greece's national economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis said early Tuesday that the global economy was continuing to grow at a rapid pace, but there were also increased uncertainties due to the unrest on the money markets, and described as "significant" the decisions taken at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank annual conference for greater transparency in financial transactions and better coordination of all countries in the framework of those two organisations.

Speaking to the press in Washington on Monday night (early Tuesday Greek time) shortly before departing for Athens following a US visit in the framework of the IMF-World Bank annual meeting, Alogoskoufis added that the unrest on the international money markets was being faced, but could possibly impact global economic growth.

He said it was important that the World Bank has a crucial role in the financing of the very poor economies, chiefly in sub-Saharan Africa where he said the poorest countries of the world were located, stressing that Greece has committed to assisting in that effort.

Turniing to the Greek economy, Alogoskoufis said it was progressing well and did not appear to be affected by the international developments.

He expressed optimism that the growth of the Greek economy would continue to develop at the "good pace" of the past few years, resulting in the creation of new jobs, increasing incomes, and an increase in the prosperity of the Greek people.

[02] PM confers with environment minister

The minister declined comment on the topics of the discussion, in response to press questions after the meeting, noting that this was his usual policy.

[03] FM Bakoyannis in Ankara for BSEC meeting

According to a ministry press release on Tuesday, the agenda of the meeting covers issues such as European Union-BSEC relations, practical measures to facilitate trade between BSEC member-states and reviewing the progress of programmes undertaken by the organisation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Greek foreign minister will be meeting on Thursday with her counterparts, from Romania Adrian Cioroianu, Serbia Vuk Jeremic and Turkey Ali Babacan.

[04] Rehn spokeswoman calls for intensified efforts to find mutually acceptable FYROM name solution

A spokeswoman for EU enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn reiterated here on Tuesday that the Commission is in favor of a "doubling" of efforts to find a mutually acceptable solution to the "name issue" still preventing a full normalisation of otherwise excellent ties between neighbors Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Spokeswoman Krisztina Nagy was quoted as saying that the Commission encourages both EU member-state Greece and potential EU hopeful FYROM to intensify negotiations under the United Nations' auspices.

Her statements came in response to a press question regarding a more-or-less obscure incident in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, this week involving the withdrawal of several teams from FYROM due to a disagreement with the organisers of the SE European Games over how the land-locked one-time Yugoslav republic will be referred to in announcements.

Finally, she said the Commission recognises that the thorny issue contains an "emotional" aspect as well, while calling on both sides to avoid any act that could be considered a provocation.

[05] Nimetz statements on the FYROM issue

Special UN mediator on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name issue Matthew Nimetz in statements he made Tuesday to a private TV station in Skopje said that it would be important if a solution was to be found between FYROM and Greece on the pending issue of the name of the landlocked republic before next April's NATO summit.

Responding to a question whether he intended to table a solution proposal to the two sides before a NATO summit in April 2008, Nimetz said "the NATO process is effectively very important and to my view it could contribute tremendously if the issue of the name closed before this date."

[06] Gov't on press allegations over public sector appointments

"Revocable personnel are assigned to (public) office-holders taking over an office, and they (employees) depart when the office-holder leaves (office)," Roussopoulos said.

"Provisions of a draft law regulating issues concerning independent authorities, which were withdrawn late on Monday, did not concern revocable personnel in the prime minister's office or the government general secretariat, but instead (it concerned) permanent employees with indefinite work contracts," he stressed.

He also mentioned that since March 2004 the only employees hired in the government's general secretariat and the prime minister's political office were revocable employees.

"There is no issue of favoritism," Roussopoulos said, pointing out that the Karamanlis government has not interrupted any of the work contracts in effect under the previous Simitis government, while clarifying that the suggested regulation was giving them the option of a transfer to another post if so they wished.

The report was carried in the Tuesday edition of the Athens daily "Ta Nea".

[07] PASOK leadership contenders address party members

"I am at home, in Achaia. We will certainly be having a constructive discussion with the Prefectural Committee of Achaia. My aim is to shed light on the major issues facing our country today and, first of all, the deadlocked policy of the New Democracy (ND) party, a party that has just been elected but is already finding itself today in a big internal crisis due to its deadlocked policy," Papandreou said on turning up at the meeting of PASOK's Prefectural Committee of Achaia in this city in western Greece.

Papandreou further said that during his discussion with PASOK's cadres he would also have the opportunity of shedding light "on the necessary reforms and changes that our party needs to enable us to be ready, dynamic in order to change the political system."

The PASOK leader also said that "my aim is always that this dialogue be an exemplary one and be compatible precisely with the values and traditions of our party."

PASOK supporters are scheduled to vote around the country on November 11 for a new party leader, following the party's defeat in the September 16 general elections. Current President George Papandreou, Thessaloniki deputy and former minister Evangelos Venizelos and Athens MP and former party secretary Costas Skandalidis are the three main candidates in the much-expected election.

[08] Papandreou addresses local administration officials in Patra

Papandreou said that "the people are expecting from us a new beginning for PASOK and a new hope for Greece," adding that PASOK is carrying out its own internal revolution, that is not settling the score of the past but laying the foundations for tomorrow to enable PASOK to become the power that will change the country.

The PASOK leader further said that the country, as is the case with all countries, is moving in the environment of a globalised economy that creates new inequalities and new threats, as well as new opportunities.

He added that competition in the economy creates winners and losers but, unfortunately, the marginalisation of citizens as well.

Lastly, Papandreou said that the weak must be strengthened and supported, the citizen must obtain security at all levels and stressed that the vision must be a wide alliance of creative people which, however, will also include the weak who must be supported.

Venizelos

In another development, PASOK's leadership contender Evangelos Venizelos referred on Tuesday night during an address in the Cretan city of Hania to PASOK's "duty towards society to win the next elections" which he said he predicts will be held soon.

Venizelos termed "the results of the elections fake" and stressed the need for PASOK to resolve its intraparty problems and place itself on election readiness.

"We must be in a state of readiness, the elections are not something far away, we do not have limitless time, history has not stopped to wait for PASOK to solve its intraparty problems. What we are doing now within PASOK has an immediate reflection on the political system. The result of the next Parliamentary elections, that will be soon, will be shaped on November 11, within PASOK," Venizelos said and stressed the need for PASOK to increase its influence in society.

[09] PASOK's Venizelos visits Rethymno, Crete

PASOK supporters are scheduled to vote around the country on Nov. 11 for a new party leader.

Current President George Papandreou, Evangelos Venizelos and Athens MP and former party secretary Costas Skandalidis are the three main candidates in the much-expected election.

Speaking at a press conference, Venizelos also referred to the grassroots party members "who feel displeased", adding that "what is at stake is to convince them to vote on Nov. 11, since it is through this result that the next general election in the country will be decided."

[10] Gov't again queried on developments in PASOK

Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos used the same one-word answer when asked - during his regular press briefing - if PASOK's possible inability to wage a vigorous opposition creates problems for the government or causes ruling New Democracy deputies to "act as the opposition" in lieu of PASOK.

"Whether or not PASOK is fulfilling its role as the main opposition is a question that you must ask PASOK's press spokesman," he told reporters.

[11] SYRIZA leader visits Heraklion, Crete

Addressing the hospital staff, which staged a 4-hour work stoppage, Alavanos commented that "problems here too are the rule and not the exception", expressing the hope that hospital staff mobilizations will spread across the country.

The SYRIZA president also said that a greater emphasis should be given to health issues during the state budget debate and called on the government to allocate more funds for the sector of health.

[12] Five new Greek Eurodeputies assume duties

Five new Greek Eurodeputies, who replaced those elected in the Greek Parliament, had their "premiere" at the plenum of the European Parliament on Tuesday.

In the ruling New Democracy (ND) Group, Margaritis Schinas and Manolis Angelakis replaced Antonis Samaras and Kostis Hatzidakis.

In the main opposition PASOK Parliamentary Group, Marilena Koppa, Anny Podimata and Constantine Botopoulos, replaced Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou, Panagiotis Beglitis and Nikolaos Sifounakis, who withdrew.

[13] Ecumenical Patriarch meets with Italian PM Prodi

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos met on Tuesday with visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, on the sidelines of an inter-religious conference entitled "For a World Without Violence: Religions and Cultures in Dialogue", which is being held in Naples, Italy.

Vartholomeos and Prodi discussed the role and contribution of religions in consolidating peace and cooperation amongst peoples of different faiths.

The Ecumenical Patriarch also met with Kazakhstan's senate chairman Kasymzhomart Tokaev. Vartholomeos visited the former Soviet republic last September.

Financial News

[14] Voulgarakis represents Greece at EU con'f on maritime policies in Lisbon

"Transports comprise a vital sector in the Union, one which contributes to the economic development of Europe and its cohesion with other areas of the world," he said, while adding that Greece's ports offer the potential for significant growth.

[15] Greek, Serbian enterprises seek closer cooperation

The business delegation included 15 Greek enterprises from the sectors of food, building material, chemicals and pharmaceutical products. Greek companies completed 110 business meeting with Serbian enterprises and expressed their confidence that many of the meetings would result to significant deals and partnerships.

The Greek delegation also participated in a Business Forum in Belgrade which was attended by Agricultural Development Minister Mr. Milosavljevic, Deputy Minister for International Economic Cooperation Mrs Marjanovic and the president of the Commerce Chamber of Serbia Mr. Bugarin. All Serbian officials underlined the significant prospects of further developing economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

A total of 120 Greek enterprises, with another 150 mixed enterprises, are currently operating in the Serbian market, employing more than 25,000 workers. Direct investments to Serbia total 1.8 billion euros, ranking Greece at the top of foreign investors in the country.

Bilateral trade transactions exceeded 320 million euros in 2006, from 175.38 mln euros in 2005. Greek exports to Serbia totaled 189.5 million euros in 2006, up 74.08 pct from the previous year.

[16] Parliamentary debate on construction of motor way

After the fires "we are obliged to re-examine certain parameters and if necessary, to readjust them," said Xanthopoulos, noting, however, that the new motor way environmentally upgrades these regions.

In favour of the ratification of the contract were the deputies of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, of main opposition PASOK and of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS), while objections were expressed by the deputies of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA).

[17] European Commission approves measures in support of Greek road infrastructure

The European Commission decided here on Tuesday to approve certain measures in support of Greece's road infrastructure, that had been adopted by the Greek authorities.

The Commission stressed in its decision that subsidies for the construction and upgrading of certain road infrastructures in Greece do not constitute state subsidies.

The Greek authorities will be providing 330 million euros for the construction and upgrading of three motorways between 2007 and 2014. The Commission took into consideration in taking its decision that tendering was proclaimed for the project and it is secured in this way that financial offsetting for the constructor of the infrastructure is not excessive.

According to the Commission, the measures taken by the Greek authorities do not constitute providing an advantage for a company and do not constitute state support in the sense contained in article 87, paragraph 1 of the European Union Treaty.

[18] Tourist development minister holds talks with Hotel Chamber

Emphasis was placed on seeking ways of improving the quality and certification of services provided.

"Improving the competitiveness of the Greek tourist product with electronic technology and training is a priority for us, to achieve smoothness in transactions and speedy information for all the sides involved, as well as an improvement of the future basis of our human potential," the minister said.

Also discussed was the further opening of the low cost airline company market, the further extension of the tourist period and the boosting of city breaks and other forms of alternative tourism.

[19] Tourist arrivals to rise by 6.0 pct this year

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference on the occassion of the 23rd Philoxenia international travel and tourism trade fair to begin in Thessaloniki November 1st, Andreadis said that Greek tourism will rise for the third year running. "The problems facing Greek tourism are neither simple, or can be resolved with a magic touch. They are the result of decades of deglect," he noted.

Commenting on a special tourism zoning plan unveiled by the government, Andreadis said "nobody was satisfied with the plan", while he stressed that it was drafted without the consultation of the tourism industry.

Hellenic Tourism Organisation's officials, speaking to reporters, said that a total of 20 hotels -five or four star cate-gory- were currently under construction in Central Macedonia and that the projects were expected to be completed in 2008-09. Ten hotels are build in Chalkidiki, six in Pella and four in Pieria. The same officials said that tourist arrivals to Central Macedonia (travelling by air) grew 8.3 percent so far this year.

[20] Achilles Technical signs 11.14-mln-euro contract with Astir Vouliagmeni Hotel

Under the agreement, the project is expected to be completed in six months.

[21] New board of Greek association announced

President is G. Ageridis, Vice-President A. Gerasimou, Secretary D. Galanakis, Treasurer S. Louizidis, Special Secre-tary C. Theofylaktos and members A. Tosios and I. Desypris.

The association, which was founded in 1995, aims at the spreading of the co-production of electricity and heating, which is the combined production of electric and thermal energy from the same initial source of energy.

[22] SEB officials in Strasbourg

[23] 8th PRODEXPO conference on utilization of real estate

The sessions of the conference began with a speech by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Secretary-General Evangelos Baltas, who referred to the national town planning for tourism.

Also present at the conference were Tourism Development Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos, Deputy Economy and Finance Minister Ioannis Papathanassiou and former tourism development minister Fani Palli-Petralia.

[24] Aegean Airlines receives int'l distinction

Aegean Airlines won the "ERA Palm d'or" award, which is given to companies which have distinguished themselves with the ERA Airline of the Year Awards for at least three consecutive years.

The "Palme d'or" is awarded only once and the winning company keeps it for ever. Aegean Airlines is the third European company which receives such a distinction.

[25] Greek stocks jump 1.73 pct on Tues.

Most sectors moved higher with the Food/Beverage (3.94 pct), Banks (2.71 pct) and Raw Materials (1.53 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Travel and Utilities sectors ended lower (0.61 pct and 0.48 pct, respectively). The Big Cap index rose 2.02 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.83 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 1.43 percent.

Karamolegkos (17.12 pct), Iktinos (11.76 pct) and Ideal (9.52 pct) were top gainers, while Desmos (6.25 pct), Plias (4.65 pct) and Ippotour (3.66 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 221 to 45 with another 35 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.23%

Industrials: +1.15%

Commercial: +0.19%

Construction: +0.66%

Media: +0.92%

Oil & Gas: +1.45%

Personal & Household: +0.51%

Raw Materials: +1.53%

Travel & Leisure: -0.61%

Technology: +1.48%

Telecoms: +0.81%

Banks: +2.71%

Food & Beverages: +3.94%

Health: +0.90%

Utilities: -0.48%

Chemicals: +0.17%

Financial Services: +1.01%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OTE, Piraeus Bank, Eurobank and DEH.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 24.62

ATEbank: 3.98

Public Power Corp (PPC): 27.60

HBC Coca Cola: 42.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.90

Emporiki Bank: 20.80

National Bank of Greece: 44.60

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 25.88

Intralot: 29.40

Cosmote: 24.50

OPAP: 27.76

OTE: 25.86

Titan Cement Company: 34.56

[26] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 6,591 contracts, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 496 contracts. Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 9,097 contracts, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (1,784), followed by Marfin Investment Group (691), PPC (956), Piraeus Bank (649), Marfin Popular Bank (795), Intracom (778) and ATEbank (353).

[27] Greek bond market closing reprot

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.05 pct, the two-day rate 4.05 pct, the one-week rate 4.05 pct, the one-month rate 4.16 pct, the three-month rate 4.62 pct, the six-month rate 4.59 pct and the 12-month rate 4.58 pct.

[28] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.436

Pound sterling 0.701

Danish kroner 7.514

Swedish kroner 9.263

Japanese yen 164.81

Swiss franc 1.684

Norwegian kroner 7.751

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.384

Australian dollar 1.607

General News

[29] Art auction opens in support of wildfire victims in Peloponnese and Evia

The starting price was 8,000 euro for each of the two works donated by renowned Greek painters Dimitris Mytaras and Clio Natsi, placed on auction.

The first bids placed by art lovers attending the event were 9,000 euro for the Natsi painting and 10,000 euro for Mytaras' work.

The ongoing auction will close on December 15, with silent bids throughout the process being submitted to the municipality of Thessaloniki.

[30] Fourteen people to stand trial in Alex disappearance case

The defendants are five minors, their parents and guardians and the grandfather and elder brother of the two Greek children involved.

According to the decree, the five minors, currently aged 12 and 13, will be tried by a minors court in the city of Veria on charges of wilfull homicide. The elder brother of the two Greek children, who is 15, will also be tried with them on charges of harbouring a criminal and making false testimonies.

The children's parents, seven people in all, will be tried by another court on charges of neglecting to supervise minors. Lastly, the grandfather of the Greek children will be tried by yet another court on charges of harbouring a criminal and for perjury.

The judicial investigation of the case of Alex, who went missing on February 3, 2006, was assigned to a special investigating magistrate due to its seriousness and to its impact on public opinion, following a relevant proposal by a Supreme Court prosecutor.

[31] Athens court imposes suspended sentence on newspaper owner

After a lengthy deliberation Monday, the court ruled in favor of the 43 newspaper employees who had filed a class action suit against him demanding payment of back salaries dating to June, July and August 2005, implementation of collective work contracts, and payment of outstanding social insurance contributions.

A total of 17 journalists writing for the newspaper owned by the defendant's publishing company testified as witnesses for the prosecution, while representatives of Athens Journalists' Union (ESHEA) and Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (POESY) also testified in support of the plaintiffs.

[32] Greeks developing into one of the most overweight people in Europe

Exercise appears to be a burden for Greeks, 55 percent of whom declare that they do not exercise at all or very little. Seven out of 10 responding to a poll carried out by the "Alco" company said that they travel with their car or their motorcycle to and from their job, while more than half reveal that they use their car even for short distances.

"The complete lack of physical activity, the wrong kind and quantity of food are the two main elements resulting from this extensive research," according to dietician Haris Dimostheno-oulos.

The report was presented on Tuesday by the Greek Medical Overweight Society and also shows that most or almost all respondents of all ages said that they eat ready or fast food four times a week.

More than half had gone on a diet in the past and only half of them succeeded in maintaining a weight that was 5 percent less than their initial weight. Three out of 10 said that they were disappointed with their diet and had regained the weight that they had lost or even more.

Lastly, replying to the question of what is the easiest thing to do to lose weight, exercise or feed oneself properly, 38 percent said a diet was preferable compared to 54 percent who considered exercise almost inconceivable.

[33] Thessaloniki seawall promenade revamped

The 470,000-euro project to reconstruct a 1.5-kilometer-long section of the waterfront, extending from the White Tower to the city's port towards the west, took roughly four months.

The city's seaside promenade now features marble and stone pavement, access ramps for people with disabilities and new light posts.

[34] 'Dilos Initiative' working meeting in Halkidiki

The "Dilos Initiative" constitutes an activity of the Medi-terranean Institute for nature and man and deals with sacred protected natural regions in technologically advanced countries.

The working meeting will focus its attention on the development of directives for the integrated management of the sacred natural regions and particularly those which include monastic expanses.

[35] Drug arrests in Thessaloniki

Two men, aged 35 and 26, were arrested in the municipality of Thermi, Thessaloniki, after police found in their possession roughly 3 kilos of hashish and 60 grams of cocaine.

In a separate incident, a 24-year-old foreign national was arrested in the Toumpa district of Thessaloniki after a police search in his apartment revealed 313 grams of heroin and 168 grams of methadone in liquid form.

Weather Forecast

[36] Rain on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[37] Cyprus hosts conference on terrorism and the media

Cyprus plays host to the 3rd World Conference of the International Academy of Television and Radio on "Terrorism and electronic media".

In his speech during the opening ceremony of the Conference in Nicosia, President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias said that terrorist attacks are unfortunately increasing in many regions of the world and called on the media community to undertake a positive role in educating people to reject violence.

The Conference is being attended by journalists from all over the world, as well as high ranking security officials from different countries.

"In many regions of the world, terrorist attacks are increasing and any attempt to solve problems by using terrorist methods has no moral substance. Particularly dangerous is the exploitation of human beings, who are determined to die for acts of terrorism", the Cypriot House Speaker said.

Christofias noted that any efforts aiming at explaining terrorist attacks as a result of religious beliefs do not reflect reality.

"Terrorism has no nationality or religion", he indicated.

Referring to the role of the media, Christofias said the media should aim at educating people to be patient and respectful and to reject violence.

"Reporting on problems related to terrorism demands careful handling by journalists and I am glad to notice that this is being implemented on TV and on the internet," he said.

He also expressed the view that cooperation between journalists and security services plays a positive role in this respect.

Concluding, Christofias referred to the Turkish invasion and continuous occupation of part of the territory of Cyprus since 1974.

"I hope that when you return to your countries you will be able to convey to your local media the demand of all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, for an end of the Turkish occupation and our wish for the reunification of the island of Cyprus on the basis of the relevant UN resolutions and the international law for a better future of all Cypriots", Christofias said.

[38] Britain aims at comprehensive settlement of Cyprus problem

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown referred on Tuesday to a window of opportunity for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, noting that the aim of London was a comprehensive settlement that would provide a better future for Cyprus and a better outcome in Europe as a whole.

Replying to questions on the fundamental principles of British policy on the Cyprus problem, as he explained them to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting in London, Brown said, ''I believe there is potentially a window of opportunity and that is what I was discussing with the Prime Minister about.''

Speaking at a press conference with Erdogan, Brown said ''we want a comprehensive solution to the problems that existed for so many years and we want the stalled UN talks moved forward.''

He added that ''our aim is a comprehensive settlement to these difficulties which will make possible a better life for Cyprus and of course will also make possible a better outcome in Europe as a whole.''

Replying to questions as to whether he was ready to undertake an initiative himself or if he was willing to respond positively to an initiative by third parties, Erdogan said ''the Turkish Cypriots said yes in the referendum and were punished, while the Greek Cypriots who said no were rewarded with the accession of Cyprus to the EU.''

He added that the UN Security Council was the authority to undertake an initiative. Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. In April 2004, the Greek Cypriot community rejected a UN-sponsored plan for a settlement as it did not address its main concrens.

[39] Archbishop addresses Interreligious Conference in Naples

Archbishop of the Church of Cyprus Chrysostomos addressed Tuesday the 21st Interreligious Conference in Naples, Italy, under the title "For a world without violence. Religions and Cultures in dialogue".

The audience, comprising over 400 people, listened to the Cypriot Archbishop's speech on "God's word in the lives of Christians".

On the sidelines of the Conference, the Cypriot Archbishop has held a series of meetings with religious and political leaders whom he briefed about the plundering of religious and cultural monuments in the northern Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

To this effect, Archbishop Chrysostomos met Monday with Chief Rabbi of Israel Yona Metzger.

The Cypriot Archbishop also held a private meeting with the Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Theodore Edgar Mc Carrick, whom he briefed on the condition of religious and cultural monuments in occupied Cyprus.

According to a press release, Cardinal Mc Carrick expressed his support and pledged he would contribute to the whole effort for the rescue and preservation of Greek Orthodox occupied churches of Cyprus.

On Tuesday, he attended the inauguration ceremony of the Archbishopic Museum of Naples. The Museum was inaugurated by the President of Italy Giorgio Napolitano and the Archbishop of Naples Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe.

On Wednesday, the Archbishop will travel to Rome where he will hold a meeting with the Secretary of State of His Holiness The Pope, Tarcisio Bertone, with whom he will discuss the continuous destruction of Christian churches and monuments in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

The Republic of Cyprus entered the EU in 2004. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied its northern third.

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