Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-07-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Papoulias addresses Business Forum in Austria

[02] President continues state visit to Austria

[03] Gov't on Liapis, Siemens case

[04] Papandreou announces 5 initiatives for Siemens scandal

[05] Gov't presses PASOK over Siemens 'donation'

[06] Justice minister slams attacks on top judges in Siemens case

[07] Govt on trial-fixing convictions

[08] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos on good governance

[09] Coalition leader holds talks with Cyprus President Christofias

[10] Grapsas to attend Balkan general staff chiefs meeting

[11] Informal EU Council of Environment Ministers

[12] FinMin Alogoskoufis meets with new BoG Governor George Provopoulos

[13] Deputy FinMin Bezas visits customs posts in northwest Greece

[14] Minister inaugurates cell of new landfill in Attica

[15] Aegean Airlines announces increases in ticket prices

[16] Panhellenic Railways Federation calls repeating work stoppages

[17] Greek stocks end Friday with small gains

[18] ADEX closing report

[19] Greek bond market closing report

[20] ASE turnover down 42.82% in June

[21] Greek bond yields significantly up in June

[22] Greek mutual funds' assets down 6% in June

[23] Foreign Exchange rates: Saturday-Monday

[24] Tripolis Rock Festival opens Saturday

[25] Wildfire raging in Menalo region

[26] Hot on Saturday

[27] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[28] Members of the National Council express support to President Christofias

[01] President Papoulias addresses Business Forum in Austria

Greek President Karolos Papoulias, addressing the Greek-Austrian Business Forum held at the Economy Chamber here on Friday, on the occasion of his official visit to Austria, underlined the excellent framework of cooperation existing between Greece and Austria and the very positive prospects appearing for investments and business cooperation.

Appealing to Greek and Austrian businessmen in the Forum, which was also attended and addressed by Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer, President Papoulias expressed his "great satisfaction" over the event's main theme, that was the uses and applications of renewable energy sources, the development of technology on the crucial and timely issue of environmental protection and investment cooperation.

The Greek President stressed the steady growth rate of the Greek economy, the country's participation in the eurozone, the improvement in infrastructures, the gradual decrease of the taxation burden for businesses, the new development law, joint ventures between the private and public sectors and Greece's geographical position as being positive elements for investments and business cooperation prospects.

He also referred to the country's considerable economic presence in the Balkans, its strategic position and its leading role which is confirmed, as he said, by the presence of 3,500 firms of Greek interest, Greek bank branch offices and by the total volume of Greek investments that exceeds 12 billion euros.

He further said that Greece's establishment as an energy hub favours cooperation with Austria in the energy sector and, in parallel, it constitutes one of the most popular tourist destinations internationally, having developed in past decades modern tourist infrastructures and special forms of tourism. Greece has the pleasure of welcoming a considerable number of Austrian visitors, resulting in Austria being steadily included in the top 10 countries of origin of visitors to Greece, he said.

President Papoulias concluded by saying that the Forum was an excellent opportunity for promoting bilateral economic cooperation and the Greek government is determined to support whatever efforts are made and to assist the improvement of trade and economic activities.

President Fischer referred in his address to the Forum to possibilities appearing for widening and deepening economic and trade relations between the two countries, as well as for Austrian investments in Greece and prospects of cooperation for Greek businessmen in Austria.

The Austrian President focused in particular on the tourist wave to Greece from Austria, noting that it is visited by over 600,000 fellow countrymen of his a year and so "taking into consideration the size of the Austrian population, eight million, one can claim that Austria is the top country in tourist arrivals in Greece."

[02] President continues state visit to Austria

Greek President of the Republic Karolos Papoulis reiterated on Thursday night that the continuing military occupation of Cyprus by a country that was seeking to join the European Family, namely Turkey, was "unallowable", speaking at a reception in his honor hosted by Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer in Vienna.

Papoulias, who is on a four-day state visit to Austria at Fischer's invitation, stressed that the Cyprus problem was an issue of International Law and human rights, and the basis for its solution were the UN principles and resolutions.

The President also praised the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Greece and Austria, and stressed that there weremany margins for their furether development in economic and trade relations.

Papoulias further reaffirmed Greece's backing of Austria's canddiacy for one of the two non-permanent seats on the UN Security Council for the period 2009-2010.

On Friday night, Papoulias was to inaugurate an exhibition titled "Reminiscences of Antiquity in Modern Greek Art" at Vienna's world renowned Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Art History), followed by a reciprocal reception he will host in honor of the Austrian Presidential couple.

On Saturday, accompanied by Fischer, Papoulias will visit Salzburg, where he will be greeted by Salzburg State Governor Gabriele Burgstaller.

The Greek President and delegation will depart for Athens on Saturday afternoon.

[03] Gov't on Liapis, Siemens case

Asked about the current culture minister's fate, spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos dismissed press speculation in the local media, merely noting that neither a resignation or a government reshuffle "is in the cards ... The government continues to support Culture Minister Michalis Liapis, whose name has been linked with the Siemens affair."

Roussopoulos reiterated that the government has ensured all necessary legal tools for the justice system to operate independently and engage in an in-depth investigation, in response to a question on whether the government intends to demand that Siemens provide evidence and the names of those involved in any kickback or influence-peddling scheme. He was also asked if the government will take punitive measures against the German multinational.

Scrutiny of Liapis' private trip, which the opposition claims was a paid "junket" by Siemens Hellas, follows the eyebrow-raising admission last month by a former top PASOK cadre and MP, Theodoros Tsoukatos, that he acted as an "intermediary" for a one-million D-mark "campaign donation" by Siemens to then ruling PASOK in late 1999.

[04] Papandreou announces 5 initiatives for Siemens scandal

The main opposition leader once again attacked the government and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis over its handling of the affair, while he accused Karamanlis of being "weak-willed" and a "hostage to interests" and held him responsible for what he claimed was an attempted cover up.

He also commented on the part of Culture Minister Mihalis Liapis and the revelations placing the minister in the same hotel abroad as Siemens CEO Mihalis Christoforakos about three years earlier, claiming that Liapis was in an untenable position given that the company had been contending to win public-sector contracts in sectors that Liapis, who was then minister for transport, had been in charge of.

The other PASOK proposals announced by Papandreou included that the government take legal action against Siemens to seek compensation; that state services, such as the finance ministry's Special Audits Service, be mobilised; that the independent authority against money-laundering headed by George Zorbas be activated; and that companies which admitted to paying kickbacks in order to win contracts should not longer qualify for state procurement contracts.

PASOK's president stressed also, that responsibility in the affair did not only concern those that were directly involved but also those that attempted to cover up the truth.

[05] Gov't presses PASOK over Siemens 'donation'

"The truth needs courage," Roussopoulos stressed, calling on the main opposition to say "what deal (this money) sealed and what down payment it served".

He was referring to revelations that Siemens had made arrangements for one million D-marks to be given to the party as a campaign contribution prior to the April 2000 elections, going through high-ranking PASOK cadre Theodoros Tsoukatos -- then a senior advisor to prime minister Costas Simitis. The party has denied ever receiving the funds, saying it has no record of such a donation, while Tsoukatos vociferously denies taking the money and says that he made arrangements for its transfer into PASOK treasury via a bank account of an acquaintance, and in instalments via cash deliveries.

The spokesman went on to say that Papandreou was asking for things already announced on Thursday, which was the order given by the government to mobilise the special audits service in the affair, while also pointing out that Papandreou had turned down the prime minister's proposal for a cross-party committee to look into issues of transparency and party finances last Friday.

"Nobody forgets PASOK's blank page during the revision of the relevant article of the Constitution. With his statement today, Mr. Papandreou did not address the citizens, he was trying to regain power within PASOK," Roussopoulos charged.

He also called on the one-time foreign minister in two Simitis governments to participate in a cross-party committee and to stop violently attacking the justice system every time it reveals evidence against PASOK. According to the spokesman, the main opposition's claims about "delays" in the case concerning trial-fixing and judicial corruption had been triumphantly disproved by the facts, as they would be in the case under investigation at this time.

[06] Justice minister slams attacks on top judges in Siemens case

"Reality itself has come to refute the constant, frontal assaults by a section of the opposition against Justice.

"Not only do these attacks have no real basis but they harm the representatives of this opposition party, as proved by its declining course these many months. Their insistent attack on Justice is not political courage, given that they are launching accusations against people who cannot answer and defend themselves via publications and statements," Hatzigakis stressed.

According to the minister, the champions of such tactics failed to learn from their mistakes and hoped to overcome their problems by constantly parading a series of inaccuracies that were later proved false.

"There is, however, the truth of the facts, the accuracy of the evidence and the reality of the past few days," Hatzigakis added, pointing to the recent conclusion of the first case regarding a ring of crooked judges and lawyers, where a ruling on Thursday sent two former members of the judiciary to jail, and noting past accusations by PASOK that this was being led to a cover up.

A second case related to the same phenomenon, which had gone before the Supreme Court and been rejected, was also in the final stages of the pre-trial proceedings and a trial date would soon be set, while the investigation in other trial-fixing cases was still underway, Hatzigakis added.

The minister equally rejected that there had been delays in the preliminary investigation of the structured bonds scandal, stressing that this had proceeded extremely fast and that the full investigation under a Special Appeals Examining Magistrate had begun at the end of June 2007. In the course of this ongoing investigation, 200 witnesses had been examined, seven people had testified as suspects and one person (the chairman of a pension fund) had been remanded in custody, while two were released with restrictions.

Regarding the Siemens case that currently dominated the news, Hatzigakis said that the same "section of the opposition" had succeeded in making itself look completely ridiculous with its conflicting statements regarding the course of the judicial investigation, with members of the party complaining of deliberate delays on Tuesday morning and then, in the afternoon of the same day, making statements that the case had been "rushed to a close".

In spite of the party's attempt to systematically downgrade the entire preliminary inquiry in the Siemens case, its results spoke for themselves, the minister stressed. He noted that more than 50 witnesses had been questioned on all aspects of the case in Greece and Germany, 40 people had been called to give evidence as suspects, and a series of contacts made with judicial authority investigating Siemens abroad, as well as a huge body of other judicial actions that had created a massive file of 90 dossiers containing evidence pertaining to the case.

[07] Govt on trial-fixing convictions

"The government hails the work of the judiciary in the trial-fixing case, as opposed to attempts headed by the main opposition party to downgrade it," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos stated, referring to the sentences handed down Thursday against cashiered judge Evangelos Kaloussis and magistrate Constantina Bourboulia.

"It was proven that justice handled the issue in a way that left no doubt of its independent operation," Roussopoulos added.

Two former judicial officers were led to prison on Thursday after a three-judge criminal appeals court found them guilty of corruption, bribery and abusing their position and authority. Bourboulia and Kaloussis are amongst seven out of nine defendants in the same case found guilty and handed down prison sentences.

[08] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos on good governance

Pavlopoulos stated that administration becomes more productive through good legislation while its credibility is being strengthe-ned, the quality of Democracy is being upgraded and corruption and mismanagement are being combated.

He underlined that the main axis of the government policy is the promotion of reforms aimed at the administrative reorganization while boosting the country's competitiveness and productivity.

[09] Coalition leader holds talks with Cyprus President Christofias

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Alexis Tsipras was received on Friday by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, saying afterwards that they had "a substantive discussion on President Christofias's effort to find a viable and workable solution to the issue of Cyprus."

They also discussed international developments.

"The only safe path for a solution to the Cyprus issue is a rapprochement between the two communities, far from nationalism, intransigence and far from the hegemonism of the international factor that has only brought about ills," Tsipras told President Christofias.

The Coalition leader said that he expressed his party's solidarity for the difficult task of President Christofias, adding that "we are investing in President Christofias to prepare an alternative plan and in his efforts for a solution to the issue of Cyprus."

Replying to a question on Turkey's policy on the issue of Cyprus, Tsipras said that developments in the neighbouring country are a "very bad conjuncture" for a solution to the issue of Cyprus, while expressing the hope that developments in Turkey "will not be fatal for the effort to resolve the Cyprus issue."

He was earlier received by President of the House of Representatives Marios Garoyian, who said they exchanged views on the Cyprus problem, other international developments as well as the future of the Lisbon Treaty.

Tsipras, who visited Cyprus at the invitation of the Leftist AKEL party, also met with Cypriot party leaders and was due back in Athens late on Friday night.

[10] Grapsas to attend Balkan general staff chiefs meeting

He will be among nine Balkans armed forces chiefs attending the conference, alongside his counterparts from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

They will discuss ways of enhancing military cooperation between the participant countries in order to further promote regional security.

The conference will also be attended by the chairmen of NATO and EU military committees and the Commander of the Allied Joint Forces Command in Naples (COM JFC NAPLES).

[11] Informal EU Council of Environment Ministers

The first informal Council of European Union Environment Ministers during the French EU presidency, focusing on the issue of energy and the environment, came to an end at Saint Cloud park a few kilometres outside Paris on Friday.

The event was attended by European Environment Commis-sioner Stavros Dimas, while Greece was represented by Deputy Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Stavros Kaloyannis.

Speaking after the Council, Kaloyannis explained that the discussion that took place was very interesting since each country made its proposals and expressed its thoughts on how the goals that have been set will be achieved.

Financial News

[12] FinMin Alogoskoufis meets with new BoG Governor George Provopoulos

The two men will hold regular meetings once a month to discuss economic issues.

[13] Deputy FinMin Bezas visits customs posts in northwest Greece

"The prestige of the customs service should be of major importance for all and the Economy and Finance Ministry is determined to protect and ensure its effective and transparent operation," Bezas stated during his visit to the customs posts of Niki and Krystallopigi in Florina Prefecture on Friday.

He underlined that both customs stations will be upgraded through the EU's Interreg III initiative with 1.3-million-euro high-tech equipment such as, X-Ray luggage and goods inspection systems.

Bezas also referred to the customs officers' service in combating illegal trade and tax evasion as well as in the protection of public health and the environment from dangerous products.

[14] Minister inaugurates cell of new landfill in Attica

Nakos, who is chairman of a Ministerial Commission for the Management of Solid Wastes, said the start of operation of the landfill was an "important stage in the course our country must traverse becore we acquire a modern and integrated waste management system that protects the environment, health and quality of life for Attica's residents".

The landfill project will include a basin for depositing rubbish extending over 35 hectares, a leachate processing plant and a biogas management system. Construction costs for both this landfill site and two others planned in the areas of Keratea and Grammatikos is budgeted at 152 million euros and was obtained through the EU's Cohesion Fund.

In addition, an intermediate cell that has covered the immediate waste disposal needs of all Attica until today was created with funding from the interior ministry.

Nakos noted that the site inaugurated on Friday would not remain in its present form, with plans already underway for the construction of modern processing units that would ensure that the landfill site received only rubbish residues and was converted from a landfill site to a integrated waste management installation.

Waste management is now emerging as a major issue for Greece, which needs to take steps to close down some 1,555 illegal dumps now operating throughout the country or else risk facing extremely stiff EU fines of up to 7.5 million euros a day, that will begin to be levied from January 1, 2009. The problems are particularly acute for Attica and the capital, which is currently only served by one, extremely overstretched landfill site in Ano Liossia.

[15] Aegean Airlines announces increases in ticket prices

The Greek airline company said it was forced to this decision because of the rally in international oil prices. Aegean Airlines said fuel cost accounted for 35 pct of its total cost.

[16] Panhellenic Railways Federation calls repeating work stoppages

According to an announcement by OSE, the work stoppages will be taking place on July 10, 15, 16 and 17.

Passengers interested in more information are advised to appeal to the passenger service centre, round the clock, at the number 1110 or to local train stations.

[17] Greek stocks end Friday with small gains

Most sectors moved higher with the Utilities (3.35 pct), Food/Beverage (2.70 pct) and Healthcare (2.57 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Chemicals (2.08 pct), Financial Services (1.85 pct), Media (1.17 pct) and Travel (1.15 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index rose 0.11 pct, the FTSE 40 index was 0.83 pct higher and the FTSE 80 index eased 0.38 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 130 to 105 with another 52 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.04%

Industrials: +0.53%

Commercial: -0.23%

Construction: +0.01%

Media: -1.17%

Oil & Gas: -0.13%

Personal & Household: +0.43%

Raw Materials: -0.20%

Travel & Leisure: -1.15%

Technology: -0.23%

Telecoms: +1.35%

Banks: +0.07%

Food & Beverages: +2.70%

Health: +2.57%

Utilities: +3.35%

Chemicals: -2.08%

Financial Services: -1.85%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 18.06

ATEbank: 2.15

Public Power Corp (PPC): 20.10

HBC Coca Cola: 16.50

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.56

National Bank of Greece: 27.10

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 14.58

Intralot: 9.88

OPAP: 22.40

OTE: 15.00

Piraeus Bank: 17.70

Titan Cement Company: 22.76

[18] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 8,080 contracts worth 72.125 million euros, with 34,848 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 25 contracts worth 524,318 euros with 131 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,673 contracts worth 19.956 million euros, with investment interest focusing on OTE's contracts (3,493), followed by Eurobank (507), Marfin Investment Group (362), Piraeus Bank (1,273), National Bank (1,502), Alpha Bank (1,579), Marfin Popular Bank (1,762) and ATEbank (760).

[19] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark Greek bond yielded 5.17 pct.

[20] ASE turnover down 42.82% in June

Average daily turnover totaled 303.23 million euros in June, from 505.05 million euros in May and 474.77 million in June 2007. The composite index of the market ended the previous month at 3,439.71 points, down 17.64 pct from the previous month's close. The index jumped to 4,182.15 points in June and to a low of 3,356.81 points during the month.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index ended 17.17 pct down in June and was down 28.41 pct compared with June 2007, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 14.26 pct in the month and was down 31.94 pct compared with the same month last year, while the FTSE/ASE 80 index dropped 10.01 pct in June and was down 27.59 pct from the same month in 2007.

The market's capitalization was 327.67 billion euros at the end of June, from 351.016 billion in May (down 6.65 pct) and compared with 385.595 billion in June 2007 (down 15.02 pct). National Bank, OTE, Coca Cola, Hellenic Bottling, Alpha Bank and Piraeus Bank were the most heavily traded securities.

[21] Greek bond yields significantly up in June

The central bank, in its monthly report on the bond market, said the yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bonds jumped to 62 basis points in June from 54 bps in May. The three-year bond yield rose to 5.14 pct at the end of June, from 4.63 pct a month earlier, while the 10-year benchmark bond yield rose to 5.32 pct from 4.96 pct over the same period, respectively. The yield curve flattened in June, while the yield spread between the three- and 30-year bonds eased to 42 basis points in June, from 73 bps in May.

Benchmark bond prices fell by 118 bps to 303 bps in June, with the 15-year bond recording the biggest monthly decline, to 91.20 at the end of June, from 94.23 a month earlier, while the three-year bond price fell from 97.83 to 96.65 and the 10-year bond price to 94.43 from 97.15.

Turnover in the Greek bond market totaled 26.69 billion euros in June, down from 30.21 billion euros in May and 58.85 billion in June 2007. Average daily turnover was 1.3 billion euros. The 10- and 15-year bonds were the most heavily traded securities accounting for 37 pct of total turnover in the market.

[22] Greek mutual funds' assets down 6% in June

The Greek mutual funds market recorded a capital outflow of 498 million euros in June.

Domestic equity funds' performance (ranging from -16.90 pct to -32.09 pct) so far this year, beat the performance of the composite index of the market (-33.58 pct), while their average performance (-26.55 pct) 7.03 percentage points better compared with the composite index.

[23] Foreign Exchange rates: Saturday-Monday

U.S. dollar 1.579

Pound sterling 0.797

Danish kroner 7.516

Swedish kroner 9.468

Japanese yen 168.65

Swiss franc 1.621

Norwegian kroner 8.049

Canadian dollar 1.605

Australian dollar 1.641

General News

[24] Tripolis Rock Festival opens Saturday

The festival is co-organized by the municipality of Tripolis and the Municipal Radio. Entrance for the public will be free.

[25] Wildfire raging in Menalo region

Arcadia prefect Dimitris Konstantopoulos, who arrived at the scene of the blaze, expressed his grave concern for the fir tree forest at Menalo, that is the most important forest in the prefecture.

The Mayor of Falanthos, Constantine Psycharis, said that the wildfire was caused by lighting in a region that had been ravaged by fire in the summer of 2000, adding that efforts are being made to prevent the fire from spreading to a region that has not been burnt and where a thick fir tree forest exists.

Weather Forecast

[26] Hot on Saturday

[27] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Minister's resignation on the horizon - Rapid developments expected".

APOGEVMATINI: "Proven innocent - Response to the slander with eight vouchers from the trip to Germany and Austria - Culture Minister Liapis' smart move dissolves groundless rumours".

AVGHI: "Interest rates go up, households go down - Crisis mostly threatens lower incomes".

AVRIANI: "Siemens files lawsuits to take back the kickbacks paid to Greek political parties, politicians, public utility governors, senior state officials and union leaders".

CHORA: "Nineteen invoices under the special magistrate's microscope".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Siemens' bribes were political, but there is no proof implicating politicians".

ELEFTHEROS: "Law lessons to (PASOK leader) George Papandreou by former Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on the Siemens case".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Liapis is covered for now - Liapis' socializing with Siemens' Christoforakos casts heavy clouds over government - Political cover by (government spokesman Theodoros) Roussopoulos".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Step-by-step with the Siemens Tours - Liapis provides delayed proof and admission".

ESTIA: "Political damage to the government - Prime Minister Karamanlis undertakes initiatives".

ETHNOS: "Liapis opened the drawer with the vouchers - Maximos Mansion takes cover behind the minister's alibi".

KATHIMERINI: "Spineless state before Siemens as opposed to the USA, Norway, Germany where sanctions are being imposed".

LOGOS: "Backing from a distance to Liapis - Discreet distance kept by the government spokesman - Vouchers given to publicity by the culture minister".

NIKI: "Everything swept under the carpet - Karamanlis' government covers up the scandal".

RIZOSPASTIS: "European Commission: Worse life for the working family planned".

TA NEA: "Booking No2 for the minister - PASOK and ND MPs call for Liapis' resignation".

TO VIMA: "Scandal boomerangs for the 'incorrupt' of ND - Siemens official and the government minister stayed in the same hotels - Government is exposed following revelations on Liapis' trip".

VRADYNI: "Here are the proofs - Liapis presented the vouchers proving that he paid himself for his trip - Where is (economic advisor to the prime minister during the PASOK government of premier Costas Simitis) Tsoukatos' 1 million DM?".

Cyprus Affairs

[28] Members of the National Council express support to President Christofias

The members of the National Council, top advisory body to the president of the republic, expressed their support to President Demetris Christofias on the handling of the Cyprus problem, Government Spokesman Stefanos Stefanou has said.

The National Council reconvened on Friday afternoon.

According to the joint statement that Stefanou read after the meeting, "the members of the National Council, after having expressed their views on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem, and some of them after having expressed some reservations, they declared their support to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, in order to continue the effort for paving the way for direct negotiations on the basis of the biggest possible progress".

Stefanou also clarified that the president of the republic will take the decision for the commencement of direct negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot side after consulting the political parties of Cyprus.

Replying to questions, Stefanou said that consultation between President Christofias and the political parties would take place before the next meeting between the two leaders on 25 July.

Stefanou also pointed out that until that meeting the working groups and the technical committees will intensify their work.

Invited to comment on information published in the Turkish Cypriot press that the direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities are set to begin on 1 September, Stefanou dismissed the reports.

The National Council meeting had begun on Wednesday with a detailed briefing of the members on the latest developments by President Christofias, and continued Friday with the members of the National Council expressing their views and evaluations on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

The National Council, comprising parliamentary parties, is reviewing developments after the latest meeting between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Christofias and Talat have met three times since March in an effort to resume direct negotiations, leading to a political settlement that will reunite Cyprus, which has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

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