Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-11-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece wants a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus, Simitis says from

[01] Greece wants a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus, Simitis says from Prague

PRAGUE (ANA/V. Mourtis) - Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Friday continued a marathon series of meetings with NATO leaders attending the Alliance summit in an effort to promote Greek positions on the Cyprus problem and a planned European military force.

In all, the Greek premier had talks with 25 of the 27 heads of state and government at the Prague summit, some of whom he met with more than once, while he will be meeting the Dutch premier during a visit to The Hague on Saturday.

Similarly, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou met nearly all his NATO counterparts, while he will be visiting London on Monday and Washington on Tuesday in a bid to persuade Britain and the United States.

At a press conference in the Czech capital, Simitis said that Athens wanted a 'clear-cut solution' for Cyprus without provisos or conditions.

He also stressed that the island republic fulfilled all the criteria for EU entry in the best possible way and should be among the first countries to join.

The Greek premier emphasised that Greece's position was steadfast and unchanging on this point and that Athens would defend it with every means at its disposal if any departures from previous positions regarding Cyprus' EU accession were attempted at the EU summit in Copenhagen.

The Greek premier let it be understood that this included making use of the Greek veto.

He also stressed that Greece desired a solution to the Cyprus issue as soon as possible. Should an agreement with Turkey fail to be reached before the Copenhagen summit, Greece would continue efforts for a solution in a way that would prevent Turkey from prefabricating and keeping the issue open indefinitely, he added.

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