Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM assures Turkish Cypriot community efforts for viable solution to

[02] Greek-Ukrainian economic forum held in Thessaloniki

[03] Turkish war jets harass U.S. air-transport east SE of Rhodes

[01] PM assures Turkish Cypriot community efforts for viable solution to continue

LARNACA (ANA - G. Leonidas) - Prime Minister and President of the European Council Costas Simitis on Friday assured the Turkish Cypriot community that efforts in the framework of the United Nations to achieve a viable and workable solution to the Cyprus issue will continue unabated.

Speaking on arrival in Cyprus, where he received an enthusiastic welcome by the people of Cyprus, Simitis said the future of the island should be a future of cooperation and peace and that the bad heritage of the political problem should be overcome.

Simitis, arrived in Cyprus for a 24-hour visit, inaugurating a tour that will cover 24 EU countries.

He arrived on the first leg of his tour, which will take him to 14 EU member states and the ten new countries that signed the Accession Treaty in Athens on April 16.

Accompanied by Foreign Minister George Papandreou and other foreign ministry officials, Simitis arrived at Larnaca Airport, where he was welcomed by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos during a red carpet ceremony, while the National Guard band played the national anthem.

''Accession meant a change and that we have moved on to another target, to overcome the past and I believe we shall achieve this,'' Simitis said.

Focusing on the political problem of Cyprus, Simitis further said ''we have made great efforts to resolve it and all are aware why it was not resolved and where the responsibility lies for the continuation of an unacceptable situation.''

Referring to Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Simitis said the Republic of Cyprus signed the Accession Treaty and belongs to the family of Europe and takes the place it deserves.

Welcoming the Greek prime minister, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos said the people of Cyprus are celebrating the great event of accession to the EU, adding that Simitis came to reaffirm adherence to the pursuit of a viable solution to the Cyprus issue.

''Justifiably, the people of Cyprus consider you the architect of Cyprus' European course and as a guarantee for a solution and the future of the country and are grateful to you,'' President Papadopoulos said.

[02] Greek-Ukrainian economic forum held in Thessaloniki

A Greek-Ukrainian economic forum was held in Thessaloniki on Friday presented investment opportunities and prospects of improving bilateral trade, business and wider economic relations between the two countries.

The forum was organised on the occassion of the visit of Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma to Thessaloniki. Ukrainian Finance Minister Valeri Khoroshkovsky represented the government at the forum, which also included 20 Ukrainian businessmen.

Khoroshkovsky invited Greek businessmen to seek opportunities in the Ukrainian market and presented the steps taken in the country to create a safe economic environment and attracting foreign investments and the country's accession to the World Trade Organisation.

The Ukrainian minister said that the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose a spectacular 17 percent and stressed that the government's goal was to achieve a 5-6 percent increase in productivity in 2004 and an 8.0 percent rise in 2005.

Dimitris Bakatselos, chairman of the Thessaloniki Commerce of Trade, noted that ''unfortunately, bilateral trade is very low, with Greek products accounting less than 0.5 percent of total imports in Ukraine, while Ukrainian exports to Greece are only 0.7 percent of exports.''

[03] Turkish war jets harass U.S. air-transport east SE of Rhodes

Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets on Friday morning harassed a U.S. airforce C-130 transport plane, flying 30 miles southeast of Rhodes, according to press reports.

Greek fighter jets rushed to the area to recognize and intercept the Turkish fighters, which, however, departed right after their approach to the C-130, the same sources said.

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