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Sunday, 24 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-02Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek FM says British EU proposal regarding Turkey improved, certain changes still neededGreek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis on Friday said a new proposal by the British EU presidency calling on EU hopeful Turkey to normalise relations with Cyprus was improved in relation to the first draft, "although the text needs certain changes in order to reflect the general spirit and common denominator of positions presented by Greece, Cyprus and other member-states."The head of Greek diplomacy made the statements from the Welch golf resort of Newport, the site of an informal EU foreign ministers' council meeting late this week dominated by the question of EU-Turkey relations. Earlier in the afternoon, Molyviatis met privately with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul on the sidelines of the ministers' council. According to a press release issued by the foreign ministry, the two ministers discussed the latest developments in EU-Turkey relations. The diplomatic "thorn" related to Ankara's standing refusal to recognise the island republic -- one of 25 nations comprising a Union it hopes to join -- has generated more clouds for Turkey's EU prospects, although Molyviatis on Friday struck a more optimistic note regarding the scheduled beginning of accession negotiations. "It became clear (in the sessions) that there's a consistent view holding that the Turkey-EU accession negotiations process must begin, as long, of course, as there is a certainty that Turkey will fulfil its commitment regarding the signing of the (customs union) protocol and its subsequent implementation for all countries, without exceptions," the Greek minister said. Along those lines, Molyviatis said he believes EU-Turkey accession negotiations will begin, as scheduled, on Oct. 3, while again emphasising the long course needed for Turkey's harmonisation with Europe's standards. "Turkey's complete fulfilment of set conditions and prerequisites will reasonably lead to its European Union accession after the conclusion of this lengthy process," he said. [02] Work begins for construction of section of Egnatia HighwayThe work for the construction of the Chrysoupoli-Vaniano section of the Egnatia Highway began on Friday in the region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace with a service officiated at the worksite by Xanthi Metropolitan Panteleimon.Present at the event were Deputy Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Alexandros Kontos, Egnatia S.A. President Apostolos Goulas, the prefects of Kavala and Xanthi, Mayor of Chrysoupoli and Kavala Deputy Miminis Christofiloyiannis and other officials. The road section has a length of 17 kilometres. The total budget of the road works which will take place in the region amounts to 410 million euros. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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