The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-11-10

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

10/11/2000 9:56:16 рм

[01] E C's text on EU-Turkish relations causes reactions

The Commission's final decision was included in the chapter of General Priniciples, while referrence is made to Ankara's immediate obligations and the support of the UN Secretary General's efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue.

The Turkish Foreign minister Ismail Cem expressed his discontent over the relative document, while the Turkish cabinet met yesterday to make an appraisal of the European Commission text.

Immediately afterwards, the Turkish minister of state responsible for the Cyprus issue Sukru Sina Giurel stated that the Cyprus dispute was a matter of concern for both communities on the island and was not associated with Turkey's entry in the European Union.

The Greek Prime minister Kostas Simitis who is currently visiting Rome, said after a meeting with his Italian counterpart Juliano Amato yesterday that the Cyprus problem was an international one, stressing that Turkey had the responsibility of going ahead with a Cyprus settlement, according to the United Nations resolutions and the international laws.

For his part, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government would continue its efforts on political and diplomatic level, so that the relative document might be fully identified with the Helsinki European Union summit decisions.

Meanwhile, the main opposition New Democracy party leader Kostas Karamanlis described as unacceptable the European Commission's document, noting that the EU-Turkish relatinship should define exactly Turkey's obligations towards Greece and the EU and also ensure that Turkey's attitude would be similar to that of the other European countries in all the sectors, especially as regards its foreign policy and its relations with neighbouring countries.

Meanwhile, the Cypriot President Glafkos Kliridis yesterday received the European Commission's progress report on Cyprus accession course, and expressed satisfaction on its contents.

The head of the Cypriot negotiating team with the European Union George Vasiliou - who delivered a copy of the report to the Cypriot President - said it was very positive and favourable regarding the promotion of the island's accession course.

[02] Simitis-Amato meeting

The Greek prime minister also met with the Mayor of Rome Francesco Routeli.

[03] Tsochatzopoulos-Papandreou meeting

[04] Simitis to address Health and Welfare conference

Addressing the conference will also be Health minister Alekos Papadopoulos and the Secretary General of the PASOK party Kostas Skandalisis.

Other issues to be addressed include the planned reforms of the National health System by social insurance undersecreatry Nikos Farmakis and the Health undersecretary Dimitiris Thanos.

[05] Internal Affairs

Yesterday an amendement was given to Parliament for the granting of heating subsidies which will be between 30 to 50 thousand drachmas.

The General Confederation of Greek Workers is planning a 24 hour strike, after consultations with the Federation of Greek Industries failed. Interior minister Vasso Papandreou announced that 33,500 people will be hired in the public services.

The amendment on the granting of a heating allowance to low income earners and pensioners was tabled in Parliament yesterday.

There will be problems again in the court house today, due to the 48 hour strike of the judicial employees.

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