The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-12-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(4/12/2002 11:00:00 ðì)

[02] Time sufficient for solution of Cyprus issue says Annan

Following his meeting in Ankara with American Undersecretary of State Mark Grossman yesterday, Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated that despite the fact that the deadline is close, a solution of the Cyprus issue was feasible before December 12.

Mr Grossman stated that a date regarding the commencing of negotiations for Turkey's accession to the European Union should be fixed.

Today, Mr Papandreou will have a series of meetings with the new Turkish Prime Minister Abdulah Gioul, the Foreign Minister, the President of the Justice and Development party and the leader of the Turkish opposition.

The Greek Minister had a telephone conversation with his British counterpart Jack Straw, who conveyed to him Ankara's will for the acceleration of domestic reforms and the solution of the Cyprus issue.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annnan believes that the time until December 12 is sufficient for a solution to be reached, while according to information the President of the Cyprus Republic Glafkos Klerides will give his answer to Mr Annan after the Turkish-Cypriot representative Rauf Denktash.

However, according to an interview with NET, Mr Denktash asks for additional time for negotiations.

Finally, following his meeting with his Finnish counterpart Paavo Lipponen in Athens yesterday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis reiterated that the solution of the Cyprus issue does not constitute a condition for Cyprus accession to the European Union. In tandem, he agreed that a date should be fixed regarding the beginning of Turkey's negotiations for it accession to the European Union.

(4/12/2002 11:02:00 ðì)

[03] ND party ahead of PASOK according to opinion poll

According to the same company, New Democracy party comes first with 39,2%, PASOK second with 32.2%, the Greek Communist party third with 5.7%, the Synaspismos party fourth with 3.6%, LAOS fifth with 2.65 and the Democratic Socialist Movement last with 2%,

Commenting on the results, government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that the government's image has been improved, while the people are showing more and more confidence to Mr Simitis.

Finally, in an interview with NET 105.8, New Democracy party MP stated that his party had not been harmed by PASOK's communications game.

(4/12/2002 11:04:00 ðì)

[04] Government to promote part-time employement

Prime Minister Costas Simtiis will chair a meeting on this issue with the participation of the competent ministers.

(4/12/2002 11:05:00 ðì)

[05] Mitsotakis pessimistic about Greek economy

Mr Mitsotakis described the 2003 budget irrelevant to reality, while referring to the Eurostat report regarding the public debt, he forecast the collapse of the economy and difficult times for the Greek people irrelevant of who will be governing the country.

From his side, New Democracy MP George Alogoskoufis maintained that there is hope for Greece provided another government governs it.

Meanwhile, one day after Eurostat's intervention, Finance Deputy Minister George Florides said that the international firm Moodies upgraded Greece's interest leakage, adding that during the New Democracy ruling, payments stopped being made.

(4/12/2002 11:07:00 ðì)

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