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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(12/12/2002 11:23:00 נל)

[02] Copenhagen Summit Meeting to commence

At the same time, intensive deliberations are taking place on the solution of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan's plan, and the fixing of a date on which Turkey would commence negotiating for its entry to the European Union.

Meanwhile, the winner of the Turkish elections Resep Erdogan and Prime Minister Abdulah Gul will meet with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the President of the Cyprus Republic Glafkos Klerides.

Moreover, Foreign Minister George Papandreou appeared sure about Cyprus' accession to the European Union, adding the Greek-Cypriot side would strive for a solution of the Cyprus issue, without however giving any guarantees due to the Turkish-Cypriot' s representative Rauf Denktash's tactics. He also described the Cyprus issue, Turkey's European course and Cyprus' accession to the European Union as irrelevant issues, pointing out however that all of them together were forming a joint dynamic.

On a relative development, following the Simitis-Klerides two-hour meeting in Copenhagen, the Cypriot government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou appeared pessimistic regarding Cyprus' accession in the near future, maintaining that Turkey had not exhibited the necessary political will.

At the same time, Mr Dekntash appeared intransigent, expressing his opposition to Mr Annan's revised plan, adding that he would continue the negotiations taking place under the United Nations auspices. Mr Denkash will be represented in Copenhagen by one of his pseudostate's ministers.

From its side, Turkey insists that a date for negotiations regarding its accession to the European Union be fixed within 2003 and not in 2005 as proposed by France and Germany.

Meanwhile, Mr Annan asked from the Danish Prime Minister to take all necessary measures so that all necessary measures are taken that will facilitate the negotiations between the Greek-Cypriots and the Turkish-Cypriots.

Mr Rasmussen stated that the European Union prefers the accession of a unified Cyprus, pointing out however that this does not constitute a precondition.

The Danish Prime Minister rejected American President George Bush's request for the European Union to fix a date for the beginning of negotiations regarding Turkey's accession to the EU. From his side, Mr Romano Prodi stressed that the European Union was ready to conclude its negotiations on Cyprus' accession to it.

At the same time, American special envoy Thomas Weston is in Copenhagen in order to help with the discussions scheduled to take place there.

In the meantime, the Turkish National Assembly postponed the adoption of new democratic reforms on the excuse that some constitutional changes must take place first. Analysts believe that this constitutes a lever of pressure to the European Union in view of the Copenhagen decisions for Turkey's candidancy.

At the same time, hundreds of people demonstrated in Paris and Lyon reacting to the prospect of Turkey's accession to the European Union. The demonstrations were organised by the Armenian community in France, one of the biggest in Western Europe.

(12/12/2002 12:06:00 לל) (12/12/2002 12:08:00 לל)

[03] Italy to lend part Greece part of theParthenon carved decoration

(12/12/2002 11:27:00 נל)

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