The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-12-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(14/12/2002 12:07:00 μμ)

[02] Cyprus was admitted in the E.U

The countries invited to join in May 2004 were Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithouania, Latvia, Cyprus and Malta.

Prime-minister Kostas Simitis stressed that Greece has achieved two targets, Cyprus clear accession without any preconditions and terms and the continuation of talks to seek a political settlement next year. Mr. Simitis said that the text on the conclusions of the E.U summit expresses hope that a resolution on the Cyprus political problem would be achieved and suspends the implementation of the European in the northern occupied parts of Cyprus until the issue is resolved. Mr. Simitis reiterated that the U.N Gen Secretary revised plan remained a realistic base for negotiations and called on the Turkish-Cypriot side to cooperate. The Greek Premier also hailed NATO s decision to approve a long-delayed deal guaranteeing the E.U access to its military resources for E.U military operations. The agreement will be finalised by an exchange of letters between NATO Secr General and E.U foreign policy chief Xavier Solana.

Mr. Simitis also stressed that the integration of E.U enlargement , unemployment and Europe s future were the top priorities during

Greece s E.U rotating presidency at the first half of next year.

Cyprus President , Glafkos Kleridis described E.U enlargement as a landmark for the unification of the Europe and its prosperous future.

The head of Cyprus negotiations team, Giorgos Vasiliou said that the Cyprus government will soon announce economic and social measures to assist the Turkish &#8211;Cypriot community, ease restrictions on trade across the divided island and facilitate the resolution of the Cyprus problem.

From NY. U.N Secr Gen, Kofi Annan said that efforts for an overall settlement of the Cyprus issue will continue .

The E.U decided at the Copenhageen summit to review Turkey s progress to membership in December 2004 , see how far it has met human rights and democracy standards and start accession talks without delay if it passes without setting a firm date.

Turkish President , Ambdullah Giul said that the decision was not satisfactory but opened the way for Turkey s E.U admission. Turkish leader Tayip Erdogan expressed hope that Turkey-EU negotiation talks will begin till the end of 2004.

The U.S welcomed the landmark accord , describing as historic and courageous the decision to invite 10 new members in the block .

The leader of the main opposition N.D party , Kostas Karamanlis said that his party has supported Cyprus admission to the E.U regardless of the settlement of the island s political problem since 1990.

(14/12/2002 12:08:00 μμ)

[03] Newly elected Athens mayor, Bakoyianni escaped murder attack

Prime-minister Simitis who was attending the E.U summit in Copenhagen, condemned the incident and said it would be thoroughly investigated.

A government spokesman said the incident seemed isolated and unrelated to the November 17 urban guerilla group, which murdered her husband , Pavlos Bakoyiannis in 1989.

(14/12/2002 12:09:00 μμ)

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