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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2002-12-03Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY Thessaloniki, November 3, 2002 SECTIONS
Mr. Spiegel gave his assurance that he feels safe in Greece, despite the fact that there had been an attempt on his predecessor's life by N17. He also stressed that the greater part of the organization is in the Corydallos Penitentiary, and that he is ve ry well protected by the police. The German Ambassador expressed his belief that the Greek Olympics will be safe and stated that he was satisfied by the preparation progress. At the same time, he pointed out that a formula for Turkey's incorporation to the EU would be found, despite the fact that many European governments expressed doubts as to how far Turkey meets the necessary requirements. Mr. Spiegel underlined that Turke y's course in Europe will be greatly affected by its position concerning the plan of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on the Cyprus issue. Furthermore he stressed that Greece and Germany are interested in the economic development of the Balkans and there are works in the region they could undertake together. As he mentioned, Germany has strengthened the Balkan Stability Pact with 1.2 billio n euro. Meanwhile, the UN is also expecting the response of the Turkish Cypriot side either today or tomorrow, according to statements of its Press Spokesperson Fred Eckhart. "We asked both sides to make essential comments on the proposal of the Secretary Genera l. Alvaro de Soto, who was in Ankara yesterday, met with the Turkish Foreign Minister. He is expecting the comments from both sides, maybe even today", stated Mr. Eckhart. "We would prefer the Cyprus issue be solved before Cyprus' accession to the EU", stated Press Spokesperson of the EU Jonathan Faull, "but it is not a requirement". During a press conference held at the offices of the EU's Representation in Athens, Mr. Faull, who is participating in the two-day meeting of EU member-states Representation Directors, being held in view of the upcoming Greek Presidency, added that the E U will "accept Cyprus either way, since it fulfills all necessary requirements". Concerning Turkey and the Copenhagen Summit he noted that it has made great progress over the past few years, and especially over the past few months, but still does not fulfill the Copenhagen political criteria. Referring to the Annan proposal, Mr. Faull stressed that "we need a member-state in the EU that functions according to our procedures. That functions properly". "We believe", he noted, "that the Annan proposal provides that possibility. According to this plan there will be a state called Cyprus, which will function properly on an international and European level. We have looked into the Annan proposal and are op timistic, after taking into account every word. It is not, however, our job to accept or reject the plan". At the same time, support for Cyrpus' accession regardless of finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, was shown by Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs, Carlos Costa Neves, during a meeting he had with Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Tasso s Giannitsis, in Athens yesterday. Mr. Neves expressed his country's support to the unhindered, and in accordance with the Helsinki decisions, accession of Cyprus, which is expected to take place at the Copenhagen Summit. Mr. Giannitsis presented the Greek positions on Turkey's accessiona l prospects, pointing out that these two issues are not interlinked, and that the Cyprus issue cannot be held hostage by Turkish pursuits towards the EU. Mr. Petsalnikos also mentioned that he believes it is feasible to begin the "November 17" suspect trial by early March. The issue came to light after "Ta Nea" newspaper published an article according to which a working document is being circulated at a member-state representative level, which includes scenarios concerning the Cyprus issue, depending on the developments un til December 12. In one of these, it was noted that in case there is no agreement on resolving the Cyprus issue in principle by 12/12, then the Summit will express its disappointment and will encourage negotiations continue, so that a solution is reached by April, moving the signing of the accession agreement to that date. political problem in Cyprus with its accession, while when asked about the possibility of Greece vetoing a problem in Cyprus' accession, he responded that that would be a problem of the Greek Presidency. This position contradicts the decision of Helsinki that the resolving of the Cyprus issue would facilitate Cyprus' accession to the EU, but that even if no solution were to be reached upon the completion of accession negotiations, the decision for access ion would be made, regardless of whether the Cyprus issue has been resolved or not. Specifically, Mr. Moller characteristically said that "the decision of the European Union in 1999 stated that if Cyprus is not united everything will be taken into account". However, he appreciated that there is still time to complete negotiations on the Cyprus issue, "so that Cyprus can join the European Union united". When asked what would happen if Cyprus were not unified, he responded: "You know that our decision was to take everything into account, and we will take everything into account". When asked about the imminent Greek veto if there is a problem with Cyprus' accession, Mr. Moller answered, "I know that, but the Greek government will have to deal with all the problems because the enlargement will not be completed, because it is receiv ing the Presidency and then you will have the problem, because you will have the Presidency". In fact, when asked it the resolving of the Cyprus issue is in fact a requirement for Cyprus' accession, drawing on information of "non papers" from the Danish government he responded: "I will not give you a clear answer". The decision of the European Union in 1999 saying that if it is not united they will take everything into consideration, but I still think there is room for hope that there is time to finish negotiations so that Cyprus can be incorporated to the European Union as a united island. The above was announced by deputy Minister of Finance Giorgos Floridis, who stressed that "with this the government is showing its respect for the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in deed, and at the same time that it does not wish to have any loose ends concerning this issue". As he said, "the Greek people has paid enough for the institution of royalty, and we believe this was the last payment". The amount will be drawn from the funds for natural disasters and is final. The warrants will be issued to the names as they were mentioned in the ruling of the European Court. Konstantinos is referred to as the former king of Greece. The Financial Audit Service will issue four warrants in the names of the beneficiaries of the Court's ruling, which will be sent to the Acharnes IRS, where they file their tax statements. When the either the beneficiary himself or a trustee proceeds to t he service, he will receive the amount. The transaction is being monitored by the State Legal Council, which will inform the European Court today. Press Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Panagiotis Beglitis. "In no case is there in any written document of the European Union any reference connecting Cyprus' accession to having first resolved the political problem", he mentioned characteristically in the statement. Press Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Panagiotis Beglitis. "In no case is there in any written document of the European Union any reference connecting Cyprus' accession to having first resolved the political problem", he mentioned characteristically in the statement. On December 6 the Association is organizing a Sugar celebration with the end of the Ramadan. The event to be held at the German-Turkish Friendship club, Strahlenberger st. 199, in Offenbach-Kaiserlei, is dedicated to children, for which there is a specia l program. The Board of the Association has called all of its members to enjoy a night full of Greek and Turkish music by Greek and Turkish bands, "Prosechos" and "Uluzar", while a there will be a "Karagiozis" shadow theater performance. Mr. Bolkenstein pointed out that the specific law seems to institute, beginning on August 1, 2002, the overall prohibiting of installing and functioning of all electrical, electronic and electromechanical games, technical entertainment games and games us ed through computers, in any private or public space apart from a casino. This fact, as Mr. Bolkenstein stressed, could be considered to have the same effect as quantity restrictions on imports, which is forbidden according to article 28 of the treaty of the European Community. Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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