Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-07-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greek FM comments on FYROM's refusal for convening international conference

[02] Alternate FM meets visiting Czech counterpart in Athens

[03] Spokesman comments on Turkey's stance to Cyprus' EU accession

[04] Main opposition changes charter in Parliamentary Group officials' selection

[05] ND leader proposes signing of first European constitution in Athens

[06] Cyprus House president speaks to ANA ahead of Athens visit

[07] Swedish ambassador to Ankara calls Greek-Turkish relations a source of optimism

[08] PLO leader invites Coalition of the Left leader to visit Palestinian Authority

[09] Credit expansion jumps 17.2 percent in April

[10] Greece's economy on a satisfactory course, national economy minister says

[11] Development minister presents Greek tourism's new company structure

[12] Tourist arrivals in Greece slightly lower in 2001

[13] Dodecannese islands acquiring airline company

[14] Economic sentiment index falls 0.2 percent in Greece

[15] IKA announces measures to deal with doctors' strike

[16] Building activity rose 5.7 percent in 2000

[17] EBO-PYRKAL merger mulled

[18] Gov't gets four bids for 3rd generation mobile permits

[19] International traffic rises at Athens airport

[20] EFG Eurobank sees Athens bourse undervalued

[21] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

[22] Inquiry ordered into case of mad cow disease in northern Greece

[23] Premier inaugurates Citizens Facilitation Center

[24] Parliament president inaugurates media conference

[25] Road deaths on rise

[26] Preparations for Athens 2004 at their best phase

[27] Hyundai Hellas named as 2004 Olympics sponsor

[28] Interparty committee, Olympic committee sign cooperation agreement against doping

[29] Denktash's conditions will never be accepted by int'l community Kasoulides says

[01] Greek FM comments on FYROM's refusal for convening international conference

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

"It is a European - and not only a Greek - idea, which aims at facilitating and speeding up the process of arriving at a resolution of the political crisis of the country, with the necessary guarantees on the part of the international community," Papandreou told ANA.

Papandreou held a telephone conference with President Boris Trajkovski on Tuesday morning.

He added that such a conference would convene on the precondition that a cease-fire is achieved, while the conference would go further than resolving the political problem of the country, aiming at "protecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of FYROM".

Papandreou also said that it is up to Trajkovski to evaluate the usefulness and the timing for the convening of such a conference.

Earlier in the day, according to an ANA dispatch from Skopje, FYROM's government spokesman Antonio Milososki said in statements to the press that "such a conference is not necessary. We have democratic institutions and democratically elected representatives of the people. We are confronting a problem and that is terrorism."

"This (terrorism) can not be a reason to set aside institutions and the legally elected representatives of the people and to be led to an international conference," he said.

On his part, Democratic Party of the Albanians in FYROM parliamentary spokesman Zamir Dika said that "all proposals are tabled to facilitate the progress of the political dialogue. We believe that the proposal to organize an international conference, which was expressed by Britain and Greece, is sincere. Our party is confronting with sobriety all such proposals, which it considers positive," he concluded.

Meanwhile, FYROM's mass media, including the state television, reported that Trajkovski said to Papandreou, during their morning telephone conversation, that he sees no reason for the convening of an international conference on the current crisis.

According to FYROM's media, Trajkovski clarified that a peace agreement will be arrived at within his country, taking into account that the existing crisis is a domestic affair of the country.

"The political leaders in my country have the responsibility to confront the crisis. The political dialogue will continue, in accordance with the reform agenda," Trajkovski said to Papandreou, according to the reports.

[02] Alternate FM meets visiting Czech counterpart in Athens

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

During their meeting, the two ministers discussed EU enlargement and Telicka welcomed Athens' support for the accession of all countries that are ready to join the EU, expressing confidence that the Czech Republic would be ready by the end of 2002.

Papazoi said that Greece was in favor of EU enlargement, not only because of Cyprus but also for the benefits of stability and peace that enlargement would bring to an entire region of Europe.

They also discussed bilateral cooperation, particularly with regard to preparing institutions in view of EU accession.

In a joint press conference after their meeting, both ministers stressed the importance of steadfastly defending human rights in Europe, while Telicka noted that no one should differentiate their stance on human rights issues and that the same criteria should be used everywhere.

They were responding to questions regarding the seemingly different amounts of zeal shown in prosecuting former Serb strongman Slobodan Milosevic, on the one hand, and taking action over the deaths of hunger-striking political prisoners in Turkey, on the other.

In her response to the same question, Papazoi noted that a selective approach to sanctions for human rights violations did not lend authority to those that imposed them, but added that the issue of Turkey's jails was rather more complex.

She pointed out that the issue had been central to talks within the EU-Turkey Association Council, which had noted Turkey's failure to implement the agreement on human rights and the decisions of the Council of Europe.

Asked to comment on Ireland's rejection of EU enlargement in a nationwide referendum, Telicka expressed the view that the 'no' vote did not reflect opposition to enlargement per se but resistance to European unification.

"The Irish referendum is a useful lesson since it shows something more of the opposition to certain issues, such as the militarization of Europe, and stresses the need for greater involvement by Europe's citizens in the unification process," he said.

[03] Spokesman comments on Turkey's stance to Cyprus' EU accession

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Reppas was commenting on a statement made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem, who said that Cyprus' accession to the EU before a solution of the political problem on the island would be a 'Pyrrhic victory' and that Turkey's reaction 'would be without bounds'.

Asked how there could be talk of Greek-Turkish rapprochement and constant meetings between the foreign ministers of the two countries, Reppas said this sort of ambivalent attitude was to be expected from Turkey.

He added, however, that it could not be accepted that through threats and intimidation Turkey might create obstacles to Cyprus' EU accession or overturn an EU decision.

[04] Main opposition changes charter in Parliamentary Group officials' selection

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

According to sources, the Parliamentary Group will be called to elect 25 deputies, who will be responsible to follow the actions of the 25 ministries, compared to the current process, which mandated that the president of the party appointed all officers of the group.

The draft charter, subject to approval, changes the system as the ND leader Costas Karamanlis will not have the obligation to appoint ND Parliamentary Group leaders per sector, rather those officers will now be elected by the deputies who are interested in participating in activities related to each of the 25 sectors.

[05] ND leader proposes signing of first European constitution in Athens

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis called on the government to work in this direction and added that a dialogue should start on the possibility of the European Commission’s president being elected by all the citizens of unified Europe.

He expressed support for the upgrading of the European Parliament's role and the renewed European Commission, but with the preservation of balances to enable member-states to participate more actively in the new European structure.

Karamanlis said one might see in practice soon the idea of an upgraded permanent national representation in Brussels by persons who will have received internal democratic legitimization and, at national level, a coordinating organ for harmonization with EU decisions with a more active role for the national parliament.

Outlining his party's vision of a unified Europe in the 21st century, Karamanlis said he supports federalization, but added that one should not make haste and board any federal training passing before being absolutely sure that national interests are safeguarded, as well as Greece's equal leading role in the European Union of tomorrow.

[06] Cyprus House president speaks to ANA ahead of Athens visit

NICOSIA, 04/07/2001 (ANA / G. Leonidas)

Christofias was speaking to the ANA in light of his official two-day visit to Athens beginning on Wednesday, at the invitation of Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

He also said that the accession course of Cyprus to the European Union would be a focal point of cooperation between the two parliaments, which will coordinate their actions.

"The joint undertaking of a campaign in the direction of the national parliaments of EU member-states will prevent or outflank possible problems when the time for accession arrives and for the ratification of the accession agreement between Cyprus and the EU by all national parliaments," he added.

Christofias further noted that "the parliaments of Cyprus and Greece always had very good and fraternal relations. We intend not only to maintain these relations but to develop them even further."

During his visit to Athens, Christofias will meet President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou, party leaders or representatives and Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Christofias will be accompanied on his visit to Athens by parliament's general director Costakis Christoforou and the director of his office Vassos Georgiou.

[07] Swedish ambassador to Ankara calls Greek-Turkish relations a source of optimism

ISTANBUL, 04/07/2001 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

"The course of Greek-Turkish relations creates optimism, but some unpleasant conditions lead to concern," the ambassador said, adding that Greek-Turkish relations are one of the greatest obstacles to Turkey's European prospects.

"Turkey has responded sufficiently to her commitments (to the European Union), regarding its intention and priorities, but we are still waiting for their implementation," he said, stressing that the economic crisis that hit Turkey should not stop the government of that country from promoting the necessary political and social reforms.

Meanwhile, Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel arrived in Turkey for meetings with the country's leadership, as his country has assumed the European Union's six-month rotating presidency for the second half of 2001.

Michel already met with the country's President Ahmed Necdet Sezer and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit, while he is expected to meet with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz, who is responsible for EU issues, later in the day.

[08] PLO leader invites Coalition of the Left leader to visit Palestinian Authority

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

During their meeting, Constantopoulos and Hassan discussed developments regarding the Palestinian issue and both criticized the policies of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

[09] Credit expansion jumps 17.2 percent in April

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The central bank said in its monthly report that consumer credit soared 52 percent in the month compared with the same period last year.

Mortgage credit growth was also strong with a year-on-year increase of 40.1 percent, or 10.3 percent in the first four months of 2001.

Bank lending rose 30.1 percent in April, compared with the same month last year.

Deposits on repos jumped 42 percent in the January-April period to a total of 9.8 trillion drachmas, from 6.9 trillion last year, while savings totalled 17 trillion drachmas, slightly up from 16.7 trillion over the same period.

[10] Greece's economy on a satisfactory course, national economy minister says

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Deputy Finance Minister George Drys participated in the meeting, but made no statements after the meeting.

Papantoniou also said that he briefed the premier on the course of the economy in light of the publication of the country's economic report for he first six months of the year.

Responding to questions, he said that there would be no tax cuts soon, stressing that the 2002 budget would be tabled in Parliament on Oct. 3.

[11] Development minister presents Greek tourism's new company structure

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Christodoulakis also announced that the newly-established post of president of the Greek Tourist Organization (EOT) (where the post of secretary general and the administrative council will be abolished) will be given to Evgenios Yiannakopoulos, while the name of the development ministry's secretary general of tourism will be announced in the next few days.

Christodoulakis further announced during the meeting of the National Tourism Council that a draft law on tourist training is being prepared and tourist agency representatives will be called on to make proposals on it.

Other issues discussed included the exploitation of EOT's assets, the classification of accommodation and hotels and the beginning of activities linked to the 3rd Community Support Framework.

[12] Tourist arrivals in Greece slightly lower in 2001

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a press conference after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Andreadis is said the tourism industry does not share Greek authorities' optimism over a significant increase in tourist arrivals this year and predicted that 2001 would be a flat year for the sector.

SETE said a shortage of long-term tourism policy with specific targets was responsible for the chronic illness of Greek tourism.

The federation announced it would organize a conference in January 2002 to discuss a new strategy and targets for Greek tourism.

Gov't to focus on quality tourism, PM says: Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on Tuesday that the government would lay emphasis on encouraging quality tourism and upgrading sector services.

Related areas of tourism policy the government would target were developing infrastructure, protecting the environment and backing innovation in businesses, Simitis said.

He was speaking at a meeting with Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis; Evgenios Yiannakopoulos, the head of the Greek National Tourism Organization; and the representatives of trade groups.

[13] Dodecannese islands acquiring airline company

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Dodecannese Prefect Savvas Karayiannis said one of the most serious problems faced by the insular region is the exclusion and isolation of its citizens, adding that eight airports and eight heliports, which had been built years ago without meeting or satisfying the purpose for which they had been created, will be utilized.

He said that for this reason the prefecture sought a private partner for the joint creation of a mixed airline company. The company is the airline company named "Bellavia" which has 19-seater Stol aircraft and will serve islands having airports or heliports on a 12-month basis.

To begin with, the company will operate on a tentative basis during the first six months to enable both sides to become aware of problems and difficulties appearing and to be in a position afterwards to create necessary conditions to make the company viable.

[14] Economic sentiment index falls 0.2 percent in Greece

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The economic sentiment index is a composite index, based on the consumer, manufacturing and construction confidence indices while it also tracks developments in stock market prices.

The index eased by 0.4 percent in the EU-15 in June.

The Commission's report said the fall in the Greek index reflected declines in the consumer and stock prices indices, while the manufacturing index was unchanged and the construction index rose in June.

The UK and Belgium were the only EU-15 member-states to record increases last month (+0.6%) and (+0.4%), respectively. The economic sentiment index was unchanged in Denmark and fell in 11 states. Austria, the Netherlands, Germany and France recorded the biggest monthly declines.

[15] IKA announces measures to deal with doctors' strike

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The emergency measures were ordered on Monday by Prime Minister Costas Simitis to prevent hardship among IKA patients and those due for social security benefits.

Meanwhile, IKA's management said it would go to the courts to ask that the strike be declared illegal. Nektarios described the strike as 'unjustifiable' but also invited doctors to begin dialogue, saying he would be open to their demands if these were constitutional.

IKA doctors are demanding that doctors on temporary contracts be given permanency, which the organization’s management claims is no longer allowed by the Constitution.

Until the crisis is resolved, IKA said it would reimburse patients for visits to private doctors, pay for necessary tests at hospitals and medical centers with IKA contracts, reimburse the cost of medication and make arrangements with state hospitals and national health service clinics for the treatment of IKA patients.

In addition, benefits requiring doctor's examinations, such as sick leave, sick pay, invalidity subsidies etc, would be extended for short periods until the labor dispute was resolved.

Finally, IKA administrative services would be increased and opening times extended by up to two hours to assist IKA members.

[16] Building activity rose 5.7 percent in 2000

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Building activity rose 9.3 percent in the Attica region and by 4.4 percent in the rest of the country last year, with the Ionian Islands region recording the biggest annual increase at 15.5 percent.

On the other hand, the western Macedonian region recorded the biggest decline at 16.5 percent last year.

[17] EBO-PYRKAL merger mulled

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The merger of the EBO Hellenic Arms Industry and the PYRKAL Powder and Cartridges Company was decided at a meeting Tuesday between national economy and finance minister Yannos Papantoniou and defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

Sources said the procedures for the merger would begin soon, with the process scheduled for completion in the next few months.

The two ministers further discussed the orders schedule of the Hellenic Vehicles Industry (ELBO) for the construction of various vehicles and other transportation means valued at several billions of drachmas.

[18] Gov't gets four bids for 3rd generation mobile permits

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Four permits are available for the highest bidders, with the floor for offers at 50 billion drachmas, the commission said in a statement.

In a concurrent tender, one license for second-generation mobile phones will be awarded with a floor of 1.0 billion drachmas. The existing three operators are Telestet, Panafon and Cosmote, the statement said.

The third generation services will be available to the public in 2002.

[19] International traffic rises at Athens airport

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The rise boded well for summer traffic at the airport, the facility's authorities said in a statement.

[20] EFG Eurobank sees Athens bourse undervalued

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Addressing a market seminar, Bouloutas attributed the bourse's poor long-term performance to a slide in markets abroad, sluggish structural reform at home, and persisting negative sentiment.

The Athens bourse is tiny in global terms, representing only 0.3 percent of capitalization, which meant that it was imperative for larger companies to be created through mergers and acquisitions, the analyst said.

In addition, its smallness made institutional investors abroad wary of making placements in the Greek market in what were perceived as times of risk, as now, he added.

[21] Greek stocks end sharply lower on ASE

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Traders said selling hit particularly bank shares, such as National Bank, Eurobank and Alpha Bank, while Hellenic Telecoms managed to end with small gains despite pressures in the telecoms sector.

Analysts said the market would find support at the 2,640-2,670 level in the short-term, with the banks index currently ranging at a crucial technical support level of 5,529 points.

The general index ended 1.93 percent lower at 2,682.80 points, off the day's lows of 2,677.86 points, with turnover a low 94.89 million euros, or 32.34 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,545.52 points, off 2.09 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index fell 1.47 percent to 297.55 points and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 838.61 points, off 1.12 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 254.19 points, off 0.98 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 258 to 63 with another 33 issues unchanged.

Equity futures drop in glum trade: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange showed a discount of more than 1.0 percent on blue chips on Tuesday in gloomy trade.

The underlying FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 2.09 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.47 percent lower.

Traded were 6,952 contracts on turnover of 42.7 million euros.

Bond prices drop in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Tuesday finished lower in moderate trade.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.60 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 49 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 710 million euros (242.0 billion drachmas).

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[22] Inquiry ordered into case of mad cow disease in northern Greece

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

In a related development, the agriculture ministry's public health director Sotiris Moschovitis assured in an interview with the Planet radio station that no abattoirs exist in Greece which are not subject to control and which are not known to the Veterinary Service.

Moschovitis said that 55 abattoirs exist all over Greece which have an EU code, meaning that they meet all the preconditions set in national-EU legislation, and another 200 operating with a national code.

Meanwhile, an announcement by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the case of spongiform encephalopathy detected in northern Greece is the result of the activity of multinationals producing animal foodstuffs and the abolition of any control at borders of imported animals and animal foodstuffs.

KKE placed great responsibility on the government because "its policy serves profiteering and sacrifices the health of the people at the altar of the multinationals' interests."

Butchers seek to reassure public after 1st Greek mad cow case: Butchers said on Tuesday that red meat sold in their stores was exclusively from calves aged 10-16 months sold by slaughterhouses operating in line with European standards, after the first recorded case of mad cow disease in Greece was reported.

In a joint statement, the Panhellenic Federation of Butchers Shops in Athens and the Union of Thessaloniki Butchers said the meat they bought wholesale was certified in accordance with European Union directives.

The agriculture ministry was conducting checks to identify any more cases of the bovine disease, the statement added.

On Monday, Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis reported the country's first case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the furthest east in Europe that the condition has been found.

It has been linked to the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, which destroys the brain.

[23] Premier inaugurates Citizens Facilitation Center

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

He said the government was putting forward its continuous occupation with the problems of the citizens "which require constant and more demanding solutions", in response to the "climate of doubt we have been living in recently", adding that this was the mission entrusted to it by the Greek people.

The Citizens Facilitation Center, he said, was an effort to ensure a "one-stop" facilitation of citizens' dealings with public administration.

The fact that the Center was located across from parliament, reflecting the fact that "public administration is under the daily scrutiny of the representatives of the people".

Interior, public administration and decentralization minister Vasso Papandreou, presenting the functions of the Center, noted that public administration should be governed by visions and provide service, rather than simply administer, is it has done to the present.

She said under the new structure of public administration, all public services must facilitate the citizens with the same qualitative characteristics, regardless of whether they are services in large urban centers or small municipalities.

Also, public services should facilitate the citizens in the manner the latter desire, while each public service should further carry out its mission with respect for the public money, she said, adding that all this required the active participation of the civil servants.

[24] Parliament president inaugurates media conference

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

In his address, Kaklamanis praised the considerable contribution of national radio and television to Greek society, saying that in the era of new digital technology "we are experiencing control of the media is in the hands of the financially powerful interests", adding that "unfortunately, public radio and television continues to have a minimum share of the market."

He also criticized the private mass media for "disorientating" public opinion.

Press Minister Dimitris Reppas said on his part that National Radio and Television (ERT) is in a much better position than in the past, having paid off its debt some time ago, which had amounted to 45 billion drachmas in 1996.

Main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said "ERT has a credibility problem, which in many cases functions in a partisan way. There are recent examples which forced ND to make denunciations regarding the way with which news concerning political events are evaluated and broadcast."

[25] Road deaths on rise

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

According to ESYE, 166 people died, 240 were seriously injured and 1,808 more were lightly injured in a total 1,582 road accidents throughout the country in April, compared with 132 dead, 259 seriously injured and 1,941 lightly injured in 1,768 traffic accidents in March.

ESYE said that a total 601 people died in road accidents in the period January-April this year, as against 594 in the corresponding period in 2000 and 622 in the same period in 1999.

[26] Preparations for Athens 2004 at their best phase

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Sources also said that Simitis may visit Moscow on July 16 to present the progress of projects related to the Games, during the election process of the new president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as the current president, Juan Antonio Samaranch will vacate his post.

Simitis requested of Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki to present a detailed briefing on the progress of preparations, which is scheduled for Wednesday at the offices of ATHOC.

[27] Hyundai Hellas named as 2004 Olympics sponsor

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

The company's bid was 5.565 billion drachmas. Of the total, 1.5 billion drachmas will be handed over in cash and the remainder in kind through the supply of 500 vehicles and purchase of another 4,000 vehicles at reduced prices.

After the Olympics, the vehicles will be auctioned by the organizing committee as its assets.

The latest sponsorship means that the organizers have met 100 percent of the original budget target, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said.

Forty major and minor sponsorships have yet to be awarded, she added.

Also announced was a shift for the committee's offices to new premises in Nea Ionia.

From January 2002, the committee's headquarters will be a restored factory in the suburb near the Olympic Stadium.

The organizers' staff will rise to 3,700 in August 2004 from 500 currently. The rent on the new premises is 25 percent lower than on the current building on Kifissias Avenue, organizers said.

[28] Interparty committee, Olympic committee sign cooperation agreement against doping

Athens, 04/07/2001 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference on the issue, Interparty Committee President Manolis Skoulakis said "the presidium, on the occasion of the message by Kofi Annan on World Day Against Drugs (June 26), has decided to activate itself in light of the 2004 Olympic Games."

"Our purpose is to revive the genuine spirit of the Olympic Games with the slogan 'pure games' in every direction. As a first measure, big names from the sports sector, such as Yiannakis, Gontikas and Mavrotas, will be invited to participate in the campaign against drugs and doping," he added.

GOC President Lambis Nikolaou also attended the press conference.

[29] Denktash's conditions will never be accepted by int'l community Kasoulides says

LARNACA, 04/07/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking on his return from London where he held talks with Hain and met several other British officials, Kasoulides said that they discussed current efforts, aiming at Denktash's return to the negotiating table, through diplomatic course, and added that the Turkish Cypriot leader should return to the talks from the point where he left them.

In January Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash abandoned the UN-led proximity talks, which started in December 1999, declaring them dead and demanding recognition of his self-styled regime in Turkish occupied Cyprus before he returns to the negotiating table.

President Glafcos Clerides, who represents the Greek Cypriot side at the UN talks, has said he is ready for talks any time the UN calls for them. The president has warned the international community in no uncertain terms against any attempt to appease Denktash.

Kasoulides said that during his meeting with Hain they discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus question and that he explained to the British official the importance of the parameters determined by the UN resolutions for the Cyprus problem, the importance of the timetable that has been set and the importance of Cyprus' accession into the EU.

Replying to questions on the status British Bases in Cyprus will be given after the island's accession into the EU he said no issue on the Bases' status is put forward and no-one questions their existence in Cyprus adding that both Britain and Cyprus agree that bilateral consultations would lead to mechanisms ensuring that those Cypriots living, working and passing through the Bases' area, would enjoy the same rights as all European citizens.

The British Bases in Cyprus are exempt from EU norms as they are not part of EU territory even though Britain is.

Kasoulides added that "probably next fall we will hold consultations on those ways" pointing out that two scenarios will be discussed.

"The first one provides for the Bases to be declared as EU territory and the second one provides for the setting up of such mechanisms as to ensure the rights of all citizens, even if the Bases would not be declared as EU territory," he said.

Britain retains since 1960, when Cyprus became an independent state, two sovereign Bases on the island.

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