Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-01-20

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens, Nicosia stress willingness to restart Cyprus talks based on Annan plan

[02] Greek president to carry out official visit to Lebanon

[03] Turkey's Gul says Papandreou's defense spending reduction proposal 'good'

[04] PM to tour Piraeus and Thessaly this weeę

[05] PM says economic policy bearing fruit

[06] ND leader chairs last party Political Council before March 7 election

[07] KKE leader rejects any notion of pre-election cooperation

[08] General Bank's main shareholder OKs Societe Generale's bid

[09] George Papandreou meets head of Morgan Stanley investment bank

[10] Main opposition leader meets young entrepreneurs, pledges major reforms

[11] Unions seek 8.0 pct pay rise, 39-hour working week

[12] Profit taking halts ASE rally on Monday

[13] Greek bonds record gains in December

[14] Venizelos announces Thessaloniki's preparations for 2004 Olympic Games

[15] Most Greeks will watch Olympic Games on television, poll shows

[16] Lesvos to host Afghanistan's Olympic Games team in May & June

[17] Culture minister confident of Parthenon Marbles' eventual return

[18] Environment minister visits EYDAP headquarters in Galatsi

[19] 'Mini-bill' on divorcee pensions, 'successive' insurance tabled in Parliament

[20] Former Foreign Press Association president Tsatsaronis dies at 71

[21] Greek, Israeli authors meet in Kalamata

[22] Prosecutor orders probe into ND claims of cost overruns

[23] President Papadopoulos wants viable solution to Cyprus problem

[01] Athens, Nicosia stress willingness to restart Cyprus talks based on Annan plan

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The two countries’ foreign ministers, George Papandreou and George Iacovou, respectively, also joined the two leaders in the one-hour meeting, which reportedly continued afterwards during a working lunch.

In comments afterwards, the Greek PM said discussions revolved around new developments on the Cyprus issue, such as “elections” in the Turkish-occupied territories of the island republic and the latest round of official statements coming out of Ankara.

Both sides also focused on Cyprus’ historic European Union accession on May 1.

“We want a solution as soon as possible, one which respects the UN framework, human rights and the Union’s acquis communautaire,” said Simitis, who announced last month that he will step down after the March 7 general elections. FM Papandreou will, by all accounts, succeed Simitis at the helm of ruling PASOK

In other comments, Simitis referred directly to Turkey’s role in the Cyprus problem, saying, “it (Turkey) controls occupied Cyprus and determines the Turkish Cypriot side’s moves. It (Turkish government) continues to support (T/C leader Rauf) Denktash and the occupation. We hope Turkey will change its intransigent stance and quickly accept, without conditions, the restart of talks, so that the Cyprus problem can be solved before May 1.”

Finally, he referred to recent “positive comments” emanating out of Ankara before firmly reminding that a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem is in the best interests of Turkey itself, stressing that the neighboring country must understand that “there cannot be any European accession course for Turkey without a Cyprus solution.”

On his part, Cyprus’ Papadopoulos merely expressed his satisfaction over his contacts in Athens with the Greek government.

Asked about what Nicosia and Athens expect from Ankara as tangible proof of its good intentions, the Greek premier called on Turkish leadership to take a position on the Annan plan and what modifications should be made due to the island republic’s EU accession.

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos meets Greek counterpart, party leaders: Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos concluded his contacts in Athens on Monday afternoon with meetings with his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga.

Speaking after her meeting with President Papadopoulos, Papariga referred to ''the interest of the United States to have the Cyprus issue closed and, primarily, to have Turkey's accession to the European Union secured through the solution.''

Papariga added ''there is no intention on the part of Turkey, and with backing by the US, for necessary improvements to be made to the Annan plan which will lead to a viable federal state based on a bizonal and bicommunal federation, as is sought by the people of Cyprus and the leadership of Cyprus.''

Constantopoulos expressed the wish after his meeting with President Papadopoulos ''that we shall celebrate a solution to the Cyprus issue at some time and the problem will not be constantly used as an alibi for internal political deliberations in light of early elections.''

Constantopoulos expressed support for ''the need for systematic negotiating based on the parameters of the UN plan to enable a workable solution to be found and Cyprus to utilize its position as a member-state of the European Union. As one state and one international entity and personality with a bizonal and bicommunal federation'', terming any other solution ''retrogression.''

The Coalition party leader also spoke of the exploitation of the Cyprus issue ''for serving other expediencies, either by the US or by Turkey.''

Earlier, President Papadopoulos met with Karamanlis who let it be understood that he will be stating his position in Nicosia on Tuesday, where he will be making an official visit.

[02] Greek president to carry out official visit to Lebanon

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Stephanopoulos will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos and a large delegation of Greek business people who have or wish to develop trade activity in the Middle East.

An economic forum to further cement economic ties will be held in Beirut on Thursday, the second day of the presidential visit, with both Greek and Lebanese business people participating, while two bilateral agreements and one protocol will be signed on Wednesday night.

These concern a cooperation agreement in the tourism sector and an international agreement for transporting goods and passengers by road, while the protocol is for scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture.

During the visit, Stephanopoulos is expected to hold talks with Lebanese officials on bilateral issues, international affairs and the situation in the Middle East.

He is to have meetings with Lahud, Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Issam Fares and Lebanese Parliament President Nabih Beri.

The president's visit will be the first by a Greek head of state since democracy was restored in Greece in 1974.

[03] Turkey's Gul says Papandreou's defense spending reduction proposal 'good'

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

''It is a good proposal, it shows the good intentions. We also have the same intentions. We want to be agents of peace and stability. We want to have good neighbourliness with Greece and to create a new climate in this part of the world for cooperation,'' Gul said in a statement to a Greek private TV station.

''It is a good proposal and we agree with it. We have already started from last year to decrease defense expenditures in Turkey. You are aware that together with Greece we have postponed some military exercises and we have signed many agreements, eleven, on building confidence measures. We decided at the Ottawa conference to remove mines. These, therefore, are positive moves,'' Gul added.

[04] PM to tour Piraeus and Thessaly this weeę

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

At 13:00 on Tuesday he will chair a meeting of the government committee for Olympic preparations and at 19:30 he will attend a reception in honor of the diplomatic corps.

On Wednesday at 10:00, the prime minister will meet Papandreou and PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis, while at 14:00 he will tour Piraeus.

On Thursday, Simitis will chair a meeting of the cabinet on preparations for the Olympic Games before departing on a tour of Thessaly. On Monday at 10:00, Simitis will call on President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos for the customary presidential briefing.

[05] PM says economic policy bearing fruit

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

''The European Commission forecast recently that in 2004 Greece would show a higher growth rate than in 2003, and one of the highest in the EU,'' Simitis told reporters at the annual reception of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

''This constitutes a reply to those who said that after the Olympic Games the Greek economy would not maintain an upward trend,'' he said.

Present at the reception were also President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and main opposition New Democracy party honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis.

[06] ND leader chairs last party Political Council before March 7 election

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Karamanlis accused the ruling PASOK party of being the only party concealing its policy and urged ND members to exercise humility and modesty during the election campaign and to avoid abusive language.

Addressing the Council, Karamanlis did not refer to the issue of the old guard's withdrawal and of renewal, although many members of the party have suggested to him to fully renew ND's election tickets and not to have the so-called ''barons'' as candidates.

[07] KKE leader rejects any notion of pre-election cooperation

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference, KKE general secretary Aleka Papariga also criticized Synaspismos – with five deputies in the 300-seat Parliament – as backing the two-party system in the country.

Papariga, whose party fields 11 deputies in Parliament, declined to comment on recent statements by noted Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, who backed a unified front of leftist parties.

In other matters, the KKE leader condemned what she called a “barbaric legislative framework” governing part-time work and social security, while again referring to a legal regime she said surrender sovereign rights to NATO, the European Union and the United States.

Coalition leader reiterates support for Theodorakis' statement on unity of left: Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos on Monday reiterated his support for the statement, Sunday, by famous composer Mikis Theodorakis on the unity of the left and criticized Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga for her position.

Constantopoulos said Papariga is creating dividing lines within the left and making self-evident mottos of 1974 thirty years later.

Replying to her statement that the Coalition's proposal for cooperation is insincere, Constantopoulos declined any comment and noted that with polarization between the PASOK and New Democracy parties, which are self-styled as the liberal party and the democratic party, the left should be in a position to respond with a unifying tactic.

[08] General Bank's main shareholder OKs Societe Generale's bid

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The Army Pension Fund - General Bank's main shareholder with an equity stake of 38 percent - said that Societe Generale would be called to sign a contract in the next few days.

Following the sale, the Fund's stake will be reduced to below 10 percent gradually.

Societe Generale is the third bank to acquire a strategic stake in Greek bank. French bank Credit Agricole holds a 10 percent stake in Emporiki Bank and ING Group holds a 5.0 percent stake in Piraeus Bank. Deutsche Bank late last year sold its equity stake in EFG Eurobank Ergasias.

[09] George Papandreou meets head of Morgan Stanley investment bank

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Papandreou is considered virtually certain to win the uncontested election for PASOK's presidency and also stands to take over any PASOK government that emerges from the March 7 poll.

Newhouse took over as president of Morgan Stanley and chairman of Morgan Stanley International Limited on December 1, succeeding the previous head of 33 years Robert Scott.

Main opposition leader meets head of Morgan-Stanley: The leader of the main opposition New Democracy party, Costas Karamanlis, on Monday met the president of Morgan-Stanley to outline his party's economic policy.

[10] Main opposition leader meets young entrepreneurs, pledges major reforms

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

He also claimed that there could be ''flexible'' implementation of the stability pact without affecting the backbone of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and European Union commitments.

Karamanlis said that Greece had to be made more attractive to foreign investors and that competitiveness had to improve so that Greek businesses could offer quality products at lower prices.

He also stressed that the public sector needed to be more productive and that civil servants should be assessed, retrained and rewarded according to their merits. Another aspect of improving efficiency was to continue the introduction of computerized systems in the public sector, he added.

To this end, Karamanlis called for an end to favoritism and party domination in the public sector, which he said often bred corruption, and said that the ASEP exam system for public-sector appointments had to be upgraded to limit such phenomena.

The main opposition leader presented his proposals for tax relief, pledging substantial reductions in the taxation of undistributed profit, less tax paid in advance, improvements to TAXIS, random tax inspections and abolition of the financial crimes squad SDOE, to be replaced with inspection mechanisms that reduced the opportunity for blackmail and threats.

Karamanlis also presented his positions on combatting unemployment, the stock market, the role of women, efforts to achieve year-round tourism and dealing with corruption.

[11] Unions seek 8.0 pct pay rise, 39-hour working week

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

''The level of increases cannot fall below 8.0 per cent,'' said Christos Polyzogopoulos, head of the General Confederation of Employees of Greece, who is conducting negotiations on behalf of unions.

''In addition, the goal of a 39-hour working week is not open to negotiation. It's high time we adopted this principle as the last cut in working hours was 20 years ago,'' Polyzogopoulos told reporters after exploratory talks with the Association of Greek Industry.

The working hours to be gained by employees would be counted and awarded as extra days of leave, he added.

The president of the industry trade group, Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, told reporters that negotiations would be ''difficult.''

The next round of talks is scheduled for January 29.

[12] Profit taking halts ASE rally on Monday

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The general index rose to 2,512.96 points early in the session but succumbed to an increasing wave of profit taking throughout the session to end 1.02 percent lower at 2,469.34 points.

Turnover was a healthy 238.3 million euros. The IT, Construction and Holding sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.30 percent, 1.99 percent and 1.78 percent, respectively), while the Bank (2.50 percent), Insurance (2.14 percent) and Telecommunications (1.57 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 1.80 percent, while the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.66 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.53 percent higher reflecting a trend of moving capital towards smaller capitalization stocks.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 180 to 129 with another 51 issues unchanged.

Monday's decline was the first significant correction of the market since late December, when the market rose from the 2,200 level to its current 2,500-point level.

Bank shares ended lower (National Bank off 2.62%, Piraeus Bank down 3.16%, Alpha Bank off 2.70%), while Hellenic Telecommunications Organization’s stock dropped 3.90 percent.

The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index dropped 1.24 percent to end at 2,925.01 points.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Closing rates of January 19 2004

Parities in euro

For. Exchange Buying Selling

US Dollar 1,247 1,218

[13] Greek bonds record gains in December

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

European bonds were well supported by the strength of the euro that broke successive record highs during the month. In the US, despite the accelerating economic growth the labor market did not show the expected improvement.

In addition, at their last 2003 meeting at the beginning of December, both the FED and the ECB left interest rates unchanged at the historically low levels of 1% and 2% respectively, reinforcing market expectations that interest rates will remain at those levels for a considerable time in the future, the central bank said in its report.

Greek government bonds trading on the electronic secondary securities market (HDAT) had a positive performance in line with the rest of the Euro-zone bonds. Price gains were in the range of 57-142 basis points amongst the benchmark bonds, with the 20-year bond (maturing on 22/10/2022) recording the highest gains. The 10-year benchmark (maturing on 20/5/2013) closed at 101.31 (with a yield of 4.42%) at the end of December from 100.33 (4.55%) on November 28. The average monthly yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German benchmark bond widened marginally to 12 basis points (bps) in December from 11 bps in the previous month.

The yield curve shifted downwards as yields at the short end of the curve fell 23 basis points compared to 11 bps at the long end. Therefore, the 3 to 20-year bond yield spread widened to 212 bps at the end of December from 200 bps at the end of November.

Market turnover on HDAT was 34.02 billion euros in December, from 70.07 billion euros in November, and compared to 32.59 billion euros in December 2002. For the third consecutive month investors' interest focused on bonds with remaining maturity between 7 and 10 years that absorbed 17.10 billion euros (50.2% of the overall volume). Amongst individual bonds traded on HDAT, the 10-year benchmark recorded the highest traded volume with 10.06 billion euros. Its liquidity, as measured by the ratio of the monthly traded volume over the amount outstanding, declined to 148% from 287% in November. Of the 5,781 orders executed in HDAT during December, 52.38% were ''sell'' orders and 47.62% ''buy'' orders.

Evaluation of Primary Dealers' performance in the Greek government bond market, January-December 2003.

The ranking of the Primary Dealers on the basis of their activity in the Greek government bond market in the period January-December 2003 is as follows:

National Bank of Greece

Alpha Bank

EFG Eurobank-Ergasias

Goldman Sachs International Ltd

HSBC Bank plc

CSFB (Europe) Ltd

Piraeus Bank

ING Bank NV

Emporiki Bank

Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd

BNP Paribas

Citigroup Global Markets Ltd

JP Morgan Securities Ltd

Merrill Lynch International

Lehman Brothers International (Europe)

San Paolo-IMI Bank

Deutsche Bank AG

UBS Ltd

[14] Venizelos announces Thessaloniki's preparations for 2004 Olympic Games

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The works in the city, which also include the sectors of sport and culture in general are budgeted in excess of 500 million euros.

His announcement concerns the course of works already in progress and also of special arrangements which will be implemented during the Olympic Games from August 6-28, including for the circulation of traffic and hygiene in the city which will host a number of preliminary football matches within the framework of the Games.

He said that the works, which will include gymnasiums, swimming pools, soccer stadiums, roads and underground subways, will be completed by the end of May

[15] Most Greeks will watch Olympic Games on television, poll shows

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

According to the poll, carried out with a sample of 1,250 people of both genders aged 18-64, about one million Greeks intend to visit Olympic stadiums to watch some sporting event, while the majority of the rest intend to watch the Games on television.

On the question of whether the country will be fully prepared to host the Games in August, three out of four Greeks gave a positive response.

However, most Greeks appear to be less optimistic as to what will happen after the Olympic Games are over. Only 30 percent of respondents seem to believe benefits will be more than problems which shall arise after the Games.

An analysis of the poll shows that 62 percent will only see the Games on television, 12 percent are still undecided, while 11 percent do not intend to watch the Games at all.

Out of all the respondents, 5 percent said they intend to watch the Games from close up and 9 percent both from close up and through the mass media.

[16] Lesvos to host Afghanistan's Olympic Games team in May & June

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The Ministry of the Aegean in Lesvos will host the team in the months of May and June in order for it to train at the island's sports facilities.

The initiative to host the national team of Afghanistan was taken by the Greek Emergency Rescue Unit in cooperation with the foreign ministry and the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC).

Aegean Minister Nikos Sifounakis, in statements on Sunday, said ''it concerns a symbolic gesture where a country like Afghanistan, which has suffered from war so many years and continues to suffer, has decided to participate, after two and a half decades, in the Olympic Games.''

[17] Culture minister confident of Parthenon Marbles' eventual return

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Speaking from Thessaloniki, where he presented a series of measures relating to the city's preparations for the 2004 Olympics, Venizelos stressed that an overwhelming majority of public opinion in Britain that almost reached 80 per cent were in favor of returning the sculptures to Athens and their reunification with the Parthenon.

The minister was also optimistic that a breakthrough might be achieved at the upcoming meeting between Foreign Minister George Papandreou with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, where he said the issue of the Marbles' return will again be put.

[18] Environment minister visits EYDAP headquarters in Galatsi

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Noting that EYDAP's image had significantly improved in recent years, she also said that there was room for further improvement that might be achieved with the assistance of the staff.

She referred at length to an investment program for the Attica water supply and sewage network, with a budget of 1.22 billion euros, and the new activities EYDAP had recently branched out into, such as the supply of natural gas.

EYDAP has a 35 per cent share in the new "Northern Suburbs Gas Company SA" that won a tender for the distribution of natural gas in the northern part of the Attic basin and part of the Athens municipality.

[19] 'Mini-bill' on divorcee pensions, 'successive' insurance tabled in Parliament

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The first amendment seeks to establish a single method for calculating the pensions of those insured by more than one social insurance fund during their working lives. It makes a single fund responsible for calculating and issuing the pension and gives formulas for calculating the sums owed by the participatory funds.

The aim is to greatly reduce the bureaucracy and delays in the issue of pensions.

The second amendment gives a divorced spouse the right to claim a portion of the pension of a deceased former spouse, ranging from 30 to 40 per cent. In order to qualify, the applicant must be at least 65 years old and have an annual income that does not exceed an OGA pension. In addition, they must have been receiving alimony, have been married at least 15 years, not have been judged responsible for the divorce and not have re-married.

[20] Former Foreign Press Association president Tsatsaronis dies at 71

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Foreign Press Association President Evangelos Antonaros said in a statement ''the foreign Press Association, as we know it today, is due to a great degree to the self-denial, the ideas, the initiatives and the hard work of Costas Tsatsaronis during the post-junta years.''

Antonaros went on to say ''his democratic spirit was unequalled. All of us who had the great honor of knowing him from close up and cooperating with him shall remember him in this way.''

An announcement by the Athens News Agency (ANA) said his longstanding journalistic presence was sealed with his excellent journalistic work and his struggle for foreign correspondents to obtain full professional rights with his love for young colleagues.

''Costas Tsatsaronis, being a member of the Athens News Agency's board over the last eight years, offered his knowledge and expertise for free and contributed to the development of its reliability and to its restructuring. The management and the staff of the ANA extend their condolences to his family over the loss of the excellent and beloved colleague.''

Deputy Media Minister and head of the prime minister's press office Telemahos Hytiris said on his part ''I was informed with great sorrow of the death of the distinguished journalist and president of the Foreign Press Association for many years, of the fighter for democracy and good friend Costas Tsatsaronis.''

Hytiris added ''his loss, for those of us who lived close to him and had the opportunity of appreciating his character, journalistic capabilities and his adherence to democratic ideals is great.''

Tsatsaronis' funeral will take place at the First Athens Cemetery on Wednesday, January 21, at 15:30.

[21] Greek, Israeli authors meet in Kalamata

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

Israel’s ambassador to Athens, Ram Aviram, participated in all four sessions of the symposium, entitled “Our words are the children of many people”.

Among the participants were Greek authors Rea Galanaki and Book Centre director Christos Lazos, as well as noted Israeli writers AB Yehoshua, Batya Gur, Amir Or and Dorit Rabinyan.

Among others, one of the discussion topics held on the first day focused on the issue of “collective identity; the history and concept of the ‘other’,” in both Greek and Israeli literature.

[22] Prosecutor orders probe into ND claims of cost overruns

Athens, 20/01/2004 (ANA)

The director of the prosecutor’s office, Dimitris Papaggelopoulos, ordered the probe.

[23] President Papadopoulos wants viable solution to Cyprus problem

LARNACA 20/01/2004 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to questions on his return from Athens, where he had talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, the government and political party leaders, President Papadopoulos said he does not doubt that if any future talks on Cyprus fail, those who want to help Ankara will blame others too.

President Papadopoulos said the Greek Cypriot side ''wants a solution to be found the soonest but the word solution is not the key," noting that ''we want a functional, viable solution."

He also said the Greek Cypriot side has not raised many issues concerning changes to the twice-revised solution plan proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for a comprehensive settlement, noting that no one is yet informed on the issues which will be raised.

President Papadopoulos pointed out that ''we cannot control those who are willing to be persuaded by anything Turkey says or it is part of their policy to cover the well known Turkish intransigence."

Commenting on statements made by Turkey's Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul that negotiations should first take place before the plan is put to referenda, President Papadopoulos said ''for some time now we have said that the Turkish side is trying to give the impression that it is doing something for the Cyprus problem."

All these statements, he said, ''are part of this framework and I believe we all have enough judgment not to play Turkey's game and exaggerate these general, verbal statements of what they want to do with the Annan Plan before they even decide what they will do or even know."

He further said that the policy mapped out between Greece and Cyprus in handling various scenarios has been reconfirmed, noting he has not noticed ''any cases of disagreement either on the evaluations or tactics."

Asked if some would try to blame the Greek Cypriot side if talks fail again, President Papadopoulos replied, ''Yes, I believe that, it is a tactic. Those who want to help Turkey will pursue a solution if possible by May 1st, but as a second line, if this is not achieved, then the responsibility will not lie on Turkey but others too."

''We will try to show once again our goodwill and readiness for a constructive negotiating procedure to find a more functional solution which will therefore be viable," President Papadopoulos added.

On his talks in Athens, President Papadopoulos said they were ''very useful and constructive."

He said that together with Simitis and his associates, ''we reviewed the recent statements by the Turkish side, made respective evaluations and examined the various scenarios that might unfold."

President Papadopoulos said ''we reconfirmed our longstanding position that we are ready, anytime we are invited by the UN Secretary-General, to take part (in negotiations) with a constructive spirit and preferably, if we achieve it, to solve the Cyprus problem before May 1st and in any case to pursue through negotiations a functional, therefore viable solution'' to the Cyprus problem.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article