The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 03-06-21

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather forecast

(21/6/2003 12:03:00 μμ)

[02] EU Summit Meeting ends

The EU Summit Meeting ended yesterday with the approval of the draft of the first European Constitution that will have to be presented in its final form by the Intergovernmental Conference before the Euro elections in 2004. Additionally, an agreement was achieved on the formation of a European policy for migration and asylum and Mr Xavier Solana's report on European Foreign policy and security, as well as decisions for the boosting of development.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who presided the Summit Meeting, said that the Greek EU Presidency was justified with the presentation of the Constitution draft plan, underlining at the same time the importance of a joint policy on immigration and Mr Solana's report. Moreover, making an overall evaluation of the Greek EU Presidency, he described its handling of problems that arose for the cohesion of the Union during the Iraqi crisis successful.

Besides, called on to comment on publications that present him as the main candidate for the European Union Presidency, Mr Simitis said that he was not interested in leaving Greece.

Meanwhile, the EU High Representative of Foreign and Defence Policy Xavier Solana warned the armed Palestinian organizations to accept seize fire, or else economic sanctions would be imposed against them. He also stressed the need for Europe to cooperate with the USA and other countries, as well as international organizations for the solution of problems such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

According to the final communiqu&eacute; of the Summit Meeting, Iran and North Korea are called on to sign a treaty forbidding the spread of weapons of mass destruction, while Tehran is being warned to accept checks of its nuclear programme by inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Service.

Finally, thousands of Greek and foreign demonstrators protested against globalisation at Neos Marmaras yesterday. Minor incidents took place when a group of protestors tried to break the police circle, while the demonstrators' representatives met with Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday. Mr Papandreou stated that although he was open for dialogue and the mobilizations of civilians, he asked the inhabitants' life in the area to be respected.

Earlier, Mr Simitis had stated that the civilians' society is not limited to those who agree but to those who disagree.

Today, the bodies participating in the mobilizations will stage a joint demonstration in Thessaloniki.

(21/6/2003 12:03:00 μμ)

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article