and Turkey are not its guardians", he said characteristically. Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems to be willing to find a solution, according to Alvaro De Soto, who, after meeting with the leader of the AKP party in Ankara, affirmed Mr. Erdogan's keenness to fin d a solution.

During their stay in Turkey, they will have discussions with the country's leadership, regarding its European prospects, while Mr. Papandreou will have private meetings with the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and Tayyip Erdogan.

In his interview yesterday at the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents, Mr. Papandreou mentioned developments in Iraq, the Cyprus issue, Turkey's relations to the EU as well as the priorities of the Greek Presidency.

Specifically, concerning the Iraq crisis, Mr. Papandreou characterized it the common position recently adopted by the EU as important and noted the points of the Agreement.

The Foreign Minister stressed that "there is hope for a peaceful solution to the crisis", characteristically mentioning that the report of inspectors Blix and Elparadei refer to specific points, which Iraq must definitely clarify on.

He also characterized US President George Bush's address concerning the upcoming US submission of evidence concerning Iraq's activity towards the UN inspectors as "very useful". Mr. Papandreou clarified, however, that "we do not have evidence of "Al Qued a's" connection to Iraq".

"The European Union notes its statement on December 4, 2002, regarding the Trans-Dniestr dispute in Moldavia. In view of the upcoming round of negotiations in the dispute, the EU sincerely hopes that important progress will be noted in finding a solution , with complete respect to Moldova's territorial integrity. The EU would also like to note that it is prepared to look into measures that would contribute to achieving this goal", stressed the announcement.

The second meeting of the permanent representatives of the EU (COREPER II) is being held in Brussels, while the Plenary Session of the European Parliament is continuing.

"We recognize the UN Security Council as the only legalizing framework in which the procedure of disarming Iraq should continue. We share the same goals with the countries that signed the announcement, however this move is outside the framework of the EU . This move comes in continuation of an important EU decision, but is an autonomous action of countries outside the EU framework", stated Mr. Beglitis, adding that the Greek Presidency has been formally briefed on this action by the Prime Minister of Hung ary, with whom Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met yesterday.

"It is wrong to evaluate this action on different terms than those set within the document itself", said Mr. Beglitis, stressing that he could not see other goals and that there was no coordination in the EU framework, nor was it asked of Athens to suppo rt this document, which, as he stressed, does not come into conflict with the EU position.

"We support the work of inspectors Blix and Baradei, our goal is still the disarmament of Iraq, as well as the reinforcement of the UN Security Council's role. We are steady in our relations to the US, our goal is common with both the EU member-states an d the candidate countries. We must activate and strengthen the effectiveness of our decisions", he ended.

On the Cyprus issue, Mr. Simitis stated that a solution to the problem is likely to be reached by February 28.

Referring to the blackmail cases, the corruption in the public sector and the situation in Greece's professional football, the Prime Minister stated that those issues came to light after the government's intervention for absolute clarity in public life.

to the problem, adding that at the same time the weapons owned by Iraq should be inspected.

In his statements Mr. Kaklamanis expressed Greece's position favoring the strengthening of the EU in order to have a strong voice in foreign and defense policy.

The Hungarian Prime Minister also met with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis and discussed the Cyprus issue, the procedures for the future of Europe and the issue of Iraq.

Mr. Yiannitsis stated that the population of Congo lives in conditions that are in total contrast with the country's huge natural wealth. He added that according to a report submitted by the UN Committee of Specialists formed in 2000 on the illegal explo itation of natural resources in Africa, high ranking politicians, members of the military and businessmen in Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Congo have been involved in widespread looting for their own benefit using methods like the forced labor of local pop ulation.

He said that the EU backs the adoption of sanctions whenever is necessary, preferably by the UN Security Council and not by individual states or groups of states, while at the same time it is in favor of transparency and good governance in all public aff airs both domestic and foreign.

The issue of a common EU-US Airspace is under discussion in the EU Ministers of Transportation Council since 1996. In this common inter-Atlantic airspace area, the airline companies will be free to open offices and offer their services based on trade cri teria, while they will be able to be competitive on a fair and equal basis.

The promotion of the issue is associated with the need to solve the problems created after the negative ruling of the European Court against 9 member-states issued in early November last year. Based on the court decision, the member-states which have agr eements with the US on the specific issue are being called to denounce them.

Greece has not signed such an agreement because it is in favor of a common European position on the issue.

Of the stocks trading today, 134 recorded gains and 154 had losses, while the value of 90 stocks remained unchanged.

The meeting focused on the situation in Iraq, the developments in the Middle East and the European initiative on North Korea. Mr. Papandreou will visit North Korea and South Korea within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency after his visit to Israel and Palestine.

Among others it is stressed that the EU Presidency wishes to encourage all political forces in both Republics to work closely for the appointment of the Parliament deputies of the common state as soon as possible.

It is pointed out that efforts should focus on the establishment of new institutions, the creation of a functional and effective state and the fulfillment of the necessary criteria for the further promotion of the European prospect of Serbia and Monteneg ro.

Mr. Yakis pointed out that the Turkish soldiers will not fight in such a case but they will try to stop the waves of refugees from entering Turkey.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed their common will for the improvement of bilateral relations. Mr. Papandreou spoke about the Cyprus issue as well, pointing out that it is a historical problem that puts a burden on bilateral relations. He stated that the issue can be resolved and the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots will be able to live together peacefully.

He stressed that the EU seeks to have a common foreign policy and within this framework there should be an understanding.

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, in his capacity as President of the European Council made the following statement:

"The way in which the 5 EU member states and the 3 candidate states' initiative on the Iraq issue was expressed does not contribute to a common stance towards this issue.

The EU seeks to have a common foreign policy. Therefore, a common understanding is necessary on the Iraq issue, as was the case with the General Affairs Council on Monday the 27th of January 2003.

The Presidency will continue working for a common stance".

Asked by a journalist whether he intended to visit the USA, Simitis replied that he would be going to the United States at the end of June within the framework of the EU-USA summit meeting, but did not rule out other visits or contacts in the meantime.

Mr. Simitis underlined that all the details of each Act of Accession should be agreed by 31 January in preparation for the final stage of enlargement, which will be sealed with the signing of the Treaty in Athens in April. He added that the Greek Preside ncy was examining the requests of the various countries, as always within the framework agreed in Copenhagen and at the most recent General Affairs Council on January 27-28, 2003.

Mr. Medgyessy expressed satisfaction that the text of the Act of Accession would be prepared in time and requested that no new provisions be added in view of the fact that there was already a binding agreement. He informed Simitis that a referendum would

be held in Hungary in early April on the country's accession to the EU which had the support of most Hungarians.

On migration issues, Mr. Medgyessy said the priorities of the Greek Presidency coincided with Hungary's intentions, adding that the two countries had signed a Readmission Agreement. Mr. Medgyessy asked his Greek counterpart for "a mutual opening of the l abour market" in view of accession, and requested Hungary's participation in the Constitutional Convention.

Mr. Simitis said Greece would examine the issue of the free movement of workers between the two countries by April, while noting that some EU countries would not be implementing the restrictions decided. On the shaping of the new Europe, the Greek premie r said the interests of both sides were in the same direction, namely "a strong Commission and EU bodies which apply common policies". He underlined that the draft Constitution must be submitted by June, so that the European Council can discuss the openin g date and the political mandate for the Intergovernmental Conference, with a view to signing the new Treaty in the period prior to the next European elections.

The two leaders examined possibilities for joint action in the Balkans and the Middle East, while agreeing on the formulation of a joint statement in favour of stability in the Balkan region. The two sides also agreed to set up a joint committee after A pril to promote development cooperation plans in the Balkans and the Middle East.

In today's last session of the court, a life sentence was proposed for Passaris, as judicial authorities supported their charges on evidence that the Greek criminal was the culprit of the double homicide at "Le Petit Bijou" currency exchange in Bucharest .

In his final testimony, Passaris admitted that he was responsible for a number of murders in Greece, while he added that he would not be so naive as to trust a friend, such as Gabriel Melide, since he had already been double-crossed by a friend in Greece

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