The longer the crisis continues in Kosovo, the further we become removed from the peace framework which we had supported, Alternate Foreign Minister Yannos Kranidiotis said yesterday.

Replying to reporters’ questions shortly before the European Union General Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday and Tuesday, Mr Kranidiotis said the continuation of the crisis would make the possibility of some settlement based on the principles of respect for territorial integrity of states, for minority rights and the inviolability of borders more remote. Mr Kranidiotis will represent Greece at the General Affairs Council which, in addition to the Kosovo crisis, will also discuss a common strategy for Russia and EU-US trade relations.

In Luxembourg the Greek side will put forward a proposal on Kosovo and the greater region, Mr Kranidiotis said, which will underline the need to confront the crisis at a diplomatic level. He expressed Greece’s concern over developments in Kosovo and aid the main aim of the Greek proposal was to press for a diplomatic solution and the cessation of hostilities in Yugoslavia.

Mr Kranidiotis said the dispatch of humanitarian aid from Greece was going well. He noted that Greece was the only country sending aid into Kosovo. One convoy of aid had already left and a second, comprising five of six trucks, will be leaving today, Mr Kranidiotis said.

Greece has added was also helping to set up a refugee camp in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in cooperation with non-government organizations.

Replying to other questions, the minister said Greece would in Luxembourg also raise the issue of the environmental repercussions of NATO bombing and ask the European Commission to conduct a study of the impact for the region.