Kranidiotis talks with Arafat focus on Middle East peace process

Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis promised Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to raise the delay in the Middle East peace  process with the European Union, following talks here on Wednesday.
Mr. Kranidiotis arrived in Jerusalem on Tuesday for an official two-day visit to Israel, the first by a Greek government official  since Labour leader Ehud Barak formed a new government.
In talks with Mr. Arafat, which coincided with the Palestinian leader's 70th birthday, Mr. Arafat complained to Mr. Kranidiotis over what he called Mr. Barak's "delaying tactics" regarding  implementation of the Wye River agreements.
Mr. Kranidiotis promised to take the issue up with the EU and present the Palestinian side's views during the Sept. 1 meeting of  the 15-nation bloc's political committee as well as at the Council of  Ministers meeting on Sept. 14-15.
Mr. Arafat also requested an increase in the material and technical  support Athens provides to the Palestinian Authority.
Mr. Kranidiotis also met yesterday with Israeli former prime  minister and current minister for regional cooperation Shimon Peres,  who said he would attend the next round of the Israeli-Palestinian  "Athens Dialogue" in the Greek capital next month.
The two men further discussed bilateral relations and recent  developments over the Cyprus issue, while Mr. Kranidiotis called for  Mr. Peres' assistance in achieving a just and viable solution to the  problem.
In earlier talks with the Israeli leadership, both sides agreed over  the possibilities for improved and closer cooperation in the military  sector, with the Israeli navy chief set to visit Athens this month to  be followed by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos' visit  to Israel in September.