Greece wishes greatest possible EU quake aid to Turkey, Kranidiotis says BRUSSELS (ANA 02/09/1999)

Greece, as all the rest of the European Union member-states, wishes for the greatest possible Union aid to Turkey, in efforts to confront immediately the huge problems caused by the destructive earthquake of Aug. 17, Alternate Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis said here yesterday.

Following a meeting with EU Foreign Affairs Commissioner Hans Van den Broek, Mr. Kranidiotis said that talks, with both the commissioner and diplomats of the EU member-states, indicate the reaching of a total agreement regarding Union funds to Turkey in light of the quake. Speaking to Greek journalists, Mr. Kranidiotis said that the informal Foreign Ministers' Council scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in Finland will discuss the issue and will ratify their final decision during their official meeting on September 13, in Brussels.

Mr. Kranidiotis added that the aid "package" will be composed of a wide spectrum of Union fund sources, including community funds provided by the two financing regulations that the European Commission proposed two months ago as part of the European strategy for Turkey, and which have not yet been approved by the European Parliament.

The two regulations proposed funds to the tune of 150 million euro. Greece had disagreed with the proposal suggesting that approval of one regulation regarding 135 million euro, require a special majority vote and not consensus among the member-states. Greece, Mr. Kranidiotis said, agrees with the release of those funds, as long as it is clear that they will be used toward relief of the problems caused by the earthquake.

He added that Greece is also ready to agree with the provision of loans to Turkey by the European Investment Bank so as the private sector along with the Turkish state may proceed with the reconstruction of the regions hit by the quake. Additional funding will stem from aid funds such as ECHO and MEDA to the tune of 50 million euro, Mr. Kranidiotis said.

Speaking on the general framework of Greek-Turkish relations, the minister said that relations between the two countries are at a good point and expressed hope that this climate will be maintained and will aid the swift resolution of major issues based on the principles of International Law.

He also noted that the massive and popular expression of solidarity of Greek citizens following the quake acted as a catalyst.

Regarding EU-Turkish relations, and especially the issue of upgrading the neighbouring country to the candidate member-state status same to that of the other 11 candidate countries, Mr. Kranidiotis said that this issue will be discussed at the end of the year at the Helsinki Summit. Concluding, the alternate foreign minister expressed his thanks to Mr. Van den Broek as the latter is concluding his term as a commissioner.