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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-20Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM Costas Karamanlis arrives in New ZealandPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis arrived in New Zealand on Sunday night, local time, and will be holding talks on Monday with the General Governor and the country's prime minister, while he will also be laying a wreath at the monument commemorating the Battle of Crete during World War II. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who is accompanying the prime minister on his visit, said in flight from Singapore to New Zealand that she did not expect developments on the name issue of the neighbouring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) soon and separated the issue from the possible holding of early elections. Bakoyannis was categorical in saying that the prime minister is not seeking an excuse from a national issue to call elections (elections are normally due in the country in March 2008).The foreign minister assessed that consultations will be continue at the UN, by special mediator Matthew Nimetz, but told reporters but there is no evidence at the moment indicating that developments are expected. Bakoyannis noted that the visit to Tirana, Albania, by U.S. President George W. Bush on June 10 is also related to the issue of Kosovo and mentioned that the American position on the issue of FYROM and its accession to NATO has not changed. Analysing Greek positions, Bakoyannis said that the issue of good neighbourliness and the attitude of the neighbouring country is a priority, apart from the finding of a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name, since an upsurge in irredentism and propaganda is being observed lately. Lastly, commenting on the issue of developments in the NATO alliance, Bakoyannis said that the candidates for accession to NATO (Croatia, Albania and FYROM) are not fulfilling necessary criteria with the same pace and each one is being judged and must be judged separately. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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