Greek FM - 'Future of Europe' the focus of talks at Thessaloniki Summit

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, whose country currently holds the rotating European Union presidency, reiterated on Thursday that discussions at the upcoming European Summit in Thessaloniki (June 20-21 June) will focus on the future of Europe within the framework of a draft Constitutional Treaty that will be tabled at the Summit by the Constitutional Convention.

Following a meeting chaired by Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Athens to discuss preparations for the Summit, Papandreou expressed hope that the draft Constitution will constitute the basis for further debate and negotiations among the bloc's members, and ''will open a prospect for a strong, consolidated and financially robust democratic Europe, which will really be at the service of its citizens''.

He also referred to discussions on the European prospect of the western Balkan states, saying he hoped those countries will at some point join the European family, ''provided they comply with the principles of democracy, good neighbourly relations and peace''.

Papandreou said the issues of immigration and illegal migration had also been the focus of discussions, emphasizing that a position paper being prepared by the Union's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana would be used as the basis for discussions on ''Europe's future course in the international arena''.

Asked to comment on planned demonstrations in Thessaloniki during the Summit, Papandreou said the Greek government would do all it could to ''allow the protesters not only to protest, but also to convey their views'', adding that views expressed by the various movements and non-governmental groups on key globalisation and development issues in third world countries were useful.

He also said that issues such as fighting poverty, the environment and genetically modified products were of high concern, adding ''we want to hear the voice of society''.


Mideast peace

Papandreou, who is currently chairing the EU's ministers Council, also welcomed Wednesday's meeting of US President George W. Bush with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Ariel Sharon and Mahmoud Abbas, respectively, in Aqaba, Jordan. He said the EU had played a key role in the planning and approval of the ''road map'', a peace initiative the Union has brokered along with the UN, US and Russia.

''It appears that something more than a sliver of light is opening up today'', Papandreou said.

He mentioned that his US counterpart, Secretary of State Colin Powell, had called him on Wednesday to brief him on the details of the Aqaba meeting.

'We are on a good road'', the Greek minister said, adding ''we are still at the beginning, and we know that there will be many obstacles ahead''.

He noted that for the first time there was a sense of volition on both Palestinians and Israelis ''to push forward''.

''We, as European Union, must continue to support the process for the implementation of the road map and we are going to do just that'', the minister concluded.

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• EP - Greek Presidency and Thessaloniki Summit  (4/6/2003)