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19 January, 1999
Finland has been impressed by Athens' efforts towards projected Economic and Monetary Union accession, Finnish Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen said in Athens yesterday.
Mr. Lipponen arrived in Greece on Sunday evening for a two-day visit expected to focus on European Union issues, developments in the Balkan and eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus and the course of Turkey's relations with the EU.
Mr. Lipponen was speaking after meeting with his Greek counterpart Costas Simitis, who said the meeting was constructive and particularly important in light of Finland's presidency of the European Union in the second half of 1999.
Greece's progress towards EMU, the allocation of EU funds, 'Agenda 2000' and continuing talks on EU expansion are all items on the agenda for Finland's presidency.
Mr. Simitis said Helsinki and Athens were in agreement on the EU funds allocation issue.
Both agreed that the principles of convergence and Community solidarity should be stressed in new measures so that member-states could contribute to the Community budget in line with their national wealth, Mr. Lipponen said.
He added that Finland faced problems similar to Greece in having many poorer regions and hoped for Community solidarity for a just distribution of funds, in line with the economic ability of each country.
He added that Helsinki was supportive of Cyprus's accession efforts and that expansion was a leading priority for Finland.
Both men also underlined the need for an effective EU presence in foreign policy.
The Finnish Prime Minister also said problems in relations between Greece and Turkey should be referred to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.
"We need civilized solutions to these problems," Mr. Lipponen said.
Bilateral relations were at a good level and Mr. Simitis said that distance was no obstacle to developing trade.
Mr. Lipponen met earlier with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos at midday.
He later met Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos. According to reports, Mr. Pangalos exchanged views with Mr. Lipponen on developments in the European Union, since Finland will be assuming the EU's rotating presidency in the second half of 1999.
Source: Athens News Agency
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