The collision between a Turkish and a Greek fighter jet in the Aegean and Turkey's EU accession course dominated talks on Wednesday between Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin in Paris.

Karamanlis briefed his French counterpart on the collision between the two fighter aircraft on Tuesday, based on an announcement issued by the Greek defense ministry.

During talks on Turkey's EU accession prospects, meanwhile, the Greek premier underlined that Turkey's European prospects depend on fulfilling the commitments it has undertaken toward Europe and on maintaining good neighborly relations.

The two men also discussed the progress of the EU generally and the European Constitution, which will be the main topic discussed by EU leaders at the upcoming European Council in June.

During the meeting, Karamanlis reiterated Greek positions in favor of the European prospects of the Balkan states, while the French premier pointed out that French President Jacques Chirac had also backed the European prospects of South Eastern Europe.

In talks concerning Kosovo, Karamanlis and Villepin stressed the need for stability, while they reiterated the need for a diplomatic resolution in the issue of Iran's nuclear program, discussing the proposals made by the EU and Russia on this issue.

Karamanlis also repeated the standing Greek positions on resolving the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations and stressed that every move must be well prepared so that it will lead to results.

Villepin raised the issue of a possible purchase by Greece of fourth-generation fighter jets from France, to which Karamanlis replied that the Greek defense ministry had not completed its assessment of the proposal and that he could not make any further comment at this time.

The French premier also thanked Karamanlis for Greece's support in the activities of the Francophonie organization.

Source: Athens News Agency

^
top

print this page   send this page