German Chancellor Holds Arms Talks in Greece
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ATHENS
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she was “optimistic” that Greece would agree to buy 60 Eurofighter jets, following talks here with Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis.
Greece ordered 60 Eurofighters for some 5.1 billion euros ($6.6 billion) in 2000 but subsequently delayed the deal. Merkel told a joint press conference with Caramanlis that negotiations were underway to revive the agreement and both countries were “on the right path.”
“The procedure must be open and transparent. This will take more time, but we are optimistic,” she said. The pair also reportedly discussed regional issues like Greek-Turkish relations and the future of Kosovo. Merkel took the opportunity to pressure Turkey to sign an EU protocol fully opening its ports to Cypriot ships. “We want the application of this protocol,” she said.
In July 2005, Turkey signed a protocol extending its customs agreement with the EU to the 10 new states that joined in 2004, including the island of Cyprus which Ankara refuses to recognize.
But its parliament has yet to ratify the document, and Ankara continues to block Cypriot ships’ access to Turkish ports.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2913863&C=europe
By AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, ATHENS
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday she was “optimistic” that Greece would agree to buy 60 Eurofighter jets, following talks here with Prime Minister Costas Caramanlis.
Greece ordered 60 Eurofighters for some 5.1 billion euros ($6.6 billion) in 2000 but subsequently delayed the deal. Merkel told a joint press conference with Caramanlis that negotiations were underway to revive the agreement and both countries were “on the right path.”
“The procedure must be open and transparent. This will take more time, but we are optimistic,” she said. The pair also reportedly discussed regional issues like Greek-Turkish relations and the future of Kosovo. Merkel took the opportunity to pressure Turkey to sign an EU protocol fully opening its ports to Cypriot ships. “We want the application of this protocol,” she said.
In July 2005, Turkey signed a protocol extending its customs agreement with the EU to the 10 new states that joined in 2004, including the island of Cyprus which Ankara refuses to recognize.
But its parliament has yet to ratify the document, and Ankara continues to block Cypriot ships’ access to Turkish ports.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=2913863&C=europe