Greece's foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos on Friday pointed out that no EU presidency should exploit its position in order to advance purely national political choices.

Replying to questions, during a regular press briefing, regarding the ongoing discussion at the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in Brussels aimed at formulating a reply (counter-declaration) to Turkey's unilateral declaration on July 29 that its signature of the Association Agreement Protocol -- by virtue of which Ankara extended its customs union agreement with the EU to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus -- did not mean recognition of the internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus and that it refused to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes, and the British EU presidency's stand, Koumoutsakos stressed: "The principle of objectivity is fundamental for the successful exercise of the mission of each and every EU presidency".

"I fear that the developments of the past 24 hours in the discussion in Brussels (COREPER) on this matter render it necessary to repeat this," Koumoutsakos said.

"It is self-evident that no (EU) presidency should take advantage of its abilities for the projection of purely national political choices," Koumoutsakos concluded.

Replying to FM the UK ambassador to Athens Simon Glass said that the British presidency of the European Union carries out its duties objectively and will continue to do this in its efforts to reconcile all the views of the EU member-states, British Ambassador to Athens, Simon Glass, said on Friday in response to earlier statements by the Greek foreign ministry.

Source: Athens News Agency

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