De Palacio: Turkish Officials Pledged To Resolve Problem About Greek Cypriot-flagged Vessels

ANKARA - European Commission Vice President Loyola de Palacio said on Friday that Turkish officials pledged to resolve the problem about Greek Cypriot-flagged vessels.
Holding a news conference, de Palacio pointed out that the issue of Greek Cypriot-flagged vessels' benefiting from Turkish ports was discussed during her meetings with Turkish officials.
Noting that Turkish officials pledged to resolve the problem, de Palacio told reporters that they would wait for final response of Turkish officials.
Upon a question about European Commission's likely attitude about direct flights to Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), de Palacio said that governments of the EU-member countries would make a decision about it.
De Palacio underlined that they were in favor of a united Cyprus.
Upon another question, de Palacio described Turkey as a strategic partner of the EU as for energy resources.
She stressed that Turkey was a ''bridge of energy'' in efforts to provide long-term energy security of the EU.
Underlining that Turkey was a significant country in regard to transportation of oil and natural gas, de Palacio, said that the energy cooperation between Turkey and the EU should be further strengthened.
Noting that Turkey would be included in interconnection of west European electricity network, de Palacio said that an electricity synchronization would be set up between Turkey and the EU to this end.
She added that issues such as European-Mediterranean energy partnership; Turkey's participation in Galileo Project; Turkey-Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria natural gas pipeline projects; transportation and safety of sea transportation were also high on agenda of her meetings with Turkish officials.
(UK-AY) 16.07.2004