‘Wise men’ postpone meeting

Date: 15/05/1997

By Mark Turner

A MEETING between Turkish and Greek experts to solve their countries' ongoing Aegean dispute will not now take place until the end of the month.

A spokesman for Turkey's mission to the EU claims Athens rejected proposals to hold a first encounter this week in the Netherlands. But Greek diplomats reply that as no date was set in the first place, there was no postponement, and say they are confident that the two sides will meet and hold constructive talks by the end of May.

The 'committee of wise men' will attempt to relieve the ongoing tension between the Mediterranean neighbours over the Aegean sea. It is due to present a non-binding report to EU leaders in June, well in advance of NATO's expected decision in July to invite new members into the alliance.

But officials warn that if the committee does not meet by the end of the month, it will be next to impossible to stick to that timetable.

The members of the committee have been named as Greek law professors Krateros Ioannou and Argyris Fatouros, Turkish professor Suat Bilge and diplomat Sukru Elegtag.

Greece insists the experts will debate only “procedural issues” or “differences of legal interpretation” of international law, such as Greece's maritime limits. But it is clear that the discussions will quickly enter the realm of politics as they broach the status of the disputed Aegean islets which almost led to war last year.

Finding a solution to such problems is seen as vital before both NATO and the EU embark upon enlargement to the east, given Ankaran threats to veto NATO expansion and Greek warnings of a block on EU enlargement if Cyprus is not admitted to the Union.

Greek diplomats suggest a meeting between the Turkish and Greek foreign ministers planned for 26 May could pave the way for agreement.