EU Commissioner, Hatzidakis discuss transport-related issues in Nicosia

NICOSIA (AMNA/A. Viketos) -- Issues of particular Greek interest dominated talks here on Tuesday between EU Commissioner for Transport and Commission Vice-president Siim Kallas and the relevant Greek minister, Costis Hatzidakis, on the sidelines of an informal EU transports and telecommunications ministers' summit. The latter said he brief Kallas on progress to better exploit state-owned provincial airports in Greece, as well as efforts to unblock progress in four major privately funded and managed highway projects in the country. The Commission will be called on to make observations on issues of competition, the internal market and transport policy. Hatzidakis also said that the issue of Greece's state-run and loss-making rail provider (OSE) was discussed, noting that the Samaras government has reiterated its volition to privatise the company. "However, there are legal obstacles, on the part of the EU Commission, dealing with issues of state subsidies ... We want to deal with these with the Commission in order to proceed to the next step for reforming OSE and privatising it," he said. Hatzidakis praised Cyprus' recently commenced EU presidency, while he later met with Cypriot Transport and Public Works Minister Efthymios Flourentzos, with talks touching on the BlueMed initiative for the joint management of airspace between Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Malta. Finally, he met with Cyprus Commerce and Industry Minister Neocles Sylikiotis.