Greek Parliament ratified on Tuesday the European Union (EU)'s enlargement treaty which concerns the accession of 10 new member-states to the 15-nation EU, including the Republic of Cyprus.  

Prime Minister Costas Simitis termed the ratification "a historic landmark" in the course of Hellenism, as well as for the EU's development.

"The accession of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes the vindication of the efforts of the Cypriot and Greek people, as they were expressed by their leaderships and the overwhelming majority of their political forces," Simitis said.

Referring to negotiations under the auspices of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the prime minister said "we shall contribute to their success with the Republic of Cyprus, to enable Cyprus to join on May 1 reunified."

Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis also praised the accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU as a historic landmark in the history of Europe.

Foreign Minister and PASOK Party leader George Papandreou, termed the day a "historic vindication of a worthy people."

Papandreou stressed that 2004 will be a crucial year for the Cyprus issue and noted that "it might be the year in which the issue of Cyprus will be solved, based of course on the resolutions of the UN and the acquis communautaire*."

*The entire body of European laws is known as the acquis communautaire.

(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2004)