21.   Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis had told the summit Friday that Athens was prepared to lift its veto on the deal on condition that Turkey amended its stance.

22.   Greece has come under big pressure from its EU partners and in June proposed lifting its veto on funds for countries other than Turkey.

23.   He said Greece had shown proof of goodwill by lifting its veto of an allocation of European Union funds to Albania.

24.   In November, Greece in turn made a goodwill gesture by lifting its veto on European Union aid for Albania.

25.   Another source predicted that the absence of any other obvious candidate would increase the pressure on France to lift its veto.

26.   But Meretz has so far refused to lift its veto.

27.   China Monday formally lifted its veto against the deployment of a UN observer mission in Guatemala.

28.   Diplomats said Turkey withdrew its threat after Greece lifted its veto.

29.   Diplomats said Turkey also withdrew its threat after Greece lifted its veto.

30.   EU foreign ministers agreed Monday to go ahead with negotiations with Cyprus in return for Greece lifting its veto on a European customs union with Turkey.