Athens, 19/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis continued to hope that a solution would soon be reached to allow the EU to conclude an agreement on recourse to NATO means for NATO-led peace-keeping operations. The European Council of Barcelona entrusted the Council President, Josep Piqué, and High Representative Javier Solana with making swift contact at the highest level on this subject, and Costas Simitis pointed out that a meeting aimed at "finding a solution acceptable for all" would be held "within the framework of the EU", on 22 March in Spain. Greece is particularly keen on bringing the key issue within the context of the Union structures. The issue had been negotiated bilaterally between the United States and the United Kingdom with Turkey. "If guarantees are given to any third country, then principle of reciprocity must be applied, that is to say analogous guarantees for each country", said Mr Simitis, who again insisted on the need to reconcile the EU's autonomy of decision and its essential cooperation with NATO.