From: Theodore Zarros Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Mon, 5 Dec 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, December 5, 1994 --------------------------------------------- * "Greece, a gateway to Europe", Russian official tells economic co-operation meeting in Moscow * Papoulias to veto CSCE entry bid by FYROM * Opposition leader at Brussels party meeting * PM does not rule out Essen meeting with Kohl, Mitterrand * President, PM to meet on national issues * SYN leader calls for fialogue,co-operation-oriented foreign policy reappraisal * Papoulias renews support for Bosnia peace plan * Israeli PM underscores Arsenis visit as "important landmark" * Socialist International Council meeting ends in Budapest "Greece, a gateway to Europe", Russian official tells economic co-operation meeting in Moscow -------------------------------------------------------------- Moscow, 05/12/1994 (ANA-D.Constantakopoulos): Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Krylov termed Greece "a gateway to Europe", addressing the first conference on Greco-Russian economic relations concluded in Moscow yesterday. The conference was jointly organised by the Greek Embassy in Moscow and a group of Greek businessmen in Russia. Over 500 enterprises from Russia, Balkan countries and Greece participated, including businesses belonging to expatriate Greeks. It was sponsored by the Russian Foreign Ministry and attended by the Russian Merchant Marine Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister and leaders of the main "lobby" industries (Volski, Kyvelidis and the "Round Table of Businessmen"). The conference was inaugurated by the Greek Ambassador to Moscow Kyriakos Rodousakis. Alternate Industry Minister Christos Rokofyllos, Foreign Under-secretary Gregoris Niotis, Economy Under-secretary Ioannis Anthopoulos and Public Works Under-secretary Ioannis Tsachlides attended on behalf of Greece. Cypriot Commerce Minister Stelios Koiliaris was also present. It is Greece's first systematic effort to approach the post-Soviet market which emerges after five years of stagnation. Turkey, over the same period, succeeded in achieving a spectacular expansion of its economic (and political) presence in the Common wealth of Independent States (CIS), reversing the relative balance in Greek-Russian and Turkish-Russian relations existing at the end of the past decade. The Greek bid coincides with the start of the implementation phase of three important Greek-Russian projects (oil, natural gas and alumina), including a clear trend towards restoring Russia's geopolitical status, particularly in the former USSR and the Balkans, a development favouring Greek national interests. The Greek private sector, hesitant so far, has been given an opportunity to gain first-hand information in Moscow, and proceed with a more specific approach to Russian state or private agencies. A tangible result of the conference was the operation of permanent Greco-Russian committees coordinated by the Greek Embassy in separate sectors of commerce, banking, energy, shipping, tourism and technology (with emphasis on communications). The committees will facilitate examination of specific co-operation plans and problems with a view to organising a second conference and the future operation of a Greek-Russian chamber of commerce. The extent of Greek-Russian co-operation both in the Balkans and Middle East were manifest at official talks and meetings held on the sidelines of the conference. Special emphasis was laid on the possibilities of Krasnodar and Sevastopol regions playing a "pilot" role in developing Greek-Russian economic co-operation. Those regions, home to Pontian Hellenism in Russia, were visited last week by a representation he aded by Foreign Under-secretary Gregoris Niotis who renewed Athens' interest in developing co-operation. The Moscow conference agreed to establish a special group for the Black Sea region to monitor progress in economic co-operation plans on a permanent basis. At the same time, it should contribute towards coordinating Greek efforts which are often scattered and made by various private or state agencies which are frequently unaware of each other's existence. Economic sources in Moscow believe Greece has a possibility of penetrating the markets of Russia and other CIS states which are extremely interesting, both from an economic and a strategic point of view, following in the steps of a successful Greek a ppearance in Balkan countries. However, Greece should hurry as opportunities will not linger indefinitely, sources said. Papoulias to veto CSCE entry bid by FYROM ----------------------------------------- Budepest, 05/12/1994 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias will represent Greece at the summit meeting of the 53-nation Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) which opens here today. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov will also be present and ask for his country's admission to the CSCE, which Greece opposes. Mr. Papoulias will veto any attempt by FYROM to become a full CSCE member, sources said. Greece also blocked FYROM's bid on November 18, at a meeting of the CSCE's Committe of Senior Officials (CSO), in Budapest. Greece opposes FYROM's use of the name 'Macedonia', arguing that it conceals irredentist designs against Greece's northern province of Macedonia. Athens also demands that FYROM remove the ancient Greek symbols from its flag and amend the preamble of its constitution which also, according to Greece, indicates irredentist designs. Cyprus will be represented by President Glafcos Clerides. Opposition leader at Brussels party meeting ------------------------------------------- Budepest, 05/12/1994 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert leaves for Brussels Wednesday, to take part in the European Peoples' Party summit Thursday. PM does not rule out Essen meeting with Kohl, Mitterrand ------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 05/12/1994 (ANA): Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou on Saturday did not rule out a meeting with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and French President Francois Mitterrand on the sidelines of the European Union summit in Essen, December 8-9. Speaking to the press upon his arrival at a reception given by President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis at the Presidential Palace for the Mass Media, the Premier said he would "gladly" meet with Mr. Kohl and Mr. Mitterand. Commenting on a press report that Mr. Kohl and Mr. Mitterrand would try to meet him, Mr. Papandreou said: "Gladly. We are the Troika at European Union level." Mr. Papandreou also denied that pressure would be exerted on Greece during the summit on the country's relations with Turkey and Albania. An ANA report from Bonn Friday, quoted diplomatic sources as saying the meeting might be requested by Mr. Kohl in an effort by the German Presidency to persuade Greece to keep separate Turkey's customs union with the EU from Greece's request that the 12 set a date for beginning negotiations on Cyprus' entry to the EU. President, PM to meet on national issues ---------------------------------------- Athens, 05/12/1994 (ANA): President of the Republic Constantine Karamanlis will meet with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, today at 1pm. Discussion will focus on the course of national issues in light of the European Union summit in Essen, Germany December 8-9. SYN leader calls for fialogue,co-operation-oriented foreign policy reappraisal ----------------------------------------------------------------- Athens 05/12/1994 (ANA): Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party President Nikos Constantopoulos Saturday said he intended to visit Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), and called for redefining Greece's foreign policy in the Balkans. He noted it was time for "important initiatives for dialogue, understanding and co-operation." Mr. Constantopoulos was speaking at Athens airport, on his return from Belgrade, where he held talks with Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic and other high ranking Serbian and Yugoslavian officials on the situation in the Balkans. He had recently visited Tirana and Sofia. "In Belgrade, as well as in Sofia and Tirana, we have ascertained it is time for Greek foreign policy to take important initiatives towards dialogue, understanding and co-operation. The time of isolation, self-complacency and inertia has long passed. There are enormous possibilities which are not being exploited at the right time or in the right way," he said. His party, Mr. Constantopoulos said, believed Greece should always be present in developments taking place in the Balkans. "The Coalition wants to continue its initiative of communication, dialogue and common reflexion on the present and future condition of the Balkan peoples," he said adding, "with this thought in mind we should proceed to Skopje December 18 to 20, and th en Bucharest and Ankara." Papoulias renews support for Bosnia peace plan ----------------------------------------------- Brussels, 05/12/1994 (ANA-K.Verros/F.Stangos/V.Demiris): Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, addressing a press conference at the end of the Contact Group's meeting, said "Greece, being very close to the war zone and having been harmed by the Yugoslav crisis just like other Balkan countries, wholeheartedly supports efforts for a peaceful solution to the crisis." Mr. Papoulias said he felt it was important that emphasis be laid on the need to find a solution to the constitutional aspect, acceptable to all parties and securing their balanced treatment. The Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group countries declared unanimously that the only solution to the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina could be achieved at the negotiating table only, not on the battlefield. The joint communique issued by the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Russia, the US, Britain and Greece said the basis for settling the conflict remained a territorial 49-51 per cent division, and a commitment for the integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Moreover, it was pointed out that parties concerned should agree to a constitutional settlement anticipating "equal and balanced agreements for the Bosnian-Croat and Bosnian-Serb entities." The Contact Group's communique called on all states in former Yugoslavia to proceed with mutual recognition as soon as possible, within their internationally-recognised borders, terming the initiative an important move towards future stability in the region. However, no reference was made to alleviating economic sanctions against Belgrade as wished by the Greek side. Diplomatic sources said that in this way, the Contact Group hoped to pressure Serb President Slobodan Milosevic to make a further gesture, by recognising the territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Contact Group Foreign Ministers expressed support for UN Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) which are carrying out an important mission that should continue on condition dangers do not become unacceptable. Replying to a question on constitutional settlements, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said balanced and just treatment meant each entity should have an opportunity to obtain its own constitutional and geographical framework after reaching agreement with the others. Diplomatic sources said that, according to the accord, Bosnian Serbs would have the right to create a form of confederation with New Yugoslavia, a right already recognised for the Bosnian-Croat entity with Washington's agreement. The sources said a precondition for maintaining a balance would be a joint desire to exercise that right. Israeli PM underscores Arsenis visit as "important landmark" -------------------------------------------------------------- Tel Aviv, 05/12/1994 (ANA-M.Zarkadis): Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yitzhak Rabin yesterday said Greek National Defence Minister Gerasimos Arsenis' visit to his country which ended yeterday, "constitutes an important landmark in relations between t he two countries." Saying he had had three opportunities for private talks with Mr. Arsenis, Mr. Rabin declared "the visit by the Defence Minister of Greece and the agreement we signed also constitute an important landmark in relations governing our defence structures." Mr. Arsenis started his four-day visit - the first ever by a Greek National Defence Minister to Israel - on Thursday. The two men signed a draft military co-operation agreement between the two countries which provides for joint exercises in the eastern Mediterranean, reciprocal training of officers and co-operation in the military industry sector. Mr. Rabin, who attended a reception given in Mr. Arsenis' honour by the Greek ambassador on Saturday, said an important element was to exchange visits, see each other and understand each other's problems. "Through direct contact - not of the kind we hear about in the media - we understand our countries' problems and create better foundations for co-operation," Mr. Rabin said. For his part, Mr. Arsenis said his visit showed there was considerable room for co-operation in the defence sector, adding that he had had three private meetings with Mr. Rabin on issues concerning the course towards pacification in the Middle East and the connection between problems in the area with developments in southeastern Europe. Mr. Arsenis said they also discussed "co-operation issues in the military industry sector, and we decided to plan joint military exercises in the southeastern Mediterranean." "Apart from specific steps we decided, determined contact and getting to know each other are also included. I am deeply satisfied with the direct nature and sincerity of the talks I had with Mr. Rabin, which constitute a serious basis on which to deve lop our co-operation," Mr. Arsenis said. Socialist International Council meeting ends in Budapest -------------------------------------------------------- Budepest, 05/12/1994 (ANA-V. Mourtis): A shift in public opinion in central and eastern Europe from the free market economy to the "social market economy", is already visible, according to the Socialist International Council held in Budapest. A communique issued Saturday at the end of the meeting said the era eastern and central European countries believed their future lay with the free market economy was now over, and this was being realised in those countries. At the same time, a turn towar ds an economy with a strong social character was taking place. The turn is also corroborated by election results in such countries, with special reference to Lithuania, Poland and Hungary. The International called for an increase in economic aid to those countries, saying it would serve as a catalyst not only for social development but for supporting private investments too. The need was also stressed to implement programmes for education in economic administration, modernise the agricultural economy, develop environmental protection and seek alternative energy sources. Referring to human rights, the International stressed the necessity to combat ideologies based on racial discrimination which stir up hatred between national, religious and other social groups. In this context, the International was examining A proposal by PASOK at the previous Council on creating a special committee to monitor development of the phenomenon and examine proposals for rallying against neo-fascism and neo-Nazism both on a national and international scale. The committee is expected to be set up at the next Council. On the question of the Middle East and the pacification process, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said economic aid should be given to the Palestinians, adding that an improvement in living standards would constitute a basis for combating terrorism which, he said, was fuelled by poverty and privation. The Council also included the "established" confrontation between Cypriot Socialist Party leader Vassos Lyssarides and Turkish Social Democrat Party leader Erdal Inonu. Mr. Erdal requested permission to make a supplementary statement, and replied to PASOK Central Committee Secretary Akis Tsohatzopoulos who denounced the Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the continuing occupation of territory, saying that Turkey had acted in the framework of international law and legality. Mr. Lyssarides retorted that the Turkish invasion constituted a violation of international law and international legality norms, and wondered how a socialist like Mr. Inonu could maintain that solutions to problems could be found through military methods. On the sidelines of the two-day Council concluded Saturday, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos held talks with Socialist International President Pierre Maurois, Hungarian Foreign Minister Laszlo Kovac, Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, German Social Democrat Party President Rudolf Scharping and Cyprus Socialist EDEK Party President Vassos Lyssarides.