Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 99-08-30

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr>

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 30/08/1999 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Greek, FYROM PMs agree on future of Balkans and bilateral relations
• Kranidiotis: Cyprus issue remains touchstone of Greek-Turkish ties
• Theododorakis proposed for Nobel peace prize
• Turkey cannot overlook Greece's sensitivity, Cem says
• PM Simitis congratulates javelin gold medallist
• Weather
• Foreign Exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

The prime ministers of Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) met briefly in the northern town of Florina on Saturday to discuss ties between the two countries.

On the agenda for the meeting lasting several minutes between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his FYROM counterpart, Ljupco Georgievski, were expanding bilateral economic and trade links and attaining Balkan peace and stability.

At the same time, the two leaders avoided broaching sensitive issues due to the brief duration of the meeting and the fact that presidential elections will be held in FYROM on October 31, a Greek diplomatic source said.

Also present at the meeting held in Florina's archaeological museum were Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his FYROM counterpart, Aleksandar Dimitrov.

After the talks, Mr. Simitis told reporters that the two countries were on very good terms, which, as neighbours, they should maintain.

Kranidiotis: Cyprus issue remains touchstone of Greek-Turkish ties

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Kranidiotis said yesterday that the Cyprus issue remained the touchstone of Greek relations with Turkey.

"It is a standing position of ours that as long as the Cyprus issue goes unsolved there cannot be a full and substantive normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey," Mr. Kranidiotis said in an interview to the Cypriot Phileleftheros newspaper.

Theododorakis proposed for Nobel peace prize

Greece has proposed the internationally acclaimed composer Mikis Theodorakis as a contender for the Nobel peace prize. At the same time, the conductor and democracy advocate held his last concert, saying he had retired from live performances.

Heading a list of celebrities from the arts, media, science, sports and politics to sign a petition proposing Theodorakis is Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Turkey cannot overlook Greece's sensitivity, Cem says

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem yesterday said that the sensitivity shown by Greece over the earthquake in Turkey can not be explained away by political expiedencies.

In a televised discussion Mr. Cem said "the Greek people did more than any neighbouring people had to do".

He said that this altruistic and humanist reaction will decisively formulate politics, adding "both Greek politicians and us became witnesses of this expression of friendly feelings. It is not possible to overlook this in the formulation of our policies ."

During the same programme, Mr. Cem noted as very important the observations of his Greek counterpart George Papandreou that the earthquake revealed a nostalgia for peace and the accumulation of friendly feelings existing in both peoples."

PM Simitis congratulates javelin gold medallist

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday congratulated Mirela Tzelili for winning the gold medal in the women's javelin at the World Athletic Championships in Seville, Spain, on Saturday.

In his telegram the premier said "we thank you for bringing tears of joy and pride to our eyes. In you as well the prolonged Spring of Greek athletics continues and I am sure that this spring will continue for ever. Congratulations!"

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis, Coalition of the Left (SYN) leader Nikos Constantopoulos and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas also sent congratulatory telegrammes to Tzelili.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Monday's rates (buying)
U.S. dollar          309.782
Pound sterling       491.734
Japanese yen (100)   278.137
French franc          49.389
German mark          165.642
Italian lira (100)    16.731
Irish Punt           411.354
Belgian franc          8.031
Finnish mark          54.488
Dutch guilder        147.010
Danish kr.            43.592
Austrian sch.         23.543
Spanish peseta         1.947
Swedish kr.           37.222
Norwegian kr.         38.896
Swiss franc          202.294
Port. Escudo           1.616
Can. dollar          207.149
Aus. dollar          196.019
Cyprus pound         560.877
Euro                 323.967

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