Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Molyviatis: Kosovo solution must strengthen Balkan security, stability

[02] Sections of Lesvos Petrified Forest open to public

[03] Sioufas on new ELPE electricity plant

[01] FM Molyviatis: Kosovo solution must strengthen Balkan security, stability

Molyviatis said that the Greek government, in all the discussions on Kosovo's future status, incessantly stressed that "the solution must be the result of negotiations and not the product of imposition, it must be founded on the European Union principles and values, and it must respect international leglaity, keeping in mind the UN Security Council resolutions".

Referring to his recent visits to Pristina and Belgrade together with his Croatian and Romanian counterparts, the Greek foreign minister stressed the need for continuous and substantive breifing of the neighbouring countries on the Kosovo issue.

Molyviatis headed an informal Troika of the SE Europe Cooperation Process, which also comprised deputy foreign ministers Lucian Leustean of Romania and Hidajet (Hido) Biscevic of Croatia to Pristina and Belgrade earlier in the month. The Troika held talks with the UN secretary general's special representative to Kosovo and head of the UNMIK (UN interim administration Mission in Kosovo) Soren Jessen-Petersen, Kosovo president Ibrahim Rugova, prime minister Bajram Kosumi, Serb Ticket for Kosovo and Metohija leader Oliver Ivanovic, and opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo chairman Hashim Thaci while in Pristina, and with Serb president Boris Tadic, prime minister Vojislav Kostunica, and Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic in Belgrade.

"The role of the United Nations, the European Union, the US, Russia and the other countries of the Contact Group is indisputably important, but the neighbouring countries must also have a significant role, since they are the ones that will directly be affected by the consequences of the developments," Molyviatis stressed in the interview with BETA news agency.

He said Greece had a particularly weighty role in the process for a Kosovo solution, given that it was the only country in the region that is a member of the EU and NATO, and given its non-permament seat on the UN Security Council "in this critical period".

On developments concerning the cohesion of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, Molyviatis said it was a "crucial matter that has serious repercussions on the entire Balkan region, particularly now that the process for deciding the future status quo of Kosovo is underway".

Molyviatis further spoke on bilateral relations between Greece and Serbia-Montenegro, noting that the two countries were bound by historic ties of friendship while, their political relations were excellent and their economic ties were being strengthened, as were their relations in the sectors of tourism and culture as well.

[02] Sections of Lesvos Petrified Forest open to public

The new sections are the Sigri and Plaka Sigri parks, which had undergone restoration work funded by the Northern Aegean Regional Operational Programme.

The seven-hectare Plaka Sigri park is famous for containing the largest fossil tree trunk in the entire world, with a circumference of 13.7 metres and a diameter of 3.7 metres, while the smaller Sigriou park contains an entire fossilised root system of several trees.

Pictured at left is the largest fossil tree trunk in the world, located in the Plaka Sigri park. (ANA file photo/Alexandros Beltes)

[03] Sioufas on new ELPE electricity plant

At the same time, the minister stressed that ELPE's electricity production plant, "the first private one in our country, is very significant and reinforces stability and the safety of the system of the production of electricity energy in Greece."

The development minister evaluated that the situation in the deregulation of the electricity energy market will smooth out.

The electricity production plant in Thessaloniki is expected to be officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on January 27.

Meanwhile, Sioufas on Wednesday briefed Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on the tender which is expected to take place for another three new private electricity production plants of 900 MW. Sioufas said "the tender will be given for public consultation, in order for there to be complete transparency, but also for the safeguarding of public interest."

Greece's first privately-owned power plant started operation on December 24 in Echedoros, Thessaloniki. The 390MW power plant, which produces electricity with the use of natural gas, is located in the Hellenic Petroleum (ELPE) industrial complex in Echedoros municipality, Thessaloniki, and is the first private investment in electricity production in Greece following the deregulation of the electricity and natural gas market.

The 250 million euros plant, built by ELPE subsidiary 'Energiaki Thessalonikis S.A.', is considered one of the most important investments in the energy sector, and its operation is expected to contribute to rendering Thessaloniki an energy hub for SE Europe, and the region's linking with the trans-European energy networks.

Sioufas hailed the opening of the plant as "a historic moment for the Greek energy market", adding that "the new plant provides new possibilities and prospects for the safety and stability of the system". He also said that the deregulation of the electricity and natural gas markets according to rules will create a new reality that will bring new investments, increase employment and provide businesses, industry and domestic consumers with alternative options when choosing their supplier of power, stressing that this was a major conquest.

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