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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (14/03/1996)From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>Macedonian Press Agency News in English DirectoryMACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISHThessaloniki March 14, 1996TITLES[01] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH LEADERS OF OPPOSITION PARTIES[02] LEADER OF POLITICAL SPRING NOT SATISFIED BY MEETING WITH PREMIER[03] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY WANTS AGREEMENT WITH FYROM, WHILE COALITION OF LEFT AND PROGRESS IS IN FAVOR OF COMPOUND NAME[04] SKOPJE TV FORECASTS A MEETING OF GREEK-FYROM FOREIGN MINISTERS[05] GREECE IS THE ONLY EU MEMBER SUPPORTING ROMANIA IN ITS EFFORT TO ENTER THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, SAID THE ROMANIAN DEPUTY PREMIER[06] EUROPARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES GREEK BORDERS AS EXTERNAL, TOO[07] THREE INITIATIVES TO SOLVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE ARE IN THE WORKS[08] GREEK MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IN CYPRUS TODAY[09] EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC UNION ADOPTS DECLARATION FOR CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIP[10] US EFFORT TO SOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE AIMS AT BILATERAL AGREEMENTS[11] BULGARIAN OFFICIALS WANT CUSTOMS RE-OPENED AT DRAMA[12] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS U.S. ARMS SALE TO TURKEY[13] GREEK TOURISM ORGANIZATION TOUTES ITS HORN IN NEW YORK[14] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORTNEWS IN DETAIL[01] GREEK PREMIER MEETS WITH LEADERS OF OPPOSITION PARTIESThe recent developments in the FYROM name issue acquired priority status during today's meeting held between the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis with leaders of Greece's opposition parties.Following the meeting, Mr. Simitis stated that "today's discussion with the political leaders aims at keeping them updated on the government's thoughts and directions and, of course, at (giving them the opportunity) to formulate) their positions as well." According to the Greek Premier, the Cabinet is participating in talks held between Greece and Skopje, under the aegis of the United Nations. "This negotiation is a corollary of the temporary accord, signed on September 13 1995, and is explicitly provided for therein" Mr. Simitis stated, and added that Greece's relations with its neighboring country continue to develop and the economic and trade co-operation among the two countries is proceeding quite positively. The Greek Premier emphasized that "the name issue remains" and underlined that "our objective is to create a wide front based on a common ground for the specific issue." Concluding, Mr. Simitis stated that prior to proceeding to a final choice, the greek government will examine the other side's position, but added that the decisions drawn by the greek government will be based on the national interests. [02] LEADER OF POLITICAL SPRING NOT SATISFIED BY MEETING WITH PREMIER"National decisions are not drawn by two-party meetings, nor in the sidelines," commended the Political Spring opposition party leader Antonis Samaras, following today's meeting with the Premier.Mr. Samaras stated that he chose not to delve further into the FYROM name issue, since, as he said, he did not wish to grant the government the subterfuge that "supposedly, there was a national dialogue before proceeding to the final decisions." The Political Spring party is in favor of taking the referendum venue regarding the issue of FYROM's name or, at least, holding a meeting of the Political Leaders Council under the aegis of the President of the Hellenid Republic. [03] GREEK COMMUNIST PARTY WANTS AGREEMENT WITH FYROM, WHILE COALITION OF LEFT AND PROGRESS IS IN FAVOR OF COMPOUND NAMEThe Greek Communist Party's (KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Paparega advocated that the interim agreement on the FYROM name between Greece and Scopje be promoted, following today's relevant discussion between Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and opposition leaders.Ms. Paparega stated that there is no geographical issue to be dealt with, since there is territorial respect. Moreover, the Communist leader did not side with the other opposition leader of Political Spring Mr. Samaras on his proposal to hold a Council of Political Leaders, since, as she stated, the parties' positions on the issue are already known, and the final decision-making rests with the government." In turn, the leader of the Coalition of Left and Progress party (Synaspismos) Nikos Konstantopoulos, stated that "Greece must expedite and strengthen the procedures for solving the issue, (by adopting) a compound name." [04] SKOPJE TV FORECASTS A MEETING OF GREEK-FYROM FOREIGN MINISTERSSkopjian Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frctskovski met today with the head of the Greek Liaison Office in FYROM Alexandros Mallias, according to the Skopjian privately-owned television station A-1.The television station refers to sources within the Skopjian Foreign Ministry and reports that the purpose of the discussion was to determine a date for a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers. According to A-1, the meeting will take place on neutral ground, very soon. [05] GREECE IS THE ONLY EU MEMBER SUPPORTING ROMANIA IN ITS EFFORT TO ENTER THE EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS, SAID THE ROMANIAN DEPUTY PREMIERRomanian Deputy Prime Minister Mirtcea Cosea stated in an exclusive interview to MPA that Greece, the only Balkan EU member, is supporting Romania's effort to be incorporated into the european institutions.Mr.Cosea, who participated in the Balkan Conference on Business Cooperation held in Thessaloniki, stated that through this conference Greece proved its interest in claiming a more important political and economic role in the Balkan region. Referring to the relations between Greece and Romania he characterized them as "excellent" and added that there are still more posibilities for cooperation, especially in the banking sector, insurance and the food sector where Northern Greece has a long tradition. Mr.Cosea characterized as useful the meetings he had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and with Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Akis Tsohatzopoulos pointing out that Greece and Romania can cooperate for the rebuilding of former Yugoslavia because, as he said, the two countries maintain excellent relations with the people of Former Yugoslavia. Mr.Cosea expressed satisfaction over the proposal for the opening of a Romanian Information Center in Thessaloniki and added that today he will officially open a Romanian Information Center in Athens which, as he said, was established with the support of greek companies. [06] EUROPARLIAMENT RECOGNIZES GREEK BORDERS AS EXTERNAL, TOOIn a majority vote, European parliamentarians yesterday approved two modifications which, in essense, recognize Greece's borders as Europe's external borders.A europarliamentary vote that condemns the statements made by the Turk-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash regarding the fate of the missing Cypriots is expected to take place today. [07] THREE INITIATIVES TO SOLVE THE CYPRUS ISSUE ARE IN THE WORKSThere are currently three initiatives that aim at solving the Cyprus issue, stated the Cypriot President Glafkos Klerides in an interview granted to the Athens News Agency.According to Mr. Klerides, these initiatives are expected to stem from the United States, the European Union and Britain. Moreover, the U.S. initiative is expected to be presented in June and -possibly- help both sides lessen their differences. [08] GREEK MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IN CYPRUS TODAYThe Greek Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou is in Cyprus today, embarking on talks with Cypriot government officials that aim at a closer co-operation between Greece and Cyprus.Mr. Papantoniou will be received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Klerides to whom he will give a message from Greek Premier Kostas Simitis. The National Economy Minister will also meet with the Cypriot Minister of Finance and will sign agreements for joint trade activities and investments in new markets, such as the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. [09] EUROPEAN DEMOCRATIC UNION ADOPTS DECLARATION FOR CYPRUS' EU MEMBERSHIPThe leaders of parties belonging to the European Democratic Union (UDE), the Prime Minister of Turkey included, adopted a declaration supporting Cyprus' accession in the European Union in their one-day meeting held in Paris yesterday.Cypriot "Democratic Alarm" Party President, mr.Yiannakis Matsis, who participated in the meeting, stated to the cypriot state radio and television that he had the opportunity to meet twice with mr.Yilmaz to whom he stressed that the Cyprus problem is pending for many years and that it is necessary to be resolved within the framework of the European Union. Commenting on the position expressed to greek journalists by the turkish Prime Minister, according to which, Cyprus can not become an EU member before the solution of the Cyprus problem, mr.Matsis said that this is Turkey's firm position aiming at applying pressures on the Greek-Cypriot side. [10] US EFFORT TO SOLVE CYPRUS ISSUE AIMS AT BILATERAL AGREEMENTSThe US effort for the solution of the Cyprus problem focuses on the agreement of both sides on five points.According to information of the cypriot state radio and television, those points are political equality, sovereignty, guarantees, security and de-militarization, Cyprus' membership in the European Union and the territorial issue. Washington believes that both sides should make concessions in a way that will satisfy eachother on issues of immediate interest. According to the same information, the United States will use all their influence immediately after the parliamentary elections in Cyprus in order to achieve even a draft solution before the pre-election campaign for November's US Presidential elections reaches its peak. [11] BULGARIAN OFFICIALS WANT CUSTOMS RE-OPENED AT DRAMABulgarian officials have requested the re-operation of Customs at the Eastern Macedonian city of Exohi in Drama, following a meeting between Greek and Bulgarian officials held in Bulgaria's Goce Delcev Bulgaria.The Drama prefect Socrates Demetriades stated that the central issue of the discussion was the various opportunities that will arise once the customs operation is re-opened. The Bulgarian officials confirmed that the project's construction will be completed by 1998. From the Bulgarian side it was also emphasized that the Exohi Customs will not be limited to a local range but, rather, constitutes a siognificant road axis that will link the Bulgarian and Balkan inland with Kavala's port, which in turn will transform the city into a gateway for North Africa, the Middle East and Asia Minor. [12] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PROTESTS U.S. ARMS SALE TO TURKEYAmnesty International is organizing today a rally against Turkey, outside the State Department building in Washington.The international human rights organization, which has called on the Greek lobby to participate in the rally, is protesting the U.S. sale of Super Cobra-type helicopters to Turkey. [13] GREEK TOURISM ORGANIZATION TOUTES ITS HORN IN NEW YORKThe Greek tourism industry has many competitive advantages to offer, is the mantra-like motto touted by the Greek Tourism Organization's (EOT) New York offices, in light of the forecoming surge of American tourists who want to explore Greece this summer.On Saturday, EOT embarked on an extensive program of seminars given to its U.S.-stationed agents, begining in Miami and, after spanning ten of the largest American cities, ending in Los Angeles on April 25. Substantial attention will be given to the Atlanta seminar, as this year's campaign theme will be the "Pledge of Honor to the Oluympic Spirit -Athens 1896- Atlanta 1996." According to EOT's Regional Director for the United States and South America Alexandros Mourkoyiannis, the Organization has embarked on an advertising campaign, whose approximate cost reaches half a million dollars, with a high number of television ads, mainly to be seen in CNN, and extensive layouts of industry magazines such as Travel and Leisure, considered to be the bible of any self-respecting American traveler, and newpapers such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and Boston Globe. It should be mentioned that -according to sources- at least two of these dailies will print a special insert edition on the occasion of the Greek Premier's upcoming visit to the U.S. next month. Mr. Mourkoyiannis, referring to the Organization's five-year range aims, stated that the Greek tourism industry would like to extend the traditonal tourism season beyond the popular summer months, promote Greece's cultural magnetism, as well as offer new itineraries to the tourists, such as Halkidiki which, aside from its natural beauty also has the proper structure to rightfully covet a place next to Mykonos and Corfu. [14] FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE REPORTCURRENCY FIXING BUY SELL ECU 303.0940 302.1850 304.0030 U.S. Dollar 241.4700 240.7460 242.1940 Deutsche Mark 163.9700 163.4780 164.4620 UK Sterling 367.9200 366.8160 369.0240 French Franc 47.8660 47.7220 48.0100 Swedish Crown 35.6360 35.5290 35.7430 Danish Kroner 42.4450 42.3180 42.5720 Norwegian Crown 37,6720 37.5590 37.7850 Italian Lira 15.3685 15.3220 15.4150 Swiss Franc 203.2500 202.6400 203.8600 Spanish Peseta 1.9510 1.9451 1.9569 Finnish Mark 52.6800 52.5220 52.8380 Yen 229.1600 228.4730 229.8470 |
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