Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-08
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 8, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ASSUMES COMMAND OF NATO'S MCMFORMED
[02] PRESIDENT CONCLUDES TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
[03] CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY, RECONCILIATION OPENS
[04] THESSALONIKI FORUM BEGINS TODAY
[05] OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY
[06] MULTITUDE OF WORKSHOPS AT THESSALONIKI FORUM
[07] GREEK ECONOMY? IT'S A MIRACLE, EUROPE SAYS
[08] PRESIDENT OF SOLVAKIA ARRIVES IN GREECE TODAY
[09] STABILITY PACT ISN'T BUILDING A WALL AROUND SERBIA
[10] JUSTICE MINISTER: CLEARER ROLES FOR CHURCH, STATE
[11] KAKLAMANIS: EUROPE IS NOT CONCERNED WITH TERRORISM
[12] US$7 MILLION FROM THE BLACK SEA BANK TO A GREEK SHIPBUILDING
COMPANY
[13] THESSALONIKI'S SELECTION TO BECOME THE SEAT OF THE
ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SE EUROPE WAS PROVEN TO BE
CORRECT
[14] THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY OF THE SE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL
BE EXAMINED IN THE THESSALONIKI FORUM
[15] TOPURKOWSKI: THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY IS ECONOMIC GROWTH
[16] THE LACK OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE BALKANS
[17] NICHOLAS CAGE IS IN THE IONIAN ISLAND OF KEFALLONIA
[18] GAINS OF 1.32% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[19] INFLATION WAS AT 2.6% IN APRIL
[20] THE BTC WILL BE SOLD TO OTE-KPN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] EU FMs HOLD INFORMAL MEETING IN AZORES
[22] GREEK-AMERICAN REPUBLICANS PROMOTE GREEK WINES
[23] A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED BY WOMEN PARLIAMENT
MEMBERS FROM GREECE AND TURKEY
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE ASSUMES COMMAND OF NATO'S MCMFORMED
Greece is to assume the command of NATO's Mine Combat Force
(MCMFORMED) and Greek Navy Lieutenant Commander Ioannis
Grammatikakis will relieve Italian Navy Lieutenant Commander
Michele Cassota during a special ceremony at the naval station on
Crete today.
MCMFORMED covers mine combat readiness operations on the
southern flank and is usually composed of 4-6 mine-sweepers and a
command support ship.
The countries contributing to the force are the United
States, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Belgium, the
Netherlands and Greece.
[02] PRESIDENT CONCLUDES TOUR OF NORTHERN GREECE
President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
President Stephanopoulos, who last night concluded his three-day
tour of Northern Greece, was proclaimed an honorary citizen of
Xanthi.
Commenting on the cohabitation of Christians and Moslems, the
President said that "I believe the cohabitation of Moslems and
Christians in Thrace is absolutely harmonious and safe and
constitutes a model of coexistence between people of different
religions."
[03] CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY, RECONCILIATION OPENS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to inaugurate Thessaloniki's
Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe
tomorrow, May 9.
Among those expected to attend the ceremony are the US
Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Butns, many of his counterparts in
various Balkan countries, and other political leaders from the
Balkans and western Europe.
The Center for Democracy is a non-governmental and non-profit
organization, located in Ano Poli, Thessaloniki, and it
coordinates similar international conferences in various
locations.
[04] THESSALONIKI FORUM BEGINS TODAY
The Seventh Annual Thessaloniki Forum is to get underway in
Thessaloniki today, inaugurated by the Minister of Macedonia-
Thrace George Paschalides.
With a focus on the social, political and economic state of
the countries of southeastern Europe, the two-day forum is
organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece and
the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with
the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans based in
Thessaloniki.
Minister of National Economy Yiannos Papantoniou, foreign
minister George Papandreou and US ambassador to Athens Nicholas
Burns are expected to attend, while other participants include
Stability Pact Coordinator Bodo Hobach, the Deputy Prime Minister
of FYROM Vassil Topurkovski and a score of businessmen and
representatives of international organizations such as the World
Bank, the European Bank of Investments and the SECI initiative.
In his address during the welcome dinner last night, Mr.
Paschalides stated that the Greek government's plan for the
reconstruction of the Balkans, budgeted at GRD 180 bn, will
contribute to the efforts already undertaken by the Balkan
countries to adjust their economies to the present conditions,
while it will also allow for new investment opportunities for
Greece's economy.
[05] OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY
The solemn ceremony of the Olympic Flame lighting will be
held at the ruins of ancient Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic
Games, on Wednesday, May 10, featuring a youth choir made up of
men, which marks the first time males participate in the ceremony,
and new music for the priestess' dance based on ancient Greek
choreography and instruments.
Following the ceremony, the flame will be sent on a voyage
across Greece. A total of 550 runners will bear it over a distance
of 1,695 kilometers, while a 495 nautical-mile tour of Aegean
islands will be effected on board the Greek Navy gunboat Warrior.
The torch will travel to Pyrgos, Tripoli and Patras in the
Peloponnese, Mesolongi, Arta, Ioannina, Kastoria, Thessaloniki,
Kavala, Xanthi, Komotini and Alexandroupolis in mainland Greece,
and to the islands of Samothrace, Limnos, Lesvos, Chios, Samos,
Syros, Tinos and Andros over 11 days.
High jump champion Lambros Papacostas will be the first
runner, and world long jump champion Voula Tsiamita will bring the
torch in Athens on May 20, handing over the Olympic flame to the
representatives of the Sydney Organizing Committee for the ××VII
Olympic Games.
The General Governor of Australia Sir William Deane will also
be present.
[06] MULTITUDE OF WORKSHOPS AT THESSALONIKI FORUM
The Seventh Annual Thessaloniki Forum got underway in
Thessaloniki today, featuring the participation of nine Balkan
ministers and Stability Pact Coordinator Bodo Hobach.
With a focus on the social, political and economic state of
the countries of southeastern Europe, the two-day forum is
organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece and
the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with
the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans based in
Thessaloniki.
The Forum will feature a series of workshops divided into
thematic areas of the economy, such as industry, energy,
construction, information systems, tele-communications, marine
industry, transportation, tourism, banking, finance and commerce.
Moreover, participants will have the opportunity to discuss
the prospects of the region's economies, economic cooperation
between Greece and Southeast Europe after the former's accession
to the EMU, Greece's role in the process of economic development
and political stability in the Balkans and the new economic
opportunities arising from the Greek-Turkish cooperation.
Other significant events will be held on the Forum's
sidelines, such as the joint session of the Stability Pact, SECI,
the European Service for Balkan Reconstruction with the World
Bank, EBRD, and the European Investment Bank.
[07] GREEK ECONOMY? IT'S A MIRACLE, EUROPE SAYS
The Stability Pact Coordinator Bodo Hobach, presently
attending the seventh Thessaloniki Forum, characterized Greece as
the best example of an impressive economic development, adding
that everyone in Europe is now talking about the "Greek economic
miracle".
"This recovery would not have been feasible had the Greek
government not proceeded to arduous changes and reforms," he
said, while expressing the hope that the remaining Balkan states
will proceed to similar reforms so that "we may speak of more
European miracles in the future."
[08] PRESIDENT OF SOLVAKIA ARRIVES IN GREECE TODAY
The President of the Republic of Slovakia, Rudolf Schuster
arrived in Athens today for a two-day official visit, following an
invitation from his Greek counterpart Costis Stephanopoulos.
The Slovakian president will hold talks with President
Stephanopoulos, and will also hold separate meetings with prime
minister Costas Simitis, opposition party leaders and Athens mayor
Dimitris Avramopoulos.
[09] STABILITY PACT ISN'T BUILDING A WALL AROUND SERBIA
Yugoslavia will participate on equal terms in the Stability
Pact, as soon as it acquires a democratic government, according to
Bodo Hobach, the Stability Pact's Coordinator.
In his address before the seventh Thessaloniki Forum, Mr.
Hobach stated that "the Stability Pact isn't building a wall
around the Serb people.
"On the contrary, it eagerly awaits the moment when Serbia
will have solved its political problem. We are ready to rebuild
Yugoslavia, as soon as these issues are resolved."
Furthermore, he stressed that the policy of Yugoslav
President Slobodan Milosevic (with whom the Stability Pact
officials refuse to collaborate in any instance) has led the
country ti political and economic destruction.
Mr. Hobach stated that the Stability Pact will assist the
democratic forces of Serbia and Montenegro.
"Within the Stability Pact's framework, we will support the
democratic and European reforms, but the cost for returning to the
democratic and European traditions lies with the Serb people
themselves. In this direction, we will support the independent
media, will continue to meet with opposition mayors and will
support Montenegro," he added.
The Coordinator also underlined the significance of the
private sector's contribution to the reconstruction of
Southeastern Europe and outlined the initiatives undertaken by
international financial organizations in order to attract private
capital in the Balkans.
Specifically, Mr. Hobach spoke of four initiatives already
developing in the region, namely:
1) EBRD has already prepared a project, budgeted at 200 mn
euro, for supporting small-to-medium enterprises in SE Europe.
2) An investment chart has been formed, in order to establish
the framework that will ensure the inflow of private capital in
the region's states.
3) Has embarked on a corruption combating program, in order
to eradicate one of the factors that discourage investments in the
region.
4) Has established a Business Advisory Council, featuring the
participation of all the Stability Pact's members.
"Greece is willing to undertake a leading role in the issue
of reforming SE Europe's banking sector," Mr. Hobach stated,
adding that "in recent talks with the Greek government we agreed
to undertake efforts in improving the region's banking sector."
[10] JUSTICE MINISTER: CLEARER ROLES FOR CHURCH, STATE
Carefully side-stepping the term "separation of church and
state", the newly-appointed Justice Minister Michalis Stathopoulos
called for a clearer, more defined separation between the two,
while he also conceded that Greece, like other countries, does
have to deal with human rights issues.
In an interview with the Athens daily "Ethnos", Mr.
Stathopoulos opined that there is a form of "over-protectiveness"
granted to the Orthodox religion by the state, while he also
stated his disagreement over the listing of religious belief or
affiliation on one's personal identification card, arguing that
this is contrary to the laws pertaining to personal data.
Moreover the minister, a professor and former rector at the
University of Athens and known for his human rights awareness,
remarked that human rights exist for the minorities too.
[11] KAKLAMANIS: EUROPE IS NOT CONCERNED WITH TERRORISM
The issue of terrorism essentially does not concern the
European parliaments and Europe, stated Greek parliament president
Apostolos Kaklamanis, who attended the Council of Europe member-
states parliament presidents' conference.
On the US report on terrorism in Greece, Mr. Kaklamanis
stated that it caused the outrage of the Greek people and the
strong reaction of the Greek government and the political world.
He said that terrorism is an issue used by the United States in
the same way they had used in the past the threat of communism and
more recently the threat of Islam in order to exert pressures and
possibly to undermine policies they do not approve of. That was
the case with the known US state department report, said Mr.
Kaklamanis, that was made public at a time when the talks on
Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations are imminent in New York.
[12] US$7 MILLION FROM THE BLACK SEA BANK TO A GREEK SHIPBUILDING
COMPANY
The procedure for the approval of the sum of US$7 million by
the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank to be granted to a Greek
shipbuilding company that has undertaken to build its sixth ship
in Ukraine, is at its final stage.
Speaking to MPA, Black Sea Bank president Ersoi Volkan stated
that the request for the financing of the specific plan has been
approved by the Bank's credit committee and is already in the
hands of the board of directors for signatures.
Referring to the future plans of the bank, he said that the
initiatives for the establishment of branches of Greek banks in
Turkey and Turkish banks in Greece are seen positively and the
Black Sea Bank initially will back those plans, while in the
future it will participate in them. He underlined that there is
information that Turkish banks intend to open branches in Greece
but he was not in a position to present specific facts.
Referring to the Greek-Turkish cooperation, Mr. Volkan
pointed out that Greek and Turkish businessmen develop initiatives
in the tourist sector and intend to ask to be financed by the
Black Sea Bank.
Mr. Volkan also pointed out that next month he will visit
Albania where he will suggest the development of joint projects
with Greece. He also stated that certain projects in Romania,
Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldavia, Georgia and Armenia are being
examined and evaluated.
[13] THESSALONIKI'S SELECTION TO BECOME THE SEAT OF THE
ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SE EUROPE WAS PROVEN TO BE
CORRECT
Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis speaking in
the opening of the 7th Thessaloniki Forum today expressed the view
that Thessaloniki's selection to become the seat of the
Organization for the Reconstruction of south-eastern Europe has
been proven to be correct.
Mr. Paschalidis referred to the vision to turn Thessaloniki
into a modern center of education, culture and technology,
pointing out that this presupposes the drawing up and systematic
materialization of a strategic plan for the development of
infrastructures in the wider region.
[14] THE COURSE OF THE ECONOMY OF THE SE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WILL
BE EXAMINED IN THE THESSALONIKI FORUM
The determination of the FYROM government to proceed with the
liberalization of the country's economy was underlined by FYROM
minister of finance Borko Adreev speaking in the 7th Thessaloniki
Forum today.
Mr. Adreev stated that his country is in a transitional
period and gave a special emphasis to the unfavorable effects the
crisis in Kosovo had on the development of FYROM. He said that
during the crisis, the country's GDP got only to 2.7% in 1999
instead of the predicted 6.5% while production dropped by 2.6%.
He also pointed out that within the framework of the effort
to attract foreign investments the FYROM government has moved
ahead with the enactment of the necessary legal framework which is
harmonized with the EU legislation.
The priorities of the Albanian government for stability in
the country and mainly its economic development were analyzed by
Albanian minister of finance and privatization Mustafa Muci,
stressing that Greece is one of the most important partners of his
country as over 200 companies are active in Albania with an
invested capital of over US$100 million.
Mr. Muci underlined that the macro-economic stability is the
main priority for the Albanian government which undertakes
initiatives aimed at consolidating a climate of trust with foreign
investors, while he stressed that the telecommunications sector
will be first in the privatization process.
From his side, Bulgarian finance minister Muravey Radev
expressed the view that the negative picture of the Balkans, due
to the tension and the conflicts that prevail, isolate the
countries of the region from the rest of the world and condemn
them to a slow pace of economic development.
Referring to the course of the Bulgarian economy, he pointed
out that in the past 2 years it had positive growth rates and an
increase of foreign investments, while inflation and interest
rates are at very low levels. He also underlined that the
government is making efforts for the country to become an EU
member by January 2007.
Cypriot minister of finance Takis Clerides presented the
basic characteristics of the Cypriot economy and the advantages
offered by the island as an international business center. He said
that the Cypriot economy is satisfactory both in terms of growth
and macro-economic stability as it is confirmed by the reports
issued by all the reliable international organizations.
Mr. Clerides stated that Cyprus is an ideal place for
investments by companies targeting the market of the Middle East,
while it has a wide network protecting foreign investors from
double taxation.
[15] TOPURKOWSKI: THE KEY TO DEMOCRACY IS ECONOMIC GROWTH
The key for the consolidation of democracy in the Balkans is
economic growth, according to FYROM vice-president Vasil
Topurkowski, who was one of the main speakers in the 7th
Thessaloniki Forum lunch today.
He referred to the delays in the structural changes front,
stressing that the region's governments must realize that the
necessary changes can not happen automatically but only through
reforms.
The FYROM government vice-president praised the role of the
international community in the effort for the normalization and
stability in the region, stressing that an international presence
is not possible without the participation of the United States and
NATO, while Russia's important role can not be underestimated.
Referring to the European prospect of FYROM, Mr. Topurkowski
stressed that the third round for the EU association agreements
was especially successful but such agreements should not be
regarded as a panacea for all existing problems.
[16] THE LACK OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IS A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE BALKANS
The major problem in the wider Balkan region is the lack of
economic growth and human resources, while new and significant
problems are being created by issues concerning the internal
affairs of each country, outside factors, historical issues and
political instability, stressed in his speech in Thessaloniki's
Forum US Eastwest Institute founder John Edwin Mroz.
He also pointed out that the problems in the Balkan region
are mainly due to the transitional period in which most Balkan
countries are namely, changing from socialist markets to free
trade as well as, to the creation of new states.
Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies analyst
Vladimir Gligorov stated that in the Balkan countries with a total
population of over 55 million people the gross income is under 98
billion drachmas and the overall exports barely exceed the exports
of Greece. He also added that the imports to those countries show
that there is a deficit in trade balance, while the annual per
capita income is under US$2.000 and the unemployment figures are
disappointing.
President of Eastwest Institute in Turkey Celik Arsel
referring to the Task Force recommendations, he said that the main
goals are to reduce the investment cost, fight unemployment in the
wider region and professional training, adding that the long-term
goal is the customs union of those countries with Europe and the
establishment of intergovernmental institutions of cooperation.
[17] NICHOLAS CAGE IS IN THE IONIAN ISLAND OF KEFALLONIA
Hollywood actor Nicholas Cage, who will play the leading role
in the film titled "Captain Korelli's mandolin", arrived in the
Ionian island of Kefallonia last night on board a private jet. The
film will be based on a book that became a best seller in Britain.
In statements he made upon his arrival at Kefallonia, Mr.
Cage referred to the natural beauties of Greece, its people and
culture and to its cuisine. The shooting of the film will start on
May 18.
[18] GAINS OF 1.32% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Optimism returned to the Athens Stock Exchange because of the
1.32% rise recorded by the general index reaching 4.475,06 points
and the increased volume of transactions that reached 153 billion
drachmas.
Of the 334 stocks trading today 310 recorded gains and only
24 recorded losses.
[19] INFLATION WAS AT 2.6% IN APRIL
The inflation rate in Greece in the month of April was at
2.6% decreased by 0.5% compared to the month of March.
In the previous month inflation was at 3.1%.
[20] THE BTC WILL BE SOLD TO OTE-KPN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS
The sale of 51% of the Bulgarian Telecommunications
Organization, BTC, to the Greek-Dutch joint venture OTE-KPN is
expected to be completed by the end of July, stated to MPA
Bulgarian minister of finance Muravey Radev.
The negotiations have entered the final stage and are
expected to end in success in the next 1 to 2 months, stated Mr.
Radev admitting, however, that the privatization of BTC has been
delayed considerably mainly, due to the complexity of the whole
attempt.
Mr. Radev attributed the delays to the crisis in Kosovo and
to the fact that there was only one bid made for the purchase of
the Bulgarian Telecommunications Organization.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[21] EU FMs HOLD INFORMAL MEETING IN AZORES
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is presently at the Azores
for an informal two-day meeting of European Union foreign
ministers, where he opened a discussion on Turkey's relationship
with the EU as a candidate for membership.
Mr. Papandreou stated that Turkey-EU relations should be
based on the conclusions of the Helsinki summit. The meeting also
accepted a Greek request to establish an association council
between the EU and Cyprus.
[22] GREEK-AMERICAN REPUBLICANS PROMOTE GREEK WINES
New York's Greek-American Republican Association is to host a
Greek wine-tasting event on Wednesday, May 10, in cooperation with
Greece's Trade Bureau in NY.
The event, to be held at Manhattan's "Aura" restaurant, will
feature a variety of 40 Greek wines and various delicacies.
[23] A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED BY WOMEN PARLIAMENT
MEMBERS FROM GREECE AND TURKEY
A memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening peace
and friendship between Greece and Turkey was drawn up by women
parliament members from both countries.
The Turkish newspaper "Milliyet" mentions that the memorandum
stresses that realistic and right solutions that will be approved
by both sides and will protect their interests, are necessary.
The women parliamentarians mention that they will back the
positive rapprochement that has started between the two peoples
and the positive talks between the two governments, stressing that
they will make an effort for the development of a dialogue among
the political parties and the parliaments of both countries.
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