Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-06-01
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 1, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HEATED PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON OLYMPIC GAMES
[02] ENERGY MINISTERS MEET IN ATHENS FOR CONFERENCE
[03] GORBACHEV TO OPEN THESSALONIKI MEDICAL CENTER
[04] PM AT "PROGRESSIVE GOVERNING IN 21ST CENTURY"
[05] CYPRUS, GREECE AGREE ON ECHR RULING ON LOIZIDOU
[06] GREEK EXPORTS TO TURKEY SHOOT UPWARDS
[07] BURSA MAYOR SALUTES THESSALONIKI'S LEADING ROLE
[08] CONFERENCE REVIEWS EU's, GREECE's LABOR MARKETS
[09] BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING IN THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 7
[10] THE NEW ROUND OF TALKS ON THE FYROM NAME WILL TAKE PLACE ON
JUNE 13
[11] EUROPEAN TRADE CONFERENCES IN ATHENS AND THESSALONIKI
[12] LOSSES OF 1.63% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[13] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ON THE MOSQUE IN ATHENS
[14] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE "HURRIYET" PUBLICATION
[15] PAPANDREOU WILL ATTEND THE BILDENBERG CLUB MEETING
[16] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE MOSQUE IN ATHENS
[17] INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRANSPORTATION IN THESSALONIKI
[18] ROYAUMONT INITIATIVE NOW PART OF STABILITY PACT
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] GREEK-CZECH MAN SCAMS BULGARIANS WITH "JOBS"
[20] PAPOULIAS IS ON A VISIT TO BELGRADE
[21] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IS IN TORONTO
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HEATED PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON OLYMPIC GAMES
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and main opposition party
leader, New Democracy's Costas Karamanlis, cross their swords
yesterday during a pre-agenda parliamentary debate on the 2004
Olympic Games.
The Premier angrily rejected the opposition's arguments on
project delays and accused ND of having "nihilistic logic" over
the past four years on all issues.
Moreover, Mr. Simitis expressed his certainty that all
objections will be dismissed in practice and referred to Greece's
accession to the Economic and Monetary Union as an example of the
country's prospects and potential.
[02] ENERGY MINISTERS MEET IN ATHENS FOR CONFERENCE
Energy ministers from Mediterranean, Balkan and Black Sea
countries are arriving in Athens today, in order to attend a two-
day conference titled "The Effects of Energy Programs in the
Mediterranean and Black Sea".
Greece's Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis will be a
keynote speaker in the conference, which is organized by the
European Commission and the Greek Ministry of Development, while
the event will also be attended by Union Commissioner Loyola de
Palacio.
The agenda includes issues on cooperation regarding energy,
environment, petrol transport, natural gas transport, safe
transport and financing of relevant projects.
[03] GORBACHEV TO OPEN THESSALONIKI MEDICAL CENTER
Michael Gorbachev, the last leader of the former Soviet
Union, will be in Thessaloniki on June 17 to inaugurate the city's
"George Apostolopoulos" Balkan Medical Center.
In addition to Mr. Gorbachev, the event will attended by
dignitaries from around the world.
[04] PM AT "PROGRESSIVE GOVERNING IN 21ST CENTURY"
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is departing today for Berlin
where he will participate in the international conference titled
"Progressive Governing in the 21st Century" on June 2-3.
United States President Bill Clinton, European center-left
leaders and representatives of Latin American countries will also
take part in the conference, while eight of the European Union's
15 member-states will be represented, along with Brazil,
Argentina, Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Israel.
The conference constitutes the first time that the central-
left forces and the social democrats are searching for a cohesive
strategy in the new era's problems.
As the Premier has stressed, this is the first time in
Greece's modern history that the country has a role in activities
that can shape the beginning of a change in the world's
political character.
In an article he penned in last Sunday's edition of "To
Vima", Mr. Simitis wrote that the conference "has to give essence
to the future, discuss ways with other progressive leaders to
avail the future to all, with equal opportunities, without
exceptions."
Mr. Simitis stated that the globalized economy is creating
globalized problems, which necessitate international cooperation.
"Globalization is not a dilemma, it's an irreversible
reality," he stated, adding "the question is how do we take
advantage of the opportunities, what are the political costs, with
what regulatory measures are we going to counter the mechanisms
that transform society into a market or ostracize social justice."
The Greek Premier stressed that "the conference will grant
the 15 world leaders with the opportunity to search for answers
for a progressive government, stemming from the common values that
bind us, such as liberty, democracy, social justice, respect for
human dignity, as well as solidarity and mutual responsibility."
The conference features the participation of those socialist
leaders in the EU who are presently in office.
Aside from Mr. Simitis, other European leaders attending the
event are the premiers of Britain, France, Italy, Portugal, the
Netherlands and Sweden.
[05] CYPRUS, GREECE AGREE ON ECHR RULING ON LOIZIDOU
Cyprus and Greece ascertained a coincidence of views in
regards to a European Court of Human Rights ruling against Turkey
in the case of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou, following a meeting
of pertinent officials held in Athens yesterday.
Cypriot government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stated that
Cyprus will press on with its efforts to get the ruling executed
and intends to apply all legal and political means to achieve this
objective,
He also indicated that the postponement of the execution of
the Court decision in the case is tantamount to a denial of the
European principles by the Europeans themselves and ruled out any
exchange of property between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
"The object of the exercise is to push for implementation of
the Court judgment in the Loizidou case and to this effect, we
shall study various options that would lead to the execution of
the decision as soon as possible," Mr. Papapetrou said.
[06] GREEK EXPORTS TO TURKEY SHOOT UPWARDS
Greek exports to Turkey increased by 163% during the period
of 1994-98, with the corresponding trade volume having risen by
127 percent, according to the chairman of Thessaloniki's Trade and
Industry Chamber (EVETH) Dimitris Bakatselos.
Specifically, Greek-Turkish overall trade volume rose to
MECU639 in 1998, marking over a two-fold increase from 1994's MECU
259.
According to provisional data, this upward trend continued
its course in 1999, surpassing the 507-million-ECU mark during the
first ten months. Greek exports to Turkey reached 305 million
ECU in 1998, a significant increase from 1994's 116 million ECU,
while in the first ten months of 1999 alone, exports reached 227
million euro.
Turkey's exports to Greece marked a 127-percent increase
between 1994-98, starting in '94 at 143 million ECU and reaching
MECU325 in '98. Turkish exports during the first ten months of '99
reached 230 million euro.
Heading a Greek delegation in a recent visit to Bursa's Trade
and Industry Chamber, Mr. Bakatselos also referred to the Greek
plan for the reconstruction of Southeast Europe, the first such
project already submitted.
"The need to reconstruct the region constitutes a singular
opportunity to develop cooperation between Greek and Turkish
firms," Mr. Bakatselos stated, adding that bilateral trade can
develop into joint ventures, especially in the sectors of tourism
and transportation.
Mr. Bakatselos also stated that he agrees with the Turkish
conglomerate and chairman of the Turkish-Greek Business
Cooperation organization Sarik Tara, who recently said that
overall trade between Greece and Turkey, presently standing at
$2.5 billion, can reached the 25-billion-dollar mark during the
next ten year period.
In turn, the chairman of Bursa's Trade and Industry Chamber
Jelal Sonmez stressed that both neighbors could work together in
an array of sectors, while he added that economic cooperation in
the Black Sea region will contribute to the promotion and
improvement of the region's trade and economy. He also stated that
Greek-Turkish cooperation will strengthen the plan of
reconstructing the "Silk Route" and will boost trade between
Europe and China.
[07] BURSA MAYOR SALUTES THESSALONIKI'S LEADING ROLE
Thessaloniki should be declared the Greek capital of Greek-
Turkish cooperation, according to the Mayor of Bursa Erdogan
Bilenser who met with the visiting business delegation of
Thessaloniki's Trade and Industry Chamber (EVETH).
In talks with EVETH's chairman Dimitris Bakatselos, the
Turkish Mayor stated that he had submitted a proposal six months
ago for the twinning of the two cities and asked for EVETH's input
to bringing the idea to life.
Moreover, Mr. Bilenser proposed the twining of Bursa's and
Thessaloniki's universities, adding that Thessaloniki could then
become Greece's capital of Greek-Turkish cooperation, a title
Bursa itself attained a few months ago.
Mr. Bakatselos pledged to convey and promote Mr. Bilesner's
twinning requests.
[08] CONFERENCE REVIEWS EU's, GREECE's LABOR MARKETS
Labor market flexibility will the main topic at a conference
to be held in Athens on June 5, jointly organized by the of Human
Resources Training and Developing Institute and the European
Union.
The conference is sponsored by ADECCO, the world's largest
human resources services firm.
Titled "Flexibility in the labor market and European
practices", the conference will examine the labor-related
tendencies, both in Greece and the EU.
[09] BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING IN THESSALONIKI ON JUNE 7
An informal meeting of the Balkan foreign ministers will be
held in Thessaloniki on June 7 within the framework of the
Stability Pact.
The participating Balkan foreign ministers will consider the
Stability Pact agreement in its triple dimension namely, the
regional security and minorities, the economic activities and the
functioning of the democratic institutions in the Balkans.
The meeting will not be attended by Turkish foreign minister
Ismail Cem because of previous engagements and he will be
represented by his assistant, Mr. Albukan. The Albanian government
will be represented by the trade minister.
[10] THE NEW ROUND OF TALKS ON THE FYROM NAME WILL TAKE PLACE ON
JUNE 13
The new round of talks on the name of FYROM will take place
on June 13-15 at a permanent representatives level. The position
of Greece, according to diplomatic circles, remains the same and
is ready to hold discussions aimed at reaching a mutually
acceptable agreement.
The diplomatic circles stress that it is to the interest of
both countries to develop their relations at all levels and that
the right framework will be found for the final settlement and
solution of the issue.
[11] EUROPEAN TRADE CONFERENCES IN ATHENS AND THESSALONIKI
European conferences on trade issues will be held in Athens
and Thessaloniki in June and in September within the framework of
a series of relevant events organized by the European Commission
in 33 cities of EU member-states.
The European conferences on trade will be held in Athens
tomorrow and the day after, while similar events will be organized
to take place in Thessaloniki in September within the framework of
the International Trade Fair. The representatives of the European
Commission and Greek commerce institutions will have the
opportunity to exchange views on electronic trade and the Euro as
well as on public authorities and professional unions.
About twenty million people in the European Union are
occupied in the trade sector offering 16% of the overall job
positions in the united Europe, while there are about 5 million
business enterprises and the sector of trade represents 13% of the
EU member-states' GDP.
[12] LOSSES OF 1.63% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses of 1.63% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
and the general index was at 4.532,98 points in spite of the
positive messages yesterday on the course of the market.
The volume of transactions was 149 billion drachmas.
[13] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY ON THE MOSQUE IN ATHENS
Both the government and the foreign minister with the
responsible ministries continue the efforts to complete the
procedures regarding the construction of an Islamic cultural
center and a mosque in the region of Peania, Athens.
The above were stated by foreign ministry spokesman Panos
Beglitis, pointing out that the only issue that is still pending
is the agriculture ministry decision on the cession of the forest
land where this international Islamic center will be built.
Mr. Beglitis reconfirmed the government and foreign ministry
decision, adding that the issue had been raised in the recent
meeting of foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou with Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens, and the latter did not express any
objections and backed the proposal of the government. The foreign
ministry spokesman maintained that the building of a mosque in
Athens has no relation with the 2004 Olympic Games.
[14] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE "HURRIYET" PUBLICATION
The issue does not concern the government neither touches the
country, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he
was asked to comment on the front page article of the Turkish
newspaper "Hurriyet" that speaks about a homosexuality scandal in
the Greek political scene.
However, Mr. Reppas pointed out that such publications are
not pleasant, adding that as a minister of press has an obligation
to protect the freedom of press in Greece and furthermore, he can
not give directions to the newspapers of other countries on what
they should publish.
[15] PAPANDREOU WILL ATTEND THE BILDENBERG CLUB MEETING
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou left for Brussels
today to attend the Bildenberg Club meeting and he will be in the
committee that will discuss issues concerning the European Union
enlargement.
On Monday, the foreign minister will be in London and he will
have a working lunch with his British counterpart Robin Cook. They
will discuss the European developments and the issue of the
federalization of the European Union. Mr. Papandreou will also
speak about the Parthenon Marbles at the invitation of the British
special parliamentary committee.
Deputy foreign minister Ms. Elisavet Papazoi will also be in
London next Monday and she will discuss European issues with her
British counterpart, while she will also have a similar meeting
with her Irish counterpart in Dublin.
Ms. Papazoi will visit Cyprus on June 7-8 to have meetings
with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides, foreign minister
Yiannakis Kasoulides and Cypriot political party leaders.
[16] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE MOSQUE IN ATHENS
It is the government's decision the Muslims living in Greece
to be able to exercise their religious duties, said Greek
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas on the occasion of the
building of a mosque in Peania in Athens based on a regulation
included in the draft bill on the 2004 Olympic Games.
This decision, said Mr. Reppas, is linked indirectly with the
Olympic Games as many of the people that will visit Greece on
their occasion namely, athletes and members of missions, will be
able to exercise their religious duties.
[17] INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON TRANSPORTATION IN THESSALONIKI
Over 350 delegates from 33 countries are expected to attend
the 15th International Symposium on the Theory and Practice of the
Economy of Transportation that will be held in Thessaloniki on
June 7-9.
The Symposium, held in Thessaloniki for the first time, is an
initiative of the European Conference of Transportation Ministers
which is a forum of transportation ministers from 39 European
countries.
The Greek delegation will be made up of 120 members, while
other countries represented by large delegations will be France
(31) and Belgium (19). There will also be delegations from
Albania, Australia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Russia, Spain,
Britain and Turkey.
[18] ROYAUMONT INITIATIVE NOW PART OF STABILITY PACT
Five years after its creation, the Royaumont Initiative on
cooperation between countries in southeastern Europe, the
development of relations of good neighborliness and stability in
the region, crisis, is completing its cycle and is being
incorporated in the Balkan Stability Pact.
According to the Royaumont Initiative's coordinator
Panayiotis Roumeliotis, "incorporation with the Stability Pact is
aligned with the European Union's present priorities in the
region of southeastern Europe which concern increased interest in
the region, with Kosovo as the focal point, the strengthening of
the society of citizens and cross-border cooperation."
Moreover, Mr. Roumeliotis stated that the Royaumont
Initiative and the Stability Pact are corresponding experiences,
which have shifted the center of gravity in the region after the
Kosovo crisis.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[19] GREEK-CZECH MAN SCAMS BULGARIANS WITH "JOBS"
A Czech man of Greek descent was arrested in Sofia yesterday,
charged with fraudulently promising seasonal job permits, at a
hefty price, to Bulgarians wanting to work in Greece.
According to Sofia police, 49-year-old P. Yiannides had
defrauded over 64 individuals, amassing an approximate sum of
DM13,000.
His modus operandi involved placing job ads in local papers,
promising work with Greek construction companies active in the
Athens 2004 Olympic Games projects.
The unsuspecting victims handed their passports over to
Yiannides who charged DM200 for an unfilled application form.
So far, more than 40 Bulgarians have reported the scam to the
local police authorities.
[20] PAPOULIAS IS ON A VISIT TO BELGRADE
Greek foreign affairs and defense parliament committee
chairman Karolos Papoulias is in Belgrade today on a four-day
visit, accompanied by ambassador responsible on Balkan issues, Mr.
Spinelis.
Mr. Papoulias will have meetings with the Yugoslav foreign
minister, while he will also meet with Yugoslav president Slobodan
Milosevic.
Greek foreign ministry circles commenting on the visits of
the former foreign minister place them within the framework of the
open channel of communication between Greece and Yugoslavia.
Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis referring
today to the assassination of a close associate of the president
of Montenegro, who was responsible for security issues, stressed
that the issue of Montenegro is closely followed by Greece and the
European Union.
Mr. Beglitis stated that repeatedly has been asked from
Montenegro and Serbia to avoid anything that would deteriorate
their relations. He concluded that the democratic developments in
Yugoslavia will contribute to the creation of a new relation
between Montenegro and Serbia within the framework of the federal
Yugoslavia.
[21] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS IS IN TORONTO
Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos continues his visit to
Canada. He visited the archaeological museum in Toronto and
offered a US$300.000 cheque for the expansion of the museum's
ancient Greek civilization department.
In Montreal, Mr. Stephanopoulos had meetings with
representatives of Greek-Canadian organizations and businesses,
while he delivered a speech in a formal dinner that was given in
his honor by the Greek community. Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed that
Greece is the only true democracy in the Balkan region, while he
stated that the Greek presence in Canada is a force that plays a
leading role in the country.
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