Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-06-07
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, June 7, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK FM ADRESSES STABILITY PACT MEETING
[02] STABILITY PACT CHAIRMAN HOMBACH IN THESSALONIKI
[03] SPANISH PREMIER AZNAR ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS
[04] GREEK DEPUTIES IN TIRANA FOR BSEC SESSION
[05] CHURCH TO HOLD ITS OWN RALLIES OVER ID CARDS
[06] ANTI-NATO DEMONSTRATION HELD IN THESSALONIKI
[07] BODO HOMBACH MEETS WITH GEORGE PAPANDREOU
[08] BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN THESSALONIKI
[09] CROATIAN FM MEETS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART
[10] GREEKS ABROAD SECRETARIAT HOSTS YOUTH
[11] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA HONORS THEODORAKIS
[12] GREECE DROPPED ONE PLACE IN FIFA'S WORLD RANKING
[13] ARCHBISHOP OF AUSTRALIA: THE ROW OVER THE ID ISSUE IS
UNNECESSARY
[14] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF TRANSPORTATION MINISTERS: GREECE PLAYS
A DECISIVE ROLE IN TRANSPORTATION
[15] AZNAR HAD CONTACTS WITH STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS
[16] LOSSES OF 2.62% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[17] THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN SUGAR INDUSTRIES
[18] THE FUNERAL OF GIORGOS TZITZIKOSTAS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY
[19] EU OPTIMISM AND CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS
[20] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS WILL FLY TO VENICE
[21] THE DEMAND FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN THE EU WILL BE
DOUBLED BY 2010
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[22] GREEK RECEIVES QUEENSLAND MILLENNIUM AWARD
[23] VERHEUGEN MINCES WORDS ON CYPRUS' ACCESSION
[24] THE NATIONAL PARTY OF SCOTLAND IS IN FAVOR OF THE RETURN OF
THE PARTHENON MARBLES
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK FM ADRESSES STABILITY PACT MEETING
Foreign Minister George Papandreou arrived in Thessaloniki
yesterday in order to address the Stability Pact chairman's
consultative meeting with non-governmental organizations from the
Balkan region.
Mr. Papandreou stated that the response for the undertaking
of projects related to the region's reconstruction surpassed all
expectations, although he noted that the delays in funding are due
to bureaucratic hurdles.
Addressing journalists, the Foreign Minister stated that the
northern port city has been transformed into the epicenter of
Balkan development policy.
Today, Mr. Papandreou will meet with his counterparts from
FYROM and Croatia and with Javier Solana on the sidelines of the
Stability Pact Regional Balkan Conference.
During his stay in Thessaloniki, Mr. Papandreou will also
discuss the preparations for the European Union Summit that will
be hosted by the city in the first half of 2003.
[02] STABILITY PACT CHAIRMAN HOMBACH IN THESSALONIKI
Peace and stability in South-East Europe will not be at risk
when there is sustainable economic development in the region,
according to the Stability Pact's coordinator Bodo Hombach who
addressed the Pact's session in Thessaloniki yesterday.
Mr. Hombach added that political stability is a necessary
prerequisite for economic development.
Yesterday's session included discussions on democratization
and human rights, which included the participation of
representatives of non-governmental organizations from the
Balkans.
Mr. Hombach stated that the NGOs can carry out a significant
role in drawing a common policy for the region's development.
However, he added that in order to expedite the process of
reconstructing South-East Europe, bureaucratic obstacles need to
be overcome as they constitute a barrier to the encouragement of
the any whatsoever initiatives.
Furthermore, Mr. Hombach referred extensively to the private
sector's significance in regards to the economic development of
the region's countries, pointing out that these states will have
to attract potential private investors. In order to achieve this,
he said, these states need to adopt the appropriate legislative
and tax regulations, as well as a series of other measures, that
would encourage private initiative.
He also added that 150 million euros have been allocated for
the funding of the Pact's reconstruction programs.
Regarding the Stability Pact's relations with Serbia, Mr.
Hombach stressed that "we didn't succeed in this area", adding
that Serb President Slobodan Milosevic is activating mechanisms
for military operations. He also stated that the said state's
problem is far more complex than it seems, as there are parameters
that will have to be taken into consideration.
Nevertheless, Mr. Hombach noted that the Stability Pact is
presently in contact with 40 Serb organizations.
[03] SPANISH PREMIER AZNAR ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ATHENS
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, presently on a
two-day official visit, will meet with his Greek counterpart
Costas Simitis today with whom he will discuss bilateral relations
and European Union issues.
Mr. Aznar will also be received by the President of the
Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos today and will meet with
main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, as
well as representatives from the business world.
[04] GREEK DEPUTIES IN TIRANA FOR BSEC SESSION
A five-member, bipartisan delegation of Greek Parliament
deputies is presently in Tirana in order to participate in the
15th parliamentary assembly of Black Sea Economic Cooperation
(BSEC) member-states.
The deputies are to participate in sessions scheduled
to focus on promoting cooperation among small-to-medium
enterprises, as well as joint initiatives by member-states in the
field of law enforcement, customs and immigration.
[05] CHURCH TO HOLD ITS OWN RALLIES OVER ID CARDS
Following an extraordinary session held by the Holy Synod
(the full council of bishops) yesterday, the Church of Greece
announced that it plans to hold two rallies this month, in protest
to the government's firm decision not to list one's religious
affiliation on the state-issued identification cards.
The first rally will be held in Thessaloniki on June 14 and
the second in Athens on June 21.
According to the Holy Synod, the state's "intransigence" on
the identification cards issue is reflective of a series of
measures that aim to isolate religion and the church into the
sidelines of public, national and social life.
Meanwhile, a group of Orthodox churchgoers is seeking
recourse through the Council of State, contesting the government's
decision as "unconstitutional".
Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppsas commented that the
Church's stance over the matter does not correspond with its
spiritual role.
"We are not going to get entangled in a uncalled-for
juxtaposition, especially over matters for which the state, and
solely the state, holds authority," he stated.
[06] ANTI-NATO DEMONSTRATION HELD IN THESSALONIKI
Local members of the Greek Communist Party staged a
demonstration in Thessaloniki yesterday, protesting NATO's
"Dynamix Mix" military exercise.
Shouting slogans against the Americans, NATO and the
government, the demonstrators marched peacefully to the city's
United States consulate which was being guarded by a strong SWAT
team force.
The march featured the participation of a "Conscripts
Solidarity Committee" which claimed that the NATO exercise is
merely a preparation of a new round of conflict in the Balkan
region, and aims to subdue any form of resistance on behalf of the
Balkan peoples.
[07] BODO HOMBACH MEETS WITH GEORGE PAPANDREOU
The Stability Pact's coordinator Bodo Hombach met with
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Thessaloniki, where
they discussed matters pertaining to the Pact's present and future
course.
Specifically, Messrs. Hombach and Papandreou held talks on
democratic institutions, economic reconstruction, security,
protection of minorities and combating crime in the Balkan region.
Noting the problems that have been met to date, both agreed
that they are mostly due to the bureaucratic red tape surrounding
the Stability Pact's programs.
Mr. Hombach noted Thessaloniki's role as a business center
for the development of the Stability Pact and the materialization
of the region's programs.
Greece has adopted a national plan, budgeted at 570 million
dollars for 200-2005, towards the execution of the Stability
Pact's programs, while Brussels - in March - amassed 10 million
euros for the period between 2000-2001.
[08] BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN THESSALONIKI
An informal meeting of the Balkan foreign ministers got
underway in Thessaloniki today, where the participants will
discuss the development of regional cooperation and the situation
in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and will review an
assessment report provided by the Stability Pact's coordinator
Bodo Hombach.
The meeting, held within the framework of the Stability Pact,
features the participation of the foreign ministers of Greece,
FYROM, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as the foreign
undersecretaries or bureau chiefs from Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Albania, Slovenia, Italy, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania. A
European Commission representative is also present.
Following the meeting, Greece's Foreign Minister George
Papandreou will be joined by Mr. Hombach and the representative of
the Joint Defense and Foreign Policy Javier Solana in a press
conference this afternoon.
Mr. Papandreou will meet with Mr. Solana on the session's
sidelines, as well as with his counterpart from FYROM Alexandar
Dimitrov.
Messrs. Dimitrov and Papandreou will discuss the course of
bilateral relations between Greece and FYROM, as well as the
recent alarming incidents that have occurred at the FYROM-Kosovo
border.
Messrs. Solana and Hombach are to meet this evening with
officials from the Serb opposition parties.
[09] CROATIAN FM MEETS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART
Croatia's Foreign Minister Tonino Picula met with his Greek
counterpart George Papandreou and undersecretary of Foreign
Affairs Aggeliki Laiou in Thessaloniki this morning, on the
sidelines of the Balkan Foreign Ministers informal meeting
presently held in the city.
The three discussed issues pertaining to bilateral relations
and the developments in Kosovo and Serbia, as well as the course
of the Stability Pact.
One of the bilateral-interest matters discussed concerned
the Ionian-Dalmatian motorway, a project slated for European Union
funding, which will embark from Igoumenitsa and cross through
Albania, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia, thereby linking Greece
with central Europe.
On other matters, Mr. Papandreou relayed Greece's support to
Croatia's European prospect and saluted the democratic
developments of the newly-elected Croatian government.
[10] GREEKS ABROAD SECRETARIAT HOSTS YOUTH
A number of hosting programs that will combine vacation and
training are to be offered by the General Secretariat of Greeks
Abroad this summer.
Aimed at young Greeks (18 to 25 years of age) who live
abroad, the programs will take place in the Aegean islands, the
Peloponnese and Zakynthos (July 24-August 9), Epirus and Crete
(August 3-19).
The requirements of participation are studies in modern Greek
departments, a high grade point average and a very good knowledge
of the Greek language.
All expenses, with the exception of travel to and from
Greece, are to be covered by the General Secretariat. Each of the
programs will include archaeological tours, seminars and cultural
events.
[11] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA HONORS THEODORAKIS
The Archbishop of America Dimitrios is to host a luncheon in
honor of Greece's world renowned composer Mikis Theodorakis, on
the occasion of the opening of his opera "Electra" at Carnegie
Hall.
The Archbishop will also be visited by a delegation of Greek
women presently in New York to attend the United Nations General
Assembly on "Women 2000: Equality of genders, development and
peace for the 21st century".
[12] GREECE DROPPED ONE PLACE IN FIFA'S WORLD RANKING
Greece's national football team dropped one place in FIFA's
world ranking in the month of June. It has 583 points and is down
to the 32nd place after its defeat (2-1) by the Romanian national
team in a friendly game during preparations.
At the top of the list is Brazil followed by France, the
Czech Republic, Spain, Argentina and Germany.
[13] ARCHBISHOP OF AUSTRALIA: THE ROW OVER THE ID ISSUE IS
UNNECESSARY
Archbishop Stilianos of Australia in a statement he made from
Chania in Crete characterized the row created on the occasion of
the identity cards issue as unnecessary.
The Archbishop of Australia stated characteristically that we
do not write outside our doors that we are Orthodox Christians and
therefore, we should not write it on our police identity card as
well.
[14] EUROPEAN CONFERENCE OF TRANSPORTATION MINISTERS: GREECE PLAYS
A DECISIVE ROLE IN TRANSPORTATION
The assurance that the Greek effort for the reconstruction of
transportation in south-eastern Europe has the support of all the
participants in the European Conference of Transportation
Ministers, ECTM, was given by the conference's current and former
presidents J. Schling and P. Antonin.
Greece is the most stable country in the region of south-
eastern Europe and is absolutely capable to play an important role
in the reconstruction of the transportation networks. Therefore,
said Czech transportation minister and current president of the
conference, Mr. Schling, all the conference participants want to
back the Greek effort as this will be to the benefit of trade and
transportation in the wider region.
Addressing the 15th International Symposium of ECTM that
opened in Thessaloniki today and will last until June 9, minister
of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Paschalidis, stressed that the
coordinated and harmonic development of infrastructures and the
transportation operation in south-eastern Europe will contribute
to the development of a wider economic zone with all the countries
in the region active participation in the world economy.
In the 15th international symposium on transportation
participate 350 delegates from 33 countries, while the Greek
delegation is made up of 120 government ministry officials, state
and private company executives and representatives of the
scientific community.
[15] AZNAR HAD CONTACTS WITH STEPHANOPOULOS AND SIMITIS
Spanish prime minister Jose Maria Aznar was received by Greek
president Kostis Stephanopoulos at the presidential building in
Athens today.
Later, Mr. Aznar met with prime minister Kostas Simitis and
they discussed issues concerning Greece's accession into the EMU
in view of the EU summit meeting in Portugal in which Greece's
entry to the Euro-zone will be confirmed.
In statements he made, the Spanish prime minister praised the
achievements of the Greek economy and expressed Spain's
satisfaction for Greece's accession into the EMU.
[16] LOSSES OF 2.62% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Significant losses of 2.62% were recorded in the Athens Stock
Exchange today and the general index was at 4.348,78 points, while
the volume of transactions was small, at 127 billion drachmas.
According to market circles, the big plunge is attributed to
the strong concern among investors regarding the course of
privatizations and the tendencies for inflation rise. Indicative
of the concern among the investors is the fact that sale orders
were 7 times more than the purchase orders.
[17] THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN SUGAR INDUSTRIES
The negotiations between the Greek Sugar Industry Ltd and
companies in FYROM, Bulgaria and Serbia concerning investments are
positive, according to statements made to MPA by Greek Sugar
Industry president Vasilis Papayiannis, who added that in order
for the talks to be fruitful there must be a clear economic
environment regarding legal regulations.
Mr. Papayiannis stated that the regulations that will be in effect
in the countries mentioned above must be harmonized with the EU
legislation as tariffs are among the most crucial factors for
sugar. It should be noted that Greece exports sugar and certain of
its by-products to Albania, FYROM and Bulgaria.
The issues that were discussed today in the annual meeting of the
European Union Sugar Industries concerned the development of the
international sugar market compared to the European sugar market,
the protection of the product, the issue of the ratios, the EU
enlargement and its effects on the European sugar market.
According to the conclusions reached, said Mr. Papayiannis, sugar
is part of a healthy diet and it can not affect the health and
safety of consumers in a negative way if they are careful with
their diet.
From his side, European Organization of Sugar Industries president
Jules Beauduin stated to MPA that the fact that Thessaloniki was
chosen to host the conference means that the EU member-states
recognize that the Greek sugar industry is very important.
[18] THE FUNERAL OF GIORGOS TZITZIKOSTAS WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY
The funeral of former government minister and parliament
deputy of the main opposition party of New Democracy Giorgos
Tzitzikostas, who died at dawn today after a long battle with
cancer, will be held in Thessaloniki on Monday.
He was born in Athens in 1941 and studied Law in
Thessaloniki's Aristotle University, while he got a master's
degree in economics in France.
In 1975 he was the president of the UN's National Council of
Food and Agriculture Organization in Greece. He became a member of
the party of New Democracy after the end of the dictatorship and
since 1974 he was elected parliament deputy in Thessaloniki.
He served as undersecretary of agriculture, education and
coordination and as minister of Macedonia-Thrace. In 1993 he was
elected secretary of New Democracy's local administration central
committee. He was married and had three sons.
[19] EU OPTIMISM AND CONCERN OVER THE PROBLEMS IN THE BALKANS
European Union common foreign and security policy
representative Javier Solana appeared optimistic regarding the
solution of the problems in the Balkans, while Stability Pact
coordinator Bodo Hobach stated that the struggle against slowness
and bureaucracy is underway and Greek foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou underlined the willingness of all the countries in the
region to undertake responsibilities for the materialization of
the Stability Pact. The above were stressed by Mr. Solana, Mr.
Hobach and Mr. Papandreou in a joint press conference after the
end of the informal meeting of the Stability Pact foreign
ministers that was held in Thessaloniki. According to their
statements they dealt with the progress made by the Stability Pact
for south-eastern Europe and the situation in Yugoslavia.
Both Mr. Papandreou and Mr. Solana characterized Serbia as
the "black hole" of the Balkans because without it the
reconstruction can not proceed and stressed that the Serb people
will be backed as well as the society of citizens and the
opposition in order to bring about the change of the political
system with the removal of Slobodan Milosevic.
During the press conference was expressed strong concern over
the latest incidents at the FYROM-Kosovo borders and Mr.
Papandreou underlined that the existing borders must be respected.
Mr. Solana will depart for Pristina this afternoon and stated that
his goal is to make every possible effort for the Serbs in Kosovo
to remain under the temporary multi-national UN administration in
the region.
All three expressed their backing to the Montenegro
government and stated that the municipal elections scheduled to
take place in the next few weeks must be held in a democratic way.
Mr. Hobach also expressed deep concern over the assassination
of the associate of Montenegro president Juganovic and the
persecution of the independent mass media in Belgrade.
Regarding the Stability Pact, Mr. Papandreou presented the
informal conclusions of the foreign ministers according to which,
the countries in the region are willing to play an even bigger
role in the materialization of the Stability Pact. Also, they will
give a special attention to the operation of the democratic
institutions, the market economy and the participation of non
governmental organizations in this effort. According to Mr.
Papandreou there are bureaucracy problems that must be faced
immediately.
On the sidelines of the summit, Mr. Papandreou had a short
meeting with his FYROM counterpart Alexander Dimitrov with whom
they discussed issues concerning bilateral relations and the
alarming developments after the incidents at the borders of FYROM
with Kosovo.
[20] OLYMPIC AIRWAYS WILL FLY TO VENICE
The Greek national airline Olympic Airways will now fly to
Venice, after introducing flights to Rome, Milano and Napoli.
The Venice flight will be launched on Friday, June 9 in
cooperation with ALPIEAGLES airline and it will be made every
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with "FOKKER 100" airplanes
that can carry up to 100 passengers.
[21] THE DEMAND FOR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN THE EU WILL BE
DOUBLED BY 2010
The demand for transportation services in the European Union
is expected to be increased by 100% in 2010 compared to 1995,
while at the same time, the movement of private cars across
borders will show an increase of 30% and the number of trucks
carrying goods from and to the united Europe will be increased by
20%, according to Greek Transportation Institute and Aristotle
University Transportation Technique Laboratory director, professor
Yiannopoulos in statements he made in the 15th international
symposium of the European Conference of Transportation Ministers
that is being held in Thessaloniki.
The road network continues to have the "lion share" of
transportation in the EU in spite of the fact that the member-
states have expressed their intention to give an emphasis to
railway transportation.
Norwegian School of Management representative Mr. Dag
Bjornland also referred to the railway transportation and
according to his presentation, the railways will be used to carry
just up to 11% of the goods by the year 2010.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[22] GREEK RECEIVES QUEENSLAND MILLENNIUM AWARD
The Millennium Award of the Australian state of Queensland
has been awarded to the Greek chairman of the Ethnic Communities
Council of Queensland (ECCQ) Nikos Xynias for his 20 years of
valuable service to the immigrant communities of the wider region.
Mr. Xynias, who was born in Egypt of Greek parents, has
served on several advisory immigrant services in Australia.
The award was presented to Mr. Xynias by Queensland state
premier Peter Beattie.
[23] VERHEUGEN MINCES WORDS ON CYPRUS' ACCESSION
The European Union's Enlargement Commissioner Guenter
Verheugen reportedly believes that linking European Union-Turkey
relations with the resolution of the Cyprus issue is inevitable,
according to BBC's radio service, thereby contradicting the EU's
top-ranking official's earlier statements.
In statements he made in Brussels yesterday, where the EU-
Turkey joint parliamentary committee convened, Mr. Verheugen
stated that (as per the EU's Helsinki Summit) a political
resolution to the Cyprus problem is not a prerequisite for the
island's accession to the EU, albeit adding that this does not
mean that Cyprus will enter the European Union in its present
state.
"Simply, there is a possibility that this could happen as an
alternative solution, which, however, is neither the favorable
one, nor does it represent some form of guarantee. When the time
comes, the ministerial council will take all the factors under
advisement and will decide accordingly," he stated.
[24] THE NATIONAL PARTY OF SCOTLAND IS IN FAVOR OF THE RETURN OF
THE PARTHENON MARBLES
Scotland's National Party is in favor of the return of the
Parthenon Marbles to Greece. According to the BBC radio service,
the "shadow" culture minister of the National Party of Scotland,
Michael Russell called on the British government to return the
Parthenon Marbles to Greece and urged it to start serious
negotiations with the Greek government after the recent statements
in London by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.
Mr. Russell pointed out that recently was returned to
Scotland one of its most important archaeological treasures and
underlined that generosity must be displayed in satisfying
Greece's demand for the return of the Parthenon Marbles which
clearly belong to Athens and not to London.
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