Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-10
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 10, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 20TH YEAR OF GREECE IN EU CELEBRATED GRANDLY
[02] THE GOVERNMENT'S POPULARITY IS ON THE DECLINE
[03] PRINCE CHARLES IS STILL ON A VISIT TO MOUNT ATHOS
[04] GREECE STANDS BY THE GREEKS OF THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES
[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[06] REPPAS: THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO GREECE
[07] SAE PRESIDENT ANDREW ATHENS SPOKE TO MPA
[08] THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK LOWERED INTEREST RATES BY 0.25%
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] ANNAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 20TH YEAR OF GREECE IN EU CELEBRATED GRANDLY
Marking the 20th year since Greece's accession to the
European Union, Europe Day was celebrated yesterday at Athens'
Zappeion Hall, the premises where late President of the Republic
Constantine Karamanlis signed the Act of Accession to the then-
European Economic Community (EEC).
In his address to the occasion, Prime Minister Costas Simitis
reaffirmed Greece's steady orientation toward the European value
system, which, he said, is an inexorable part of "our historical
heritage.
"Greece's course during these past 20 years presented new
capabilities to both the society and economy of the country," the
Premier stated, adding "our participation in the European Union
has opened a new chapter for the consolidation of our national
security".
Specifically, the Premier said, EU accession has provided
Greece with the capability to become an element of stability,
peace and cooperation in the Balkans.
"This is the reason why our country supports the approach of
those countries to the European family, insisting on the need for
respect of the principles of international law, democracy, the
rule of law, the regional cooperation," he said.
Furthermore, Mr. Simitis stated that "Greece supports the
enlargement process, and the fact that Cyprus participates in this
process without obstacles in the accession process is especially
important for the stability and peace in Europe".
On his part, main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader
Costas Karamanlis noted that Greece advanced "by several steps" in
the past 20 years since his uncle - then prime minister of Greece
- worked for -and achieved- Greece's entry to the Union.
"We have gained a lot," Mr. Karamanlis stated, albeit adding
that "unfortunately, the steps we took were much smaller than
those of our partners. We tumbled down to the last place, both in
social and economic convergence ranking."
The main opposition leader also stressed that all have an
obligation to work for a Europe with open horizons, thorough
transparency with model democratic processes and common, commonly
protected borders.
Also addressing the event, minor opposition party leader,
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), Nikos
Constantopoulos said that the fact that Greece is a member of the
European Union and the Economic Monetary Union is positive, adding
however that these are minimal achievements.
He further added that the insistence of our national policies
to the nominal convergence with Europe, to the one-sided austerity
and the adoption of neo-liberal models could transform Greece's
participation to the Union unequal and marginal.
[02] THE GOVERNMENT'S POPULARITY IS ON THE DECLINE
The popularity of the government and prime minister Kostas
Simitis is on the decline, according to a research by the polling
company "Kappa Research". The poll was conducted on a sample of
1.300 people across Greece on May 8.
To the question which one is most fit for the post of the
prime minister, Kostas Simitis and right wing main opposition
party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis both got 31.6%,
while 33.5% of those questioned rejected both of them.
Displeased with the government is 49.3% of those questioned,
while rather displeased is 25.3%. Also, 70% believe that the
performance of the governing socialist party of PASOK was bad in
the past year. According to the poll, 57.2% of those questioned
believe that the leading party members do not help the prime
minister in his work as much as they should have.
When they were asked to grade the performance of the
government ministers foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou topped
the list followed by defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos,
interior minister Vaso Papandreou, public order minister Michalis
Chrisochoidis and health minister Alekos Papadopoulos.
[03] PRINCE CHARLES IS STILL ON A VISIT TO MOUNT ATHOS
Prince Charles of Wales and his entourage continue their
visit to Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece for a third
day in spite of the bad weather hitting the region with heavy
rainfall and 7 force winds.
According to representatives of the Monastery of Vatopedi,
the heir to the British throne participated with monks and laymen
in the maintenance and opening of mountain paths which are
constructed at the initiative of the "Friends of Mount Athos"
organization.
It is Prince Charles' second visit to Mount Athos and the
Monastery of Vatopedi in a year.
[04] GREECE STANDS BY THE GREEKS OF THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES
The organizing of a big tour of Black Sea countries with a
concrete Greek presence was discussed in the Greeks abroad
parliamentary committee meeting yesterday that was held in the
presence of foreign affairs undersecretary Grigoris Niotis and
Greeks abroad general secretary Dimitris Dollis.
The tour will take place in late June or early July and Mr.
Niotis stated that it will contribute to the upgrading of the
Greek presence in those countries where the Greeks have a historic
presence and in spite of the difficulties they face they have
managed to maintain an enviable vitality.
He stressed that the visit to those countries will give the
opportunity to those who will participate in it to have a close
look of the difficulties and needs of the Greeks living there,
while at the same time they will have contacts with local
government institutions, universities and other organizations.
[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today. The general index dropped to -0.05% at 3.111,48 points,
while the volume of transactions was reduced compared to yesterday
at 157.25 million Euro or 53.5 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 171 recorded gains and 148 had
losses, while the value of 51 stocks remained stable.
[06] REPPAS: THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IS ALWAYS WELCOME TO GREECE
The Ecumenical Patriarch is a spiritual leader of
international recognition and is always welcome to Greece, stated
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was called to
comment on the statements made by prefect of Lesvos Mr. Vounatsos,
who said that the Ecumenical Patriarch is not welcome
characterizing him as a prisoner of the Turks.
Mr. Reppas also pointed out that Greece respects the
Ecumenical Patriarch and his role.
[07] SAE PRESIDENT ANDREW ATHENS SPOKE TO MPA
World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, president Andrew
Athens had a number of contacts with government members, political
party leaders and other officials in Athens since Monday, in view
of the SAE presiding board meeting in Thessaloniki next week.
In statements he made to MPA, Mr. Athens expressed
satisfaction for the contacts he had with the government and the
support that was offered for the materialization of SAE's
projects.
Mr. Athens stated that a press conference will be held in
Athens on May 22 on the trade and cultural exhibition in Chicago
which is supported by the ministries of foreign affairs, culture,
national economy, Macedonia-Thrace and development.
According to the master plan, the SAE medical assistance
program for the Greeks in the former soviet republics will be
completed in 2002. Mr. Athens also pointed out that SAE promotes
vocational training programs for the Greeks in Georgia, Ukraine
and Armenia, while he added that he expects the support of Greece
and the United States in order to secure success through the
financial backing of small businesses in those countries.
Mr. Athens also referred to the meeting of SAE with three
Greek-American and Greek-Cypriot organizations in Washington on
June 5-7 and to the significant contacts that will be made with
officials from the White House, Pentagon and the State Department
as well as with members of the US Congress.
[08] THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK LOWERED INTEREST RATES BY 0.25%
In a surprise move the European Central Bank lowered interest
rates.
The central money institute of the 15 EU member states
announced the lowering of the European Union interest rates by
0.25% to 4.50% in spite of the fact that no change was expected to
take place.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[09] ANNAN STATEMENTS ON CYPRUS
UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, with a statement he issued
after his meeting with Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou
at the UN headquarters in New York, expressed the wish to continue
to offer his services to both sides in Cyprus.
Mr. Annan also stressed that a fair and viable solution is
feasible through negotiations and underlined Greece's considerable
support to his good services.
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