The common position of the member-states of the EU towards Ankara, presented by the 15 Foreign Ministers to the Turkish side, was very satisfactory to Greece and Cyprus.

The "15" asked Turkey to actively support inter-community discussions on finding a solution to the Cyprus issue, based on UN resolutions.

"Today, Turkey, as a candidate country, is being inspected through a political framework on a series of issues concerning the country's democratic functions, its interior reforms, human rights and issues concerning Greek-Turkish relations on resolving th e Cyprus issue", stated Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

The "15" avoided committing themselves to when accession procedures for Turkey will commence, despite systematic and intense pressures from Ankara on EU capitals, so that the date of accession procedures may be announced at the Summit Meeting on the enla rgement in Copenhagen this December.

The EU Foreign Ministers recommended move as quickly as possible to achieving the political criteria of Copenhagen.

They made it clear that the state of human rights in Turkey is still worrying and that it must improve.

The FYROM official is expected to ask the Greek government to speed up the procedure of putting the Greek restructure plan of Southeastern Europe into effect, with a budget of 550 million euro, of which 95 million is for projects to be materialized in FY ROM. He will also ask Greece to take up initiative within the framework of NATO and the EU, for the development and stability of the Balkans.

Tomorrow Ljupco Georgiefski will speak at "The Economist" magazine conference. His speech will be concentrated on the situation of FYROM and the broader region.

In an announcement it is mentioned that the Genoa Initiative 2001 observed massive response of activists to a series of events in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Ioannina, on April 8,10, and 11. The activists adopted the resolution for the initiative of creati ng the Greek chapter of the European Social Forum.

These were the messages received by HELEXPO staff members during PHILOXENIA's participation in the EMITT Exhibition held from April 3-7 in Istanbul. PHILOXENIA's participation took place in the framework of the materialization of an extrovert programme f or the promotion of tourist markets in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.

During the four days of the exhibition, the agreement between EMITT and PHILOXENIA for exchange of exhibition grounds in future events was renewed. HELEXPO staff members had the opportunity to inform exhibitors and visitors about PHILOXENIA, which is the

most significant tourism exhibition in the broader Eastern Mediterranean, as well as to promote tourism in Greece, especially it's new alternative forms.

The next PHILOXENIA will take place from October 31 to November 3, 2002. All interested parties can get information and apply until August 30 to Mrs. Chrysa Krassa, tel: 0310291293, fax: 0310291554, e-mail:philoxenia@helexpo.gr

The consumer price index increased by 0.6% on a monthly basis, an increase which lies within the analysts' estimates.

The structural inflation increased to 2.5% on an annual basis and by 0.6% compared to February.

Mr. Simitis stated that a special body will be formed to watch the government actions in the sector of social protection and underlined that the goal of the government is a society of prosperity and cohesion without exclusions. He said, however, that the

government efforts are not enough and issued an appeal to social partners, the Church, and the non governmental organizations to contribute to the efforts. He pointed out that a social forum will be created for a permanent and structured dialogue between

the state and the society of citizens.

Mr. Simitis stated that the society of tomorrow is a society of prosperity and cohesion, adding that social isolation is not accepted as a necessary evil.

Of the stocks trading today, 281 recorded gains and 52 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained unchanged.

The FYROM Prime Minister, who is on a visit to Greece, stated that cooperation in the sector of culture has intensified in view of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Mr. Venizelos referred to the cooperation he had with Mr. Georgievski in the past and stated that he is happy because Mr. Georgievski referred to the big energy plans. He said that both the Skopje refinery and the Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline are two

big plans that are in full progress. The oil pipeline is a real axis of stability and peace, while culture is also a bridge of peace, said Mr. Venizelos.

Every attack leads to the reproduction of a circle of violence and blood, stated Mr. Protopapas, adding that yesterday Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou had a new telephone communication with his Israeli counterpart Simon Peres aimed at settling the de tails for his visit to Ramallah with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek government will be represented by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications General Secretary in the formal reception that will be given today by the Israeli ambassador to Athens on the occasion of the an niversary of the creation of the state of Israel.

He also condemned every form of vandalism targeting Israeli monuments and cemeteries characterizing it as an unacceptable and barbaric act, while he reminded that in difficult times the Greeks protected and took care of the Jewish people.

There was great difference of opinions at the meeting, as the Greek side continues not to accept the US-UK text on Turkey's relations to the Euroarmy, which was signed in Ankara.

Mr. Papandreou will meet with Mr. Solana and the Secretary General of NATO George Robertson in Athens tomorrow. Mr. Solana and Mr. Robertson will meet with Mr. Simitis on Thursday.

a nephew of Lord Elgin's great-grandmother, supports that his ancestor illegally took hold of the Parthenon Sculptures.

The Greek shipowners' lawsuit is also supported by former judge Sir Louis Blom-Cooper, based on civil law, specifically the law pertaining to theft. The attorneys of the Greek shipowners support that Lord Elgin never acquired a title of ownership of the Parthenon Marbles from official authorities according to Ottoman, Greek and British legislature.

The German Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Greece is for Germany an EU partner with which the geopolitical future of the enlargement procedure should be discussed. He underlined his government's position that it is in favor of the Cyprus accession in to the EU even in the case in which no solution is found to the political problem.

Referring to the Balkans, Mr. Tsopel stated that he agreed with Mr. Paschalidis that Greece's northern neighbors need economic support aimed at bringing them closer to the EU in the next 15 years and finally, become its members.

On the Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Tsopel expressed his support to the Greek-Turkish rapprochement policy and stated that the German government is willing to contribute to this historic procedure. He also characterized as an important step the signing o f an agreement a few days ago for the construction of a pipeline carrying natural gas from central Asia to Greece via Turkey.

Mr. Tsopel stated that the initiative on the Middle East undertaken by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey is useful, adding that it is also a pleasant surprise.

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article