MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (09/07/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, July 9, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER

National Defense Minister Theodor Melescanu met this morning with Romanian Foreign Minister Theodor Melescanu who is on an official two-day visit to Greece.

The two men discussed issues regarding the Balkan-region situation and collaboration between the two countries. Mr. Melescanu is also scheduled to meet with Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

[02] ECONOMY MINISTER CONVEYS EU'S GOOD REPORTS ON GREECE

Greece has shown the largest public and macro-economic adjustment among European Union member-states during the past three years, stated National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, conveying the European Council on Finance (ECOFIN) report on the country.

In its report, ECOFIN noted the country's allignment in the european economy during the past two years and pointed out that the country's budget is progressing normally, while attributing the reduction of public deficit to the more effective control of the financial flow in the social security system's funds.

[03] SAE WON'T BACK CLINTON IF THERE IS NO CONCRETE PROGRESS ON CYPRUS

The Greek community in the United States will not support President Clinton's re-election campaign if its members are not convinced that he will help in solving the Cyprus problem, stated the President of the Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) Andrew Athens, after his meeting with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides this morning.

Mr. Athens briefed the Cypriot President on the first session of the Council of Greeks Abroad, European Region, which was completed in Nicosia yesterday.

The SAE President emphasized that the pressure exerted by the Greek community on the United States will be intensified, and expressed his hope that progress will be noted in the Cypriot issue prior to the US elections in October.

[04] SAE EUROPEAN REGION: HELLENISM WILL BECOME STRONGER

The first session of the Council of Greeks Abroad, European Region, was completed yesterday in Nicosia, where more than 1,000 hellenic organizations of central and eastern Europe were represented by 80 delegates.

According to the SAE European Region President Aggelos Aslanides, although the nature of the Council was to organize future events, "emphasis was given to certain national issues which have been achieved."

[05] SPANISH EDUCATORS ASK FOR MANDATORY TEACHING OF THE GREEK LANGUAGE IN SCHOOLS

Spanish university professors and high-school teachers have asked that the Greek language be included in the mandatory studies for entrance examinations into Spanish universities and to include the study of classical civilization in one of the high school years.

The Spanish educators travelled to Delphi, Greece, invited by the European Cultural Center of Delphi.

The professors stated that neither Latin nor Greek are "dead" languages, as many claim, and instead pointed out that the Greek language remains alive inspite of the technological verbage and educational reforms.

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