MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (16/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

‚RIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, July 16, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREECE LIFTS VETO ON MEDA AFTER SECURING SOLIDARITY FROM EU

Greece has lifted its veto exercised over the MEDA program that provides aid to 12 non-EU Mediterranean countries, including Turkey, after the EU expressed its solidarity to Greece yesterday.

in a written statement, the EU General Affairs Council asked Ankara to respect international laws and to avoid any act -or threat- of use of force.

The statement released by the Council also points out the EU's intense concern over the situation that arose after the turkish claims over the Imia islets, in east Aegean Sea and expresses the EU's solidarity towards a member-state, i.e. Greece.

Also, the Council's statement reminds Turkey that its relations with the EU are based on a clear commitment to the principle of respecting international laws and accords, as well as upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of EU member- states.

The Ministerial Council's decision will be presented tomorrow to Turkey's Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller who will be asked to respond to the statement if she accepts it.

No MEDA funding will be issued to Turkey prior to September 15 and the financial aid will take place only after Ankara responds to the Irish-held EU Presidency with a statement that Turkey accepts the conditions set forth by tthe statement.

In a press conference given after the session, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos thanked EU member states for their display of solidarity towards Greece and their commitment to the principles of international law.

Turkey's first reaction thus far appears intransigent as a spokesperson of the Turkish foreign ministry stated last night that the EU must pressure Greece to lift the veto sans conditions.

[02] EU VETERINARIANS IN ALEXANDROUPOLIS, TAKE SAMPLES OF ANIMAL DISEASE

European Union Standard Agricultural Commitee veterinarians have arrived in Alexandroupolis where they are performing sample checks on the foot and mouth disease outbreak that has appeared in Northern Greece's Evros region.

Greek Undersecretary of Agriculture Dimitris Fotiades is awaiting with optimism the imminent results of the European Union's report on the foot and mouth disease cases noted in Northern Greece's Evros region.

Mr. Fotiades stated yesterday that "we are not afraid of the report since we have taken all the necessary measures and respect the EU's firm positions" and added that "the Greek government's aim is to convince the EU that its directions are being followed closely."

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Fotiades expressed his optimism that the EU veterinarians will be convinced by the drastic measures applied by the Greek government and hopes that the eight-day quarantine imposed last week will be confined to the Evros region.

"The measures we took where preventine and were especially strict, more so that the ones suggested by the EU, they could even be characterized as excessive," stated the Undersecretary. The EU report will be submitted to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Friday. Depending on the report, the EU will decide either to extend the applied restricting measures or to lift them.

[03] US PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO UN WILL MEET WITH ARSENIS, EVERT

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright will meet with Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis and the leader of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy President Miltiades Evert this evening in Athens.

Ms. Albright will discuss the Cyprus problem with Mmr. Arsenis and Evert and will be briefed on greco-turkish relations.

She is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos tomorrow.

Ms. Albright will be accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty.

On Thursday, the US ambassador will travel to Nicosia in order to examine the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discuss potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara on July 18 and 19 where she will meet with officials of the newly-formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[04] DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY CRACKS DOWN ON SUMMERTIME RIP-OFFS

Remember when you were really thirsty and paid 400 drachmas for a mere bottle of water that normally retails for 100?

Well, no more rip offs, as the Development Ministry plans to introduce suggested retail prices on certain mass consumption goods during the summer season, a method applied by most other European countries, in order to put an end to audacious profiteering during tourist season.

According to Michalis Chrysochoides, development undersecretary responsible for trade, the government has held talks with industry representatives after looking into introducing suggested retail prices for bottled water, juices and beverages and the measure has already been endorsed by the Greek Commission on Competition.

[05] GREECE TO PARTICIPATE IN MILITARY EXERCISE, WILL BE HELD IN BULGARIA

A multi-national military exercise titled "Bridge '96" will be held in the Black Sea by the Bulgarian Naval Forces on August 10-16, with the participation of Greece, Russia, the Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, Italy and the United States.

The exercise, which falls within the auspices of NATO's initiative "Partnership for Peace" aims at establishing trust and stability in the Black Sea region and will be performed under the supervision of Bulgaria's Naval Chief Christo Kontrov.

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