Macedonian Press Agency: News In Brief (96-10-30)

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, October 30, 1996

TITLES

[01] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVED BY CYPRUS' DEMOCRATIC RALLY PARTY LEADER

[02] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER PHILIPPOS PETSALNIKOS IN AUSTRALIA

[03] EUROPEAN COMMISSION GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO GREECE'S ECONOMY

[04] BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER: CYPRUS' DIVISION IS A SHAME AND INSULT TO EUROPE

[05] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISMISSES PSEUDOSTATE IN CYPRUS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER RECEIVED BY CYPRUS' DEMOCRATIC RALLY PARTY LEADER

Nicosia, October 30 (M.P.A.)

According to Mr. Matsis, specific emphasis was given to the issue of developing the Joint Defense Area, new armaments, proper military training as well as the essense of power, "which must develop in contrast with the expanding turkish expansionsist policy."

Moreover, Mr. Matsis stated that the strengthening of the Armed Forces, according to Mr. Tsohatzopoulos, "constitutes a necessary reality which the Greek Minister will promote with all his efforts."

[02] MACEDONIA-THRACE MINISTER PHILIPPOS PETSALNIKOS IN AUSTRALIA

Sidney, October 30 (M.P.A.)

Tomorrow morning Mr. Petsalnikos will meet with the Greek Council, the President of Sidney's Greek community and various Greek-Australian parliamentarians.

In the afternoon tomorrow, the Minister will meet with the Archbishop of Australia Mr. Stylianos and in the evening will give a press conference, while on Friday Mr. Petsalnikos and his delegation will begin their travel to Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Mr. Petsalnikos will be in Australia until November 6 and is accompanied by the Ministry's Political Affairs Director, two advisers and four journalists.

On November 15, Mr. Petsalnikos will depart for a formal visit to Canada where he will stay until November 21.

During his visit, he will have meetings with representatives of the Canadian Parliament and the Greek communities of Toronto and Montreal, while he will also visit the city of New York in the United States.

[03] EUROPEAN COMMISSION GIVES POSITIVE ASSESSMENT TO GREECE'S ECONOMY

Luxemburg, October 30 (M.P.A.)

According to the report, which is awaited to gain approval today, Greece has satisfactorily absorbed structural funds from the E.U. and adds that the four countries scheduled for convergence (Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland) have managed to raise their per capita gross national product from the EU's median GNP of 65% to 75%.

Moreover, the report states that inflation in Greece has been notably reduced, although the index continues to remain at higher levels than the median EU rate, although the Commission encourages Greece to continue its efforts towards the convergence program.

However, the report states that Greece holds last place among the four countries attempting to achieve convergence as it has barely met the median level of other E.U. member-states, while its development rates are near the median E.U. level.

According to the report, Ireland has the most impressive rates among the countries in line for convergence.

[04] BRITISH DEFENSE MINISTER: CYPRUS' DIVISION IS A SHAME AND INSULT TO EUROPE

Nicosia, October 30 (M.P.A.)

Minister Portillo, inaugurating the Cyprus-related photography exhibit of Greek-Cypriot Doros Partasides in London, stated that the division and the green line are on an island that is a part of Europe and wishes to become a member of the European Union.

Mr. Portillo added that "Cyprus' accession to the European Union would be easy if it (the island) was united, whereas the way the situation is now such move is very difficult."

According to sources, British Foreign Minister Malcom Rifkind, who will visit Cyprus in December, is expected to encourage both sides of the island to undertake separate assessments of the situation as it stands.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Alekos Michaelides has saluted Britain's initiatives and expressed his certainty that Britain is greatly involved in the preparatory efforts of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

[05] RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER DISMISSES PSEUDOSTATE IN CYPRUS

Nicosia, October 30 (M.P.A.)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Michael Demourin stated thah the Russian Federation closely abides by the United Nations Security Council's decision in regards to recognizing only the Republic of Cyprus.

Mr. Demourin reminded that only Turkey has recognized the pseudostate and pointed to the numerous resolutions issued by the Security Council which detemine the UN member-countries' relations with this illegal regime.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/

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