Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-06-06

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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, June 6, 1997

TITLES

[01] GREEK PREMIER TO ADDRESS EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY CONFERENCE

[02] THESSALONIKI BECOMES EPICENTER OF DEVELOPMENTS

[03] THESSALONIKI TO HOST SEMINAR ON BALKAN REGION'S LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

[04] FYROM'S FOREIGN MINISTER SALUTES THESSALONIKI'S CONFERENCE

[05] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER'S FIRST APPEARANCE BEFORE EUROPEAN FORUM

[06] OECD: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACK, WILL BE READY FOR EMU IN 2001

[07] HOLBROOKE RELUCTANT ON THE POTENTIAL OF RESOLVING CYPRUS ISSUE SOON

[08] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH US CONGRESSMEN, REPRESENTATIVES

[09] BURNS: US DON'T ADVOCATE SOLUTION THAT WILL LEAD TO CYPRUS DIVISION

[10] BRITISH ALTERNATE FM: CYPRUS ISSUE IS AMONG OUR GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES

[11] F.R.Y.: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SUBMITS CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENTIAL POST

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER TO ADDRESS EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY CONFERENCE

Malmoe, June 6 (MPA)

Mr. Simitis is expected to point out that the Socialist governments can agree in promoting significant changes in the Maastricht Treaty, during the Intergovernmental Conference to be held in Amsterdam on June 16.

The participants in the European Socialist Party are tackling issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference and the course of the European Union's member-states towards the revision of the Maastricht Treaty.

Meanwhile, in an effort to assess the situation as it stands prior to the final negotiation of the Maastricht Treaty's revision, the European Parliament's plenary session will convene in Strasbourg on June 11, to be officiated by the Dutch-held EU Presidium and the European Commission.

Shadowed by the overall concerns brought on by the dispute between the German government and the Federal Central Bank of Germany as well as the outcome of France's elections, the Parlianent will examine last year's annual report of the European Monetary Foundation as well as a series of other reports that concern the process of the Economic and Monetary Union. A.F.

[02] THESSALONIKI BECOMES EPICENTER OF DEVELOPMENTS

Thessaloniki, June 6 (MPA)

The Conference of Balkan Foreign Ministers will be held on Monday and Tuesday while at the same time a forum of leading Balkan businessmen who will discuss the region's privatization process will take place.

The initiative for the forum, where the sectors of energy, telecommunications, transportation, banking and industry will be represented, has been taken by the Greek Foreign Ministry, with the organizational support of the Association of Northern Greece's Industries (SVVE).

Tomorrow, mayors from cities throughout the Balkan countries will attend a Thessaloniki-held seminar which will examine the role of local administration in establishing stability in the region. A.F.

[03] THESSALONIKI TO HOST SEMINAR ON BALKAN REGION'S LOCAL ADMINISTRATION

Thessaloniki, June 6 (MPA)

The seminar is is essense an extension of the Balkan countries' cooperation, and constitutes an initiative of the Greek local government organization.

The various issues will range from developing cooperation among the European Union's various sectors and the Balkans as a way to further strengthen cooperation between European committees and the Balkan countries, as well as the cultural exchanges between the local administration organizations of the Balkans.

Aside from Greece, among the countries that will be represented in tomorrow's event wil be Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, FYROM and Romania.

The Greek side will be represented by the Ministers of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Alekos Papadopoulos, Transportation Haris Kastanides, Defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos and Culture, Evangelos Venizelos. A.F.

[04] FYROM'S FOREIGN MINISTER SALUTES THESSALONIKI'S CONFERENCE

Skopje, June 6 (MPA)

In regards to bilateral relaitons betwen Greece and FYROM, Mr. Handziski noted the improvement following the interim agreement and state that he looks forward to greater progress.

In his statement, the first to the Greek media since he was elected to the post of Foreign Minister last May, Mr. Handziski insists on calling his country "Republic of Macedonia."

"It is well known that, not too long ago, the 50th anniversary of the Marshal Plan, implemented in almost all of the West European countries, was marked," Dr. Handziski states.

"The zone of security created over these countries by NATO, established two years later, is going to be extended over some of the remaining countries, of the Euro-Atlantic area, as early as next month.

"Those are the bases upon which the new Euro-Atlantic security architecture is being constructed, as well as the overall political and economic relations.

"The people of Western Europe that have, for decades and centuries, been warring against each other, or creating tensions and conflicts - instead of good neighborly relations, blockades and obstacles - instead of cooperation, have learnt these lessons some fifty years ago and have, ever since, experienced general progress.

"After the pulling down of the Berlin Wall and the advent of the post bi-polar era, the basic pre-conditions for the development of the new democracies in the other countries of Europe, were created.

"A long time has passed since the first implementation of the Marshal Plan and the establishment of NATO, so that, all these new democracies, that were not included in these programs, could start to learn the basic lessons about what is needed and which is the road that needs to be taken in order to achieve the guarantees for their national interests, for building democratic institutions, protection of the basic human rights and freedoms, the rights of the minorities and for the general economic development and progress.

"They have committed themselves to democratizing their societies, to gaining full membership in the collective security and defense systems, to the European option.

"Along that track they come across many problems and difficulties, but, also, still, across obstacles that they themselves create in their mutual relations, looking more to the past rather than to the future, producing, still, distrust - instead of confidence, tensions and conflicts- instead of peace and lasting stability, and cooperation.

"They belong to the group of most ancient people, that have had great civilization achievements over the past, and they have the right but also the responsibility to do all that is necessary to get themselves together in the new united Europe."

Mr. Handziski stresses that the "Republic of Macedonia" has avoided the turmoil of the war on the former Yugoslav territory, and has all along been producing peace, instead of tensions and conflicts.

"It has commited itself to the European option, to equally good cooperation with all of the neighboring countries, the countries of the region and beyond.

"Therefore, we salute all the initiatives, regardless of which country they come from, that contribute to the good neighborly relations, to confidence building, to cooperation security and the lasting stability in the South-Eastern Europe, in which we live.

"Many such initiatives, have already given results, since, some of the countries, participating in the meeting, have signed agreements for overcoming disputes, for developing confidence building measures, for commencing open and sincere cooperation in all the fields.

"That was the case with the Interim Accord signed between the 'Republic of Macedonia' and the Republic of Greece.

"Though some open issues still remain, after the signing of this Accord our relations with the Republic of Greece have improved practically in all the fields.

"Thessaloniki having become the cultural capital of Europe for '97, visiting the Republic of Greece, for the first time, was our Minister of Culture.

"The first visit of a minister of the Greek Government took place during the short stay of my colleague Mr. Pangalos in our state.

"I feel special pleasure, that participating in this meeting, I am visiting Greece, for the first time, in the capacity of a Minister of Foreign Affairs, expecting that we will proceed with such contacts, at numerous levels.

"At the Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of South-Eastern Europe, from all the participants, regardlless of their capacity, and regardlless of which organizations and groups they come from, but above all, from the ministers of foreign affairs, we expect to clearly and decisively underscore their countries' commitment to jointly contribute to achieving these shared strategic goals as soon as possible, which will enable further democratization of our countries, more rapid economic development, open and sincere cooperation, and an open road towards united Europe.

"The Thessaloniki Declaration, that will be adopted at the meeting clearly defines all of these joint efforts.

"But it must not remain only at that declarative level. Rather, it should, as soon as possible, be valorized through practical steps, that will resolve all the outstanding issues that burden us and prevent us to pass that road as quickly as possible, and without major difficulties and obstacles.

"We salute also the holding of the Business Forum, and we believe that the meetings of the business people will prove that, as early as at this meeting, we are starting with the practical steps for the achievement of the basic aims of the Declaration." A.F.

[05] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER'S FIRST APPEARANCE BEFORE EUROPEAN FORUM

Brussels, June 6 (MPA)

Mr. Karamanlis, this being his first speech outside of Greece as party leader, asked the European Union to safeguard Greece's borders and added that Greece has a unisom voice throughout the world.

Mr. Karamanlis is to address today the European People's Party Parliamentary Group plenary session. A.F.

[06] OECD: GREEK ECONOMY IS ON RIGHT TRACK, WILL BE READY FOR EMU IN 2001

Paris, June 6 (MPA)

The OECD's report is expected to be published in early August and the head of the relevant committee stated that "indeed, Greece has drawn restructing measures for its economy."

At a recent discussion held at the OECD headquarters, and attended by a Greek delegation, the international organization's officials stressed that OECD is "especially pleased with the course of Greece's economy." A.F.

[07] HOLBROOKE RELUCTANT ON THE POTENTIAL OF RESOLVING CYPRUS ISSUE SOON

Washington, June 6 (MPA)

Speaking to Reuters, Mr. Holbrooke said that he doesn't want to give the impression that the United States are holding the "magic ball".

"Given the political situation in Turkey, I can't see what we can achieve. However, the Turkish have stated that the American involvement is desired and as such we'll put forth our best efforts," Mr. Holbrooke said.

Moreover, the US diplomat will not attend the New York-held direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. He will visit Cyprus after the talks. A.F.

[08] CYPRIOT FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH US CONGRESSMEN, REPRESENTATIVES

Washington, June 6 (MPA)

Mr. Kasoulides characterized his contacts as very useful and stated that he briefed the US congressmen and representatives on the Cyprus issue.

Today, he is to be received by the assistant Undersecretary of State on policy issues Jan Lodal at the Pentagon. A.F.

[09] BURNS: US DON'T ADVOCATE SOLUTION THAT WILL LEAD TO CYPRUS DIVISION

Washington, June 6 (MPA)

"The island has been divided for 23 years and we believe that it should be reunited under a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," Mr. Burns stated.

Referring to the meeting held yesterday evening between Cypriot Foreign Minister Yiannakis Kassoulides and the US Secretary of State, Mr. Burns said that Madeleine Albright believes that the US can carry out an active role through the appointment of Richard Holbrooke as the US presidential emissary to Cyprus.

Moreover, Mr. Burns added that the Cyprus issue is a convoluted and complex one but he did point out that President Clinton believes that the island's reunion is necessary, while its division is unacceptable.

"The United States are now before an opportunity, especially with the government of Greek Premier Kostas Simitis who is very cooperative, and with the government in Turkey, as well as the positive stance adopted by the island, to carry out a more 'aggressive' role," Mr. Burns emphasized. A.F.

[10] BRITISH ALTERNATE FM: CYPRUS ISSUE IS AMONG OUR GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITIES

London, June 6 (MPA)

The Cyprus issue was discussed during the newly-elected government's first parliamentary assembly. Among other points of view, it was stressed that the island's accession to the European Union should be achieved independently of the problem's resolution while it was pointed out that the EU's trade opportunities will significantly be strengthened through the entrance of the Cypriot fleet since, combined with the Greek fleet, it would become the second largest in the world. A.F.

[11] F.R.Y.: SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC SUBMITS CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENTIAL POST

Belgrade, June 6 (MPA)

The term of the current President Zoran Lilic is to expire on June 25 and, according to the Yugoslav Constitution, the presidential term is five years.

In order for Milosevic to be elected president of F.R.Y., he must gain the support of the Democratic Party of Socialists, since his Socialist Party, along with the Yugoslav Left, of his wife's Mira Markovic, and the New Democracy Party of Dusan Michailovic does not hold the necessary majority in the Parliament's two houses. A.F.

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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