Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English, 97-12-30

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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 THE MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, December 30, 1997

TITLES

[01] TURKEY TO CONDUCT MILITARY EXERCISE IN THE AEGEAN

[02] THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL EVENT IN THE BALKANS

[03] PRO-JUNTA POLICE OFFICERS SUBJECT TO STERN DISCIPLINARY ACTION

[04] DEAL SIGNED ON CONSTRUCTION OF BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

[05] TODAY’S RALLY IN PRISTINA HAS BEEN PROHIBITED

[06] MOSLIM TO BE ON THE PRESIDIUM OF THE CROAT-MOSLIM FEDERATION

[07] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS WANT ACCESSION TO THE EU, ACCORDING TO POLL

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] TURKEY TO CONDUCT MILITARY EXERCISE IN THE AEGEAN

Athens, December 30 (MPA)

[02] THE MOST SIGNIFICANT POLITICAL EVENT IN THE BALKANS

Thessaloniki, December 30 (MPA)

A conference which is registered among the successes of the Greek government and has illustrated the depth of the desire maintained by the region’s people to enjoy contact, cooperation and reconciliation. And, as the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis had the opportunity to emphasise while welcoming the Balkan leaders, this meeting was a result of “the political will held by all of us to embark together on an effort that will be supported on peace and respect of the international law , the desire to enjoy wholehearted economic cooperation and solidarity, the mutual search of answers to the problems that divided us until now.

Perhaps no spectacular results were achieved during the course of the two-day conference, perhaps no significant bilateral agreements were reached, and all the pending problems existing among the region’s states were not magically eradicated. However, the first steps were taken in order to set up the bridges of co- operation for the development of co-operation in Southeast Europe. And more so, that the “ice was broken” between certain countries of our region, such as between Albania and Yugoslavia, whose leaders hadn’t met for half a century, while also positive were the bilateral meetings held between Mgrs. Gligorov-Kostov, Simitis- Yilmaz, and others.

The Balkan leaders meeting was saluted not only by the government of most of the world’s countries and by international organisations, but also by the overwhelming majority of the mass media of the Balkan peninsula. Certain of these, such as the largest part of the press in Yugoslavia, FYROM, Albania and elsewhere, wrote that “the first Summit Conference in the history of the Balkan countries in Crete marked the beginning of a new era in the Balkans towards the 21st century.”

It is also quite characteristic that, in spite of the criticism or complains that were voiced in regards to the manner in which the Balkan leaders handled the national interests of their countries during the bilateral meeting they held within the sidelines of the Conference, the assessment for the success of this meeting was nevertheless positive across the board. Such as the Yugoslav former Foreign Minister, Ilia Gukic’s, who stated that “the conference was more beneficial for Milosevic than for Yugoslavia”, but added that “no one should underestimate the Inter-Balkan Conference which was a significant event.”

Indeed, aside from the overcoming of old differences, which rendered the Balkans as the “powder keg of Europe”, the Balkan countries finally began realising that the Southeast European region constitutes a vast market with 150 million residents. And they also realised that there is no better way to achieve the economic welfare of these countries but through the developments of their mutual economic co-operation. Of course this requires changes in a series of laws and the domestic economic parameters, such as the adjustment of each country’s legislation (taxes, customs, investments, etc.) However, a foremost priority is the improvement of the political climate and above all, the creation of the necessary conditions for peace, security and stability.

As Sofia’s daily “24 Hours” wrote characteristically on the following day, the article titled “The Balkans are Melting the Ice” emphasised that the Conference paved the road for “the establishment of civilised relations of European type among the Balkans.” In Albania, the leader of the “Democratic Alliance” Neritan Ceka pointed out that “the era we live is one of European-type solutions, and this is why this meeting was a success.” Belgrade’s press also deemed that the Crete Summit was a success, and the Serb television station broadcast that “a new page was opened for the Balkans and a period of development and closer cooperation is to begin among the region’s peoples.”

Also at Skopje, the President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov stated that the Summit “constitutes a starting point for the creation of new relations among the Balkan countries and for the determination of a strategy that will constitute the driving factor in cooperation and the development of economic ties in the wider region of Southeast Europe.” Finally, the Premier of Bulgaria Ivan Kostov characterised Greece’s initiative as one of “exemplary significance” while Turkey’s Premier Mesut Yilmaz congratulated his Greek counterpart for taking the initiative to hold this meeting.

The leaders of the Balkan countries ended their first Summit conference with the conclusion that they found the way to overcome the heritage of Balkan differences and to work together for regional development, as well as for building trust and peace in the region.

All there is left to do now is for all that was agreed upon in Crete to materialise. And Greece has shown all these years that it works dutifully towards breathing life into the vision of Balkan co-operation. A.F.

[03] PRO-JUNTA POLICE OFFICERS SUBJECT TO STERN DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Athens, December 30 (MPA)

The findings of their activities have been turned over to the Greek Police Chief A. Vasilopoulos who will determine the disciplinary action that will be taken for the officers. A.F.

[04] DEAL SIGNED ON CONSTRUCTION OF BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

Athens, December 30 (MPA)

The cost of the pipeline’s construction study is budgeted at one and a half billion drachmas and its funding will be partially derived from the European Union, The consortium will be formed between the three countries, while the two Greek companies which are to participate in the project are Latsis and Kapelouzos. A.F.

[05] TODAY’S RALLY IN PRISTINA HAS BEEN PROHIBITED

Pristina, December 30 (MPA)

During their first rally in October, the Serb police used tear gas and in certain occasions beat some of the protesters. A.F.

[06] MOSLIM TO BE ON THE PRESIDIUM OF THE CROAT-MOSLIM FEDERATION

Sarajevo, December 30 (MPA)

Mr. Ganic, the vice-president of the federation, is replacing Mr. Solic as per the agreement provided for by the rotating presidency, which aims at promoting the balance among the Moslem community and the Croats. A.F.

[07] TURKISH-CYPRIOTS WANT ACCESSION TO THE EU, ACCORDING TO POLL

Nicosia, December 30 (MPA)

The percentage of those who do not want accession to the EU has dropped to 1.5% from the 3.1% of 1995.

Moreover, those younger in age are more in favor of accession to the EU than the older generations. For example, 17.6% of the ages between 18-24 years old are in favor of entering the Community, while of those who are above the age of 54 only 7% favor accession to the EU.

The EU ambassador to Cyprus expressed his satisfaction over the poll’s results. 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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