Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-02

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE BALKAN COURSE TOWARD THE EU IS DIFFICULT BUT FEASIBLE

[02] PAPANTONIOU: THE SOCIAL POLICY BENEFITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

[03] KARAMANLIS: THE BORDERS ARE INVIOLABLE AND DO NOT CHANGE

[04] REPPAS ON MILOSEVIC'S ARREST

[05] THE FIRST TOURISTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CRETE

[06] REPPAS: THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE NEW ATHENS AIRPORT IS A MATTER OF

[07] THE GREEK CAR INDUSTRY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE SERB MARKET

[08] THE CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SE EUROPE ARE RIGHT

[09] LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[10] ZAFIROPOULOS: PEACE IS A PRECONDITION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE

[11] MILOSEVIC PLEADS "NOT GUILTY" TO ALL CHARGES

[01] THE BALKAN COURSE TOWARD THE EU IS DIFFICULT BUT FEASIBLE

The Balkans must work more eagerly in order to become part of the European family, while the countries in the region must improve their weak points both at a political and an economic level, stated to MPA Swedish ambassador to Athens Bjorn Elmer on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum.

Referring to the armed incidents between the FYROM authorities and the Albanian-speaking rebels, he stressed that there can be a cooperation with the local authorities to avoid the deterioration of the situation in the region.

Sweden currently holds the EU rotating presidency and the Swedish ambassador to Athens stated that the EU is making efforts for the return of normality to FYROM.

He also characterized the Thessaloniki Forum as a very important way to promote the Balkan development, adding that it brings in contact political and economic officials from different states and promotes cooperation. He concluded by saying that cooperation in the Balkan region can gradually lead to its accession into the European Union.

[02] PAPANTONIOU: THE SOCIAL POLICY BENEFITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou in statements he made on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum characterized the government decision to proceed with armaments spending cuts as a decision of great political significance.

He said that the Greek government made this decision in order to secure adequate funds for its social policy, the social state and the strengthening of social justice. The additional funds that will be secured are estimated at one trillion drachmas and will be used in the sectors of the farmers' pension system, the Social Solidarity Bonus, public education and the National Health System. They will also be used in the program against poverty and social isolation, the support of the large families and the increase of the benefits for the support of the people with special needs.

Mr. Papantoniou stressed that social policy benefits economic development because it supports the purchasing power of the small and medium sized incomes.

[03] KARAMANLIS: THE BORDERS ARE INVIOLABLE AND DO NOT CHANGE

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, speaking in the 8th Thessaloniki Forum today, issued an appeal to everybody to play a leading role in the joint effort for democracy, security and stability in the Balkans.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that the borders are inviolable and do not change, adding that national borders can not be drawn up arbitrarily. He added that New Democracy believes that only a political solution can bring peace and prosperity in the western Balkans region, stressing that probably the safest way to create a new attitude in southeastern Europe is the cooperation of businessmen.

Mr. Karamanlis stated characteristically that the Greek investments in the Balkans are over 2.5 billion Euro, corresponding to 2.5% of the Greek GDP, while over 5.500 companies have been established in the region with the participation of Greek businessmen, stressing that in FYROM alone the Greek businesses offer work to more than 5.000 people. He also said that Greece offers work to hundreds of thousands of economic immigrants supporting this way the economies of the neighboring countries adding, however, that only those who come to Greece legally in order to work legally are welcome.

He suggested the creation of a new Greek foreign ministry international cooperation agency that will be based in Thessaloniki, the founding of a European university for the Balkan states in Thessaloniki and the creation of a technological park in northern Greece.

On the Balkan Reconstruction Organization and the Stability Pact, he said that their authorities are often overlapping, while one can also observe phenomena of antagonism and "red tape".

[04] REPPAS ON MILOSEVIC'S ARREST

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated a statement made by prime minister Kostas Simitis when he was asked to comment on the arrest of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic.

Mr. Reppas pointed out that the issue is being handled by the Yugoslav government.

[05] THE FIRST TOURISTS HAVE ARRIVED IN CRETE

The 125 tourists from Denmark, the passengers of a chartered flight that arrived at the Daskaloyiannis Airport in Chania today, were the first to open the tourist season in the Aegean island of Crete.

They arrived on board a MAERSK airline flight, while other 145 Danes are expected to arrive later this evening coming from Copenhagen.

According to the local tourist agencies, this first chartered flight arrived in Crete a month earlier compared to last year and this is a very positive sign.

Many tourists are expected in Crete from the Scandinavia countries as well as Britain, Israel even Malta.

[06] REPPAS: THE SMOOTH OPERATION OF THE NEW ATHENS AIRPORT IS A MATTER OF TIME

The opening of the new Athens Airport creates problems, pointed out Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

He said that the problems were created because of a lack in coordination and expressed the belief that soon the situation will be normalized, stressing that the smooth operation of the airport is only a matter of time and soon everything will be just a bad memory.

[07] THE GREEK CAR INDUSTRY EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE SERB MARKET

The Greek Car Industry, ÅËÂÏ, has expressed interest in the Serb market. In statements made to MPA by a member of the company's management on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, it was mentioned that it is considering the existing proposals to decide if it will expand to this particular market. However, he clarified that for the time being there is no specific plan.

He also expressed the belief that the Greek Plan for the Reconstruction of southeastern Europe will support the activation of Greek investors in the region. Referring to the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, he said that it offers direct information on the developments taking place in the markets of the region and at the same time it is a ground for business contacts.

[08] THE CONDITIONS FOR INVESTMENTS IN SE EUROPE ARE RIGHT

The belief that conditions are right for investments in southeastern Europe was expressed by Stability Pact office director in Thessaloniki Ms. Irene Lambrakis, underlining that the activation of the private sector in the reconstruction of the countries in the region is of decisive importance.

In exclusive statements she made to MPA on the sidelines of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum, Ms. Lambrakis pointed out that the growth rate in southeastern Europe this year is expected to be more than 4%, while Yugoslavia is also expected to have a positive growth.

Ms. Lambrakis underlined that the southeastern European markets make an attempt to become attractive to foreign investors and stressed that the direct foreign investments in southeastern Europe were about US$4 billion last year.

Responding to a question by MPA on whether the unsettled situation in FYROM could be an obstacle to the activities of the Greek investors, she stated that it will not be a "dark spot" in the activation of Greek investors reminding that the Greek businessmen have already an active presence in the Balkan markets.

[09] LOSSES WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.41% at 3.032,08 points, while the volume of transactions was very small at 100 million Euro or 34.23 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 223 recorded losses and 98 had gains, while the value of 53 stocks remained stable.

[10] ZAFIROPOULOS: PEACE IS A PRECONDITION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BALKANS

Greek national economy undersecretary Yiannis Zafiropoulos characterized the 8th Thessaloniki Forum as a meaningful Balkan summit meeting where the governments as well as, the economic and political forces in the wider region exchange views within the framework of a sincere cooperation aimed at strengthening peace and economic development.

Speaking to MPA, Mr. Zafiropoulos expressed the belief that the positive developments in the Balkan region will become even more positive aimed at reducing the distance between the Balkan countries and the EU member-states, while he also added that Greece is ready to support the course of the Balkan states.

Commenting on the present situation in the Balkans, he expressed the belief that normalization and stability will be consolidated in the region. Mr. Zafiropoulos stated that it has been realized by everybody, both the Balkan states and the international community, that peace in the region is a precondition for the Balkan development.

[11] MILOSEVIC PLEADS "NOT GUILTY" TO ALL CHARGES

Former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic, presently being held in Belgrade's central prison after his arrest yesterday, has pled not guilty to charges of abuse of power and corruption, according to his attorney Thomas Fila.

Mr. Milosevic has been remanded in custody for the customary 30-day period in Belgrade's central prison.

According to Mr. Fila, the former leader has pled not guilty to each count from the charge sheet.

He responded to all the questions in a normal way. He decided to defend himself. He will speak up and tell the truth, Fila said.

The former president was arrested and taken to prison early Sunday, ending a nearly 36-hour stand-off, after reportedly deciding to surrender on his own free will, even though he had vowed earlier that he would not go to jail alive.

The ex-leader is wanted by the United Nations war crimes tribunal in The Hague for crimes allegedly committed in Kosovo, but the Belgrade authorities are committed to trying the former president for "criminal deeds committed here in Serbia" rather than handing him over.

The arrest coincides with the expiration of a US deadline for the Yugoslav Government to detain the former president or risk losing substantial American economic aid and loans from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

A.F.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article