Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE CONDEMNS ALBANIAN-NLA DUET IN FYROM

[02] GREEK PM IN MALTA FOR EU'S EXPANSION TO THE MED

[03] EVENT ON BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN THESSALONIKI

[04] DANGER WARNING BY GREENPEACE

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[06] ATHENS GIRDS FOR INCIDENT UPON CYPRUS' EU ENTRY

[07] TOURISM PROSPECTS NOT SO GOOD, INSTITUTE SAYS

[08] DM: NO MORE BICKERING OVER ARMS PROGRAMS

[09] GREEK PRESIDENT IN FAVOR OF EU ENLARGEMENT

[10] GREEK FM AT US PENTAGON FOR BALKAN CRISES

[11] PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO HONOR SOULI HEROES

[01] GREECE CONDEMNS ALBANIAN-NLA DUET IN FYROM

A statement of joint action taken by leaders of Albanian parties in FYROM and the so-called National Liberation Army is unacceptable and it is condemned by the international community in its entirety, Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panayiotis Beglitis, stated yesterday, adding that the statement undermines political stability in FYROM and creates a climate of tension in the wider region.

"The statement by the leaders of the Albanian parties substantively undermines FYROM's political stability and creates a climate of tension in the wider region. 

Legal political forces in FYROM should continue and complete political dialogue with the aim of achieving necessary reforms for the country, while, at the same time, ruling out any legalization of extremist forces and terrorist elements, so as to prevent the undermining of whatever effort made so far by the international community and the European Union in particular, he added.

A.F.

[02] GREEK PM IN MALTA FOR EU'S EXPANSION TO THE MED

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is presently on an official visit to Malta, where he will discuss the island's European union accession process, in line with Cyprus, with Malta's president, Guido De Marco.

Mr. Simitis was received by his Maltese counterpart Eddie Fenech Adami with whom he discussed the developments in the Balkan region, Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and economic cooperation between Greece and Malta.

Addressing a dinner hosted in his honor by Mr. Adami last night, the Greek Premier stressed that "Greek-Turkish relations cannot progress, if conditions in Cyprus remain unchanged," adding that a fair and overall solution to the Cyprus problem is a priority for the Greek government.

He characterized the EU's s enlargement as a great challenge and a great opportunity for the European Union stressing that Greece supports the acceleration of the substantial negotiations with candidate states.

In reference to Malta's EU candidacy, Mr. Simitis said that the small island nation complies with all political and economic criteria to become an EU member-state, adding that he believed Malta would progress toward the adoption of the aquis communautaire.

The Greek Premier underlined that Greece supports Malta's accession prospect, as it would greatly contribute to the stabilization of the Mediterranean and would benefit the EU by granting it a stronger southern wing.

In turn, Mr. Adami said that his country supports Cyprus' EU entry, adding that Cyprus' accession should take place regardless of a solution to its protracted political problem.

Greece and Malta are to sign two agreements during Mr. Simitis' stay, including a pact on cooperation in the public safety sector.

The Greek Premier is to be received by the Maltese president today.

A.F.

[03] EVENT ON BYZANTINE MONUMENTS IN THESSALONIKI

An international conference entitled Byzantine Monuments and World Heritage is to be inaugurated by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos in Thessaloniki today.

The purpose of the event, which will conclude on June 1, is the exchange of points of view on the following matters: protection of national monuments in accordance to state legislation; issues, prospects and principles pertaining to monument manipulation, the formation of a common electronic site of Byzantine monuments under the auspices of UNESCO, etc.

Held under UNESCO's auspices, the conference is organized by the European Center of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Studies and features the participation of 16 countries.

A.F.

[04] DANGER WARNING BY GREENPEACE

The ecological organization Greenpeace issued a danger warning for 53 food products that are suspect of being genetically altered.

The list was given to publicity by the Network of Consumers that was formed by Greenpeace and according to Ms. Mirto Pispini, who is in charge of the network, the legislation based on which the genetically altered products have to be distinctively marked is in effect in Greece since April 9, 2000 but it is not implemented.

The products were put on the list based on the certificates issued by the food companies and the results of lab tests made by Greenpeace itself. Most of the suspect products include genetically altered soya, corn or one of their derivative-products.

Soya derivatives can be found in deli products, diet products, desserts, sweets, cookies, baby food, soups etc. It is speculated that the genetically altered corn can be found in cereals, sweets, canned fish, blends of spices, soups, potato chips, baby food or vegetable oils.

[05] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.27% at 3.222,45 points, while the volume of transactions was at 211.19 million Euro or 71.964 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 138 recorded gains and 183 had losses, while the value of 57 stocks remained stable.

[06] ATHENS GIRDS FOR INCIDENT UPON CYPRUS' EU ENTRY

Athens and Nicosia are reportedly bracing for a Turkey-caused incident in the Aegean or Cyprus when the latter joins the European Union, according to a Foreign Ministry classified document that was leaked to the press yesterday.

The said document, published in the Athens daily Imerisia, notes that the scenario of an episode either in Cyprus or in the Aegean on the eve of Cyprus' accession to the EU should not be ruled out.

According to the article, both Greece's and Cyprus' ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense have agreed to proceed to a concerted review of all the potential scenarios.

The concerns shared by Athens and Nicosia are only fuelled by the warning statements Turkey's Foreign Minster Ismael Cem made recently, who alluded to a no bar reaction in the event Cyprus accedes to the EU without prior solution to the pending political problem.

A.F.

[07] TOURISM PROSPECTS NOT SO GOOD, INSTITUTE SAYS

Countering the Greek Tourism Organization's optimistic forecasts for the summer vacationer arrivals, the Institute for Tourism Research and Forecasts (ITEP) revealed gloomy forecasts for the industry in Greece this year, saying that prospects for the current year did not look optimistic at all.

In a report unveiled yesterday, ITEP referred to lost opportunities in the state's efforts to present a beautified and false reality in regards to the tourism sector.

Moreover, ITEP noted that the sector's first encounter with the Eurozone, coupled with the absence of a tourism policy, is especially detrimental for Greek tourism and-concurrently- benefits other destinations outside Europe.

The Institute also faults the Athens 2004 organization for not having embarked on any form of communication strategy taking advantage of the Olympic Games.

ITEP forecasts a decline of three to five percent in tourist arrivals in 2001, contrary to the seven percent increase anticipated by the Development Ministry.

According to ITEP, Athens was subject to a 20% decline in tourism during the first quarter of 2001, with equally gloomy forecasts for the months ahead.

A.F.

[08] DM: NO MORE BICKERING OVER ARMS PROGRAMS

Any existing differences over the armaments program have been overcome and the state's Defense and Foreign Policy Council (KYSEA) has arrived at unanimous decisions, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated yesterday while speaking to journalists in Thessaloniki.

Specifically, KYSEA agreed to delay the implementation of certain parts of the armaments program, where the signing of relevant contracts (i.e. Eurofighter) will be transferred for the period following 2004.

The decision also concerns armaments costing a total of about one trillion drachmas.

In reference to the recent remarks made by Turkey's Foreign Minister Ismael Cem concerning Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the economic, social and political crisis being experienced by Turkey are leading it to use high tones.

"Turkey has been realizing very correctly for some months that the accession of Cyprus and other eastern European countries to the EU is proceeding at an accelerated rate. Turkey has difficulties. The economic crisis, the social crisis and the political crisis it is going through are leading it to use high tones. However, it cannot be concealed that the country itself in its entirety has entered a course of adjustments at many levels and, despite reactions, I am optimistic, with regard to Greece's interests, that this adjustment of Turkey's to the new situation will produce results.

A.F.

[09] GREEK PRESIDENT IN FAVOR OF EU ENLARGEMENT

Having concluded the official part of a three-day visit to Zagreb, the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos expressed his satisfaction over his contacts with Croatia's leaders and stressed that he ascertained an identity of views on matters of mutual interest.

In an interview with Croatia's state television channel HRT, the President stated that Greece is an advocate for facilitating the course of all European countries that wished to join the European Union.

Greece has from the first been in favor of EU enlargement with all European countries that wish to become members, Mr. Stephanopoulos stated.

I believe that it is the right of these countries to become EU member-states and that Europe must be integrated, so that it can fulfill its historic mission with all the states that make it up.

The Greek President also addressed an economic forum organized by Greek and Croatian businessmen where he stressed the need to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries.

During his stay in Zagreb, President Stephanopoulos was received by his Croatian counterpart Stipe Mesic with whom he discussed bilateral ties and the overall situation in the Balkans, as well as with Prime Minister Ivica Racan and the President of the Croatian Parliament.

Prior to his return to Athens this evening, Mr. Stephanopoulos will be given a tour of the city of Dubrovnik.

A.F.

[10] GREEK FM AT US PENTAGON FOR BALKAN CRISES

Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with US Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz in Washington, with whom he discussed Balkans-related matters, the Comprehensive Technical Agreement (CTA) on the regime governing the US forces in Greece and the Greek forces in the US. 

Messrs. Papandreou and Wolfowitz also reviewed matters pertaining to security for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and cooperation between the two countries in combating terrorism.

Following the talks, Mr. Papandreou stressed that the discussion focused on the situation in the Balkans, not only in reference to its flash points in FYROM, Kosovo, Montenegro and southern Serbia, but, also, in terms of consolidating stability.

A.F.

[11] PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC TO HONOR SOULI HEROES

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos is to attend commemorative events in Souli, Epirus, on Sunday, May 27, honoring the town's legendary resistance to Ottoman Turkish rule in the 19th century.

Souli's inhabitants, the Souliotes, lived in fort-like villages in the mountains and remained independent during most of the occupation of Greece by the Ottoman Turks. They fought successfully (17901802) against Ali Pasha, the Turkish governor of Ioannina.

In 1803, however, Ali Pasha massacred many of them after concluding a false truce. In what has become a historic point of reference, 63 Souli women leapt to their death from a cliff, many holding their babies in their arms, preferring to die than succumb to the Turks.

A.F.

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