Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PEROPOULOU WAS REELECTED TO THE US PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION

[02] SPECIAL EVENT FOR THE SERREANS LIVING ABROAD

[03] THE US PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION ON THE BALKANS AND THE FYROM NAME

[04] FORMAL VISIT TO GREECE BY THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKSTAN

[05] THE MAJORITY OF THE GREEKS ARE AGAINST GLOBALIZATION

[06] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

[07] PAPADIMOS PREDICTS GROWTH RATE OF 4.5% IN GREECE

[08] THE HEAD OF THE GREEK LIAISON OFFICE TO SKOPJE IN KUMANOVO

[09] "ATHENS 2004" ON ROGGE'S ELECTION TO THE IOC PRESIDENCY

[10] SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING IN KRÅMLIN TOMORROW

[11] THE NEW IOC PRESIDENT WILL BE IN ATHENS IN SEPTEMBER

[01] PEROPOULOU WAS REELECTED TO THE US PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION PRESIDENCY

Nina Peropoulou was reelected president of the US Pan-Macedonian Association in the 55th US Pan-Macedonian Association Conference in Litochoro, Pieria, in northern Greece, and in statements she made to MPA, stressed that she will continue the efforts to keep the prestige of the US Pan-Macedonian Association high.

She said that she is deeply moved and that the fact that she was reelected unanimously to the post was a great honor for her. Ms. Peropoulou stressed, among others, that the positions of the US Pan-Macedonian Association on the issue of the FYROM name are firm and made a special reference to the dynamic participation of the young members of the US Pan-Macedonian Association.

Regarding the decision to make the Canada Pan-Macedonian Association independent, she said that the decision will be observed even though she feels like loosing a child.

[02] SPECIAL EVENT FOR THE SERREANS LIVING ABROAD

The local administration in Serres, northern Greece, in cooperation with Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) will organize a big event in Eleftheria central square in the city of Serres on Friday, July 20 to honor the Serreans living abroad for the efforts they make aimed at preserving the Greek culture, language and heritage in the countries where they live.

Melbourne's Pan-Macedonian Association 20-member folk dance group and a local folk music group from Iraklia, Serres will perform after the special ceremony.

Macedonian Press Agency will broadcast the event live on the Internet.

[03] THE US PAN-MACEDONIAN ASSOCIATION ON THE BALKANS AND THE FYROM NAME

The US Pan-Macedonian Association adopted decisions on the Balkans and the issue of FYROM's name in the 55th National Conference meeting that took place in Litochoro, Pieria in northern Greece on July 12-15.

On the issue of the FYROM name, the members of the US Pan-Macedonian Association decided that they will not accept a name that will include the word "Macedonia", stressing that Macedonia is the indisputable historical and cultural heritage of Greece. They called for a name to be adopted for FYROM that will express the country's multi-ethnic character and allow all its people to co-exist in peace, suggesting the names "Central Balkan Republic" or "Vardaska Republic". They also called for the free expression of the origin of the ethnic Greeks in FYROM on issues concerning the Greek language, religion, Greek education and cultural identity.

Concerning the situation in the Balkans, the members of the US Pan-Macedonian Association condemned the unfair treatment of the Turkish occupied part of Cyprus by the United States, the European Union and NATO compared to the way events were treated in Kosovo, accusing them of double-standards. They offered their support to the Greeks in south Albania, who are the targets of terrorist pressure.

Also, they agreed that the continuing Turkish provocation and territorial claims in the Aegean, in violation of the existing international laws and treaties, demand an intervention on behalf of the United States and NATO.

They also believe that the Turkish policy toward the Ecumenical Patriarchate is in violation of the freedom of religion and Turkey cannot be referred to as a free state. Specifically, they demanded the reopening of the Theology School in Chalki and the return of the property of the Greeks in Istanbul.

[04] FORMAL VISIT TO GREECE BY THE PRESIDENT OF KAZAKSTAN

Kazakstan's president Nursultan Nazerbajev will be on a three-day visit to Greece until July 18 starting today.

The president of Kazakstan is expected to meet with president Kostis Stephanopoulos at the presidential palace in Athens today. A number of bilateral agreements will be signed in their meeting, while later in the evening a formal dinner will be given in his honor by president Stephanopoulos.

Tomorrow, the president of Kazakstan will meet with parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos. Before his departure, he is also scheduled to visit the archaeological site in Sounio and the Acropolis in Athens.

[05] THE MAJORITY OF THE GREEKS ARE AGAINST GLOBALIZATION

The majority of the Greeks, 54%, are in favor of the protests against globalization, while about one in three, 31.7%, would be willing to participate in the Genoa protests within the framework of the G-8 meeting, according to an opinion poll conducted by the OPINION polling company.

Based on the opinion poll results that were published on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA", the word "globalization" creates negative emotions to the Greeks and 59% responded that the word causes them concern, while 32% responded that it causes them fear.

Also, 31% of the Greeks believe that globalization will heart Greece, 33% responded that it will probably heart Greece, while 21% believe that it will rather benefit Greece and just 8% are certain that it will benefit the country.

Those who would participate in the Genoa protests against globalization if they could are: 38.8% men and 25.7% women, while 37.2% are 30-44 years old and 38% are 45-49. The overwhelming majority (39.9%) has a higher education.

It is worth noting that willingness to participate in the Genoa protests was expressed not only by Communist Party and Coalition of the Left party followers but by the majority of the governing socialist party of PASOK and the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy followers.

[06] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -4.48% at 2.314,08 points, while the volume of transactions was at 118.4 million Euro or 40.337 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority, 345, recorded losses and only 8 had gains, while the value of 26 stocks remained stable.

[07] PAPADIMOS PREDICTS GROWTH RATE OF 4.5% IN GREECE

The Bank of Greece predicts growth rate of slightly under 4.5% and inflation of 3% early next year, according to statements made by the bank's governor Loukas Papadimos after the meeting he had today with minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou.

They discussed the course of the Greek economy and its prospects this year and the following one and according to Mr. Papadimos, it was confirmed that the economic growth rate will be slightly lower than expected, just under 4.5%.

Regarding inflation, it will be maintained at the current levels during the following months but gradually it will drop to 3%.

[08] THE HEAD OF THE GREEK LIAISON OFFICE TO SKOPJE IN KUMANOVO

Head of the Greek liaison office to Skopje Giorgos Kaklikis visited the city of Kumanovo today where he met with mayor Slobodan Kovatchevski, city counselors and local businessmen.

A special emphasis was given to the promotion of cooperation between local and Greek businessmen, mainly in the sector of plastics processing.

Mr. Kaklikis also met with representatives of the ethnic Greeks in the city and during the meeting a proposal was made for the establishment of a bilateral friendship association.

[09] "ATHENS 2004" ON ROGGE'S ELECTION TO THE IOC PRESIDENCY

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, President of the ATHENS 2004 Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, issued the following statement on the election of Dr. Jacque Rogge as President of the International Olympic Committee:

"As the Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission and in many other ways, Jacques Rogge has proven himself to be a great leader of the Olympic Movement and a wonderful friend to the people of Greece. ATHENS 2004 welcomes the election of Jacques Rogge as IOC President; he will be a great partner in our efforts to organise unique games on a human scale. Dr. Rogge is a superb choice to lead the IOC following the retirement of our esteemed President, Juan Antonio Samaranch. We look forward to receiving Jacques Rogge when he next visits Greece in his new role as President of the IOC."

[10] SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING IN KRÅMLIN TOMORROW

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis will meet in Kremlin tomorrow with Russian president Vladimir Putin to discuss issues concerning the further development of bilateral relations, the situation in the Balkans and the operational development of the new missile defense system, NMD, by Washington.

Russia, China and some European governments react to the operational exploitation of the system.

[11] THE NEW IOC PRESIDENT WILL BE IN ATHENS IN SEPTEMBER

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis met in Moscow today with the newly elected president of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Jacque Rogge, while tomorrow he will meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Simitis congratulated the new IOC president for his election and according to statements he made after the meeting, it was agreed that Mr. Rogge will visit Athens in September.

Speaking to reporters, the prime minister expressed satisfaction for the election of the 59yearold Belgian physician to the presidency of the international Olympic movement "not only because he is a friend of Greece but because he is a man, who can lead the movement to new directions and give it a new momentum, a man of vision and abilities."

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