Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-03-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS MEETS JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH - G. BUSH MEETING

[03] KAKLAMANIS MEETS GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

[04] HITIRIS: THE GOVERNMENTS OF GREECE AND CYPRUS ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT

[05] RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSAL TO OPEN PASOK'S BANK ACCOUNTS

[06] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] ERICSSON AND INTRACOM AGREEMENT

[08] PAPANTONIOU VISIT TO GERMANY

[09] PAPANDREOU MET WITH MOSCOW'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO SE EUROPE

[10] CONCERN FOR THE SITUATION IN FYROM

[11] GREEK GOLD IN LONG JUMP

[12] JOINT ACTION PLAN BY JAPAN AND GREECE

[13] GREECE-JAPAN JOINT ACTION PLAN

[01] SIMITIS MEETS JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER

A bilateral cooperation agreement was signed in Tokio between Prime Minister Simitis and his Japanese counterpart, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

The two Prime Ministers' meeting concentrated on the development of financial cooperation between the two countries. "We are learning of the Balkans in greater depth now, and we agree that Greece could be a channel for Japanese interests in the region" supported Mr. Koizumi, after the discussion he had with Kostas Simitis.

However, joint statements were not made since Prime Minister Koizumi wanted to avoid the questions of the Japanese press on friction within his government. Mr. Simitis on his side was very optimistic on the ability of Greek companies to enter a market.

The Greek side attributes great importance to the Simitis visit to Japan. The Prime Minister is accompanied by a group of Greek businessmen who have expressed their interest in financial cooperating with Japan.

Earlier the Prime Minister and his wife were greeted by the imperial couple of Japan. Mr. Simitis conveyed an invitation from the President of the Greek Republic, Kostis Stefanopoulos, to Emperor Akihito, to visit Greece

[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH - G. BUSH MEETING

A meeting with US President Bush and Foreign Minister Colin Powell has been scheduled by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for tomorrow, at the White House.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is visiting the US for the celebration of the 80th Anniversary since the founding of the Archbishopric of America and the 65th Anniversary since the founding of the Orthodox Theology School of the Holy Cross.

Mr. Bartholomew will visit Ground Zero in New York, where he will perform a memorial service for the victims of September 11.

[03] KAKLAMANIS MEETS GREEK MINORITY IN ALBANIA

President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will meet with representatives of the Greek minority in Albania tomorrow, in the framework of his visit to the neighboring country, where he will participate in the Convention for Parliament Presidents of Countries of Southeastern Europe.

The Convention is taking place in Tirana, it is the third to take place and is an initiative of the Greek Parliament, where the first European Parliament Presidents' Meeting took place in 1997.

The convention's topics are issues of good neighboring and regional cooperation.

[04] HITIRIS: THE GOVERNMENTS OF GREECE AND CYPRUS ARE IN CONSTANT CONTACT

The talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash continue and we are in expectation of how this dialogue will develop, stated Greek Undersecretary of Press Tilemachos Hitiris. The statement was made in response to a relevant question made by reporters and Mr. Hitiris added that Greece and Cyprus are in constant contact.

When asked to comment on the war material that was transported to the Turkish occupied northern Cyprus, he stated that there is coordination and contact between Athens and Nicosia.

[05] RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSAL TO OPEN PASOK'S BANK ACCOUNTS

Undersecretary of Press Tilemachos Hitiris stated that the MAYO company case is in the hands of the Greek justice and Mr. Mistotakis should wait for its decisions. Mr. Hitiris added that he is not aware of any other issue that has been brought to justice.

The statement was made in response to a question by reporters on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy honorary president proposal calling for the opening of the governing Socialist Party of PASOK bank accounts.

[06] BIG GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +2.26% at 2.419,51 points, while the volume of transactions was at 110 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 317 recorded gains and 26 had losses, while the value of 29 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] ERICSSON AND INTRACOM AGREEMENT

The Intracom management signed a 17.85 million Euro agreement with Ericsson Microwave Systems for the co-production of the ARTHUR WLS radar.

The specific radar is a very agile, automotive system that can locate artillery positions. It is operated by a three-member crew and has the necessary telecommunications equipment.

The deal has a three-year duration and will broaden the good cooperation between the two companies in the sector of defense.

[08] PAPANTONIOU VISIT TO GERMANY

Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou is on a two-day formal visit to Germany at the invitation of his German counterpart Rudolf Scharping.

In Berlin, Mr. Papantoniou will have contacts to discuss bilateral and NATO issues, European security and international developments.

Mr. Papantoniou will address the German Foreign Policy Society today and later in the evening he will attend a formal dinner that will be given in his honor by NATO general secretary George Robertson within the framework of ASPEN Institute conference.

On Tuesday, Mr. Papantoniou will meet with German Defense Minister Mr. Scharping and the president of the German-Greek Parliamentary Group and later in the afternoon he will return to Athens.

[09] PAPANDREOU MET WITH MOSCOW'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO SE EUROPE

The fragile situation in FYROM, Balkan cooperation, European security and bilateral cooperation in all sectors between Greece and Russia, were the issues discussed in the meeting of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou with Moscow's special envoy to southeastern Europe Vladimir Tsisov.

After the meeting held in Athens today, both men expressed great concern regarding the activities of terrorist groups in FYROM. The Russian official stated that international terrorism recognizes no boundaries or legal restrictions, while Mr. Papandreou condemned the terrorist actions attributing them to foreign centers. He also stressed that Athens backs the normalization of the situation and calls for the implementation of the agreement reached in Ochrid.

They also referred to the developments in the EU, European security issues and the need for the strengthening of the NATO-Russia relations. Mr. Papandreou stressed that among the priorities is the close cooperation between the EU and Russia in all sectors. The two men also discussed bilateral cooperation in the sectors of infrastructure, telecommunications, economy and tourism.

[10] CONCERN FOR THE SITUATION IN FYROM

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis expressed great concern for the situation in FYROM, stressing that the time has come for the reconstruction of the country which has to follow a smooth course.

Responding to questions by reporters on the name of FYROM, he stated that negotiations must continue for a mutually acceptable name. He pointed out that there is no development on the double name issue and stressed that the target is to reach an agreement on a mutually acceptable name.

Meanwhile, a Greek Foreign Ministry delegation, made up of the responsible ambassador Mr. Mallias and International Humanitarian Cooperation Agency Director Mr. Rontos, will visit Sarajevo on Tuesday for contacts with government officials. In the meetings will be discussed developments in the region as well as the Balkan reconstruction course.

Regarding a likely Greek initiative on the Middle East, Mr. Beglitis stated that Greece sees its role within the framework of the EU and for the time being the contacts that will be held will take place at a society of citizens level.

[11] GREEK GOLD IN LONG JUMP

Niki Xanthou won the gold medal in the women's long jump at the 27th European Track Championship held in Vienna.

Niki Xanthou took first place, with a jump of 6.74 meters in her sixth and final attempt. Earlier, the Russian Olga Rubliova had also achieved a 6.74 jump, but the Greek athlete's previous jump at 6.65, was longer than that of Rubliova's at 6.59.

"I am very happy to have won a gold medal at an major track meet. I have been struggling for it for a long time, but I had been unlucky. I dedicate this medal to the whole world. I had a great day today and I hope I will have even better ones in the future.

Apart from Niki Xanthou, Stela Pilatou received 5th place in the long jump finals, with a jump of 6.57.

[12] JOINT ACTION PLAN BY JAPAN AND GREECE

A Joint Action Plan to promote bilateral policy as well as, economic and cultural cooperation, was signed by the Prime Ministers of Greece and Japan in the meeting they had in Tokyo.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized Japan as a very important trade partner for Greece, adding that the development of bilateral relations will benefit both countries. He also expressed optimism for the increase in the volume of Greek exports to Japan. He stressed that the tourist sector is very important for the promotion of bilateral relations and within this framework they discussed the launch of commercial flights linking Greece with Japan.

The talks also focused on the EU-Japan Action Plan and on issues of foreign policy concerning regions of a mutual interest namely, the issue of the Korean Peninsula for Japan and Cyprus' EU accession for Greece, including the solution of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the UN decisions.

Mr. Simitis also referred to the presence of Japan in the Balkans, pointing out that Greece has got valuable knowledge and experience from its presence in the Balkans, adding that in cooperation with Japan it can search for common economic and business activities.

He also referred to the Balkan reconstruction headquarters in Thessaloniki and to the cooperation with American and German firms developed by Greece in the Balkan region.

[13] GREECE-JAPAN JOINT ACTION PLAN

A joint action plan for the promotion of bilateral political, financial and cultural cooperation, was signed by the Prime Ministers of Japan and Greece during a meeting they had at the Japanese Prime Minister's mansion in Tokyo.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized Japan as an important commercial partner of Greece, adding that the development of bilateral relations would benefit both countries.

- We want, he stressed, greater and more intense participation of Japan in our country in investment programmes, as well as joint business actions.

- After expressing his optimism on the increase in Greek exports to Japan, the Prime Minister added that tourism is equally important in the promotion of bilateral relations. That is why we discussed he said the need for a connection between Greece and Japan by air.

Discussions were also concentrated on the EU-Japan Action Plan, as well as foreign policy issues on developments in regions of common interest: For Japan on one side, the issue of the Korean peninsula, for Greece on the other, the accession of Cyprus to the EU, including the resolving of the Cyprus issue in the framework of UN decisions.

- The Prime Minister mentioned the presence of Japan in the Balkans, noting that Greece has gained great knowledge and valuable experience from it. That is why, he stressed, we can, in cooperation with Japan, look for joint financial and business activities.

He also mentioned the Balkan restructure seat, which is in Thessaloniki, as well as the cooperation Greece has developed with US and German businesses in the Balkan region.

After signing the Greece-Japan Joint Action Plan, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stressed: We signed the Joint Action Plan with great joy. We have exceptional relations with Greece. I raise my glass in the health of the Greek people and their Prime Minister, Kostas Simitis.

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