Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS ON REFUGEES FROM THE FORMER USSR

[02] FIRST GREECE-TURKEY EXPLORATORY MEETINGS ON TUESDAY

[03] PAPANTONIOU ON DESTABILIZING THE POLITICAL SCENE

[04] MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE IN SOFIA TOMORROW

[05] TALKS FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE BALKANS

[01] KARAMANLIS ON REFUGEES FROM THE FORMER USSR

The strategic goal of New Democracy is the smooth incorporation of Greeks from the former Soviet Union in Greek Society, in the work market, production, creation, underlined the President of the main Opposition Party, Kostas Karamanlis, during a speech he gave this afternoon at a meeting of the ND Secretariat for the Repatriated, on problems of recent refugees from countries of the former USSR.

For two hours Mr. Karamanlis was informed about their problems through ND staff members and spokespersons of the repatriated, and during his speech he verbally attacked the government, which he accused for its policy in the specific sector, saying that the Prime Minister wants Greeks from Pontus and the former USSR trapped in party objectives and in a state of blackmail. He spoke of indifference and inadequacy of the official state, which is depriving the oxygen from those for whom it is most necessary.

[02] FIRST GREECE-TURKEY EXPLORATORY MEETINGS ON TUESDAY

The first round of exploratory meetings between Greece and Turkey at a Foreign Ministry political director level, will take place on Tuesday, March 12, in Ankara.

Participants on the Greek side include the General Director of International Political Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Anastasios Skopelitis and Emeritus Professor of International Law at Athens University Argyris Fatouras.

The Turkish side will be represented by the Secretary General of the Foreign Ministry, Ukiur Ziyal and the legal consultant of the Ministry, Denis Bulukbashi.

The instructions of the two Foreign Ministers on the commencing of these meetings, were to try and find points of convergence in the Greek-Turkish discussion, which will initially focus on organizational issues. Greece, however, has repeatedly pointed out that this discussion is linked to the only legal difference between Greece and Turkey, the setting of boundaries for the continental reef in the Aegean.

The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry stated that these contacts constitute neither discussions, nor negotiations, but an exchange of views.

[03] PAPANTONIOU ON DESTABILIZING THE POLITICAL SCENE

Powerful financial interests, international factors with plans for Greek-Turkish relations and New Democracy, are those functioning in a destabilizing fashion for the political system, appreciate Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou in an interview to the Sunday Eleftherotypia.

Drawing on the crisis in the Navy and the criticisms he has received, Mr. Papantoniou observed that Greece is not Turkey, where the government learns who the commanders of the military are from the press. The goal of the government, he pointed out, is total transparency.

In relation to the deviation scenarios the Prime Minister denounced, he supported: There are factors that want to function in a destabilizing manner and we know them. They are various powerful business groups that have been cornered after the EMU, because they have to survive under complete competition conditions. They are also international factors that have plans for Greek-Turkish relations and, I am sorry to say, New Democracy.

[04] MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE IN SOFIA TOMORROW

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis will visit Sofia tomorrow, after being invited by the Bulgarian government.

Mr. Paschalidis will meet with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, the country's Vice President and the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.

[05] TALKS FOR THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE BALKANS

Today's discussion-event that took place in Kiosk 8 of the TIF, at which Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis and deputy Foreign Ministers Andreas Loverdos and Giannis Magriotis were also present, was characterized as the starting point of the Greek financial restructuring programme for the Balkans.

Mr. Loverdos stressed that the Greek programme for the restructuring of the Balkans is the greater European programme in the region, a fact that means that we must be very careful and substantial in the promotion of our money. We must invest it wisely, funding works that will be around for a long time, he said characteristically.

Concerning the time-plan for the materialization of the programme, Mr. Loverdos pointed out that the bilateral agreements, through which the main bulk of the funds will be moved, will begin on May 8-9, when the Prime Minister visits Belgrade, while as far as private investments are concerned, the programme will begin in April.

950 million euro will be invested in the programme involving 6 Balkan countries, and according to Mr. Loverdos, that amount will increase more than threefold after the participation of the international factor.

In reference to the programme, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace stressed that it is an organized act of financial support by Greece, for its neighbors. Greece is an active participant in the restructuring of the Balkans. It is participating with a spirit of cooperation, and not one of permeation, and I have always said that restructuring is an offer first, and then an opportunity. It is solidarity first, and then business, stated Mr. Paschalidis. Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Magriotis characterized it as a great opportunity for Thessaloniki and N. Greece. He also said that it is the responsibility of the productive classes and all those representing N. Greece to support this initiative.

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