Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-03-12

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] GREEK PROPOSAL FOR PEACE THE MIDDLE EAST

[02] PASCHALIDES CONTACTS IN BULGARIA

[03] THE TRADE BALANCE DEFICIT DROPPED TO 10.1%

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] GREEK-IRANIAN AGREEMENTS IN THE HATAMI VISIT

[06] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: MORE MONEY FOR FUSION PRODUCED ENERGY

[07] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PRIME MINISTER IN ATHENS

[08] SPIROS KIPRIANOU DIED TODAY

[09] PASCHALIDIS MET WITH THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

[10] A US HELICOPTER CRASHED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

[11] THE 4TH CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING IN THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS

[12] EU POSTAL SERVICES LIBERALIZATION

[13] BARTHOLOMEW AWARDS GEORGE&BARBARA BUSH

[01] GREEK PROPOSAL FOR PEACE THE MIDDLE EAST

A five point proposal for an immediate solution to the dead end in the Middle East, was submitted by Greece to the Council of General Affairs of the European Union in Brussels.

The proposal to be discussed at the Summit Meeting in Barcelona foresees the:

- promotion of a truce

- simultaneous reinitiating of peacemaking procedures

- utilization of the recent French proposal, for possible Palestinian elections, which could isolate extremist elements and strengthen Arafat

- utilization of new peace movements formed in Israel and financial exchange with those groups of the Israeli population who may be hurt in some way by the agreements

- promotion of Arabic consent

We supported the proposals of Saudi Arabia, which mentioned recognizing Israel, but at the same time withdrawing troops from occupied areas. The need for General Zini, coming from the US, to pressure both sides towards a truce, as well as for Mr. Arafat to be free to move without limitations, are the first necessary steps, stressed Mr. Papandreou.

At the General Affairs Council it was agreed upon that the only solution is the peaceful coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians, with mutual ensuring of security.

Mr. Papandreou also informed his counterparts, that Prime Minister Simitis will present the framework of the basic principles and positions for the resolving of the Euroarmy issue, to EU state leaders and governments, at the Summit Meeting in Barcelona.

[02] PASCHALIDES CONTACTS IN BULGARIA

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis is meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg Gotha and Vice President of the Bulgarian Government and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Constantine Pascalief, today.

Yesterday he announced the wish of Prime Minister Simitis' to hasten the opening of three new border passes to Bulgaria through the Prefectures of Drama, Xanthi and Rodopi. He visited the construction site of one of the three new passes, which will connect Gotche Delchef with Exochi, Drama, and will give Bulgarian citizens a passageway to the Kavala harbor. He also saw the site of the new bridge at the border crossing station in Promachonas, Serres, only the Greek half of which is ready. He was also informed of the situation at the customs office. Since visas were no longer necessary for Bulgarian citizens entering Greece, traffic through the specific station has increased by 300,000. 11% of those having passed did not return within the deadline.

The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace stated that Greece is helping with Bulgria's accession to the European Union and NATO. During his visit to the Goche Delchef border station, he underlined: My presence here shows Greece's desire to coordinate the steps of Greece and Bulgaria, so that the works of the three border stations can be hastened. I could say that there are slight delays as far as the project is concerned as a whole, but I am not here to lay the blame. I have come to show the willingness of both governments, because such discussions were made both by the Greek and the Bulgarian Prime Minister, for these works to be completed quickly. We do not want roads leading nowhere. The project is joint and coordination is very important. I wish to observe the progress of the three border stations very closely. The goal of our three border passes. Our goal is to create three more roads for friendship, cooperation and communication between the two countries.

[03] THE TRADE BALANCE DEFICIT DROPPED TO 10.1%

The overall value of imports-arrivals in the period January-September 2001 dropped to 10.1% at US$19.785,2 million compared to US$22.011,0 million in the same period in 2000, according to a statement by the Greek National Statistics Agency general secretariat.

Specifically, the overall value of imports-arrivals, excluding petrol products, showed a decline of 11.3% namely, US$2.120,7 million compared to the same period in the year 2000.

[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE

Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 2.02% at 2.386,99 points, while the volume of transactions was at 107.6 million Euro or 36.6 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, just 25 recorded gains and 319 had losses, while the value of 28 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] GREEK-IRANIAN AGREEMENTS IN THE HATAMI VISIT

Agreements concerning customs issues, the executive educational program and an energy memorandum between the Greek Natural Gas Company and the respective Iranian agency, will be signed by Greece and Iran during the visit of Iranian President Hatami to Athens.

According to government spokesman Christos Protopapas, the signing of a cooperation memorandum by the two Foreign Ministries is likely, while an agreement for the mutual protection and promotion of investments is also expected.

[06] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: MORE MONEY FOR FUSION PRODUCED ENERGY

An increase in the funding percentage of the Euratom special program for the research and production of energy through fusion was requested by Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos in the Ministers of Energy and Technology Council that was held in Brussels.

Specifically, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos called for an increase of 25% in the funding of the program in question compared to 17.5% suggested by the European Commission.

The United States invest very large sums in the specific sector and in the recent meeting Mr. Tsochatzopoulos had with US Energy Secretary Mr. Abrahams an agreement was reached to establish a joint Greek-US working group to fund the hydrogen technology in the Greek islands.

[07] BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA PRIME MINISTER IN ATHENS

The Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Zlatko Lagumdzija, is expected to arrive in Athens this afternoon, for a two-day visit.

Immediately after he arrives he will have discussions with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, and will subsequently meet with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou. Tonight, Mr. Papandreou will hold dinner in his honor.

Tomorrow morning, the Prime Minister of Bosnia, is expected to meet with the Minister of Development, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, while in the afternoon he will meet with the President of the Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis. Earlier he will speak at Athens University, and later in the, day he will meet with Greek businessmen. Before his departure, the Prime Minister of Bosnia-Herzegovina will attend a dinner held for him by the US Ambassador to Athens, at the Ambassador's residence.

[08] SPIROS KIPRIANOU DIED TODAY

Former Cypriot Republic President Spiros Kiprianou died this afternoon in the Nicosia Oncology Center where he was hospitalized since last Saturday when his health deteriorated. Mr. Kiprianou suffered from bone cancer.

He was born on October 28, 1932 and studied Economics and Law in London specializing in Comparative Law. He was married and had two children.

In 1952, he founded the Cypriot Students Association in Britain and became its president. In February of that year, he was appointed Archbishop Makarios secretary.

After Cyprus' independence was declared he was appointed Justice Minister (1960) and afterwards he became Foreign Minister. In 1964 he signed an agreement in Moscow on the soviet military assistance to Cyprus.

After the coup and the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (1974), he undertook international diplomatic missions in Greece, London, and New York for the solution of the Cyprus issue.

In 1976, he founded the Democratic Party and won the elections, while he was elected Parliament President. After the death of Makarios he was unanimously elected President of the Republic until the end of his term (1977). In 1978 he was elected President for a five-year term and in 1983 he was reelected.

[09] PASCHALIDIS MET WITH THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, met with Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

Mr. Paschalidis invited the Bulgarian Prime Minister to attend the conference on the threats in the Balkans organized by the Ministries of Macedonia-Thrace and Defense to take place in Thessaloniki on May 22. During that time, the Bulgarian Prime Minister will be in Greece for the Balkan Forum organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece, while on May 11 he will visit the monastic community of Mount Athos.

The Greek government minister expressed Greece's support to the efforts made by Bulgaria to become a member of the EU and NATO.

Undersecretary of Regional Development, Hassan Hassan, head of the Bulgarian delegation for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, expressed the belief that the pipeline issue will be resolved soon. A final solution is expected to be reached on the issue during Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos' visit to Sofia on March 19.

Meanwhile, the Bulgarian Minister of Sports suggested that Bulgarian athletic centers must be used for the practice of athletes in view of the 2004 Olympiad and proposed that funds from the reconstruction program should be used to construct athletic centers.

Greek Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrisochoidis will visit Sofia on March 22 and among the issues to be discussed will be the way inter-border crime could be combated.

Mr. Paschalidis also met with government deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Konstantin Paskalev. They agreed to establish a joint Greek-Bulgarian Committee of Specialists to watch the course of the project concerning the opening of three new border crossings in the prefectures of Dramas, Rodopi and Xanthi.

[10] A US HELICOPTER CRASHED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

A helicopter of the US 6th Fleet crashed in the international waters of the Mediterranean Sea, 80 nautical miles west of the Peloponesse coasts.

The helicopter with a three-member crew on board crashed during a routine flight. It was based on USS Hayler and two US fleet ships are searching the area to locate any survivors.

[11] THE 4TH CLERIDES-DENKTASH MEETING IN THE SECOND ROUND OF TALKS

The fourth meeting, within the framework of the second round of the direct talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, will be held this afternoon.

The meeting, like the previous ones, will take place in the Nicosia Airport UN controlled region in the presence of UN general secretary special adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto.

[12] EU POSTAL SERVICES LIBERALIZATION

The European Parliament approved a report drawn-up by a German Euro-deputy for the promotion of the liberalization of postal services at a European level.

As it was underlined by Greek Euro-deputy Kostis Hatzidakis, elected with the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, the liberalization of postal services will not affect negatively the services offered in the problematic regions of Europe namely, island, mountainous and remote regions.

For the directive to be in effect, a decision must be made jointly by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers.

[13] BARTHOLOMEW AWARDS GEORGE&BARBARA BUSH

The Athenagoras human rights award was given to former US President George Bush and his wife Barbara, by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in a special ceremony in New York, in the presence of approximately 1000 Greeks living in the US, including members of the US House of Representatives and Senate.

The US former President expressed his respects for the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchy, while he stressed the importance of advice he received from distinguished Greeks living abroad, while he was President. He also referred to his personal intervention in resolving the Cyprus issue in the beginning of the passed decade. He characteristically stated that Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Tourkout Ozal and he, had come very close to a successful solution, and he expressed his disappointment that they were not able to achieve an agreement.

On her side, Barbara Bush expressed her admiration and love for Greece, which she has repeatedly visited with her husband.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited Ground Zero and held a memorial service for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attack. He also went to the site where the small Orthodox church of St. Nikolaos used to stand.

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