Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASCHALIDIS-GEORGIEVSKI MEETING

[02] GREEK CONSUL GENERAL TO JERUSALEM: GREEKS HERE ARE FINE

[03] PAPANTONIOU-IVANOV MEETING

[04] PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ERT3 AND THE RUSSIAN PUBLIC TELEVISION

[05] PRESIDENT BUSH INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] BLACK SEA BANK ONE-DAY CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

[08] BALKAN COMMITTEE POLITICAL BUREAU MEETING

[09] KARAMANLIS MET WITH ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN REPRESENTATIVES

[10] EARTHQUAKE IN ZAKINTHOS MEASURING 5 ON THE RICHTER SCALE

[11] VENIZELOS APPEAL TO UNESCO TO PROTECT THE TEMPLE OF THE GENESIS

[12] PASCHALIDIS' CONTACTS IN SKOPJE

[13] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE ON A VISIT TO FYROM

[01] PASCHALIDIS-GEORGIEVSKI MEETING

A meeting took place last night between FYROM Prime Minister Ljupco Georgiefski and Minister of Macedonia-Thrace, Giorgos Paschalidis, who is on an official three-day visit to the neighboring country.

In statements he made, Mr. Paschalidis underlined that relations between the two countries have improved, and that during the meeting they discussed the Greek program for the restructuring of the Balkans, from which more than $83,000,000 will be dispensed for FYROM.

In June, the Thessaloniki-Skopje oil pipeline will begin functioning, and Mr. Georgiefski proposed it be extended to Kossovo. He also asked for the opening of three new border crossings between Greece and Skopje, in Aridea (Pella), Doiranis (Kilkis), and St. Germanos (Florina).

The Prime Minister of FYROM asked Mr. Paschalidis to transfer a request, to take up initiative in calling the conference for the Stability Pact into session, to Prime Minister Simitis. He proposed that putting the Thessaloniki-Monastiri track back into operation and the funding of a Thessaloniki-Skopje road, are incorporated in the actions of the program.

Mr. Paschalidis and Mr. Georgiefski agreed on a common policy concerning the protection of the environment and dealing with pollution problems. Specifically on the Axios river, Mr. Paschalidis raised the issue of multiple incidents of pollution by FYROM industrial units, and they agreed on a joint program of informing one another.

Mr. Paschalidis stated that they did not discuss the name issue. He stressed that it is an issue for the Foreign Ministry and noted: "We are searching for a commonly acceptable solution in the UN framework, a solution with dignity for both countries".

[02] GREEK CONSUL GENERAL TO JERUSALEM: GREEKS HERE ARE FINE

All Greeks living on Palestinian soil are well in their health, reassured Greek Consul General to Jerusalem, Petros Panagiotopoulos, in an interview to NET Television.

He also stressed that the Consulate is in daily contact with all of them, and has prepared and evacuation plan, to be put into effect if necessary.

"I must point out, however, that we are dealing with a terrifying reaction from the Israeli authorities, who consider all European citizens who have a Palestinian passports Palestinians, and forbid them movement through the city", he added.

Furthermore, he expressed his displeasure with the treatment of High Commissioner for Common Foreign Policy and Political Defense of the EU, Xavier Solana, and Spanish Foreign Minister, Josep Pique, by the Israelis.

[03] PAPANTONIOU-IVANOV MEETING

Greek-Russian relations and international developments were at the center of discussions that the Greek Minister of Defense, Giannos Papantoniou, and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Ivanov had in the Defense Ministry yesterday, in the framework of Mr. Ivanof's three-day official visit to Greece.

The Russian Minister, referring to the Cyprus issue, stated that a paradoxical situation is being formed, and he did not rule out the possibility of a Greek-Turkish confrontation. There is a danger of confrontation between a member state of NATO and a member state of the EU" he said. The Greek Minister stated that Cyprus will be incorporated to the EU, regardless of whether or not the Cyprus issue is resolved, and he called Ankara to comply with principles of International Law, Democracy, and human rights.

The two men discussed the reinforcement of military cooperation, and they signed a relating protocol for 2002, for the joint training of their special forces, exchange of officers, and cooperation of their defense industries. Mr. Ivanof repeated the request of Russian President Vladimir Putin, for equal treatment of the Russian weapon industry in international weapons systems tenders.

Mr. Papantoniou answered that "in weapons systems tenders, the best man always wins", and he added that decisions are made based on technical and financial criteria.

The Russian Minister invited Mr. Papantoniou to visit Moscow, an invitation the Greek Minister accepted.

[04] PROTOCOL OF COOPERATION BETWEEN ERT3 AND THE RUSSIAN PUBLIC TELEVISION

A protocol of cooperation was signed in Thessaloniki today between the Greek state television channel ERT3 and the Russian Public Television, RTR.

The protocol was signed by ERT3 General Director Dimitris Katsantonis and RTR vice-president Valeri Niznamov and provides for cooperation in the sectors of program co-productions, exchange of television programs, news exchanges and co-organizing of cultural and artistic events.

The signing of the protocol of cooperation is placed within the framework of the cooperation initiatives launched between ERT3 and public television stations in the Balkans and the Black Sea region.

[05] PRESIDENT BUSH INTERVENTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The US intervention could prove very useful concerning the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the occupied territories, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas referring to the proposal made yesterday by the US President.

Responding to a relevant question, the government spokesman stated that there is no change in the Greek positions regarding the Palestinians. He stated characteristically that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister have stressed the need for the creation of an independent Palestinian state, while at the same time they support the right of the Israeli people to live in safety.

[06] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.29% at 2.228,76 points and the volume of transactions was at 88.8 million Euro or 30.2 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 275 recorded gains and 57 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained unchanged.

[07] BLACK SEA BANK ONE-DAY CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

The prospects for the development of business activities in the Black Sea region will be examined in the one-day conference that will take place in Thessaloniki on April 15. The conference is organized by the Black Sea Bank and will be held in the presence of Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Dervis.

The opening session of the conference will be launched with the speech of the new Black Sea Bank governor Mustafa Gurtin and proceedings will open formally by Greek Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Floridis.

[08] BALKAN COMMITTEE POLITICAL BUREAU MEETING

The political situation in the Balkans, the reconstruction of the region, the European Union enlargement and political developments in the EU, dominated today in the first Balkan Committee Political Bureau (C.R.P.M.) meeting that was held in Komotini, northeastern Greece.

The meeting attended representatives of regions from Greece, Romania, Turkey, FYROM, Albania, Bulgaria, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The participants discussed organizing issues such as, the organizing structure of the Balkan Committee and the establishment of working groups to deal with specific issues such as, the environment, administration reform and culture.

[09] KARAMANLIS MET WITH ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN REPRESENTATIVES

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis backed the creation of a Palestinian state and the safety of the state of Israel in the meetings he had in Athens today with Palestinian Authority representative Abdulah Abdulah and Israeli ambassador David Sason.

Mr. Karamanlis discussed with them the crisis in the Middle East and called for an immediate ceasefire and the activation of the international community for the implementation of the UN decisions.

[10] EARTHQUAKE IN ZAKINTHOS MEASURING 5 ON THE RICHTER SCALE

An earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale shook the Ionian Island of Zakinthos this morning and its epicenter was located in the sea region between Zakinthos and Kilini. The first conclusions on the nature of the specific tremor will be reached in the next 48 hours, according to Aristotle University seismologists.

The Ionian Sea is a region with high seismic activity and the last strong earthquake was recorded in October 1988 measuring 6 on the Richter scale.

[11] VENIZELOS APPEAL TO UNESCO TO PROTECT THE TEMPLE OF THE GENESIS

An emergency telegram was sent to UNESCO General Director Koichiro Matsuura from Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, after information was received that the gates of the Temple of the Genesis in Bethlehem had been blown up.

What is happening at the temple of the Genesis in Bethlehem, places a major monument, not only of Christianity but of world heritage, in danger.

The Orthodox Patriarchy of Jerusalem, as well as the Latin and Armenian Patriarchies, have jurisdiction of the Temple of the Genesis. This factor explains the special interest of Greece in the monuments of the Holy Lands, pointed out Mr. Venizelos in his telegram.

I am sure that you have moved to all necessary actions, but I plead with you again to move all mechanisms that may avert harm to these monuments. Their protection, will contribute to the cease fire and the prevalence of peace, he ended.

[12] PASCHALIDIS' CONTACTS IN SKOPJE

FYROM President Boris Trajkovski accepted the proposal made by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis concerning the publication of a book with literature written by Balkan intellectuals.

Mr. Paschalidis, who is on a visit to FYROM, reiterated to Mr. Trajkovski Greece's firm support to his country's efforts to become part of the Euro-Atlantic structures and stressed that Greece works for peace, stability and cooperation in the Balkans.

In the meeting with Environment Minister Vladimir Jabirski, they discussed the implementation of joint environment protection programs for Axios River, Lake Doiran and the Park of Prespes.

[13] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE ON A VISIT TO FYROM

Greece is the main investor in FYROM and the Greek businesses active in the region have created thousands of job positions stressed Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, who is on a visit to the neighboring country.

In his meetings with FYROM Prime Minister Ljupco Georgievski and government ministers, Mr. Paschalidis discussed the materialization of the Greek program for the reconstruction of the Balkans which corresponds to US$ 83 million for FYROM.

In the meetings Mr. Paschalidis had with the FYROM government leadership, pointed out that the Greek government backs the accession of FYROM into the Euro-Atlantic structures.

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