Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-05-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANTONIOU MEETS WITH BRITISH COUNTERPART

[02] BULGARIAN PM IN THESSALONIKI

[03] THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS MOUNT ATHOS

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] THE 9TH THESSALONIKI FORUM WILL BE HELD ON MAY 20-21

[06] INFLATION DROPPED TO 3.8% IN APRIL

[07] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

[08] NATO HQ IN THESSALONIKI BY SEPTEMBER

[09] TRIPARTITE COOPERATION IN THE SECTOR OF ENERGY

[10] THE BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM IS A PRIORITY

[11] SIMITIS: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

[12] A NEW CHAPTER IN THE ATHENS-BELGRADE RELATIONS

[13] SIMITIS-KOSTUNICA MEETING

[01] PAPANTONIOU MEETS WITH BRITISH COUNTERPART

Issues concerning Cyprus, the Euroarmy, developments in the Balkans and the Middle East, as well as international terrorism, were discussed at yesterday's meeting between Greek Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou and his British counterpart, Geoff Hoon.

Mr. Hoon thanked Greece for its contribution to the fight against terrorism, while as far as the Euroarmy is concerned different opinions were expressed.

Mr. Papantoniou made Greece's immovable position on the subject of the Euroarmy clear, stressing that it is one of those issues that even friends disagree on, as my friend Mr. Hoon so elegantly implied.

Greece has a clear opinion. It does not accept the Ankara text and appreciates that it is futile to be pressured to accept it. That is clear. I mentioned it in my speech yesterday, I repeated it today to Mr. Hoon as well. Greece will in no way whatsoever accept the text in its present form, he underlined.

The Minister also stressed that Mr. Hoon expressed the difficulties there are in changing the Ankara text, but he pointed out that his British counterpart will make every possible effort through the procedure initiated by Mr. Solana, with the initiative of Greece and the participation of the Spanish Presidency, in order to find a formulation for the text acceptable by all involved parties.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Papantoniou noted, we agreed that the present opportunity is indeed a unique and historic opportunity to find a political solution to the Cyprus issue, and at the same time, he stressed that the Turkish Cypriots will be able to enjoy EU commodities, EU fees, and other accommodations, after their accession.

It is positive for Turkey itself, said Mr. Papantoniou, because it will make its own course towards EU accession easier, and finally it is of crucial importance as far as Greek-Turkish relations are concerned. If we succeed in finding a political solution, he pointed out, it will certainly have a positive effect on Greek-Turkish relations, regardless of the improvement so far. The Minister of Defense also added that Mr. Hoon promised that England will continue its efforts to accommodate and encourage positive developments in the dialogue procedure between Mr. Cleridis and Mr. Denktash.

On the Balkans and the Middle East, the Greek Minister underlined that there was full agreement on the issues.

Finally, Mr. Papantoniou noted that Mr. Hoon thanked us very warmly for our substantial contribution to the fight against international terrorism.

[02] BULGARIAN PM IN THESSALONIKI

Bilateral relations and the Greek Project for Balkan Reconstruction were discussed among other issues by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha, at a meeting last night in the Government House.

In statements after the meeting, Mr. Paschalidis reaffirmed the support of the Greek government in Bulgaria's efforts to incorporate itself into Euroatlantic structures.

He also stressed that within 2002 a bilateral agreement will be signed between Greece and Bulgaria, concerning works to take place in the framework of the Greek Project for Balkan Reconstruction.

Mr. Paschalidis pointed out that the joint Greek-Bulgarian committee which was formed during his visit to Sofia two months ago, has submitted its findings on the progress of the works on the border passes of Goche Delchef Exohi Drama, Rudomez Ehinos, and Makaza Komotini. The Minister of Macedonia-Thrace characterized the three passes as important roads for relations between the two countries. We want these paths to lead to friendship, cooperation, communication between the two countries, we do not want roads that lead nowhere. We want roads leading to a common European future, he pointed out.

On his side, Mr. Saxe-Coburg Gotha stated that within the year he will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. I would like to underline that the most important issue is to see a common road towards Europe and cooperate like good neighboring countries that have a lot in common interests. I believe that through dialogues, and with the excellent relations we have developed, we will achieve the goals we have set.

[03] THE BULGARIAN PRIME MINISTER VISITS MOUNT ATHOS

Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, who is on an informal visit to Greece since yesterday afternoon, arrived at the Monastery of Zografos in the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

The Bulgarian leader is scheduled to depart for Sofia on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the idea expressed by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, concerning the publication of a book with texts written by Balkan intellectuals and authors to be distributed to every Balkan school student, aimed at the mutual understanding of the peoples and peaceful coexistence, got the support of the Bulgarian leader.

Support to Mr. Paschalidis' idea has already been offered by the Presidents of the FRY and FYROM, the Bulgarian Prime Minister, the University of Belgrade and the Democratic Forces Union Party President in Bulgaria.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.98% at 2.320,81 points and the volume of transactions was at 112.5 million Euro or 38.3 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority namely, 253 had gains and 65 recorded losses, while 55 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THE 9TH THESSALONIKI FORUM WILL BE HELD ON MAY 20-21

The 9th annual Thessaloniki Forum will be held on May 20-21 co-organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece and the US-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

Important personalities representing the political and business world will attend the forum which is expected to be even more successful than last year.

[06] INFLATION DROPPED TO 3.8% IN APRIL

Inflation dropped to 3.8% in April recording a small decline compared to March's 4%. The harmonized consumer price index was at 4.1% compared to 4.4% in the previous month. A greater inflation drop was not possible as the prices of fuel and fresh fruits and vegetables remained at high levels.

For the record, the average inflation in the Euro-zone states in the past month is expected to drop to 2.2% recording a small decline compared to 2.4% last March.

[07] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

A tripartite political memorandum for the construction of the oil pipeline that will link the city of Burgas in Bulgaria with Alexandroupolis in Greece and will bring Russian oil from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean will be signed by the end of May.

Already, Greece, Bulgaria and Russia have reached an agreement on their equal participation (33%) in the capital of the construction company under the name Inter-Balkan Oil Pipeline that will be established for the construction of the oil pipeline.

[08] NATO HQ IN THESSALONIKI BY SEPTEMBER

The Multinational NATO Staff Center will begin functioning by September 2002, in the facilities of the 3rd Army Corps in downtown Thessaloniki, according to statements made today by Deputy Minister of National Defense Lucas Apostolidis.

The Staff Center will be manned by 250 officers from NATO country-members, 55% of which will be Greek officers. Mr. Apostolidis noted that it is a Staff Body concerned with issues of security and defense, and its functioning points out the strategic role of Thessaloniki in Southeastern Europe. He also underlined that Greece is the only European country that is both a member of NATO and the European Union.

He connected the functioning of the Headquarters to the Multinational Peace Keeping Mission Training Center in Kilkis, which has thus far trained 4000 officers, mainly Greek, as well as members of Balkan and European Armed Forces. The US and the Netherlands have expressed their willingness to send trainers to support the Kilkis Multinational Center.

He also pointed out that Greece has developed into an important security and stability factor in the broader region. At this moment, there are 2000 Greeks serving in Kossovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, other Balkan countries, and Afghanistan, and lowering that number is not an issue. Answering a question, he stated that he is not in a position to give the exact amount that these missions are cost, but he observed that the cost is significant both for the Greek Armed Forces as well as the country's economy.

[09] TRIPARTITE COOPERATION IN THE SECTOR OF ENERGY

Greek Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, who is on a visit to Ankara, proposed the establishment of a tripartite cooperation with the participation of Greece, Turkey and Italy that will concern infrastructure plans on energy and transportation issues.

Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that the goal is the further development of the Greek-Turkish cooperation and pointed out that Greece's accession into the EMU and Turkey's EU prospect are significant factors for the development of relations, while there are still many sectors in which bilateral relations could improve further.

Turkish Minister of State Kemal Dervis, responsible for economic issues stated that the development of the Greek economy is to the benefit of Turkey, while the development of the Turkish economy is to the benefit of Greece respectively.

[10] THE BATTLE AGAINST TERRORISM IS A PRIORITY

The need to preserve international political legality in the fight against terrorism, through international cooperation within the framework of the UN, was underlined by Greek Parliament Vice-President Kostas Gitonas, addressing the European Parliaments Presidents' Conference that opened in Zagreb today and will be completed tomorrow.

Mr. Gitonas pointed out that the fight against terrorism is a top priority for the international community and pointed out that in any case the rights of the individual, the state of law and democratic principles must be respected. Terrorism will be effectively combated with greater democracy and justice, stated Mr. Gitonas, adding that marginalization, fanaticism, and blind hatred give birth to terrorism which is fueled by poverty, inequality and injustice.

[11] SIMITIS: POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The release of the Palestinians, who remained for days under siege in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, was characterized by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis as positive development in principle. The statement was made in a press conference he gave in Belgrade.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece will continue the initiatives for peace in the region and underlined the role of Greece and Cyprus in the efforts to find a solution and free the Palestinians.

Referring to the living conditions for those of the Palestinians who will come to Greece, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou clarified that security measures will be in effect but they will not be held in custody. He added that the details will be decided in the EU General Affairs Council on Monday. Mr. Papandreou also said that this development was imperative because of the imminent Israeli intervention in Gaza. He said that in his recent visit to the region he had discussed the issue of the Palestinians in the Church of the Nativity both with Yasser Arafat and Ariel Sharon.

Greek Press Ministry general secretary Ms. Spiliopoulou welcomed the initiative and Cyprus' role in the negotiations. She stressed that Cyprus' accession into the EU only good things will offer, reiterating that the government is not aware of the names of the 13 Palestinians who have already arrived in Cyprus.

[12] A NEW CHAPTER IN THE ATHENS-BELGRADE RELATIONS

A new chapter opens for the Greek-Yugoslav bilateral relations. Greece will contribute to the uneventful accession of Yugoslavia into the international community and its economic reconstruction, stated in a press conference Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, who arrived to Belgrade yesterday for a formal visit.

Mr. Simitis met with Patriarch Pavle of Serbia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia President Kostunica, while later in the afternoon he is expected back to Athens.

Mr. Simitis and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Prime Minister Pesic signed three economic cooperation agreements yesterday on air and road transportation.

[13] SIMITIS-KOSTUNICA MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will meet with the President of Yugoslavia Voislav Kostunica, in the framework of the Greek Prime Minister's official visit to Belgrade. The situation in the Balkans will be the main point of discussion. Mr. Simitis will also meet with Serb Patriarch Paul.

Mr. Simitis has already signed 3 agreements of financial cooperation, ear and land transports with the Federal Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, Dragisa Pesic.

The Greek Prime Minister will complete his visit today and return to Athens this afternoon.

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