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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-10-22

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] MILITARY EXERCISE TO FACE NATURAL DISASTERS
  • [02] MAGRIOTIS MET WITH JAPAN'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS
  • [03] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE
  • [04] LOSSES IN THE ASE
  • [05] POSITIVE PREDICTIONS BY OECD-EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE GREEK ECONOMY
  • [06] GREECE SECOND IN FAVORING EU ACCESSION
  • [07] THREE N17 SUSPECTS TESTIFY TODAY
  • [08] ONLINE DISCUSSION ON MUSLIM WOMEN IN EU
  • [09] PESSIMISTIC AND UNSATISFIED EUROPEANS
  • [10] ND ON IRISH "YES" TO NICE TREATY
  • [11] GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IN THE US

  • [01] MILITARY EXERCISE TO FACE NATURAL DISASTERS

    Thessaloniki, 22 October 2002 (18:17 UTC+2)

    The SE European states armed forces simulation exercise, code-named SEESIM-02, moved on to its second phase today which provides for the cooperation and coordination of countries in the case of emergency and major natural disasters.

    The scenario implemented today refers to an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale that hits Albania causing death to an estimated 5.000 people.

    In the exercise participate Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, United States, Italy, FYROM, Romania, Slovenia and Turkey as well as the SE Europe Brigade Headquarters (SEEBRIG) based in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

    [02] MAGRIOTIS MET WITH JAPAN'S AMBASSADOR TO ATHENS

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (20:04 UTC+2)

    Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis had a ceremonial meeting with Japan's ambassador to Athens Takasi Nakamoto to discuss economic issues and specifically the Japanese investments in Greece.

    Mr. Nakamoto called for Greece's contribution to facilitate the Japanese investments in the Balkans. They also discussed the potential for the increase of the Japanese tourism in Greece in view of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and the Japanese side's wish for a direct Athens-Tokyo passenger flight.

    From his side, Mr. Magriotis referred to the potential for the further development of bilateral cultural relations and technological relations through the creation of technological parks in Greece.

    [03] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (19:28 UTC+2)

    Even in times when everything goes smoothly there is always concern for likely problems and reactions, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas responding to questions on Cyprus' EU accession course.

    There is a need for constant presence, information, work and participation on behalf of the government for the approval of the EU enlargement in the Copenhagen Summit in December, with Cyprus the first country to become an EU member-state.

    When asked on the visit of Mr. Alvaro de Soto to Athens, he responded that he does not know what the intentions of the mediator were concerning a UN solution plan. He reiterated that Athens backs firmly any just and viable solution of the Cyprus problem within the framework of the UN decisions.

    [04] LOSSES IN THE ASE

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (18:09 UTC+2)

    Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange as a result of the high capitalization observed especially in the Greek Telecommunications Organization shares, in combination with the strong downward tendency dominating in the European markets.

    The general index recorded significant losses of 1.14% and dropped to 1.798,71 points, while the volume of transactions was at 78 million Euro.

    Of the stocks trading today, 121 recorded gains and 174 had losses, while the value of 80 stocks remained unchanged.

    [05] POSITIVE PREDICTIONS BY OECD-EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON THE GREEK ECONOMY

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (18:00 UTC+2)

    Positive predictions on the growth rate of the Greek economy, which are close to those made by the Greek government for 2003, are included in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, and the European Commission reports which will be made formally public in November.

    According to information published by the Athens newspaper Imerisia, the two reports raise the Greek economy growth rate between 3.7% and 3.9% namely, close to 4% predicted by the government in the Stability program in December 2001.

    Based on the predictions, in 2003 the Greek economy's growth rate will be among the highest in the European Union.

    [06] GREECE SECOND IN FAVORING EU ACCESSION

    Thessaloniki, 22 October 2002 (14:19 UTC+2)

    Greece is in second place as far as favoring the accession of new countries to the EU is concerned. It is above the EU average in favoring individual countries, in all cases except Turkey, according to the Eurobarometer survey carried out in Spring 2002.

    There is a clear Greek preference for the accession of Cyprus (88.6% in contrast to 43.4%, the EU average), Malta (69% to 47.4%) and Hungary (60.9% to 47.%) to the EU. The European average for the three countries above, does not exceed 48%. Specifically concerning Cyprus due to the national and historical ties the Greeks gave their highest preference percentage.

    In general Greeks in their absolute majority (percentages over 50%), support the accession of all candidate countries to the EU, with the exception of Turkey(20.3% to 30.6% of the EU average), concerning the accession of which 69.2% of Greeks expressed themselves negatively, according to the Eurobarometer survey. Greece expressed negativity concerning the accession of very few countries apart from Turkey, and even in those cases was above the European average (27.3% to 25.7% concerning Albania and 43.3% to 27.5% concerning FYROM).

    [07] THREE N17 SUSPECTS TESTIFY TODAY

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (13:00 UTC+2)

    Ilias Kostaris, Kostas Karatsolis and Dimitris Koufontinas, all suspected members of the November 17 terrorist organization awaiting trial in Corydallos penitentiary, will testify before Special Examiner Leonidas Zervobeakos today, concerning the additional charges brought against them.

    Meanwhile, Vassilis Xeros will testify tomorrow, following the extension he requested and was granted, concerning additional charges of launching a rocket against the US Embassy in 1996, which injured three police officers.

    During his testimony, Patroklos Tselentis accepted his participation in the Egaleo robbery in 1998, while he denied any implication in the attempted murder of Robert Chad.

    [08] ONLINE DISCUSSION ON MUSLIM WOMEN IN EU

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (12:41 UTC+2)

    Muslim Women in the EU, will be the topic of Greek European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou's online discussion to take place on Thursday, from 17:00-19:00.

    The discussion is part of EU efforts to fight discrimination and promote equality, and is taking place after the Commissioner's visit to Palestine and Israel.

    Information about the discussion can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/commissioners/diamantopoulou

    [09] PESSIMISTIC AND UNSATISFIED EUROPEANS

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (12:38 UTC+2)

    Greeks appear to be pessimistic and unsatisfied both concerning issues in their daily lives, as well as major issues of the EU, according to a survey of the Eurobarometer carried out in the Spring of 2002, and published today.

    Specifically, according to information from the survey in question, 37% of Greeks (the largest percentage in the EU) are not satisfied with their lives. About 1 out of 3 Greeks, 35%, believes that things have gotten worse in comparison to 5 years ago, while 1 out of 4 believes that things are going to get even worse in the future.

    As far as politics are concerned, only 16% trust the parties, 36% trust the government and 31% trust civil services.

    The institution the Greek people trust the most, is the army, 80%, followed by the Church, 62%, and Justice 61%. Also, 2 out of 3 are fear the possibility of a new World War, and 62% a nuclear confrontation within Europe.

    [10] ND ON IRISH "YES" TO NICE TREATY

    Athens, 22 October 2002 (12:36 UTC+2)

    "The verdict of the Irish people, as was expressed in the crucial referendum last week, on the ratification of the Nice Treaty, has taken on a politically historic dimension. It is a loud confirmation of the correct course of member states, towards the institutional completion of the European Union", underlined New Democracy in an announcement it made.

    "The political commitment of the European Union to move towards the enlargement without delay, was surmised in the clear voice of a country with a small population, but a rich democratic tradition, and a definite desire to contribute to the European destiny. Europe's unity was tried in practice and proven to be strong", the announcement pointed out.

    "Europe ought to finally say "yes" to the enlargement with Cyprus accession and the other 9 countries candidate countries, this coming December, in Copenhagen. For New Democracy, there can be no enlargement without Cyprus", it stressed.

    [11] GREEK PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER IN THE US

    Washington, 22 October 2002 (12:10 UTC+2)

    November 17 and Olympic security were the main topics of discussion at the meetings Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis had in the US.

    The Minister of Public Order met with the second in command of the US National Security Council Steve Hantley and national security advisor General James Gordon, in the White House.

    We informed them on the way in which we organized our work in eradicating terrorism in Greece, and how we intend to continue, but the discussions mainly revolved around issues referring to Greece's international role, and the international effort being made against terrorism and organized crime, stressed Mr. Chrysochoidis.

    Furthermore, Mr. Chrysochoidis underlined that the issue of security at the Olympics has noted significant progress.

    Participants in the meetings also included the two countries' ambassadors, Giorgos Savvaidis and Thomas Miller, the Director of the Greek counter terrorism service Lieutenant General Stelios Syrros, Head of Olympic Security Lieutenant General Konstantinidis, as well as officials of the National Security Council of the White House.


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