Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-12-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] BUDGET DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

[02] CHRISTOFIAS AGAINST DENKTASH AND ANKARA

[03] GREEK PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES PRESENTED

[04] SIMITIS' PRESS CONFERENCE TO THE FOREIGN PRESS CORRESPONDENTS

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] LAYOFFS IN ROMTELECOM PLANNED BY OTE

[07] CHRISTOFIAS: DENKTASH AND ANKARA BLOCK THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS

[08] INFLATION AT 2.2% IN THE EURO-ZONE IN NOVEMBER

[09] PRIORITIES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

[10] MESSAGE OF COPENHAGEN IN PARLIAMENT

[01] BUDGET DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT TODAY

The discussion on the 2003 budget is beginning in Parliament today, with lowering inflation as its greatest financial policy priority. In any case, it is improbable that the new budget will be passed without a fight, as New Democracy has already characterized it as a forgery and unreliable, while objections have also been expressed by certain union bodies.

Meanwhile, there are great worries of a shrinking of competitiveness of the Greek economy caused by the significant broadening of the balance of current transactions, which is mainly due to deficit increase of the commercial balance, according to an announcement made by the Bank of Greece yesterday. With imports of every kind soaring, there are fears that employment, production and the profits of the entire Greek economy are now being undermined.

[02] CHRISTOFIAS AGAINST DENKTASH AND ANKARA

The intolerance of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkish policy stands in the way of a solution for the Cyprus issue, pointed out President of the Cypriot Parliament Dimitris Christofias, in statements he made immediately following the meeting he had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, at the Maximos Mansion.

Mr. Christofias praised the contribution of the Greek government, especially that of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the Parliament, in the effort being made for Cyprus' accession all these years, and thanked them for this success.

They made joint appreciations with Mr. Simitis on the efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue, and characteristically noted: We came to the conclusion that the non resolving of the Cyprus issue until now is not the fault of the Greek Cypriot side. It is due to Mr. Denktash's and Ankara's obstruction.

It should be noted that the Greek Cypriot side will continue having productive discussions on the Annan proposal, so that the necessary changes that will make it fairer and more functional can be found. In order to finally reach a solution, a change in Denktash's and Ankara's policies is always a requirement, according to Mr. Christofias.

In response to journalists, the President of the Cypriot Parliament appeared pessimistic as regards to finding a solution by February 28, 2003, in accord to the decision of the Copenhagen Summit.

Mr. Christofias also met with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou yesterday afternoon. After their meeting, he characterized the period we are going through as historic, in the light of the Copenhagen decisions, emphasizing Cyprus' accession to the EU, and then underlining that we have before us the great problem of resolving the Cyprus issue.

Mr. Papandreou underlined that the solution of the Cyprus issue will open great prospects for Turkey as well as Cyprus as long as Turkey shows the necessary will and for peace and stability in the region in general

[03] GREEK PRESIDENCY PRIORITIES PRESENTED

The results of the Copenhagen Summit Meeting and the initiatives of the Greek Presidency during the first 6 months of 2003, were presented at a press conference by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and deputy Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis.

Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the strategic goal, the real and sincere intention of the Greek government, is to contribute to the resolving of the Cyprus issue, expressing the hope that it can be done by February 28.

He noted that this date shows the urgency, the momentum of the effort, on the side of the UN, and he underlined that Greece is observing, contributing and supporting the moves of the Cypriot government and will continue its support.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the Copenhagen message for Turkey should not be considered negative, since it is giving Turkey a major opportunity.

The date set for Turkey as the final evaluation for the next stage of negotiations, 2004, should not be seen as a negative message. If Turkey manages to adjust to the Copenhagen criteria, if it really forms an atmosphere of a good neighborhood, the doors will be open to begin negotiations and of course for further progress in its course towards European accession, he stressed.

Mr. Papandreou referred to the priorities of the Greek Presidency, which he characterized as very important, stressing that the Greek Presidency is beginning with an optimistic message from Copenhagen and he expressed the hope that we will be able to build on this optimism during the next six months.

The basic goals of the Greek Presidency, according to deputy Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis are the enlargement: the Accession Treaty, the Lisbon procedure: competitiveness, cohesion, continuous and viable growth and a viable environment, immigration asylum: joint responsibility, a complete immigration policy, handling the outer borders of the Union, the future of Europe based on proposals of the Assembly, an issue to occupy the Thessaloniki Summit, and foreign affairs (Balkans, Mediterranean, Middle East, Russia, Black Sea countries).

[04] SIMITIS' PRESS CONFERENCE TO THE FOREIGN PRESS CORRESPONDENTS

Greece is at a historical conjuncture. The success in Copenhagen was the result of the strategy followed by the Greek government. This was a first step and the efforts should continue for the solution of the Cyprus problem that will bring greater security, peace and cooperation to the region, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in a press conference he gave to the members of the Foreign Press Correspondents Association in Athens.

Mr. Simitis expressed the belief that Turkey has accepted the fact that there is a need to have a European course and therefore, it will change its stance.

He said that in case no solution is found in Cyprus by February 28, 2003 negotiations will continue if there is an important development in the issue.

Mr. Simitis stated that there are problems like high prices, inflation and unemployment stressing, however, that the economy continues to be the strongest point for the government. He said that the Greek people should be optimistic because the country handles well the recession in the US and the EU.

On the Greek EU Presidency, he said that the preparations for the deployment of a police force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and a military force in Skopje will be completed by June, adding that the mission in Skopje is likely to get underway sooner. Also, the EU-Russia Summit meeting will be held by the end of April, while the EU-US Summit meeting will take place in June.

He said that the EU programs in the Balkans should be sped up, while on Croatia he said that it is the most advanced of the rest Balkan countries and to his opinion it could be a member of the EU in 2007 together with Bulgaria and Romania.

Mr. Simitis stated that Greece is ready to host excellent Olympic Games that will bring considerable benefits to the country.

On the EU economic aid to the Turkish Cypriots, he pointed out that it will be granted regardless of whether a solution will be found in Cyprus.

He also said that the government is not afraid of the televised coverage of the trial of the terrorist organization 17 November members. However, the government believes that the televised coverage of court trials does not allow for the trials to be held as they should be.

On Olympic Airways, Mr. Simitis said that a new institution will be established that will be separate from the old one. He said that the old OA will be reformed stressing, however, that no OA employee will lose their job.

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 0.15% at 1.823,21 points, while the volume of transactions was at 124.1m euros.

Of the stocks trading today, the majority of 284 recorded losses and only 46 had gains, while the value of 49 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] LAYOFFS IN ROMTELECOM PLANNED BY OTE

The Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, will proceed with 4.000 layoffs in RomTelecom in an effort to make the Romanian company profitable. The statement was made by OTE Vice-President Giorgos Skarpelis speaking before the Economic Affairs Committee of the Greek Parliament which called on the OTE management to give explanations regarding its strategy in the Balkans.

OTE President Lefteris Antonakopoulos clarified that the organization has reexamined its international investments portfolio and intends to limit certain of its activities abroad. He also stressed that an OTE priority is the restructuring of RomTelecom and the layoffs are placed within this framework.

Responding to the accusation that Intracom enjoys a preferential treatment, Mr. Antonakopoulos and Mr. Skarpelis pointed out that Intracom has 14%, Siemens 11% and Alcatel 9% of the US$950m invested in the four-year period 1998-2001.

In Romania's investment program participate a total of 35 Greek companies, while in the activities of RomTelecom are involved a total of 58 Greek companies.

[07] CHRISTOFIAS: DENKTASH AND ANKARA BLOCK THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM

The intransigence of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and Turkey's policy block the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem, stated Cypriot Parliament President Dimitris Christofias after the meeting he had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Athens.

Mr. Christofias praised the contribution of the Greek government and especially, the efforts made by Prime Minister Simitis and the Greek Parliament aimed at Cyprus' EU accession.

He pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side will continue the creative discussion on the Annan Plan for the solution of the Cyprus problem in order to agree on the necessary changes that will make the plan more fair and operational. According to Mr. Christofias, a necessary precondition for a solution to be reached is the change in the policy followed by Denktash and Ankara.

The Cypriot Parliament President appeared pessimistic regarding the likelihood for a solution to be reached in Cyprus by February 28, 2003 in accordance with the decisions in the Copenhagen EU Summit meeting.

[08] INFLATION AT 2.2% IN THE EURO-ZONE IN NOVEMBER

Inflation recorded a marginal drop to 2.2% in the Euro-zone in November compared to 2.3% in October, according to figures issued today by the European Statistics Agency, Eurostat.

The lowest percentage (1%) was recorded in Germany followed by Belgium (1.1%) and Sweden (1.4%), while the highest was in Ireland (4.7%). Inflation in Portugal was at 4.1% and in Greece and Spain at 3.9%.

[09] PRIORITIES OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

The priorities of the Greek Presidency of the EU in the telecommunications sector, were presented by deputy Minister of Transports and Communications Manolis Stratakis, at the Socialist Group of the Committee of Industry, Trade, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament.

Mr. Stratakis answered a series of questions concerning the prospects of the telecommunications sector in Europe, the initiatives for electronic incorporation of disadvantaged population and the application of electronic governing, which will be answered at the presentation of the Greek Presidency's complete position, during the plenary session of the ITRE, on January 22, 2003.

[10] MESSAGE OF COPENHAGEN IN PARLIAMENT

"The accession of Cyprus to the European Union is a catalytic part of the solution to the Cyprus problem, as it guarantees the security and rights of all Cypriots Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and forms a new framework of coexistence which has never existed.

This new framework of coexistence is seeking a solution", stressed Prime Minister Simitis in his speech, during the pre-agenda discussion of the plenary session of the Parliament on the Cyprus issue, which convened after the initiative of the Greek Communist Party (KKE).

According to the PM, the lesson of Copenhagen is that with our foreign policy we form a national chapter championing our national interests at crucial times.

He also underlined that the Cyprus issue can neither be resolved with rhetorical patriotism nor by invoking International Law, which are ineffective tactics, and he supported that the solution must be sought after within the framework of the UN, it must be fair, functional and viable, and for that reason Athens and Nicosia have accepted the solution plan.

But he pointed out that "(we have not accepted it as) a solution, but as a basis on which to negotiate, because a refusal would constitute a complete undermining and overturning of our national strategy".

New Democracy

President of New Democracy Kostas Karamanlis characterized the accession of Cyprus an "important positive action".

At the same time he expressed his hope for a political solution of the problem shortly, he congratulated the Cypriot people and their leadership, while he pointed out that everyone worked hard, the government, the Foreign Ministry, former Foreign Ministers, Greek EuroMPs, and Greek diplomats.

"We both contributed", he said characteristically, noting that the strategy for accession was mapped out during the Konstantinos Karamanlis government and was adopted by all following governments. At the same time Mr. Karamanlis asked that a National Council for Foreign Policy be formed, following the model of the National Council of Cyprus.

KKE

The best offer that Greece could make to the Cypriot people, is to not participate in the game of those "putting a gun to our temple", said the Secretary General of the KKE, Aleka Papariga, who appreciated that Cyprus' accession to the EU constitutes a "formalization of the island's division".

Commenting on the PM's speech, she stressed that there was a taste of conceit and arrogance to it, that the Greek government was at the center or among the centers making the initiatives for Cyprus and Greece was used as a tool.

Coalition of the Left

The Copenhagen decisions create a more positive framework throughout Greek-Cypriot-Turkish relations, stated the President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, appreciating that the crucial information of these decisions is the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the confirmation, with an initial specification of the date, of Turkey's European orientation.

These two elements, concluded Mr. Konstantopoulos, create the conditions necessary to resolve the Cyprus problem, the interior democratization of Turkey, and the peaceful arrangement of Greek-Turkish differences.

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