Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-09-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] NO SECRETS

[02] OPTIMISM FOR CYPRUS AFTER MEETINGS IN US

[03] A RAISE IN STRIKES

[04] GREEK AND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO MEET IN THE ISLAND OF CHIOS

[05] THE 2004 PARALYMPICS MEDAL AND MASCOT

[06] GOV'T SPOKESMAN: THE ATHENS FIR IS NOW MORE EASY TO USE

[07] ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON THE GREEK-SLOVAK ECONOMIC RELATIONS

[08] INTERNATIONAL OWHC SYMPOSIUM IN THE AEGEAN ISLAND OF RHODES

[09] VISIT TO THE CENTRAL GREEK CITY OF LARISA BY FYROM MAYORS

[10] GAINS IN THE ASE

[11] CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARRESTS

[12] EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK - EUROPEAN CAR FREE DAY

[13] IN IRELAND, GREECE, SPAIN THE HIGHEST PRICE INCREASES IN AUGUST

[01] NO SECRETS

The lifting of stock market privacy of all MPs was

unanimously agreed by the Parliamentary Audit

Committee, after the noise created both on a political

and on a social level. The Committee decided to ask

the Capital Market Committee for all the stock market

transactions carried out by politicians who had to

present a property statement for the years 1998-2002.

[02] OPTIMISM FOR CYPRUS AFTER MEETINGS IN US

The Cyprus issue was one of the topics of discussion

during a meeting held late yesterday afternoon in the

White House between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos

Papandreou and US National Security Advisor

Contoleezza Rice. Following the meeting, Mr. Papandreou stated that "we analyzed how the developments of the next few months - the coming year - will be important as far as Cyprus is concerned, because Cyprus is not only formally

incorporated to the EU, a new path is also opening for new initiative if the will is shown on the part of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey". They also discussed various issues regarding bilateral relations, regional and international tension, placing emphasis on the situation having risen in the Middle East, as well as in Iraq.

Mr. Papandreou also met with the special Coordinator on the Cyprus issue, Thomas Weston, with whom he discussed the new situation to be created by the so-called "elections" in occupied Cyprus. The Foreign Minister will meet with his US counterpart Colin Powell in Washington today, continuing his formal contacts in the US capital.

[03] A RAISE IN STRIKES

The Prime Minister appears to be opposed to providing

any new salary raises apart from those already

announced, while education is still in overall

turmoil. Middle education teachers rejected the

proposal for raises between 117-167 euro and hold to

the October 6th strike, which the teachers will

participate in. The difference between the government

and the university teachers, was referred to the

Ministry of Finance.

[04] GREEK AND TURKISH BUSINESSMEN TO MEET IN THE ISLAND OF CHIOS

Eighty Turkish businessmen will meet on Saturday in the eastern Aegean island of Chios with Greek businessmen, members of the Association of Greek Industries.

The goal of the meeting is to promote cooperation between the Association of Greek Industries and Turkey's Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD).

The organizers of the meeting hope to improve bilateral economic relations through direct contacts of businessmen from the two countries.

[05] THE 2004 PARALYMPICS MEDAL AND MASCOT

The Medal and the Mascot of the 2004 Paralympic Games were presented today by Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Mrs. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis, exactly one year before the opening ceremony.

The emblem and the serial number of the 2004 Paralympic Games, as well as the city and the date, both in the Greek language and in Braille, are depicted on the one side of the medal. The Acropolis is depicted on the other side.

The mascot of the Paralympics will be a hippocampus, a sea horse, named Proteus, after a Greek mythology god of the sea.

[06] GOV'T SPOKESMAN: THE ATHENS FIR IS NOW MORE EASY TO USE

Through the ICAO decision, the Greek interests are not only safeguarded but there is also economic and operational benefit, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas. He also pointed out that the Athens FIR becomes more easy to use and more attractive as a route for commercial airlines due to the addition of new air corridors.

The addition of new air corridors allows for better handling of air traffic during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and in the future, in general, said the government spokesman.

Mr. Protopapas also stressed that the increase in the volume of air traffic will bring additional economic gains, while the international connections with the airports at the Greek islands will be facilitated.

Responding to relevant questions by reporters, he stressed that these regulations have absolutely nothing to do with military activity issues.

[07] ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ON THE GREEK-SLOVAK ECONOMIC RELATIONS

A one-day conference on the prospects for the development of the economic and business relations between Greece and Slovakia will take place in Thessaloniki on Friday, September 19 on the occasion of Slovakia's national holiday. It is the first such event taking place in Thessaloniki after Slovakia's accession into the united Europe.

The conference is organized by the Association of Industries in Northern Greece, Slovakia's embassy in Greece and the country's consulate in Thessaloniki.

The goal of the conference is to present the prospects that are being opened for the development of business cooperation between the two countries. Slovakia's exports to Greece are mainly industrial products and heavy industry products, while its imports from Greece are mostly raw materials, food, live animals, beverages, tobacco and chemical products.

[08] INTERNATIONAL OWHC SYMPOSIUM IN THE AEGEAN ISLAND OF RHODES

Issues concerning the protection, management and promotion of the cultural character of cities around the world with an exceptional cultural heritage, will be raised in the 7th International Symposium of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) that will take place at the southeastern Aegean island of Rhodes on September 23-26.

The participating delegates will discuss new strategies for the management of historic cities, while proposals will be presented for the improvement of the quality of life of the people living in them.

In the symposium will participate scientists specializing in maintenance, promotion and management of cultural heritage as well as mayors, city council members and political representatives of cities that are OWHC members.

[09] VISIT TO THE CENTRAL GREEK CITY OF LARISA BY FYROM MAYORS

A delegation of FYROM mayors visited the mayor of Larisa, central Greece.

During the visit, the 8 mayors of Gevgeli, Mirafci, Demir-kapia, Prilep, Vitoliste, Topoltsani, Kavadarci and Konopiste, who were accompanied by FYROM Ministry of Economy officials, were briefed on new technology and know-how issues aimed at the improvement of infrastructures in their cities.

The mayor of Larisa speaking to the guests referred to the municipality activities and underlined the ties of friendship and cooperation developed between his city and the cities of Stromnitsa and Kumanovo.

[10] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.79% at 2.062,38 points, while the volume of transactions was at 152.2 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 275 recorded gains and 59 had losses, while the value of 49 stocks remained unchanged.

[11] CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARRESTS

Police in Athens seized over 10.000 videocassettes and DVDs with child pornography material stored in a warehouse at the city's center. A foreign employee and the owner's daughter were arrested.

According to information, children under the age of 16 were on the explicit sex videotapes. Police investigate whether the videotapes were filmed in Greece or abroad.

[12] EUROPEAN MOBILITY WEEK - EUROPEAN CAR FREE DAY

The European Mobility Week that got underway yesterday will be completed on September 22 with the European Car Free Day, In town without my car! Day.

The European Mobility Week focuses on the benefits that can come by using environmentally friendly transportation means, as well as on the policies for better air quality, less sound pollution and improved health for the people living in big cities.

The main theme of this year's events, that will take place with the participation of 500 cities across Europe, will be accessibility and specifically, the improved transportation of city people and quality living conditions. A special emphasis will be given on people with mobility difficulties backing, this way, the goals set on the occasion of the European Year of People with Disabilities.

[13] IN IRELAND, GREECE, SPAIN THE HIGHEST PRICE INCREASES IN AUGUST

The annual inflation rate in the Euro-zone was at 2.1% in August compared to 1.9% in July.

According to figures given to publicity in Luxembourg today by the European Statistics Agency, Eurostat, responsible for the cost-of-living index increase are mainly, the high food prices and the high monthly rents for apartments.

In spite all these, the inflation rise in the Euro-zone did not alarm analysts because it was not much higher than the 2% goal set by the European Central Bank for 2003.

According to the Eurostat figures, the biggest price increases in August were recorded in Ireland (3.9%), Greece (3.3%) and Spain (3.1%), while the smallest increases were recorded in Austria (0.9%), Germany (1.1%) and Finland (1.2%).

Regarding annual inflation for the 15, (Britain, Sweden and Denmark have not adopted the euro) it was at 2% in August compared to 1.9% in July.

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