Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-11-07

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] THE DECISION IN THE FANARI

[02] DROPS IN THE LEADS

[03] REASSURANCE ABOUT DIOXINS IN MILK

[04] NEW EXPLORATORY CONTACTS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY NEXT WEEK

[05] PARVANOV: THE GREEK-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE AT THEIR BEST

[06] GAINS IN THE ASE

[07] TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON ON SUNDAY

[08] BEGLITIS ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORTS

[09] VENIZELOS' CONTACTS IN MOSCOW

[01] THE DECISION IN THE FANARI

The final document with the decisions of the Hierarchy, to be taken to the Fanari by a delegation of the Church of Greece, is being expected by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in order for it to respond to the proposals the majority of the Holy Synod voted for. According to the decision that received 50 votes from the 79 hierarchs, the list of candidates for the Metropolises of the new countries, will be sent to the Fanari, so that it can carry out its rights, but the final word will be that of the Church of Greece. Nine Metropolites departed prior to the vote, while the Metropolite of Thebes made mention of an attempt at a regime change within the Church.

[02] DROPS IN THE LEADS

A drop in the lead ND had against PASOK by 0.3% and a drop in the lead Mr. Simitis had over Mr. Karamanlis, as regards to who would be a better Prime Minister, by 1.2%, according to the METRON ANALYSIS poll. Rapid changes were foreseen by the Government Spokesperson, while ND sees that the difference will be fixed. ND at 38.5%, 31.7% for PASOK, 5.8% for KKE, 3.6% for the Coalition. LAOS very close to 3%, with an actual 2.7%, 1.9% for DIKKI.

[03] REASSURANCE ABOUT DIOXINS IN MILK

Reassurances that dioxin and other toxic substance concentration in Greek milk is one of the lowest in Europe, were given by the Joint Body for Food Control(EFET), after the attention to the issue in the Media. The President of EFET, Ch. Papanikolaou, characterized the dimensions given to the issue as completely unwarranted and with out sufficient scientific documentation. The control program for milk with the cooperation of the Dimokritos center will continue in areas such as Kozani, which had a history of such accidents.

[04] NEW EXPLORATORY CONTACTS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY NEXT WEEK

The 18th round of exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey will take place in Ankara on Monday.

Greece will be represented in the exploratory contacts by Greek Foreign Ministry General Secretary ambassador Anastasios Skopelitis, while the representative of Turkey will be Turkish Foreign Ministry General Secretary ambassador Ugur Ziyal.

[05] PARVANOV: THE GREEK-BULGARIAN RELATIONS ARE AT THEIR BEST

The Greek-Bulgarian relations are at their finest point ever, stressed Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov addressing the Greek-Bulgarian Business Forum that took place in Athens today.

Mr. Parvanov stated that there is more room for improvement in bilateral relations, especially after 2007 when Bulgaria will be a member of the EU.

He said that the good bilateral relations resulted to tens of interstate agreements that create an excellent institutional framework, which facilitates both the Greek and the Bulgarian businessmen. Mr. Parvanov stated that in the past few years there was a significant increase in bilateral transactions with Greece.

The Bulgarian President stated that Greece is the main investor in Bulgaria and the Greek businesses have created a total of 70.000 job positions. Also, a total of 800 subsidiary businesses of Greek interests are registered with the Bulgarian Chamber.

Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos speaking in the forum stated that inter-border cooperation between local social powers is imperative to be promoted.

He also pointed out that there is a need for cooperation for the creation of complete inter-European energy, electricity, natural gas, telecommunications and transportations networks.

[06] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.82% at 2.194,99 points, while the volume of transactions was at 134.8 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 173 recorded gains and 123 had losses, while the value of 86 remained unchanged.

[07] TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON ON SUNDAY

A total eclipse of the moon will take place at dawn on Sunday and will be visible in Greece as well.

Specifically, the eclipse will be visible in north America, the biggest part of Europe, north Africa and the northernmost regions in the southern hemisphere. The moon will be colored red for a few minutes, as its disc will be covered completely by the earth's shadow and only a few rays of sunlight will highlight its characteristics.

[08] BEGLITIS ON THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORTS

The European Commission reports on the acceding countries and Turkey reflect in the most clear and objective way the course followed by all candidate states, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the ten countries which have already signed the EU accession treaty, stated Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis.

Specifically on Turkey, Mr. Beglitis said that the European Commission report reflects the present situation in the Euro-Turkish relations, presents in an objective and clear way the important progress made by Turkey and at the same time, the significant shortcomings in the area of reform implementation.

Referring to the issue of Cyprus, he said that the European Commission report confirms the EU policy for the solution of the problem based on the Annan peace plan and mentions that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have been following a policy of non-solution to the political problem in Cyprus.

[09] VENIZELOS' CONTACTS IN MOSCOW

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos had a number of contacts during his visit to Moscow. He met today with the Russian Olympic Committee President, the Russian Federation Sports Minister and the Russian Culture Minister.

Mr. Venizelos briefed the Russian officials on the level of the Olympic Games preparations in Greece and the statements made by the International Olympic Committee after its latest visit to Athens to assess the progress made in the Olympic projects.

They also discussed issues concerning the preparation of the Russian Olympic teams for their participation in the 2004 Olympic Games, hospitality issues, Olympic Games promotion issues in Russia and other former Soviet Union states, as well as the issue of the candidature of Moscow to become the host of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Mr. Venizelos stated that Greece is ready to offer its know-how and experience in the new era of Olympic Games and added that it is very important that the Russian side has embraced the institution of the Cultural Olympiad and has included it in its candidature file for the 2012 Olympic Games.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article