Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-12-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] WINDOW TO LEGALITY - SOLUTION

[02] SIMITIS: I WILL NOT GO TO THE EU AND I WILL DEDICATE ALL MY EFFORTS TO

[03] GREECE AT THE CORE OF EU DEFENSE

[04] NEW FUNDS FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE

[05] BALKAN MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE

[06] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ECUMENICAL

[07] THE ARCHBISHOP RECEIVED THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S REPLY LETTER

[08] GAINS IN THE ASE

[09] PROSPERITY AND JUSTICE

[10] RESPONSE TO FANARI ON 12/12

[01] WINDOW TO LEGALITY - SOLUTION

An appeal was made to Turkey as a member of the Council of Europe and as a candidate EU Member-State, to respect its obligation, proving with actions the priority it gives to its European prospects, stated Athens, via alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis, immediately following the payment of 1.1 million euro to Mrs. T. Loizidou, carrying out the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

[02] SIMITIS: I WILL NOT GO TO THE EU AND I WILL DEDICATE ALL MY EFFORTS TO PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has put an end to the succession scenarios in the governing Socialist Party of PASOK in the press conference he gave at the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in Athens today.

Mr. Simitis made it clear that he will lead PASOK in the next elections, adding that he is not interested in assuming any of the under formation posts in the European Union.

The Prime Minister launched a strong attack on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy characterizing it as an extremely conservative party.

He said that elections will be held on April or May 2004, stressing that PASOK is not tired, has made changes, it is renewed and has the experience to win the parliamentary elections. The Greek people support the government's policy but they have greater expectations and PASOK is aware of that, he said.

He assured that the Olympic Games that will be held in Athens next year, are going to be safe, stressing that there is international cooperation on the issue.

Mr. Simitis sent a message to Turkey, saying that its position regarding the Cyprus issue will affect its European prospect considerably. He stated characteristically that Turkey's EU accession could not be under discussion, while an issue like the Cyprus issue remains open.

On the Stability Pact in the EU, he said that it is necessary adding, however, that in case of extraordinary situations certain adjustments need to be made.

[03] GREECE AT THE CORE OF EU DEFENSE

Greece will participate along side France and Germany in the first core to be formed for European Defense, stated Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou following the completion of the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, while he pointed out that US and NATO Alliance reactions were limited, and the did not question the development and growth of European Defense.

[04] NEW FUNDS FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE

The disposal of new funds from the reserve fund of the third Communal Support Framework for the development of the countryside and the preparation of the country's positions for the 4th Communal Support Framework being prepared by the European Union, were the focal points of the discussion at the Maximos Mansion, presided over by Prime Minister Simitis and with the participation of 12 ministers and deputy ministers. In statements he made, the Prime Minister said that the funds made available for the development of the countryside have been doubled.

[05] BALKAN MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE

General developments in the are of new technologies and the Internet and how they affect and are used by the Media, will be presented by Director of the MIT Media Lab, Boston, Michalis Bletsas, at the 8th Interbalkan Journalistic Conference, organized by the MPA in Thessaloniki on Friday and Saturday, on The Balkan Media in the Digital Age.

[06] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE AND THE CHURCH OF GREECE

The Greek government is in favor of a dialogue between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece to restore the spiritual unity of Orthodoxy, stated Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Education Minister Petros Efthimiou after the meeting they had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Church issues dominated in the meeting, while the government efforts for a dialogue to ease the tension in the relations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the Church of Greece, were also discussed.

[07] THE ARCHBISHOP RECEIVED THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S REPLY LETTER

Metropolite Panteleimon of Tiroloi delivered the Ecumenical Patriarchate's reply letter to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece regarding the issue of the new Metropolites in the so-called new countries.

The meeting lasted about 15 minutes and was characterized as ceremonial. Upon his departure from the Archbishopric Building, the Metropolite of Tiroloi stated that there is always hope and the letter will be examined in the Holy Synod meeting on December 9-12.

The Archbishopric Press Office issued a statement mentioning that the Ecumenical Patriarchate's letter will be studied carefully and its contents will be judged with the appropriate respect toward the Patriarchate and with a sense of responsibility toward the autocephalous and self-administration state of the Church of Greece.

[08] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.79% at 2.197,74 points, while the volume of transactions was at 249.6 million euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 96 recorded losses and 204 had gains, while the value of 82 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] PROSPERITY AND JUSTICE

We have the necessary experience and know-how to reach the level of other EU countries, said Prime Minister Costas Simitis in his press conference this morning for members of the foreign press. Mr. Simitis characterized the Olympics and the resolving of the Cyprus issue and the continental reef as crucial national goals to be judged by the end of 2004, while he stressed that this period is dangerous for global economy. He set the achievement of social justice with financial prosperity as a goal and was in favor of the Committee's positions regarding the Stability Pact.

[10] RESPONSE TO FANARI ON 12/12

The position of the Church of Greece on the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's response to the proposal for the solution of the problem with the election of Metropolites in the new countries, was referred to the standing holy synod of the Church of Greece, to be held from December 1 to December 12. We will position ourselves with complete respect towards the Patriarchate, mentioned the Church's announcement. According to information, the Ecumenical Patriarchate rejected the proposal of the Church of Greece.

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