Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-09-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] THESSALONIKI HAS THE MOST NEW PRIVATE CARS IN THE EU

[02] THE MILITARY EXERCISES IN CYPRUS ARE CANCELLED

[03] GAINS IN THE ASE

[04] ROUSOPOULOS: GREECE'S EFFORT FOR A SEAT IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL AS A

[05] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME

[06] NEWS ON GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE WERE DENIED

[07] REACTIONS TO OLIVER STONE'S UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS ON ALEXANDER THE

[08] GREECE IS A CANDIDATE FOR A NON-PERMANENT MEMBER SEAT IN THE UN

[01] THESSALONIKI HAS THE MOST NEW PRIVATE CARS IN THE EU

Thessaloniki has the most new private cars not only in Greece but in the European Union as well. According to Central Macedonia Region secretary Giorgos Tsiotras the annual increase rate in the number of new cars on the streets of the city is at 10%.

Tomorrow, is the European Day without a Car in 22 cities across the European Union but this year there will be no restrictions in the movement of vehicles during that day.

In spite of the traffic jams due to the large number of private cars moving in the city center the people of Thessaloniki do not use public transportation. It is worth noting that only 25% of the commuters use the buses for their daily transportation.

[02] THE MILITARY EXERCISES IN CYPRUS ARE CANCELLED

Foreign Minister of Greece Petros Moliviatis and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul agreed on the broadening of the confidence-building-measures between Greece and Turkey and the mutual cancellation of the military exercises by both countries. The decision concerns the military exercises Nikiforos-Toxotis and Toros scheduled to be held in October. The two Foreign Ministers reached the decision in the meeting they had in the UN headquarters in New York.

Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos was briefed on the development and the Cypriot government announced the cancellation of the exercise Nikiforos scheduled to take place on October 19-25.

The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that he discussed with Mr. Moliviatis the Cyprus issue as well as his country's EU accession course, while he expressed complaints maintaining that the Europeans have broken the promises they made to the Turkish Cypriots.

[03] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.41% at 2366.41 points, while the volume of transactions was at 123,8 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 129 had gains and 136 had losses, while the value of 138 stocks remained unchanged.

[04] ROUSOPOULOS: GREECE'S EFFORT FOR A SEAT IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL AS A NON-PERMANENT MEMBER CONTINUES

The effort by the Greek government aimed at claiming a seat in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member continues, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to a relevant question by a reporter.

He reminded that two failed attempts were made by Greece in the past but now things are more favorable.

[05] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME

The government's will to resume a meaningful dialogue with FYROM on the issue of the name was pointed out by government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to a relevant question during the press briefing.

Mr. Rousopoulos said that the dialogue's procedural framework remains the same namely, it will be held between Greece's permanent representatives, FYROM and the UN Secretary General special envoy.

Asked to comment on whether the Political Party Leaders Council decision is binding for the government, he responded that the government is still bound by it given the fact that there has been no other Political Party Leaders Council meeting on the issue.

[06] NEWS ON GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE WERE DENIED

There is no question of a government reshuffle, stated Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos, denying the relevant rumors.

Both Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou stated that they are against the likelihood of early elections on the occasion of the election of a new Hellenic Republic President.

Mr. Rousopoulos characterized as premature any discussion on likely successors of President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[07] REACTIONS TO OLIVER STONE'S UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS ON ALEXANDER THE GREAT

The allegations that Alexander the Great, the King of the Macedons and among the leading military and political figures in world history, was a paranoid and a homosexual have caused strong reactions. The allegations were made by Oliver Stone, film director and producer of the picture on Alexander the Great expected to be released on November 4.

Stone made the allegations in an interview published last month on the French Le Figaro Magazine.

Referring to the allegations former government minister and Makedoniki Estia president Nikolaos Martis stated to the Greek-American newspaper Ethnikos Kirikas that such allegations insult Hellenism and anybody who respects historical truth.

[08] GREECE IS A CANDIDATE FOR A NON-PERMANENT MEMBER SEAT IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The UN General Assembly meeting opens in New York in a few hours. Representatives from 191 countries will attend the meeting, while the speech to be delivered by Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis is expected with great interest.

Mr. Moliviatis wants to exploit his presence in New York by promoting Greece's bid for a seat in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member.

Also, Germany through its Foreign Minister Joshka Fischer will submit a request claiming a permanent member seat in the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile, the working team appointed by the UN Secretary General to proceed with the reform of the international organization, including among others the enlargement of the UN Security Council, continues the consultations.

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