Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-11-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE US DECISION WAS MADE AFTER OCTOBER 29

[02] KARAMANLIS TO VISIT CYPRUS

[03] CHRISTOFIAS: THE VETO ON TURKEY IS A MATTER OF EU PRINCIPLE

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] MOLIVIATIS BRIEFED THE LAOS PARTY PRESIDENT

[06] KONSTANTOPOULOS-MOLIVIATIS MEETING

[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS AFTER MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER

[08] CONSENSUS WITHOUT BLANK CHEQUE

[09] MOLIVIATIS-PAPARIGA MEETING

[10] CHRISTOFIAS: MITSOTAKIS' STATEMENTS ARE UNFORTUNATE

[11] AUSTRALIA WILL NOT CHANGE ITS POSITION ON THE FYROM NAME ISSUE

[01] THE US DECISION WAS MADE AFTER OCTOBER 29

US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher stated that the US decision to recognize FYROM under the name Republic of Macedonia was right and contributed to the stability in the region, while it affected the recent referendum on the Ochrid agreement to the right direction.

On the response letter to the American Hellenic Institute on October 29 in which it was stressed that the formal US position is to recognize the name FYROM, Mr. Boucher stated that the responsible US State Department officials examined the situation during that time, decided to change the US position and immediately announced that decision publicly.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis left open the likelihood for Greece to exercise its veto power on the accession of FYROM into the EU and NATO in case the issue of the name is not resolved.

Former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis called for a Political Party Leaders Council meeting on the issue of FYROM.

[02] KARAMANLIS TO VISIT CYPRUS

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will be on a two-day formal visit to Cyprus tomorrow. Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis will accompany the Prime Minister.

Mr. Karamanlis will meet with the Cypriot political leadership and the main issue under discussion will be December's Summit Meeting on Turkey's European Union prospect.

[03] CHRISTOFIAS: THE VETO ON TURKEY IS A MATTER OF EU PRINCIPLE

Greek Parliament President Mrs. Anna Psarouda-Benaki and her Cypriot counterpart Dimitris Christofias pointed out the need for better coordination between the two parliaments to jointly handle the crucial developments in the Cyprus issue in view of the EU decision in December on the accession negotiations with Turkey.

Responding to a journalist on the likelihood for Cyprus to exercise its veto power on Turkey's accession negotiations in case Ankara does not recognize the Cypriot Republic, Mr. Christofias responded that it is not a matter of Greece and Cyprus to exercise their veto power but it is a matter of principle for the EU and it will have to react.

Called to comment on the issue of the funds in favor of the Annan Plan by a UN non-governmental organization, Mr. Christofias characterized the move as improper and wrong, adding that it was an effort of interference in order to influence the Cypriot people on a crucial issue.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.86% at 2619.69 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 184,6 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 284 had gains and 41 had losses, while the value of 89 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] MOLIVIATIS BRIEFED THE LAOS PARTY PRESIDENT

After briefing the leaders of the political parties represented in the Greek Parliament, Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis met with Greek Euro-deputy and LAOS Party President Giorgos Karatzaferis to brief him on developments concerning the FYROM name issue.

After the meeting, Mr. Karatzaferis stated that the discussion with Mr. Moliviatis was very important and commented that Greece has a difficult road ahead.

[06] KONSTANTOPOULOS-MOLIVIATIS MEETING

Coalition President Nikos Konstantopoulos met today with Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis who briefed him on developments concerning issues of national interest.

Mr. Moliviatis stated after the meeting that the discussion he had with Mr. Konstantopoulos was constructive.

Mr. Konstantopoulos mentioned that the discussion was detailed and meaningful and the Foreign Minister briefed him on all current foreign policy issues.

The Coalition President stressed the importance of stability in the Balkans and stated that the negotiation of the Greek side should lead to a composite name for FYROM.

[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS AFTER MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER

Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis briefed main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou on the developments concerning the issues of national interest and in statements he made after the meeting Mr. Papandreou stated that he expressed concern to Mr. Moliviatis.

Mr. Papandreou stated that strategy is necessary when exercising foreign policy as well as, a steady course, constant mobility and right moves, adding that PASOK has criticized the government moves and policy in this sector.

He referred to the strategy followed by PASOK, when it was in power, underlining that it had the European course as a basis. He also referred to the decision to be reached by the EU on December 17 concerning Turkey's European course, stressing that it will be a decisive decision for the following years.

[08] CONSENSUS WITHOUT BLANK CHEQUE

Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis in statements he made after the meetings he had with the leaders of PASOK, the Communist Party and Coalition to brief them on developments concerning issues of national interest, reiterated that the government wants conditions of understanding in the major foreign policy issues.

This does not mean that the government asks for a blank cheque, said Mr. Moliviatis, adding that foreign policy is the government's responsibility. However, he said that it would be more reliable if there is cooperation adding that he briefed the political party leaders within this framework.

[09] MOLIVIATIS-PAPARIGA MEETING

The main opponent for the Greek Communist Party is the US policy in the Balkans, stated party general secretary Mrs. Aleka Papariga after being briefed today by Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis on the issue of the FYROM name.

The peoples in the region share common interests, stated Mrs. Papariga, adding that the Communist Party is concerned more about the violations made by the Turkish fighter jets in the Aegean.

Mr. Moliviatis characterized the talks with Mrs. Papariga as constructive.

[10] CHRISTOFIAS: MITSOTAKIS' STATEMENTS ARE UNFORTUNATE

The strong attack launched by former Prime Minister Konstantinos Mitsotakis against Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos last night speaking in Athens television station Mega and today with new statements he made this morning caused the reaction of Cypriot Parliament President Dimitris Christofias.

Mr. Christofias expressed regret and characterized the statements as unfortunate. He stressed that everybody should respect the wish of the Cypriot people as it was expressed through the referendum on the Annan Plan. He said that history does not support allegations that Cyprus can drag Greece and the Greek people into problems, adding that Cyprus is an independent state and the Cypriot people have their own history.

Mr. Mitsotakis accused Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos of leading Cyprus to complete isolation from the international community and following a dead-end stance. He also called on Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, who will be on a two-day visit to Cyprus tomorrow, not to be carried away by Mr. Papadopoulos.

[11] AUSTRALIA WILL NOT CHANGE ITS POSITION ON THE FYROM NAME ISSUE

World Council for Greeks Abroad, SAE, Secretary Elias Rallis expressed satisfaction for the Australian government stance not to follow the US in the recognition of the name Republic of Macedonia in reference to FYROM.

At a meeting in Melbourne between the newly appointed Australian Ambassador to Greece Mr. Paul Tighe and Elias Rallis Secretary of SAE and Mr. George Fountas President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Mr. Tighe reiterated the Australian Government's position regarding FYROM had not changed and that Australia would not follow the USA in recognition of the name Republic of Macedonia in reference to FYROM.

Other matters of interest to the Australian Greek Community were also discussed including the urgent need to finalise the social security agreement between Greece and Australia and the need for greater cultural, educational and trade exchanges between Greece and Australia.

Mr. Tighe will take up his new post in January 2005.

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