Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-12-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH DISAPPOINTMENT

[02] THE WEU CONDEMNED THE US DECISION ON THE FYROM NAME

[03] GAINS IN THE ASE

[04] GREECE'S SUPPORT TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE IS GIVEN, FIRM AND

[05] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.2 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN SOUTHERN GREECE

[01] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH DISAPPOINTMENT

Disappointment for Ankara's unwillingness to proceed with the settlement of issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the problems created by Ankara's refusal to recognize its ecumenical character, expressed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the meeting he had with Greek Minister of Tourism Dimitris Avramopoulos while he appealed to Brussels, Ankara and Athens for progress on the issue.

The Ecumenical Patriarch stated during the meeting with Mr. Avramopoulos that no problem has been solved, while the attacks and worries have increased. He added that just a few days before Turkey receives a date for the opening of EU negotiations he expresses the discontent and disappointment of the Christians and the Church to every direction, Athens, Ankara and Brussels.

The Patriarch expressed regret for the fact that the Turkish government insists to its refusal to recognize the ecumenical character of the Patriarchate, stressing that he has assured the Turkish government that there will be no second Vatican and the title has no political content. It is a historical title that belongs to the Patriarchate and cannot be relinquished, he said. He underlined that the Patriarchate will not reject its identity and added, we will not be told who we are. We know for centuries who we are.

The Ecumenical Patriarch also referred to the draft report to the Turkish Security Council in which the Theology School of Halki is being referred to as a threat.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated regarding the issue that a Turkish citizen can not try to have a title that comes from abroad.

Mr. Avramopoulos spoke about a new architecture in the Greek-Turkish relations the politicians have an obligation to build, during the meeting he had with the Turkish Prime Minister while he reiterated that Greece supports Turkey's European prospect.

[02] THE WEU CONDEMNED THE US DECISION ON THE FYROM NAME

The proceedings of the Western European Union, WEU, Parliamentary Assembly Plenary Session-Winter Summit were completed in Paris yesterday with the condemnation of the US decision to recognize FYROM under the name Republic of Macedonia.

Head of the Greek parliamentary delegation, governing party of New Democracy parliament deputy, Mrs. Elsa Papadimitriou proposed a rider based on which the WEU decided to condemn the recent US decision on the FYROM name.

Addressing the WEU Parliamentary Assembly plenary session, Mrs. Papadimitriou called on Turkey and the new EU members to meet their legal obligations toward the EU.

[03] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.03% at 2683.25 points, while the volume of transactions was at 216,2 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 229 had gains and 67 had losses, while the value of 124 stocks remained unchanged.

[04] GREECE'S SUPPORT TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE IS GIVEN, FIRM AND MULTIFACETED

Greece's support to the Ecumenical Patriarchate is given, firm, lasting and multifaceted, stated acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros called to comment on the pressures exerted by Turkey on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

He added that Turkey's stance toward the Ecumenical Patriarchate is known for many years. For Greece and the EU partners is self-evident that the respect of religious freedoms is a fundamental criterion for Turkey's European prospect, said Mr. Antonaros.

He also stated that in the contacts Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis will have with his counterparts in Rome, London, Berlin and Vienna will raise the issue.

Responding to a question by a reporter he said that for all 25 EU members the non recognition of the Cypriot Republic by Turkey constitutes political and institutional paradox, adding that negotiations are in full progress.

[05] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.2 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN SOUTHERN GREECE

An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale shook the region of Pirgos in southern Greece at 5:36 am this morning. The epicenter of the earthquake was recorded 30 kilometers northnorthwest of the city of Pirgos in the Peloponesse, southern Greece.

The tremor was felt in the prefecture of Ilia, while seismologists maintain that there is no reason for alarm. No damages were reported.

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