Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS' CONTACTS IN THE EU

[02] STUDENT GUNNED DOWN AT A BUS STOP

[03] PASOK ELECTS NEW SECRETARY AND POLITICAL COUNCIL

[04] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN A COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETING

[05] THE ARREST OR SURRENDER OF VAVILIS IS CLOSE

[06] THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES CHIEF ON A VISIT TO GREECE

[07] ERELY: THE VALINAKIS-BURNS TALKS ON THE FYROM NAME WERE VERY GOOD

[01] KARAMANLIS' CONTACTS IN THE EU

Greece's financial policy and the inflow of EU funds will be at the center of the talks Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will have with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels today.

The Prime Minister will discuss with Mr. Barroso financial prospects and issues of general interest.

The issue of the majority shareholder will not be discussed in the European Commission today. The discussion was postponed after a letter by Minister of State Thodoris Rousopoulos.

[02] STUDENT GUNNED DOWN AT A BUS STOP

A 17-year-old student was killed when a man riding a motorcycle opened fire this morning against four students waiting at a bus stop at Xirokampos, about 40 kilometers from the city of Arta in western Greece.

Strong police forces have arrived in the region and launched a manhunt to locate the gunman who is hiding in a difficult to approach mountainous region and has been identified by the students.

The gunman is Dimitris Mazarakos, 44, who lives in the nearby village of Megalochari. He is still armed and allegedly is a disturbed individual. The motorcycle he was riding was located outside his house.

According to available information, he is married and a father of three while the causes of the bloody attack are still unknown.

Based on eyewitnesses, 17-year-old Christos Roumeliotis was killed by the bullets of the attacker while trying to protect his sister who apparently was the target of the gunman who continued to fire shots after killing the young man.

[03] PASOK ELECTS NEW SECRETARY AND POLITICAL COUNCIL

The members of main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK National Council elect the new Political Council members and National Council Secretary today in the first meeting held after the party congress.

According to information, PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou will present a proposal concerning the election of the 20 Political Council members who will not be able to hold the position of the Parliamentary Action Coordinator.

No information is available on the proposal concerning the National Council Secretary.

[04] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER IN A COUNCIL OF EUROPE MEETING

Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis will be in Warsaw tomorrow to attend the meeting of the Council of Europe Ministers of Interior and Public Order to discuss ways to combat terrorism and organized crime

Mr. Voulgarakis accepted an invitation by Council of Europe General Secretary Terry Davies to attend the meeting as a main speaker.

For the record, it is the first time that a Greek Minister of Public Order is invited to address a Council of Europe meeting as a main speaker. Mr. Voulgarakis will be in Warsaw accompanied by Ministry of Public Order officials.

[05] THE ARREST OR SURRENDER OF VAVILIS IS CLOSE

Greek Police authorities maintain that the arrest or surrender of the elusive Apostolos Vavilis is a matter of time.

According to information, Apostolos Vavilis is most likely in Italy and he has two options, either surrender in Italy and be extradited to Greece or come to Greece and be arrested here.

Meanwhile, the responsible prosecutor is investigating all trade transactions by Vavilis.

[06] THE BRITISH ARMED FORCES CHIEF ON A VISIT TO GREECE

British Armed Forces Chief General Sir Michael Walker is on a visit to Greece today until March 18 as a guest of National Defense General Staff Chief Admiral Hinofotis.

They will hold talks on issues of mutual military interest for NATO and the EU, as well as the broadening of bilateral cooperation on military issues.

Also, General Walker will visit the Sea Strategic Transportations Center and the Navy Fleet Headquarters.

During his visit to Greece, he will also meet with the political leadership of the Ministry of Defense.

[07] ERELY: THE VALINAKIS-BURNS TALKS ON THE FYROM NAME WERE VERY GOOD

US State Department Deputy spokesman Adam Erely characterized as very good the talks US Assistant Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns had with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis.

Mr. Erely stated during the regular press briefing that Mr. Valinakis and Mr. Burns had a very good discussion on the talks taking place on the FYROM name issue in New York under the auspices of the United Nations, as well as on a number of regional issues.

Mr. Burns, according to the statement made by the US State Department deputy spokesman, thanked Mr. Valinakis for Greece's contribution in Afghanistan.

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