Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-04-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE EFET LEADERSHIP WAS REMOVED

[02] PATRIARCH IRENAEUS CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT WITH JORDAN

[03] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF

[04] THE GREEK PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART

[05] THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF ON THE TURKISH ALLEGATIONS

[01] THE EFET LEADERSHIP WAS REMOVED

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas accepted the resignations of Food Control Agency, EFET, President Nikos Katsaros and General Director Christos Apostolopoulos who took responsibility for the case concerning the fungus traced in a large quantity of FAGE yogurt.

According to a relevant statement by the Ministry of Development, EFET did not brief the ministry and its agencies, as it ought to, while it also did not inform consumers on the large quantities of bad yogurt that were out on the market. Also, EFET is accused of making the necessary inspections after an unjustifiable delay.

Meanwhile, the European Commission called for written confirmation by the Greek authorities that there was no risk for human health and no other EU member states are involved.

The dairy company FAGE has publicly apologized to consumers, stressing that the problem did not put public health at any risk.

[02] PATRIARCH IRENAEUS CLOSE TO AN AGREEMENT WITH JORDAN

Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem has allegedly reached an agreement with the Jordanian government accepting all demands made by Amman regarding the Patriarchate.

Patriarch Irenaeus stated that he is willing to sign an agreement accepting the lifting of his recognition by Jordan in case it is proved that Patriarchate real estate was sold to Israelis in the old city of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Athens insists in its stance according to which, Patriarch Irenaeus must take responsibility for his actions.

[03] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE ISSUE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

The Greek State is primarily interested in the preservation of the Greek character of the Patriarchate and therefore, calls on the Patriarch to rise to the occasion and assume his responsibilities before history, reiterated acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros when asked to comment on the issue of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Responding to a question concerning the letter signed by 10 Hierarchs who call on the Patriarch of Jerusalem to resign, Mr. Antonaros stated that the letter came to the attention of the Prime Minister's Political Office today. The letter, dated March 25, is signed by the Metropolitan Bishop of Petra and cosigned by other 10 Metropolitan Bishops and Archbishops under the authority of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

[04] THE GREEK PRESIDENT TO MEET WITH HIS BULGARIAN COUNTERPART

Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias will be in Thessaloniki on April 8 for an informal meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Georgi Parvanov.

According to Thessaloniki daily Angelioforos citing diplomatic sources, they will discuss bilateral relations, Bulgaria's course to the EU as well as the situation in the Balkans with an emphasis on developments in Kosovo.

Mr. Papoulias, who will visit Thessaloniki for the first time after his election to the Greek presidency, will also discuss with Mr. Parvanov the issue of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the opening of two more border crossings at the Greek-Bulgarian borders.

[05] THE GREEK NATIONAL DEFENSE GENERAL STAFF ON THE TURKISH ALLEGATIONS

The Greek National Defense General Staff spokesman responded to a question by a reporter on the statement issued yesterday by the Turkish National Defense General Staff.

The spokesman stated that if the Turkish statement is true once again it voices the Turkish interpretation of events, which, however, does not reflect reality. He added that the truth is that the Turkish illicit activity continues and it is handled in accordance with international law.

Greece has stressed repeatedly that such activities ignore the internationally accepted legal procedures and are not consistent with the spirit of understanding that should be present in relations of neighboring countries, which are also allies.

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