Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-04-18

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS-BARROSO MEETING

[02] CLOUD OF DUST COVERED MANY PARTS OF GREECE YESTERDAY

[03] BSEC OFFICIALS TO MEET IN KOMOTINI

[04] THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF ORTHODOXY IN ATHENS

[05] EVENTS FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

[06] KARAMANLIS: VICTORY AT THE END OF THE TERM

[07] AGREEMENT ON THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FRAMEWORK

[08] CHALLENGE TO REACH A SOLUTION

[01] KARAMANLIS-BARROSO MEETING

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated the Greek government for the brave economic measures it took and expressed the belief that they will be implemented and bring results thus meeting the fiscal targets set for 2006 and restoring the Greek-EU relations as far as fiscal discipline is concerned. He was impressed by the Greek research exhibition, which he visited and was offered a tour guide by Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas.

In statements he made after the meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis welcomed Greece's decision to ratify the European Constitutional Treaty (the vote will take place in Parliament tomorrow and in favor are the two main political parties, ruling New Democracy and main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK). He acknowledged Greece's contribution to the development of the EU and the European integration and stated that he is aware of Greece's contribution to the EU and what it has received from the EU in the form of community funds.

On the EU budget for the period of 2007-2013, he expressed satisfaction for Greece's support to the European Commission proposal and pointed out that compromise among the EU members will be hard to achieve and must be reached by June.

On Turkey's European prospect and the Turkish provocation in the Aegean, Mr. Barroso stressed that Turkey must meet the terms and preconditions set to become a member of the EU while it will have to fully respect the European acquis and one of the terms is to have good neighborly relations. He stated that he is very pleased with Greece's position, which supports Turkey's European course.

On the main shareholder issue, he expressed the hope that problems will be solved without having to bring the case to the European Court.

Prime Minister Karamanlis characterized as useful and thorough the talks he had with Mr. Barroso. He said that they discussed issues concerning the funds that will be received by the EU states in the period 2007-2013 and reiterated Greece's support to the European Commission proposal.

On the Lisbon strategy, he stressed that an emphasis must be given to the promotion of the single market, the creation of more job positions and the strengthening of competitiveness.

Mr. Karamanlis backed Turkey's European prospect underlining that it will have to meet the preconditions set in every step of its course calling on Ankara to show in a tangible manner that it fully respects the European acquis.

He also backed the European prospect of the Western Balkan countries if they meet the necessary criteria and display a European behavior toward neighboring countries with which they want to belong to the EU. He briefed Mr. Barroso on the UN mediator Matthew Nimetz initiative on the FYROM name.

On the main shareholder issue, Mr. Karamanlis stated that the discussion with the European Commission continues in search of common ground to overcome the compatibility problem with the European legislation and serve transparency in transactions.

[02] CLOUD OF DUST COVERED MANY PARTS OF GREECE YESTERDAY

The cloud of dust from Africa that covered most of south Greece yesterday causing many problems mainly to sea and air transportation has left the region.

According to meteorologists, it is a regular phenomenon during this time of year as very strong winds carry tons of sand from north Africa to Greece.

Yesterday, tons of sand from Sahara were carried over Greece and as a result of the low visibility the airports of Chania and Heraklion in Crete as well as the airport of Rhodes had to close while problems were also created in sea transportation.

[03] BSEC OFFICIALS TO MEET IN KOMOTINI

The delegations to attend the proceedings of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, BSEC, senior officials committee meeting will be in the northeastern Greek city of Komotini tomorrow.

The proceedings will open on Wednesday morning and will be completed on Friday in the presence of Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul will also attend the meeting.

[04] THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF ORTHODOXY IN ATHENS

Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias opened the proceedings of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of Orthodoxy, IAO, in Athens yesterday stressing that Orthodoxy has its place with the innovation of progress. Referring to globalization, he pointed out that this is an evolution of history and should not cause phobic syndromes.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a message according to which Orthodoxy conveys even to non-believers all elements that contribute to the improvement of human relations and the peaceful coexistence of peoples.

The IAO General Assembly President Sergei Popov referred to the work and role of the organization while he stressed that the goal of the conference is to contribute to the examination of the problems faced by the EU after the enlargement namely, the process aimed at protecting different cultures and religions.

The conference takes place with the participation of political, religious and scientific personalities and will be completed tomorrow.

[05] EVENTS FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

The recognition of the genocide committed by Turkey against the Armenian people in 1915 demands the Armenian National Committee in Greece which organizes a series of events in Thessaloniki on April 22-24 on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Genocide.

According to a statement it has issued, the premeditated extermination of the Armenian people living in the Ottoman Empire was launched on April 24, 1915 and as a result a total of over 1,5 million Armenians were slaughtered by 1918 in the regions of Van, Mus, Bitlis and Erzerum.

The Armenian National Committee demands from Turkey to recognize and condemn the Genocide, return to the Armenian people the territories it occupies illegally, stop the systematic destruction of Armenian culture monuments, end the isolation of Armenia and Karabach, stop arming Azerbaijan and the actions that undermine the peace initiatives aimed at reaching a fair and viable solution to the Nagorno-Karabach issue.

[06] KARAMANLIS: VICTORY AT THE END OF THE TERM

We have chosen the hard way. This is not a battle, it is a war and we will win it, stated Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis responding to a question on the recent opinion poll conducted by the polling company Metron Analysis. The opinion poll has showed that the distance between ruling party of New Democracy and main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK has become smaller and is at 1.4%.

Minister of State and government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos launched a strong attack yesterday on organized interests that attempt to undermine the government work.

[07] AGREEMENT ON THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FRAMEWORK

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis reiterated to European Commission President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, who is in Athens to attend the 9th conference organized by The Economist, the support of Athens to the European Commission proposal on the distribution of the 4th Community Support Framework funds.

Turkey should take measures to comply with the European acquis stated after the meeting Mr. Karamanlis, while Mr. Barroso welcomed the ratification of the EU Constitutional Treaty by Greece, which will take place in Parliament tomorrow.

Mr. Barroso is scheduled to meet with Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias and Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda, while he will also meet with main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou.

[08] CHALLENGE TO REACH A SOLUTION

The hope that the Turkish Cypriot leadership under Mehmet Ali Talat will respond to the challenge before it and contribute to the degree that corresponds to it to the efforts aimed at reaching a fair and viable solution as soon as possible, expressed Cypriot government spokesman Kypros Chrisostomidis, commenting on Mr. Talat's intention to ask the UN Secretary-General to reopen the talks on Cyprus. Mr. Chrisostomidis also stated that an initiative without the necessary preparation will be damaging.

Meanwhile, the European Union mentioned that Mr. Talat's success, who was elected with 56% of the vote, confirms that the Turkish Cypriots want strongly the reunification of the island and the EU membership.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article