Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-06-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] COOPERATION IN THE SHIPPING SECTOR

[02] MITSOTAKIS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND LABOR RELATIONS

[03] THE UN HEAD OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS KIERAN PRENDERGAST IN ATHENS

[04] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE MONITOR ORGANIZATION

[05] ANCIENT GREEK ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE UNEARTHED IN MARSEILLE

[06] MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF POULTRY

[01] COOPERATION IN THE SHIPPING SECTOR

The goal is to make the Greek shipping safe, competitive, friendly to the environment and profitable, stated Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis during his visit to the Ministry of Merchant Marine.

Dialogue and cooperation is necessary in the shipping sector, stated Mr. Karamanlis, stressing that the Greek shipping corresponds to 16% of global shipping. Mr. Karamanlis visited the Ministry of Merchant Marine hall of operations and was briefed on the way it functions, while he also watched a special video on the rescue of illegal immigrants.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that the Greek shipping was supported at international level and the Greek position on the issue of the penalization of unintended pollution was respected. Through subtle moves the Greek interests were backed in the International Maritime Organization, while through initiatives and coordinated interventions by the Ministry of Merchant Marine and the responsible ministries the repatriation of 21 Greek sailors held for years in prisons abroad was achieved, stated Mr. Karamanlis, referring to some of the activities of the Merchant Marine Ministry in the past 15 months.

[02] MITSOTAKIS ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND LABOR RELATIONS

Ruling New Democracy Party honorary President Konstantinos Mitsotakis commented on social security and labor relations and called on the two major political parties to examine the pending labor issues and the prospects for their settlement.

The first thing that needs to be done is to assess reality and the two major political parties should do this together, said Mr. Mitsotakis, suggesting that a committee of specialists should be formed to outline the problem of social security today namely, its needs and prospects.

What is politically and socially unfair is to start with the privileged and forget those who are in need, stressed Mr. Mitsotakis.

[03] THE UN HEAD OF POLITICAL AFFAIRS KIERAN PRENDERGAST IN ATHENS

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Kieran Prendergast visited the Foreign Ministry in Athens today and met with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis and General Secretary Giorgos Gennimatas.

They discussed the Cyprus issue given that Mr. Prendergast will visit Ankara, while he has already visited Cyprus.

In statements he made, Mr. Prendergast stressed that Greece backs the process for the solution of the Cyprus issue, while underlining that the issue must be resolved with a package of solutions that can be accepted by the two sides.

[04] BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE MONITOR ORGANIZATION

Local authorities in the prefecture of Evros, northeastern Greece, adopting a relevant proposal by Evros Prefect Nikos Zabounidis, consider the establishment of an organization to monitor the materialization course of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline. The organization will be made up of special technocrats who will ensure that the necessary technical standards for the construction of the project are being observed.

The Evros Prefect is scheduled to meet in the following days with Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas to brief him on the issue.

[05] ANCIENT GREEK ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE UNEARTHED IN MARSEILLE

A large archaeological site, dating back to the ancient Greek Marseille founded 2,600 years ago, was brought to light by archaeological excavations. The site was discovered in the Old Port at the center of Marseille, France, reports the AFP.

According to archaeologists, the site is exceptional due to the ancient ruins found there, its size (400 square meters) and its layers that go as deep as 3 meters. The oldest of the buildings that were discovered (575-550 BC) were probably residences with stone foundations and brick walls.

Around 550 BC, a large construction of 120 square meters was erected in the region, most likely a building of worship, and the objects found in the area are pieces of ancient Greek origin pottery.

[06] MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF POULTRY

A directive proposal for the protection of poultry destined for consumption was approved by the European Union after studies revealing problems in the health and treatment of mass production poultry.

European Commissioner Markos Kyprianou, responsible for health and consumer protection issues, stated that the right treatment of animals is a matter of ethics and quality for consumers.

The proposal defines that the basic maximum concentration of animal capital should be equal to 30 kg of live animals per square meter, while it also provides the terms that will ensure the right treatment of animals.

The number of chicken slaughtered on an annual basis is the largest compared to any other animal in the European Union.

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