Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

[02] GREEK-TURKISH ECONOMIC MEETING IN RODOPI

[03] COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED BY THE JUSTICE MINISTERS OF GREECE AND

[04] OLD MOSQUE MOVED 25 METERS

[05] GREEK ANTIQUITIES ARE THREATENED IN ALBANIA

[06] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.3 ON THE RICHTER SCALE SOUTH OF METHONI

[07] THE PARENTS OF THE US PRESIDENT ARE ON VACATION IN GREECE

[08] REFERENDUM BY THE GREEK GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS

[09] ARMENIAN INVITATION TO GREEK INVESTORS

[01] VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

An unexpected development took place in Parliament today during the debate on development and employment.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis addressed the Parliament after the censure motion against the Finance Minister submitted by main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou and requested that Mr. Papandreou's motion be turned into a debate for a vote of confidence to the government.

M. Karamanlis said that he made the proposal for everybody to see the mistakes and omissions recorded in the past and led the Greek economy to the state it is today.

According to the Parliament regulation, the debate on the vote of confidence will be held in two days on Friday, June 10.

We will have the opportunity to discuss the economic situation and the actions of the PASOK governments, stressed Mr. Karamanlis.

Mr. Papandreou stated that the government recognizes that there is an issue of confidence.

Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga stated that a farce was played in Parliament in order to put an end to a meaningful debate.

[02] GREEK-TURKISH ECONOMIC MEETING IN RODOPI

Turkish Embassy to Athens Commercial Attaché Mr. Necmi Ugurlu visited the Commerce and Industry Chamber in Rodopi, northeastern Greece, accompanied by senior personnel of the Turkish consulate in the city of Komotini.

The Turkish officials met with Chamber president Mr. Angelidis and exchanged views on issues concerning bilateral trade relations and ways to have mutual gains for businesses on both sides of the borders. They also discussed ways to promote Greek products in Turkey.

They also discussed the banking system in Turkey and the adjustments that need to be made to meet the European community demands.

In statements he made to MPA, Mr. Angelidis said that the first step of the cooperation with Turkey passes through Thrace because of the Muslim community in the region, which can assist in the efforts for the economic cooperation of the regions on both sides of the borders as a bridge of cooperation and friendship.

[03] COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED BY THE JUSTICE MINISTERS OF GREECE AND TURKEY

Justice Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Anastasis Papaligouras and Jemil Cicek respectively, signed a protocol of cooperation today during the first visit of the Turkish Justice Minister to Athens.

Through the cooperation protocol, a framework is being adopted, to be used for the coordination of the two Justice Ministries in cooperation with the European Union and its own bodies, as well as for the cooperation of the justice authorities in the two countries through special work groups and institutes aiming at a new era of cooperation in the Justice sector.

The general directors of the two ministries will undertake to coordinate the cooperation.

Meanwhile, the first training program for Turkish judges is scheduled to begin in November, while special training programs will be offered both at the National School of Judges in Thessaloniki and in Turkey.

The two ministers also discussed issues concerning the justice administration system and the correctional system in effect in the two countries. The Greek side expressed the request to transfer to Turkish prisons the Turkish nationals held in Greek jails in order to do the rest of their time in Turkey and the Turkish Justice Minister appeared to be positive about it.

Also, the Greek Justice Ministry in cooperation with other agencies is ready to offer to Turkey all necessary information and knowledge to establish institutions that will incorporate the European acquis and bring Turkey closer to the great democratic European family.

Already, a twinning program funded by the EU is in process aimed at helping in the efforts to found and organize the institution of the Ombudsman in Turkey through know-how provided by the Greek Ombudsman.

[04] OLD MOSQUE MOVED 25 METERS

The old mosque at the former army camp of Pavlos Melas in western Thessaloniki was moved a total of 25 meters today using the sliding technique. The decision was made because of the construction works underway at Langadas Street and because it was characterized as a monument worth preserving.

It is an 11-meter tall, two-storey rectangular building, covering a space of 500 square meters, weighing 1.5 ton and during the 19th century it was a Muslim Clerical School.

[05] GREEK ANTIQUITIES ARE THREATENED IN ALBANIA

Greek monuments in ancient Apollonia, Albania are being threatened with destruction because of the construction of a high-speed motorway promoted by the Albanian Transportation Ministry aimed at providing access to the Adriatic coasts for their tourist development at a time when new findings are being unearthed.

Excavation works began 3 years ago under the guidance of Cincinnati University professor Jack Davies and Lorenc Bejko from the Albanian Archaeology International Center who recently announced the discovery of a large ancient Greek temple (7th-4th century BC) possibly dedicated to ancient Greek goddess Artemis.

The region has a great significance for the history of the ancient Greek colonies in the Adriatic and during the past few years Italian, British, French, American and Israeli archaeologists are involved in excavations in Albania in sites with ancient Greek cities and monuments.

[06] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.3 ON THE RICHTER SCALE SOUTH OF METHONI

An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale was recorded in the sea region south of Methoni in Messinia, Peloponnese southern Greece, at 9:05 am today. The tremor was especially felt in the city of Kalamata alarming the people.

Seismologists characterized the phenomenon as regular and pointed out that such earthquakes are recorded often in the region and local residents should not be alarmed. No damages were reported to police.

[07] THE PARENTS OF THE US PRESIDENT ARE ON VACATION IN GREECE

Former US President George Bush Sr., father of the US President, and his wife Barbara are in Greece to spend part of their summer vacations.

They arrived in the Ionian Sea island of Corfu this morning coming from Geneva and a helicopter brought them to the Latsis family yacht to visit the islands of Paxi.

[08] REFERENDUM BY THE GREEK GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS

The Greek General Confederation of Labor Unions called for a referendum on July 13 with the participation of workers, pensioners and unemployed to decide on its positions on labor and social security issues, stated Confederation President Christos Poliogopoulos in the Executive Committee meeting.

The bank employees union estimates that participation in yesterday's strike reached 70-80% while the strike action continues today and until Friday.

Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis briefed European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, responsible for monetary affairs, on the developments in the social security issue, the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, and the strategy of the government on the issue of privatizations.

[09] ARMENIAN INVITATION TO GREEK INVESTORS

Armenia is ready to welcome even more Greek and other foreign investors, offering a wide spectrum of incentives, according to a statement made to MPA by Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Movik Abrahamyan.

He also underlined that Turkey must reopen the borders without preconditions to facilitate the transportation of goods.

Armenian President Kocharyan personally oversees the whole process confirmed Mr. Abrahamian.

Specifically, on the occasion of the events held within the framework of the Business Conference held in Yerevan by the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, Mr. Abrahamyan stressed to MPA that Armenia is ready to welcome and embrace the Greek investors.

Mr. Abrahamyan also stated that Armenia offers to investors a very liberal taxation framework while there is a special approach, offering significant incentives, for major investments. He added that Armenian President Kocharyan personally oversees the whole process while senior officials of the Armenian government have regular meetings with foreign investors to deal immediately with any obstacle to the investment activity.

Mr. Abrahamyan confirmed that Armenia is in a process of constant adjustment and improvement of its legislation based on international dictates and in cooperation with the responsible EU bodies. He added that the country's geographic position, the rich natural resources, the constant development of infrastructure and cheap labor, are key-factors for the entry of more foreign investors in the Armenian market. He also gave an emphasis on the issue of transparency in transactions, stressing that state agencies are well aware that strict sanctions will be imposed in case of irregularities.

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