Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-09-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHANGES IN MILITARY SERVICE

[02] MOVES FOR THE PROTECTION OF "FETA" CHEESE LABEL

[03] OVER 50 GREEK FIRMS IN POLAGRA FOOD EXHIBITION

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON OA

[05] ALEXAKIS READY TO TAKE OVER OA

[06] EUROPEAN CAR FREE DAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI

[07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.9 ROCKS IONIAN SEA ISLAND OF CEPHALONIA

[08] NEW FINDINGS ON THE HELIOS AIRWAYS CRASH

[01] CHANGES IN MILITARY SERVICE

Two draft bills introduced by the Ministry of Defense were discussed and approved by the governmental committee today.

Minister of Defense Spilios Spiliotopoulos stated after the meeting that the first draft bill concerns the military training institutions which will be upgraded at university level while the second draft bill settles military service issues.

He stated that military legislation is being coded and this way it will be easy for those interested to have access to information they need.

Also, issues concerning draft dodgers living abroad are being settled while military service will be cut from 12 to 9 months for recruits coming from families with three children.

In addition, fathers of three who have not served in the military will be exempt from military service while fathers with one child will serve only six months.

[02] MOVES FOR THE PROTECTION OF "FETA" CHEESE LABEL

The Greek Foreign Ministry has mobilized its diplomatic mechanism abroad within the framework of the existing European legislation and has made all necessary moves to ensure that theFETA Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status remains in reaction to complaints that came to its knowledge concerning the unauthorized use of the FETA cheese label on different types of white cheese.

Countries in the process of EU accession, like Bulgaria, have already undertaken the commitment to implement the European acquis immediately after they become EU members.

[03] OVER 50 GREEK FIRMS IN POLAGRA FOOD EXHIBITION

Greece is represented by a total of 58 firms from Thessaloniki, Florina, the Peloponnese, the Ionian Sea islands and Crete in the international food-beverages exhibition Polagra Food already underway in Poznan, Poland until September 23.

The Greek presence in the exhibition is organized by the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair Ltd and the Greek pavilion was inaugurated by Greek ambassador to Poland Dionisios Lelos. This is the first Greek participation in a Polish trade fair since 2000.

The Greek exhibitors will present in the 500-square-meter pavilion products like excellent quality wines, the world-famous olive oil, raisins and honey.

For the record, an estimated 40,000 professionals representing the sector visited last year's Polagra exhibition, while about 150 new manufacturing industry products made their world debut.

This year's exhibition program in foreign markets will be completed for ITF Ltd with the Technoma and Indagra exhibitions in FYROM and Romania respectively.

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON OA

There are different scenarios on Olympic Airlines, but first the contacts by adviser firm Lazard must be completed to know what the interested sides want before decisions are made, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos.

Responding to the question if the Greek state is likely to be part of the new ownership of OA, Mr. Rousopoulos stated that the government's political will was expressed by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, who has stated that Olympic cannot continue to operate under its present form.

[05] ALEXAKIS READY TO TAKE OVER OA

Greek-American businessman Costas Alexakis arrived in Athens this afternoon representing Olympic Investors York Capital which has expressed interest in taking over Olympic Airlines.

In statements he made at Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport upon his arrival, Mr. Alexakis stressed that OA is not just an airline but a matter of national importance and expressed the wish that the government will not let the company shutdown.

Mr. Alexakis stated ready to take over Olympic Airlines and commenting on the issue of the OA employees he said that they have every right to be concerned suggesting that in case the investors he represents take over OA their fate will be rather positive.

Mr. Alexakis, who is expected to have meetings with government officials, announced the future plans on OA. Specifically, he said that Olympic Investors York Capital will open one more office in the United States and purchase eight more passenger planes, three Boeing and five ATR.

[06] EUROPEAN CAR FREE DAY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF THESSALONIKI

The Municipality of Thessaloniki will hold events on the occasion of the European Car Free Day celebrated each year on September 22.

Thessaloniki Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos stated that the seafront Nikis Avenue will be closed for cars from 10 am until 9 pm, while commuters will be offered free bus rides from 5 pm until 9 pm on all city bus service routes.

The Municipality of Thessaloniki will give away a total of 650 bicycles and a bicycle race will take place later in the afternoon.

[07] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 4.9 ROCKS IONIAN SEA ISLAND OF CEPHALONIA

Seismologists at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory characterized the earthquake that measured 4.9 on the Richter scale and rocked the Ionian Sea Island of Cephalonia in the early morning hours today as routine phenomenon for a region with the highest seismic activity in Greece.

Seismologist Manolis Skordilis stated that it is a routine phenomenon and there are no indications of increased seismic activity in the region. He also reminded that the Ionian Sea is the region with the highest seismic activity in Greece.

According to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Geophysics Laboratory, seismographs recorded the tremor at 1:17 am and its epicenter was located at the sea region southwest of Cephalonia.

[08] NEW FINDINGS ON THE HELIOS AIRWAYS CRASH

Forensic Department head Philippos Koutsaftis briefed Minister of Justice Anastasis Papaligouras on the outcome of the toxicology tests performed on the captain and the co-pilot of the doomed Cypriot Helios Airways passenger plane that crashed near Athens on August 14 killing all 121 people on board.

Mr. Koutsaftis announced that both the captain and the co-pilot had heart problems while it appears that co-pilot Pampos Charalambous had the most serious problem.

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