Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-10-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] STRONG EARTHQUAKE ROCKS AEGEAN

[02] BIRD FLU TESTS CAME OUT NEGATIVE

[03] THE ROMANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS ATHENS

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK MILITARY FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN

[05] GREECE RECORDS THE BIGGEST RISE IN EXPORTS

[06] THE COMMUNITY OF NYMPHEON IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION

[07] TESTS ON DEAD BIRDS IN EVROS

[08] PRESIDENT PAPOULIAS IS ON A FORMAL VISIT TO CYPRUS

[09] GREECE AND AUSTRALIA CLOSE TO SIGNING AN AGREEMENT ON THE PENSIONS OF

[01] STRONG EARTHQUAKE ROCKS AEGEAN

A strong earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale alarmed local population on the east Aegean islands. The tremor was recorded at 8:45 am this morning and its epicenter was located 250 km east of Athens and 450 km southeast of Thessaloniki at the Asia Minor coasts between the Aegean islands of Samos and Chios.

According to North Aegean Region general secretary, no damages were recorded on the islands of Samos, Chios or Lesvos.

Seismologists point out that it is too early for any assessments on the seismic activity in the region of east Aegean.

The specific region is characterized by high seismicity and the latest strongest earthquake was recorded in 1992 measuring 6.2 on the Ricter scale.

According to Aristotle University seismologist Manolis Skordilis, at least 48 hours will have to pass before reaching any conclusions on the earthquake, clarifying that it is impossible to know whether the tremor is linked with the catastrophic earthquake that hit Pakistan recently.

The earthquake was felt in the islands of Samos, Chios, Lesvos and as far west as Evia and Attiki.

[02] BIRD FLU TESTS CAME OUT NEGATIVE

The test results on bird samples sent to the Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Institute in Thessaloniki to determine if they were infected by the bird flu virus came out negative.

Institute director Antonis Stefanou stated to ANA-MPA that a total of 40 samples were examined so far, namely all the samples sent to the Institute until last Friday from the region of Evros, north-eastern Greece.

Meanwhile, Aristotle University Veterinary School Professor Prodromos Iordanidis state that the bird flu fear is excessive.

He stated characteristically that people in Asia live with the birds for the past seven years since the disease appeared. During that time, only 120 people became ill and 60 of them died, stressed Mr. Iordanidis adding that the Greek Health Ministry has taken all necessary measures.

He also underlined that infected poultry are not on the market and even if this happened the virus would be destroyed when cooked because it cannot survive in temperatures higher than 70 degrees Celsius.

[03] THE ROMANIAN INTERIOR MINISTER VISITS ATHENS

Romanian Interior Minister Vasile Blaga met with Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis and Minister of Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos in Athens today within the framework of his formal visit to Greece launched yesterday.

In the meeting with Mr. Voulgarakis, they discussed issues of bilateral interest and police cooperation in view of Romania's EU accession.

With Mr. Pavlopoulos they discussed bilateral cooperation in public administration, personnel training, regional development and immigration.

They also signed a cooperation memorandum and Mr. Pavlopoulos stressed that Greece can help Romania with its European experience on issues concerning public administration while, on the other hand, Greece regards Romania's experience, particularly on immigration issues, as valuable.

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE GREEK MILITARY FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN

No official request has been made to reinforce the Greek military force in Afghanistan, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to a relevant question by a reporter.

He added that possibly there has been a misunderstanding on the issue due to the fact that a decision on the future of the brigade in SE Europe, in which participate 23 Greeks, has been scheduled for December.

[05] GREECE RECORDS THE BIGGEST RISE IN EXPORTS

Greece, according to Eurostat, displays the biggest rise in exports 7.7% while, at the same time, it records the biggest drop in imports 6.3%.

Regarding exports, Greece is followed by Italy with 5.5%, while last on the list is Finland 2.4%.

On imports, Belgium (0.5%) recorded the biggest drop after Greece while Slovakia the biggest rise 7.3%.

[06] THE COMMUNITY OF NYMPHEON IN THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN COOPERATION COUNTRIES' MEETING

The Community of Nympheon, northwestern Greece, will participate, at the invitation of the Culture Ministry, in the International Exhibition-Forum and the 4th Conference of the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation Countries (Greece, Italy, Malta, France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Israel and the Palestinian Authority) to take place in Seville, Spain on October 24-26.

The 4th Conference deals with the restoration, promotion and management of cultural heritage and natural environment aimed at producing an economic and social result in a specific Local Cultural System.

Nympheon Community president Nikos Mertzos stated to ANA-MPA that the strategic program through which the desolate village of Nympheon was turned into a pan-European development model for mild tourism while respecting the local cultural system, will be presented in Seville.

He also stressed that interventions have been made in infrastructures concerning cultural heritage, nature protection and hospitality and as a result the region receives an estimated 60,000 visitors annually.

The Community of Nympheon was honored by the European Union in the year 2000 with the Village Rebirth European Award and last year was the sole representative of Greece in the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation countries' meeting in Syracuse, Sicily.

[07] TESTS ON DEAD BIRDS IN EVROS

Three dead birds found in Evros, north-eastern Greece, were sent for tests at the Thessaloniki Veterinary Laboratory. Two of the birds were found in Orestiada and one in Soufli.

The EU Foreign Ministers meet in Luxembourg tomorrow while EU veterinarians call for stronger measures in addition to the banning of the imports of poultry and poultry products from Romania where bird culling continues to avert the spread of the disease.

The Serb Health Minister expressed support to the initiative undertaken by Greek Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis for a meeting of the Balkan and Black Sea countries.

Samples of migratory birds continue to be taken in Evros after the bird flu cases recorded in Romania and Turkey.

During the weekend, the Veterinary Department at the Prefecture of Evros in cooperation with the Hunting Association of Alexandroupolis collected 20 more samples of migratory birds to be sent for tests to the Thessaloniki Veterinary Laboratory, while the results from the tests conducted on the first 40 samples of migratory birds sent five days ago will be out before the end of the week.

[08] PRESIDENT PAPOULIAS IS ON A FORMAL VISIT TO CYPRUS

Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias continues his formal visit to Cyprus and today he visited the UN buffer zone along the 1974 ceasefire line between the free Nicosia and the Turkish occupied territories in northern Cyprus.

The current unacceptable occupation state is a clear anachronism for modern world, stressed President Papoulias speaking in the Nicosia City Hall and added that the wall dividing Nicosia is a shame for the civilized world.

Earlier, the President laid a wreath at the cemetery where Greek officers and soldiers are buried killed in the battlefield in the summer of 1974 during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

The President pointed out that Cyprus, in the new European environment, is in a position to face the future with self-confidence without fear or defeatism. He added that Turkey has undertaken obligations toward the EU which has to meet to prove that it deserves to be a part of the European family.

Mr. Papoulias also visited the Pan-Cypriot Gymnasium High School, the oldest secondary education school in Cyprus founded in 1821 where he was warmly received by students. The President referred to the school's course through history and its contribution to the 1821 struggle of the Greek nation against the Ottoman Turks.

President Papoulias accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis visited the National Guard General Staff and the Greek force camp in Malounta.

[09] GREECE AND AUSTRALIA CLOSE TO SIGNING AN AGREEMENT ON THE PENSIONS OF THE GREEK AUSTRALIANS

The signing of an agreement between Greece and Australia on the issue of the pensions of the Greek Australians is at its closing phase, stated to ANA Nikos Xerakias, adviser to the Australian Social Security Minister.

Responding to the question if the news published in the Greek Australian press that the Greek Labor Minister is expected in Australia on October 23 to discuss the issue with the Australian Social Security Minister at a bilateral level, Mr. Xerakias stated that Mr. Panagiotopoulos is expected in Australia within the next few days but there is still no formal confirmation of his arrival by the Greek side.

Mr. Xerakias stated that this meeting will be catalytic for the signing of the agreement given the fact that the Greek side has completed the consultative procedures and after the talks of the two ministers a complete draft plan of the agreement will be signed with the terms of the agreement on behalf of the two sides.

Mr. Xerakias stated that if everything goes well the whole process will be formally completed by early 2006.

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