Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-12-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] MOLYVIATIS-TADIC MEETING IN BELGRADE

[02] RELIEF MEASURES FOR FAMILIES WITH THREE CHILDREN

[03] TRAIN COLLISION AT AFIDNES

[04] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER MET WITH THE ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR

[05] GREECE'S TOURIST OPENING TO THE PERSIAN GULF REGION

[06] GREEK-MEXICAN AGREEMENT TO AVOID DOUBLE TAXATION

[07] LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM GREECE, BULGARIA AND TURKEY MEET

[08] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR

[09] THE AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR VISITED THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE

[10] KOSOVO: GREEK CONTRIBUTION

[01] MOLYVIATIS-TADIC MEETING IN BELGRADE

Belgrade and the Albanians have diametrically different positions on the future of Kosovo and its final status, stated Serb President Boris Tadic after the meeting he had earlier today with the unofficial troika of the South East European Cooperation Process headed by Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

On his part, Mr. Molyviatis reiterated on behalf of the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Romania and Croatia accompanying him and the 10 members of the South East European Cooperation Process the position that the region's countries should be actively involved in the developments because they will be the ones to suffer any consequences resulting from the solution and stressed that the European path is finally the only solution to bring security, stability and economic development to the wider region.

Mr. Tadic rejected any solution leading to the recognition of Kosovo's independence and backed the recognition of two entities to participate in the future institutions.

Mr. Tadic stated that the Serb entity should be formed based on the municipalities where the Serbs are the majority as well as from other non Albanian ethnic minorities and underlined the issue of the Serb population safety in Kosovo.

Belgrade has no intention to govern Kosovo and handle the issues of the Albanian community but it has a vital interest and an absolute right to wish to affect procedures within the framework of the Serb entity to safeguard economic and political development and mainly the safety of the Serb population, clarified the Serb President and welcomed the initiative of the South East European Cooperation Process countries stressing that they have every right to be constantly updated on the developments.

Mr. Molyviatis pointed out that the South East European Cooperation Process fully supports the criteria set by the international community for Kosovo's democratization, adding that they should be fully implemented in parallel with the process aimed at determining the final status.

The troika is also scheduled to meet with Serb Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica while its contacts in Belgrade will be completed later today with the meeting with Foreign Minister of Serbia-Montenegro Vuk Draskovic.

[02] RELIEF MEASURES FOR FAMILIES WITH THREE CHILDREN

The governmental committee approved unanimously yesterday two draft bills sponsored by the Ministry of Health concerning medication coverage for social security recipients and relief measures for families with three children.

Minister of Health Nikitas Kaklamanis stated that the families that will have three children after January 1, 2006 will receive a tax free grant of 2,000 euro.

Also, beginning next year a special tax on new cars will gradually be abolished and by 2008 it will be abolished altogether for all families with three children.

[03] TRAIN COLLISION AT AFIDNES

The collision of two trains at Afidnes Station last night, resulting to the death of one of the engine-drivers, was the result of human error according to initial information.

A team of Hellenic Railways (OSE) specialists is on the accident scene conducting an inquiry.

The study of the taped conversations between the engine-driver and the stationmaster is expected to shed light on what happened.

The final conclusions of the investigation are likely to be made public later today.

The engine-driver of the passenger train involved in the accident was the one who lost his life.

The accident happened when the passenger train on its way to Athens from Thessaloniki was leaving the station while the freight train from Athens to Lamia was coming in.

No injuries were reported among the 250 people on board the passenger train.

[04] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER MET WITH THE ALBANIAN AMBASSADOR

Outgoing Albanian ambassador to Athens Bashkim Zeneli visited Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis today on the occasion of the end of his term.

During the meeting that took place at the Ministry of Public Order they underlined that the two sides have developed excellent and productive cooperation.

The Albanian ambassador stated that he leaves Greece with best impressions.

[05] GREECE'S TOURIST OPENING TO THE PERSIAN GULF REGION

Minister of Tourism Dimitris Avramopoulos, speaking in the second of the nine fora organized by Herald Tribune International on tourist investments in Greece, outlined Greece's tourist opening to the Persian Gulf region through the adoption of a specific policy aimed at attracting investments.

Addressing foreign investors, Mr. Avramopoulos briefed them on the investment environment created in Greece stressing that it is favorable aimed at cutting red tape procedures and taxation, while adjusting to the current business needs.

The forum is attended by foreign investors interested in launching business activities in Greece in the sector of tourism.

[06] GREEK-MEXICAN AGREEMENT TO AVOID DOUBLE TAXATION

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis exchanged the official documents of the ratified agreement aimed at avoiding double taxation with Mexican ambassador to Athens Alejandro Diaz. In statements they made during the brief ceremony today both stressed that the agreement offers new possibilities to bilateral economic relations.

Mr. Stilianidis stated that the agreement is of major importance for the Greek shipping and the Greek exports.

The Mexican ambassador stated that there are great business opportunities for both countries.

For the record, Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias is formally invited to visit Mexico but no final arrangements have been made yet.

[07] LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM GREECE, BULGARIA AND TURKEY MEET IN XANTHI

An estimated 200 mayors and local government officials from Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey will attend a meeting in the northeast Greek city of Xanthi on December 10-11.

The meeting on Cross-border cooperation: Local government organizations, programs, initiatives and practices in the European Union, is organized by the Polis Network of Municipalities in Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey and the Hellenic Central Union of Municipalities and Communities (KEDKE).

The local government representatives will examine issues concerning local government institutions, and EU initiatives and programs. Also, they will discuss issues concerning the role of the regions and local government in the EU, good cross-border cooperation practices as well as issues concerning the enlargement and the future of Europe.

[08] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE US AMBASSADOR

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis met with US ambassador to Athens Charles Ries at Maximos Mansion.

The meeting was held at the request of the US ambassador and according to government sources they met after a year since their last meeting to review issues of mutual interest.

[09] THE AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR VISITED THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis received Australian ambassador to Athens Paul Tighe today.

Mr. Tighe, on a ceremonial visit to Thessaloniki, discussed with Mr. Tsiartsionis the latest developments on the issue of the FYROM name with which the Australian government is particularly concerned due to the fact that Australia is the home for large communities of immigrants from Greece and FYROM.

On the occasion of his visit, the Australian ambassador expressed concern because the big delays in the Thrace goldmines' investment, in which important Australian interests are involved, are likely to create a climate of caution among Australian investors interested in investing in Greece.

The delays are the result of the objections raised by environmentalist organizations maintaining that the project will affect environment in a negative way.

[10] KOSOVO: GREEK CONTRIBUTION

Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis will have talks on the solution of the Kosovo problem with the Serb political leadership in Belgrade today, heading the informal troika of the Inter-Balkan Conference. Mr. Molyviatis is accompanied by the deputy Foreign Ministers of Romania and Croatia.

Yesterday, the troika met with Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova who thanked the three ministers for their interest and the military presence of their countries in the region.

On his part, Mr. Molyviatis stated that close cooperation between the Kosovo leadership and the neighboring countries is necessary and wished that the principles adopted by the international community as preconditions for the settlement of the issue concerning the final status of Kosovo will become the basis for the imminent negotiations.

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