Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 06-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND HAS A LEAD OVER PASOK - VOTERS ARE AGAINST EARLY ELECTIONS

[02] THE SAE PRESIDENT CONTACTS IN GREECE

[03] SPEEDING UP OF REGIONAL PROJECTS

[04] KORONIAS TESTIFIES FOR A SECOND DAY

[05] THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR VISITED THE GREEK PAVILION IN THE ITB BERLIN

[01] ND HAS A LEAD OVER PASOK - VOTERS ARE AGAINST EARLY ELECTIONS

The overwhelming majority of the public is against early elections, according to the March Barometer opinion poll by Athens Sky radio and the VPRC polling company conducted on March 7-8 across Greece on a sample of 963 people.

Specifically, 81% of the people who responded to the opinion poll stated that the government should complete its four-year term, while 13% are in favor of immediate elections.

Ruling party of New Democracy has a 2.5 percentage point lead over main opposition Socialist Party PASOK (42% and 39.5% respectively) followed by the Communist Party 8%, Coalition 3.5%, LAOS 4.5% and rest political parties 2.5%.

[02] THE SAE PRESIDENT CONTACTS IN GREECE

The President of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Mr. Andrew A. Athens concluded his trip to Greece yesterday launched on March 1st, during which he had a series of meetings with governmental officials.

Yesterday, the SAE President met with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Dora Bakoyiannis. Mr. Athens congratulated the Minister for her new position and wished her every success in her work while he ensured her that, both SAE and himself, will always offer their support and assistance on issues regarding Greece. Ms. Bakoyiannis congratulated the SAE President for the organization's work and expressed her support to SAE's initiatives that promote Hellenism around the world.

At a meeting with the Minister of Culture, Mr. Giorgos Voulgarakis held in the presence of SAE Vice-President, Coordinator for Oceania, Mr. Kostas Vertzagias, Mr. Athens updated the Minister on SAE's cultural projects and programs since its establishment, for the promotion of Hellenic Culture around the world as well as for the promotion of the Olympic Games ATHENS 2004.

Mr. Athens also discussed the issue of the organizing of ELLINIADA, which through sports and culture strengthens the bonds of Hellenic youth abroad with Greece. Mr. Voulgarakis replied that he will examine the issue.

On March 8, Mr. Athens and Mr. Vertzagias met with the Minister of Labor and Social Solidarity, Mr. Savvas Tsitouridis with whom they discussed the issue of the bilateral agreement between Greece and Australia regarding pension related issues for our fellow Hellenes in Australia. Mr. Tsitouridis who is well aware of this issue, stressed the fact that he will immediately take care of the issue.

The SAE President also met with the honorary President of the New Democracy party, Mr. Konstantinos Mitsotakis with whom he discussed issues regarding the support of the Omogeneia for the promotion of National Issues in their host countries.

During his stay in Athens, Mr. Athens met on March 2 with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Theodoros Kassimis. Also present at the meeting were SAE's Treasurer, Mr. Cos Georganas and SAE's Legal Advisor Mr. Dimitris Papadopoulos. SAE's officials and the Deputy Minister discussed the issue of the new Enabling Law for SAE and the forthcoming SAE Board Meeting which was decided to take place in the beginning of May in Thessaloniki. The discussions also included the further development of SAE's Medical Program with the support of the Greek State.

The SAE President also met with the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Fani Petralia. Mr. Athens expressed to the Minister the willingness of SAE to offer its support for the promotion of Greek Tourism.

At a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Economy, Mr. Christos Folias, Mr. Athens discussed the continuance of cooperation for the promotion of Greek businesses abroad, especially in the U.S. and the attraction of foreign investments in Greece following the two successful symposiums in Chicago in 2005 organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Development.

The SAE President also visited Thessaloniki where on March 7 he met with Prefect of Thessaloniki, Mr. Panayiotis Psomiadis and Mayor of Thessaloniki, Mr. Vasilis Papageorgopoulos.

During the meeting with the Prefect of Thessaloniki in the presence of Center of the Black Sea President Ms. Anthoula Porfyriadou and SAE's Legal Advisor Mr. Dimitris Papadopoulos, all parties expressed their willingness to further strengthen cooperation on specific programs for the Greeks in the countries of the Black Sea.

[03] SPEEDING UP OF REGIONAL PROJECTS

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis gave orders for the speeding up and completion of major regional projects in the meeting he had today with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Kalantzis.

This was their first meeting after Mr. Karantzis' appointment to the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace. Mr. Kalantzis briefed the prime minister on developments concerning Macedonia-Thrace Ministry issues, the major public works included.

Mr. Kalantzis stated after the meeting that regional progress and development means progress and development for Greece, reiterating that the major regional projects should be sped up and completed as soon as possible because only this way progress will be achieved.

The construction of the projects is in full progress and we wait for their completion, said the minister, clarifying that the government is not responsible for the delays but those who try to use all these projects for other purposes.

[04] KORONIAS TESTIFIES FOR A SECOND DAY

Vodafone Greece CEO Giorgos Koronias testifies for a second day today on the mobile phone tapping scandal before the responsible parliamentary committee.

Vodafone did not request, order or receive the legal software enabling phones to be tapped, stated yesterday Mr. Koronias.

Ericsson had included it in its system at the request of its customers after the September 11 attacks but, nevertheless, Vodafone had never ordered it, he pointed out.

New Democracy's Miltiadis Evert and Coalition deputy Fotis Kouvelis suggested that an Ericsson representative should also be called to testify.

Ruling party of New Democracy parliament spokesman Mr. Magginas suggested that other mobile phone companies (TIM, Cosmote) should also be investigated.

Justice has launched an in depth investigation that will continue until the case is solved, stated government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

[05] THE GERMAN CHANCELLOR VISITED THE GREEK PAVILION IN THE ITB BERLIN EXHIBITION

German Chancellor Angela Merkel launched her formal visit to the ITB Berlin exhibition from the Greek pavilion where she was welcomed by Greek Minister of Tourism Ms. Fani Palli-Petralia.

Ms. Petralia said that it is a great honor for the Greek delegation to welcome the German Chancellor to the Greek pavilion and mentioned that Greece is the second most popular holiday destination for the German tourists adding that the goal is to become the top destination.

On her part, Ms. Merkel stated that she is proud because this year Greece is the honored country in this very important event and pointed out that what attracts the German tourists most is the hospitality of the Greek people.

The German Chancellor stressed that good relations between the two peoples contribute to a more positive political climate a fact that was confirmed during the recent visit of the Greek Prime Minister to Berlin.

Ms. Merkel stated that Greece has wonderful places to visit and added that the same is true for Germany inviting the Greeks to visit her country and live their own myth, using the Greek tourism promotion campaign slogan Live Your Myth in Greece.

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