Athens News Agency: News in English, 03-05-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] EU foreign ministers agree to shaping of European Security Concept

[02] EU environment ministers discuss EU constitution and environmental

[03] Greek minister to visit FYROM to discuss development and energy

[04] Kavala sends 500 tonnes of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals to Iraqi people

[05] Weather Forecast:Fair weather with local cloud on Monday

[01] EU foreign ministers agree to shaping of European Security Concept

The European Union's 25 foreign ministers, convening on the Aegean island of Kastellorizo on Saturday in the framework of the EU's informal Council of Foreign Ministers, agreed to the shaping of a European Security Concept.

Foreign Minister and EU Council of Foreign Ministers President George Papandreou said the ministers instructed EU High Commissioner Javier Solana to prepare relevant proposals for the General Affairs Council in June with the ultimate aim of having them discussed at the EU's Thessaloniki summit.

''Despite public positions anticipating strong contrasts there was a positive spirit and we tried to combine the concerns of member-states on such issues as common European security and defence policy, aid we are giving to third countries, weapons of mass destruction and other issues. We spoke with sincerity on what the possibilities of the European Union are, what is our defence position and how we shall reshape our relations with the United States to enable them to be equal and beneficial for the international system. We shall not claim that there is no crisis in Euro-Atlantic relations, but before we get involved in a transatlantic dialogue we must have agreed ourselves beforehand on what our possibilities and targets are. It is not necessary for us to agree on common positions. However, we have our tradition and experience on issues of emergency management, the handling of terrorism, etc, and we have our own approach and this is fundamental, but we can influence the United States,'' Papandreou said at the end of the meeting, held on board the yacht ''Alexandros'' which is moored at the island's port.

[02] EU environment ministers discuss EU constitution and environmental protection

The European Union's 25 environment ministers stressed the need, during their two-day conference ending in Athens over the weekend, for article 6 obliging countries to include environmental protection in sector policies not to be removed from the EU's new constitution and unanimously ratified a relevant proposal by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou.

The conference was also attended by seven ministers from Balkan countries. Other issues discussed were the establishment of sustainable development and the more appropriate utilisation of waters in southeastern Europe.

[03] Greek minister to visit FYROM to discuss development and energy cooperation

SKOPJE (ANA - N. Frangopoulos) - Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will make a one-day visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Monday and will hold talks with President Boris Trajkovski, Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski and other government officials.

Issues Tsohatzopoulos will be discussing primarily concern forms of cooperation in the development and energy sectors between Greece and FYROM.

Ways of achieving the effective operation of the OKTA refinery, purchased by the Hellenic Petroleum company, are also expected to be examined.

Crvenkovski's new government had criticised OKTA's buyout agreement and quite a few obstacles appeared in the recent past concerning the refinery's work.

Despite this, however, cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector is at a high level.

As part of the agreement regarding OKTA, a crude oil pipeline linking Thessaloniki and Skopje has been built and is operating, while work has also got underway to build a pipeline linking OKTA's refinery in Skopje with Kosovo. Plans also include the construction of a second pipeline from Skopje to Southern Serbia.

[04] Kavala sends 500 tonnes of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals to Iraqi people

Five hundred tonnes of foodstuffs and quantities of pharmaceuticals have been sent to the suffering people of Iraq from Kavala, northern Greece. The consignment has been arriving in Baghdad in parts.

The ''Doctors of the World'' organisation is delivering the foodstuffs to those in need and the pharmaceuticals to the ''Al Baraji'' children's hospital and the ''Al Kidi'' general hospital in Baghdad.

On the occasion, the ''Doctors of the World'' organisation thanked the population of the Kavala prefecture, as well as cultural societies, for their moving support in gathering foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and blankets as humanitarian aid for the people of Iraq and for children in particular.

[05] Weather Forecast:Fair weather with local cloud on Monday

Fair weather is forecast throughout the country with local cloud on the mainland in the afternoon. Winds northerly light to moderate in the west and moderate to strong in the east. In the north, temperatures will range from 12C to 27C; in the centre from 14C to 30C; and in the south from 15C to 29C. Temperatures in Athens between 16C and 27C; and in Thessaloniki from 14C to 26C.

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