|
|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-12-08
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] EU summit meeting opens its sessions yesterday
[02] Simitis meets with Ecevit on the sidelines of EU summit
[03] Karamanlis asks for solidarity on behalf of the EU
[04] Pagalos in Cyprus for AKEL's conference
[05] New training aircrafts for Greek Air Force
[06] 0,22% rise of General Share Price Index yesterday
[07] Memorial Service for Saunders
[08] Avramopoulos critisizes the present political system
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE
8/12/2000 10:09:43 рм
[01] EU summit meeting opens its sessions yesterday
The agenda of the summit meeting in Nice includes crucial issues such
as its expasnion and institutional reforms. During yesterday's
meeting, the EU leaders decided that the European conference should
develop and expand. Prime minister Costas Simitis hailed this decision
and additionally the decision for the participation in the summit
meeting of Balkan countries and Euro-zone countries. Mr. Simitis
described their participation as a very important fact, adding that for
the first time European countries were able to discuss all together
about economic problems and develop ways of cooperation within a joint
framework. Referring especially to the issue regarding Cyprus'
candidancy he stressed that Cyprus met all the criteria for its
accession to the European Union and was in the first line of candidate
countries. Commenting on Turkish Prime minister Bouled Ecevit's
presence in Nice, where he participated in the European summit meeting
with other leaders, Mr. Simitis expressed the hope that Turkey would
exhibit a constructive stance and cooperate within the framework set by
the its association relationhsip with the Euroepean Union. The Prime
minister stated that despite its negative stance in the past, Turkey
finally accepted the text of its association relationship with the
European Union, without however excluding the possibility for more
differences to arise. The first day of the sessions of the summit
meeting was accompanied by clashes between the police and demonstrators
who are opposed to globalisation.
[02] Simitis meets with Ecevit on the sidelines of EU summit
Prime minister Costas Simitis had a short meeting with his Turkish
counterpart Buled Ecevit within the framework of the European summit
meeting yesterday. Another meeting also took place between the Greek
Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou and his Turkish countepart Ismail
Cem. Although Mr. Papandreou said that the two men did not focus their
discussion on matters of esssence, he added that they referred to the
Confidence Building Measures, which he described as a positive
development. Besides, during a Press conference, the Turkish Prime
minister Buled Ecevit described as a positive development Turkey's
association relationship with the European Union, since as he said it
paved the way for political dialogue, in which the solution of
Greek-Turkish differences could be included.
[03] Karamanlis asks for solidarity on behalf of the EU
The Europe and Popular party supports the maintaining of the
institutional balance between small and big countries. This was stated
by New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, who took part in the
summit meeting of leaders of the European Popular party. He also added
that another point discussed during the meeting was that results should
be achieved and that the European policy should become more decisive as
regards the future European course. Mr. Karamalis also pointed out
that an issue for which the Greek side had not paid the necessary
attention was the issue of safety from threats from abroad. He
specifically said that the Greek citizens should feel as safe as every
European citizen, wherever he came from. That meant that the European
Union should exhibit the substancial and necessary solidarity and not
keep an equal distance between a country-member and a candidate
country. Mr. Karamanlis was obviously referring to Turkey.
[04] Pagalos in Cyprus for AKEL's conference
During his arrival in Cyprus yesterday,where he will represent ruling
PASOK party in AKEL party' s conference, deputy Theodoros Pagalos
described the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash as a relic of the
past, adding that with his decisions and policy he isolated himself and
created problems to the Turkish-Cypriots.
From his side New Democracy representative Panayiotis Skandalakis
pointed out that Denktash and Ankara's policy aimed at the recognition
of Denktash's pseudostate.
Mr. Skandalakis also reiterated his party's positions for a
multi-national foreign policy.
The Secretary General of the Greek Communist party Aleka Papariga, who
will participate tomorrow in AKEL's conference, stated that Turkey's
assossiation relationship text would be more just and positive if it
clearly stated Turkey's obligations for the withdrawal of the
occupation forces from Cyprus and the recognition of the United Nations
resolutions.
[05] New training aircrafts for Greek Air Force
National Defence minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is visiting Kalamata
today to participate in the event for the T6-A training aircrafts
Greece has bought for its Air Force.
[06] 0,22% rise of General Share Price Index yesterday
The General Share Price Index of the Athens Stock Exchange rose
slightly yesterday by 0,22% closing at 3.741,86 points.
[07] Memorial Service for Saunders
A memorial service will be held at Valaoritou and Straight streets in
Philothei today in memory of brigadier Steven Saunders, who was
assasinated by terrorists six months ago on his way to the British
Embassy. Present will be Public Order minister Michalis Chrysohoides
and British ambassador David Maden, who will lay a wreaths at in the
memory of Saunders.
[08] Avramopoulos critisizes the present political system
In statements he made yesterday during an event at the municipality of
Marousi, Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos referred to the old
fashioned political scenery created by the centre and the region and
the monopolistic administration of the leadership by governemnts. In
reply to his statements Mrs. Vaso Papandreou stated that everyone
should assume his responsibilities.
|
