BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN (21/02/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@uranus.ee.auth.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

February 21, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] GREEK PREMIER EMBARKS TODAY ON EUROPEAN VISITS

There, Mr. Simitis, accompanied by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, is expected to pursue the recognition of Greece's external borders as European Union borders and to reiterate his government's position that while Greece is not opposed to the Hague proposal regarding Imia, it continues to maintain that the initiative of precipitating such a venue does not lay with Greece. Furthermore, he will stress that Turkey's aggressive stance encroaches international accords that established european borders following the end of WWII.

During the week, the Greek Premier wil also visit Bonn to meet with German Chancellor Helmut Khol, and Paris, to meet with French President Jacques Chirac.

[02] NATO, US PROPOSE MORATORIUM IN AEGEAN UNTIL APRIL

According to reports, Mr. Solana agreed to continue making appeals to Greece and Turkey to find a formula for the settlement of their bilateral differences.

Moreover, the three men discussed the need for a moratorium exercised by the neighboring countries, at least until the Greek Premier visits Washington on April 9. Turk President Suleiman Demirel is also expected in Washington during the same time period.

[03] STATEMENTS MADE BY THE GREEK PRIME MINISTER DURING THE FLIGHT TO BRUSSELS

Speaking to journalists during the flight to Brussels, mr.Simitis stated that the trip's aim is to restore closer relations and contacts between Greece and the European countries. He said that will be examined the common problems mainly the course toward the Inter-Governmental Conference, while there will also be discussed the views and the lines that will be followed by the european countries.

Mr.Simitis said that he will raise the issue of the problems in the relations between Greece and Turkey. He said that this visit is a political one aiming at creating the basis for better relations between Greece and the EU countries and also at settling the existing problems.

The greek Prime Minister will meet at noon today with his Belgian counterpart and in the afternoon he will visit the European Commission President.

Tomorrow, will visit Bonn for talks with German Chancellor Kohl and on Friday will meet in Paris with the French President.

[04] THE BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER ENDED HIS TWO-DAY VISIT TO ATHENS

Mr.Arsenis stated after the end of their meeting that they discussed issues concerning the latest crisis in the Aegean and expressed the hope that he has contributed to the british minister's better updating.

From his side, the British Foreign Secretary characterized this meeting as very useful because he was directly briefed by the greek Defense Minister on the crisis in eastern Aegean and reiterated his position that the disputes must be resolved in a peaceful manner.

Earlier, mr.Rifkind had met with New Democracy leader mr.Miltiadis Evert characterizing as very positive the discussion he had with him while at the same time he praised the way Greece had handled the recent crisis.

Responding to the question if he believes that the legal regime in the Aegean has to be redefined he stressed that Britain supports any constructive proposal that will lead to the peaceful settlement of the issues in question.

Meanwhile, mr.Evert sent a message to the european leaders for a more active interest in the greek-turkish crisis.

[05] NO VIOLATION OF THE BULGARIAN AIRSPACE BY GREEK WARPLANE

The bulgarian newspaper "Duma" had published the report according to which a greek warplane violated the bulgarian airspace for about one minute in the region of Ivailovgrad.

[06] ITALIAN FILM DIRECTOR BERTOLUCCI WILL VISIT ATHENS IN EARLY MARCH

Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci will come to Athens invited by mrs.Mariana Latsis and will be the speaker in a special event organized by the Latsis Business Group.

From his film the "Last Tango in Paris" (1972) to the nine Oscars won by the "Last Emperor" (1987) and also to the spiritual fairy-tale "Small Buddha" (1993), Bertolucci makes a personal journey and also a journey as a film director maintaining his faith in human values in a violent era, stating calmly that "Compassion is a spiritual exercise".

[07] BULGARIA WILL RECEIVE 34 MILLION ECU FROM THE EU PROGRAMME PHARE

The amount will reach Bulgaria in part payments by 1999 and will be used for repair work on the country's road network. Also, according to statements made by transport officials in Bulgaria, the European Union will finance and the repair work on the road network Radomir-Giesevo.

[08] SUMMIT MEETING OF EUROPE-ASIA WILL BE HELD IN BANGOG

The Summit will be held in Bangog on March 1 and 2.

[09] EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE WEU PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY WILL BE HELD TOMORROW IN LONDON

As it was announced by the party's Press Office during the session will be discussed issues of political and defense security in Europe.