MPA NEWS IN ENGLISH (08/07/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, July 8, 1996

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] ECONOMY MINISTER CONVEYS EU'S GOOD REPORTS ON GREECE

Greece has shown the largest public and macro-economic adjustment among European Union member-states during the past three years, stated National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, conveying the European Council on Finance's (ECOFIN) report on the country.

In its report, ECOFIN noted the country's allignment in the european economy during the past two years and pointed out that the country's budget is progressing normally, while attributing the reduction of public deficit to the more effective control of the financial flow in the social security system's funds.

[02] FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS ROMANIAN COUNTERPART IN ATHENS

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed his optimism over the Balkan cooperation's future, following the meeting with his Romanian counterpart Theodor Melescanu, held in Athens today.

The two men discussed issues concerning the political, economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries, with specific emphasis given to the issue of Romania's accession to NATO as well as its negotiations for accession to the European Union.

Following the meeting, Mr. Melescanu stated that he was pleased and grateful over Greece's support and stressed that he and Mr. Pangalos agreed on the issue of the Alliance's enlargement.

Also, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral and regional cooperation, including trade exchange which last year rose by 50 per cent.

On an official two-day visit to Greece, Mr.Melescanu will meet tomorrow with National Defense Minister Gerasimos Arsenis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

[03] MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY'S POLITICAL COUNCIL CONVENED

The Political Council of Greece's main opposition party New Democracy, convened today under the leadership of its president Miltiades Evert and discussed the ongoing political developments.

According to New Democracy's spokesperson Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the recent detente noted in greek-turkish relations is only temporary and reiterated his party's assessment that the country will be driven to early elections.

[04] PREMIER MEETS WITH ALBANIAN ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met today with the Archbishop of Tirana Anastasios in Athens.

Following their meeting, Mr. Anastasios made no comments, but it is assessed that the two men discussed the Greek minority living in Albania and the relations between the two neighboring countries.

[05] PREMIER KOSTAS SIMITIS MET WITH MINISTER OF ECONOMY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met this afternoon with Minister of Economy Alekos Papadopoulos and discussed issues concerning public finance.

Following the meeting, Mr. Papadopoulos stated that he briefed the Premier on the budget regulations and activities during the first six months of the year.

According to the Minister, legislation is in the works and will include the necessary measures to be taken in regards to limiting public expense.

[06] PREMIER:GOVERNMENT AIMS AT AN EXPEDIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis emphasized today that, when it comes to the country's judicial system, the government's basic aim is to expeditiously administrate justice and to overcome the courtroom bureaucracy that torments many Greek citizens.

Mr. Simitis made the above statement following his meeting with the recently-appointed Supreme Court Justice Stephanos Matthias, State District Attorney Panayiotis Demopoulos and Minister of Justice Evangelos Venizelos.

[07] FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE UNDER CONTROL, LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED PREVENTIVELY

Greece will inform the European Union and its neighbouring countries that it has slaughtered a flock of sheep due to fears of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth-disease.

Agriculture Undersecretary Apostolos Fotiadis has visited the affected areas and has assured the stockbreeders that they will be compensated for the loss of their animals.

A delegation of EU experts is expected to visit the Evros region in order to assess the situation.

[08] CONFERENCE ON SOPHISTICATED TORTURE METHODS HELD IN ATHENS

Approximately 80 participants from 15 countries met in Athens during the weekend in order to discuss torture in the Middle East, Latin America and North Africa, during a conference on torture.

International experts reported that torture methods that leave no visible marks on the victims are becoming more widespread.

"As the public becomes more aware of the problem of torture, torturers are becoming more sophisticated, inventing methods that leave no scars," said Julia Pitner, from the Washington-based Search for Common Ground Group.

The participants, some of whom are torture victims, exchanged experiences and agreed to form a network to exchange information, to intensify efforts to prevent torture by educating the public, such as medical and prison staff, and to continue to treat tortured people.

[09] SAE PRESIDIUM TO HOLD 2ND SESSION IN THESSALONIKI

The Presidium of the Council of Greeks Abroad will hold its second session in Thessaloniki between July 12-14.

Participating in the session will be the alternate Foreign Minister, who is also responsible for issues regarding Greeks overseas, George Romeos.

During their stay in Thessaloniki, the Presidium's members will meet with Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Philippos Petsalnikos, the Mayor Konstantinos Kosmopoulos and the Prefect Kostas Papadopoulos.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] CYPRUS:SIR DAVID HANNAY MET WITH PRESIDENT CLERIDES

Britain's special representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay was received today by the President of the Cypriot Republic Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia where the two men discussed security and demilitarization issues, as well as the island's accession to the European Union.

Following his meeting with the Cypriot President, Sir Hannay will also meet with the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, and will have successive contacts with political leaders from both communities.

After the meeting with President Clerides, the British representative stated that the EU must not become involved in the Cyprus problem for the time being.

[11] CYPRUS:SIR DAVID HANNAY TO MEET WITH RAUF DENKTASH

Britain's special representative for Cyprus, Sir David Hannay was received today by the President of the Cypriot Republic Glafkos Clerides in Nicosia where the two men discussed security and demilitarization issues, as well as the island's accession to the European Union.

Sir Hannay is expected to meet with the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, and will have successive contacts with political leaders from both communities.

Cypriot government's spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides stated that the British official did not present any new data from Ankara, although, he stated, during his contacts on Nicosia Sir Hannay referred to the "Ghali map" within the parameters of the discussion on the territorial concerns.

[12] BALKAN FOREIGN MINISTERS CO-SIGN COOPERATION, FRIENDSHIP RESOLUTION

The Foreign Ministers of countries in Southeastern Europe have signed a resolution which emphasizes their common efforts to establish good-neighbourly relations in the region.

The resolution, titled "Sofia Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations, Stabilty, Security and Cooperation in the Balkans", points out that the involved countries have launched a comprehensive process of multilateral cooperation in the following areas: enhancing good-neioghbourly relations including confidence and security-building measures, development of economic cooperation through cross-border cooperation, upgrading transport, telecommunications and energy infrastructures, trade and investment promotion, development of humanitarian, social and cultural contacts, cooperation in the field of justice, combat of organized crime, illicit drug and arms trafficking and elimination of terrorism.

Participating at the meeting were: Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Romania's Theodor Melescanu, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Milan Milutinovic, Turkish undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Onur Oymen, Albania's deputy Arian Starova, Bosnia- Herzegovina deputy Hasan Dervishbegovic and Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski.

The next Summit meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Southeastern Europe countries will be held in Greece next year.

[13] SERB PRESIDENT WELCOMES GREEK, GERMAN, ROMANIAN AMBASSADORS

His interest in improving relations with Germany, Romania and Greece expressed the Serb President of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic in the recent meeting he had with the new ambassadors of the three countries in Belgrade.

Mr. Milosevic expressed his conviction that the development of mutual relations and cooperation, based upon respect of equality and mutual interests, will promote peace and international stability.

Mr. Milosevic welcomed the ambassadors, who are Greece's Panayiotis Vlassopoulos, Germany's Gerhardt Srebgens and Romania's Panait Lefter.

[14] SAE EUROPEAN REGION COMPLETES SESSION IN NICOSIA

The first session of the Council of Greeks Abroad, European Region, was completed today in Nicosia.

Eight committees will meet to discuss various issues, including national matters.

The Council decided to create a nine-member body which will coordinate the SAE's activities.

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