Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-03-28

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, March 28, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] GREEK PREMIER AND GREECE'S EU COMMISSIONER DISCUSS ALBANIAN CRISIS

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis met with Greece's European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis in Athens today where the two men discussed the Albanian crisis and the EU's stance on the issue.

Mr. Papoutsis briefed the Premier on the EU's concern regarding the developments in the neighboring country, as well as the Community's efforts to arrive at an optimal solution and to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid where it is needed the most.

Moreover, the two men discussed the EU's enlargement and Mr. Papoutsis stated that Cyprus will be among the first countries to gain accession. A.F.

[02] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AKIS TSOCHATZOPOULOS IN ROMANIA

Greece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to complete his two-day official visit to Bucharest today, after having met with Romanian President Emil Constantinescu and Prime Minister Victor Corbea.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos met with his Romanian counterpart Victor Babiuk and the two are expected to sign a "Memorandum of Understanding" which will regard co-operation in the sectors of military outfitting and technology, as well as a "Security Accord" concerning the exchange of classified national military information.

The Greek Defense Minister stressed to Mr. Babiuk that Greece is supportive of Romania's request to enter the Euro-Atlantic organizations and also emphasized the need for NATO's eastward expansion and the European Union's enlargement. A.F.

[03] GREEK CONSULATE IN GJIROKASTER CLOSES AFTER EPISODES ERUPT

The Greek Consulate in Gjirocaster, Albania, remains closed today after yesterday's episodes where angry Albanians demanded that the office grant them the necessary visa to enter Greece.

Meanwhile, the Hospital of Ioannina, in Greece, has reached its capacity in providing health care to Albanian patients, given the lack of beds and shortage of blood supply.

During the past three days alone, this hospital received 120 wounded Albanians. A.F.

[04] THE EU TRANSPORTATIONS COMMISSIONER MET WITH GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER

EU Transportations Commissioner Neal Kinok met this morning with Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

Their talks focused on issues concerning the monetary union and the foreign policy of the European Union.

Mr.Kinok stressed that the restoration of stability in Albania is a pre-condition for the EU efforts aimed at the development of this country.

[05] MR.KONSTANTOPOULOS MET TODAY WITH THE PRESIDENT OF FYROM

The President of the Greek opposition party Coalition of the Left mr.Nikos Konstantopoulos, who is visiting FYROM heading a party delegation, met today with the country's President Kiro Gligorov and Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski.

In his meeting with President Gligorov, mr.Konstantopoulos stressed that the interim accord must be completed, while FYROM's President stated that his country is not claiming the Greek history but the existence of the nation of FYROM is a reality for the past 1.500 years.

Mr.Konstantopoulos also met with FYROM's Foreign Minister Ljubomir Frckovski and during their discussion the Coalition of the Left leader raised the issue of the name that will be used by FYROM and expressed his party's position that the issue must be resolved soon. Mr.Frckovski stated that lately there is improvement in the relations of the two countries.

Earlier, mr.Konstantopoulos had met with representatives of FYROM's political parties and in statements he made afterwards he reiterated the proposal for direct dialogue between the two countries which was accepted by FYROM's parties.

[06] THE CITY OF DRAMA WILL SEND 50 TONS OF FOOD TO BULGARIA

Fifty tons of food will leave for Bulgaria next Wednesday, April 2. The aid was collected by the residents of the northern Greek city of Drama on the initiative of the local administration.

The humanitarian aid is destined for the city of Gotse Deltsev and includes flour, olive oil, pasta, rice, etc.

[07] "THESSALONIKI CULTURAL CAPITAL OF EUROPE '97" COMMEMORATES MELINA

With an exhibit titled "Melina's Visions", the late actress and political activist Melina Mercouri will be honored on Monday, March 31 by the Organization "Thessaloniki, Cultural Capital of Europe "97".

Melina Mercouri was the creator of the Cultural Capital of Europe concept. The event will also feature a film directed by Ms. Mercouri's husband, Jules Dassin. A.F.

[08] GREEK PARLIAMENT'S EUROPEAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE BRIEFED ON COURSE OF ICG

There is a need to reform necessary alliances and to intensify Greece's efforts in regards to the European Union's foreign affairs and Cyprus' accession path to the EU, according to the Hellenic Parliament's European Affairs Committee.

The Committee convened today with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Greece's EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

Mr. Papandreou stated that, although there is a "silent" agreement among Germany, France and Britain to adopt common positions on ICG issues, the Community's smaller countries are quite concerned over the flexibility issue.

Mr. Papoutsis spoke on the issue of flexibility and said that, according to the European Council, Cyprus will be the first country with which it will start accession negotiations. A.F.

[09] THESSALONIKI'S BAR ASSOCIATION SENDS GRD THREE MILLION TO ALBANIA IN AID

Within the framework of cooperation between Balkan Bar Associations, Thessaloniki's lawyers have expressed their solidarity to their Albanian counterparts by forwarding to them a money order for three million drachmas.

Albania's Bar Association is also a member of the Balkan Bar Associations and the Greek lawyers felt that such aid was necessary in light of the recent upheaval in the neighboring country. A.F.

[10] GREECE AND ARMENIA SIGN MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

A memorandum of Cooperation was signed today between the Armenian Association of Manufacturers and Businessmen (AAMB) and the Association of Greek Industries (SEV), in a ceremony presided over by Armenian Ambassador Arman Kirakossian.

The memorandum was signed by the President of SEV Jason Stratos and the President of AAMB Aram Vardanyan. A.F.

[11] GREEK "INTRACOM" RESORTS TO COURTS TO SAFEGUARD INTERESTS IN BULGARIA

Greek conglomerate "Intracom" is to resort to international justice in order to defend its rights and interests in Bulgaria, according to a company press release that was published in Bulgaria today.

This is Intracom's response to the refusal of Bulgaria's Higher Court of Appeals to ratify an interim decision according to which the Bulgarian Organization for Games and Gambling must pay damages to Intracom for the unilateral breach of contract by Bulgaria's "Lotto". A.F.

[12] STATE GIVES EXTENSION TO TAX RETURN DEADLINE UNTIL MONDAY NIGHT

The deadline to file tax returns with the state's revenue services has been extended to Monday night, given that at least one million of Greek taxpayers have yet to file their income taxes.

As such, Greece's post offices will work overtime and are to remain open throughout the weekend in order to process the last- minute returns. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[13] FYROM WILL SEND 2.000 TONS OF GRAIN TO BULGARIA

The government of FYROM will send 2.000 tons of grain to Bulgaria. According to FYROM's Ambassador to Sofia mr.Georgi Spasov the grain will be distributed to regions close to FYROM's borders.

Meanwhile, the Skopje newspaper "Vetser" wrote that the Bulgarian government through Labour Minister Ivan Neikov has welcomed FYROM's initiative underlining that it is a proof of the good and friendly relations between the two countries.

[14] TRADE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN FRY AND GREECE REACHED 250 MILLION DOLLARS IN 1996

The volume of trade transactions between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Greece reached 250 million dollars in 1996, while in the first two months of 1997 were 30 million dollars and by the end of the year are expected to be over 400 million dollars.

The figures were presented by the President of Belgrade's Economic Chamber mr.Buginovic to the delegation of Athens' Commerce and Industry Chamber visiting the city. Mr.Buginovic expressed the belief that the economic relations between the two countries will be further improved with the help of new legislation.

The head of the 20-member Greek delegation did not rule out the signing of agreements on industry and trade during the visit to Belgrade.

[15] FYROM'S LIBERAL AND DEMOCRATIC PARTIES WILL BE UNIFIED ON APRIL 19

The joint party congress of the Liberals and the Democrats in FYROM will be held on April 19 during which the unification of the two parties will be formally announced.

According to the Skopje newspaper "Dnevnik", the new Liberal- Democratic Party will be represented in Parliament by the Liberal Party deputies.

[16] THE CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF BUILDING MATERIAL DEALERS WILL BE HELD IN ATHENS

The annual Conference of the European Federation of Building Material Dealers (UFEMAT), will be held in Athens on September 17- 19.

In the conference that will be held in Greece for the first time, will participate large companies from 15 European countries active in the sector of building materials.

[17] COOPERATION AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN GREECE AND UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan's Undersecretary of Foreign Economic Relations mr.Rauf Mukhamedov announced today the abolition of the double taxation imposed on foreign businessmen in his country in a move aimed at encouraging foreign investments. The announcement was made on the occasion of the first cooperation agreement signed with the Greek Organization of Foreign Trade.

According to President of the Greek Organization for Foreign Trade mr.Ioannis Tzen, the charter for the establishment of the joint Greek-Uzbek Chamber, that will be based in Tashkend, is ready.

Speaking to MPA, mr.Tzen stated that the strengthening of relations between Greece and Uzbekistan is very important because this country has the second place in the world production of cotton, while its annual output of oil is 5 million tons.

Mr.Mukhamedov guaranteed that the Greek investors will be supported by the government of Uzbekistan and their businesses will be profitable.

The agreement was signed in view of Uzbek President Islam Karimov's visit to Greece and the signing ceremony was held in the presence of the President's adviser mr.Norov and the country's Ambassador to Greece mr.Agzamov.

[18] OSCE WAITS FOR UN'S APPROVAL BEFORE ASSIGNING FORCE TO ALBANIA

The Organization for Peace and Security in Europe has stated that it will need the United Nations' approval prior to assigning a multinational peace-keeping force to Albania.

Once this force is assigned, its first task will be to maintain security at the Tirana airport and to enable the safe transport of humanitarian aid from the Durres port to Tirana.

According to the BBC, this force will initially be made up of 2,500 troops, which could expand to numbering 5,000. This force is to remain in Albania until elections are held in June.

Portugal, Spain, France and Italy have expressed their willingness to participate in this force. A.F.

[19] ALBANIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHIEF: GREEK MINORITY IS THE LINK OF FRIENDSHIP

The President of Albania's Democratic Party Tritan Sehu has categorically ruled out all scenaria that bring the Greek government and its people as being involved in the riots that erupted in southern Albania, stating instead that the crisis his country is undergoing is actually due to the efforts of some anti- Albanian circles, he said, to destabilize the country.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Sehu stated that "I once again emphasize that the Greek government has stood by our side during the difficult times we are going through", adding that "the Greek minority constitutes a factor of friendhsip between the two countries." A.F.

[20] CYPRIOT GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON COMMENTS ON KARADAYI'S STATEMENTS

The Cypriot government has called on Turkey's Chief of the Armed Forces Ismael Karadayi to make similar gestures towards Cyprus, as the ones he made towards Greece, specifically by ordering the withdrawal of the occupation forces from the island.

Cypriot government spokesperson Yiannakis Kasoulides stated that Mr. Karadayi's statements do bear a positive direction, but he did add that it still too soon to tell if this gesture is simply for public relations purposes.

Mr. Kasoulides also stated that Gen. Karadayi must be aware of how important it would be for Cyprus if he orders the removal of the occupation troops. A.F.

[21] EUROPEAN UNION SETS CLOCKS ONE HOUR AHEAD ON SUNDAY

All of the European Union's member-states will set their clocks one hour ahead on Sunday, a mandatory adjustment enforced by the Community.

Specifically, the clocks will be set one hour ahead on Sunday, March 30, at 3 a.m. The time change will be into effect until October 26. A.F.

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