Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-03

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 3 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 MEETS WITH OSCE REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ VRANITSKI TODAY

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis received Franz Vranitski (the envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Athens today, where the two men discussed the Albanian issue.

"We arrived at a common conclusion and, as such, there will be a productive intervention in the developments quite soon," Mr. Simitis stated.

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos also expressed his conviction that the international peacekeeping force will produce positive results, following his meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino.

Mr. Fino also met with Greece's Public Order Minister George Romeos, with whom he discussed the issue of illegal immigration, the guarding of the Greek-Albanian borders as well as the assignment of Greek policemen to Albania.

In turn, Mr. Fino visited the offices of the country's main opposition party New Democracy and was received by N.D.'s president Kostas Karamanlis. A.F.

[02] DEANS OF BALKAN, BLACK SEA REGION UNIVERSITIES TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

The deans of universities from the Balkan and the Black Sea region's countries will convene in Thessaloniki's Aristotelean University tomorrow.

The academicians are meeting in order to create a sub-group of the European Rectors Association, which will aim at developing relations of friendship and co-operation among the schools that belong to the same geographic area but are also linked by common historical and cultural elements.

Within the same frame of thought, other sub-groups are to be formed for the universities from the Baltic area and other schools belonging to the same region. A.F.

[03] GREECE'S FOREIGN MINISTER THEODOROS PANGALOS ON ALBANIAN ISSUE

Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is to give specific emphasis to Greece's co-operation with the Albanian government for the neighboring country's development and, ultimately, for the achievement of Albania's European orientation.

Mr. Pangalos had successive meetings today with Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino, Franz Vranitski (the envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the President of the European Union's Foreign Ministers Council Hans Van Mierlo.

According to Mr. Vranitski, the international community's intervention must be supported on three axes: economic and humanitarian aid, restoration of democracy and holding of free elections and the development of a multi-national force.

"We will support Albania until it is able to stand on its own two feet economically, as well as until democracy is restored and the citizens are secure," Mr. Vranitski said.

Mr. van Mierlo emphasized that the international community does not intent to affect the country's political developments, but, rather, wants to aid in the restoration of democracy's principles.

Mr. Fino expressed his satisfaction over the meetings he had in Athens, adding that he will have contacts with the rioting Albanians so that the peacekeeping force will not be threatened. A.F.

[04] PANGALOS: THE MISSION OF THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE IN ALBANIA WILL GIVE POSITIVE RESULTS

Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos expressed the belief that the mission of the multi-national force in Albania will have positive results and that the Albanian people will realize that.

In a press conference in Athens, mr.Pangalos stated that the international force will protect the distribution of humanitarian aid and the free movement of advisers who will build Albania's institutional framework for the holding of free elections in the country, stressing that the mandate of the international force is not to impose a foreign will.

On the issue of illegal immigration, mr.Pangalos stated that government measures are in effect aimed at dealing with this problem, while he stressed that already in the last few years the Greek people has assimilated about 400 thousand Albanian immigrants.

Mr.Pangalos stated regarding the situation in Albania that is very important the position of Albanian Prime Minister Fino, for the strengthening of the powers of the local authorities, as the prevailing characterisitc is the wide decentralization of the neighbouring country.

Referring to the Greek-Turkish relations, which were discussed in the meeting he had with Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, he said that for a Greek-Turkish dialogue to move ahead, Turkey must stop threatening Greece with war, while it will have to respect the international treaties and abandon its expansionist aspirations in the Aegean.

Mr.Pangalos underlined that the Cypriot government is the only one that can negotiate on the issue of Cyprus' accession into the EU.

[05] THE GREEK EU COMMISSIONER SUGGESTED THE UNDERTAKING OF A NEW INITIATIVE IN THE BALKAN COUNTRIES

The likelihood of a new coordinated initiative for the economic and political strengthening of the Balkan countries was discussed yesterday in the weekly meeting of the EU Commission after a proposal made by Greek EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis.

Mr.Papoutsis maintained that the undertaking of such an initiative could take place within the framework of a plan for the improvement of the aid for the countries of south-eastern Europe.

The Greek EU Commissioner stressed the need for a better coordination of the EU actions in the Balkan states in cooperation with other financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

[06] GREECE ONE AMONG THREE EU MEMBERS TO PRESENT GROWTH IN GDP RATE

Only three of the European Union's member-states presented an increase in their Gross Domestic Product in 1996, and Greece is among those countries, having a GDP growth rate of 2.38%, according to Eurostat, the Community's statistics agency.

Specifically, Greece's growth rate rose from 2.03% in 1995 to 2.38% in 1996.

The other two EU member-states with a steady growth rate were the Netherlands (2.14% to 2.56%) and Portugal (1.86% to 2.51%).

According to the report, by far the strongest growth rate was noted in Ireland, which had a growth rate of 7.84% while the weakest growth was in Italy at 0.77%, compared to 2.97% in 1995. A.F.

[07] OVER 35 GREEK FISHING COMPANIES ARE INTERESTED IN COOPERATING WITH MAROCCO

Over 35 Greek companies have expressed interest in participating in the "Partenariat - Casablanca 1997 - Fishing Industry" that will be held in the Maroccan city of Casablanca on May 26-27.

The Casablanca Partenariat aims at the cooperation in the fishing industry sector of 100 select Maroccan companies with their respective European companies.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[08] INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR ALBANIAN ISSUE HELD IN ATHENS

An international meeting for the Albanian issue was held today in Athens, between Albanian Premier Bashkim Fino, Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Franz Vranitski (the envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) and the President of the European Union's Foreign Ministers Council Hans Van Mierlo.

The four men agreed on the actions to be taken in regards to the assignment of the multi-national force in Albania and on the course of the neighboring country's path to elections.

Specifically, a package-solution was agreed upon, which foresees both the protection of the humanitarian aid missions and the process to democratization.

Today, Mr. Fino is to meet with Greek Premier Kostas Simitis and with the Minister of Public Order George Romeos. A.F.

[09] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTY MEETS IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW, SATURDAY

A two-day Conference of the European Socialist Party will begin in Thessaloniki tomorrow, to be inaugurated with a speech given by Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

Expected to participate in the meeting are European Socialist leaders and leaders of Socialist parties from the Balkan region.

The conference will tackle Balkans-related issues such as regional security and internal stability, the necessary pre- conditions for economic and institutional development and the process of democratization.

Mr. Simitis' speech will be preceded by a press conference given by the vice-president of the European Socialist Party, Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Hains Fisher.

Representing Greece will be the Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis, EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and PASOK euro-deputies.

Among those present at the conference will be the President of the European Socialist Party Rudolf Scharping, the party's Secretary-General Mr. Valen, the President of the European Parliament's Socialist Group Pauline Green, the President of Cyprus' Socialist Party Vassos Lyssarides, the leader of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano, Bulgaria's former Foreign Minister Geroki Pirinski, and other officials of Socialist parties from Turkey, FYROM, Serbia, Bosnia, Hungary and Ireland. A.F.

[10] GREECE-FYROM TO MEET NEXT WEEK IN NEW YORK OVER NAME ISSUE

Greece and FYROM are to continue their talks on the pending name issue next week in New York. The two countries' representatives met in New York yesterday, under the mediation of UN envoy Cyrus Vance, but neither of them wished to make any statements in regards to the talks. A.F.

[11] THE DUTCH EU PRESIDENCY PLANS TO HOLD AN EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT

The Dutch EU Presidency is planning to hold an extraordinary Summit meeting, possibly on May 12, in which will be discussed the course of the Maastricht Treaty revision.

According to the BBC, the Dutch EU Presidency was led to this decision as it has been established that the preliminary procedures for the revision of the Maastricht Treaty can not be completed in time for the Summit meeting that will be held in Amsterdam in June and for this reason, the holding of an extraordinary Summit meeting was deemed as necessary.

[12] BERNS' COMMENTS ON THE CYPRUS ISSUE

US State Department spokesman Nicolas Burns gave the assurance that the US will continue the efforts for the solution of the Cyprus problem while he stated that nothing can be promised.

Speaking to Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot journalists, who are in Washington on the Fullbright scholarship, mr.Burns stated, when asked to comment on the Cyprus issue, that it would be thoughtless for him to say that the Cyprus issue is on the right path.

Stressing that the United States are dealing very seriously with the problem, mr.Burns added that efforts should be made in 1997 in order to have progress in the Cyprus issue.

The US State Department spokesman pointed out that the main role in achieving progress on the issue is played by the two communities on the island and by the governments of Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. He also stressed that the US participate actively in the discussions held on the Cyprus issue and that his country will try to speed up the negotiations.

[13] BULGARIA IS READY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE TO ALBANIA

Bulgaria is ready to participate in the multi-national force that will be sent to Albania, stated Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stalev before leaving for Turkey.

According to the newspaper "Kontinent", mr.Stalev maintained that it is very important for Bulgaria's international prestige to participate in the peace-keeping operations in Albania adding that the final decision will be made by the new Parliament.

[14] LONDON'S TURKISH-CYPRIOTS WANT DENKTASH REMOVED

The members of London's Turkish-Cypriot Democratic Union want the immediate removal of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash after he threatened to confiscate the houses and assets of those who have immigrated to England.

[15] POLICEMEN FROM GREECE, BULGARIA AND HUNGARY TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

A one-day, trilateral meeting will be held tomorrow in Thessaloniki among experienced police officers from Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary, who are to tackle the issues "Smuggling and Car Thefts."

Bulgaria and Hungary will be represented by two officers each, while Greece will be represented by one officer from the Office of Public Security of the Public Order Ministry and three oficers from the Property Crime Bureau of Thessaloniki's Police Headquarters. A.F.

[16] MEDITERRANEAN, BALKANS, BLACK SEA, COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

A seminar titled "Inter-regional - Cross-Border Cooperation: Mediterranean, Balkans, Black Sea" is organized by the Prefectures of Central Macedonia and Crete, to be held tomorrow in Crete's city of Rethymno.

The seminar will examine opportunities for achieving closer cooperation between the two regions, which represent the two basic axis of cooperation with the countries of the Balkan region, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. A.F.

[17] FRANCE TO PARTLY FINANCE KOZLODUI'S UPKEEP WORKS

The French Electricity Company will grant 20 million francs to Bulgaria's electricity- production nuclear plant at Kozlodui.

Also, on April 17, Bulgaria will participate in the nuclear plant accident-prevention exercise which will be held in Finland. Over 20 countries are to take part in this event. A.F.

[18] GREECE'S ARIS WINS KORAC CUP, BEATS TURKEY'S TOFAS IN HOME GAME

Revenge is a dish best eaten cold and Thessaloniki's Aris basketball team seems to know it well, beating Turkey's Tofas 88- 70, in tonight's playoff game in Brusa, snatching victory back from since it beat Aris with an 11-point lead last week in Thessaloniki's home game.

Shouts of intoxicated jubilation are heard throughout Thessaloniki as fans have literally ran out in the streets, triumphantly hailing the Corac Cup winner, Aris. A.F.

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