Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-06-10

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

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, June 10, 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] THE DECLARATION ISSUED AFTER THE MEETING OF FOREIGN MINISTERS OF SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES GIVES A MESSAGE OF OPTIMISM

The Conference of the Foreign Ministers of South-Eastern European countries that ended in Thessaloniki today, gives a strong message of optimism to the peoples of the Balkan states, stressed Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, during the presentation of the Conference Declaration.

Mr.Pangalos stated that the future of the Balkan states lays in peace, democracy and democratic co-existence within the framework of the European unification, while he pointed out that during the Conference were discussed proposals for the development of trade transactions, cross-border cooperation, tele- communications and transportation, environmental protection, combating organised crime and drug-trafficking.

The Conference participants reaffirm that relations among the countries of the region should be based on the universally recognised principles of good-neighbourly relations set forth in the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter for a New Europe.

They stress that they will promote confidence and security building measures with a meeting to take place in Skopje soon, while they back Sofia's initiative for the holding of a meeting of Balkan Defence Ministers. They also stressed the role non governmental organizations can play in the establishment of a climate of trust.

The Ministers stress in their declaration that the European orientation of the states of the region is an integral part of their political, economic and social development. They also expressed the view that European integration can not be complete without their countries' participation based on the same principles that helped establish and develop the European Union of today.

The Ministers stress the important role of NATO for peace and stability in Europe and consider that the accession into NATO of the South-Eastern European states, which have applied for membership to that organisation, would contribute to the enhancement of its role.

Regarding the situation in Albania, they stressed the necessity of immediately reinstituting internal peace and stability in the country with full respect for its territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence, while they emphasized that the full implementation of the Dayton Agreement will eliminate instability in Bosnia.

The Foreign Ministers of South-Eastern European countries decided to hold their next meeting in Turkey in 1998, while earlier there will be a meeting in Athens at Foreign Ministries Political Directors level.

[02] GREEK PM SIMITIS RECEIVES EUROPEAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT KOK

Greece's Prime Minister Kostas Simitis received the Dutch Premier and European Council President Wim Kok in Athens last night, where the two leaders discussed issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference and the revision of the Maastricht Treaty.

Mr. Kok is on a tour throughout European capitals in an effort to achieve a convergence of points of view that will be illustrated at the Amsterdam summit (to be held on June 15-16).

Mr. Kok thanked Greece for the cooperation it grants to the EU presidency, while Mr. Simitis stated that Greece has received positive replies on the issue of borders and islands within the framework of the negotiations. A.F.

[03] S.E. EUROPE'S FOREIGN MINISTERS CONFERENCE TO BE COMPLETED TODAY

The Foreign Ministers Conference on Security, Stability and Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe, to be completed today in Thessaloniki, is an event that is hailed as having exceptional significance for the overall security and establishment of peace in the region.

During the second day session, the Foreign Ministers are discussing issues related to building security and trust measures in the region, developing economic cooperation, establishing specific plans of action for environmental protection, promoting humanitarian, social and cultural collaboration and coordinating the efforts to combat organized crime, terrorism, drug and arms smuggling.

The two-day meeting features the participation of FMs from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, FYROM, Greece, Romania, Turkey and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, while participating as observers are the United States, Russia, Britain, France and Germany.

Also, over twenty countries and international organizations are represented at the Conference, among them Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia, Moldova, Ukraine, Sweden, the United Nations, Council of Europe, European Commission, World Bank and CEDEFOP.

The Foreign Ministers leading the remaining Balkan countries' delegations are as follows: F.R.Y.: Milan Milutinovic; Bulgaria: newly-appointed FM Nadejda Michailova; Romania: Andrei Severin; Russia: alternate FM Nicolai Afanasievski; Turkey: assistant undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ali Tugan; Albania: Adrian Starova; FYROM: Blagoj Handiski, this being the first time an FM from FYROM officially visits Greece. A.F.

[04] DECLARATION OF PEACE IN THE BALKANS

The Foreign Ministers from the South-Eastern European countries will sign a declaration on establishing peace, stability and cooperation in the region, during the Thessaloniki-held Conference that is to conclude today.

Yesterday, the Foreign Ministers adopted the proposal to annually hold an informal summit conference of leaders from the region's countries.

Concurrent with the Foreign Ministers Conference, a Balkan business forum is taking place in Thessaloniki and among the issues discussed are the creation of an oil pipeline to cross through Thessaloniki, Skopje and Belgrade, the developments in the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the Elsinki -Alexandroupolis motorway and the great bridge of the Danube River. A.F.

[05] GREEK FM: THESSALONIKI'S CONFERENCE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA

The Conference on Stability, Security and Cooperation in South-Eastern Europe, currently held in Thessaloniki, is to be established as an institution to be held again next year in Turkey, in Romania the year 1999 and in FYROM the year 2000.

As Greece's FM Theodoros Pangalos stated, the Conference marks the beginning of a new era in Balkan relations. A.F.

[06] GREECE, RUSSIA TAKE COMMON INITIATIVE ON S.E. EUROPEAN COOPERATION

Greece and Russia are undertaking a common initiative for the promotion of stability and cooperation in South-Eastern Europe and are proposing that a summit meeting of representatives from the region's countries be held prior to 1998, with the participation of the United Nations, the Security Council's permanent members , the European Union and other international organizations.

The initiative was unveiled by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his Russian counterpart Nicolai Afanasievski.

As per the agrement, the first step would be to hold a high- level working session in the fall of 1997, in preparation of the Summit Conference. Also, the initiative proposes that during the first half of 1998 a meeting be held among the region's ministers of foreign affairs, energy, transportation and coomunications and that the Summit Meeting be held towards the end of 1998.

Russian undersecretary of Foreign Affairs stated that Thessaloniki's conference was marked by success and will constitute a milestone in the course of South-Eastern Europe and the overall continent.

Moreover, he stressed that Russia supports all the initiatives that promote stability and security in the region and Thessaloniki's cofnerence gives a new impetus to this effort. A.F.

[07] MINISTER OF AEGEAN IN UNITED STATES, MEETS STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS

The Minister of the Aegean Elizabeth Papazoi, currently on an official visit to the United States, outlined the course of the Greek economy and the government's goals for the country's future developments, during an address to Greek-American businessmen held in Washington.

Invited by the Aegean Islands Federation of America and Canada, Ms. Papazoi's visit aimed at achieving the better acquaintance and exchange of views with the Greek-American community, while she also met with US business world representatives.

In her talks with the Greek-American community, Ms. Papazoi placed weight on investment opportunities in the Aegean and strsessed that Greece is open to any proposal for cooperation and initiatives from the Greeks living abroad that would bolster the Aegean islands' economies.

Ms. Papazoi also met with the US assistant deputy Secretary of State Mr. Adair and had contacts with Greek- American politicians Mr. Bilirakis and Mr. Sarbanis as well as with House Representative Ms. Maloney. A.F.

[08] THE SCHENGEN ACCORD WILL BE VOTED THROUGH IN THE GREEK PARLIAMENT TOMORROW

Greek alternate Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou expressed the view that the Schengen Accord will not allow the recording of personal information on EU citizens. The statement was made after the protest demonstration that took place outside the Parliament building in Athens yesterday by people who expressed concern that the EU citizens will not be protected by arbitrariness in the implementation of the accord.

The ratification of the accord was postponed until tomorrow after a request voiced by all the opposition deputies in Parliament to hold an open voting. There is skepticism over the institutional framework of the accord, while a Euro-Parliament committee, in a report presented to the plenary session, speaks of discrimination against the citizens and lack of adequate guarantees.

Coalition of the Left Party deputy Fotis Kouvelis stated today that there are articles in the accord that constitute a threat against the freedoms of citizens and human rights, as they provide for the recording of personal data concerning the private life of the individual.

[09] THE IONIAN BANK IN SOFIA IS ON AN UPWARD COURSE

The branch of the Ionian Bank of Greece in Sofia is on an upward course, while the cooperation and the contacts of its executives with Bulgaria's economic officials are excellent.

The above were stated by Ionian Bank President Haris Stamatopoulos speaking in the 2nd International Conference "Doing Business in Bulgaria", which was held with big success in the Bulgarian capital on June 4-6. The Conference, that was organized by the newspaper "New Europe" and was sponsored by the Ionian Bank, was an opportunity for the new Bulgarian government to be presented for the first time to the representatives of the international business community.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[10] INTERBALKAN BUSINESS FORUM TO BE HELD EVERY YEAR

Today's second-day session of the forum focused on the presentation of European Union funding programs for South-Eastern Europe's countries.

The vice-President of the European Bank of Investments Panagiotis Gennimatas announced today that two new funding mechanisms, currently in the making, will be enforced in the near future.

Specifically, the first concerns a special pre-accession funding frameworks which will enable the candidate-countries' economic convergence with Europe, while the second concerns the creation or a special treasury, expected to have access to over 3.5 billion ECU, that will provide funding for small-to-medium businesses.

Thessaloniki's forum focused on the privatization process in the region and each represented country illustrated its government's related policy.

Participating in this forum were the respective countries' ministers and government officials who are responsible for the privatization processes in their states, such as Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Yugoslavia, Romania and Turkey.

The initiative for the discussion, where the sectors of energy, telecommunications, transportation, banking and industry are represented, was taken by the Greek Foreign Ministry, with the organizational support of the Association of Northern Greece's Industries (SVVE).

The President of SVVE Vasilis Takas referred to the opportunities presented to the Greek businessmen in the Balkan sector.

Given the restructuring obstacles in the region, such as the market share and the banking system, Mr. Takas insisted that in spite of the hurdles, the Greek investors can benefit from these ventures as long as they proceed cautiously and continue to employ the Greek system for the promotion, protection and security of Greece's investment and exporting activities.

The Greek side was represented by approximately 50 leading businessmen and bankers.

The next Inter-Balkan Business Council will be held the following year in Turkey, and in Romania during the year 1999. The role of the Council's Secretariat will be temporarily undertaken by SVEE. A.F.

[11] TURKISH DEPUTY FOREIGN UNDERSECRETARY SALUTES COOPERATION IN BALKANS

All of the efforts that are promoting cooperation in the Balkans will bear a positive effect on the relations between Greece and Turkey, stated today the Turkish alternate undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ali Tuygan, referring to the Thessaloniki-held Conference of Foreign Ministers from South- Eastern European countries.

Referring to the declaration adopted by the Ministers upon the closure of the conference, Mr. Tuygan stated that it represents a substantive plan of action. "In light of the significance we give to Balkan cooperation, we shall put forth every effort for the materialization of all that is declared," he vowed.

According to the Turkish official, his country is a supporter of regional cooperation given that it bears a great number of beneficial results, both for Turkey and for other countries in the region.

"On one hand, it constitutes a door that opens to Europe and is also a bridge for the movement of people, views, products, capital, etc, and on the other hand my country is a supporter of regional cooperation."

Ambassador Tuygan is responsible for relations with Balkan countries in the Turkish Foreign Ministry and was a stand-in for Turkish FM Tansu Ciller who could not attend the conference. A.F.

[12] TURKEY SENDS DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY TO THESSALONIKI BUT ITS PRESS FROWNS

The Turkish press was ctitical of Ankara's decision to dispatch a lower-ranking official at the Thessaloniki-held Conference of South-Eastern Europe's Foreign Ministers and many press reports agreed that Athens is quickly replacing Ankara in the limelight.

Ambassador Tuygan is responsible for the Turkish Foreign Ministry's relations with the Balkans and was a stand-in for Turkish FM Tansu Ciller who could not attend the conference. He does not have the authority to draw political decisions.

According to the Turkish daily Sabah, "the attention of all Balkan countries which early in the 1990s was focused on Turkey is now focused on Greece, while another daily, Hurriyet, wrote that "the Balkans have surrendered to Athens."

Moreover, the paper points out that although Greece did not enjoy harmonious relations will its neighbors just two years ago, it now wields noteworthy leverage in the Balkans, stressing that "as soon as Greek Premier Kostas Simitis was assigned to the country's government, he embarked on a quick plan to improve Greece's relations with all its neighbors, except Turkey." A.F.

[13] TURKEY'S GOVERNMENT COALITION ON THE BRINK OF COLLAPSE

Turkey's government coalition is on the brink of collapse as yesterday the party of the Great Union withdrew its support from the Islamists, thereby rendering them a minority in Parliament.

Earlier, the opposition party's leader Mesut Yilmaz had stated that he may submit a censure vote the following week. The vice-president of the True Path Party M. Giolhan said yesterday that the country has entered the elections phase. A.F.

[14] FYROM'S FOREIGN MINISTER RE-AFFIRMS HIS COUNTRY'S EUROPEAN ORIENTATION

FYROM's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Blagoj Handziski, representing his country at the Balkan Foreign Ministers Conference held in Thessaloniki, told the Macedonian Press Agency that his country is to follow the European road to peace and cooperation and analysed his government's efforts to fulfil its economic and political reforms.

"We are working hard to adjust out economic and political systems to the European criteria, while we have also signed a trade and cooperation accord with the EU," Mr. Handsiski stated, adding that "we enjoy a very good level of cooperation with all the European bodies that express their support to the reforms we are undertaking, aiming to, in spite of the heavy toll, overcome the difficult past."

Responding to a question on the formation of a cooperation triangle among Greece, FYROM and the EU, Mr. Handziski responded that "we have direct and bilateral relations with the EU while every agreement that is signed is activated after the approval of the EU's member-states.

"Greece is a full EU member and, as such, it is significant for us to have good relations. I do believe, however, that good relations with the Balkan neighbors who wish to be included in the European mechanisms are of significant strategic importance for your country as well."

Regarding the name issue pending between Greece and FYROM, Mr. Handziski referred to the interim accord and the New York-held talks. A.F.

[15] ALBANIAN PREMIER BASHKIM FINO IN TURKEY TODAY

Albanian Prime Minister Bashkim Fino has embarked on a two- day official visit to Turkey today, following an invitation issued by his Turkish counterpart Necmettin Erbakan.

Mr. Fino is accompanied by a delegation of government officials, headed by Albania's Public Order Minister Belu Celio.

Messrs. Fino and Erbakan are to discuss issues concerning the recent developments in Albania and bilateral relations.

Moreover, Mr. Celio and his Turkish counterpart are expected to sign a police cooperation bilateral agreement. A.F.

[16] EU ECONOMY MINISTERS MEET IN LUXEMBOURG, EMU IS PRIMARY TARGET OF ALL

In spite of the misgivings expressed by the French government, the European Union's Economic and Monetary Union is the primary target of the Community's "15", as was ascertained during yesterday's meeting of EU Economy Ministers held in Luxembourg.

France's Economy Minister stated that his country needs more time to examine the Maastricht Treaty's details concerning the EMU, stressing that his country would like to give greater emphasis, at this time, to face the plight of unemployment.

Greece's National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, according to the BBC, supported the French positions which, if adopted in the Amsterdam-held meeting, will create the appropriate grounds that would allow the Greek government to promote its positions on other issues, always within the framework of the standing negotiation. A.F.

[17] BULGARIA ON PATH TO PRIVATIZATION OF ALMOST ALL BUSINESSES

Bulgaria's government of "United Democratic Forces", headed by Ivan Kostov, is looking into the possibility of embarking on the privatization of all of the country's businesses, with the exception of those in the sectors of the arms industry, transportation and electrical energy production, which are to remain under state control.

Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, the deputy director of the Bulgarian Privatization Service, Stoyan Todorov, stated that his country's new government aims to privatize at least 60 percent of the businesses by the end of the year.

Up to now, 12-12.5% of Bulgarian businesses have transferred into private hands which has resulted in public revenue of over one billion dollars. According to Mr. Todorov, in light of the recovery of Bulgaria's banking system it woud be prudent to privatize at least 75-80% of the country's banks.

Regarding the sector of Bulgaria's energy, Dimitar Buckov, director of the Committee of Energy and Energy Resources, told the Macedonian Press Agency that its basic duty is to adjust prices that would secure its self-maintenance.

Regarding Kozlodui's nuclear energy plant, Mr. Buckov characterized it as "absolutely safe" and pointed out that the 25 million ECU funded by the European Union for improving the plant's security are being absorbed.

Also, Mr. Buckov expressed his optimism for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, since, as he stated, a number of political and economic interests coincide therein.

"Russia will be able to export oil to the Mediterranean, Bulgaria will carrry the role of a bridge, given its geo-political placement, while Greece will employ its fleet."

Yet, the Bulgarian official stressed the need for the project's funding from a strong conglomerate. A.F.

[18] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT CLERIDES WILL VISIT ATHENS ON JULY 1

Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides will visit Athens on July 1 to meet with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The announcement was made by Cypriot government spokesman Manolis Christofidis.

[19] THE EUROPEAN BANK OF INVESTMENTS PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE BALKANS

The vice-President of the European Bank of Investments mr.Panagiotis Gennimatas presented in Thessaloniki the EU actions for the systematic preparation of the economies of the South- Eastern European states in order to be included without problems in the enlarged European Union. Those preparations will enter their final phase after the EU Summit in Amsterdam.

Mr.Gennimatas, speaking in the Inter-Balkan Business Meeting held in Thessaloniki, stated that the EU is at a preparatory stage and its institutions are examining new financing frameworks that will be geared to the special needs of the pre-accession period.

Also, the European Bank of Investments announced that it will grant low interest rate loans to business institutions in the countries of pre-accession status, while ways have been determined which are aimed at facilitating the processes for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipe line.

[20] US SECRETARY OF STATE'S ADVISER ATTENDS THESSALONIKI'S CONFERENCE

Richard Shifter, an adviser to the United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, headed a US delegation of observers at the Thessaloniki-held South-Eastern European Foreign Ministers Conference.

The Us diplomat relayed his government's strong interest in Balkan cooperation and stated that Washington is pleased with the fact that cooperation is being promoted between the region's countries. A.F.

Complete archives of the Macedonian Press Agency bulletins are available on the MPA Home Page at http://www.mpa.gr/ and on the U.S. mirror at http://www.hri.org/MPA/