Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-12-21\
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, December 21, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT'S DEBATE ON 2000 BUDGET WRAPS UP
AT MIDNIGHT
[02] GREEK FM SEES PROSPECTS FOR A VIABLE
SOLUTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
[03] PILOT PROGRAM TO MEASURE NOISE LEVELS IN
THESSALONIKI
[04] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED UNDER THE
5.000 POINTS MARK
[05] THE STATE BUDGET DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT
WILL BE COMPLETED AT MIDNIGHT
[06] THE CHRISTMAS TABLE WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE
THIS YEAR
[07] REPPAS: THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREECE
AND TURKEY IS THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
[08] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SERVE ITS
FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM
[09] CHILDREN FROM SERBIA AND KOSSOVO WILL SPEND
THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN THESSALONIKI
[10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL INAUGURATE
THESSALONIKI'S CONCERT HALL
[11] BSTDB FINANCED ITS FIRST PROJECT
[12] THE PROCEDURE FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF
IMMIGRANTS WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] GREEK FM COMMENDS EXCELLENT LEVEL OF TIES
WITH ALBANIA
[14] RUSSIA: COMMUNISTS EARN FIRST PLACE IN
STATE DUMA ELECTIONS
[15] ALBANIAN PREMIER ILIR META ARRIVES IN
ATHENS TOMORROW
[16] GREENPEACE PROTEST AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE AKKUYIU NUCLEAR PLANT
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NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PARLIAMENT'S DEBATE ON 2000 BUDGET WRAPS UP
AT MIDNIGHT
The parliamentary debate on next year's
budget is to wrap up at midnight tonight with
an open vote.
Addressing the Parliament yesterday,
Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos
Papantoniou stated that following the country's
accession to the Economic and Monetary Union
there is a long way to go in order to complete
the transition to the modern era.
Moreover, Mr. Papantoniou referred to
income restructures and additional benefits to
be allocated for farmers.
[02] GREEK FM SEES PROSPECTS FOR A VIABLE
SOLUTION TO CYPRUS ISSUE
The developments in the issue of Cyprus' EU
accession course and the talks between the two
communities in the island, dominated in the
meeting of the foreign ministers of Greece and
Cyprus Giorgos Papandreou and Yiannakis
Kasoulides held in Athens today.
In statements he made, Mr. Kasoulides
characterized as positive the Helsinki EU Summit
decision and added that a solution in the Cyprus
problem can be reached only based on the UN
Security Council resolutions. As it was made
known, Mr. Papandreou is expected to go to
Nicosia in January.
[03] PILOT PROGRAM TO MEASURE NOISE LEVELS IN
THESSALONIKI
A program measuring noise levels in the
urban environment is to begin in Thessaloniki
next month, funded jointly by the Ministry of
Environment, City Planning and Public Works
ministry and the European Union.
The program, whose duration is two years,
will measure noise pollution and suggest means
of curbing the problem. Measurements will be
taken on a 24-hour basis at six points around
the city.
[04] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED UNDER THE
5.000 POINTS MARK
The Athens Stock Exchange closed under the
psychological limit of 5.000 points. The
general index closed at 4.967,23 recording
losses of 1.34%, while the volume of
transactions reached 248,5 billion drachmas.
The losses were significant in the first
minutes of the session reaching -2.75%. An
intervention followed and brought the index to -
2.34% but this was not enough. The parallel
market and the construction stocks had notable
losses but the bank shares displayed a notable
resistance.
Only 25 shares had gains, 279 dropped and
26 remained stable. In the secondary indexes all
shares recorded losses namely, the bank shares
0.54%, leasing 6.68%, insurance companies 1.83%,
investment 3.92%, industries 3.92%,
constructions 6.72%, holdings 2.33%, others
2.27% and parallel market 7.63%.
[05] THE STATE BUDGET DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT
WILL BE COMPLETED AT MIDNIGHT
The 2000 state budget discussion will be
completed in parliament at midnight. Speaking in
parliament yesterday, minister of national
economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou stated
that there is still a long way for Greece after
joining the EMU in order to complete the
transition to the modern age.
The issue of prosperity inside the EMU
should make us think and not scare us, stressed
Mr. Papantoniou who referred to a redistribution
of income, while he also spoke of more benefits
for the farmers.
Meanwhile a political memorial service was
held in parliament at noon today for parliament
deputy Dimitris Tsetines. The funeral of the
deputy, who was elected in the region of Rodopi
and died yesterday while speaking in parliament,
will be held in Komotini, north-eastern Greece.
[06] THE CHRISTMAS TABLE WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE
THIS YEAR
The Christmas table will be more expensive
this year as the prices of certain meats are
increased by 10-20% compared to last year.
The prices went up both in butcher shops
and in the super markets, while many consumers
in Thessaloniki appear to prefer the open air
popular markets where the prices remain at last
year's levels. The prices in Thessaloniki's main
vegetable market are at 1998 levels or even
lower while also tempting are the fruit prices.
However, in spite of the "attractive" prices the
consumer demand remains limited.
[07] REPPAS: THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GREECE
AND TURKEY IS THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
Greece's firm position according to which,
Athens recognizes only one difference with
Turkey namely, that of the continental shelf in
the Aegean was underlined by Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas stated that if Turkey believes
that it has other differences as well, then it
should bring its case to the International Court
of Justice in The Hague.
Meanwhile, for the first time after the
Helsinki EU Summit meeting, Turkish prime
minister Bulent Ecevit has mentioned that there
are more than one problems in the Aegean and in
an interview with the Turkish newspaper "Sabah"
he expressed optimism that the Greek-Turkish
differences can be resolved before the year 2004
without the help of the International Court of
Justice in The Hague.
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.
speaking in parliament within the framework of
the discussion on the 2000 state budget,
stressed that the Helsinki EU Summit meeting
decisions sent a optimistic message concerning
stability in the region.
[08] REPPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SERVE ITS
FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM
The goal of the government is not to have
elections on March 26, stated Greek government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterating that it
wants to serve its full four-year term. Mr.
Reppas also stressed that the government's goal
is for the country to join the EMU and that
there should be no developments that could block
its course.
Responding to the question if the
government plans to change the 3% of the votes
limit, necessary for a political party to be
represented in parliament, he stated that the
government is not considering to change the
election law.
[09] CHILDREN FROM SERBIA AND KOSSOVO WILL SPEND
THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS IN THESSALONIKI
Forty two children from Serbia will arrive
in Thessaloniki tomorrow to spend the Christmas
Holidays with the Greek families they had met
during the civil war in former Yugoslavia.
Together with the children from Serbia will also
come 3 children from Kossovo.
Their trip will start from Belgrade tonight
and tomorrow morning they are expected to be at
the Kalamaria City Hall where they will be
welcomed by mayor Christodoulos Economidis.
[10] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL INAUGURATE
THESSALONIKI'S CONCERT HALL
Thessaloniki's Megaron Concert Hall will be
formally inaugurated on January 2, 2000 by prime
minister Kostas Simitis in the presence of
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos. Also, present
will be minister of culture Elisavet Papazoi and
almost all her Balkan counterparts as well as
representatives of the Greek political scene.
The festive programme of the formal opening
will continue on January 3 and Thessaloniki's
Concert Hall will interrupt its operation until
April or May in order to have the remaining
construction works completed.
[11] BSTDB FINANCED ITS FIRST PROJECT
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank,
BSTDB, undertook to finance the construction of
a natural gas station in Ukraine with the sum of
US$ 12 million inaugurating this way its credit
and loan operations. The station that will be
financed in cooperation with the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, EBRD, is
part of the Inter-Balkan natural gas pipeline.
The project is expected to increase the
capacity of the pipeline which links Russia with
Turkey through Ukraine, Moldavia, Romania and
Bulgaria.
The construction of the natural gas
compressor station has been undertaken by a
joint venture made up of the Russian GAZPROM
company, the Ukrainian NAFTOGAZ and the Turkish
TRANSBALKAN and TURUSGAS.
[12] THE PROCEDURE FOR THE LEGALIZATION OF
IMMIGRANTS WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH
The issue of the legalization of
immigrants, who live and work in Greece
illegally, was brought up by minister of labor
Miltiadis Papaioannou.
Mr. Papaioannou pointed out that already
81.000 work and residence permits or "green
cards" have been issued adding that other
140.000 will be issued soon.
The labor minister also stressed that the
procedure for the legalization of immigrants
will be completed by the end of March, 2000.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] GREEK FM COMMENDS EXCELLENT LEVEL OF TIES
WITH ALBANIA
In an interview with the Albanian Telegraph
Agency (ATA), Greece's Foreign Minister George
Papandreou commended the excellent level of
relations enjoyed by the two neighbors.
Specifically, Mr. Papandreou referred to
the fields where the bilateral cooperation is
manifested, specifically referring to the aid
granted by Greece for Albania's economic
development and regional cooperation, especially
during the Kosovo crisis.
The Greek Foreign Minister relayed the
Greek government's intent to continue to provide
assistance to Tirana, by stating that Albanians
"should be sure that Greece will help Albania
become a part of the European family."
Moreover, Mr. Papandreou stressed that
Greece and Albania have common plans to develop,
thereby implying that the Albanian Prime
Minister Ilir Meta's visit to Athens today does
not represent the first step in the good
relations enjoyed by the two countries.
The Foreign Minister referred to the
legalization of Albanian immigrants in Greece
and the granting of residence permits and
citizenship, while he also outlined the
assistance to be offered to them by the Greek
state so that they may, in turn, assist their
families back home with incomes earned in
Greece.
He further stated that Greece has granted
$200 million worth of aid for Albania, adding
that "now we are seeing how efficiently this aid
has been used. The Greek investments will
increase but this needs a climate of security,"
Mr. Papandreou said.
Referring to Turkey's status as a European
Union candidate country and Greece's welcoming
of the European Council's relevant decision, Mr.
Papandreou told the ATA that "we did this for
the Turks, for ourselves and for the Balkans."
"We should serve the stability in the
Balkans which needs as many Balkan states in the
European structures as possible".
"Let us end conflicts and work together,"
Mr. Papandreou stated, adding "all in a Balkan
family; and even with Yugoslavia, sooner or
later."
The Greek Foreign Minster stressed that the
Balkan region is not divided in "pro and anti
American", stating that this is merely an
illusion.
He referred to the recent visit conducted
by US President Bill Clinton to Greece by
stating that it was "very fruitful" for the
country, especially for resolving the Cyprus
issue.
Regarding the Greek minority in Albania,
Mr. Papandreou characterized its members a
"force of relation between each other."
Referring to Kosovo, the Foreign Minster
said that "several projects are underway"
concerning the region's economic recovery and
the sector of education.
The Greek government has earmarked over $70
million in aid of Kosovo. He hailed the
initiative of Kosovo administrator Bernard
Kouchner for the creation of the Executive
Committee with Albanian leaders and said that
"we have close relations with Albanian leaders".
"We will be here forever, therefore we
should live in peace and understanding with one
another, with all ethnic groups," Mr. Papandreou
said, speaking of the current situation in
Kosovo.
Referring to his meeting today with Premier
Meta, Mr. Papandreou stated that he is happy to
meet with the Albanian Prime Minister.
The new generation of Albanian politicians
to which the Premier also belongs, is welcomed
by Greece, the Foreign Minister stated, adding
that the young leadership of Albania symbolizes
the "new generation of hope. We will help and
cooperate closely."
[14] RUSSIA: COMMUNISTS EARN FIRST PLACE IN
STATE DUMA ELECTIONS
With 84 percent of Sunday's State Duma
ballot counted, the Communists earned first
place with 24.2 percent, just ahead of the Unity
bloc on 23.4 percent. The main anti-Kremlin
Fatherland-All Russia (OVR) movement linking ex-
premier Yevgeny Primakov and Moscow Mayor Yury
Luzhkov trailed in third place with 12.6
percent, in Russia's third general election
since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
They were followed by the reformist Union
of Rightist Forces (8.7 percent) and Yabloko
(6.3 percent) groups. The ultra-nationalist
but pro-Kremlin Zhirinovsky Bloc was the only
other faction to clear the five-percent hurdle
to make it into parliament's lower house,
pulling 6.1 percent of the vote.
[15] ALBANIAN PREMIER ILIR META ARRIVES IN
ATHENS TOMORROW
Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta will
conduct an official visit to Athens tomorrow
where he will hold talks with his Greek
counterpart Costas Simitis and the President of
the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
The discussions will center on bilateral
relations, regional political developments,
Kosovo and the implementation of the SE Europe
Stability Pact.
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with the
head of the ethnic Greek organization of Albania
'Omonia' and the Albanian Human Rights Party
leader, Vangelis Dulles and Vassili Melo,
respectively, during talks in Athens.
Their talks focusing mainly on human rights
issues and on protection of the ethnic Greek
community in the Albanian south.
Mr. Papandreou stated that Athens supported
the efforts of the Greek minority in Albania for
economic growth and in the problems it faced.
[16] GREENPEACE PROTEST AGAINST THE CONSTRUCTION
OF THE AKKUYIU NUCLEAR PLANT
About 15 activists members of the
environmental organization GREENPEACE, who
protested against the construction of the
Akkuyiu nuclear plant, were arrested by the
Turkish police according to the Turkish news
agency ANADOLU.
The protesters, members of the Turkish
branch of the international ecological
organization, chained themselves at the gate of
the Turkish Atomic Energy Institute and a
spokesman of them stressed that all nuclear
reactors around the world are closing one after
the other adding that the nuclear lobby has now
set its eyes on Turkey.
The Turkish government plans to build a
nuclear plant next year in order to cover the
increased energy needs in the country causing a
wave of reactions in the neighboring countries
and by environmentalists who maintain that the
region has intense seismic activity and
therefore, it would be dangerous to build a
nuclear plant.
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