Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-02-02
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 2, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 2000 TOUTED AS YEAR OF US-GREEK COOPERATION
[02] PMs OF GREECE, ALBANIA, FYROM IN PRESPES TODAY
[03] TWO NEW CUSTOMS POSTS TO OPEN IN EVROS
[04] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE IN ATHENS
[05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
[06] THESSALONIKI METRO, STILL A LONG WAY FROM REALITY
[07] DEFENSE MINISTER ON FUTURE OF GREECE'S ARMS INDUSTRY
[08] PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON RE-ELECTION PROCESS
[09] SEX SURVEY: FIRST TIME NOT ALWAYS EARTH MOVING
[10] LEADING HIGH JUMP ATHLETES WILL MEET IN PATRAS
[11] INFLATION CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE GREEK ECONOMY
[12] PAPANDREOU: NO PRESENTS ARE EXPECTED FROM THE CEM VISIT TO
ATHENS
[13] GAINS OF 1.31% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[14] EARTHQUAKE OF 4.1 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN SPORADES
[15] REPPAS ON THE CEM STATEMENTS REGARDING CYPRUS
[16] SIMITIS-GEORGIEVSKI-META AGREEMENT ON A BALKAN "DAVOS" IN
LAKES PRESPES
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREECE, CYPRUS SIGN AIR TRANSPORT ACCORD
[18] MELBOURNE: REACTIONS TO THE CANCELLATION OF OA FLIGHTS
[19] DIMITROV: DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CYPRUS UNDER PRE-
CONDITIONS
[20] NEW BID FOR BKT BY OTE-KPN
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] 2000 TOUTED AS YEAR OF US-GREEK COOPERATION
The US Department of Commerce will open a Commercial Service
office in Thessaloniki in order to encourage investments in the
Balkans and to assist companies in exploring commercial
opportunities in the region, according to US Ambassador to Athens
Nicholas Burns.
In an interview with the Macedonian Press Agency, Mr. Burns
stated that Washington regards Thessaloniki as the center of all
US activities in the Balkans and Southeastern Europe, stressing
that both countries "continue to be together" in Bosnia and
Kosovo.
"There's a lot (of things) that link our two governments," he
stated, adding that "the year 2000 will be the year Greece and the
United States will work together in the Balkans."
Referring to Thessaloniki's role in regional trade, Mr. Burns
stated that US firms are realizing the city's significance, since
its location and advanced development render Thessaloniki a
natural connection to the emerging democracies and markets of
Southeastern Europe, as well as the fact the northern Greece's
firms have the necessary experience in FYROM, Albania, Bulgaria,
Romania and S.E. European countries.
Moreover, Mr. Burns referred to the investment climate in northern
Greece, noting that remarkable improvements have been achieved
during the past decade.
"American investors are aware of the reforms enforced by the
(Greek) government and the ensuing successes. They see
development, low inflation, privatization, there is a different
reception to foreign investment. They feel that Greece is an
attractive environment for investment, may that be in industry,
tourism, or the marine industry where we enjoy continuous
cooperaiotn," he stated.
Furthermore, the US diplomat assessed that US-Greece trade
transactions will have doubled by the end of the year, in
comparison to 1997, adding that an increasing number of US key
investors are inquiring with his office on investment
opportunities in Greece.
When asked to comment on US President Bill Clinton's view on
the Cyprus issue, i.e. if he feels justified over the process
achieved, Ambassador Burns responded that "we think there has been
progress, as we presently are in the second round of proximity
talks. However, we are affected by the obstacles and are aware
that there is still a lot of work to be done."
[02] PMs OF GREECE, ALBANIA, FYROM IN PRESPES TODAY
Coinciding with World Wetlands Day, the prime ministers of
Greece, Albania and FYROM will declare a 'Balkans Park' in the
area of Prespes Lakes today, a Greek initiative aimed at the
creation of an international protected region in the Balkans.
Messrs. Costas Simitis, Ilir Meta and Liuptco Georgievski
will issue a joint proclamation which will set out a series of
activities aimed at maintaining the quality of the waters of the
lakes, protecting wildlife and bio-diversity, the need to develop
an integrated and sensitive approach to tourism in the area and
the improvement, maintenance and promotion of traditional
architecture and Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments in the
region.
The park will extend into the territory of the three
countries and will constitute a large, integrated natural reserve.
The lakes of Mikri Prespa and Megali Prespa, Greece's largest
national park, are situated in a mountainous, largely forested
area which attracts a vast number of migratory birds, as well as
having the richest biodiversity in Greece.
[03] TWO NEW CUSTOMS POSTS TO OPEN IN EVROS
Two new customs posts are to be established in northern
Evros, according to Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides
who visited the region yesterday.
The Minister referred to the region's sore issue, illegal
immigration, and added that the region is also burdened with
imported crime, and drug trafficking.
"Judging by the performance of the customs police at the
Greek-Bulgarian borders, I believe that the results of the border
controls are to become evident to the Evros Prefecture's residents
very soon," he stated, adding that police patrols will intensify
as of today in Alexandroupolis and Orestiada.
[04] US ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE IN ATHENS
US assistant Secretary of State Thomas Pickering is to
arrive in Athens today where he will an address on US policy in
the Balkans and Greek-US cooperation.
Presently on a Balkan tour, Mr. Pickering met with FYROM's
Prime Minister Liupcko Georgievski whom he congratulated on his
country's ethnic relations, which he characterized as "an example
to follow".
In a press conference in Skopje, Mr. Pickering stated that
Washington is satisfied with the high degree of cooperation
enjoyed among the parties of the coalition government, which
includes an Albanian minority party.
Concerning FYROM's participation in the Stability Pact for
southeastern Europe, Mr. Pickering said that it is highly
significant for the country's and the region's economic
development and prosperity,
[05] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE IN ATHENS
The second European Parliamentary Conference on information
and communication technology is to begin in Athens tomorrow,
featuring the participation of 50 deputies from the European
Union's member-states, as well as deputies from countries
presently under accession.
The two-day conference will be inaugurated by the President
of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis while PASOk
deputies Theodoros Katsanevas and Dimitrios Sarris are to jointly
preside over the event.
The conference will also be attended by two deputies from
each Greek party represented in parliament.
[06] THESSALONIKI METRO, STILL A LONG WAY FROM REALITY
Thessaloniki's metro, a coveted project which has been long
talked about and much longer dreamt of, is still a long way from
becoming reality due to the government's "tremendous and
unjustifiable delays", according to Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos.
In an interview with the city's daily "Thessaloniki", Mr.
Tsochatzopoulos did not hesitate to place the blame on
bureaucratic red tape and political bickering, albeit he was quick
to emphatically add that key phases of the project's construction
will begin in June.
"I believe that Thessaloniki's metro will have been
completed in 5-6 years, from the moment its construction has
begun," he stated, although he added that political processes need
to be expedited in order to get the metro "off the ground".
[07] DEFENSE MINISTER ON FUTURE OF GREECE'S ARMS INDUSTRY
The state-run Hellenic Vehicle Industry SA, (ELVO), which
Greece is seeking to privatize, is a monumental investment that
has the potential to be rendered as one among equals in the ranks
of Europe's defense industry, according to Defense Minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos.
He said that the state aspires to overhaul ELVO into a giant
investment that will ensure over two thousand jobs, for at least a
ten-year span, which would mean that EU funds would trickle in as
well.
Particularly, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said, ELVO's strong point
is the tank production, with its newest "Centaurus" model already
in the works.
Concerning the future prospects of the country's defense
industry, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that that joint ventures
constitute the focal point of the existing development plans.
"All our neighbors, including the Hungarians and the Czechs,
are getting ready to produce NATO-used material. We managed to get
a 39% Greek industry participation in the projects we sign," he
said, adding that "our plan is to proceed to co-production and
cooperation and thus offer a cheaper and reliable joint
production."
Moreover, he added that in addition to the 13 regional
programs already existing in the defense industry, he has proposed
a 14th regional program for the Balkans, which would surpass all
the previous ones in size.
[08] PRESIDENT COMMENTS ON RE-ELECTION PROCESS
Incumbent President Costis Stephanopoulos told journalists
that it is feasible for one Parliament to elect the president and
another to swear him in, but noted that this would most certainly
amount to a "constitutional aberration''.
President Stephanopoulos, who is expected to be re-elected in
Parliament on February 8 and sworn in on March 11, was responding
to a question of whether or not Parliament will be dissolved
after his re-election, but prior to his oath-taking.
[09] SEX SURVEY: FIRST TIME NOT ALWAYS EARTH MOVING
One out of about every four Greek women (23.7) between the
ages of 20-25 is still a virgin, but only one in about ten men
11.6%) of the same age group is committed to a "chastely state",
according to a recent poll.
The survey, conducted by the Hellenic Sexological Institute
on a sample of 330 women and 500 men, revealed that the average
age for the first time of intercourse is 18.8 years for women and
18 for men.
Specifically, 71 of the women polled (23.7) stated that they
had never had sex, while the remaining 229 had their first sexual
encounter at a median age of 18.8 years. One hundred and thirty-
one women (61.6) who had at least one sexual encounter, responded
that it was not enjoyable.
As for men, 59 (11.6%) of those questioned stated that they
were virgins, while the remaining 442 made love for the first time
at the age of 18. For almost half of them, 47.7%, it was a "dud".
[10] LEADING HIGH JUMP ATHLETES WILL MEET IN PATRAS
Leading high jump athletes from all over the world will take
part in an international tournament in Patras, southern Greece on
February 15. In the sports event will participate among others,
Cuban Xavier Satomayor making his first appearance after his
disqualification from the Seville World Championship because of
cocaine use.
In the international tournament of Patras will take part a
total of 12 leading athletes men and women, while a number of
distinguished athletes from Greece and abroad will be honored for
their contribution to the sport.
[11] INFLATION CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM FOR THE GREEK ECONOMY
The government's economic staff is in a state of preparedness
in order to keep inflation under control as it appears that it
will be the biggest problem for the Greek government even after
the proposal for Greece's EMU membership in March.
January's inflation rate will be announced on Friday and
according to all indications it is at 2.6%.
[12] PAPANDREOU: NO PRESENTS ARE EXPECTED FROM THE CEM VISIT TO
ATHENS
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, speaking before
the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs and defense, stated
that he expects no more than the signing of low policy agreements
from the visit of his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem to Athens
tomorrow.
Mr. Papandreou stated that he expects no present or a good-
will gesture because he wants to be a realist, adding that this
procedure is hard and time consuming. He also said that dialogue
does not mean negotiation but a presentation of views, underlining
that no Greek government will ever negotiate sovereign rights.
The same position was expressed by minister of defense Akis
Tsochatzopoulos who pointed out that the Greek side is opposed to
the Turkish proposal for the creation of a military-political
committee to discuss Aegean issues. Also, former foreign minister
Theodoros Pangalos suggested that the Greek diplomacy should be
more determined.
[13] GAINS OF 1.31% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange closed with gains of 1.31% today at
5.209,24, while the volume of transactions was 380 billion
drachmas.
ECOFIN's positive stance to Greece's renewed convergence
program in combination with the statements made yesterday by
national economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou that Greece will
meet all the Maastricht criteria by mid February had a positive
effect today on the Athens Stock Exchange.
[14] EARTHQUAKE OF 4.1 ON THE RICHTER SCALE IN SPORADES
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was recorded
at 13:41pm today and its epicenter was located at the sea region
of northern Aegean, 50 kilometers north of the islands of Sporades
and 120 kilometers south-west of Thessaloniki.
Thessaloniki's Aristotle University seismologist Manolis
Skordilis stated to MPA that the epicenter of the tremor was in a
region with low seismic activity as it has no relation with the
fault that gave the catastrophic earthquake in Almiros,
Thessaloniki in 1980.
It is a region with low seismic activity, while based on the
data available so far, the wider region of the northern Aegean
does not appear to have an increased seismic activity at the
moment. However, he added that at least 48 hours must pass before
reaching any conclusions.
[15] REPPAS ON THE CEM STATEMENTS REGARDING CYPRUS
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when asked to
comment on the statements made by Turkish foreign minister Ismail
Cem according to which, the Cyprus problem will be solved if the
Turkish Cypriot pseudo-state in the Turkish occupied northern
Cyprus is recognized, said that such statements can be made for
domestic policy reasons and undermine the efforts for the solution
of the Cyprus problem.
Mr. Reppas also stated that the solution of the Cyprus
problem is high on the agenda of national priorities.
[16] SIMITIS-GEORGIEVSKI-META AGREEMENT ON A BALKAN "DAVOS" IN
LAKES PRESPES
Prime ministers of Greece Kostas Simitis, FYROM's Ljupco
Georgievski and Albania's Ilir Meta agreed with the proposal for
the establishment of a Balkan "Davos" in Lakes Prespes and at noon
today they signed an agreement declaring the region as the first
inter-border protected area in the Balkans. The idea of a Balkan
"Davos" concerns the establishment of a Balkan economic and
development forum that will be held in Lakes Prespes on an annual
basis.
The signing of the agreement for the protection of the
Prespes Park took place in Agios Germanos, Florina and the three
prime ministers in their speeches pointed out the need for the
further expansion of cooperation among their countries.
Mr. Simitis announced that a multi-national training and
research center for the environment will be established within the
framework of the 3rd Community Framework of Support at the
initiative of Greece. The center that will be established within
the framework of the initiatives for the operation of the Balkan
Prespes Park will be financed with 500 million drachmas.
The Greek prime minister stated that the establishment of the
first inter-border protected area in the Balkans has a strong
symbolic character and underlines the fact that the three
countries respect the principle of peaceful co-existence aimed at
boosting development while at the same time the people and the
environment are being respected and a better future for the
generations to come is secured.
Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta raised the issue of the
free movement of the citizens of the three counties across the
borders and used the comment made by a member of an environmental
organization that the fish in the lakes can move freely without
passports and visas, expressing the belief that this could be
achieved by the people as well. He also said that the year 2000 is
a promising year for understanding, cooperation and development in
the region giving an emphasis to the sectors of economy and
tourism.
FYROM's prime minister Ljupco Georgievski stated that Lakes
Prespes is a meeting place of three countries and three cultures
and is an ideal center of the Balkan ecological culture which can
attract considerable tourist and economic activities.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREECE, CYPRUS SIGN AIR TRANSPORT ACCORD
A memorandum of cooperation in the air transportation sector
was signed in Nicosia today between the General Director of
Cyprus's Ministry of Transportation and Works Vassos Pyrgos and
the General Director of Air Transport of Greece's Civil Aviation
Authority Nicholas Kavadas.
The memorandum allows for scheduled flights to Cyprus from
Greek airports, with the exception of the Athens and Thessaloniki
airports, from another air carrier aside of Olympic Airways. The
memorandum will go into effect on November 1.
Mr. Kavadas stated that the memorandum constitutes another
step towards the liberalization of air transport between the two
countries, which will lead to increased traffic from Greece to
Cyprus.
[18] MELBOURNE: REACTIONS TO THE CANCELLATION OF OA FLIGHTS
The announcement by the Greek airline Olympic Airways that
after March 26 there will be no flights from and to Melbourne
caused the strong reaction of the Greek-Australian community.
There will be three Olympic Airways flights per week via Bangog
and Sidney and the passengers who want to go to Melbourne will
have to take one of the flights of the airline companies Anserr or
Quantas with which Olympic Airways has signed special agreements.
Travel agents in Australia point out that the changes will
have a negative effect on Olympic Airways and in addition they
will serve the interests of foreign companies. However, Olympic
Airways in a statement it has issued it stresses that this
destination is loss-making and the changes are being made in order
to become profitable.
[19] DIMITROV: DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH CYPRUS UNDER PRE-
CONDITIONS
The decision of the FYROM government not to establish
diplomatic relations with Cyprus was announced by FYROM foreign
minister Alexander Dimitrov.
According to the Skopje newspaper Dnevnik, which published
his statements in a front-page article, Mr. Dimitrov announced
that FYROM will not establish diplomatic relations with Cyprus if
the Nicosia government does not recognize FYROM under its
constitutional name, as he characterizes it.
The statement made by Mr. Dimitrov constitutes, according to
the newspaper, a response to the recent statement made by Cypriot
government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, who expressed the will
of Cyprus to establish diplomatic relations with the country under
the name with which it was accepted in the United Nations
Organization namely, FYROM.
[20] NEW BID FOR BKT BY OTE-KPN
The Greek-Dutch joint venture OTE-KPN made a renewed bid to
the responsible committee of the Bulgarian government for the
purchase of 51% of the stocks of the Bulgarian Telecommunications
Organization, BTK.
The newspaper "24 Hours" writes that the joint venture OTE-
KPN had announced recently that its new tender will meet the
Bulgarian demands concerning the privatization of BTK.
According to the newspaper, representatives of the committee
have stated that it will be needed at least one week to examine if
the new bid meets the demands for the buyout of BTK. Also,
reliable sources mention that the bid made does not meet the 37
terms set by the Bulgarian government for the BTK buyout.
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