Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-26
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 26, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GENETICALLY-MODIFIED COTTON SEED FOUND IN GREECE
[02] CHURCH UPSET OVER ID RULING, HOLY SYNOD CONVENES
[03] GREEK PRESIDENT DEPARTS FOR CANADA TOMORROW
[04] POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN GREECE FOR FYROM STUDENTS
[05] EARTHQUAKE ROCKS LEFKADA, CAUSES NO INJURIES
[06] REFORMS ARE CRUCIAL FOR S.E. EUROPEAN ECONOMIES
[07] STATE SPOKESPERSON ON "MACEDONIAN LANGUAGE"
[08] THESSALONIKI AND NOVOROSISK WILL BE LINKED BY BOAT
[09] KAKLAMANIS-ZEMAN MEETING
[10] GAINS OF 0.79% WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] ASIA FORUM: FOUNDATIONS FOR EURO-ASIAN BUSINESS COOPERATION
[12] THE CHURCH DECLARED AN UNRELENTING STRUGGLE ON THE ISSUE OF
THE ID CARDS
[13] STATEMENTS BY SIMITIS ON THE IDENTITY CARDS
[14] NEW INVESTMENT OPENINGS BY HELLENIC PETROLEUM
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] GREEK FM MEETS WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE
[16] GREEK, TURKISH, BULGARIAN FMs MEET IN FLORENCE
[17] THE GREEK ANTIQUITIES MUSEUM IN MELBOURNE IS AT RISK OF
CLOSING DOWN
[18] ALBANIAN AGRICULTURISTS WILL ATTEND TRAINING SEMINARS IN
GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GENETICALLY-MODIFIED COTTON SEED FOUND IN GREECE
Unbeknown to the Greek authorities, a shipment of genetically-
modified cotton seeds was sent to the country from the United
States, according to a senior Greenpeace spokesman who spoke at an
international biotechnology conference in Genoa.
The seeds have already been sown in Greece (since February)
and, according to European Union sources, the Greek authorities
have informed the European Commission on the matter.
The European Union has not approved the marketing of
genetically-modified cotton seeds due to concerns over possible
environmental and health risks. The EU is to review the matter on
May 30 and could issue a ruling to dig out the seeds, a process
whose cost is indeterminable.
[02] CHURCH UPSET OVER ID RULING, HOLY SYNOD CONVENES
The Holy Synod - the Greek Orthodox Church's executive organ
- will hold an emergency meeting today in order to forge an
organized response to the state's announcement that it will stand
by a 1997 law that proscribes listing the bearer's religious
affiliation of identification cards.
While the Archbishop of Athens and All of Greece
Christodoulos advocates the voluntary declaration of one's
religion on the identification card, the state has responded that
the declaration of religion (on the ID) is not allowed to be
either optional or mandatory.
The decision can be challenged in the Council of State and,
potentially, overturned, which some Church officials are poised to
do.
[03] GREEK PRESIDENT DEPARTS FOR CANADA TOMORROW
President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos,
accompanied by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, will visit
Canada at the invitation of the country's General Governor Adrien
Clarkson, from May 27 to June 2.
President Stephanopoulos is scheduled to meet with the
country's Greek expatriate community leaders, at the sidelines of
his official meetings with Canada's state leadership.
Expected to arrive in Ottawa tomorrow, May 27, the President
will participate in a Greek Orthodox Liturgy in the city's
cathedral on May 28, while on May 29 he is to meet with Mr.
Clarkson.
The Greek president, accompanied by a 30-member delegation of
Greek businessmen, will also visit Toronto and Montreal.
[04] POST-GRADUATE STUDIES IN GREECE FOR FYROM STUDENTS
The University of Athens is offering five positions for post-
graduate studies and three positions for visiting professors from
FYROM within the framework of an agreement between the
universities of the south-eastern European countries.
The candidates from Skopje's Cyrill and Methodius University
will be tested in history, sociology and culture on May 29.
[05] EARTHQUAKE ROCKS LEFKADA, CAUSES NO INJURIES
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted the
region of Lefkada in northwestern Greece early today, causing
damage to houses but no injuries.
Earthquake experts at Thessaloniki's Aristotle University
have stated that seismic activity is a common occurrence for the
region, which is the country's most earthquake-prone area.
An earthquake measuring 6.0 degrees on the Richter scale also
struck Kalamata in the Peloponnese on Wednesday, but without
damages or injuries.
[06] REFORMS ARE CRUCIAL FOR S.E. EUROPEAN ECONOMIES
The reforms necessary for southeastern European countries
whose economies are in transition, were discussed today by the
delegates attending the First International Economic Conference,
presently held in Thessaloniki's University of Macedonia.
The participants also examined the global environment's role
in the development of Central and Eastern Europe and discussed the
structural characteristics of those economies under transition.
In order to facilitate these transitions, the speakers
stressed the significance of establishing the necessary legal
framework, while they also agreed that the institutional
safeguarding of both domestic and foreign investors constitutes
the key for the development of these economies.
Moreover, they underlined that the establishment of the said
laws should take international standards into consideration in
order to be aligned therewith.
Furthermore, the speakers stated that the development of the
road axes which link the region with other countries is a priority
task for achieving the said transitions, as this would strengthen
trade, provided that border cooperation issues are resolved.
The four-day conference is organized by the Association of
Economic Universities (ASECU) of the countries of Southeast
Europe.
[07] STATE SPOKESPERSON ON "MACEDONIAN LANGUAGE"
Responding to the recent mobility noted among the self-
appointed "National Macedonians of Greece", government
spokesperson Dimitris Reppas reiterated today that there is no
issue or even a subject for discussion over the self-called
"Macedonian language".
Meanwhile, Australia's high court ruled today that
descendants of FYROM can refer to their language as "Macedonian".
[08] THESSALONIKI AND NOVOROSISK WILL BE LINKED BY BOAT
The ferry-boat "Posidon" will link the ports of Thessaloniki
and Novorosisk in Russia starting on May 30.
"Posidon" will make the trip from Novorosisk to Thessaloniki,
Patmos, Haifa, Volos and will return to the Russian port. The ship
will have the capacity to carry 37 large trucks loaded with goods
from Novorosisk to Thessaloniki and Volos.
[09] KAKLAMANIS-ZEMAN MEETING
The warm and friendly relations between Greece and the Czech
Republic were confirmed by Czech prime minister Milo Zeman and
Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis in the meeting
they had today within the framework of Mr. Zeman's formal visit to
Athens.
Mr. Kaklamanis assured Mr. Zeman that the Greek parliament
backs all the efforts made by the Czech Republic in its course
toward the European Union, while he expressed the Greek
parliament's appreciation for the stance adopted by the Czech
Republic on the Cyprus issue regarding the implementation of
international law and the UN Security Council resolutions on
Cyprus.
Mr. Zeman delivered to Mr. Kaklamanis an invitation by his
Czech counterpart to make a formal visit to Prague and thanked
Greece for its support in the efforts made by his country for its
accession into the EU, while he reiterated his country's' firm
position on the issue of Cyprus. He also asked to be informed on
the Greek electoral system in view of the changes under discussion
in the electoral system of his country.
[10] GAINS OF 0.79% WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains of 0.79% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange and
the general index was at 4.596,70 points, while the volume of
transactions was 159.8 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 150 recorded gains and 170 had
losses.
[11] ASIA FORUM: FOUNDATIONS FOR EURO-ASIAN BUSINESS COOPERATION
Fruitful contacts aimed at forging business agreements in
Asia, the Far East, south-eastern Europe and the Middle East were
held within the framework of the ASIA FORUM 2000 that will be
completed on May 28.
The agreements, proposals and the first conclusions from this
year's conference were presented by ASIA FORUM chairman professor
Marios Nikolinakos in a press conference that was given in
Thessaloniki today.
The ASIA FORUM chairman, who is also the president of the
Greek Economy Study Institute, underlined that the majority of the
speakers in the conference representing 45 countries have
expressed satisfaction for the enactment of a business cooperation
institution based in Thessaloniki.
Mr. Nikolinakos also expressed satisfaction regarding the
fact that the ministries of Macedonia-Thrace and national economy
pledged to offer their backing to ASIA FORUM while HELEXPO
repeated its cooperation proposal in the 2001 conference.
Meanwhile, the twinning of the municipalities of Thessaloniki
and Seniag in China was made through the ASIA FORUM, while within
its framework the cooperation of Greek tobacco company SEKAP with
the Chinese delegation and representatives of the Indian embassy
for the creation of a joint venture for the production of
biological filters, was also promoted.
[12] THE CHURCH DECLARED AN UNRELENTING STRUGGLE ON THE ISSUE OF
THE ID CARDS
The Greek Orthodox Church declared an unrelenting struggle
using all means after the government decision not to list the
bearer's religion on the new identity cards. Immediately after the
meeting of the Lasting Holy Synod in Athens today, Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece read the unanimous
decision reached for an unrelenting struggle which will not be
characterized by extreme behavior, fanaticism or intolerance that
could be planned as provocation by outside elements in order to
defame the Church.
Archbishop Christodoulos accused the government of deceiving
the Church and taking it by surprise maintaining that a group of
individuals, who are not members of the parliament, mislead the
prime minister. He said that he is in favor of the optional
listing of religion on the identity cards and called for a
mutually acceptable solution even at this final hour, while he
suggested again that a referendum should be held on the issue.
In today's meeting of the Holy Synod it was also decided that
the Holy Synod of the Church Hierarchy will hold a meeting on June
6.
[13] STATEMENTS BY SIMITIS ON THE IDENTITY CARDS
Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis referred to the issue of
the identity cards during the cabinet meeting held today, pointing
out that the law that has been passed in parliament concerning the
citizens' relation with the state must be implemented.
Mr. Simitis stated that the issue of the listing of the
bearer's religion on the identity card has captured the interest
of the people and called the members of his government to focus
their attention on the solution of the real problems faced by the
country.
[14] NEW INVESTMENT OPENINGS BY HELLENIC PETROLEUM
The Hellenic Petroleum proceeded to new investment openings
in Albania, Romania and Greece expanding its activity to the
sectors of research and exploitation of oil products and fuel
trade while the company continues to record impressive gains.
According to statements made during a press conference in
Athens, Hellenic Petroleum recorded profits before taxes of 19.5
billion drachmas in the first four months of the year compared to
11.3 billion drachmas in the same period in 1999 showing an
increase of 72%.
Regarding the business openings made by the company it should
be noted that after the deal reached with the Austrian OeMV for
the joint exploitation of oil deposits in Iran, the two companies
reached a new deal for the exploitation of possibly oil-rich
regions in Albania.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] GREEK FM MEETS WITH US SECRETARY OF STATE
Foreign Minister George Papandreou met with US Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright yesterday, on the sidelines of the NATO
Foreign Ministers Summit in Florence.
Following the meeting, Mr. Papandreou noted that "our allies
in NATO in general, and the United States in particular,"
recognized that Greece is an important country in promoting peace
and stability in the Balkans.
He further added that they also recognized that Greece has
put forward realistic proposals and ideas in confronting the
problems of the region.
[16] GREEK, TURKISH, BULGARIAN FMs MEET IN FLORENCE
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nadejda Mihailova met with her
Greek and Turkish counterparts, George Papandreou and Ismael Cem,
in Florence yesterday, with whom she discussed the trilateral
initiative concerning environmental protection of the Evros
region.
The Bulgarian FM had successive meetings with Messrs.
Papandreou and Cem on the sidelines of the NATO Foreign Ministers
Summit. She also stated that the aforementioned initiative will be
discussed in the upcoming Balkan foreign ministers meeting which
will be held in Athens.
[17] THE GREEK ANTIQUITIES MUSEUM IN MELBOURNE IS AT RISK OF
CLOSING DOWN
The Greek Antiquities Museum in Melbourne housed at the
city's Immigration Museum is at risk of closing down in case no
agreement is reached between the government of Athens and the
state government of Victoria in Australia, according to the
Melbourne newspaper "Neos Kosmos".
The biggest part of responsibility for this development is
attributed to the previous Liberal government of the state of
Victoria for not signing an agreement with the Greek ministry of
culture.
The Greek Antiquities Museum was inaugurated on November 9,
1998 by the then prime minister Jeff Kennet and Greek former
minister of culture Evangelos Venizelos. According to the
newspaper report, the fact that until today there have been only
two exhibitions held in the museum makes it unprofitable.
[18] ALBANIAN AGRICULTURISTS WILL ATTEND TRAINING SEMINARS IN
GREECE
Twenty agriculturists of the Albanian ministry of agriculture
will leave for Greece today to attend training seminars in the
Peloponese in southern Greece that will last until June 16.
Albanian minister of agriculture Luftar Jiveli met with Greek
ambassador to Tirana Alexandros Mallias and expressed the
appreciation of the Albanian government for Greece's contribution
to the training of officials from his ministry, stressing that
Greece, as a member of the European Union, has offered a
significant assistance to the development of the Albanian economy
and especially to the development of the sector of agriculture.
Mr. Mallias pointed out the importance of the farming sector
for the Albanian government as it can help in the overall
development of the country's economy.
The Greek diplomat stressed that already 35 Albanian
agriculturists have attended training seminars within the
framework of cooperation of the Greek and Albanian ministries of
agriculture.
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