Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-05-09
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 9, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[Á] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EPP-ED GROUP HOLDS SESSION IN THESSALONIKI
[02] EPP-ED GROUP CHAIRMAN PETERING IN THESSALONIKI
[03] MILITARY EXERCISE "SARISA-2001" BEGINS ON FRIDAY
[04] DEA: GREECE LEADS COMBAT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
[05] HELEXPO HOLDS INTERNATIONAL METAL TRADE FAIR
[06] BROK: STABILITY PACT SHOULD BE IN THESSALONIKI
[07] ATHOC CHIEF TO GREEKS IN US: SUPPORT 2004 GAMES
[08] BURNS: BUSH IS PERSONALLY INTERESTED IN CYPRUS
[09] TURKEY-GREECE RAPPROCHEMENT UNDER DURESS
[10] PRINCE CHARLES CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO MOUNT ATHOS
[11] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[12] KARAMANLIS: NO BORDER CHANGE IN THE BALKANS
[13] THIRTY THOUSAND GREEK STUDENTS STUDY IN BRITAIN EACH YEAR
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER DELIVERED THE "OLYMPIC TRUCE"
STATUE TO KOFI ANNAN
[15] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS IN THE UN
[16] GREEK-BULGARIAN TOURIST FORUM IN THESSALONIKI
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EPP-ED GROUP HOLDS SESSION IN THESSALONIKI
The Group Study Days of the European People's Party –
European Democrats (EPP-ED) Parliamentary Group is presently
underway in Thessaloniki where the participants are to discuss the
future of the Balkans, asylum and immigration policy and public
health.
The leader of Greece's main opposition party of New Democracy
Costas Karamanlis is to give a keynote address this morning, thus
inaugurating a series of debates that are organized in three
thematic forums.
The first forum will deal with the future of the Balkans and
their restructuring with a view to their membership of the
European Union. Aside from Mr. Karamanlis, other keynote speakers
are Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Nazeda Mihailova, and European
Parliament members Elmar Brok, Doris Pack and Arie Oostlander.
The second forum will address the issues of asylum and
immigration policy, especially in light of the EU's enlargement.
Distinguished speakers include the director of "EUROPOL" Jurgen
Storbeck and the Interior Ministers of Austria Ernst Strasser, and
Estonia Tarmo Loodus.
The debate will be introduced by Austrian eurodeputy Hubert
Pirker, who is also the spokesperson for the EPP-ED Group.
Intervening in the debate are eurodeputies Hartmut Nassauer,
Gérard Deprez, Christos Zacharakis and George Dimitrakopoulos.
The third and last forum concerns Health and Consumer
Protection in the EU. Spain's Health Minister Celia Villalobos is
to be the featured keynote speaker, while the debate will include
contributions from eurodeputies Antonis Trakatellis, EP's
rapporteur on the EU Public Health Program (2001-2006), Francoise
Grossetête, John Bowis and Giuseppe Nistico.
The debates are organized at the invitation of the Greek
Delegation and presided by Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the
EPP-ED Group.
[02] EPP-ED GROUP CHAIRMAN PETERING IN THESSALONIKI
The President of the European People's Party (EPP)
parliamentary group at the European Parliament Hans Gert Petering
is presently in Thessaloniki, to attend the EPP's Group Study Days
hosted by the leader of Greece's main opposition party of New
Democracy Costas Karamanlis.
Upon his arrival yesterday, Mr. Petering stated that the EPP
is against any border changes in the Balkan region, while also
stressing that violence is not the means for resolving
differences.
Mr. Petering visited an exhibition held in honor of late
president and ND founder Constantine Karamanlis, the uncle of the
current ND leader.
[03] MILITARY EXERCISE "SARISA-2001" BEGINS ON FRIDAY
The military exercise code-named "SARISA-2001" will begin on
Friday, May 11 and will conclude on May 17.
The annual exercise is to take place in to Central Macedonia
and its aim is to examine the operational possibilities of the
Second Army Corps.
The final phase of the exercise will be held on May 15 and
the defense ministry's civil and military leaderships have been
invited to attend.
Meanwhile, the Navy's medium-scale exercise code-named
"Kataigida 2001" is currently underway in the south, central and
eastern Aegean.
The final phase of the exercise will be observed by National
Defense General Staff Chief Manousos Paragioudakis.
[04] DEA: GREECE LEADS COMBAT OF DRUG TRAFFICKING
Greece is among the top European countries that combat drug
trafficking, according to officials of the US Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA), who met with Greece's Minister of Merchant
Marine Christos Papoutsis yesterday.
Presently on an official visit to the United States, Mr.
Papoutsis also met with US Secretary of Transportation Norman
Mineta, with whom he enjoyed a coincidence of views regarding
policy priorities in the maritime sector, particularly on matters
concerning fair and legitimate competition, protection of the
marine environment, and navigation safety.
Secretary Mineta stated that the US government places special
importance on cooperation with Greece, as it considers the Greek
merchant fleet a "major world power". Moreover, he expressed his
appreciation for the contribution of the Greek Coast Guard in the
fight against worldwide drug trafficking.
Mr. Papoutsis extended an invitation to Mr. Mineta on behalf
of the Athens government to visit Greece.
The Greek Minister, accompanied by Coast Guard chief Andreas
Syrigos, also visited the headquarters of the US Coast Guard and
met with its commander, Admiral James Loy.
[05] HELEXPO HOLDS INTERNATIONAL METAL TRADE FAIR
"Metallon", an international metal trade fair, is opening in
Athens today, organized by Helexpo.
The fair is the first exhibition organizd by Helexpo at its
new facilities in Athens, launched last September.
According to Helexpo, the event will be held every year in
May alternately in Athens and Thessaloniki.
More than 50 exhibitors participate in this year's trade
fair, including manufacturers of metal processing equipment, raw
materials, tools and equipment.
[06] BROK: STABILITY PACT SHOULD BE IN THESSALONIKI
The office of the Southeast Europe Stability Pact and its
Coordinator Bodo Hombach should soon be transferred to
Thessaloniki, according to Elmar Brok, the President of the
European Parliament's Committee for Foreign Affairs, Common
Defense and Security Policy and Human rights.
Addressing a seminar held at Thessaloniki's Center of
International, European and Economic Law, Mr. Brok stressed that
the FYROM crisis can be attributed to the fact that the
international community did not act correctly in Kosovo and failed
to disarm the Albanian National Liberation Army, aka UCK.
Moreover, Mr. Brok underlined that the European Union cannot
be properly structured if its components have various security
levels, while also stressing that a significant step towards
preventing future crises would be an EU military force that would
be funded adequately.
Moreover, Mr. Brok, stated that the EU should utilize
Greece's experience in regards to its ties with the Balkan states
in order to form a climate of stability in the region.
In reference to Cyprus, the German eurodeputy stated that the
island republic should gain accession to the European Union, even
if it's divided, since, as he said, it is not possible for a non-
EU member to determine EU decisions.
[07] ATHOC CHIEF TO GREEKS IN US: SUPPORT 2004 GAMES
The president of the Athens Olympics Organizing Committee
(ATHOC) Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalakis issued an invite to Greek
entrepreneurs in the United States to support the 2004 Olympic
Games that will be held in the Greek capital.
In an address before a conference organized in New York by
Capital Link, Ms. Angelopoulos-Daskalaki provided her audience
with a detailed outline of the progress achieved during the recent
months in the Games' organization process.
Moreover, the ATHOC chief stressed that close ties are
developing between Greece and the US for the better organization
of the Olympic Games in 2004, while she expressed her confidence
that the Games will be a complete success.
[08] BURNS: BUSH IS PERSONALLY INTERESTED IN CYPRUS
US Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns addressed a meeting of
the New York Greek expatriate clubs' federation, where he spoke on
issues that included Greek-Turkish affairs, the Cyprus problem and
Greek-US economic relations.
Noting that Greek-US relations are fast improving on an
economic level, Mr. Burns said that bilateral trade between the
two countries increased by 16 percent during the course of 2000,
which, as he stated, constitutes the first significant increase
during the course of the last decade. He also urged US business
people to take advantage of this opportunity to invest in Greece,
especially the region of Thrace.
Mr. Burns stated that Greek-Turkish relations were on the
right path these last two years, crediting Greek Foreign Minister
George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem for their
efforts towards rapprochement.
The US Ambassador called the Cyprus problem an "especially
difficult one and complex", adding that "the US, President Bush
himself and his staff are showing personal interest for the
problem."
Moreover, Mr. Burns stated that the US support the
continuation of the talks to resolve the Cyprus problem under the
auspices of the United Nations.
[09] TURKEY-GREECE RAPPROCHEMENT UNDER DURESS
Greece will not be represented at Monday's NATO ceremony for
the command of a minesweeping unit transfer, to be held at the
Turkish naval base of Aksaz, since Turkey is persisting in its
refusal to allow Greek navy chief of staff Vice-Admiral George
Theodoroulakis to fly there because his helicopter would refuel on
the island of Rhodes, which Ankara considers a demilitarized area.
Earlier yesterday, Greek government spokesperson Dimtiris
Reppas stated that Ankara had yet to officially notify Greece of
its objections and added that the government will not accept
interventions affecting the country's sovereignty.
He further added that such a political approach is beyond
tolerance and said that Turkey's interpretation of the
demilitarization issue is incorrect".
NATO's legal services have issued an opinion according to
which military aircraft may fly over areas considered to be
demilitarized, which is something that was claimed by Turkey
itself during an earlier NATO exercise, Mr. Reppas stated.
However, according to BBC, Turkish authorities made their
objections official last night by informing the Greek Embassy's
naval attache in Ankara that Turkey "does not accept" the military
helicopter's landing on Rhodes, since it views the island as being
demilitarized.
[10] PRINCE CHARLES CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO MOUNT ATHOS
The heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, visited the
holy relics and treasures kept at the Monastery of Vatopedi in
Mount Athos, in Chalkidiki northern Greece yesterday. According to
information, the Prince of Wales will stay in Mount Athos for
three days and he is expected to visit other monasteries at the
monastic community as well.
Prince Charles arrived at Chrisoupolis Airport in Kavala,
northern Greece on Monday afternoon and boarded the private yacht
"Rio Rita". The Prince and his entourage got to Mount Athos on
board small boats from Ierissos in Chalkidiki.
It is Prince Charles' second visit to Mount Athos in a year.
In early May 2000, he had visited again the monasteries of
Vatopedi, Iviron and Megistis Lavras. The police and port
authorities in the region as well as the representatives of Mount
Athos have stated that his entourage hadn't briefed them on the
schedule of his visit to Greece, stressing that the Prince of
Wales didn't want any publicity.
[11] BIG LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Big losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today.
The general index dropped to -1.35% at 3.112,90 points, while the
volume of transactions was impressively increased compared to
yesterday at 244.12 million Euro or 83.18 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, just 67 recorded gains, while
257 had losses and the value of 46 stocks remained stable.
[12] KARAMANLIS: NO BORDER CHANGE IN THE BALKANS
Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader
Kostas Karamanlis stressed in the two-day European Popular Party
Balkan conference which is held in Thessaloniki that there is a
need to respect two basic principles namely, the existing borders
in the Balkans and the human and minority rights.
Mr. Karamanlis stated that if there is a change in the
borders we will be opening Pandora's Box and the risk of
destabilization will be visible.
He also said that Greece must adopt a more decisive stance
because it can play the role of a "catalyst" and a "bridge" in the
relations between the Balkan states and the European Union. Mr.
Karamanlis also stated that the EU can do a lot more, adding that
more money should be given, while he also spoke of a new "Marshall
Plan" for the Balkans.
[13] THIRTY THOUSAND GREEK STUDENTS STUDY IN BRITAIN EACH YEAR
About 30.000 Greek students go to Britain each year to study
in British universities, while a total of 60.000 students from
across the world select the British education institutions each
year to improve their level of knowledge and learn the English
language.
The above were mentioned to MPA by a Thessaloniki British
Council representative on the occasion of the British
universities' exhibition taking place in the city.
In the exhibition participate 68 British universities
offering information on their programs of studies.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[14] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER DELIVERED THE "OLYMPIC TRUCE"
STATUE TO KOFI ANNAN
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou delivered yesterday
the "Olympic Truce" statue to UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.
In the special ceremony were present International Olympic
Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch, "Athens 2004"
organizing committee president Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis,
former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger and other members of
the Olympic Truce International Center board of directors.
The statue was made by Spanish artist Rosa Serra and is a
gift by former UN Olympic Committee member Irwin Belk, who had
observed the UN General Assembly proceedings on the Olympic Truce
in 1999 as a member of the US delegation.
[15] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS IN THE UN
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in statements he
made in the UN headquarters in New York yesterday, after the
Olympic Truce International Center board of directors meeting,
referred to the meeting he had with Yugoslav president Voislav
Kostunica, the Turkish claims for the demilitarization of the
eastern Aegean islands and the Olympic Truce issue.
On his meeting with Mr. Kostunica, he stated that they talked
about the Balkans in general and Kosovo and the future of
Yugoslavia in particular. Mr. Papandreou stated that he will be in
Tirana next week to discuss the developments in the region with
his Balkan counterparts.
On the Turkish claims regarding the demilitarization of the
eastern Aegean islands and especially Rhodes, he said that the
Greek positions on the issue are clear, stressing that there is no
island demilitarization issue. Mr. Papandreou stated that it is
obvious that certain members of the Turkish military establishment
are not satisfied with the improvement in the Greek-Turkish
relations observed in the past two years.
Regarding Olympic Truce, Mr. Papandreou stated that UN
secretary-general Kofi Annan has met with the Olympic Truce
International Center board of directors and has expressed his
support to the effort to have a ceasefire around the world during
the Olympic Games.
[16] GREEK-BULGARIAN TOURIST FORUM IN THESSALONIKI
A two-day Greek-Bulgarian Tourist Forum opens in the northern
Greek city of Katerini tomorrow under the auspices of the
ministries of national economy and Macedonia-Thrace. The
conference is placed within the framework of the cooperation
program between Greece and Bulgaria.
For the record, a total of 321.651 Greek tourists visited
Bulgaria last year, while 264.504 Bulgarians visited Greece in the
same period of time.
|
