|
|
|
Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-17
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 17, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[02] REPPAS: THE STOCK MARKET HAS AN AUTONOMOUS COURSE
[03] PAPANTONIOU COMMENTED ON THE ASE
[04] ATHENS WISHES FOR AN AGREEMENT IN FYROM
[05] NO GREEK PROTESTERS' NAMES TO THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES
[06] GREEK STUDENTS TASTE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[07] THE SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING WAS HELD IN A GOOD CLIMATE
[08] GREEK-RUSSIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GAINS RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The
general index rose to +1.38% at 2.346,12 points, while the volume
of transactions was very small at 94 million Euro or 32 billion
drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority, 294,
recorded gains and 43 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks
remained stable.
[02] REPPAS: THE STOCK MARKET HAS AN AUTONOMOUS COURSE
The stock market has its own autonomous course reiterated
government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, stressing that it should not
be linked with the developments concerning the Greek economy.
The minister of press admitted that the Athens Stock Exchange
is in a bad phase, stressing that it would be wise to avoid
statements that could make the climate in which the ASE operates
heavier. He added that everybody should contribute to the efforts
for the return of calm and stability which are the preconditions
for the recovery of the stock market.
[03] PAPANTONIOU COMMENTED ON THE ASE
Minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou, in
statements he made within the framework of the meeting he had with
ministers of development and transportation on the 2002
privatization program, admitted that the stock market is in a very
unfavorable conjuncture and pointed out that there is a need for
the government, the opposition, and the mass media to present the
truth on the course of the Greek economy.
He also launched a direct attack on those "who try to destroy
everything that has been built."
Mr. Papantoniou underlined that a lot have been achieved,
stating that Greece's growth rate is double than the EU average
and stressed that such growth rates had not been achieved in
Greece for the past 30 years. He concluded that the government
remains firm in its policy because there is no other policy that
can be followed.
[04] ATHENS WISHES FOR AN AGREEMENT IN FYROM
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas wished that political
dialogue among the political forces in FYROM will be completed,
and will lead to the total disarmament of extremist groups active
in the region, bringing back political stability and calm.
Mr. Reppas commenting on the Russian proposal for an
international peace conference in the region, reminded that a
similar proposal had been made by the Greek side as well, which,
however, did not succeed because other countries had a different
approach.
On the Albanian forces proposal for the deployment of NATO
troops in FYROM, Mr. Reppas stated that the forces of the alliance
will monitor the disarmament procedure of the extremists, and
added that NATO cannot undertake another initiative by sending
troops to the region that will engage in war and military
operations. Mr. Reppas stated that the deployment of such forces
will take place if it is requested by the FYROM political forces.
[05] NO GREEK PROTESTERS' NAMES TO THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES
The Greek government has not given a list with protesters'
names or any other information to the Italian authorities
concerning the Greeks, who will participate in the Genoa protests
against globalization, stated government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas, adding, however, that there is cooperation between the
responsible authorities in the two countries.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that the position of the Greek
government as it was expressed in the EU Council of Ministers is
clear and that Greece and the Greek people are concerned with the
protection of the rights of the Greek citizens through Greek
government initiatives.
[06] GREEK STUDENTS TASTE ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN
The Greek students taste alcoholic drinks since the age of
eleven, according to a World Health Organization, WHO, report on
the problem of alcoholism, while it is the first time that a
report shows alcohol use in Greece in such an early age.
Based on the research that was conducted in early 2000, the
majority of 11-year-old students, 69%, have stated that they
consume alcoholic beverages. Specifically, 17% of them have stated
that they drink beer systematically, while 14% stated that they
drink wine at least once a month. At the same time, the frequency
in alcoholic drinks' consumption between the ages of 18 and 25 has
increased from 27.8% to 35.6%.
The figures were presented in a one-day conference on "Greece
and the European Action Plan on Alcohol" that was organized by the
municipality of Athens and the Greek Alcohol Study Center.
According to the research, 94% of the Greek students have had
alcoholic drinks at least once and this is a very high percentage
exceeding the European average by 11%. Also, based on the
research, 200.000 students in Greece have at least one parent, who
is an alcoholic.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[07] THE SIMITIS-PUTIN MEETING WAS HELD IN A GOOD CLIMATE
The situation in the Balkans, the European joint defense
policy, bilateral Greek-Russian relations, and Moscow's relations
with the European Union were at the center of the meeting Greek
prime minister Kostas Simitis and Russian president Vladimir Putin
had in Moscow today.
In the meeting that was warm and constructive, according to
the prime minister, and lasted for over an hour, it was
established that the two sides share the same views on the
situation in the Balkans.
Specifically, it was stressed that there will be no changes
in the Balkan countries' status quo and the borders, while it was
also stressed that the international community should not be
indifferent toward the extremist elements that try to change the
picture of the Balkans through force.
As it was stressed by the prime minister, the problems in the
Balkans, and specifically in FYROM, cannot be handled without
Russia's contribution and cooperation.
Mr. Simitis pointed out that good relations between Greece
and Russia is a basic precondition for Europe's course in the
future.
He said that Greece believes that Europe needs a defense
policy and autonomy, and this means good relations with Russia,
while he made a special reference to Moscow's role in Europe's
course.
From his side, the Russian president referred to the historic
relations linking Greece and Russia and expressed satisfaction for
the improvement of bilateral relations in every sector. He
referred to Greece's special place in the united Europe and
stressed that Russia is ready to back the Burgas-Alexandroupolis
pipeline project.
[08] GREEK-RUSSIAN CULTURAL COOPERATION
The framework of the Greek-Russian cultural cooperation, the
cultural cooperation of the European Union with Russia and the way
in which Russia will participate in the Cultural Olympiad events,
were the topics of discussion between Greek culture minister
Evangelos Venizelos and his Russian counterpart in Moscow today.
A special reference was made to the Russian participation in
the production of new films by director Thodoros Angelopoulos and
the cultural programs that will take place during Russian
president Putin's visit to Athens in December.
The two ministers also discussed issues concerning the
university level modern Greek language studies in Russia and the
Russian language studies in Greece. Also, they referred to the
issue of the return of the archives of the Greek Jewish community
which were brought to Moscow from Berlin at the end of WWII.
|
