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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-18
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 18, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SIMITIS-STEPHANOPOULOS MEETING
[02] ABOUT 1.500 GREEKS LEAVE FOR GENOA TODAY
[03] UPGRADING OF THE GREEK-BULGARIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
[04] BIG GAINS OF +4.54% IN THE ASE
[05] THE GREEKS FIND THE EU VERY ATTRACTIVE
[06] THE 2002 STATE BUDGET IS UNDER DISCUSSION
[07] INFLATION INCREASED IN JUNE
[08] EVENT IN HONOR OF THE SERREANS LIVING ABROAD
[09] INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON THE SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN THE AEGEAN
[10] HOSPITALITY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF GREEK ORIGIN
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SIMITIS-STEPHANOPOULOS MEETING
The Greek economy is in a very good course, which guarantees
stability, growth, and social adjustment, while the main goal is
the creation of a strong society, stressed prime minister Kostas
Simitis after his meeting today with president Kostis
Stephanopoulos. Mr. Simitis also rejected the views to the
contrary by saying that they are exaggerations and serve political
expedience, adding that his government will finish its term.
He stated that his government has enough time, about two and
a half years, to materialize its program, as its full term in
power ends in spring 2004.
The prime minister briefed president Stephanopoulos on the
developments inside the country and abroad, the talks he had in
Moscow with president Putin, the progress made in the Olympic
Games preparations, and the EU talks, especially those on Turkey
that were held on Monday.
Referring to the course of the Greek economy, Mr. Simitis
stated that it is very good, stressing, at the same time, that
Greece's growth rate is almost double the average growth rate in
other EU countries. He stated characteristically that it is among
the highest recorded in Greece for many years.
Mr. Simitis stressed that the government will continue the
policy of stabilization and development and added that there is
progress in the materialization of the goal for social justice and
cohesion together with the programs drawn up aimed at limiting
social exclusion and unemployment.
The prime minister also underlined that the government policy
is based on the triptych "Stability-Development-Social Cohesion".
Responding to those who criticize the government and the
course of the economy, Mr. Simitis stated that he wants to assure
the Greek people that the course followed is about the same as
planned and this course guarantees stability, development, and
social adjustment having as a primary goal the creation of a
strong society.
[02] ABOUT 1.500 GREEKS LEAVE FOR GENOA TODAY
About 1.500 Greeks leave for Genoa, Italy today to
participate in the protests against globalization on the occasion
of the G8 summit meeting that opens in the Italian city on Friday.
A Coalition of the Left delegation headed by party president
Nikos Konstantopoulos and party Euro-deputies will be among the
Greek protesters.
[03] UPGRADING OF THE GREEK-BULGARIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS
A cooperation contract aimed at upgrading telecommunications
and postal services between Greece and Bulgaria was signed in
Sofia, Bulgaria by Greek undersecretary of transportation Alekos
Voulgaris and Bulgarian minister of transportation and
telecommunications Antoni Slavinski.
Specialists from both countries are expected to undertake to
draw up specific programs aimed at developing bilateral
cooperation in the specific sector.
[04] BIG GAINS OF +4.54% IN THE ASE
Big gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today.
The general index rose to +4.54% at 2.452,59 points, while the
volume of transactions was relatively small at 106.26 million Euro
or 36.207 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority, 335,
recorded gains and just 15 had losses, while the value of 23
stocks remained stable.
[05] THE GREEKS FIND THE EU VERY ATTRACTIVE
An opinion poll conducted by the "Euro-barometer" showed that
the majority of the Greeks are in favor of the united Europe in
view of the protests against globalization planned on the occasion
of the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy.
Specifically, 57% regard Greece's participation in the
European Union structures as a "good thing", while the EU average
is 48%.
The Greeks are among the most enthusiastic Europeans
regarding the community framework, with the Irish and the people
of Luxembourg toping the list with 72%.
Also, 69% believe that Greece benefits from its accession
into the European Union, while they seem to trust the Euro more,
69%, compared to the EU average.
Finally, 70% of the Greeks state that they are in favor of
enlargement, while only 43% of the rest EU citizens support it.
[06] THE 2002 STATE BUDGET IS UNDER DISCUSSION
The 2001 state budget materializes smoothly, stated undersecretary
of finance Giorgos Dris after the meeting of the government's
economic staff held in the national economy ministry today under
minister Yiannos Papantoniou.
Asked about the 2002 state budget, he responded that it will
be drawn up based on the convergence program.
According to different scenarios, the 2002 budget provides
for about 900 billion drachmas of additional revenues that are
expected to come from the public revenues increase of 6-7%.
The primary expenses in 2002 are expected to be increased by
5-6%, while the GDP is estimated to be about 4.5%.
The fiscal policy that will be followed will be in accordance
with the stability program which is aimed at creating surplus.
Among others, is predicted a growth rate of 5%, government surplus
increase at 1.5%, public debt drop at 96% from 98.9% of the GDP
and increase of revenues at 8%.
Meanwhile, in a meeting of the economic staff yesterday it
was decided that 12 privatizations will take place next year
estimated to bring revenues of at least 1 trillion drachmas.
[07] INFLATION INCREASED IN JUNE
Inflation rose to 4.5% in Greece in the month of June
compared to 3.9% in May, according to the European Union
statistics agency, Eurostat.
Higher inflation than Greece was recorded in Holland (5%) and
Portugal (4.6%), while Britain (1.7%), together with France and
Denmark (2.2%) had the lowest inflation.
Compared to June 2000, the biggest inflation increase was
recorded in Britain from 0.8% to 1.7%, Sweden from 1.4% to 3% and
Greece from 2.2% to 4.5%. The biggest inflation drop was recorded
in Luxembourg from 4.4% to 2.7%, Denmark from 2.9% to 2.2%, and
Ireland from 5.4% to 4.3%.
The lowest average inflation on an annual basis was recorded
in Britain 1%, and Sweden and France 1.9%.
[08] EVENT IN HONOR OF THE SERREANS LIVING ABROAD
A big event will take place on Friday evening in honor of the
people from the northern Greek city of Serres, who live abroad.
The event will be held in the city's main square and it will be
organized by the prefecture and the municipality of Serres.
In a press conference held today, mayor Zisis Mitliangas
stressed that the event is held in honor of the Serreans living
abroad for the efforts they make to preserve the Greek culture,
language, and traditions in the countries where they live.
Prefecture counselor Athanasios Basdanis stated among others,
that 150 Greek-Australian children are currntly hosted in the
region of Amfipolis at the local administration initiative.
Finally, Ioannis Ioannidis, in charge of MPA's public relations,
announced that the Macedonian Press Agency, which participates in
the event, will broadcast it live on the Internet at the
electronic address www.mpa.gr.
[09] INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON THE SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN THE AEGEAN
The seismic activity in northern Aegean will be at the center
of the meeting of specialists from universities and research
centers in Greece, Turkey, Italy, and the United States, that will
be held in Thessaloniki on July 30-August 1. The earthquakes as a
natural phenomenon and their social consequences will be examined
in the meeting, as well as, ways of cooperation in the study of
earthquakes in the region of northern Aegean.
According to Thessaloniki's Aristotle University geology
department, the study of the seismic activity in northern Aegean
will be in continuation of an earlier study of the seismic
activity in the region of the Sea of Marmara.
In the meeting will participate scientists from Aristotle
University, Athens University, the National Observatory, the
National Sea Research Center, the University of Bologna in Italy,
Columbia University in the United States and Turkey's TUBITAK
research institute.
[10] HOSPITALITY PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN OF GREEK ORIGIN
Tens of young Greeks from Sweden are hosted in the
northwestern Greek city of Ioannina within the framework of a
special program concerning the organizing of visits to Greece by
children and young people of Greek origin.
The program concerns young people aged 18-25, who will stay
in the region of Ioannina for 20 days. They will have the
opportunity to go sightseeing, learn the local history, and
participate in cultural, sports, and other recreational
activities.
Thirty Greek children from Turkey and Bulgaria, aged 8-12,
will be hosted at the Municipal Camp Site of Sapes in Thrace north-
eastern Greece on August 6-26.
The children will have the opportunity to learn the Greek
language and strengthen their ties with the country of their
ancestors, while they will also be acquainted with Thrace, its
history, tradition, and culture.
One hundred forty six Greek children from Russia, Belarus,
Lithuania, Latvia, and Bulgaria participate in hospitality
programs in the month of July at the initiative of the Greek
foreign ministry general secretariat for the Greeks abroad.
The goal of the program is to strengthen the ties of the Greek
origin children with motherland and their acquaintance with the
Greek way of life, culture, language, and history.
Within the framework of the specific program that was first
launched in 1995, a total of 7.900 children from the Commonwealth
of Independent States, Bulgaria, and Albania have been hosted in
Greece until now.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
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