Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-19
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 19, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE EU APPROVED THE HELLENIC PETROLEUM SUBSIDY
[02] OVER 3.1 TRILLION DRACHMAS TO AGRICULTURE
[03] THE GERMAN REAL ESTATE AUCTION WAS SUSPENDED
[04] IMPRESSIVE RISE IN THE ASE
[05] SIMITIS-POLIZOGOPOULOS MEETING
[06] CHINA'S LABOR MINISTER IN ATHENS
[07] THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE DEPORTING
[08] 27 YEARS SINCE THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS
[09] THE YOUNG AND WOMEN ARE BEST TAXI CUSTOMERS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] GENOA IS A CITY UNDER SIEGE
[11] SOME 150 GREEKS RETURN FROM GENOA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] THE EU APPROVED THE HELLENIC PETROLEUM SUBSIDY
The European Commission approved the Greek government plan
for subsidy to the Hellenic Petroleum company
The 38 million Euro subsidy corresponds to 32% of the amount
that will be allocated for the construction of the first complete
polypropylene production plant in Greece.
[02] OVER 3.1 TRILLION DRACHMAS TO AGRICULTURE
Over 3.1 trillion drachmas are expected to be allocated by
the ministry of agriculture, through the 3rd Community Framework
of Support, to be used to strengthen the competitiveness of farm
products, according to an announcement by minister of agriculture
Giorgos Anomeritis.
Among the goals that will materialize within the framework of
the 3rd Community Framework of Support are, the creation of new
job positions in the sectors of agriculture and fishery,
improvement of competitiveness, protection of environment and
quality of life improvement.
[03] THE GERMAN REAL ESTATE AUCTION WAS SUSPENDED
The auction procedures concerning the German state owned real
estate in Greece were suspended until September 19, after an
Athens court decision. As it was made known, the requests for the
suspension of the court ordered auctions, that were submitted by
the German state, will be discussed on that date.
The appeal made by the German state against the Athens court
decision, based on which the Nazi victims in Greece have the right
to war reparations and ordered the auction of the German state
owned real estate, will be discussed in court on September 4.
[04] IMPRESSIVE RISE IN THE ASE
Impressive gains were recorded again in the Athens Stock
Exchange today. The general index rose to +5.53% at 2.588,12
points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 165.1
million Euro or 56.2 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, the majority, 342, had gains and
11 recorded losses, while the value of 22 stocks remained stable.
[05] SIMITIS-POLIZOGOPOULOS MEETING
Prime minister Kostas Simitis will have a meeting later today
with Greek General Confederation of Labor president Christos
Polizogopoulos, one day after the intervention made by leading
labor union leaders from the governing socialist party of PASOK,
who presented their own platform of ideas on the economic and
social policy in view of the party congress that will take place
in October.
Commenting on PASOK's picture today, Mr. Polizogopoulos
stated that it is the first time in its long course that the party
has lost its contact with the majority of society and the people's
expectations.
Mr. Polizogopoulos also stated that the party congress should
bring changes in policies and reverse the existing negative
climate.
[06] CHINA'S LABOR MINISTER IN ATHENS
China's labor and social security minister Zhang Zuoji will
be in Greece on July 23 for a three-day visit at the invitation of
his counterpart Tasos Yiannitsis.
During his visit the Chinese government minister will have
meetings with his Greek counterpart to discuss issues concerning
the Greek job market and the European strategy on employment. They
will also hold discussions on the social security system in
Greece.
On July 25, the Chinese minister will make a one-day visit to
the island of Crete.
[07] THE ITALIAN AUTHORITIES DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE DEPORTING
No list of names has been delivered to the Italian
authorities by the Greek state, reiterated again today government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas, referring to the Greeks who participate
in the Genoa mobilizations against globalization.
Mr. Reppas stated that the foreign ministry is in contact
with the Greek ambassador to Rome, while the Greek government
makes the necessary representations regarding the exclusion of
three buses from the Greek convoy to Genoa.
According to Mr. Reppas, the Italian authorities didn't know
in advance who were on those buses, adding that the buses were
stopped when they reached Italian territory after they arrived at
the port of Ankona by ferryboat.
[08] 27 YEARS SINCE THE TURKISH INVASION OF CYPRUS
We support Cyprus in the efforts for the solution of the
Cyprus problem and the successful completion of its EU accession.
We will continue our efforts and we will undertake all necessary
political and diplomatic initiatives to achieve the desirable
outcome in this major issue, stated government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas commenting on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the
Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
Mr. Reppas added that we should do our duty and honor those
who died for the nation.
[09] THE YOUNG AND WOMEN ARE BEST TAXI CUSTOMERS
Young people and women are the best taxi customers in
Thessaloniki, while the majority of them (53.70%) believe that the
fare they pay is reasonable, according to a research conducted by
the Greek Consumer Organization "EKATO" in cooperation with
Thessaloniki's Taxi Owners Association "Hermes".
The research was conducted on a sample of 1.000 taxi
customers, who filled up a questionnaire in the period between
December 2000 and May 2001.
The people who use a taxi more often are between the ages of
19 and 30 (42.05%), followed by the 31-50 age group (32.24%),
those under 18 (16.99%) and finally, those over the age of 50 who
rarely take a cab (8.71%).
Women use the taxi as a main transportation means more often
(61.66%), compared to men who use it less frequently (38.34%).
According to the research, 39.55% use a taxi at least once a
day, 38.78% once a week, 13.29% once a month and 8.71% rarely.
The number of taxis in Thessaloniki is regarded as
satisfactory (60.89%), 19.83% responded that they are fairly
enough and 19.28% believe that they are not enough.
The majority (49.56%) appear satisfied with the taxi drivers'
behavior, while 71.35% responded that they do not mind if the
driver serves other customers as well on the way.
The cabs in Thessaloniki are clean according to 75.16% of the
taxi customers, while 81.81% responded that they like music in the
taxi.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[10] GENOA IS A CITY UNDER SIEGE
The city of Genoa, Italy is under police siege in view of the
G8 summit meeting that will be held with the participation of
Russia.
The strict police measures have caused strong discontent
among the city residents, who blame the Berlusconi government for
the uncomfortable situation they experience. The city itself is
under the siege of the security forces as thousands of protesters
from all over Europe, among them about 3.500 Greeks, have arrived
in the city to declare their opposition to globalization.
The G8 leaders will discuss issues concerning the American
missile defense system and the Kyoto agreement on the environment.
[11] SOME 150 GREEKS RETURN FROM GENOA
Genoa police deported about 150 Greeks, who had arrived in
the Italian city to participate in the protests against the G8
summit meeting.
The deportation took place as soon as 18 buses with Greek
protesters arrived by ferryboat at the port of Ankona, Italy and
were ready to continue their trip to Genoa. As it was made known,
police stopped 3 of the buses and ordered them to return back to
the ferry.
The Greek protesters have requested the assistance of the
Greek consulate and political forces.
|
