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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2003-12-03
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY
Thessaloniki, December 3, 2003
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WINDOW TO LEGALITY - SOLUTION
[02] NEW FUNDS FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE
[03] BALKAN MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
[04] LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION
[05] RESPONSE TO FANARI ON 12/12
[06] PROSPERITY AND JUSTICE
[07] SIMITIS: I WILL NOT GO TO THE EU AND I WILL DEDICATE ALL MY EFFORTS TO PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY
[08] GAINS IN THE ASE
[09] THE ARCHBISHOP RECEIVED THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S REPLY LETTER
[10] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE AND THE CHURCH OF GREECE
[11] EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE: THE "ROAD MAP" MUST BE IMPLEMENTED
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREECE AT THE CORE OF EU DEFENSE
NEWS IN DETAILS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] WINDOW TO LEGALITY - SOLUTION
"An appeal was made to Turkey as a member of the Council of Europe and as a candidate EU Member-State, to respect its obligation, proving with actions the priority it gives to its European prospects", stated Athens, via alternate Foreign Minister Tassos
Giannitsis, immediately following the payment of 1.1 million euro to Mrs. T. Loizidou, carrying out the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.
[02] NEW FUNDS FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE
The disposal of new funds from the reserve fund of the third Communal Support Framework for the development of the countryside and the preparation of the country's positions for the 4th Communal Support Framework being prepared by the European Union, wer
e the focal points of the discussion at the Maximos Mansion, presided over by Prime Minister Simitis and with the participation of 12 ministers and deputy ministers. In statements he made, the Prime Minister said that the funds made available for the deve
lopment of the countryside have been doubled.
[03] BALKAN MEDIA IN THE DIGITAL AGE
General developments in the are of new technologies and the Internet and how they affect and are used by the Media, will be presented by Director of the MIT Media Lab, Boston, Michalis Bletsas, at the 8th Interbalkan Journalistic Conference, organized by
the MPA in Thessaloniki on Friday and Saturday, on "The Balkan Media in the Digital Age".
[04] LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION
Solutions to the major problems created for Olympic Airways flights from the continuing strike of flight attendants and stewards are being searched for by the company's administration, which announced that all flights will be carried out normally tomorro
w, despite the decision of the flight attendants and stewards to move to a new 48-hour strike.
[05] RESPONSE TO FANARI ON 12/12
The position of the Church of Greece on the issue of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's response to the proposal for the solution of the problem with the election of Metropolites in the "new countries", was referred to the standing holy synod of the Church of
Greece, to be held from December 1 to December 12. We will position ourselves with complete respect towards the Patriarchate, mentioned the Church's announcement. According to information, the Ecumenical Patriarchate rejected the proposal of the Church o
f Greece.
[06] PROSPERITY AND JUSTICE
We have the necessary experience and know-how to reach the level of other EU countries, said Prime Minister Costas Simitis in his press conference this morning for members of the foreign press. Mr. Simitis characterized the Olympics and the resolving of
the Cyprus issue and the continental reef as crucial national goals to be judged by the end of 2004, while he stressed that this period is dangerous for global economy. He set the achievement of social justice with financial prosperity as a goal and was i
n favor of the Committee's positions regarding the Stability Pact.
[07] SIMITIS: I WILL NOT GO TO THE EU AND I WILL DEDICATE ALL MY EFFORTS TO PASOK'S ELECTION VICTORY
Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has put an end to the succession scenarios in the governing Socialist Party of PASOK in the press conference he gave at the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in Athens today.
Mr. Simitis made it clear that he will lead PASOK in the next elections, adding that he is not interested in assuming any of the under formation posts in the European Union.
The Prime Minister launched a strong attack on the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy characterizing it as an extremely conservative party.
He said that elections will be held on April or May 2004, stressing that PASOK is not tired, has made changes, it is renewed and has the experience to win the parliamentary elections. The Greek people support the government's policy but they have greate
r expectations and PASOK is aware of that, he said.
He assured that the Olympic Games that will be held in Athens next year, are going to be safe, stressing that there is international cooperation on the issue.
Mr. Simitis sent a message to Turkey, saying that its position regarding the Cyprus issue will affect its European prospect considerably. He stated characteristically that Turkey's EU accession could not be under discussion, while an issue like the Cypru
s issue remains open.
On the Stability Pact in the EU, he said that it is necessary adding, however, that in case of extraordinary situations certain adjustments need to be made.
[08] GAINS IN THE ASE
Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.79% at 2.197,74 points, while the volume of transactions was at 249.6 million euro.
Of the stocks trading today, 96 recorded losses and 204 had gains, while the value of 82 stocks remained unchanged.
[09] THE ARCHBISHOP RECEIVED THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S REPLY LETTER
Metropolite Panteleimon of Tiroloi delivered the Ecumenical Patriarchate's reply letter to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece regarding the issue of the new Metropolites in the so-called new countries.
The meeting lasted about 15 minutes and was characterized as ceremonial. Upon his departure from the Archbishopric Building, the Metropolite of Tiroloi stated that there is always hope and the letter will be examined in the Holy Synod meeting on December
9-12.
The Archbishopric Press Office issued a statement mentioning that the Ecumenical Patriarchate's letter will be studied carefully and its contents will be judged with the appropriate respect toward the Patriarchate and with a sense of responsibility towar
d the autocephalous and self-administration state of the Church of Greece.
[10] THE GOVERNMENT IS IN FAVOR OF A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE AND THE CHURCH OF GREECE
The Greek government is in favor of a dialogue between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece to restore the spiritual unity of Orthodoxy, stated Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Education Minister Petros Efthimiou after the meeting
they had with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.
Church issues dominated in the meeting, while the government efforts for a dialogue to ease the tension in the relations of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with the Church of Greece, were also discussed.
[11] EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE: THE "ROAD MAP" MUST BE IMPLEMENTED
The developments in the Middle East and the situation in Iraq were examined in the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation ministerial summit held in Naples, Italy.
Greece was represented in the summit by Alternate Foreign Minister Tasos Giannitsis. The participants reviewed the political situation and the progress made in the sectors of interest for the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation.
According to a statement issued by the Greek Foreign Ministry, the ministerial summit was characterized as positive.
On the political situation in the region, views were exchanged on the crisis in the Middle East, stressing that the "road map" is necessary to be implemented, while an effort should be made by all sides for a peaceful, lasting and fair solution.
On the situation in Iraq, they reiterated their support to the efforts for quick restoration of security in the country and the return of the country's governance to the Iraqi people based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1511. They also reconfirmed
the active interest in the situation in Iraq on behalf of the European Union, the region's countries and the international community.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREECE AT THE CORE OF EU DEFENSE
"Greece will participate along side France and Germany in the first core to be formed for European Defense", stated Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou following the completion of the NATO Defense Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, while he poi
nted out that US and NATO Alliance reactions were limited, and the did not question the development and growth of European Defense.
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