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Friday, 22 November 2024
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MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (20/03/1996)From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English DirectoryMACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISHThessaloniki March 20, 1996CONTENTS[01] PARLIAMENT SESSION PREPARES FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE[02] U.S. RELEASES AID FIGURES FOR GREECE AND TURKEY[03] GREEK FARMERS UNHAPPY WITH PREMIER'S STATEMENTS, TO MOBILIZE AGAIN[04] NORTHERN GREEK BUSINESSMEN IN FYROM FOR TRADE TALKS[05] AUSTRIA AND LUXEMBURG ARE SUPPORTIVE OF CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION[06] CYPRUS A COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE ISSUE, SAYS ITALIAN CO-ORDINATOR[01] PARLIAMENT SESSION PREPARES FOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCEDuring the second-day of the greek parliamentary session on the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference, the discussion centered around the protection of the European Union's external borders and on the issue of Greece's veto to Turkey's economic funding from the EU.During yesterday's discussion, the Greek Premier Kostas Simitis stated that during the March 29 Conference in Turin, aimed at revising the Maastricht Treaty, Greece will pressure the EU to forge a common foreign and security policy. Regarding the Imia issue with Turkey, Mr. Simitis noted that 13 EU member-states have adopted Greece's position, however, Britain's refusal to agree has blocked the taking of a relevant decison. [02] U.S. RELEASES AID FIGURES FOR GREECE AND TURKEYThe Clinton Administration submitted its 1997 budget yesterday, including a proposal for a 7:10 ratio in military loan aid to Greece and Turkey and a $15 million aid package to Cyprus.In addition, the Clinton budget includes $15 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) for Cyprus and $60 million in ESF for Turkey. These figures maintain the traditional amount for Cyprus, while cutting 40% from last year's $100 million request for Turkey. This year's budget reflects a trend of dramatically scaling down aid to Greece and Turkey, now at a fraction of levels from a decade ago, both from drops in dollar amount and from conversion from grant to aid. [03] GREEK FARMERS UNHAPPY WITH PREMIER'S STATEMENTS, TO MOBILIZE AGAINThe Panhellenic Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (PASEGES) has announced a new wave of mobilization by farmers, in light of the Greek Premier's refusal to commit to their demands during yesterday's PASEGES General Convention.Addressing the Confederation yesterday, the Premier Kostas Simitis said that "I am not and do not want to be the goose that lays the golden eggs" and stated that the dialogue between the government and agriculture sector representatives will begin next week. Yesterday, more than 2,000 farmers converged in front of the Ministry of Agriculture building in Athens to protest against the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the low farm prices. [04] NORTHERN GREEK BUSINESSMEN IN FYROM FOR TRADE TALKSA delegation of businessmen, organized by the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEVE) is currently in Skopje for a two-day visit during which they are examining investment opportunities and aiming to promote bilateral trade and co- operation.The 60-member delegation, headed by SEVE and Piraeus Port Authority President Apostolos Yenitsaris, comprises members of enterprises and co-operative unions, as well as representatives from the federation of agricultural organizations of Greece, PASEGES and the Ionian Bank. [05] AUSTRIA AND LUXEMBURG ARE SUPPORTIVE OF CYPRUS' EU ACCESSIONAustria and Luxemburg have expressed their support of Cyprus' efforts for accession to the European Union and have saluted the appointment of the EU's Italian Presidency Co-ordinator of the cypriot issue, Federico di Roberto.These favorable positions were expressed by the Austrian and Luxemburg ambassadors during their separate accrediting ceremonies, held at the Presidential Mansion. Specifically, the Austrian Ambassador to Nicosia Hans Sabatic expressed his conviction that Cyprus' accession to the Community "will constitute a valuable part of Europe's structure, will strengthen the EU's economic power and will extend the political stability into the eastern Mediterranean." [06] CYPRUS A COMPLEX AND SENSITIVE ISSUE, SAYS ITALIAN CO-ORDINATORFollowing his New York contacts with UN officials, the Italian-held European Union Presidency's Co-ordinator for Cyprus Federico di Roberto stated that there must be close co-ordination and common positions found between the United Nations, the United States and the EU on the Cypriot issue which he characterized as a sensitive and complex problem.Wrapping up a two-day meeting with U.S. and U.N. officials, Mr. di Roberto, accompanied by the official responsible for the EU's Meditteranean Affairs Serge Abu, also stated that the contacts reaffirmed the feeling of contained optimism gained from his contacts in Nicosia. |
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