MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (01/05/1996)

From: Macedonian Press Agency <mpa@philippos.mpa.gr>

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

BRIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki May 1, 1996

NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] INTERNATIONAL, DEMOCRATIC UNIONS TO MEET IN THESSALONIKI

An International Democratic Union (IDU) and European Democratic Union (EDU) Conference will be held in Thessaloniki tomorrow with the participation of both organizations' presidents, Carl Bildt and Alois Mock, respectively, as well as main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert.

The Conference will last four days and discussions are expected to center on issues addressing the European organizational development and the international conservative and liberal parties.

The three presidents will give a joint press conference on May 3.

[02] CYPRIOT PRESIDENT GLAFKOS CLERIDES TO VISIT ATHENS

Cypriot President Glafkos Klerides will meet with Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos during the upcoming week, a few days prior to the two leaders' upcoming, yet separate visits to the United States.

Within this framework, the two governments are also forming a common strategy in light of a new american initiative which is expected to be anounced during the following months.

President Clerides and President Stefanopoulos will discuss the developments on Monday afternoon and will exchange points of view on the cypriot issue in general.

The following day, President Kostis Stefanopoulos will depart for the US where he will meet in the White House with US President Bill Clinton, whose discussion will center on the greek-turkish issues as well as Cyprus.

On May 9, President Clerides will meet in Athens with Premier Kostas Simitis with whom he will conduct a review of the cypriot situation, as it is shaped following his meeting with President Clinton and the talks he held in Athens, Ankara and Nicosia with the US Assistant Secretary of State John Kornblum.

[03] GREEK EXPORTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND COSMETIC PRODUCTS INCREASE

Greek exports of pharmaceutical, detergent and cosmetic products showed a marked increase of approximately 2.94% in 1994, in contrast to 1993, while exports have tripled in volume since 1990 and have increased in value by 60%. The increase in exports volume is partially attributed to the fact that the quantity of exported detergents has more than quadrupled since 1990.

In 1994, 2,033 tons of pharmaceutical products were exported, whose total value was ECU 62 million, while 8,048 tons of cosmetic products valued at ECU 23 million and 23,233 tons of detergent valued ar ECU 20 million were exported. These figures marked a slight increase in the value and volume of exports of these products, with the exception of cosmetics whose exports showed a slight increase in value but marked decrease in volume (17%).

The imports of these same products is currently at high levels and in 1994 rose to ECU 782 million, 17.10% higher than 1993.

European Union member-states, especially England, make up the most significant market for these greek products, while impressive quantities are exported to countries of North Africa and the Middle East.

[04] CHAMBER MUSIC CONTEST TO BE HELD IN THESSALONIKI

Helexpo's Sixth Contest of Chamber Music, scheduled to take place in Thessaloniki between May 10-13, is taking on an international character due to the large number of participants from other countries.

Taking part in this year's contest are musicians from Greece and Cyprus as well as Greeks living abroad and foreigners, especially from Germany and Austria.

Performing in the contest's first category for piano and violin, or viola and violincello will be five duets, while performing in the second category for piano and flute or oboe, clarinet, fagoto, will be 11 music duets.

The awards and the winners' recital will take place on May 16 at the John Vellides Conference Center at Thessaloniki's International Fairgrounds, thereby completing this year's 24 international music days cycle.

[05] PRESIDENT OF SAE MEETS WITH CANADA'S GREEK COMMUNITY

The President of the World Hellenism Council (SAE) Andrew Athens held his first meeting with the greek- canadian community of Montreal, accompanied by the President of the Regional North America Regional Council, Christos Tomaras.

Mr. Athens stated that a political strategy is developing in Athens regarding Greece's national issues, which will be networked throughout the United States, Canada, Brussels and London in order to strengthen the country's position and to present these issues in an organized and successful manner.

Mr. Athens noted that Greek Premier Kostas Simitis enjoys a quite positive image in the States, following his visit there and added that the efforts put forth by SAE also helped in that direction.

[06] HAN SUNG JU TAKES ON HIS POST IN CYPRUS TODAY

Former Foreign Minister of South Korea Han Sung Ju officialy takes on today his post as the new Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the cypriot issue.

Prior to taking on his new duties, Mr. Ju held meeting in Washington and New York with various US State Department officials who are involved in the cypriot issue solution process.

[07] AHEPAN DELEGATION ARRIVES IN CYPRUS TODAY

A delegation of the US-Canada AHEPA Organization arrived this morning in Cyprus, headed by Chairman Spyros Makris, for a series of meetings with Cypriot officials.

Mr. Makris stated that the delegation will be briefed on the latest developments in the cypriot issue, in order to strengthen its US-based efforts to solve the problem.

He added that AHEPA has pressured the US government on various occassions, although not always successfully since it was faced with Washington's special interests.

The AHEPA Chairman also stated that he will seek the cooperation from the new Assistant Secretary of the State Department John Kornblum.

In Cyprus, the delegation will be received by Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and wil meet with the Foreign Minister Alekos Mihaelides, the President of Parliament Alexis Galanos and Archishop Chrysostomos.

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