MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (20/05/1996)

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 20, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] GREEK PREMIER ADDRESSES NATO SPRING ASSEMBLY HELD IN ATHENS

Last day deliberations of the Athens-held Spring Session of NATO's North Atlantic Assembly (NAA) were accented today with a speech given by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The Premier emphasized Greece's firm position, according to which any country that raises claims against -or questions the rights of- a neighboring country must resort to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

Mr. Simitis also stressed that Greece, as any other country, cannot accept the threat of force or the use of force in international relations.

In his speech, the Premier supported the construction of a European Union common defense policy, one that would be supplementary to the North- Atlantic Alliance, as well as NATO's expansion towards countries of Southern Europe and the promotion of cooperation with Russia and the Ukraine.

Moreover, the Premier outlined Greece's active participation in IFOR forces in Bosnia, and called for the Alliance's attention to the "re-construction of Bosnia's infrastructure."

This morning, prior to his speech, Mr. Simitis met with NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana.

The NAA will wind up its deliberations today. Besides NATO member states, also attending are 15 countries of eastern and central Europe under associate status, 10 countries under observer status, and reporesentatives of the European Parliament, the OSCE and the WEU.

[02] NATO'S SECRETARY-GENERAL ADDRESSES NORTH ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY

NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana addressed the Northatlantic Assembly held in Athens today and, responding to a greek parliament member's question after his speech, called for cooperation between Greece and Turkey regarding their differences.

Mr. Solana added that both he and NATO could provide aid towards this direction "if that were deemed necessary", albeit declining to adopt a position -when he was asked to do so- in favor of the NATO countries' respect of international law.

[03] GREEK FETA CHEESE ISSUE RISES AGAIN AT EU AGRICULTURE MINISTERS COUNCIL

The Agriculture Ministers of the European Union member countries will hold a Council meeting today, during which the issue of the greek feta cheese will be brought up for discussion again.

The Council will examine the imminent announcement by the European Commission, according to which the greek feta cheese that is produced by goat and sheep milk is a product name that is protected in the EU member countries, until further regulation is issued by the Commission.

The current regulation will allow the other countries, mostly Denmark, to bring into the market their own soft, white cheese made from cow's milk and call it "feta", for a five-year time period.

The Danes, as well as the majority of the other countries, are requesting that this five-year time period be extended to at least ten years.

[04] NEW SEA ROUTE CONNECTS THESSALONIKI WITH CYPRUS AND ISRAEL

Paving the way for increased tourism and trade between Northern Greece, Cyrpus and Israel, a new sea route will connect the ports of Thessaloniki, Lemessos and Haifa every Thursday.

The "F/B Thessaloniki" ship, whose first route is scheduled to be inaugurated on May 30, is expected to provide Northern Greeks with vacation opprtunities in Cyprus and Israel's holy sites.

Up to date, tourism packages for the markets of the Czech Republic, Serbia, Skopje, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Russia were provided only for the areas of Southern Greece and the Attica region.

Moreover, this new route is expected to enable trade and exports towards Cyrpus and the eastern mediterranean region, as the ship has a 3,700-ton capacity, can carry 450 passengers and has holding room for 100 cars and 30 TIR trailers.

The route also includes stopovers at some of the Aegean's most popular islands, such as Tinos, Patmos, Lesvos and Kos.

[05] FREE TRADE ZONE TO BE ESTABLISHED BETWEEN YUGOSLAVIA AND FYROM

A free trade zone between FYROM and Yugoslavia was announced at Skopje yesterday, following talks held between the two countries' trade ministers, Bekir Zuta and Gorge Siradovic, respectively.

According to the Yugoslav daily "Nasa Borba", the FYROM Trade Minister, Mr. Zuta, stated that this free trade zone will be into effect until January 1, 1999.

On Yugoslavia's behalf, Mr. Siradovic stated that "it is realistic that a free trade zone be created between the two countries, since both FYROM and FRY. are looking into their accession in international trade organizations."

The two ministers did not clarify when the agreement will be signed, although, according to the report, the Yugoslav Premier Radoyie Kodic is expected to be present.

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