MPA NEWS IN BRIEF (15/07/1996)

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

Macedonian Press Agency Brief News in English Directory

RIEF GREEK NEWS BULLETIN BY MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY

Thessaloniki, July 15, 1996

TITLES

NEWS IN DETAIL

[01] EU GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL WILL BE HELD TODAY TO DISCUSS MEDA

The European Union General Affairs Ministerial Council will convene today in Brussels where among the topics discussed will be the MEDA funding program for twelve non-EU Mediterranean countries and the holding of the Association Council between Turkey-EU.

The Greek side has already expressed its intention to maintain its veto exercised over the billion-dollar MEDA package, for as long as Turkey continues to threaten Greece's territorial integrity.

Dick Spring, Foreign Minister of the Ireland-held EU Presidency, visited Athens on Friday and met with his Greek counterpart Theodoros Pangalos -as well as alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos- to whom he stated that his country's aim is to achieve an agreement over MEDA in light of the Council.

While hailing the MEDA program as a very significant one for the mediterranean countries, Mr. Spring did not clarify how such agreement could be reached.

Mr. Pangalos characterized Mr. Spring's visit as an "exploratory" one and emphasized that the Irish Foreign Minister is too experienced a politician to make proposals before a complete discussion has taken place.

Nevertheless, the greek side would like to see the EU expressing its policies on one hand and, at the same time, to send a message towards Turkey and reiterate that when these two factors are taken into account and are included in a common position adopted by the "15", then Greece could consider lifting its veto.

[02] EU REPORT ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IS EXPECTED TO BE POSITIVE FOR GREECE

Greek Undersecretary of Agriculture Dimitris Fotiades is awaiting with optimism the imminent results of the European Union's report on the foot and mouth disease cases noted in Northern Greece's Evros region.

Earlier today, Mr. Fotiades met with the EU specialists who will travel to Alexandroupolis tomorrow in order to visit the areas where the outbreak was noted.

Mr. Fotiades stated that "we are not afraid of the report since we have taken all the necessary measures and respect the EU's firm positions" and added that "the Greek government's aim is to convince the EU that its directions are being followed closely."

The EU report will be submitted to the EU Standard Agricultural Committee which will convene on Friday. Depending on the report, the EU will decide either to extend the applied restricting measures or to lift them.

[03] CYPRUS: 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION COMMEMMORATED TODAY

A memorial service will be held today at the St. John Cathedral in Nicosia, commemmorating the 22nd-year anniversary of the island's invasion by Turkey in 1974.

Present at the memorial service will be the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafkos Clerides, all leaders of Cypriot political parties and distinguished members of the Cypriot community.

At precisely 8:20 a.m., the time when the coup took place 22 years ago, sirens were activated and the city's Freedom Square was covered with black flags as a sign of mourning.

Meanwhile, thousands Cypriots living in Britain participated in a grandiose rally held yesterday in London's Hyde Park where speeches were given by Cypriot Finance Minister Christodoulos Christodoulou and the European Parliament's Socialist Group leader Pauline Green.

In a resolution presented to British Prime Minister John Major, the Cypriot community asked that Britain become more actively involved in the efforts to solve the Cyprus problem.

[04] PRIME MINISTER TO MEET WITH US REPRESENTATIVE TO UN ON WEDNESDAY

The United States permanent representative to the United Nations Madleine Albright will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis on Wednesday in order to discuss greco-turkish relations and the issue of Cyprus.

Ms. Albright will be accompanied by the US special emissary for Cyprus Richard Beatty.

On July 17, the US ambassador will travel to Nicosia in order to examine the "effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus" and discuss potential opportunities for a comprehensive agreement.

Following Nicosia, Ms. Albright will travel to Ankara on July 18 and 19 where she will meet with officials of the newly- formed Turkish government and, aside from bilateral issues, she will discuss Cyprus and Iraq.

[05] CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL LAW OF SEA BEGINS IN RHODES

The Rhodes Academy of International Law of the Sea began its first convention today, embarking on this year's three-week program that will cover general subjects of maritime law.

The program is funded by the European Union and the founding institutes, which are the Aegean Institute of the Law of the Sea and of Nautical Law, the University of Virginia's Center for Ocean Law and Policy, the Max-Panck University and the Netherlands Institute of Law of the Sea.

The Rhodes Academy is largely viewed as the nautical law's equivalent to The Hague's international law.

[06] UNITED NATIONS DISATISFIED BY US STANCE ON CUPRUS' SECURITY

The United States have not informed yet the United Nations on their intent to review and submit proposals on the issue of security in Cyprus, and the UN appear dissatisfied by the US' stance of putting aside the cohesive approach to the Cyprus problem.

These issues are expected to take center stage on the following Thursday when the UN's Han Sung Ju and Gustav Feishel are expected to meet with officials from the State Department.

[07] INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL HELD IN NAOUSA

For the eighth year in a row, the International Folk Dance Festival is being held in the city of Naousa, with the participation of dance groups from throughout the world.

The festivities began on July 10 and will last until July 24. Organizers are the Council of International Folkoric Festivities (CIOFF) and Naousa's Cultural Association "PYRSOS".

According to Alexandros Economou, President of the Cultural Center of the Naousa Municipality, the festival does not receive any funding from the Culture Ministry.

[08] THREE GREEK-AUSTRALIANS TO BE AWARDED BY CHAMBER IN MELBOURNE

Three awards wil be given to the most outstanding Greek- Australian businessmen by the Hellenic-Australian Chamber of Commerce (HACCI).

One of the awards regards the area of construction, the second regards the service sector and the third will be given to a new entrepreneur.

The awards ceremony will take place on October 11.

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