Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-04-28

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANDREOU WILL MEET WITH ALBRIGHT AND CEM

[02] POSITIVE RESPONSE TO GREECE'S EMU ACCESSION

[03] PAPANDREOU AND CEM "POLITICAL PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR"

[04] THE DRIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

[05] THE BIG EXODUS FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAYS IS UNDERWAY

[06] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WILL VISIT SERBIA IN JULY

[07] PANGALOS IS IN LAUZANNE

[01] PAPANDREOU WILL MEET WITH ALBRIGHT AND CEM

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet in New York next Tuesday with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem and US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

They will discuss the Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and the situation in Yugoslavia. The Greek foreign minister will attend a working lunch that will be given by US permanent representative in the UN ambassador Richard Holbrooke.

Next weekend Mr. Papandreou will attend the informal EU foreign ministers Council meeting that will be held in the Portuguese Azores.

[02] POSITIVE RESPONSE TO GREECE'S EMU ACCESSION

A positive response is expected by the European Commission and the European Central Bank on May 3 regarding Greece's application for EMU accession. However, both institutions are expected to make a number of observations and recommendations regarding the Greek economy.

Starting on May 3 and until the final decision on Greece's accession into the EMU that will be made by the European Council, the Greek government will be pressured to undertake specific commitments on its economic policy and mainly, for the materialization of big structural changes in privatization, the freeing of the energy and transportation markets, the social security system and the flexibility of work relations.

On the occasion of the pressures exerted two days ago on the drachma, European analysts point out that the period until June is sensitive for the Greek currency which can be faced with speculative pressures.

[03] PAPANDREOU AND CEM "POLITICAL PERSONALITIES OF THE YEAR"

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem will receive the "Political Personalities of the Year" award by the US East West Institute in a special ceremony that will take place in New York on May 2.

The distinction is given every year in a show of recognition to the individuals who have played a leading role in the effort for the creation of a united and peaceful Europe.

The two ministers will be honored for their contribution to the improvement of the relations between their two countries and for their efforts aimed at the stabilization of south-eastern Europe.

The Humanism Prize will be awarded to the Greek and the Turkish rescue teams for the assistance they have offered to people in Greece and Turkey during last year's earthquakes.

The ceremony will be presented by Greek-American actress Olympia Dukakis while the awards will be delivered by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, head of the EU foreign and defense policy Javier Solana, former Finn president Maarti Ahtisaari and East West Institute co-chairman George Rassell.

[04] THE DRIVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

The car drivers have most of the responsibility for the traffic accidents, according to an opinion poll conducted by the polling company "Focus" on behalf of the Athens radio station "Alpha News 98.7", which confirms that the drivers' behavior is not the appropriate one.

Nine out of 10 people believe that almost all traffic accidents are the result of speed, alcohol consumption and the carelessness of the drivers. Two out of three believe that accidents are also caused by insufficient road signs and the bad construction of the road network. Also, 43% believe that another cause of traffic accidents is the insufficient maintenance of cars which is also attributed to the drivers.

[05] THE BIG EXODUS FOR THE EASTER HOLIDAYS IS UNDERWAY

Thousands of people in Greece leave the big cities to spend the Easter Holidays at the countryside. Traffic police estimates that the number of cars in this year's exodus is 20% more compared to the same time last year.

Thousands of cars left Thessaloniki in the early morning hours today for the sea resorts of Chalkidiki, while the traffic was increased in the national road network of Athens-Lamia and Athens-Korinth.

The special measures for the safe movement of holiday-makers taken by the police will be in effect until Easter Saturday and during the return of the people to their homes.

An increased number of travelers preferred to use for their transportation to their holiday destinations airplanes, ships, trains and inter-city busses.

[06] ARCHBISHOP CHRISTODOULOS WILL VISIT SERBIA IN JULY

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece will visit Belgrade and Serbia on July 15-21, according to the Belgrade newspaper "POLITIKA".

A high ranking Holy Synod official stated to the newspaper that the extremely good and close relations between the Greek and the Serb Church are based on the common Christian values they share.

Holy Synod officials also sent a symbolic message to the Yugoslav people for the Easter by saying that after the martyrdom on the cross comes the resurrection.

[07] PANGALOS IS IN LAUZANNE

Greek minister of culture Theodoros Pangalos is in Lauzanne, Switzerland since yesterday for contacts with International Olympic Committee officials, while a meeting with IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch is not ruled out.

The statements by Mr. Samaranch on serious delays by the Greek side regarding the 2004 Olympic Games preparations have mobilized the Greek political leadership which has admitted that there have been delays insisting, however, that everything will be ready in time for the Olympics in Athens.

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