Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-06-30

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES (ABNA) MEET IN ATHENS

[02] THE GREEK FOREIGN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING

[03] MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE DIABETICS FROM MISS AMERICA 1999

[04] CABINET MEETING ON NATIONAL AND FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES

[05] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS MET WITH THE WIDOW OF BRIGADIER SAUNDERS

[06] TWENTY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FYROM VISITED THESSALONIKI'S CITY HALL

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT IRELAND

[08] MARGINAL LOSSES OF 0.42% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] THE DECODING OF THE GENOME IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

[10] DIAMANTOPOULOU: THE EU FOCUSES ITS INTEREST ON THE SOCIAL SECTOR

[11] THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF SPEED-BOATS WILL BE HELD IN LEFKADA

[12] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WANTS THE END OF OCALAN'S ISOLATION

[13] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTIES TO MEET IN TIRANA

[14] TURKISH MAYOR WOOS GREEK BRIDES WITH HOMES

[15] GREEKS HOSTED BY FETHIYE MUNICIPALITY

[16] GREEK, TURKISH TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS IN BODRUM

[17] BLACK SEA COUNTRIES TO FORM JOINT NAVAL FORCE

[18] VICTORIA STATE PM TO ARRIVE IN ATHENS JULY 9

[01] BALKAN NEWS AGENCIES (ABNA) MEET IN ATHENS

The Association of Balkan News Agencies (ABNA) will hold its 10th General Assembly in Athens tomorrow, at the Divani-Caravel hotel.

The three-day event will be attended by the general directors of the national news agencies of Albania (ATA), Bulgaria (BTA), Yugoslavia (TANJUG), Greece (Macedonian Press Agency and Athens News Agency), FYROM (MIA), Romania (ROMPRESS) and Turkey (AA), while the Moldova news agency (MOLDPRESS) and the private IHA news agency in Turkey will be sending observers.

During the meeting, the Balkan news agencies will discuss joint actions to improve the flow of information to the mass media in their countries, joint participation in European programs and using new technologies to set up a regional data base.

The ABNA presidency is currently held by ANA and its secretariat by MPA.

A.F.

[02] THE GREEK FOREIGN POLICY WAS DISCUSSED IN THE CABINET MEETING

Greece draws up a concrete European and Balkan prospect, is in the core of the important European developments, has increased prestige, cooperates with all sides and promotes the prospect of a unified European Union. A strong Europe can deal with all the effects of globalization.

The above were stated by foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou after the long cabinet meeting that lasted several hours and dealt with foreign policy issues, focusing on the new European developments and the strategy Greece must follow in view of the Inter-Governmental Conference. Mr. Papandreou stated that Turkey's course toward Europe will have its domestic dimensions, while on the Cyprus problem he said that there is nothing new, adding however, that there is a likelihood to have constructive proposals from Turkey in the third round of talks.

[03] MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE DIABETICS FROM MISS AMERICA 1999

Diabetes will become a world epidemic in the next 20-25 years but the progress in technology observed in the past few years has made its treatment less painful, while the information offered to the diabetics promises to improve their living conditions. The above were stated in a press conference by Miss America 1999 Nicole Johnson, who is herself a diabetic and has dedicated her life to offering information to the diabetes sufferers.

The 26yearold Nicole Johnson, who is in Thessaloniki to address a scientific meeting under the title "Diabetes-A way of life", suffers from diabetes since the age of 19 and stressed that she is trying to send a message of hope to those who suffer from chronic diseases, like diabetes.

Nicole Johnson said that her life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with diabetes and she started worrying about her diet, exercise and insulin, but as the time passed she became stronger. She expressed the hope that the decoding of the DNA will help in the treatment of diabetes, stressing that the information campaign targeting the diabetics must continue.

Miss America 1999 has studied English literature has a master's degree in journalism and works as a free lancer for the American television.

She referred to the discrimination against her because of her disease, saying that when she took part in the beauty pageant certain people told her that she will not have any chance of winning because she has diabetes, while others tried to discourage her from being involved in journalism.

[04] CABINET MEETING ON NATIONAL AND FOREIGN POLICY ISSUES

The Greek cabinet met today to discuss the developments in issues of national interest and foreign policy.

In statements made after the meeting, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said that the discussion focused on the issue of European integration and Greece's equal participation in the procedures aimed at federalization.

Mr. Reppas stated that Greece will give special attention to its participation in the united Europe and will try to exploit the advantages stemming from it.

In today's cabinet meeting, were also discussed the situation in the Balkans, the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

[05] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS MET WITH THE WIDOW OF BRIGADIER SAUNDERS

The widow of British military attache in Athens Stephen Saunders and her two daughters met with president Kostis Stephanopoulos at noon today.

Mr. Stephanopoulos offered his condolences to the Saunders family and the widow of the British brigadier, who was gunned down on June 8 by members of the terrorist organization "17 November" as he was driving to the British embassy in Kolonaki, Athens, in statements she made expressed the belief that the terrorists will be found and arrested by the Greek police.

[06] TWENTY YOUNG PEOPLE FROM FYROM VISITED THESSALONIKI'S CITY HALL

Twenty young people from the town of Stromnica in FYROM visited Thessaloniki's City Hall today and met with city council president Sotiris Kapetanopoulos. The 20 youngsters are learning the Greek language in their country in a project financed by the Association of people who come from Stromnica and live in Thessaloniki, with the economic assistance of the municipality of Thessaloniki.

According to association president, Aristotle University professor Mr. Chisafis, the effort will continue in the following months as the young people from FYROM show a great interest in learning the Greek language. At the moment, over 80 people from Stromnica learn Greek in organized classes.

[07] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT IRELAND

President Kostis Stephanopoulos will be on a three-day visit to Ireland on July 3 accompanied by a business delegation of the ministry of national economy.

Mr. Stephanopoulos will meet with the president, prime minister and foreign minister of Ireland and they will discuss mainly European issues. He will also address an economic forum of Greek and Irish businessmen.

[08] MARGINAL LOSSES OF 0.42% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses of 0.42% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today and the general index was at 4.054,41 points, while the volume of transactions was very small at 94,8 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 139 had gains, 185 recorded losses and 37 remained unchanged.

[09] THE DECODING OF THE GENOME IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP

The mapping of the genome is only the first step and work must continue at the same pace, stressed in an interview with the newspaper "Thessaloniki" Cambridge Sanger Center researcher Panos Deloukas, who participates in the Human Genome Program.

Mr. Deloukas stated that it is a unique scientific achievement unprecedented in human history and science. However, he said that this is only the first step and the next one must be to find the genes, how many they are and where they can be found in each one of the de-coded pieces, adding that years of hard work will be needed to determine the exact function of all those genes.

Mr. Deloukas also stated that it must be pointed out that the information and potential offered to medicine, pharmacology, microbiology and other similar sciences by this success are obvious as new doors are being opened for the prediction and treatment of diseases.

[10] DIAMANTOPOULOU: THE EU FOCUSES ITS INTEREST ON THE SOCIAL SECTOR

It is a very important fact that the European Union for the first time adopts the view that its interest must turn to the social sector. The above were stressed by European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, who was the main speaker in the conference on Social Policy and Social Cohesion in an enlarged Europe organized in Thessaloniki by the EU regions committee.

Based on statistical figures provided by the European Union, 18% of the EU population lives under the poverty level, while there are 15 million unemployed who represent 10% of the EU work force.

Ms. Diamantopoulou speaking to reporters stated that the EU social agenda is very important because it presents a framework of binding policies for the next years concerning employment, social protection, equality, minimum income and the cooperation in social issues with the enlargement states.

[11] THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF SPEED-BOATS WILL BE HELD IN LEFKADA

The World Championship Formula-3 3rd Grant Prix of Speed-boats will be held at the Ionian Sea island of Lefkada.

The event is organized by the local administration and will be held under the auspices of the sports ministry. In the race will participate 18 pilots from a number of countries.

Also in Lefkada, there will be an exhibition of Formula-2 speed-boats that will come from Britain.

[12] AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL WANTS THE END OF OCALAN'S ISOLATION

Amnesty International made an appeal to Turkey to put an end to the isolation of jailed Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan expressing concern over the state of his health.

In a statement Amnesty International mentions that it has requested from Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit to stop the isolation of the PKK leader.

The international organization expresses concern in its statement because given the fact that Ocalan is the only prisoner on the prison-island of Imrali, he could be treated badly. It also points out that if an inmate is held in isolation conditions for a long period of time can develop psychological problems.

[13] EUROPEAN SOCIALIST PARTIES TO MEET IN TIRANA

European Socialist Parties will convene in the Albanian capital of Tirana tomorrow, to discuss democratic reforms in South-eastern Europe and the parties' role in a civil society, the Albanian Telegraph Agency reported.

Greece will attend the conference, along with Sweden, Germany, England, Hungary, and a delegation from Kosovo.

Deputy President of the European Socialist Party Jan Marinus Wiersma, who chairs the conference as well, will address the opening speech.

Albanian Premier Ilir Meta, SP chairman Fatos Nano and Social-democrat Party chairman Skender Gjinushi will be among the speakers.

A.F.

[14] TURKISH MAYOR WOOS GREEK BRIDES WITH HOMES

Greek women willing to marry Turks from the city of Urgiup will be rewarded with a free house, an all-expenses-paid honeymoon and, last but not least, the groom, according to the town's mayor.

The mayor of Urgiup, which is in the Municipality of Cappadocia, stated that this is an effort to entice Greek women to opt for his town's males and is confident that such matrimonial union will be successful.

A.F.

[15] GREEKS HOSTED BY FETHIYE MUNICIPALITY

An 80-member Greek group is presently visiting the city of Fethiye in the Mugla province of Turkey, hosted by the Fethiye Municipality and the private primary school Kislak.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, the group -which includes the Mayor of Rhodes George Ioannopoulos, was warmly greeted by Behcet Saatci, the Mayor of Fethiye.

Meanwhile, members of the Rhodes Lions Club will visit members of the Marmaris Lions Club on Friday.

During the visit, a protocol will be signed announcement of Marmaris and Rhodes Lions Club as twin clubs.

A.F.

[16] GREEK, TURKISH TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS IN BODRUM

The members of the Association of Turkish Tourism Investors (TYD) and the Association of Greek Tourism Entrepreneurs (AGTE), are to hold a meting in Bodrum tomorrow in order to seek means of cooperation, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

The sides will discuss means of presenting the Aegean Sea as a common destination to the international tourism market, and means of cooperating with the European Union and the World Tourism Organization to this end.

The participants will discuss issues such as resort and hotel management, joint initiatives and investments in marinas and yacht tourism in Turkey and Greece, while they will also consider staff exchange programs to train hotel staff and executives on their professional fields.

A.F.

[17] BLACK SEA COUNTRIES TO FORM JOINT NAVAL FORCE

Black Sea nations plan to create a joint Black Sea naval force named BLACK-SEAFOR, according to the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

Representatives of Turkey, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia and the Ukraine signed a joint communique in Ankara this week, where they announced their intention to create BLACK-SEAFOR and to speed up efforts for its deployment.

BLACK-SEAFOR's mandate will be to carry out search and rescue missions, humanitarian aid missions, mine-clearing operations and protection of the Black Sea environment.

A.F.

[18] VICTORIA STATE PM TO ARRIVE IN ATHENS JULY 9

The premier of Australia's Victoria State, Steve Bracks, will conduct a brief visit to Athens on July 9 where he will meet with the ministers of transport and communications and culture.

Among the topics to be discussed is the future of the Olympic Airways flights to Melbourne, the Museum of Greek Antiquities in Melbourne, and the prospect of a formal agreement with Greece on exhibition exchanges.

Mr. Bracks will also discuss matters related to the teaching of the Greek language in Victoria.

A.F.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article