Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-07-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS OPPOSED TO THE OPENING OF A NUCLEAR

[02] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REGARDING THE FIRES IN THE

[03] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV AT THE NEW GREEK-BULGARIAN BORDER CROSSING

[04] HILFE REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN GREECE

[01] REPPAS: THE GREEK GOVERNMENT IS OPPOSED TO THE OPENING OF A NUCLEAR PLANT IN AKKUYIU

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas responding to a question by a reporter stated that the Greek government is opposed to the opening of a nuclear plant in Akkuyiu, Turkey that will produce electric power.

Mr. Reppas stated that Greece was opposed to the use of atomic energy from the beginning and has appealed to international organizations citing among others the risks behind the opening of such a plant in a region with intense seismic activity.

The government spokesman stated that Greece will continue to make representations and reports both to the countries involved in the construction of the plant and to international organizations.

[02] COMMENTS BY THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REGARDING THE FIRES IN THE COUNTRY

The state mechanism is at a general state of alert in order to face possible new fire fronts that can be created by the winds that will become stronger later in the afternoon, according to meteorologists.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the whole state mechanism has been mobilized. Thirty fires are in progress today and no populated areas are in danger.

Mr. Reppas stated that the government has requested assistance from abroad and the Czech Republic responded by sending 4 fire fighting aircraft, while Israel will send 2 helicopters. Assistance is also expected from the Scandinavian countries.

The Greek fire fighting force numbers 9.500 fire fighters and 4.000 seasonal personnel, while 1.500 people be hired soon.

The Greek government spokesman stated that there were no coordination problems and the responsible ministers made the necessary moves in order to face the situation but the extreme weather conditions did not allow the use all the fire fighting means for the efforts to be effective. He also added that Greece is the third country after the United States and Canada in terms of the fire fighting means at its disposal.

Mr. Reppas stressed that the tourist facilities are in no danger and the tourist programs can continue without further problems, while the movement of tourists can take place as usual.

[03] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV AT THE NEW GREEK-BULGARIAN BORDER CROSSING

Prime ministers of Greece and Bulgaria Kostas Simitis and Ivan Kostov will inaugurate the construction works at the "Iliden" border crossing, linking Gotse Deltsev with Dramas, possibly on Tuesday, according to a report on the Sofia newspaper "Standard".

The newspaper cited Bulgarian ministry of regional development and land planning sources according to which, the new border crossing at the Greek-Bulgarian borders will be constructed by the Greek company "Proodeftiki", it will cost 8.940 million Euro and will be financed by the EU program "PHARE".

The newspaper also mentions that the Greek prime minister is possible to raise the issue of the buyout of the Bulgarian Telecommunications Organization (BTK) by the Greek-Dutch joint venture of OTE-KPN.

[04] HILFE REPORT ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN GREECE

The report of the London based HILFE Studies and Predictions company includes positive opinions on the political and economic situation in Greece.

The report underlines, among others, that Greece's accession into the EMU constitutes a formal recognition of the efforts made by the Greek government to improve the Greek economy.

On the 2004 Olympic Games, it mentions that they offer to Greece the chance to project a positive image internationally, while the report also mentions that prime minister Kostas Simitis relies on experienced associates like minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou and foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou.

The report mentions that the government will have to accelerate the structural changes program following a more aggressive policy on the privatization of state companies, while at the same time, the social character of its economic policy will be strengthened through significant investments in sectors such as, health and education.

Prime minister Simitis' experience and sense of responsibility secured a victory for PASOK in the last parliamentary elections with a marginal lead and this was a personal victory of Mr. Simitis himself. The new government secured a continuation in the sectors of economy and foreign policy, while at the same time it was reinforced with new technocrats, points out the report,

HILFE also mentions that the rapprochement between Greece and Turkey is expected to continue taking under consideration the economic benefits the two sides will enjoy.

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