Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 00-11-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] PAPANDREOU: GREECE SUPPORTS ITS MINORITY IN ALBANIA

[02] ARMENIAN PRESIDENT IN ATHENS TODAY

[03] REPPAS ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP RELATION AND THE GREEK-TURKISH

[04] THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLING WAS DISCUSSED BY GREEK AND ITALIAN

[05] PAPANDREOU-ZILANOVIC MEETING

[06] 60% OF THE GREEKS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE

[07] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[08] PAPANDREOU: THE GREEK MINORITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE GREEK-ALBANIAN

[09] THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MET WITH PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS

[10] JACQUES CHIRAC IN ATHENS ON FRIDAY

[11] SIMITIS LEAVES FOR ZAGREB ON THURSDAY

[12] GREECE AND ROMANIA DISCUSS ECONOMIC PROGRAMS

[13] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IS ON A VISIT TO BERLIN

[14] MEASURES AGAINST THE "MAD COW" DISEASE

[15] PAPANDREOU: GREECE WONT BUDGE OVER TURKEY EU MEMBERSHIP

[16] GREECE TO CONTRIBUTE TO EUROPEAN ARMY

[01] PAPANDREOU: GREECE SUPPORTS ITS MINORITY IN ALBANIA

The Greek minority in Albania is important in the bridging of Greek-Albanian relations and Greece will not allow its rights to be infringed, said Greek foreign minister George Papandreou, adding that international legal documents bind the Albanian government to allow the Greek minority its rights.

"The Foreign ministry responded rapidly on a bilateral and international level to events noted during recent elections held in Albania and played an important role in informing the international community at the time", said Mr Papandreou, adding that the results of this action are visible in the reports presented by various international organisations such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Greeks in Albania are fully aware that our country was by their side, as always, during this difficult time".

[02] ARMENIAN PRESIDENT IN ATHENS TODAY

The President of Armenia, Robert Kotsarian is today visiting Athens, following an invitation by Greek President of the Republic Costis Stephanopoulos.

Mr Kotsarian will meet with the country's state and political leaders during his visit and will attend a meal held in his honour at the presidential palace this evening.

[03] REPPAS ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP RELATION AND THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

The Greek government insists in its position that the Cyprus issue and the Greek-Turkish relations must be included in the EU-Turkey partnership relation text, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, adding that the council of ministers' decision to move its discussion to December 4 does not create any problems to Greece.

Specifically, Mr. Reppas stressed that the partnership text must reflect the spirit of the Helsinki decision, adding that any reactions on behalf of Turkey have as a result the undermining and the obstruction of the EU-Turkey rapprochement.

On the three issues that have been raised by the Greek side to Turkey, which have already been rejected namely, the creation of a Limnos-Imvros sea line, the reopening of the Theology School of Halki and the issuing of a building permit for the new Greek embassy building in Ankara, the Greek government spokesman stated that it is known for a long time now that Turkey's position is not positive toward the above mentioned issues but this fact can not lead to the freezing of the bilateral relations.

Finally, when he was asked to comment on the Turkish military exercise "Toros 2000" that will take place in the Turkish occupied territories in Cyprus, the Greek government spokesman stressed that Greece and Cyprus are in constant contact and are ready to deal with any provocation. This exercise, said Mr. Reppas, makes the atmosphere heavier as it takes place just before the new round of the dialogue on Cyprus and in view of the drawing up of the final text of the EU-Turkey partnership relation.

[04] THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLING WAS DISCUSSED BY GREEK AND ITALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS

An Italian parliamentary delegation that deals with the problem of organized crime, smuggling in particular, met with a Greek parliamentary delegation.

They discussed the issue of contraband cigarettes and ways in which the problem can be handled, as well as the institutional and legislative frameworks that are in effect in Italy and Greece and the economic effects of large scale tax evasion.

The two delegations concluded that closer cooperation between the two countries is necessary to find a solution to the problem both at a bilateral and an international level.

[05] PAPANDREOU-ZILANOVIC MEETING

The direct cooperation between Athens and Belgrade for the reconstruction of Yugoslavia, its European course, the issue of Kosovo as well as the Yugoslav-Albanian relations and the relations of Serbia with Montenegro, were the main issues that were discussed in the meeting of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and his Yugoslav counterpart Goran Zilanovic.

Mr. Papandreou referring to the cooperation between Greece and Yugoslavia stressed that it will contribute to the wider regional development aimed at creating a Balkan peninsula where the people will be proud.

From his side, Mr. Zilanovic thanked Greece for its contribution to the democratic changes that took place in his country and stressed that the message sent by Yugoslavia is that it does not want to lose any of its old friends and will look for new friends in the Balkans and Europe.

The Yugoslav foreign minister also stated that the Balkan countries must solve their problems and become members of the European family, while he announced that tomorrow he will be in Sarajevo to discuss the issue of the restoration of the diplomatic relations with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

When asked to comment on the relations of Yugoslavia with Albania, he stressed that this country plays a significant role in the region and has an influence in Kosovo, while he expressed the hope that the diplomatic relations between them will be restored. On the Albanian political prisoners held in Serbia, he said that they will be given an amnesty and all of them will be freed. On Montenegro, he said that a solution must be found to the problem in a democratic way.

[06] 60% OF THE GREEKS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC AGENCIES

Over 60% of the Greeks state that they are a little or not at all satisfied with the services provided by the public agencies, while just 37% of those questioned responded that they are satisfied. This conclusion was reached based on a telephone opinion poll conducted by the ministry of interior.

The most annoying fact for those who took part in the opinion poll is the bad behavior of the public employees, 57.4%, followed by the long queues of people formed in the public agencies, 44.1%, and the complex bureaucratic procedures, 29.4%.

Also, many of the Greeks associate the public agencies with cases of illegal economic transactions.

[07] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains of 2.07% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today creating hopes that the negative climate in the Greek stock market will change. The general index was at 3.407,16 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 45.71 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 312 recorded gains, 34 had losses and 33 remained unchanged.

[08] PAPANDREOU: THE GREEK MINORITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN THE GREEK-ALBANIAN RELATIONS

The Greek minority in Albania is a serious issue for the Greek-Albanian relations and Greece will not allow the violation of its rights in any way, while the Albanian government has to respect those rights based on the international treaties it has signed.

The above were stressed by Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou in parliament responding to questions made by deputies on the incidents of violence and fraud targeting the Greek minority in the recent municipal elections in Albania.

Mr. Papandreou stated that the Greek government responded quickly and directly and the foreign ministry was mobilized both at a bilateral and an international level in order to protect the Greek minority rights in Albania. He said that the members of the Greek minority in Albania know better than anyone else that Greece stood by their side in this difficult time as it has always done in the past.

[09] THE ARMENIAN PRESIDENT MET WITH PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS

Armenian president Robert Kotsarian is in Athens today on a two-day formal visit. Mr. Kotsarian met this morning with Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos in the presence of undersecretary of foreign affairs, Grigoris Niotis, responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad.

In the contacts also took part a Greek and an Armenian delegation with the participation of minister of justice Michalis Stathopoulos, who signed a cooperation agreement with his Armenian counterpart.

Mr. Kotsarian is scheduled to meet with parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and he will lay a wreath at the monument of the unknown soldier. The Armenian president will attend a formal diner this evening that will be given in his honor in the presidential building.

[10] JACQUES CHIRAC IN ATHENS ON FRIDAY

French President Jacques Chirac will visit Athens on Friday, together with his Foreign minister Hubert Vedrine, after the Balkan summit which will be held in Zagreb later on this week.

Mr Chirac and Mr Vedrine are expected to discuss the agenda of the European council meeting due to be held on December 7th and 8th.

During his visit, the French President will also meet with the President of the Republic, Costis Stephanopoulos, with the Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and with the country's Foreign minister George Papandreou. The integration of Cyprus in the European Union will also be discussed between the political leaders.

[11] SIMITIS LEAVES FOR ZAGREB ON THURSDAY

Greek Prime Minister, Costas Simitis, will leave for Zagreb on Thursday, to participate in the summit being held for Stability and Security in the Balkans, where French President Jacques Chirac will also be present, together with his Foreign minister Hubert Vedrine.

"The main aim of the stabilisation process is the application of international justice. As far as Kosovo is concerned, the relative UN decisions must be applied and no other border changes will be discussed", Mr Simitis said, speaking after the informal summit held in Skopje last month.

Mr Simitis also said that it was necessary for Balkan countries to "prepare plans to work out specific and substantiated studies for the use of relative funds", a proposal backed by the coordinator of Stability Pact, Bodo Hombach.

[12] GREECE AND ROMANIA DISCUSS ECONOMIC PROGRAMS

Delegates from the Greek and Romanian Foreign ministries discussed common economic programs that will be realised through the Balkans Stability Pact, in a meeting held in Bucharest. Leading the Greek delegation was the ambassador Spyridonas Dokianos, whilst the Foreign undersecretary Razvan Ougoureanou headed the Romanian delegates.

Amongst the issues discussed at the meeting were the 78 million drachmas given to Romania by Greece through the Stability Pact and the ways in which it will be put to use. According to the Cronica Romana newspaper, the money will be give in installments during the period 2000-2004 and will be used to finance Romanian infrastructure projects.

[13] THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY IS ON A VISIT TO BERLIN

The Greek-German relations, the issue of the war reparations, the new economic scene in the Balkans and south eastern Europe, the developments concerning the course of the European Union and the Euro and the relations between the Greek governing socialist party of PASOK and the German Social-democratic Party, SPD, were discussed in the contacts Greek minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou had in Berlin.

Mr. Papantoniou spoke today in the economic conference on "The Greek-German business cooperation" and presented the Greek positions on the economic situation in Europe and the world as well as the prospects that are being created.

The economic conference is placed within the framework of a number of events under the title "Greek Days in Berlin" that will last for a week and are organized by the Greek embassy press office in Germany.

[14] MEASURES AGAINST THE "MAD COW" DISEASE

The European Union ministers of agriculture, who met in Brussels, reached a decision on the initial measures that need to be taken against the "mad cow" disease.

Among others, they decided to start inspections on animals of high risk on January 1, 2001, while in July they will start inspections on about 500.000 cattle over the age of 4 years. The decisions are expected to be approved by the permanent veterinary committee tomorrow.

In the Greek market, the "mad cow" disease scare has caused a sharp increase in the prices of chicken, pork and fish.

[15] PAPANDREOU: GREECE WONT BUDGE OVER TURKEY EU MEMBERSHIP

Talks concerning the pre-requisites for Turkey's integration into the European Union have been postponed until the next meeting, due to be held on December 4th.

Greece stated that it will firmly maintain its stance over Turkey's integration into the EU, whereby the success of membership negotiations is connected to the Cyprus issue and to Greek-Turkish relations.

"We stressed that Greece will not budge over the decisions taken at Helsinki, that the main priorities outlined in Turkey's membership pre-requisites are good relations with neighbouring countries and with Greece and efforts towards achieving a settlement in the Cyprus issue", said Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou.

The French presidency decided to postpone the talks in order to allow the strong reactions displayed by Turkey and by the European Commission to subside. The EC insists that only the settlement of the Cyprus issue should be amongst Turkey's priorities and not Greek-Turkish relations.

[16] GREECE TO CONTRIBUTE TO EUROPEAN ARMY

Greece will provide a significant percentage of the 100.000 soldiers that are to make up the European Army in 2003, following the European Union Defense ministers meeting held in Brussels yesterday.

"The Greek contribution makes our country of the core providers of this program" said Greek Defense minister Akis Tsochatsopoulos, whilst adding that efforts should now be made to meet the necessary preparations required for European defense and safety.

A total of 3.500 men, 40 planes, 6 ships and 1 submarine have been offered by Greece for use in the European Army.

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