Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-12

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK FM RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS

[02] US AMBASSADOR EMBARKS ON TOUR OF N. GREECE

[03] 20% OF THE ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBERS STUDIED IN GERMAN

[04] THE GREEK AUTHORITIES COOPERATE WITH THE HAGUE ON MILOSEVIC'S ASSETS

[05] THE SPANISH AGRICULTURE MINISTER WILL BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW

[06] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[07] A COOPERATION MEMORANDUM WILL BE SIGNED BY THE AXIS X COUNTRIES

[08] AEGEAN AIRLINES AND CRONUS AIRLINES FORM THE LARGEST AIRLINE IN GREECE

[09] STATE UNVEILS NEW ANTI-CRIME BILL TODAY

[10] DM: CHANGE SUPPORTERS, LATER-DAY DON QUIXOTES

[11] GREECE TO HOLD TRADE, ARTS FAIR IN CHICAGO

[12] BELGRADE SIGNED A CEASEFIRE WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN SOUTH SERBIA

[13] FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU IS ON A VISIT TO CYPRUS

[14] GREEK FM IN CYPRUS, MEETS WITH UNION REPS

[15] THE GREEK ASSOCIATIONS IN NEW YORK ARE AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF THE WORD

[01] GREEK FM RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS

Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou, presently on an official three-day visit to Cyprus, was received by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides this morning, with whom he had an hour-long discussion over the island's accession course to the European Union.

Following the talks, Mr. Papandreou stated that "we have entered a new stage following the Nice decisions", adding that "the road was opening for the completion of the negotiations within the next two years".

Moreover, the Greek FM stated that, on the basis of the EU decisions at the EU Helsinki summit in December 1999, Cyprus would be able to join the EU even if a solution to Cyprus' political problem has not been resolved in the meantime.

He stressed the "close cooperation" enjoyed by the governments of Greece and Cyprus, adding that President Clerides would soon visit Athens.

Replying to press questions, Papandreou said he had conveyed "warm messages" to Clerides from Greece's President Costis Stephanopoulos and prime minister Costas Simitis.

Referring to Turkey's stance, Mr. Papandreou said the neighbouring country must choose between Cyprus' EU accession with or without the participation of the Turkish Cypriots.

A.F.

[02] US AMBASSADOR EMBARKS ON TOUR OF N. GREECE

United States Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns embarked on a three-day visit to Eastern Macedonia and Thrace today, with the port city of Kavala being his first stop.

Accompanied by the US General Consul in Thessaloniki, the embassy's commercial attache and the general sectretary of the Greek-US Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Burns will arrive in Xanthi this afternoon, where he will visit the old city. This evening, he will attend a dinner in his honor hosted by the prefecture's local Federation of Industries and Craft Industries.

A.F.

[03] 20% OF THE ARISTOTLE UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBERS STUDIED IN GERMAN UNIVERSITIES

One in five professors in Thessaloniki's Aristotle University studied in a German university or took part in research and exchange programs.

Of the about 2.000 professors and lecturers in Aristotle University, 100-150 studied at one point in German universities, while about 250 have close relations with German higher education institutions within the framework of research and exchange programs.

The above were mentioned by head of Aristotle University Careers Office and Polytechnic School professor Vrasidas Papathanasiou and German deputy consul general in Thessaloniki Hans Hoppe on the occasion of the 2nd exhibition of German universities that will be held in Aristotle University on March 14-15 with the participation of 14 German institutions.

The Greek higher education institutions share a total of 272 cooperation programs with German universities within the framework of the Erasmus student exchange program.

[04] THE GREEK AUTHORITIES COOPERATE WITH THE HAGUE ON MILOSEVIC'S ASSETS

The Greek authorities are dealing with the issue of the assets of former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic within the framework of the cooperation with the International Court in The Hague, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

When asked to comment on the "Washington Post" report according to which, Greek businessman Mr. Mytilineos was found to have contributed to the transfer of Mr. Milosevic's assets to Greece, Mr. Reppas responded that there is no evidence in the news report in question supporting any charge against anyone. He also reiterated that no such evidence was found within the framework of the investigation held in cooperation with the International Court in The Hague.

[05] THE SPANISH AGRICULTURE MINISTER WILL BE IN ATHENS TOMORROW

Spanish minister of agriculture Miguel Arias Canete will be in Athens tomorrow for bilateral talks on issues of common agricultural policy with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Anomeritis.

The talks will focus on cotton production in view of a decision expected to be reached on the issue in the next EU agriculture ministers council. They will also discuss the problem of "mad cow" disease, the protection of olive oil, sugar production and the reform of the common fishery policy.

[06] LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 0.32% at 3.259,18 points, while the volume of transactions was very satisfactory at 310.48 million Euro or 105.79 billion drachmas. In spite of the losses that were recorded, analysts characterized the behavior of the general index as stabilizing and healthy.

Of the stocks trading today, 276 recorded gains and 68 had losses, while the value of 26 stocks remained stable.

[07] A COOPERATION MEMORANDUM WILL BE SIGNED BY THE AXIS X COUNTRIES

A meeting of government ministers for the signing of a cooperation memorandum by the European road and railroad Axis X countries will take place in Thessaloniki on Thursday. Greek minister of transportation and telecommunications Christos Verelis will be present in the meeting.

Axis X concerns Thessaloniki, Skopje, Belgrade, Budapest, Ljubljana, Nis and Salzburg. Greece will be presiding in the managing committee meeting, while the signing of the cooperation memorandum will concern the upgrading and improvement of the axis by the ministers of the interested countries namely, Greece, FYROM, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Austria.

[08] AEGEAN AIRLINES AND CRONUS AIRLINES FORM THE LARGEST AIRLINE IN GREECE

The boards of directors of Aegean Airlines and Cronus Airlines reached a merger agreement forming the largest private airline in Greece. In the new company the Aegean Airlines stockholders will have 77.5%, while the Cronus Airlines share will be 22.5%.

The Cronus Airlines initially will focus on flights abroad and charter flights, while Aegean Airlines will undertake to cover the domestic market.

The merger will create the largest private airline company in Greece as both Aegean and Cronus had ticket sales of over 50 billion drachmas and served a total of 2.800.000 passengers both inside Greece and abroad last year. Specifically, in the domestic market they served a total of 2.400.000 people securing a market share of 40%.

The Aegean-Cronus Airline will have a fleet of 15 aircraft, 6 of which are owned by the company. It will make regular flights and two VIP flights. Specifically, the company will have 6 Boeing 737-300/400 airplanes, 6 AVRO RJ 100, 3 ATR 72 and 2 learjets.

The new company will make 130 daily flights covering 11 destinations in Greece and 8 abroad. It will be able to serve over 4.000.000 passengers on an annual basis.

[09] STATE UNVEILS NEW ANTI-CRIME BILL TODAY

The government's new anti-crime bill for the confrontation of organized crime is to be officially unveiled today by the Minister of Justice Michalis Stathopoulos.

The bill reportedly allows for DNA testing and electronic surveillance of suspects, as well as for anonymous witness testimony.

The amendments also abolish certain legal protections heretofore accorded suspects, allow house searches and establish measures to protect judges and other civil servants involved in the prosecution of suspects.

In addition, the jury system will be abolished in terrorism trials and legal provisions that in the past had tied the hands of law enforcement authorities pursuing the arrest and prosecution of suspected terrorists will be lifted.

Also, according to reports, the bill will allow for incentives granted to repentant terrorists, such as reduced sentences or, even, dismissal of charges.

A.F.

[10] DM: CHANGE SUPPORTERS, LATER-DAY DON QUIXOTES

Addressing a gathering of supporters at a PASOK meeting in Dusseldorf, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos referred to the recent talk of renewal at the ruling PASOK party and stated that those who insist that the party change symbols and banners give the impression that they're later-day «Don Quixotes» campaigning against imaginary windmills.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also referred to government policies in the post-EMU era for Greece, stressing the need for social changes and cohesion.

We must erase geographical and social inequities with our developmental policies. It's not enough to say we want development and simply imply that we will lower inflation and increase GDP, in general.

A.F.

[11] GREECE TO HOLD TRADE, ARTS FAIR IN CHICAGO

Greece is to hold a commercial and arts fair in Chicago on November 5-6, in an effort to boost trade, investments and business between the two countries.

The event, the first of its kind, is to be jointly organized by the World Council of Hellenes (SAE), the World Trade Center Chicago (WTCC), the Greek investment Center (ELKE) and the Northern Greece Exporters' Association (SEVE).

Interest by investors is focused on foodstuffs and beverages, textiles, building materials, technology and tourism.

The event's initiative has been undertaken by the ministries of national economy, foreign affairs, development, national defense and culture.

A.F.

[12] BELGRADE SIGNED A CEASEFIRE WITH ETHNIC ALBANIANS IN SOUTH SERBIA

The leaders of the armed ethnic Albanian separatists in south Serbia signed a NATO-brokered ceasefire with Belgrade today, closing this way the circle of the violent clashes and confrontations that lasted almost a year.

The Serb side in a meeting with NATO representatives in the town of Merdare on the Kosovo-Serbia boundary, also signed the agreement, said Italian General Carlo Cabigiosu, head of NATO's peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.

[13] FOREIGN MINISTER PAPANDREOU IS ON A VISIT TO CYPRUS

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou is on a visit to Cyprus and today he had talks with Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides with whom he discussed the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' EU accession course.

In statements he made after the meeting, Mr. Papandreou underlined that there is "very close cooperation" between the governments of Greece and Cyprus both at a political and a specialists level. He also announced that Mr. Clerides will soon visit Greece for consultations with the Greek government.

Mr. Papandreou also met with political party leaders.

[14] GREEK FM IN CYPRUS, MEETS WITH UNION REPS

Foreign Minister George Papandreou, presently on a three-day visit to Cyprus, addressed labor union representatives yesterday, to whom he outlined the island's upcoming steps towards EU accession.

Mr. Papandreou expressed his regret that several representatives of Turkish-Cypriot unions had not been allowed to attend the gathering at a Nicosia hotel by the Denktash regime running the pseudo-state.

The Greek FM called the development anti-democratic, one that denotes fear before the people's and society's will.

Referring to Cyprus' EU accession course, Mr. Papandreou said the current situation was positive, with heightened international attention paid to a possible resolution because of the island's prospective Union membership. 

The minister, who plans to publicize the concept of the Olympic Truce during his visit, is accompanied by three medallists for Greece in the Games.

A.F.

[15] THE GREEK ASSOCIATIONS IN NEW YORK ARE AGAINST THE REMOVAL OF THE WORD GENOCIDE FROM THE ASIA MINOR HELLENISM LEGISLATION

The Federation of Greek Associations in New York expressed surprise and indignation regarding the alleged removal of the word genocide from the Greek legislation that recognizes September 14 as a day of memory for the Asia Minor Hellenism.

The federation points out that the removal of the specific word is arbitrary and of disputable legality, stressing that the decision was reached after pressures exerted by Turkish officials.

In the statement it is underlined that it is inconceivable for the Greeks to reject their history and "sterilize" their collective memory by covering up crimes committed against their ancestors in the name of the Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

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