Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] PANEUROPEAN AXIS X AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY

[02] COALITION LEADER TO BRIEF FM ON FYROM CONTACTS

[03] A COOPERATION MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED BY THE AXIS X COUNTRIES

[04] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV DISCUSSED THE DEVELOPMENTS IN FYROM

[05] THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC IN THESSALONIKI'S MEGARON MUSIC HALL

[06] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING IN ANKARA

[07] ATHENS IS IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SKOPJE AND THE EU

[08] PLEASANT SURPRISE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] ANNUAL IMPORTS OF ITALIAN FURNITURE WORTH 129 MILLION EURO IN GREECE

[10] A THESSALONIKI MUNICIPALITY DELEGATION LEFT FOR ISTANBUL

[11] STATE URGES PUBLIC: STAY HOME TO MAKE CENSUS

[12] THESSALONIKI TO HOST COPEAM's 8TH CONFERENCE

[13] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION AGAINST THE ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS

[14] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MET WITH THE ICAO PRESIDENT

[01] PANEUROPEAN AXIS X AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY

Ministers from seven Balkan countries are to meet in Thessaloniki today in order to sign a memorandum of cooperation among the Paneuropean X axis, a route connecting Greece, FYROM, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia and Austria.

The memorandum calls for upgrading and improving the Axis, an artery linking the cities of Thessaloniki, Skopje, Belgrade, Budapest, Ljubljana, Nis and Salzburg.

Greece's Minister of Transportation and Communications Christos Verelis underlined the significance of today's meeting, since, as he stated, it grants Greece the opportunity to contribute to the development of the road and railway axis and, subsequently, to the economies of the region's countries.

Greece presently holds the presidency of the Axis X Administrative Committee.

A.F.

[02] COALITION LEADER TO BRIEF FM ON FYROM CONTACTS

The leader of Greece's minor opposition party Coalition for the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) Nikos Constantopoulos, who yesterday concluded a visit to FYROM, is to meet with Foreign Minister George Papandreou in order to discuss the latest developments in FYROM, where the situation at the border appears to be worsening.

Mr. Constantopoulos is to brief the FM on the outcome of his talks with FYROM's president, premier, foreign minister and leaders of opposition parties.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Constantopoulos stated the Skopje's political leadership is profoundly concerned over the future and is fearing that the crisis will spread into the greater Balkan region. Moreover, the coalition leader asked the Greek government to undertake initiatives within the European Union and other international organizations, so as to isolate the mechanisms playing with fire and achieve peace and stability in the region.

A trilateral meeting among the foreign ministers of Greece, Albanian and FYROM is to be imminently held.

A.F.

[03] A COOPERATION MEMORANDUM WAS SIGNED BY THE AXIS X COUNTRIES

A memorandum of cooperation was signed in Thessaloniki today by the transportation ministers of the road and railway axis X countries, who also expressed their support to the FYROM government which lives through difficult times because of the Albanian extremists.

In the signing ceremony Greek transportation minister Christos Verelis stated that the specific network strengthens stability in the region. The axis X links the cities of Thessaloniki, Skopje, Belgrade, Budapest, Ljubljana, Nis and Salzburg.

Mr. Verelis stated that axis X is one of the most developed road and railway axis as 55% of its network is a motorway, 35% of its railway network is of a double direction and 85% of it is electricity powered. By the year 2010 more than half of its railway network will be of double direction.

He also said that the common goal of the interested countries is the complete reconstruction, restoration and upgrading of axis X as well as, its harmonization with the European standards. Mr. Verelis underlined, among others, that the efforts of the axis X transportation ministers focus on the improvement of transportation in the region of southeastern Europe and the creation of competitive conditions aimed at reducing the distance between central and western Europe.

According to the transportation ministries of the countries involved in axis X, 53% of the road network is fully operational and by 2005 it will be completed repaired and upgraded. Regarding the axis X railway network, 52% of it is fully operational, while it will be completely repaired and upgraded by 2010.

[04] SIMITIS AND KOSTOV DISCUSSED THE DEVELOPMENTS IN FYROM

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis discussed the developments in FYROM with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov in the telephone communication they had this morning, while they also agreed on a framework of initiatives aimed at safeguarding stability in the region.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated that the communication was made at the initiative of Mr. Kostov. In an earlier communication, the two leaders had agreed that the crisis in the region must be dealt with by using diplomatic and political means and not through the deployment of troops from neighboring countries, while the undertaking of initiatives for the handling of the crisis in the region must be based on the UN decisions.

The developments in the region will be discussed in tomorrow's meeting of prime minister Kostas Simitis with NATO secretary-general George Robertson, who will be on a visit to Athens. Mr. Reppas did not rule out the likelihood of a communication between Mr. Simitis and his FYROM counterpart Ljupco Georgievski as well as, Yugoslav president Voislav Kostunica clarifying, however, that this is not scheduled.

Responding to relevant questions, the government spokesman pointed out that KFOR must be more effective and intensify its efforts in order to be able to put the situation under control.

Mr. Reppas also said that the political leaderships in all the countries in the region have condemned the extremist stance adopted by the Albanian terrorists.

[05] THE VIENNA PHILHARMONIC IN THESSALONIKI'S MEGARON MUSIC HALL

One of the most famous orchestras in Europe, the Vienna Philharmonic, will perform in Thessaloniki's Megaron Music Hall on March 19.

The orchestra will present Schubert's symphony number 9 and Berlioz's Fantastic Symphony.

The event is held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Nikolaos Doumbas, a distinguished Greek merchant, who lived in Vienna and was elected to the Imperial Parliament.

[06] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING IN ANKARA

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will visit Ankara on April 6 for talks with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem. The two men will have another meeting in Athens in October.

Their talks will focus on regional developments and especially, the situation in the Balkans. They will also discuss the course of bilateral relations and the Cyprus issue.

The Greek foreign minister hopes that by then most of the Greek-Turkish agreements concerning "low policy" issues will be ratified in parliament. Four of the nine agreements signed by Papandreou and Cem have already been ratified.

[07] ATHENS IS IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SKOPJE AND THE EU

The Greek foreign ministry in a statement it has issued expresses strong concern on the developments in Skopje and especially in Tetovo, condemns the actions by Albanian terrorist organizations on the FYROM territory and reiterates Greece's support to the FYROM territorial integrity and the inviolability of the borders.

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stated that Athens watches closely the situation in FYROM, while Greek ambassador Giorgos Kaklikis is in constant communication with his counterparts in the European Union and the FYROM leadership.

Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou had a telephone communication yesterday with his FYROM counterpart Sertzan Kerim, who was invited by the Swedish EU presidency to attend the EU General Affairs Council meeting on Monday.

In an effort to achieve the coordination of the European Union countries in the council meeting, Mr. Papandreou will contact his counterparts from Germany, France, Britain and Sweden this afternoon.

The impression the Greek minister got during his recent contacts in Skopje is that reason will prevail in all the Albanian-speaking political forces in order to avoid the spread of the crisis.

The Greek foreign ministry insists that KFOR should assume its responsibilities and materialize the mandate of the UN Security Council resolution 1244 because only this way it will contribute to the solution of the crisis. It characterizes as positive developments the operational mobility of the international force, the reduction of the neutral zone size and the deployment of Serb forces in the eastern sector of the zone.

The developments in Skopje will be at the center of the talks NATO secretary-general George Robertson will have with the Greek leadership in Athens tomorrow. According to information, the Greek government is expected to request a more dynamic response by NATO for the settlement of the crisis that has broken out in FYROM.

[08] PLEASANT SURPRISE IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to 2.37% at 3.135,93 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 300.5 million Euro or 102.4 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 287 recorded gains and 56 had losses, while the value of 27 stocks remained stable.

[09] ANNUAL IMPORTS OF ITALIAN FURNITURE WORTH 129 MILLION EURO IN GREECE

Furniture of 129 million Euro are imported annually by Greece. However, the Italian firms active in the sector are seeking to further strengthen their commercial presence in Greece which has become obvious through the participation of tens of furniture manufacturers from Italy in the 23rd FURNIDEC International Trade Exhibition that is being held in Thessaloniki.

In the exhibition participate 40 Italian furniture manufacturers, pioneers in the area of furniture and decoration, and their goal is to promote the new tendencies in design.

Italy is the leading furniture exporter worldwide. The main clients of the Italian furniture industry are Germany (19.8%), the United States (13.8%) and France (11.9%).

[10] A THESSALONIKI MUNICIPALITY DELEGATION LEFT FOR ISTANBUL

A Thessaloniki municipality delegation headed by mayor Vasilis Papageorgopooulos left for Istanbul to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Istanbul mayor Ali Mufit Gurtuna.

During the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Papageorgopoulos will inform him on the intention of the municipality of Thessaloniki to offer its economic assistance to the work of the Patriarchate.

[11] STATE URGES PUBLIC: STAY HOME TO MAKE CENSUS

The National Statistical Service is to conduct the millennium's first population and housing census on Sunday, March 18, which will include Greeks living abroad and undocumented migrants.

While the state has appealed that the respondents remain in their regular place of residence, the traffic police are to boost patrols on the highways in anticipation of the masses who are expected to flock to their place of origin.

The census, which will include Greek citizens, foreigners, economic immigrants and travelers, has three characteristics: it is obligatory for all inhabitants in the country, all information will be classified and there will be no religious restrictions. It will be carried out by 150,000 enumerators - including university graduates and unemployed individuals- who will visit every household in the country.

The 18-billion-drachma census will consist of three different groups of statistics: an overall count of all who reside in Greece on March 18; a total count of "permanent" residents - which includes foreigners who have been living in Greece for at least six months; and a total count of all legal residents.

The enumerators will visit all houses and apartment buildings, as well as shacks, Gypsy settlements and prefabricated housing settlements accommodating quake-victims in western and northern Athens suburbs. They will also approach the homeless at shelters and on the street.

The questions will cover everything from the number of persons per household and marital status to place of residence one year and five years ago, nationality and education. Foreigners will be asked to state when they arrived in Greece, their country of origin and the reasons why they reside here. The government believes it will take 10 months to review the data before publishing the conclusions.

A.F.

[12] THESSALONIKI TO HOST COPEAM's 8TH CONFERENCE

The eight annual conference of Copeam (the Permanent Conference of the operators of the Mediterranean Audiovisual) is to be held in Thessaloniki on March 28-31, themed after Mediterranean identities: Crisis issues and the mass media's responsibility.

The conference is organized by Greece's state-owned ERT-3, in cooperation with COPEAM and the Mediterranean Association of Television Stations.

COPEAM was established in 1996 in Cairo, where it became a non-profit International Association with a Chairmanship, three vice presidents, an office, a committee and a general secretariat.

COPEAM numbers 80 founding members, five inter-government institutions, two international agencies, five international associations, 31 radiotelevision bodies, 12 professional independent agencies and 10 operators.

The cooperation among the European, African and Mediterranean television station aims at designating through audio-visual means- a renewed Mediterranean policy.

A.F.

[13] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION AGAINST THE ALBANIAN EXTREMISTS

The European Parliament plenary session adopted with a big majority a resolution against the armed attacks launched by Albanian extremists at the FYROM-Kosovo borders and in south Serbia.

The European Parliament resolution calls on all the parties involved to respect the borders of the southeastern European countries and requests from the European Union institutions to back the FYROM efforts aimed at the preservation of peace in the region and the solution of the crisis.

Also, all Albanian political parties in FYROM are called to condemn the Albanian extremist attacks and cooperate with the Skopje government, while it is recommended to the Montenegro authorities to take under serious consideration the fragile balance in the region and avoid any unilateral action that could deteriorate the present situation.

[14] THE UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MET WITH THE ICAO PRESIDENT

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) president Assad Kotaite expressed his total satisfaction regarding the specifications and the safety standards of the new Athens airport at Spata, after the meeting he had in Montreal with visiting Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis, who continues his tour of Canada.

Mr. Kotaite underlined that the Spata Airport is safe given the fact that himself had visited the facilities last September.

He also expressed the wish to be able to attend the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, underlining that the games will be held in the country where they were born.

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