Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-03-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] TURKISH DM ON MINE SWEEPING: IT WAS OUR IDEA

[02] CYPRUS INVITES POPE TO RETRACE APOSTLE'S STEPS

[03] THESSALONIKI HOSTS EVENT ON CHILDREN' S MEDIA

[04] THE COPEAM CONFERENCE WILL BE LIVE ON MPA'S SITE ON THE INTERNET

[05] THE INITIAL RESULTS OF THE POPULATION CENSUS

[06] REPPAS: SOCIAL PROTECTION IS THE AXIS OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY

[07] NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR COCA-COLA 3E

[08] REPPAS: GREECE FOLLOWS A REALISTIC POLICY ON THE GREEK-TURKISH

[09] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[10] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MARCH IS EXPECTED TO BE 3.5%

[11] CYPRIOT DEFENSE MINISTER IN GREECE THIS WEEK

[12] BELGRADE SALUTES GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

[13] MEDITERRANEAN TV CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

[14] SMOKING KILLS 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR

[15] FREE MOVEMENT OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE EU

[01] TURKISH DM ON MINE SWEEPING: IT WAS OUR IDEA

Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu said that Greece should take additional steps of friendship and cooperation towards Turkey, while he also called for the demilitarization of the Aegean islands, during an interview with a television station in Turkey.

Mr. Cakmakoglu also said that Turkey wants to see words turned into practice, referring to his Greek counterpart Akis Tsochatzopoulos who, in an interview with CNN-Turk, appealed to Turkey to cooperate with Greece, being NATO's two biggest allied countries in the region, in mutually guaranteeing security conditions in the Balkans.

Regarding Mr. Tsochatzopoulos' proposal on cleaning up minefields in the border between Greece and Turkey, Mr. Cakmakoglu stated that similar proposals have been made by Turkey twice in the past, adding that the Turkish general staff had made this proposal two and a half years ago and it was raised again by the Turkish foreign ministry one and a half months ago.

If Greece approaches Turkey (for this matter) we will be very pleased, he said.

Referring to the situation in FYROM, the Turkish Defense Minister stressed that Turkey is doing all it can to end the violence surging in the Balkans.

The Balkan countries have to learn to live harmoniously within the framework of their multinational structure," he said.

A.F.

[02] CYPRUS INVITES POPE TO RETRACE APOSTLE'S STEPS

The government of Cyprus plans to extend an invitation to Pope John Paul II to visit the island in early May during the elderly pontiff's pilgrimage to Near East sites sacred to Christendom.

According to the President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides, the only term set forth regarding the visit will be that the Pontiff refrain from travelling to the island's occupied region, for obvious political reasons related to the area's illegal regime. The condition was stressed because a section of the course followed by Apostle Paul, whose steps the Pontiff wants to retrace, is in the part occupied by the Turkish forces.

According to the BBC, the written invitation will be issued with the acquiescence of the Prelate of the Autocephalus Church of Cyprus Archbishop Chrysostomos, although his accord was subject to criticism within the Holy Synod.

For one, Metropolite of Kyrenia Pavlos expressed his discontent over the Pope's prospective visit, but the Archbishop retorted that he should calm down, while President Clerides pointed out to the Metropolite that problems should not be created where there aren't any, since this is not patriotism.

A.F.

[03] THESSALONIKI HOSTS EVENT ON CHILDREN' S MEDIA

The Third World Summit on Media for children is presently being held in Thessaloniki with the participation of 874 professionals from 80 countries throughout the world.

The Summit aims at the creation of an audiovisual policy supporting the rights of children, motivates the participation of researchers, academics and teachers and demonstrates the emerging relationship of children's television and the new media.

Divided into six thematic sessions hosting distinguished speakers, yesterday's third day of the conference was entitled The New Technologies Day and among the issues addressed was access to new technologies for disadvantaged communities.

The New Technologies Day also emphasized the involvement of children in the development of media products and discussions included Convergence of Computer- and TV-based Broadcasting, Digital Broadcasting and Interactive Television, Education and the Digital Divide, Networking for Technology, Education/New Media Literacy, Delivery of Educational Material and Information through Digital Media, etc.

The session also featured a Technology Playground, which hosts interactive multimedia installations, promoting children's creativity and education combined with entertainment. Divided into six thematic sessions hosting distinguished speakers, it included the «Virtual Kids World, Technology Background, Poster Sessions and the Roaming Reporters, where children created web- and TV Reports.

Works in progress created by children from the US and Germany were showcased yesterday evening through an interactive concert, where children using the latest digital technologies analyzed their movements and sounds of their environments. The children engaged the knowledge gained from this analysis to produce their own choreographies for children and LEGO Mindstorms robots and their own music compositions.

Today's session, the fourth day of the Summit, is entitled Children Have a Say and will present the latest "cutting edge" developments in Media Research and Media Literacy / Education on Children.

The session will encourage the participation of researchers, media literacy and production experts who will discuss and develop new ideas and fresh knowledge based on the assumption that the Cold War between parties is over, or it should be so. Politicians and media advocates will also discuss the latest policy trends, supporting children media rights.

The Children Have a Say session will also emphasize the active involvement of children in media product development. During the events, children will have the opportunity to participate in video screenings and diverse discussions.

The Summit, held every three years, is taking place under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, UNESCO and UNICEF, and is supported by the Ministries of Press and Media, Macedonia-Thrace, Defense, Foreign Affairs, Transport and Communications, Culture, the General Secretariat of Youth, the European Commission's Media Program, under the supervision of the Hellenic Audiovisual Program.

A.F.

[04] THE COPEAM CONFERENCE WILL BE LIVE ON MPA'S SITE ON THE INTERNET

The proceedings of the 8th Conference of the Mediterranean Association of Television Stations and other institutions related with audio-visual means that will be held in Thessaloniki on March 28-31 in cooperation with the Greek state-run television station ERT3 will be presented live on MPA's site on the Internet.

In the conference on "Mediterranean identities: Crisis issues and the responsibility of the mass media" directors, presidents and senior executives from the Mediterranean Basin and Balkan countries will discuss issues that concern television co-productions, multi-media, long distance education, radio, cinema, the electronic portal, the organizing of festivals and other issues of mutual interest.

COPEAM was established in Cairo in 1996 with the participation of state television stations and other audio-visual means from Mediterranean countries aimed at transforming the Mediterranean Basin into a Basin of cultural exchange, economic cooperation, peaceful coexistence, understanding and mutual acceptance of different national, political and religious peculiarities.

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

[05] THE INITIAL RESULTS OF THE POPULATION CENSUS

The Greek National Statistics Agency gave to publicity today the initial results of the population census that was conducted in Greece on March 18.

According to the preliminary results of the population census, the country's population is 10.939.771.

The male population numbers 5.426.660 and the female 5.513.111. The population rate of increase is 6.6% compared to 1991 and it is attributed mainly to foreign immigrants.

[06] REPPAS: SOCIAL PROTECTION IS THE AXIS OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICY

The government policy has social protection as its main axis, it is a policy of fiscal stability, a policy of development aimed at the relief of the weaker social forces in the country, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on whether the government is moving ahead with the drawing up of an action plan against poverty.

Mr. Reppas stated that the prime minister in cooperation with the responsible ministers has formed a web of social protection for the weak. To the question on the proposal signed by 57 parliament deputies for the adoption of a minimum wage, Mr. Reppas responded that the government neither rejects nor accepts the proposal, adding that the social policy is given and what is left is to complete this policy with the adoption of specific measures.

[07] NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR COCA-COLA 3E

Mr. Irial Finan will be the new managing director of Coca-Cola 3E Greek Bottling Company starting in May.

He will replace 58yearold Neville Isdell, who will be board of directors vice-president until the end of the year.

According to a statement issued by the company, Mr. Finan is 43 years old and is one of the three regional directors responsible for 16 of the 23 countries in which the company has interests among them, Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia and Nigeria.

[08] REPPAS: GREECE FOLLOWS A REALISTIC POLICY ON THE GREEK-TURKISH RELATIONS

The Greek defense minister spoke with prudence, reason and a sense of responsibility on the future of the country. The response by the Turkish officials was in a different phase and wave length, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas today when he was called to comment on the reaction of Turkish defense minister Sabahadin Tsakmakoglu, who demanded the demilitarization of the Aegean islands, on the occasion of the proposals made by Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

Mr. Reppas stressed that the policy followed by Greece on the Greek-Turkish relations is realistic and sensible.

Responding to the question whether the Greek government is considering to proceed with a reduction of armaments, the Greek government spokesman stated that the decisions that have been made concerning the armaments programs are still in effect.

[09] GAINS WERE RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.14% at 3.082,64 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 151.4 million Euro or 51.58 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 140 recorded gains and 189 had losses, while the value of 45 stocks remained stable.

[10] INFLATION IN THE MONTH OF MARCH IS EXPECTED TO BE 3.5%

Inflation is expected to be 3.5% in the month of March, according to the National Statistics Agency in Greece.

According to analysts, the positive effect the heating oil prices decline had on inflation was counterbalanced by the increase in the fresh fruit and vegetable prices.

It must be reminded that inflation in the Euro-zone was 2.6% in February compared to 2.4% in January.

Based on the latest report on the course of the Greek economy issued by the Bank of Greece, inflation in the second half of 2001 is expected to drop under 3%, while in 2002 a convergence will be achieved with price stability at 2%.

In the specific report it is stressed that inflation should not systematically exceed the Euro-zone inflation because this will limit the competitiveness of the Greek economy.

[11] CYPRIOT DEFENSE MINISTER IN GREECE THIS WEEK

Cypriot Defense Minister Socrates Hasikos is to arrive in Larisa, central Greece, this Friday, in order to attend an event held for the anniversary of the commencement of the liberation struggle of the National Organization of Cypriot Struggle (EOKA) between 1955-59.

EOKA was an underground nationalist movement of Greek-Cypriots dedicated to the expulsion of the British from Cyprus (achieved in 1960) and the eventual union of Cyprus with Greece.

The event is jointly organized by the Prefectural Local Government of Larisa and the prefecture's Cypriots Association.

A.F.

[12] BELGRADE SALUTES GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

A Te Deum officiated by the Patriarch of Serbia Pavle was held in Belgrade's Metropolitican Church yesterday, in honor of the anniversary of the beginning of Greece's revolution against Ottoman rule on March 25, 1821.

The service was attended by Greece's Ambassador to Yugoslavia Michalis Spinelis and many Greeks who are residing or studying in Belgrade.

The Patriarch referred to the Greek people as friends both in times of peace and in time of war, and thanked them for all they have offered to the Serb people during the recent years.

Following the Te Deum, the Serb Patriarch and embassy officials laid flowers at the Rigas Fereos monument, while the ambassador will host a reception this evening.

A.F.

[13] MEDITERRANEAN TV CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI

Thessaloniki will host the eight annual conference of Copeam (the Permanent Conference of the operators of the Mediterranean Audiovisual) between 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 ten operators.

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

A.F.

[14] SMOKING KILLS 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE EVERY YEAR

Smoking will be the main cause of death in the developing world in the next 20 years, according to a British study that was made public by the BBC.

Based on the study, that was conducted with the support of the British government, in the next two decades about 8.5 million people will die each year from smoking related diseases.

The smokers around the world are estimated to be about 1 billion, while more than 3.5 million people die each year from smoking related diseases.

Based on the report, 3/4s of the smoking caused deaths will occur in the developing world countries by the year 2020 and according to specialists, globalization will be the main cause that will lead to this situation.

[15] FREE MOVEMENT OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE EU

An agreement between FIFA and UEFA was signed today providing for the free movement of football players in the European Union.

The agreement also determines the institutional framework within which the players will be able to change teams and countries.

Greek European Commissioner Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou participated in the agreement preparation. The signing of this specific agreement is regarded as a great achievement given the fact that the negotiations were hard.

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