Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-03

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PREMIER: PEACE IS THE ROAD TO BALKAN PROSPERITY

[02] GREEK AID TO BALKANS TO BE ALLOCATED SOON

[03] FMs OF ALBANIA, YUGOSLAVIA MEET IN THESSALONIKI

[04] PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A BALKAN INDUSTRY FEDERATION

[05] RADIO-MARATHON BY UNICEF FOR THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE

[06] KIRIAKOPOULOS: BULGARIA-SERBIA ATTRACT THE INTEREST OF INVESTORS

[07] CONTACTS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STOCK MARKETS OF BELGRADE AND

[08] ZIZIC: YUGOSLAVIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS THE KEY TO BALKAN SECURITY

[09] STEPHANOPOULOS-BUSH MEETING

[10] THE GENERAL INDEX OF THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE BROKE A NEW NEGATIVE

[11] SIMITIS-KOSTOV: POLITICAL SOLUTION IN FYROM BASED ON THE RESPECT OF THE

[12] GREEK, ROMAN ANTIQUITIES SOLD AS TRINKETS IN UK

[13] MARCH INFLATION EXPECTED TO CLOSE AT 3.2%

[14] UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE EURO-ZONE REMAINED AT 8.7% IN FEBRUARY

[01] PREMIER: PEACE IS THE ROAD TO BALKAN PROSPERITY

Security and prosperity in the Balkans will be the result of peace and cooperation, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stated yesterday during his closing ddress before the Eighth Thessaloniki Forum.

This will be the only way to transform the Balkans from a region of tension, conflict and insecurity to a place that contributes without difficulty and delays in the course of the European Union's progress, the Premier stated.

Outlining Greece's course during the past 50 years, Mr. Simitis stressed that modern-day Greece emerged from being a poverty-stricken state in the 1950s and now ranks among the 25 most prosperous in the world.

The Premier also referred to the government's social policies, the corner stone of the government's economic policy.

Our vision is a Greece without social exclusion and discrimination, with a safety net for the aged and the weak, he stressed, adding that the government aims to confront unemployment and to continually upgrade the quality of the services rendered in the health and educational sectors.

He also stressed the government is forging ahead with the deregulation of markets, decreasing bureaucracy and opening "closed" professions, as well as reforming the taxation system.

Regarding the Greek reconstruction program for the Balkans, the Premier said it will be of a five-year term and will be funded with 530 million euros. This program, according to the Premier, includes financial backing for projects in the sectors of social and economic infrastructures, private investments and services.

During his stay in Thessaloniki, the Premier conducted a surprise inspection, on an internal revenue service office and a branch of the state employment agency.

Also, the Premier inaugurated an exhibition based on the journal of Anne Frank at Thessaloniki's port. The exhibition is hosted by the Dutch Embassy, in cooperation with the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.

The Premier departed for Athens last night, where he will address an international conference hosted by the magazine the Economist.

He is scheduled to meet with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov this morning.  

A.F.

[02] GREEK AID TO BALKANS TO BE ALLOCATED SOON

Greece will soon sign aid agreements with Balkan countries that will receive financing for projects under Athens' economic reconstruction plan for the region, according to the National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

Addressing the Eighth Thessaloniki Forum yesterday, Mr. Papantoniou stated that the agreements which fall under Greece's five-year reconstruction plan worth 180 billion drachmas- are likely to be signed around Easter and will activate the program.

The Minister also stressed his belief that Greece's plan will also attract much private capital for the recipient countries.

A.F.

[03] FMs OF ALBANIA, YUGOSLAVIA MEET IN THESSALONIKI

The foreign ministers of Albania and Yugoslavia, Paskal Milo and Goran Svilanovic, respectively, held talks yesterday on the sidelines of the Eighth Thessaloniki Forum.

During his address, Mr. Svilanovic said that Balkan countries should hold a conference to guarantee their security and to define minority rights in the region.

In turn, Mr. Mr. Milo confirmed his government's efforts towards rapprochement with Yugoslavia, stressing that the Albanian government is resolved to bridge the gap between the two countries despite criticism from nationalists in his country.

Regarding the developments in FYROM, Mr. Milo said that they were the result of action taken by extremist groups, which belong to a population who has been waiting for ten years to achieve its demands. He stressed that the armed action in FYROM was not part of a Greater Albania prospect.  

A.F.

[04] PROPOSAL FOR THE CREATION OF A BALKAN INDUSTRY FEDERATION

President of Kapniki-Michailidis Group, Alexandros Michailidis, speaking in the 8th Thessaloniki Forum proposed the creation of a Balkan Industry Federation with the participation of representatives from every country in the region.

The proposed federation could emerge as the official representative of the sector in the talks with the state governments in southeastern Europe for the development and protection of private investments.

The Kapniki-Michailidis Group, which is active in the tobacco industry, has 17 production units in 11 Mediterranean and Balkan countries and a total of 11.000 employees.

Greek Textile Company president Christos Akkas stressed the need to improve competitiveness in the southeastern European countries. He said that immediate measures must be taken such as, the industrial education not only for the managers but the employees in general, openness in the privatization process, incentives for the first years of operation of an industry (grants and tax incentives) and development of the capital market in every country.

The dairy and ice cream company DELTA has a notable presence in the Balkans and according to DELYUG SA (DELTA Yugoslavia) general director Mr. Makridopoulos, being able to function in the business environment of southeastern Europe is not something one can learn from the management manuals.

The company is active in the wider region for the past 8 years and its investments are estimated to be over US$85 million. It has three ice ream production plants in Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania, a distribution network of 400 trucks and over 45.000 sale points in four countries namely, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania and FYROM with a market share of 40-70%, while it also has 1.500 employees and its retail dealers are over 40.000.

Mr. Makridopoulos stated that the future investor must select its investment object very carefully, forge cooperation deals in order to make the risk involved smaller, choose experienced management, adopt a low political profile and conduct detailed studies.

There are many investment opportunities in southeastern Europe, stated ALUMIL Company president Giorgos Milonas. The aluminium industry ALUMIL has a strong presence in the Balkans since 1992 and now plans to expand to Serbia as well.

[05] RADIO-MARATHON BY UNICEF FOR THE CHILDREN OF PALESTINE

UNICEF will organize a big radio-marathon in Greece on Thursday for the children of Palestine with the support of the Greek State Radio, ERA, and the cooperation of the radio stations of ANT1, Sky and Flash 9.61FM.

The goal of the radio-marathon, that will begin at 9am and will be completed at 8pm, is to collect money for the improvement of the children's lives in Palestine.

The money that will be collected will be offered for the support of UNICEF's emergency aid, medical care, vaccination and education programs.

[06] KIRIAKOPOULOS: BULGARIA-SERBIA ATTRACT THE INTEREST OF INVESTORS

The Greek investors are expected to turn to Bulgaria and Serbia in the near future within the framework of the economic reconstruction of southeastern Europe.

Bulgaria, stated Greek Industries Association president Odiseas Kiriakopoulos, managed to put its house in order, its labor cost is still low, while it has a well-educated labor force in the area of high technology. He also said that Bulgaria has made a huge progress in recent years, managed to put inflation under control, almost completed the privatization process and is now at a very good phase.

On the other hand, Serbia, which has huge needs it is estimated that it will develop quickly if it will proceed with its privatization and attract foreign investors.

Mr. Kiriakopoulos stated that in the workshop that was held within the framework of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum it was stressed that the countries in the region must deal with the problem of corruption.

[07] CONTACTS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STOCK MARKETS OF BELGRADE AND ATHENS

Serb undersecretary of international and economic relations Mr. Milovanovic met with senior officials of the Athens Stock Exchange and discussed the prospect of cooperation between the stock markets of Belgrade and Athens through the exchange of know-how.

The meeting was held in Thessaloniki today on the occasion of the 8th Thessaloniki Forum and focused on the Greek Market of Emerging Capital Markets.

After the meeting, the two sides agreed to continue the cooperation contacts.

[08] ZIZIC: YUGOSLAVIA'S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY IS THE KEY TO BALKAN SECURITY

Yugoslav prime minister Zoran Zizic, speaking in the 8th Thessaloniki Forum today, warned that a new crisis circle will open if the Balkan states are broken up and new national borders are created.

He said that Yugoslavia has entered a new course after the democratic political developments but again new obstacles were raised, referring to the problems in Kosovo, south Serbia and FYROM as well as, Montenegro's decision to hold a referendum on whether it will continue to be a part of Yugoslavia or not.

The Yugoslav prime minister pledged that his country will move ahead on the road to political and economic integration and thanked the Greek people for the assistance they have offered for the past 10 years.

He called on the Greek businessmen to take part in bilateral cooperation, pointing out that Yugoslavia is very interested in the new technologies and know-how available in the Greek banking sector, adding that the Greek experience can also be used in the tourist development of the Montenegro coasts.

[09] STEPHANOPOULOS-BUSH MEETING

Former US president George Bush, father of the current US president, met in Athens today with Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Mr. Bush expressed gratitude for the warm welcome reserved for him and stressed that he feels absolutely safe in Greece. He also said that his son and US president George Bush shares the same feelings with him. On the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, he said that he will visit Greece to watch the games and expressed the view that an excellent job is being done aimed at hosting impeccable Olympic Games.

Earlier, Mr. Bush had meetings with Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis and Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.

In the Bush-Papandreou meeting that was held in the presence of US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns were discussed issues concerning the Greek-US relations and the situation in the Balkans. Mr. Papandreou congratulated Mr. Bush for his son's victory in the US presidential elections and Mr. Bush praised Mr. Papandreou for his contribution to the Greek-Turkish rapprochement. Mr. Bush expressed concern regarding the developments in the Balkans and backed the inviolability of the borders, stressing that his country will work closely with Greece and the European Union for peace in southeastern Europe.

[10] THE GENERAL INDEX OF THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE BROKE A NEW NEGATIVE RECORD

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -2.16% at 2.966,65 points, its lowest point in the last two years.

The volume of transactions was very disappointing today at 118.4 million Euro or 40.356 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 335 recorded losses and just 8 had gains, while the value of 21 stocks remained stable.

[11] SIMITIS-KOSTOV: POLITICAL SOLUTION IN FYROM BASED ON THE RESPECT OF THE BORDERS

Prime minister of Greece Kostas Simitis and his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov in a joint press conference they gave after the meeting they had in Thessaloniki today, shared the same views for a political solution in FYROM without violence and through greater understanding on the basis of the principles of the inviolability of the borders and the respect of international law.

There can be no change of borders in the Balkans agreed both the prime ministers, who condemned the use of violence and backed the political cooperation of all sides, as only through understanding a solution can be found.

Bulgaria does not have expansionist aspirations, clarified Mr. Kostov responding to a question on the statement made by Bulgarian president Petar Stoyanov concerning the deployment of Bulgarian troops in FYROM.

Responding to a question by a Bulgarian journalist on the nationalist exaltations in the Balkans and the tendency to create a Greater Albania, Mr. Kostov pointed out that the model of ethnically clean states is a phenomenon of the past century and has no European prospect.

He said that the likelihood of Bulgaria's participation in a multi-national force that will undertake to cover the borders between Kosovo and FYROM is being considered and it will happen only after a UN Security Council decision.

The Greek prime minister stated that there is no issue of military presence and reiterated Greece's firm position for a political solution through understanding, stressing that Greece supports the existing borders in the Balkans and the implementation of international law.

The two prime ministers pointed out that negotiations between the EU and Bulgaria move with a satisfactory pace and are expected to be completed in 2004, while Bulgaria is likely to become an EU member in 2007.

Bulgarian prime minister Kostov stated that the goal is for the trade transactions between Greece and Bulgaria to reach the US$1 billion mark, adding that in the first half of 2000 they were US$440 million. On the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, he said that developments are now more tangible, as there is progress in the drawing up of the project that is expected to be completed soon.

[12] GREEK, ROMAN ANTIQUITIES SOLD AS TRINKETS IN UK

Ancient artifacts from Greece, Rome and Egypt are presently being offered for sale at London's landmark gift shop "Fortnum&Mason", alarming noted archaeologists who fear that this could encourage looting.

According to London's daily The Times, the merchandize includes a Roman bronze statue of Zeus from the 1st-2nd century AD, Greek pots, some of which date from 500BC, a silver tetradrachm from Athens circa 440BC, decorated with the head of Athena and an owl and Egyptian sculptures of pharaohs.

Store officials claim that the items, sold between 15,000 to 10 million drachmas, have been bought from old collections, and are everyday items that are surplus to overstretched museums.

According to The Times, the store claimed that everyone should have the opportunity to own a small piece of history, provided that the artefacts are sufficiently common and are neither of any national heritage nor should be legitimately in a museum environment.»

Alex Hunt, of the Council for British Archaeology, said the trade was comparable to selling endangered species.

They are encouraging people to take things out of the ground and trade in them, he said.

Victoria Solomonidis, the cultural counsellor at the Greek Embassy, said: This has to be looked into very carefully. It encourages pilfering.

A.F.

[13] MARCH INFLATION EXPECTED TO CLOSE AT 3.2%

March inflation is expected to close between 3.2 to 3.3 percent, a sharp decline from February's 3.5%, according to the National Statistics Service.

According to press reports, the decrease in inflation is due to declining fuel prices. The National Statistics Service, which will release its official data next Monday, is expected to note that the trend will not continue to April due to lower fuel prices in April last year.

A.F.

[14] UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE EURO-ZONE REMAINED AT 8.7% IN FEBRUARY

Unemployment in the Euro-zone countries in the month of February remained at the same levels with January (8.7%), according to the European statistics agency (Eurostat).

Based on the same figures, unemployment in all the EU states also remained stable at 8%, but in those countries are not included Britain and Greece, as there were no available figures on them.

The lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Luxembourg (2%), Holland (2.6%), Austria (3.7%) and Ireland (3.8%), while the largest unemployment rate belongs to Spain (13.7%).

In February 2000, unemployment in the Euro-zone was at 9.4%, while in all the EU member-states was at 8.7%.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article