Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-04-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM BRIEFS PRESIDENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS

[02] M/T MINISTER: ONE'S GAIN IS NOT OTHER'S DETRIMENT

[03] DUI CLAIMS SIX LIVES ON AVERAGE DAILY IN GREECE

[04] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON FIFA'S ULTIMATUM

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN STRASBOURG

[06] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNED THE BOMB ATTACK AGAINST THE SERBS

[07] POPULAR SINGER STELIOS KAZANTZIDIS WAS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

[08] THE ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL REGIONS IN EUROPE WILL MEET IN KAVALA IN

[09] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE NEW ECONOMY

[10] THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SE EUROPEAN CITIES' CONFERENCE

[11] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[12] THE 86TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

[13] THE DIALOGUE ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM REFORM MUST BE SINCERE

[01] PM BRIEFS PRESIDENT ON SOCIAL SECURITY REFORMS

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos at the Presidential Mansion today, whom he will brief on the proposed reforms of the social security system.

The Premier will also meet with Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, with whom he will discuss defense spending cuts.

A.F.

[02] M/T MINISTER: ONE'S GAIN IS NOT OTHER'S DETRIMENT

One country's benefit is not another's detriment, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace George Paschalides stated during his address before a delegation of Turkish jurists and public administration officials attending seminars in Northern Greece.

Speaking at the Center of International and European Economic Law, Mr. Paschalides referred extensively to Greek-Turkish relations and the policy of step-by-step rapprochement between the two neighboring countries, stressing that peace is to the benefit of both.

In reference to Greece's provision of technological know-how to Turkey, Mr. Paschalides said that 'this is a tangible example of cooperation between the two countries.

In respect to Turkey's European orientation, Mr. Paschalides stressed that the Greek government is supporting and strengthening the initiative to form a task force, comprising members from both countries, which would focus on issues related to the European Union.

We believe that Turkey's European orientation is a very positive development which we want and support. It is mutually realized that it serves productive and beneficial cooperation, while it also facilitates a spirit of understanding and good neighborliness between the two countries, on the basis of the European norms.

As growth and tension are two contradictory terms, no plan of viable growth can sustain the test of time when it is subject to a climate of tension, he stated, adding that the same is true for the overall Balkan region.

Outlining Thessaloniki's role, the Minister stressed that the city holds a neuralgic position in both Balkan and European developments.

A.F.

[03] DUI CLAIMS SIX LIVES ON AVERAGE DAILY IN GREECE

Six persons die on average each day in Greece from traffic accidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol, according to data presented recently by traffic experts.

Starting tomorrow at 6 am, traffic police will carry out round-the-clock breathalyzer tests all over the country, as part of a 24-hour European campaign against drunk driving.

Drivers whose blood-alcohol level is found to be above the legal limits are to be apprehended on the spot.

A.F.

[04] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON FIFA'S ULTIMATUM

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, responding to FIFA's ultimatum, stated that the allegations on government intervention in sports are groundless.

Mr. Reppas said that the state expects that the Greek Football Federation's responsible stance will defend the interests of the Greek football, adding that the federation is FIFA's interlocutor and it should give the answers.

FIFA has called on the Greek state and the Greek Football Federation to settle their differences otherwise the Greek football teams are threatened with exclusion from international events.

The Greek government wants Victor Mitropoulos, who is the Greek Football Federation vice-president and the president of the Greek Football Clubs Union, to be removed from his position accusing him of corruption.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION IN STRASBOURG

A 10member Greek parliament delegation will depart for Strasbourg on April 22 to attend the proceedings of the second part of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly 2001 session that will be held on April 23-27.

In the session will be discussed issues concerning Kosovo (human rights, the refugee problem, etc), the freedom of press and information in Europe, the situation in the Middle East and other current affairs. The plenary session will also deal with the election of European Human Rights Court judges, the efforts made against the international organized crime, the demographic changes in Europe, etc.

Among the personalities who will address the assembly meeting will be Council of Europe human rights commissioner Alvaro Gil Robles, Romanian foreign minister Mircea Geoana, who is also the OSCE president, Latvian foreign minister Indulis Berzins, who is presiding over the council of ministers and others.

[06] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY CONDEMNED THE BOMB ATTACK AGAINST THE SERBS IN PRISTINA

The Greek foreign ministry through its spokesman Panos Beglitis condemned the terrorist attack against a Serb target in Pristina, Kosovo that resulted to the deaths of Serb civilians.

Mr. Beglitis said that Greece has requested from KFOR and the civilian commander (of Kosovo) to take the necessary measures for the protection of all ethnic groups. He also said that Greece calls on the Albanian majority and the political parties to respect the UN decisions, isolate the extremist elements and work for the creation of a democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo through the respect of human and minority rights.

[07] POPULAR SINGER STELIOS KAZANTZIDIS WAS RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

Greek popular singer Stelios Kazantzidis was released from the Athens Medical Center today after the overall improvement in his health condition. His doctors stated that the clinical and lab tests were completed in record time and this helped in the complete diagnosis of the cancer and the selection of the appropriate treatment.

They said that the patient's response to the treatment was positive and as a result his overall condition was improved, a fact that made his released from hospital possible.

A lot of people were gathered outside the hospital and applauded Stelios Kazantzidis as he was leaving. He will continue the treatment at his home and he will be under constant medical attention.

[08] THE ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL REGIONS IN EUROPE WILL MEET IN KAVALA IN JUNE

The first formal meeting of the Association of Coastal Regions in Europe will take place in the northeastern Greek city of Kavala on June 11-12. Within the framework of the meeting the basis will be laid for the establishment of a Balkan committee aimed at creating conditions of stability, peace and security in the wider Balkan region.

The Association of Coastal Regions in Europe currently numbers 130 members and in the formal meeting will be present representatives from Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Italy.

[09] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE NEW ECONOMY

The international conference "Athens 2001, Meeting toward a new economy" will be held in Athens on May 19-21 organized by the Athens Polytechnic computer electrical engineering department and the Greek Association of Computing Companies.

Poverty worldwide will be among the issues that will be discussed as well as the incomplete revolution of the information technology and democracy.

Among the speakers will be prime ministers, ministers of foreign affairs, finance, environment, transportation and telecommunications as well as, businessmen and scientists.

The delegates will be addressed by former EU president Jacques Santer, former French prime minister R. Barre, Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, transportation minister Christos Verelis, EU Commissioner P. Nielsen, responsible for humanitarian action issues and Cypriot transportation and public works minister A. Neofitou.

[10] THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE SE EUROPEAN CITIES' CONFERENCE

The establishment of a technical secretariat in the northwestern Greek city of Edessa, the training of personnel in the drawing up of European programs as well as the accession of the municipality of Kavadartsi, FYROM into the Federation of the Twinned Cities in SE Europe, were among the main decisions reached within the framework of the federation conference that was held in Edessa on April 6-8.

In the final text of the conference proceedings is mentioned that a letter will be sent to European Commission president Romano Prodi, European Parliament president Nicole Fontein and head of the EU general directorate of education and culture Viviane Redding. In the letter it will be stressed that the cities in countries that are not in an EU accession process must also have the right to participate in European programs.

The next meeting of the federation will be held in Bursa, Turkey on November 9-11, while on June 26 its presidency will be taken over by the municipality of Bitola for the next two years.

Among the twinned cities that attended the conference proceedings were Pleve (Bulgaria), Vrajla (Romania), Bursa (Turkey), Gornji Milanovac (Serbia) and Bitola (FYROM).

[11] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.44% at 3.271,44 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 51.38 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 168 recorded gains and 156 had losses, while the value of 50 stocks remained stable.

[12] THE 86TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Events in memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide will be held in Thessaloniki on Sunday and Tuesday on the occasion of the 86th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

In April 1996, the Greek parliament adopted April 24 as the Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

Eighty-six years ago an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were massacred by the Young Turks' government, while those who survived were forced to abandon their homes and scatter around the world.

[13] THE DIALOGUE ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM REFORM MUST BE SINCERE

President Kostis Stephanopoulos in the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas Simitis expressed the wish for a sincere dialogue on the social security system reform in order for it to be effective. Prime minister Simitis pointed out that it will be an open dialogue and everybody must assume their responsibilities and present their proposals.

Mr. Simitis underlined that the reform of the social security system is necessary. He said that it is as important as it was some years ago the drop of inflation and public deficit. Mr. Simitis stated that the reform is necessary to achieve social justice and cohesion and added that the Greek society needs solutions because it must be competitive and provide security and prosperity to the people.

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