Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] HERMES EXPO: SEVE LEADER TOUTS N. GREECE'S ROLE

[02] MAIN OPPOSITION CHIEF STRESSES ROLE OF N. GREECE

[03] GREEK FM EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER FYROM CRISIS

[04] FM: POPE'S VISIT SEALS RELATIONS WITH VATICAN

[05] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITS N. GREECE

[06] ARCHBISHOP OF GREECE ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA

[07] PREMIER IN BERLIN FOR ESP CONVENTION

[08] NY TO HOST CONFERENCE ON INVESTING IN GREECE

[01] HERMES EXPO: SEVE LEADER TOUTS N. GREECE'S ROLE

Outlining the numerous opportunities for US-Greek investment in Northern Greece within the framework of the Balkan Reconstruction Plan, the president of the Northern Greece Exporters Association (SEVE) Vasilis Takas addressed the 10th Hermes Expo International business development and tradeshow, presently held in New York.

Mr. Takas underlined northern Greece's vital and leading role in the Balkan region, noting that the country's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union, coupled with the Third Community Support Framework and the oncoming Olympic Games of 2004, will lead to a rapid development course.

The 10th Hermes Expo International, which concludes today, is an annual event promoting products and services from Greece, Eastern European Countries and the Mediterranean, bringing together businesses and representatives from a wide range of industries to the U.S. market since 1992.

The event featured the participation of firms from the sectors of travel & tourism, banking & finance, ministries & government, prefectures & agencies, food and service industry, distribution, new technology, arts & crafts, media, imports, exports, etc.

A series of seminars was held, focusing on various topics such as Trade with Greece, Cyprus and Eastern Europe and Business Opportunities for the 2004 Olympics.

Since 1993, the Hermes Expo has grown tremendously, attracting Greek American business and industry from across the country and across the world. Now, in its ninth year, the exhibition expects to draw on its past successes and offer the best networking and product exposition event to date.

Prior to New York, the two-day event was held in Chicago.

A.F.

[02] MAIN OPPOSITION CHIEF STRESSES ROLE OF N. GREECE

Leader of the main opposition party of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, stressed the need for the implementation of a dynamic development plan for the region of eastern Macedonia and Thrace which will highlight the region's particularities and its strategic role in the Balkans.

Addressing a party conference in the city of Komotini, northern Greece, yesterday, Mr. Karamanlis stated that ND has an integrated strategic development plan which will provide substantive solutions to longstanding problems which should have been resolved a long time ago.

"This region has possibilities which could and should have been utilized already for the benefit of not only its citizens but for the entire country as well," he said.

Stressing that eastern Macedonia and Thrace is one of the poorest regions in Europe, Mr. Karamanlis criticized the lack of infrastructures in the sectors of industrial development, telecommunications, agriculture and health which result in a decrease in the population.

The conference focused on the issue of "Transport and communications infrastructures, precondition for the development of eastern Macedonia and Thrace."

A.F.

[03] GREEK FM EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER FYROM CRISIS

Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed his concern over the recent crisis in FYROM, although he expressed certainty that all European Union countries will condemn terrorist acts in this country.

Presently in Sweden for an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Mr. Papandreou stated that the EUs enlargement is now very close since many candidate countries, with Cyprus first of all, are expected to close all the chapters on accession negotiations in the next year.

The discussions at the meeting focused on EU enlargement and the situation in FYROM

The Greek FM also said that the "15" will have the opportunity to exchange views with the foreign ministers of the 13 candidate countries.

EU High Commissioner Javier Solana is to travel to FYROM today, along with NATO Secretary General George Robertson. 

FYROM Premier Ljbuco Georgievski stated this morning that he will ask parliament to declare a state of war, and appealed to the country's ethnic Albanians to support the government's attacks against militants near the border with Kosovo.

A.F.

[04] FM: POPE'S VISIT SEALS RELATIONS WITH VATICAN

Foreign Minister George Papandreou expressed his satisfaction over the outcome of Pope John Paul II's visit to Athens, stating that and said it has created a bridge between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

Presently in Sweden for an informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers, Mr. Papandreou stated that the Pope's pilgrimage had been a "historic visit that sealed the good inter-state relations between the Vatican and Greece".

Moreover, he described as "exceptionally significant" the Pope's meetings in Greece with senior government officials and Orthodox Church leaders, adding that the Pope had "made us of this great opportunity to publicly express regret for the wounds of the past".

At the same time, the visit impressed Greece's importance as a force of peace and culture in the Balkans and the country's and Orthodox Church's great abilities, he added. 

A.F.

[05] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VISITS N. GREECE

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, currently on a visit to Thrace, continued his tour today with a visit to the town of Nigrita, in the prefecture of Serres, where local citizens welcomed him warmly in the town's main square.

His welcoming was also attended by main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, who later left for the city of Komotini to address a party conference.

The Patriarch is conducting an official five-day visit to the northern Greek dioceses of Xanthi, Serres and Nigrita, which fall under the patriarchate's jurisdiction. The municipality of Sapes was his first stop where he received a warm welcome by local authorities and residents.

At Xanthi, Vartholomeos attended events commemorating Saint Theophanis, and inaugurate a cathedral for Serres and Nigrita.

Under a 1928 agreement, the patriarch maintains spiritual leadership over parts of Macedonia, Thrace and Epiros, while the Church of Greece governs them administratively.

His visit will conclude on May 7 in the city of Komotene and the Dadia Monastery. The patriarch returns to Istanbul on Monday after visiting Serres and the municipality of Strymon.

A.F.

[06] ARCHBISHOP OF GREECE ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO RUSSIA

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos is presently on an official visit to Russia today, heading a delegation of Metropolitans.

Mr. Christodoulos, who will remain in Russia until May 14, was welcomed at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport by the Patriarch of All Russia Alexy II and the members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Church.

In his address, the Russian Patriarch expressed his skeptimism over the apology offered by Pope John Paul II during the latter's visit to Athens.

Specifically, the Pope apologized for ``sins of action and omission'' by Roman Catholics, including the sacking of Constantinople, the center of Orthodoxy, in 1204.

`This statement has to be seen in context, but as far as I am aware it is primarily about the Crusades. It's necessary to see how this apology will be manifested in actions,'' Alexy II said.

During his stay in Moscow, Mr. Christodoulos will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the President of the State Duma Selezhnev, Moscow Mayor Luzhkov, the Greek ambassador to Moscow and many Metropolitans of the Russian Church.  He will also be visiting many holy monasteries and shrines, as well as St Petersburg's Academy of Theology, while he will also be attending receptions and commemorative events. 

A.F.

[07] PREMIER IN BERLIN FOR ESP CONVENTION

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is presently in Berlin to attend the European Socialist Party Convention in Berlin on May 6-8, heading a ruling PASOK party delegation that includes Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis, Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The conference, entitled Security in Change, will be attended by 11 prime ministers and a total of 281 delegates from 20 parties.

Issues to be discussed are European Union enlargement, modernizing the European social and economic model, the EU's global role on the creation of a fairer world and promoting institutional reforms in the EU in light of the inter-governmental conference and Euro-elections in 2004.

A.F.

[08] NY TO HOST CONFERENCE ON INVESTING IN GREECE

Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to inaugurate a New York conference that will review investment opportunities in Greece, the Athens Stock Exchange and the Olympic Games of 2004.

The annual event, to be held on May 7, is organized by Capital Link, working with the Greek-UK Business Council.

Other speakers will include the president of the Athens Olympics organizing committee, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and the chairman of the Athens Stock Exchange, Panayiotis Alexakis. 

A.F.

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