Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND LEADS POLL, BUT ATHENS MAYOR MOST POPULAR

[02] ANOTHER MASS STRIKE PLANNED FOR MAY 17

[03] THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME IS CLOSE TO A SOLUTION

[04] THE ABOLITION OF THE SCHENGEN VISA INCREASES THE NUMBER OF BULGARIAN

[05] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

[06] REPPAS: TURKEY'S POLICY LEADS TO A DEAD END

[07] KRAPOVIC WILL VISIT ATHENS TOMORROW

[08] LOSSES RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] INTER-BALKAN MEETING IN TIRANA

[10] SIGNIFICANT CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN PAPANDREOU AND THE US GOVERNMENT

[11] BEGLITIS: THE NEW SKOPJE GOVERNMENT IS A STARTING POINT FOR POLITICAL

[12] BINDING BIDS FOR OA AWAITED, DEADLINE TODAY

[13] NBC PRESENTATION OF GREECE

[01] ND LEADS POLL, BUT ATHENS MAYOR MOST POPULAR

The conservative main opposition, New Democracy (ND), ranked ahead of the ruling socialist PASOK party by nine percentage points, but Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos was voted as the most popular politician in a recent poll released yesterday by an Athens paper.

According to the Sunday edition of the Ethnos newspaper, a poll conducted by the Metron Analysis firm shows that PASOK was favored by 25.8 percent of the respondents, whereas 34.9% opted for ND. The new party founded by Mr. Avramopoulos in March ranked third by amassing 10.5 percent of the respondents' support.

Also, 5.9 percent of those polled chose the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 3.2 opted for the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) and two percent voiced support for the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

In response to the question Which party would win the elections if they were held today? 53% responded New Democracy and 21.5% PASOK.

As to who is better suited to govern the country, 26.6 percent chose Prime Minister Costas Simitis and 26.2 percent responded in favor of ND leader Costas Karamanlis.

In terms of popularity, Mr. Avramopoulos tops the list with 62.1%, followed by: Synaspismos leader Nikos Constantopoulos with 56.9%, Mr. Karamanlis (52.8%), Mr. Simitis (42.2%), DHKKI leader Dimitris Tsovolas 41.7%, Liberals leader Stephanos Manos (35.9%) and KKE leader Aleka Paparega (27%).

A.F.

[02] ANOTHER MASS STRIKE PLANNED FOR MAY 17

Less than a month after the April 26 mass strike that crippled the country, another 24-hour mobilization has been scheduled for May 17 by the General Confederation of Greek Labour (GSEE) and the civil servants union (ADEDY) over government plans for reform of the social insurance system.

Journalists are to also take part in the 24-hour strike, which will begin at 6 am on May 17 and ends at 6 am on May 18.

A.F.

[03] THE ISSUE OF THE FYROM NAME IS CLOSE TO A SOLUTION

The Greek government believes that a mutually acceptable solution by the two sides, that will correspond to the region's geographic reality, is close.

In statements he made, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis stressed the need to continue and complete the negotiations in a way that will satisfy both sides. Mr. Beglitis said that this should take place now more than ever as the talks for changes and constitutional regulations are being launched by the new Skopje government.

According to information, specific names for FYROM were discussed in the negotiations that took place in New York in early May with the participation of ambassadors Gounaris and Tosefski in the presence of UN mediator Matthew Nimitz.

[04] THE ABOLITION OF THE SCHENGEN VISA INCREASES THE NUMBER OF BULGARIAN TOURISTS TO GREECE

An increase of 9.3% was recorded in the number of Greek tourists, who visited Bulgaria last year. Specifically, 321.652 Greek tourists visited the neighboring country, while the number of Bulgarians who chose Greece for their vacations last year was increased by 5%. Tourist market specialists believe that the abolition of the Schengen visa creates favorable prospects.

An upward trend dominated in the first trimester of 2001, according to Bulgarian undersecretary of finance Marianna Asenova, who made the statements within the framework of the 2nd Greek-Bulgarian meeting on tourism that was held in the city of Katerini, northern Greece on May 10-11.

The number of the Greeks, who visited Bulgaria last year, brought Greece to the second place on the tourist arrivals list after FYROM that occupies the first place with 658.395 tourists in spite of the fact that this number is smaller by 9.01% compared to 1999.

As it was made known, the tourist sector in Bulgaria attracted foreign investments of US$130 million last year and its privatization has reached 94%, while it is expected to be completed by the end of 2001.

[05] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

The international conference "Athens 2001 meeting, toward a new economy" will be held in Athens on May 19-21 organized jointly by the Athens Polytechnic and the Association of Computer Companies in Greece.

Among the main speakers in the formal opening of the conference proceedings are expected to be Montenegro president Mr. Djukanovic and former French prime minister Mr. Barre.

The conference will deal with education and research, economic strategies in view of the new economy, telecommunications, new technology and the Internet. Also, will be discussed issues concerning the supervision of the banking system, stability in the Euro-zone money markets and the use of new technologies in the public agencies.

[06] REPPAS: TURKEY'S POLICY LEADS TO A DEAD END

Turkey follows a policy that leads to a dead end, stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on Ankara's refusal to accept the European Court for Human Rights decision.

Mr. Reppas reiterated that Turkey has to respect the decisions reached by the international courts.

Also, Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis, commenting on the European Court for Human Rights decision, characterized the development as very positive for the Cyprus problem both from a political and a moral point of view.

He said that it is a very positive development because the court ruled for the first time against Turkey and not against the Turkish Cypriot authorities on the violation of human rights in Cyprus, stressing that this court decision must be implemented. He also said that this decision will contribute decisively to the political solution of the Cyprus problem, adding that it does not deal only with the issue of the refugees and the violations of human rights but it is linked with other aspects of the problem as well.

Mr. Beglitis stated that the policy of internationalization of the Cyprus problem that was followed by the governments of Athens and Nicosia was vindicated, adding that this policy will continue with joint coordination and efforts.

[07] KRAPOVIC WILL VISIT ATHENS TOMORROW

Yugoslav minister of defense Slobodan Krapovic will visit Athens tomorrow at the invitation of Greek minister of defense Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The two ministers will sign bilateral agreements on defense cooperation and the training of Yugoslav officers in Greece as well as issues concerning the military cooperation plan.

Mr. Krapovic and Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will also discuss measures for the strengthening of regional security and issues concerning the Greek initiatives aimed at the Yugoslav accession into NATO's "Partnership for peace" program and other regional and wider defense structures.

[08] LOSSES RECORDED IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -2.19% at 3.051,11 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 124.98 million Euro or 42.58 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 47 recorded gains and 284 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained stable.

[09] INTER-BALKAN MEETING IN TIRANA

The recent developments in the Balkans, the course of the Stability Pact, the European prospect of the Balkan countries and the measures against organized crime will be among the issues that will be discussed in the Inter-Balkan meeting that will be held in Tirana on Wednesday.

On the sidelines of the Inter-Balkan meeting, Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou will meet with Albanian prime minister Ilir Meta and Socialist Party president Fatos Nano at the initiative of the Greek side.

[10] SIGNIFICANT CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN PAPANDREOU AND THE US GOVERNMENT

The visit of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou to Washington next week and the contacts he will have with the US government are characterized as very important by the Greek foreign ministry.

The meetings will focus on bilateral, regional and Balkan issues.

Mr. Papandreou is expected to meet on May 21 with his US counterpart secretary of state Colin Powell, the US vice-president, the national security adviser, members of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. He will also have contacts with important American "think tanks".

[11] BEGLITIS: THE NEW SKOPJE GOVERNMENT IS A STARTING POINT FOR POLITICAL STABILITY

Greek foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis characterized the formation of the new coalition government in Skopje as very important development for FYROM itself and the wider region in general.

Mr. Beglitis stated that this positive development is welcome, adding that from now on FYROM's political forces, with the political realism they have displayed until now, will continue and complete the negotiations and political reforms the country needs. He also expressed the belief that the circle of violence will close and the Skopjan government will contribute to the end of hostilities and lead FYROM to a peaceful course.

Mr. Beglitis also referred to the special and decisive contribution of the EU, Javier Solana, who is responsible for foreign policy issues and Greece, stressing that FYROM with the help of Europe will enter the road of political stability.

Meanwhile, the European General Affairs Council meeting is in progress in Brussels today with the participation of Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou and deputy foreign minister Elisavet Papazoi. In the meeting will be discussed the latest developments in the Balkans and especially Skopje, in the light of the formation of the new government, while the situation in Montenegro and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will also be discussed.

[12] BINDING BIDS FOR OA AWAITED, DEADLINE TODAY

Binding bids for the purchase of a majority stake of Greece's national air carrier Olympic Airways are awaited today, with potential suitors having until 5 p.m. to submit their offer and a five-year operational business plan.

In spite of the fact that no potential buyer has withdrawn from the bidding process, rumors prevail that Australia's venture capital firm Intergrated Airline Solutions is to refrain from filing a bid.

Also, Cyprus Airways is reportedly concerned over the airline's organizational disarray and the pilots' demands for increased cash

At the same time, the state continued negotiations with the other two prospective bidders, namely Axon Airlines, which belongs to the Liakounakos Defense Group, and shipowner Stamatis Restis.

A.F.

[13] NBC PRESENTATION OF GREECE

The very popular three-hour morning show of the US television network NBC, part of which was aired from the Aegean island of Myconos three days ago, evolved into a tourist-cultural ad promotion for Greece.

The TV show presenter used enthusiastic comments to go with the majestic pictures from Myconos, Santorini and the ancient monuments in Delos, while special references were made to the Greek diet, the popular music and the folk dances to describe the Greek natural beauty and the Greek hospitality.

The show also included a report on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games preparations and an interview with the "Athens 2004" organizing committee president Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis.

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