Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] MINISTER TO UNIONS: LET'S TALK ABOUT REFORMS

[02] GREEK FM IN US, TO MEET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE

[03] GREEK PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO CROATIA WEDNESDAY

[04] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS HINTED AGAINST THE TURKISH LEADERSHIP

[05] KAKLAMANIS-BARRE MEETING

[06] REPPAS: THE SIMITIS-CHRISTODOULOS MEETING WAS CEREMONIAL

[07] VENIZELOS: THE ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC AND

[08] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[09] THE DIALOGUE ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM REFORM WILL START IN 10 DAYS

[10] JOURNALIST ACHILLEAS HATZOPOULOS DIED THIS MORNING

[11] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU: THE INCREASE OF THE PENSION AGE LIMIT

[12] GIANNAKOPOULOS: GREECE IS THE 15TH MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION IN

[13] SANTER: CYPRUS MEETS ALL EU ACCESSION CRITERIA

[14] GREECE WILL TAKE OVER THE "EUREKA" PRESIDENCY IN EARLY JULY

[15] GEORGIA INTENT ON COMBATING CORRUPTION

[01] MINISTER TO UNIONS: LET'S TALK ABOUT REFORMS

Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Yiannitsis is expected to issue invitations to trade unions for talks over the state's contentious social security reforms, hoping to escape the stalemate that has already led to two mass strikes.

The invitation's content is expected to be instrumental to the outcome of tomorrow's executive commission session of the country's largest labor union, the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE).

However, fuelled by the state's eleventh hour move to shelve the reforms right before the first strike took place on April 26, the unions are expected to persist that the government conform to their proposals, i.e. that it expand its contribution to social security and pensions.

Specifically, GSEE, supported by the Supreme Administrative Council of Civil Servants (ADEDY), demand that the state's social security system be funded trilaterally by employees, employers and the state. The unions also call for the discovery of new funding sources that would prevent potential deficits in pension funds.

The labor unions also demand that the government guarantee the publicly funded and operated character of the social security system, the organizational and operational restructuring of the system and a maximum of 35 years of employment to pension.

A.F.

[02] GREEK FM IN US, TO MEET WITH SECRETARY OF STATE

Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington today, during an official visit to the United States.

Messrs. Powell and Papandreou will discuss Greek-US relations, bilateral and regional matters, the promotion of American investments in Greece, matters concerning political and economic cooperation, and boosting cooperation between the Greek and American police forces in the framework of the comprehensive technical agreement between the two countries.

The Greek FM will also meet with vice-president Dick Cheney, US President George Bush's national security advisor Condoleeza Rice, CIA chief George Tenet, and the US representatives on the Cyprus issue.

Moreover, Mr. Papandreou is to hold talks with several members of the US Senate and the Senate foreign relations committee.

On Wednesday, May 23, Mr. Papandreou is to give an address at the Woodrow Wilson international foundation and at the US Center for Strategic Studies.

A.F.

[03] GREEK PRESIDENT TRAVELS TO CROATIA WEDNESDAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos is to conduct an official visit to Croatia on May 23-24, escorted by the undersecretary of National Economy Yiannis Zafiropoulos, responsible for international economic affairs.

Coinciding with the President's visit, the ministry is also organizing a business mission to Croatia, whose members are to hold meetings with Croatian entrepreneurs and state officials.

Greek exports to Croatia amount to .26 percent of the latter's overall import volume, while Croatian exports to Greece correspond to .13% of total imports.

A.F.

[04] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS HINTED AGAINST THE TURKISH LEADERSHIP

Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos visited Rethimno, Iraklio and Lasithi in Crete today on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Crete in WWII.

Speaking in the prefecture building in Rethimno, Mr. Stephanopoulos hinted against the Turkish leadership regarding the tension recorded in the area of the Greek-Turkish relations.

He said that there are difficulties in the Greek-Turkish relations because of the unacceptable and groundless claims against the Greek sovereign rights on which Greece cannot hold a dialogue.

[05] KAKLAMANIS-BARRE MEETING

Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and former French prime minister Raymond Barre in a meeting they had in the parliament building in Athens today, both backed the EU enlargement that takes place with steady steps and after serious study.

Mr. Kaklamanis, briefing Mr. Barre on Cyprus' successful EU accession course, underlined that in this case the reliability, prestige and consistency of Europe toward its principles and positions are being tested. He said that the same is in effect for the United States as well, which sacrifice the world ideals to serve their geo-political interests.

Mr. Barre agreed with Mr. Kaklamanis that Cyprus meets all the pre-conditions for EU accession and referred to the vision of the European peoples for an integrated and democratic European Union with social justice and independent foreign policy and policy of defense. He also expressed satisfaction for the big progress and development recorded in Greece in recent years.

[06] REPPAS: THE SIMITIS-CHRISTODOULOS MEETING WAS CEREMONIAL

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as ceremonial the meeting prime minister Kostas Simitis had today with Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece. The Archbishop was accompanying the Patriarch of Alexandria, who is on a formal visit to Greece.

Mr. Reppas clarified that they did not discuss issues concerning the State-Church relations but expressed the belief that a solution can be found to any issue if there is mutual respect on the basis of the distinct roles of the two sides.

[07] VENIZELOS: THE ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

Greek culture minister Evangelos Venizelos characterized the Athens 2004 Olympic Games as a big and complex event, adding that it is an opportunity for public and private investments and development.

Speaking in the one-day conference "Athens at the center of international sports: an opportunity for regional cooperation and development" organized by the Kokkalis Institute, Mr. Venizelos underlined that 120.000 new job positions will be created as a result of the Olympic Games, while Athens will inherit modern infrastructures and enjoy international promotion.

Mr. Venizelos also pointed out that Athens wants to host the 2008 European Football Championship events jointly with Turkey and if this bid is not successful, Greece intends to claim by itself the organizing of the 2012 European Football Championship events.

[08] GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.40% at 3.178,97 points, while the volume of transactions was satisfactory at 67.878 billion drachmas or 199.20 million drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority namely, 236 had losses and 93 recorded gains, while the value of 46 stocks remained stable.

[09] THE DIALOGUE ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM REFORM WILL START IN 10 DAYS

Labor minister Tasos Giannitsis extended an invitation for dialogue to the Greek General Confederation of Labor on the reform of the social security system.

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stated characteristically that it is an "invitation-challenge" and announced that the first meeting of the two sides will be held in the next 10 days for dialogue to be underway.

He said that each side has its own share of responsibility in reaching consensus decisions that will lead to the solution of the problem of the social security system. He also said that the creation of a committee of scientists and specialists is necessary to clarify the points that will be the basis for the talks.

[10] JOURNALIST ACHILLEAS HATZOPOULOS DIED THIS MORNING

Distinguished journalist and author Achilleas Hatzopoulos died this morning at the age of 62.

Since 1994 he was the director of the MPA office in Athens. He was born in 1939 in Gazoro, Serres in northern Greece and for many years he lived in Thessaloniki. Since 1966 he lived and worked in Athens.

He began his career as a journalist in the newspapers "Makedonia" and "Thessaloniki" when he was 17. He also worked in the newspapers "Kathimerini", "Kiriakatiki Eleftherotipia", "Proini Eleftherotipia" and again in the newspapers "Makedonia" and "Thessaloniki". For about 10 years since 1981, he was in charge of the political news desk in the newspaper "Ethnos".

He also worked for many Greek and foreign magazines and news agencies.

[11] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU: THE INCREASE OF THE PENSION AGE LIMIT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SOLUTION OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ISSUE

There is no "magic solution" of the social security problem, stated Greek EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, in an interview with the Athens newspaper "TA NEA", adding that in Greece there is a lack of culture and knowledge regarding the way the social dialogue operates.

The EU Commissioner stated that any solution of the social security problem must include the increase of the pension age limit and the lowering of the replacement percentage for high pensions. At the same time, she expressed skepticism on the proposals concerning a special tax or the creation of a special fund that will finance the social security system, stressing that development should not be undermined.

Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that she does not regard as likely the postponement of the social security system reform, stressing that the Simtis-Giannitsis team is characterized by a high sense of duty.

She added characteristically that modernization should be modernized, stressing that when things get tough prime minister Simitis is alone.

[12] GIANNAKOPOULOS: GREECE IS THE 15TH MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION IN THE WORLD

Greek general secretary of tourism Evgenios Giannakopoulos pointed out that Greece has an opportunity to become even stronger in the sector of tourism, pointing out that it can improve considerably its position in the world tourist market and occupy an even higher place than the 15th it occupies today.

Speaking in the one-day conference "Athens at the center of international sports: An opportunity for regional cooperation and development" organized by the Kokkalis Institute, Mr. Giannakopoulos also stated that tourism is the strongest industry in the world and it is estimated that international arrivals will be doubled in the next twenty years.

[13] SANTER: CYPRUS MEETS ALL EU ACCESSION CRITERIA

Cyprus meets all the prerequisites and criteria for accession to the European Union the European Commission's former president Jacques Santer stated after his meeting with the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Stating characteristically that agreements have to be kept, Mr. Santer stressed that Luxembourg supports the Cypriot Republic's full accession to the European structures.

In regards to Greece, Mr. Santer stated that the country has made vast progress as an EU member and referred to the common positions espoused by Athens and Luxembourg in envisioning a strong and united Europe.

In turn, Mr. Kaklamanis stressed that Cyprus' accession to the EU will contribute to the resolution of the pending issue over the island's division.

A.F.

[14] GREECE WILL TAKE OVER THE "EUREKA" PRESIDENCY IN EARLY JULY

Greece will take over the presidency of the European program "Eureka", the goal of which, is to strengthen the competitiveness of the European businesses in the sector of research and promotion of joint programs.

Greece will take over the presidency from Spain which according to the Spanish economic newspaper "L' Echo", aspires to break an overall record number of research programs namely, 200, that will be promoted by the end of its presidency in 40 days.

The Greek presidency will give an emphasis to greater international cooperation and the improvement of the national programs' coordination within the framework of the "Eureka" program, stated Greek office representative Yiannis Papadakis on the sidelines of the 12th parliamentary conference on "Eureka" that was held in Madrid attended by 100 parliamentarians from 29 countries participating in the program.

[15] GEORGIA INTENT ON COMBATING CORRUPTION

The Georgian government is intent on combating corruption, a menacing phenomenon that continues to imperil the country's course towards a free market economy.

At the same time, Georgia has issued an open invitation to the neighboring states that they support its effort to establish an Agency of Exporting Trust and Investment Security, as was announced today by Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze during the course of the Black Sea Bank's Business Days".

Supporting small-to-medium sized enterprises and promoting exports are leading the priorities list of the Georgian government, which has recently ratified a plethora of laws and incentives for attracting foreign investment, especially in the sectors of energy (natural gas), transportation, telecommunications and tourism.

According to President Shevardnadze, Georgia has managed to stabilize its macro-economic outlook, containing inflation at four percent during the first quarter of 2001 and achieving satisfactory GNP growth rates of 5-6 percent during the past decade.

A.F.

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