Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] BLACK ECONOMY CORRESPONDS TO 35% OF GREECE'S GDP

[02] CHRISTODOULAKIS: NO HEALTH THREAT FROM THE GREEK PRODUCTS

[03] 35% OF THE DOCTORS ARE CIGARETTE SMOKERS

[04] SEVENTEEN 5TH CENTURY AD TOMBS WERE UNEARTHED IN THESSALONIKI

[05] SIMITIS: CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE PROCEEDS AS PLANNED

[01] BLACK ECONOMY CORRESPONDS TO 35% OF GREECE'S GDP

Black economy has reached a record high corresponding to 35% of Greece's GDP as revenues of over 15 trillion drachmas feed tax evasion and economic crime. They are revenues that exceed the state budget's annual spending by far and are not being declared to the internal revenue service.

The disappointing evidence on the extend of the black economy in Greece are included in a study designed by public finance professor in Athens Pantio University Nikolaos Tatsos and conducted by the Economic and Industrial Studies Institute.

Parts of the study are being published today on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA". The study will be given to publicity in early June and it is expected to cause a sensation because in its 500 pages many earlier views are overturned based on which, the black economy was supposed to be at lower levels namely, around 30% of Greece's GDP.

[02] CHRISTODOULAKIS: NO HEALTH THREAT FROM THE GREEK PRODUCTS

Genetically altered organisms were traced in 12% of the lab tests conducted by the food control agency since last December. In a statement issued by the agency it is not clarified which are the food products with genetically altered organisms but it is mentioned, however, that they are mostly soya products and derivatives.

Two days ago ecological organization Greenpeace gave to publicity a list with 53 suspect products causing the reaction of development minister Nikos Christodoulakis and the Greek Food Industries Association.

Mr. Christodoulakis stated that only the responsible public agencies have the authority to conduct inspections and gave the assurance that there is no health threat from the Greek products.

The Greek Food Industries Association in a statement it has issued, stresses that it supports the practice based on which the food products are distinctively marked, adding that it implements the legislation in effect.

[03] 35% OF THE DOCTORS ARE CIGARETTE SMOKERS

Thirty five percent of the doctors who suggest to their patients to quit smoking are smokers themselves.

According to the results of a recent research conducted by the Greek Cancer Society general secretary Nikos Kadiolis and published on the Athens newspaper "Kathimerini", only 15% of the 2.500 doctors who received the questionnaire responded to it namely, 360 of the 2.500 doctors.

Of them, 129 (35%) stated that they smoke and over 95% stated that they think that it is their duty to inform their patients on the methods used to stop the smoking habit. Only 8% have special training on the strategies aimed at helping smokers quit their habit, while 88% of the doctors would want more information on the methods used.

[04] SEVENTEEN 5TH CENTURY AD TOMBS WERE UNEARTHED IN THESSALONIKI

Seventeen tombs dated back to the 5th century AD were unearthed during excavations in the region of Ampelokipi in Thessaloniki.

Archaeological findings had been unearthed again in the region in the past and the responsible agency will examine the tombs next week to decide on their importance.

[05] SIMITIS: CYPRUS' EU ACCESSION COURSE PROCEEDS AS PLANNED

Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis in statements he made upon his return from Malta appeared reassuring regarding the likely reactions by Turkey on Cyprus' final EU accession phase.

Mr. Simitis stressed that Cyprus' EU accession course proceeds as planned and it is certain that for as long as the EU accession procedure moves ahead the Turkish reactions will intensify. He added that the Turks were saying the same things before Helsinki and also before the association relation with the EU.

Meanwhile, Mr. Simitis said that there is no likelihood of a government reshuffle, adding that there will be no surprises coming from him in the future.

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