Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] FYROM, TURKEY FOCUS OF GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL

[02] MINISTER ANNOUNCES 10 TRILLION SURPLUS BY 2010

[03] 5.5 RICHTER QUAKE OCCURS NEAR CHIOS, NO DAMAGES

[04] IRENE PAPAS LAUREA HONORIS AT TOR VERGATA

[05] SWAN LAKE ON ICE BY ST. PETERSBURG BALLET

[06] AIRLINE STAFF DECLARE THREE STRIKES: JUNE 15, 29, 30

[07] STAR SYSTEM TO BE ENFORCED IN GREEK HOTELS

[08] NAVY GENERAL STAFF CHIEF ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO U.S.

[01] FYROM, TURKEY FOCUS OF GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL

Should the issue be brought up during tomorrow's European Union General Affairs Council, Greece will veto any European Army proposal that would be contrary to its interests, Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated.

Speaking in reference to a British plan that would allow Ankara to have a strong say in the nascent European forces' activities and use of NATO materiel, including where it will not be used, Mr. Papandreou further stressed that any revision of the Nice Summit decision is ruled out; the said Summit had resolved that decisions on the actions of the European force will be taken only by EU members.

The situation in FYROM is to also be discussed by the General Affairs Council, where Greece is expected to table a three phase five-day plan for an immediate end to ongoing conflict and reinstatement of inter-ethnic dialogue.

The first phase calls for the EU and the US to apply pressure on the four major parties comprised in FYROM's coalition, calling for a cease fire within 48 hours and the withdrawal of all armed groups from the conflict zones.

The second phase calls for the initiation of high-level talks between coalition representatives who will establish the basis of the dialogue to follow.

The third phase is that of the five-day dialogue headed by FYROM President Boris Trajkovski, which will culminate with the final text of an agreement that will be submitted to the EU.

A.F.

[02] MINISTER ANNOUNCES 10 TRILLION SURPLUS BY 2010

Greece's economy is to present a whopping 10-trillion-drachma surplus by the end of the decade, according to Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou, who indicated that these excess funds will be allocated to funding the country's ailing social security system.

In an interview with the Sunday edition of the Thessaloniki paper Aggelioforos Tis Kyriakis, Mr. Papantoniou stressed that the government mustn't rush to complete the course of the social dialogue, otherwise, he warned, it will fall on its face.

Regarding the Balkan Reconstruction Plan, the Minister underlined that a cohesive and coordinated proposal, encompassing various ministries, is to be submitted to Parliament and actual work is expected to get underway in the Fall.

As for taxation, Mr. Papantoniou stated that lower taxes for certain categories, accompanied by a fairer and simpler tax system through the use of TAXIS, are to be implemented by the year 2003, while he ruled out the imposition of new taxes for any income group.

Specifically, Mr. Papantoniou stated that there are plans to increase the portion of untaxed income and to reduce taxation for businesses.

A.F.

[03] 5.5 RICHTER QUAKE OCCURS NEAR CHIOS, NO DAMAGES

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale was recorded this evening, with the epicenter located beneath the sea west of the Aegean island of Chios and south of the island of Psarron, 170 kilometers east of Athens.

No damage has been reported as a result of the quake.

A.F.

[04] IRENE PAPAS LAUREA HONORIS AT TOR VERGATA

World famous Greek actor Irene Papas has been awarded an honorary degree (Laurea Honoris) by the University Tor Vergata of Rome, in appreciation of her work in theater and cinema.

Among those attending the ceremony were the Minister of the Aegean Nicholaos Sifounakis, Greek Ambassador to Rome Constantine Gerokostopoulos, and others.

A.F.

[05] SWAN LAKE ON ICE BY ST. PETERSBURG BALLET

The St. Petersburg ice skating ballet will perform "Swan Lake" in Thessaloniki from June 13 to 16.

The performance will be based on the choreography of Konstantin Rassadin, in the grand tradition of the Kirov classical choreographies.

A.F.

[06] AIRLINE STAFF DECLARE THREE STRIKES: JUNE 15, 29, 30

The federation of airline employees, OSYPA, has announced that it has declared a 24-hour strike on June 15, followed by a 48-hour strike on June 29 and 30.

Their demands include the signing of a collective labor agreement, higher bonuses and more hirings.

A.F.

[07] STAR SYSTEM TO BE ENFORCED IN GREEK HOTELS

A "star-system" in classifying Greece's hotels is to be implemented throughout the country this summer, thus replacing an existing system of luxury, first, second and third categories.

The Minister of Development Nikos Christodoulakis has already initialed a presidential decree draft plan envisaging the implementation of the new system, under which the facilities will be described as follows: classic type hotels (one to five stars), motels (three to four stars), furnished apartments (one to five stars) and classic type and furnished apartments (four to five stars).

Stars will be given on a basis of strict technical and operational standards.

A.F.

[08] NAVY GENERAL STAFF CHIEF ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO U.S.

Navy General Staff Chief George Theodoroulakis embarked today on an official visit to the United States, at the invitation of his U.S. counterpart Vem Clark.

The two chiefs will discuss issues concerning cooperation between the two navies, while Mr. Theodoroulakis will visit installations and units of the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Theodoroulakis will also visit the Naval Postgraduate School where a number of Greek Navy officers are receiving additional training.

His visit will conclude on June 19. 

A.F.

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