Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-11-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] FRENCH UNIVERSITY FAIR IN THESSALONIKI

[02] FAVORABLE OUTLOOK ON THE COURSE OF THE GREEK ECONOMY

[03] DYNAMIC MOBILIZATION OF TOBACCO GROWERS IN THESSALONIKI

[04] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] 42ND THESSALONIKI FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

[06] SIMITIS ON THE BUDGET SPENDING

[07] SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS BY CHRISTODOULAKIS IN LONDON

[08] PAPANDREOU-DANTE MEETING IN NEW YORK

[09] THE BULGARIAN NATIONALS IN NORTHERN GREECE VOTED FOR STOYANOV

[10] 31 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN LIMNOS AND KOS

[11] PAPAPETROU: POSITIVE RESPONSE BY PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO DENKTASH'S

[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GREECE

[13] GREECE'S RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN ARE IN A NEW PHASE

[14] THE EU COLLECTS PART OF THE VAT IMPOSED ON THE SALE OF ANTIQUITIES

[15] CANADA PANMACEDONIAN: THE NAME MACEDONIA IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

[01] FRENCH UNIVERSITY FAIR IN THESSALONIKI

A French University fair is being organized in Thessaloniki for the first time, by the Edufrance organization and the French Institute of Thessaloniki.

The fair will open on November 30 and will last until December 2, housed in the French Institute, giving the chance to rectors and presidents, deans and vice-presidents, professors, teachers, and students to get to know and have access to the largest French Universities and Institutions for Higher Education.

The target of the Edufrance organization, founded in 1998 under the auspices of the French Ministries of Foreign affairs and Education, is to make French higher education more broadly known to foreign students.

Representing a network of 160 higher education foundations, the organization, after the interested party applies, chooses the desired preparation, and consequently helps with the applicants' accommodations in France.

The fair will open on Friday, 30th of this month, from 5pm until 8pm, and during the weekend, it will remain open from 10am until 8pm.

[02] FAVORABLE OUTLOOK ON THE COURSE OF THE GREEK ECONOMY

The predictions made by the US financial institute Political Risk Services, PRS, on the course of the Greek economy are very favorable both at a medium and a long-term horizon. The basic elements making up the PRS predictions are the high growth rates which are considerably higher than the EU average, the significant benefits enjoyed as a result of the circulation of the single European currency, the speeding-up of the structural changes and the "temperate" business climate.

As it is mentioned characteristically in the PRS report, published on the Athens newspaper "Imerisia", Greece is found much higher above the EU average in the past few years especially, in the sector of the "fresh" business capital used to fund state research and development investments.

[03] DYNAMIC MOBILIZATION OF TOBACCO GROWERS IN THESSALONIKI

Thousands of tobacco growers and people working in the tobacco production, from Greece and other EU countries, participated in a protest rally held in Thessaloniki, while the presence of parliament deputies was impressive as about 30 of them were in the mobilization, representing every political party in parliament.

The protesters expressed their opposition to the EU attempted gradual decrease and virtual abolition by 2006 of any subsidy for tobacco. They demanded the personal intervention by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and the other political party leaders so that the subsidies policy will not change.

They accused the European Commission of hypocrisy on the subsidy issue as it seeks to abolish it, while at the same time the EU imports from third countries 70% of the tobacco consumed in the EU countries namely, 500.000 tons.

[04] SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN THE ASE

Significant gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.22% at 2.796, 96 points, while the volume of transactions was at 257.63 million Euro or 87.79 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 299 recorded gains and 39 had losses, while 26 remained unchanged.

[05] 42ND THESSALONIKI FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS

The "Gold" and "Silver Alexander", the highest awards of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, which correspond to the Best Film and the Special Awards of the Critic Committee, were awarded last night, in a magnificent ceremony for the end of the International Competition portion of the 42nd Festival.

The Award for the Best Film of the Year-Gold Alexander, was given to "Tirana year Zero", directed by Fatmir Kotsi (Albania, France, Belgium), with a prize of 36,700 euro. The Special Award of the Critic Committee-Silver Alexander, was given to Hatouna Mehuheret directed by Dover Kosasvili (Israel, France). The prize was 22,000 euro.

The Best Director Award went to Hsiao Yian-chuan for "Ming dai ahui zhu" (Taiwan), while the Award for Best Screenplay went to Dover Kosasvili for "Hatouna Mehuheret", by himself.

The Award for Best Actress was shared by Mayiou Ozaoua for her part in "Shoujyuo", directed by Eiji Okuda, as well as Ronit Eklabets for her part in "Hatouna Mehuheret", directed by Dover Kosasvili.

The Award for Best Actor was shared by Alexandrou Papadol for his part in "Marfa si banii", directed by Kristi Pouiu, and Vouk Kostits for his performance in "Apsolutnih std", directed by Sridan Golubovits.

The Best Artistic Achievement Award was given to "Ming dai ahui zhu" directed by Hsiao Yian-chuan.

The critic committee of the International Competition portion was the British Director John Boorman, and members of the Committee were Polish director Pavel Pavlikofski, Turkish director Nouri Bilge Jeilan, Greek stage designer Giannis Kokkos, Argentinian critic and film theoritician Eduardo Adin and Greek writer-translator Soti Triantafillou.

The Film Festival will end tonight at 8:30pm at the Thessaloniki "Megaron" Music Hall, with the State Quality Awards for the best Greek flms.

[06] SIMITIS ON THE BUDGET SPENDING

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking to journalists after the meeting he had with president Kostis Stephanopoulos today, stated that special attention must be given to budget spending, adding that the government remains firm to its priorities on social policy and unemployment cuts.

Referring to the predicted growth rate for Greece in 2002, he stated that Greece will be among the top countries in the EU adding, however, that the growth rate is still lower than it was expected to be in the beginning or the middle of the year.

In the discussion he had with President Kostis Stephanopoulos, he appeared cautious concerning the developments in the world economy because of the problem of terrorism and pointed out that Greece must be careful when planning its economic strategy.

[07] SIGNIFICANT CONTACTS BY CHRISTODOULAKIS IN LONDON

Greek Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis is expected to outline the potential of the Greek economy and its course in the past few years, when he will address the British Industries Association conference in London today.

In his three-day visit to the British capital, Mr. Christodoulakis will have significant contacts with British government ministers, the London stock exchange management, the governor of the Bank of England and senior banking executives.

[08] PAPANDREOU-DANTE MEETING IN NEW YORK

The course of bilateral relations and the potential for their further strengthening were examined in the recent meeting Albanian Foreign Minister Arta Dante had with her Greek counterpart Giorgos Papandreou on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Ms. Dante thanked Mr. Papandreou for his assistance to Albania's efforts toward European incorporation and expressed the belief that Greece will continue to be one of the main supporters of Albania for her country to be able to overcome this transitional period, according to the Albanian newspaper "Zeri i Populit".

Mr. Papandreou assured Ms. Dante of the Greek side's willingness to offer assistance to all sectors of mutual interest and congratulated the Albanian government for managing to improve Albania's image internationally.

[09] THE BULGARIAN NATIONALS IN NORTHERN GREECE VOTED FOR STOYANOV

The majority of the Bulgarian nationals in northern Greece voted for the defeated Petar Stoyanov in Bulgaria's presidential elections.

A total of 393 Bulgarian citizens voted in the Bulgarian Consulate in Thessaloniki yesterday and 249 of them voted for the outgoing president Stoyanov, while 141 backed the winner of the elections Socialist Party leader Giorgi Parvanov. Three ballot papers were blank or spoilt.

The election procedure in the Bulgarian Consulate was held in an exemplary manner and in excellent cooperation with the Greek authorities especially, on security issues.

The 393 individuals, who voted in the Bulgarian Consulate in Thessaloniki, are mainly workers who live in Greece temporarily or Bulgarian women who are married with Greeks.

In the first round of the elections had voted 200 people and the almost 100% increase in the number of voters is a proof of the increased significance of the presidential elections in Bulgaria.

[10] 31 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN LIMNOS AND KOS

18 Afghan illegal immigrants were arrested off the shore of Limnos. They were on an inflatable boat, which was spotted by the Coast Guard's speed boat.

In the early morning hours, Kos Coast Guard authorities arrested another 13 illegal immigrants.

[11] PAPAPETROU: POSITIVE RESPONSE BY PRESIDENT CLERIDES TO DENKTASH'S PROPOSAL

The response of Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides to the proposal issued by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for a face-to-face meeting in the first 10 days of December, will be positive.

The above were stated by Cypriot government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou, pointing out that the Cypriot President will respond to Mr. Denktash's third letter within the day.

He said that the response will be positive given the fact that the meeting is placed within the framework of the UN secretary-general good services and will be held in the presence of the UN secretary-general representative.

[12] TSOCHATZOPOULOS: DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT IN GREECE

In spite of the adverse international economic developments, the Greek economy continues to display an investment and development dynamism in conditions of economic stability and investment security, stated Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, addressing the conference on the Business Opportunities in view of the 2004 Olympic Games organized in London today by the British Association of Industries in cooperation with the British embassy in Athens.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos presented to the British businessmen a proposal-invitation to exchange business and investment experience, explore the business potential offered by Greece in dynamic sectors such as, high technology, energy, industry, trade, quality control, the environment as well as, cooperation in small and medium size joint ventures within the framework of the new economy.

He also referred to the reports drawn-up by international organizations such as, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, and the OECD, which confirm the Greek economy's development dynamism as according to a recent IMF report, the prospects for the Greek economy are the best of the past decades.

[13] GREECE'S RELATIONS WITH AZERBAIJAN ARE IN A NEW PHASE

An attempt to open a new chapter in bilateral relations between Greece and Azerbaijan is made through the visit by Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis to the country.

Indicative of the interest expressed by the Azeri government in the development of relations with Greece is the fact that Mr. Magriotis is scheduled to meet with the whole of the country's political and state leadership, as Azerbaijan expects from Greece the promotion of a closer cooperation with the European Union and international organizations with which it does not have any contacts.

The Greek exports to Azerbaijan correspond to 1/12 of the respective imports and therefore, the immediate improvement of the ratio is feasible.

Equally important is the cooperation at a level of cultural exchanges and within this framework Mr. Magriotis visited the Greek Language Center operating within the framework of the Slav University in Bacu and delivered books donated by the Greek state. The Greek Language Center is named after famous Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis and Azeri poetess E. Banine, a personal friend of Kazantzakis.

[14] THE EU COLLECTS PART OF THE VAT IMPOSED ON THE SALE OF ANTIQUITIES

The European Union collects part of the Value Added Tax, VAT, imposed on the sale of antiquities that come from illegal excavations and antiquity trade. The above were evident in the response that was given by European Commissioner Antonio Vitorino to Greek Euro-deputy Stavros Xarhakos, elected with the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, who tabled a question concerning the stolen cultural treasures transactions.

Mr. Xarhakos referred to the recent illegal excavations in the south Aegean island of Crete that brought to light ancient artifacts which later ended up in the collection of a Swiss antiquarian. Mr. Xarhakos asked the Commission in what way it plans to stop the thefts of cultural treasures and if the EU has revenues by collecting the VAT imposed on objects that come from illegal excavations and are being sold in auctions.

Commissioner Vitorino admitted the European Commission's weakness and inability to control the phenomenon of illegal excavations and trade of antiquities. On the VAT issue, Mr. Vitorino stated that the transactions concerning ancient or old objects are equal to any other transaction and therefore, they are being taxed.

[15] CANADA PANMACEDONIAN: THE NAME MACEDONIA IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

The word Macedonia is non-negotiable, stressed the Panmacedonian Organization of Canada, in a resolution it sent to President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and party leaders in relation to negotiations on the name of FYROM.

Above all is the struggle, is the message of the Panmacedonian Organization, which underlines in its resolution that: Now that developments in FYROM prove Greece was right for calling those north of the Greek borders extremists and super-nationalists, for purposely mongering the historical and Greek name of Macedonia. Now that the civilized world understands that those people still mongering the holy name of Macedonia, are the remnants of propaganda of tyrannical and long left behind regimes. Now that it is proven that those risking the existence of the miniature state of Skopje, are those who are essentially risking peace in the Balkan region. Now, that world public opinion has realized that Macedon and Hellene are one and the same. Now is the time for the government of mother Greece, her people, government and all of the Greek parties one body, with one voice, to give the appropriate answer to those who agree with the false claims of Skopje, and to all those trying to undermine the national substance of Hellenism, that the things holy and sacred to the Greek nation are non-negotiable, just as the holy word Macedonia, which has expressed the identity and history of Macedonian Hellenism for 3000 years, is non-negotiable.

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