Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-08

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE CANDIDATES FOR THE SAE-AFRICA POSTS

[02] THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VISITED VERGINA

[03] ANNA KONTOULI IS THE PRESIDENT OF SAE'S WOMEN NETWORK

[04] SHIPWRECK NEAR THE ISLAND OF SKIROS

[05] PROTOPAPAS: GREECE IS NOT PRESSURED ON ARMAMENTS ISSUES

[06] SAE'S 4TH WORLD ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS OPEN TOMORROW

[01] THE CANDIDATES FOR THE SAE-AFRICA POSTS

The names of the candidates for the post of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE vice-president, Asia-Africa Coordinator, as well as the candidates for the five-member regional coordinating Committee, were announced at the end of the morning meeting of the Regional Asia-Africa SAE.

The candidate for the SAE vice-president Asia-Africa Coordinator is Vasilis Magdalinos from South Africa, while the candidates for the five-member committee are Pavlos Theodoridis from Kazakstan, Michalis Arslanidis from Egypt, Mr. Avakoumidis from South Africa, Chalis Gouvelis from South Africa and Maria Dragataki from Jordan.

Asia-Africa SAE Coordinator Stephanos Tambakis from Alexandria is a candidate for the post of the SAE Deputy President.

[02] THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VISITED VERGINA

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the archaeological site of Vegina after canceling his visit to the Monastic Community of Mount Athos, in Chalkidiki northern Greece, due to the adverse weather conditions in the region.

Mr. Putin arrived at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport this morning accompanied by Russian ambassador to Athens Michail Batsarnikov and a large Russian delegation.

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos arrived, on another flight, about fifteen minutes after Mr. Putin. They were welcome by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis and later they decided to cancel their visit to Mount Athos due to bad weather.

Mr. Putin was scheduled to leave for Mount Athos immediately after his arrival at the airport of Thessaloniki but finally it was decided to go by car to the archaeological site of Vergina and visit the royal tombs of the Macedon Kings.

After his return from Vergina he will attend a formal luncheon that will be given in his honor by the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace.

Later in the afternoon, the Russian President will visit the church of St. Dimitrios, Thessaloniki's patron saint, and tomorrow morning he will depart for Moscow.

[03] ANNA KONTOULI IS THE PRESIDENT OF SAE'S WOMEN NETWORK

The proceedings of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, Women Network that take place within the framework of the 4th SAE World Assembly, are being completed today with the election of the 11-member World Coordinating Committee.

Incumbent president Anna Kontouli, from the region of Europe, was unanimously elected to the position of the president as there was no other candidate.

The rest candidates for the 11-member Coordinating Committee are Anna Salzman, Connie Aretos, Philia Georgis, Katerian Kavassali and Panagiota Vasilopoulou from the North and South America region. The candidates from the region of Europe are Eleni Kandila, Georgia Miliotou and Olena Prontan. From the region of Oceania the candidates are Sophia Kathariou, Chrisa Louka, Patricia Drivas, Barbara Ioannou and Pamela Lambropoulou. Finally, the candidates from the Asia-Africa region are Matina Dounia-Angeliniadi and Irene Koutoula.

[04] SHIPWRECK NEAR THE ISLAND OF SKIROS

Eleven of the 12 members of the crew of a Yugoslav flag motor-ship were rescued by another ship sailing close by after a long rescue effort that became very difficult due to the heavy seas in the region.

The ship sunk yesterday, 25 nautical miles east of the island of Skiros, one of the Sporades Islands in central Aegean.

The crew members were picked up by the oil tanker "Brothersone" and they are expected to Aspropirgos, near Piraeus, tomorrow.

One of the crew members, the ship's electrician, did not manage to abandon ship and according to the rescued crew members, he was trapped and went under with the ship.

[05] PROTOPAPAS: GREECE IS NOT PRESSURED ON ARMAMENTS ISSUES

Greece is not pressured on armaments issues, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, who is on a visit to Thessaloniki. He said that it is normal for the United States and Russia to have proposals and wishes and to want to promote their products.

He stated that Greece's defense spending will not be increased, stressing that Greece will spend only for armaments that are necessary for its defense based on the decisions made by the Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and Defense, while the selection will be made through the regular procedures, based on cost, effectiveness and compatibility criteria.

Mr. Protopapas stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Greece is a very important event and during the Russian leader's contacts in Athens, serious talks were made on issues of international and mutual interest and on issues of economic cooperation, especially in the sectors of energy and oil.

He also stressed that Greece had a close cooperation with Russia during all the crises that were faced.

[06] SAE'S 4TH WORLD ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS OPEN TOMORROW

The proceedings of the 4th World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, World Assembly will open in Thessaloniki tomorrow in the presence of President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

Among the speakers in tomorrow's proceedings will be President Kostis Stephanopoulos, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis, Communist Party General Secretary Aleka Papariga, Coalition of the Left President Nikos Konstantopoulos, Interior Minister Kostas Skandalidis, Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis, Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Floridis and representatives of political parties.

Also, among the speakers will be Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Patriarch Petros of Alexandria and All of Africa, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece and Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All of Albania.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article