Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-01-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREECE IS NOT PRESSURED

[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN IRAN

[03] PAPANDREOU: "CYPRUS ISSUE BLIZZARDS"

[04] KARAMANLIS LETTER TO AZNAR

[05] HITIRIS' STATEMENTS ON THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE US

[06] CHINA CELEBRATED NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH A GREEK-AMERICAN SOPRANO

[07] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] KAKLAMANIS' REACTION TO THE CBS TELEVISION SHOW

[09] INTRALOT WILL ORGANIZE LOTTERY GAMES IN PERU

[10] CHEAPER ELECTRICITY IN GREECE ACCORDING TO EUROSTAT

[11] MORE PLANES FOR EASY JET

[12] SIMITIS: WE ARE NOT BEING PRESSURED

[13] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED IN 2001

[14] PAPANTONIOU WILL VISIT CYPRUS

[01] GREECE IS NOT PRESSURED

The goals of his visit and the role of Greece in the European Union and the broader region, were mentioned by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, while he also observed that the plan and the initiative for a constructive presence for Greece in the European Union and the international scene begin in 2002 with this visit.

Shortly before departing from the Eleftherios Venizelos airport for New York, Mr. Simitis stated:

We have realized the last steps in a long struggle for economic stability. 2002 began steadily with the circulation of the euro in our daily life.

Greece has proven that it is an equal participant in the European Union and that it is actively participating in forming developments.

Greece is being dynamically marked as a stable country.

From this privileged position, we have the ability to contribute to peace and prosperity in our neighborhood and on a broader scale, in an area, in fact, which is still experiencing crises and conflicts.

Our efforts must now be directed to resolve the crises on a regional level and fully promoting Greece on an international level. Greece has a distinct responsibility to the region's countries, to consolidating the principles of peace, international Law and cooperation, and to promoting them in every possible direction.

This is the only way, being at the focal point of developments and initiative, that can Greece secure a role beneficial to its national interests.

Our main priority is to work for the incorporational prospects of Cyprus, and aiming at and promoting the resolving of the Cyprus issue. Improving our relations with Turkey, pressuring it to end the negative climate. Actively moving for the consolidation of permanent stability in Southeastern Europe, the deepening of European cooperation and the decisions for the future of Europe. Preparing for an efficient 1st semester of 2003 EU Presidency. To apply the policy mapped out at Helsinki, now that the positive results for our national interests are steadily being proven.

Our plan and our initiative for a constructive presence of Greece in the European Union and on the international scene begins in 2002 with this visit to the US.

The strengthening of bilateral political and financial relations, the review of broader international developments and the need for developing an up to date security system after the September 11 events, the pending crises sources which are still surrounding our geopolitical territory, the Cyprus issue will be the main focal point of our discussions.

[02] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH IN IRAN

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is expected to take a four day trip to Iran, from January 11-14.

The Head of the Orthodox Church will meet in Tehran with the country's President, Mohamed Hatami, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ali Hameini, Ministers of the government and officials of the Iranian Islam. He will also come into contact with the Ambassadors of Greece and Turkey.

Mr. Bartholomew will speak at the Institute of Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on: The contribution of religion in the establishment of peace in the modern world, while he will visit Ispahan.

During his stay in Iran, the Ecumenical Patriarch will hold Holy Mass at the Greek Orthodox church of the Annunciation in Tehran.

[03] PAPANDREOU: "CYPRUS ISSUE BLIZZARDS"

2002 is going to be a year full of blizzards for the Cyprus issue, according to Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou's forecast, during the cutting of the New Year's pie at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and he expressed that with the experience, knowledge and tools Greek diplomacy has at its disposal, it can avoid any pitfalls.

Along with his wishes to the rest of the Foreign Ministry's political leadership, his associates, diplomats and journalists, Mr. Papandreou expressed the firm belief that issues such as that of Cyprus, more general relations with Greece's neighbors in the Balkans and the Greek Presidency, must be dealt with optimistically.

The choice of Mr. Papandreou's words was not casual. This year may be decisive for the future of Cyprus, due to the enlargement of the EU and pressures to resolve the political problem.

The progress of Greek-Turkish relations will undoubtedly be affected by the developments. Yesterday, Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs I. Kasoulidis rejected any possibility of the free part of Cyprus alone being incorporated to the EU.

Our answer to any possible Euro-partition will be negative, he underlined. According to the latest information, another meeting between Cypriot President Glafkos Cliridis and Turkish-Cypriot Leader Rauf Denktash will take place on Friday. The topic of the meeting, which will take place in the home of Replacement Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus S. Vlosovich, will be the issue of the missing persons, after the agreement of cooperation made during the recent dinner held by Mr. Cliridis at the Presidential residence.

As far as the official talks beginning on January 16 are concerned, those will go straight to the essence of the Cyprus issue. Both sides seem to agree with the US proposal that this is the most suitable method, so that no wrong impressions are made while discussing secondary issues.

[04] KARAMANLIS LETTER TO AZNAR

The priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU, which began a few days ago, were discussed yesterday morning by the President of New Democracy, Kostantinos Karamanlis, and the Ambassador of Spain in Athens, Aduardo Hugo Bonnet.

Mr. Karamanlis informed the Spanish Ambassador of the importance Greece attributes to the issue of the Euroarmy and the development of a European Policy for Security and Defense, and he underlined that the Euroarmy must function based on the decisions of the EU member-countries, and used whenever necessary for the defense of the Union and its member-countries, without depending on vetoes from countries which are not EU members.

Mr. Karamanlis gave the Spanish Ambassador a personal letter addressed to the President of the European Council and Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar. In his letter, Mr. Karamanlis mentioned that after the institution of the euro, the European Union must play the international role it deserves, thereby ensuring the same feeling of security for all European citizens, no matter where they reside. He also mentioned that a selective use of a European Immediate Response Force will be contrary to the reason the EU exists, its values, it rules and the common institutional framework. Mr. Karamanlis concludes his letter to Mr. Aznar, expressing his firm belief in the successful guidance of the Union in clear and viable solutions, given by the Spanish Presidency.

[05] HITIRIS' STATEMENTS ON THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE US

Acting Greek government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris characterized as very important Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' visit to the United States, adding that bilateral relations are very good and the Greek side expects that they will be further improved on the occasion of Mr. Simitis' visit.

Mr. Hitiris rejected the talk on the pressures that are allegedly exerted on the Greek side, stressing that certain circles speak about pressures in order to create a sense of uncertainty among the Greek people on the occasion of Mr. Simitis' visit to the United States.

Commenting on whether the Greek side expects a change in the US position on the issues of the Euro-army, the Cyprus issue, the Greek-Turkish relations and terrorism, Mr. Hitiris stated that the Greek side is looking forward to gaining positive results from the Prime Minister's visit to the United States.

On the issue of the CBS television show on terrorism in Greece, Mr. Hitiris stated that the specific show was an example of yellow journalism on television, characterizing it as biased and slanderous. Also, he said that the fact that an effort was made to involve the name of the Greek parliament president, who is a politician with great prestige and history, reveals the target of the show and proves how unreliable it was.

[06] CHINA CELEBRATED NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH A GREEK-AMERICAN SOPRANO

Millions of Chinese celebrated New Year's Eve listening to Greek-American soprano Christina Andreou, who gave two unique concerts under the theme East meets West in Beijing on December 31 and January 1, accompanied by opera musicians and singers from Germany and China.

About 6.000 Chinese people, foreign officials and diplomats were invited to attend the first concert which was broadcast live on television and was watched by millions of people.

Speaking to MPA on her experience in China, she stated that it is more difficult to eat using the Chinese chopsticks than singing in Chinese. She stated that she was very pleased with the reception she had and that she was very impressed by the presents they offered her.

Christina Andreou was born and raised in Oklahoma, USA and her parents come from Evia and the Peloponesse. Her dream is to perform in Greece. For the past 25 years she lives in New York and started her career in the Opera of Frankfurt in Germany in 1987.

[07] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

Significant losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 1.39% at 2.601,51 points, while the volume of transactions was at 83.97 million Euro or 28.61 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, just 21 recorded gains and the overwhelming majority namely, 328, had losses, while the value of 21 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] KAKLAMANIS' REACTION TO THE CBS TELEVISION SHOW

The American television show 60 Minutes broadcast on the CBS television station on Monday morning caused the strong reaction of Greek parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis.

Mr. Kaklamanis, in a written statement he has issued, spoke of a selective and skilful presentation of his statements aimed at backing the unacceptable, gross and slanderous allegations made against him.

Acting government spokesman Tilemachos Hitiris characterized as funny and despicable the allegations made by the US television network and as it was made known the Greek embassy in Washington will protest to the television channel.

The CBS television show on the issue of terrorism in Greece does no justice to the Greek society, stressed right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy parliament deputy Ms. Dora Bakoyiannis.

[09] INTRALOT WILL ORGANIZE LOTTERY GAMES IN PERU

Intralot signed a ten-year contract with Peru's Sociedad Beneficencia Publica de Jaen public organization. The contract is aimed at the establishment of a company that will undertake to organize lottery games throughout the country. It is the second contract signed by Intralot in Latin America as a similar contract was signed earlier with Chile.

It should be noted that Peru has a population of 27 million and the lottery market in the country is estimated at over US$300 million annually, being one of the most developing lottery markets in Latin America.

[10] CHEAPER ELECTRICITY IN GREECE ACCORDING TO EUROSTAT

Greece is the European Union state with the cheapest electricity rate for domestic use, based on a report drawn-up by Eurostat in the period January-July 2001.

The electricity rate for 100kwh, including taxes, is 7.87 Euro for low consumption, 6.29 Euro for medium consumption and 5.43 Euro for big consumption.

Small electricity consumption is that which does not exceed 600kwh on an annual basis, medium consumption does not exceed 3.500kwh, while the big consumption exceeds 3.500kwh annually.

Denmark has the most expensive electricity among the EU states, while Italy and Portugal are among the countries with the lowest prices.

[11] MORE PLANES FOR EASY JET

In a period of time characterized by serious economic problems in the sector of air transportation at an international level, the Easy Jet Airline announced its plans to almost double the number of its planes.

The British-based Easy Jet, announced that negotiations are underway with the US plane manufacturer Boeing and the European consortium Airbus for the purchase of 75 new airplanes maintaining that after the September 11 terrorist attack there are favorable conditions for the purchase of new airplanes.

The new airplanes are expected to be delivered by 2007. The company served a total of 7 million passengers during the past year.

[12] SIMITIS: WE ARE NOT BEING PRESSURED

It is self-evident that we are not being pressured, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis on the occasion of the CBS television program in the United States and the unfounded allegations made on the issue of terrorism in Greece.

Mr. Simitis, who made the statement upon his departure for the United States, also stated that the US knows that Greece will not accept any pressures, adding that the times have passed when the Greek Prime Minister was visiting certain countries to recommend to him a certain policy. He also admitted that there are circles and interests in the United States that want to create problems but the Greek government has the answers and does not feel any anxiety.

[13] ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED IN 2001

A number of illegal immigrants twice as large as that of the year before, according to the facts announced by Minister of Commercial Shipping Giorgos Anomeritis, were arrested in 2001 by the Coast Guard and port authorities.

Specifically, in 2001 the Coast Guard arrested 6864 illegal immigrants, while in 2000 they arrested 3664. Also, 137 traffickers were arrested in 2001 (124 in 2000) and 90 vessels were impounded, in contrast to the 52 the year before.

Also, the Coast Guard blocked the entrance of 7 ships with an unknown number of illegal immigrants, which were then handled by the Turkish Coast Guard.

[14] PAPANTONIOU WILL VISIT CYPRUS

Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will be on a two-day formal visit to Cyprus on January 30 at the invitation of his Cypriot counterpart Sokratis Hasikos.

According to the Cypriot Defense Ministry press spokesman, Mr. Papantoniou will meet with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Archbishop Chrisostomos, while he will also have meetings with the Cypriot Minister of Defense and political party leaders.

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