Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-01-16

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] T.MILLER SIMITIS US TRIP EXCELLENT

[02] SECOND BANK "HONEYMOON"

[03] GREEK VICE PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

[04] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA IN THESSALONIKI

[05] PROTOPAPAS: NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE MERGER ISSUE

[06] GREEK GOVERNMENT SATISFACTION FOR THE OPENING OF THE CYPRUS TALKS

[07] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IS AT THE 57TH PLACE

[09] A MACEDONIAN TOMB WAS DISCOVERED IN IOANNINA

[10] THE INCREASED GROWTH RATE IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CONVERGENCE

[11] SIMITIS: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A NATIONAL ISSUE

[12] DIMITRIOS' MEETINGS YESTERDAY

[13] GREEK MUSLIMS THANK THE ARMY

[14] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH WILL MEET THREE TIMES A WEEK

[15] PEACE RALLY AT LIDRA PALLACE

[16] CAMPAIGN FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE

[01] T.MILLER SIMITIS US TRIP EXCELLENT

US Ambassador in Athens Thomas Miller, characterized Prime Minister Simitis' visit to the US, as "excellent". "The Prime Minister's meetings all went very well and were heartfelt", he stated in an interview to "Ethnos" (Nation) newspaper, and added: "The atmosphere was also very good, and there were very friendly conversations on many issues. I was present during all of Mr. Simitis' discussions, except for the telephone communication he had with vice-president Cheny, and I can assure you all of them took place in an excellent atmosphere".

On the Simitis-Bush meeting he noted that it was "a friendly discussion between two leader that esteem each other", and regarding Greek-American relations he stated that they are in very good conditions, the best so far in the 17 years he has been dealing with Greece.

Regarding the "pressures" and "coercion" that occupied the Greek public opinion, due to the issues of terrorism and the Euroarmy, those were things imagined by some people in Greece, stressed the Ambassador. The Euroarmy problem is something concerning Greece and the European Union, and it must be resolved by them. As far as terrorism is concerned, Mr. Bush did not ask the Greek Prime Minister to arrest any suspects. "Terrorism is an issue on which we work and cooperate with the Greek government frequently. I repeat the word cooperation. That is the key word. We want to see results as much as the Greek government wants to". Commenting on the accusations of former US officials on Greek terrorism, Mr. Miller is unequivocal: "Disregard the statements of retired US civilians who do not represent the US government. You will always find someone among 275 million people who will say that that is their opinion and their position. They are free to do so. But they do not speak for the US government".

On a question about Cyprus, he pointed out: "We are 100% for the incorporation of Cyprus to the European Union. We want to see the Cyprus issue resolved, but our support on its incorporation is total".

[02] SECOND BANK "HONEYMOON"

The Ethniki Bank-Alpha Bank agreement has been saved for now, after the joint announcement of the two institutions reaffirming the dedication of both administrations to the merger, and a new round for resolving any existing problems is beginning.

In this framework, the directors of the two banks, Theodoros Karatzas and Giannis Kostopoulos, are expected to have a new meeting, this time on taking up joint responsibilities in all sectors by representatives of both banks.

In the meanwhile, at the meeting of the OTOE (Federation of Bank Organizations of Greece) general council today, it is expected to ask for the keeping of all agreements, since top staff members made it clear that if discussions go back to the drawing board, then that must also concern the premium of stock exchange.

As far as scenarios concerning interests expressed by the Italian "Unicredito" bank to acquire Alpha Bank shares, its staff members have denied it, mentioning, however, that their participation in the Greek and Balkan market, is among their first priorities.

[03] GREEK VICE PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

New Democracy EuroMP Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, was elected vice president of the European Parliament with a full majority. Mr. Dimitrakopoulos concentrated 240 votes and came second out of the 14 vice presidents, while he was supported by the European People's Party, in the interior elections of which he came second.

This is an important distinction for Greece, since he will be the only Greek EuroMP participating in the Presidency of the European Parliament, participants in which are the President of the body, the 14 vice presidents and the 5 deans.

[04] ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA IN THESSALONIKI

Archbishop of America Dimitrios, will be in Thessaloniki tomorrow in the framework of his visit to Greece.

The Archbishop of America will meet with Metropolite Mr. Panteleimonas, while Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos will honor Mr. Dimitrios with the Golden Medal of the city, in a special ceremony, scheduled to take place tomorrow at 6pm in City Hall.

Mr. Dimitrios will also honor the Prefectural Board of Thessaloniki, at first meeting in 2002. During this emergency meeting, which will take place at 3pm, he will receive an honorary plaque for his contribution to the Greek community abroad, Theology as a Science, and Orthodoxy.

[05] PROTOPAPAS: NO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE MERGER ISSUE

The government does not intervene in the issue of the merger of the National Bank of Greece, ETE, and Alpha Bank and specifically, in issues of operation, reiterated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He added, however, that the government regards the mergers as positive for the Greek banking system, the competition inside the Greek banking system and the greater convenience of consumers.

[06] GREEK GOVERNMENT SATISFACTION FOR THE OPENING OF THE CYPRUS TALKS

Government spokesman Christos Protopapas expressed the Greek government satisfaction for the opening of the talks between Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and reiterated the total support of Athens to the Cypriot President.

He expressed the wish for the Turkish side to get rid of its intransigent stance that was maintained in the recent and the more distant past. He stated characteristically that Greece hopes that through this dialogue a fair solution will be found for the Cyprus problem based on the UN resolutions, adding that the people of Cyprus themselves need a solution more than anything else.

On the likelihood of a meeting between Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Cypriot President Clerides, he stated that they have a close cooperation and if they will have meetings it will be decided via the diplomatic route.

[07] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.77% at 2.502,18 points, while the volume of transactions was very small at 107.5 million Euro or 36.6 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 109 recorded gains and 189 had losses, while the value of 56 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THE GREEK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM IS AT THE 57TH PLACE

The Greek National Football Team remained at 57th place as there was no change whatsoever in FIFA's world listing. It remained at 556 points, as it played no friendly matches contrary to several other national football teams.

Only the football teams from African countries climbed up the list because they increased their activities.

Guatemala is very close to the Greek national team at 59th place.

France continues to top the list with 812 points, followed by Argentina (801) and Brazil (793).

[09] A MACEDONIAN TOMB WAS DISCOVERED IN IOANNINA

A significant archaeological discovery came to light in the region of Agios Dimitrios in Ioannina, northwestern Greece. It is a Macedonian type one-space tomb part of which has been destroyed by grave robbers.

The tomb covers a space of 120 square meters and it is of a special archaeological value because such constructions are very rare. The monument has visual contact with Iera Odos, the Holy Road, leading to the Oracle at Dodoni.

[10] THE INCREASED GROWTH RATE IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRUE CONVERGENCE

The only way to achieve true convergence, and a drop in unemployment and regional inequalities in Greece is to secure at least a double growth rate compared to the European average, according to the Association of Industries in Northern Greece.

In a press conference today, on the association's action plan in the first half of 2002, the association's president Dimitris Simeonidis and executive vice-president Anastasios Alexandridis stated that the country is called now, more than ever before, to prove with actions that it can participate on equal terms in the course toward the European unification, even though it starts from a relatively disadvantaged position.

[11] SIMITIS: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A NATIONAL ISSUE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in parliament today called for the creative participation of every force available in the country in the effort for the promotion of the national affair of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

He called on the political parties to make a self-evaluation and approach the issue of the Olympic Games as an event of national importance. He stressed that necessary preconditions for this are trust, self-confidence and optimism, adding that the 2004 Olympiad is an investment for a modern and strong Greece.

Mr. Simitis stressed that the construction of sports facilities in the region of Athens will be financed with 900 billion drachmas, while a total of 430 billion drachmas will be allocated for the construction of infrastructure projects across the country.

The Prime Minister also accused the opposition of making an effort to distort the picture of the Olympic Games preparations to serve petty party interests.

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis accused the government of delays in the construction of the Olympic Games projects.

Communist Party general secretary Aleka Papariga stated that her party would have backed the Olympic Games if it was convinced that there will be material and moral gains in the sectors of culture and sports.

Coalition of the Left leader Nikos Konstantopoulos called for the priorities concerning the Olympic Games to be put in the right order.

[12] DIMITRIOS' MEETINGS YESTERDAY

Archbishop of America Dimitrios met with the President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos yesterday. Mr. Stefanopoulos praised the Archbishop's work and expressed the love felt by everyone for Mr. Dimitrios, the church of the US and Greeks living abroad. Furthermore he condemned the September 11 attack.

During their meeting, Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou and Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos were also present.

Sequentially, Mr. Stefanopoulos held dinner in honor of the Archbishop of America, at which Minister of Education Petros Efthymiou and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Giannis Magrioti were present.

[13] GREEK MUSLIMS THANK THE ARMY

The Greek Muslims of Didimoticho expressed their gratitude to the Commander of the 16th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, Athanasios Galanis, for the interest he showed in their situation, during the recent bad weather.

The imam and President of the Greek Muslim Association of Didimoticho The Benevolent, mentioned in their announcement, that during the extreme weather conditions, the commander showed an interest and supplied them with heaters and petrol for the school, while after his orders, bread and packages with essential necessities were distributed to Greek Muslims, especially to poor families.

We thank God and thank our fortunes for being born Greek. As Greeks first, and Muslims in our religion, we are proud of people that show that their humanity in the face of our inability, he supported.

[14] CLERIDES AND DENKTASH WILL MEET THREE TIMES A WEEK

The talks between Cypriot president Glafkos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash were completed today with an agreement to meet three times a week to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, according to UN special envoy Alvaro de Soto.

Mr. de Soto stated that the meetings will take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5pm and the opening meeting will be held on January 21.

The meetings will take place at Larnaca Airport inside the buffer zone where today's talks also took place.

After today's meeting Mr. Clerides made no statements, while Mr. Denktash stated that its outcome was very good.

[15] PEACE RALLY AT LIDRA PALLACE

With lit candles in hand and banners with slogans in favor of peace and the reunification of Cyprus, members of the Citizens' Movement for the reunification and coexistence, held a peaceful event, at the roadblock of Lidra Pallace.

The event, in which there are about 50 members of the Movement participated, took place in view of today's direct discussions.

In occupied Nicosia, Turkish-Cypriots are in favor of the reunification of Cyprus, and also held an event for it, where they sang in Turkish.

[16] CAMPAIGN FOR THE RETURN OF THE PARTHENON MARBLES TO GREECE

A campaign was launched in Britain today by more than 90 parliament deputies and distinguished personalities from the world of arts and literature for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece on the occasion of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

An additional weapon in the hands of Greece for the return of the Parthenon Marbles is that the Museum of the Acropolis will be ready before the opening of the Olympic Games and therefore, the argument that there is no appropriate space to keep them will be overturned.

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