Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-02-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] PROPOSALS FOR GREEK-US BUSINESS DEALS

[02] SIMITIS: NATURAL GAS IS THE ENERGY STRATEGY KEY

[03] YIANNITSIS: CEM'S LETTER ON CYPRUS WAS A NEGATIVE MOVE

[04] SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE BALKANS

[05] THE FARMERS WILL WITHDRAW THEIR TRACTORS

[06] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' POPULARITY AT 88%

[01] PROPOSALS FOR GREEK-US BUSINESS DEALS

A package of proposals for the development of Greek-US business and trade deals and the improvement of the economy in Thrace, was presented to US ambassador Thomas Miller, who visited the region. The presentation was made by Industries-Small Businesses of Rodopi Association President Nikolaos Vougiouklis.

Mr. Vougiouklis expressed the belief that the visit of Mr. Miller to the northeastern city of Komotini will be a milestone in the development course, prosperity and progress of the region of Thrace.

[02] SIMITIS: NATURAL GAS IS THE ENERGY STRATEGY KEY

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis characterized natural gas as the key to Greece's energy strategy. The statement was made during his visit to the natural gas installations in the region of Revithousa accompanied by Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Minister of Transportation Christos Verelis.

The Prime Minister also stated that the goal of the government is to promote Greece to a southeastern European energy center and underlined the significance of the specific project.

The natural gas is imported from Algeria in liquid form and it is turned into gas at the installations in Revithousa. The 95 billion drachmas project began its operation in February 2000 and has 70 employees.

[03] YIANNITSIS: CEM'S LETTER ON CYPRUS WAS A NEGATIVE MOVE

Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Yiannitsis stated that the letter by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on Cyprus was a negative move. The statement was made after the informal meeting of the EU Council of Ministers in Spain.

Mr. Cem's letter addressed to the 15 EU Foreign Ministers, the UN Security Council members, the UN secretary-general and EU common foreign policy and policy of defense high representative Javier Solana, reiterates Turkey's firm positions on Cyprus, pointing out that the existence of two peoples, two civilizations and two states must be acceptable in Cyprus in a new partnership.

Mr. Yiannitsis stated that this was not a right move by Turkey. He said that dialogue must be left to move ahead and show that it can lead to a conclusion without any kind of interference.

Mr. Yiannitsis stated that the letter did not provoke any response and it was not discussed in the meeting.

The 15 discussed the Greek-Turkish relations and the responsible European Commissioner on the EU enlargement expressed discontent concerning the delays in the promotion of democratic reforms in Turkey. Also, it was stressed that Turkey should contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem and the settlement of the issues with Greece.

[04] SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE BALKANS

The action taken in Europe for stability in the Balkans, the legal framework of cooperation between police and judicial authorities, the role of the mass media in the mobilization of the people and the problem of illegal immigration, human trafficking and prostitution, were the issues discussed in the 1st Balkan meeting of police officers taking place in Thessaloniki.

The meeting is held with the participation of university professors, journalists and police officers.

The representative of the Romanian police referred to the efforts made by the Romanian authorities to combat the illegal trafficking of women and the prostitution networks.

[05] THE FARMERS WILL WITHDRAW THEIR TRACTORS

Farmers in Greece will withdraw their tractors from the national road networks tomorrow morning and on Wednesday they will repeat their nationwide meeting at the central Greek city of Larisa to reach a decision on the big rally they will hold in Athens. The farmers protest requesting cotton subsidies.

The Thessaloniki-Athens motorway opened today as the road blockades were withdrawn by the protesters.

[06] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS' POPULARITY AT 88%

The popularity of President Kostis Stephanopoulos skyrocketed after the failed attempt to involve his name in the illegal gambling case that rocked the southern city of Patras, according to an opinion poll by Metron Analysis published on the newspaper Imerisia.

The results of the opinion poll are revealing and are regarded as a vote of confidence to President Stephanopoulos. The popularity of President Stephanopoulos skyrocketed to 88% reaching the highest percentage ever for a Greek politician.

Therefore, the smear attack against the President did not hurt his image and on the contrary it increased his popularity given the fact that it was at 77% in early September.

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