Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-02-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION AND MEETINGS

[02] M. GORBACHEV, LEADER OF THE 20TH CENTURY

[03] PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB-GREEK CHAMBER IOANNIS KASSIMATIS DIED TODAY

[04] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION APPROVED THE "EUROPEAN HEALTH CARD"

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED RESTRAINT OPTIMISM ON THE GREEK-TURKISH

[07] YUKOS OIL WITHDREW ITS BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE HELLENIC PETROLEUM

[08] GREECE IS 59TH ON FIFA'S LIST

[09] SIMITIS: THE EURO WAS SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED IN GREECE

[10] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE, TURKEY, ROMANIA AND

[01] GREEK-TURKISH COOPERATION AND MEETINGS

Foreign Ministers Papandreou and Cem of Greece and Turkey, decided to begin exploratory meetings at political directors level of their two Ministries. Their meeting took place yesterday, in the margin of the Istanbul Forum, where members of the EU and the Islamic Convention Organization are participating.

Mr. Papandreou pointed out that a date for the beginning of these meetings has not yet been decided on, since MR. Cem has not appointed a discussant for Mr. Skopelitis, the political director of the Greek Foreign Ministry. Furthermore, he pointed out that the object of these exploratory meetings will be finding a framework for a substantial discussion, while he stressed that all commitments made by the Parliament will be observed.

Meetings for cooperation between Greece and Turkey, however, have already begun. The works of the 1st Meeting of the Greek-Turkish Ministerial Committee for Financial Cooperation, which is an attempt to solve a number of issues concerning the financial and commercial relations of Greece and Turkey, are continuing today in the Zappio Megaro.

The works were declared open by deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Loverdos, and Kursat Tuzmen, Turkish deputy Minister, responsible for Foreign Trade issues. After Mr. Loverdos stressed that this Meeting is a very important event, he pointed out that the political atmosphere is very positive. This political environment, the European Union. The fact that Greece has been a member of the Financial and Monetary Union since 1/1/2002, that it is part of the Euro-zone, and at the same time Turkey is taking its first steps towards incorporation, which are welcomed by Greece. These parallel activities, each of us depending on our goals, in the European Union, create a lively and positive atmosphere, favorable to cooperation on a financial and commercial level.

The Ministerial Committee is the continuation of discussions that started in 1999 and completed low policy issues with 9 agreements, between Foreign Ministers Papandreou and Cem. Today, however, problems have risen, which the Foreign Ministries are trying to solve. Mr. Loverdos referred to the inability to sign an agreement on avoiding double taxation, characterized bilateral cooperation on tourist issues a great challenge and stressed the need to encourage entrepreneurial activity.

Mr. Tuzmen called Greek businessmen to invest in Turkey, - since as he said there are only 58 businessmen active in Turkey at this time noting that the government will contribute to the liberalization of Turkish economy. Specifically he spoke of cooperation in the field of construction and energy. In a common course and joint ventures that could be formed between Greek and Turkish construction companies, I believe we could expand our activities to the broader region of the Balkans and Southeastern Europe.

As far as the energy sector is concerned, Mr. Tuzmen stated that he is very pleased that Greece has been appointed to the Presidency of the Energy Committee at a European level. It is very important for the natural gas imported from countries of Central and Southeastern Europe, towards western markets, to pass through Greece and Turkey, just as important as the construction of such a network. Very important steps have been taken in this direction. Two more issues touched upon by Mr. Tuzmen are the creation of common road networks, and cooperation in tourism.

[02] M. GORBACHEV, LEADER OF THE 20TH CENTURY

The award for Leader of the 20th century was given to the last President of the Soviet Union, Michael Gorbachev, in an event organized by the Municipality of Athens yesterday, in honor of his contribution.

Leaders in politics, business, the arts and the media were also awarded during yesterday's ceremony.

New Democracy MP Dora Bakoyanni, was chosen as woman of the year. Regarding Mr. Gorbachev, Mrs. Bakoyanni pointed out that he is a politician to whom history has been impartial, who left his mark and taught the lesson that when one goes against the grain, he can make history.

The vote was carried out by the viewers and the night ended with singer Vicky Leandros, accompanied by the Athens Municipal Orchestra.

[03] PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB-GREEK CHAMBER IOANNIS KASSIMATIS DIED TODAY

Arab-Greek Chamber President Ioannis Kassimatis died in Athens today at the age of 78, while speaking in an event organized by the Chamber.

He felt ill and collapsed on the podium while addressing an audience and the physicians present were unable to save him in spite of their efforts. A few minutes later he was rushed to the Onasion Cardiology Center where it was certified that he had died.

[04] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION APPROVED THE "EUROPEAN HEALTH CARD"

The European Commission approved yesterday, at the initiative of European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, the action plan for the improvement of the movement of workers inside the European Union, including the adoption of a European health card.

This card will replace the existing E111 social security certificate and it is aimed at lifting the obstacles blocking the movement of EU citizens by establishing that they will have medical care everywhere in the EU.

The new European health card will not replace the national social security card but it will be used to prove that the bearer has the right to medical care in every EU country. In addition, all expenses will be refunded by the social security fund in the bearer's country.

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.31% at 2.494,71 points, while the volume of transactions was at 71 million Euro.

Of the stocks trading today, 148 recorded gains and 142 had losses, while the value of 81 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED RESTRAINT OPTIMISM ON THE GREEK-TURKISH DIALOGUE

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas suggested restraint optimism on the Greek-Turkish dialogue when he was asked to comment on the meeting of Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, adding that the contacts agreed upon will be of exploratory nature.

During those contacts, he added, the continuation of dialogue will also be examined within the framework of the international community, the international law and treaties, and the European standards.

[07] YUKOS OIL WITHDREW ITS BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE HELLENIC PETROLEUM COMPANY

The Russian oil company Yukos Oil announced formally to the Greek government its decision to withdraw its bid for the purchase of the Hellenic Petroleum company.

Its president Nikolay Bychkov stated that the withdrawal of the Russian company had been announced since last week and it is linked with the Yukos Oil decision to turn its attention toward central Europe.

[08] GREECE IS 59TH ON FIFA'S LIST

Small changes were recorded in the world football listing issued every month by FIFA. Greece dropped two places to 59th place with 554 points, while Cyprus is 82nd with 499 points.

The countries forming the ten-member group topping the list are France (809), Argentina (799), Brazil (791), Portugal (738), Colombia (737), Italy (731), Spain (727), Holland (720), Mexico (720) and Britain (709).

[09] SIMITIS: THE EURO WAS SUCCESSFULLY INTRODUCED IN GREECE

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, speaking with President Kostis Stephanopoulos in front of the television cameras during their meeting at the Presidential Building, referred to the progress of the Greek economy and the approval of the stabilization and development program by the ECOFIN yesterday.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that the European Union ministers in ECOFIN and the European Commission confirmed yesterday that Greece made successfully the big step to the Euro and faces the recession phenomena that appeared in Europe in a successful manner.

Referring to the discussion made on the issue of the implementation of the European community policies by Germany, the Greek Prime Minister stated that the specific fact shows that the criteria are strict enough for all but they are also flexible to take under consideration the existing circumstances.

[10] MEETING OF THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GREECE, TURKEY, ROMANIA AND BULGARIA

A meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Greece, Romania, Turkey and Bulgaria was held in Istanbul this morning on the sidelines of the EU and the Islamic Conference Forum which will be completed today.

The meeting focused on the Bulgarian and Romanian bid for NATO membership that has the backing of Greece and Turkey. A joint declaration was issued after the meeting, pointing out the need for NATO's enlargement toward the Balkans.

Commenting on the issue, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou stated that today's meeting is placed within the framework of the initiative concerning the NATO membership of Romania and Bulgaria. The four ministers will meet again in Athens before the Prague Summit meeting in November.

On the Greek-Turkish exploratory contacts, Mr. Papandreou stated that they are aimed at reaching an agreement on a common framework for a broader dialogue. He underlined that there will be no negotiation on sovereign rights concerning the airspace, the rocky islets in the Aegean and the right to extend the territorial waters to a distance of 12 nautical miles.

Yesterday, the Greek Foreign Minister raised to his Turkish counterpart the issue of the national airspace violations and the violations of the Athens FIR by Turkish jets.

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