Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS-VERHEUGEN DISCUSSED ENLARGEMENT ISSUES

[02] CUTBACKS IN OA FLIGHTS FROM THESSALONIKI

[03] AND ANTHROPOS WAS BORN

[04] AFGHAN VICE-PRESIDENT IN PATRA

[05] GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS TAKE OVER SHIP

[06] A.TSOHATZOPOULOS AT EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ECONOMY

[07] THE VOICE OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHY THROUGH THE MPA

[08] LATVIAN PRESIDENT THREE-DAY VISIT TO ATHENS

[09] KARAMANLIS-VERHEUGEN MEETING

[10] PAPANTONIOU IN SARAGOSSA

[01] SIMITIS-VERHEUGEN DISCUSSED ENLARGEMENT ISSUES

European Union enlargement issues were discussed in Athens today by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and European Commissioner on enlargement issues, Gunther Verheugen. Mr. Verheugen expressed his estimation that the enlargement procedure will be completed by the end of the year, and will be an issue for the Greek Presidency during the first semester of 2003.

As far as the Cyprus issue is concerned, the European Commissioner insinuated that it would be good for the political issue to have been resolved by October. Thus, the decision for the accession of Cyprus to the European Union is expected at the European Commission meeting in Copenhagen. However he stressed that if something like this were not to happen, the procedure for Cyprus' accession would continue normally.

Concerning Cyprus' progress towards the European Union, he appreciated that Cyprus is well along on the right track, and he characteristically said that if Europe were called at this moment to decide, it would be very easy for it to say yes. Asked about Turkey's progress in adapting to European standards, he mentioned not observing human rights, which as he said, create problems for Turkey's pre-accession procedures.

On possible money laundering in Cyprus, Mr. Verheugen stressed that there is no such issue. However, he did mention the issue of off-shore companies, he made mention of a tax issue and pointed out that it will be solved by the Cypriot government in the very near future.

[02] CUTBACKS IN OA FLIGHTS FROM THESSALONIKI

Olympic Airways is dropping 9 flights a week, in the framework of decreasing its scheduled flights, according to a related announcement made by its management.

The company's management decided to suspend Olympic flights from and to Thessaloniki, directly connecting it to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris. The related announcement stressed that the low number of passengers, the high cost and the need for a more rationalistic flight schedule in view of the summer period, are the components that led the management to making this decision.

The Group's companies will continue to connect Thessaloniki to 19 destinations, abroad and within Greece, while at the same time they are increasing the number of weekly flights to Munich from 12 to 14, foreseeing morning departure from Thessaloniki and returning in the evening.

[03] AND ANTHROPOS WAS BORN

Anthropos.gr, the first Greek humanitarian portal connecting Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and citizens, in an effort to promote volunteerism, has been born. The new web site was created by Doctors Without Borders, Dimitra Development's Strategic Development Center and YDAS Hellenic Aid.

The goal of anthropos.gr is to work as a tool for NGOs, unions, associations, urban non-profit companies, and municipalities with volunteer action. At the same time it is aiming at becoming an everyday means of getting information and presenting proposals for immediate solutions and timely issues, concerning our fellow people.

[04] AFGHAN VICE-PRESIDENT IN PATRA

The Vice-President of the transitional Afghan government and Minister of Women's Issues and Human Rights, Sima Samar, will visit Patra this Sunday, specifically going to the Karamandanio Children's Hospital

According to her schedule, at 11:30am she will speak at the Achaia Chamber on political and social developments in Afghanistan. Later, she will meet representatives of women's organizations, and at 1.15pm she will give an interview at the offices of the Editors' Association.

[05] GREENPEACE ACTIVISTS TAKE OVER SHIP

Greenpeace activists from 7 countries took over Africa, a ship carrying hundreds of tree trunks worth of tropical lumber, in Lefkanti, Evia, this morning. The lumber was to be unloaded at industry facilities.

[06] A.TSOHATZOPOULOS AT EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON ECONOMY

The 3rd European Conference on business know-how and strategic skills will take place on April 5-6 in Athens, with Akis Tsohatzopoulos, Minister of Development, as a speaker. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos will discuss the issue of Viable Development 2010, the course towards the Society of Knowledge.

The conference is the largest of its kind in Europe, covering the latest developments in the field of Economy and Know-how Administration, while it is being held under the auspices of ALBA.

Participants in the conference include 250 internationally distinguished university faculty members and business staff members and consultants from all over the world. During the conference they will present 170 scientific studies at 11 parallel meetings.

Mains speakers include Harvard University Professor Chris Argyris, Dr. J.S. Brown (XEROX), Professor S Dutta (INSEAD), and Duke University Professor A. Lewin.

The conference is being organized by ALBA Professors, the network will be provided by FORTHNET and the Financial Tachydromos will be the Communications Sponsor.

[07] THE VOICE OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHY THROUGH THE MPA

The voice of the Ecumenical Patriarchy will now be heard live over the Internet, starting on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, thanks to an in initiative taken by the Macedonian Press Agency, funded by the Themeliodomi Group. As announced during a press conference, thousands of Internet users will be able to watch Sunday Mass held at the Patriarchical church of St. George in Fanari and the messages of the Ecumenical Patriarch, through the website of the Macedonian Press Agency. Thanks to this initiative, the most important events of the Patriarchy will broadcasted through the Internet, while the infrastructure created at Fanari, will allow the Ecumenical Patriarchy to participate in teleconferences.

[08] LATVIAN PRESIDENT THREE-DAY VISIT TO ATHENS

President of Latvia, Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, will make a three-day official visit to Athens, starting on March 27. During his stay he will meet with his Greek counterpart, Kostis Stefanopoulos, with whom they will sign bilateral agreements. The Latvian President's agenda also includes meetings with the political leadership of Greece.

[09] KARAMANLIS-VERHEUGEN MEETING

European Commissioner on enlargement issues, Guenter Verheugen, met with the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamanlis.

Immediately after the meeting, Mr. Karamanlis stated:

We had a very useful and fertile meeting with the Commissioner, Mr. Verheugen. The issue, of course, was the enlargement of the EU. I had a chance to stress that New Democracy supports the enlargement procedure for many reasons:

First of all, as a matter of principle. Because we believe that Europe will be whole, only when countries of East and Southeast Europe become members of the larger European family.

Secondly, for stability reasons in the broader region that Greece belongs to.

And of course, because Cyprus is participating in the enlargement procedure.

On that issue, in fact, I had a chance to tell Mr. Verheugen that it is our first priority, which we very fervently support. We believe that Cyprus should be incorporated in the first group of candidate countries, regardless of the political solution.

We do want a political solution. All Greeks want it. That is indisputable. But, by no means whatsoever will Cyprus fall victim to blackmail, in relation to its accession to the EU. And of course I assured Mr. Verheugen, that this is a factor connecting all Greeks and all political expressions in our country.

[10] PAPANTONIOU IN SARAGOSSA

Minister of National Defense Giannos Papantoniou will travel to Saragossa, Spain, today, to participate in the works of the European Union Defense Ministers Meeting.

Meanwhile, on March 9, Mr. Papantoniou will make an official visit to the UK, in the framework of which discussions will take place on defensive and military cooperation between Greece and the UK.

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