Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-03-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] ABOUT 500 THOUSAND ABORTIONS A YEAR IN GREECE

[02] THE GREEK DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

[03] THE GREEKS FEEL LIKE THE POOR RELATIVES IN EUROPE

[04] "ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS" AMONG THE BEST FIVE AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD

[05] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT KAZAKHSTAN

[01] ABOUT 500 THOUSAND ABORTIONS A YEAR IN GREECE

About 600.000 women die around the world each year due to complications linked to unsafe pregnancies, child-birth and abortions, while 500 million people do not have access to reliable information on ways of contraception.

On the occasion of the Contraception World Day, Prof. Kreatsas at the University of Athens School of Gynecology and Obstetrics, stressed that contraception means responsibility.

The most popular and safe contraception method across Europe, with the exception of Greece, is the pill. In Greece, a total of 500 thousand abortions are being recorded each year. Greek women are cautious toward the pill because they are afraid of the side effects and only a small percentage (2.4%) takes it, while in Europe the pill is preferred by 40% of women in reproductive age.

[02] THE GREEK DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The basic elements of the national strategy aimed at the development of Greece in the period 2002-2010 will be announced in Thessaloniki tomorrow by Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos.

The goal is to activate regional development and the strategy will depend largely on the small-medium sized businesses that enter the society of knowledge and the rapid technological changes with great qualifications.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos is expected to announce measures for the promotion of investments in the sectors of energy, tourism, industry and trade. He will present the big reforms that will take place in taxation, the new development legislation, and the changes in the social security system, as well as the framework of the international agreements that will make Greece an energy center and an important energy supplier in the European Union.

[03] THE GREEKS FEEL LIKE THE POOR RELATIVES IN EUROPE

The Greeks feel like the poor relatives in Europe, according to the first research after Greece's accession into the EMU conducted by the Metron Analysis polling company.

The research which was held in Athens in February was published by the Athens newspaper TA NEA and displays the anxiety of the Greeks regarding the future, while at the same time it reflects their inferiority complex toward the rest EU citizens.

The Greeks show distrust and are deeply divided on issues like the adoption of new technologies, the privatization of businesses, the mergers and the opening of foreign companies in the country. They also express dissatisfaction over the state of education in Greece which they regard as inadequate and are unhappy with the state of medical care. They are annoyed by the presence of foreigners in the country to whom they attribute the increase of crime and unemployment and the gradual transformation of certain regions into ghettos. In addition, they have feelings of distrust toward the EU linking it with the adoption of austerity policies. However, they take comfort from the fact that they regard the Greek way of life as superior compared to the rest of Europe.

The fact that Greece does not keep up with the European standards is attributed to the ineffective governing of the country for a number of years and to the belief that politicians act by making their personal interest a priority.

Finally, even though almost everybody accepts the fact that Europe is a one-way street for Greece, they compare the EU to a luxurious house where they are not ready to live in yet.

[04] "ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS" AMONG THE BEST FIVE AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD

According to the latest IATA report, Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is placed among the best five airports in the world, while it is the second best in Europe.

It was declared the leading airport in Europe in terms of cleanliness, friendly service, luggage delivery service and goods purchasing options.

A total of 12.2 million passengers used Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport in the first year of its operation, while a total of 170.000 commercial flights were held in the same period of time. Also, about 107.000 tons of goods and 5.8 million luggage were transferred through the airport.

Forty four departures and landings take place on an hourly basis and their number is expected to be increased soon to 52.

[05] PRESIDENT STEPHANOPOULOS WILL VISIT KAZAKHSTAN

Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos will be on a formal visit to Kazakhstan on May 8-10.

During his stay he will have meetings with his Kazakh counterpart and with representatives of the country's political leadership.

The talks will focus on the cooperation prospects opened for the two countries, while there will be an exchange of views on current international issues.

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