Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] K. DERVIS: GREAT PROGRESS IN GREEK-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP

[02] THE GREEK CLOTHING EXPORTS DROPPED IN 2001

[03] GOVERNMENT SATISFACTION FOR PAPADIMOS' ELECTION TO THE ECB

[04] PROTOPAPAS: THE POWELL INITIATIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAS FRUITLESS

[05] EU-BLACK SEA STATES SUMMIT MEETING

[06] TSOCHATZOPOULOS ADDRESSED A BLACK SEA BANK EVENT

[07] THE PRIME MINISTER WILL VISIT ROMANIA ON THURSDAY

[08] MORE LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] PASCHALIDIS WILL VISIT MUNICH

[10] TWINNING OF THESSALONIKI AND IZMIR LIBRARIES

[11] DERVIS: THESSALONIKI-ISTANBUL DIRECT FLIGHTS

[01] K. DERVIS: GREAT PROGRESS IN GREEK-TURKISH FRIENDSHIP

The belief that there has been notable progress in Greek-Turkish relations over the past few years, from which both countries may benefit, was expressed at a press conference in Thessaloniki by Turkish Minister of Finance, Kemal Dervis.

The Turkish Minister of Finance pointed out that this is the best possible time for the resolving of differences between Greece and Turkey, and appreciated that the cooperation of the Foreign Ministers will contribute positively in that direction.

Furthermore, he stressed that the cooperation of Greece and Turkey would not only be beneficial to the two countries, but to the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. He also added that the Papandreou-Cem initiative for resolving the Middle Eastern crisis has symbolic value, because it shows two traditional opponents working together.

Mr. Dervis expressed the belief that the worst is behind them as far as the economic crisis in Turkey is concerned. This does not mean that we have development or that the unemployment problem has been resolved, but the economic panic that we lived through last year is over, he added.

The priorities of Turkish economic policy, according to Mr. Dervis, are the lowering of inflation from 70% to 35% by the end of the year. We consider lowering inflation equally important to achieving development. It is important not to go too fast, or we will have a new crisis on our hands. We want to advance steadily, so that we avoid macroeconomic instability, he appreciated.

He also stressed that cooperation between Greek and Turkish businesses will be restored, as the economic crisis in Turkey is overcome. Furthermore, he mentioned, the new law on commissions, which, as he said, encourages transparency, will encourage Greek businesses to contend public works in Turkey. Greek companies can benefit from the increasing transparency in Turkish economy, and will be in a position to invest in a safer market, he underlined.

Mr. Dervis pointed out that Greece and Turkey must function complementarily instead of competing in the sector of tourism. As he pointed out, research has shown that countries benefit from their neighbors' tourism.

The more tourists you attract to Greece, the happier we will be, because some of them will come to Turkey, and the other way around, he noted.

[02] THE GREEK CLOTHING EXPORTS DROPPED IN 2001

The Greek exports in the sector of clothing dropped by 10.5% in the first 9 months of 2001. The decline was recorded in the exports to European Union and third countries based on figures provided by the Greek National Statistics Agency which were processed by the Greek Knitwear Business Association.

Specifically, in the first 9 months of 2001 the Greek clothing exports reached 1.009,4 million Euro compared to 1.127,4 million Euro in the same period in 2000.

The Greek clothing exports to Germany dropped by 16%, Britain 9.4%, France 4%, US 17.5%, Cyprus 31.5%, Switzerland 36% and Israel 64%. An increase in the Greek exports was recorded in Italy (23.5%), Sweden (11.4%), Finland (37%) and Spain (55%).

[03] GOVERNMENT SATISFACTION FOR PAPADIMOS' ELECTION TO THE ECB

The satisfaction of the Greek government for the election of Bank of Greece Governor Loukas Papadimos to the post of the European Central Bank Vice-President was expressed by Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

Mr. Protopapas stated that there are still certain procedures left for the election to be finalized, like the ratification of the ECOFIN decision by the EU General Affairs Council and the relevant discussion in the European Parliament.

However, he characterized the ECOFIN decision as a decisive step toward the election of Mr. Papadimos. He also pointed out that his election is a recognition of his contribution to the EMU procedure, while at the same time, it is a proof that Greece occupies an upgraded place in the European developments.

[04] PROTOPAPAS: THE POWELL INITIATIVE IN THE MIDDLE EAST WAS FRUITLESS

The view that the US Secretary of State Colin Powell initiative aimed at putting an end to the Middle East crisis had no happy conclusion, was expressed by Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

He reiterated that the international community must intensify its pressures aimed at the withdrawal of the Israeli forces for a political solution procedure to get underway.

[05] EU-BLACK SEA STATES SUMMIT MEETING

Greece intends to organize a summit meeting of the Euro-zone member-states and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, BSEC, states in the first half of 2003 on the occasion of the Greek EU Presidency.

The move is placed within the framework of the government strategy for the exploitation of the Greek EU Presidency toward the rapprochement of the Black Sea states with the European Union.

The announcement was made by Greek Undersecretary of Finance Giorgos Floridis in the opening of the one-day conference organized in Thessaloniki by the Black Sea Commerce and Development Bank which coincided with its annual general assembly meeting.

The goal of the initiatives that will be launched next year will be the development of a joint strategic plan with specific targets and timetables for the economic reconstruction of the region and the strengthening of inter-border cooperation.

Mr. Floridis stated that programs should be drawn up in the sectors of telecommunications, transportation and trade, while import tariffs should be harmonized. In addition, agreements should be signed to deal with double taxation and mechanisms should be activated aimed at strengthening the banking system and combat organized crime.

European Commission General Director Athanasios Theodorakis, responsible for development issues, stressed in the conference that the southeastern European states should make a strong effort aimed at combating corruption, organized crime and international terrorism in view of their accession into the European Union.

[06] TSOCHATZOPOULOS ADDRESSED A BLACK SEA BANK EVENT

The considerable potential for economic cooperation created for the Balkan peoples by the conditions of peace, security and stability that are beginning to form in the region, was the theme of the speech delivered by Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos yesterday in an event organized by the Black Sea Bank.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that now, for the first time after a century of conflicts and divisions separating the Balkan peoples, there are opportunities for a common course that will lead to the European Union membership. According to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, the exploitation of the inter-European energy networks offers a great opportunity to the Balkan states to participate in the EU economic developments.

Referring to the situation in Palestine, the Greek Minister of Development reiterated that the international community should act in a coordinated manner in the effort to find a political solution to the problem, while he linked the developments in the Middle East with security and stability in the wider region.

On the sidelines of the event, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos met with Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Dervis. The two men had the opportunity to discuss bilateral cooperation issues in the sectors of industry, construction, technology and energy. Mr. Tsochatzopoulos also met with Romania's Small-Medium Sized Businesses Minister Sylvia Tsornei and exchanged views on issues concerning the support of such businesses.

[07] THE PRIME MINISTER WILL VISIT ROMANIA ON THURSDAY

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will be in Romania on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday, the Greek Prime Minister will have meetings with the presidents of Bulgaria and Romania, Georgi Parvanov and Ion Iliescu, respectively.

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that in their meeting they will review the international situation and the cooperation course of the Balkan states. The Greek delegation will return to Athens on Friday evening.

[08] MORE LOSSES IN THE ASE

The Athens Stock Exchange general index was on a free fall today. It dropped to -1.63% at 2.162,51 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 56.5 million Euro or 19.2 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority namely, 300 recorded losses and only 28 had gains, while the value of 49 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] PASCHALIDIS WILL VISIT MUNICH

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis will visit Munich, Germany on April 18-19.

He is scheduled to meet with the local parliament speaker, Bavaria government ministers and business sector representatives. He will also visit the Siemens industry plant and on Thursday he will give a lecture on Northern Greece as a Stabilizing Factor in the Balkans within the framework of a series of lectures organized by the Southeastern Studies Society.

During his visit to Munich, Mr. Paschalidis will be accompanied by Greek ambassador to Berlin, Dimitris Kipreos and he will have meetings with members of the Greek community in Germany.

[10] TWINNING OF THESSALONIKI AND IZMIR LIBRARIES

Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Dervis conveyed a proposal by Turkish Culture Minister Istemihan Talay to the mayor of Thessaloniki suggesting the twinning of two libraries, one in Thessaloniki and one in Izmir.

The proposal, made on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Thessaloniki-born Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, was accepted by the mayor of Thessaloniki.

[11] DERVIS: THESSALONIKI-ISTANBUL DIRECT FLIGHTS

The resumption of direct flights by Greece's Olympic Airways and Turkish Airlines linking Thessaloniki with Istanbul was suggested by Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Dervis in the meeting he had with Thessaloniki mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos. He also stressed that the problems in the sectors of transportation and telecommunications have a negative effect on bilateral relations.

Mr. Dervis stated that tourism is a significant sector offering cooperation opportunities to Greece and Turkey. He stated that he appreciates the efforts made by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Giorgos Papandreou and Ismail Cem, for the Greek-Turkish rapprochement and added that he would like to contribute himself toward this direction.

Mr. Dervis also stressed that the region from northern Greece to Istanbul is a bridge that links the East with the West and the North with the South, while at the same time it is a region with a great economic potential. He stated that the Black Sea Bank can become an important institution and if it has the support of Greece and Turkey it can have a constructive effect on the entire region.

Referring to Turkey's European prospect, he said that developments in Afghanistan and the Middle East show that Turkey's accession into the EU will strengthen the united Europe, adding that the changes made in the Turkish economy facilitate its EU accession course. He added that 70% of the Turkish people want the country's accession into the EU and underlined the significance of the support offered by Greece.

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