Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-05-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL BRIEF THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

[02] LITHUANIA ISSUED AN INVITATION TO GREEK INVESTORS

[03] GREECE'S EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

[04] THE ISSUE OF THE 13 PALESTINIANS IS STILL PENDING

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] THE ADRIATIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENTS IN ATHENS

[07] THE CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT IS IN CRETE

[08] PAPANTONIOU CALLS FOR CHANGES IN SOCIAL POLICY

[09] HE STRANGLED A SMALL GIRL TO SAVE SOULS

[10] TOURISTS THAT NEVER LEAVE...

[01] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL BRIEF THE POLITICAL PARTY LEADERS

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will open a circle of contacts next week to brief the political party leaders on the course of the issues of national interest, while he also intends to brief President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

In statements he made yesterday after the governmental committee meeting, Mr. Simitis expressed the view that the issues of national importance are at a turning point and called for unity of hearts and responsible stance by all.

Next Wednesday, the Prime Minister will meet in Athens with Cypriot President Glafkos Clerides.

[02] LITHUANIA ISSUED AN INVITATION TO GREEK INVESTORS

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus issued an open invitation to Greek businessmen not to hesitate to invest in his country and contribute to the expansion of bilateral trade.

Mr. Adamkus, who is on a formal visit to Greece, made the statement addressing the Greek-Lithuanian Forum organized in Thessaloniki by the Commerce and Industry Chamber.

He stated that Lithuania offers opportunities in many sectors and has managed to improve its economy, organize its democratic institutions and win its recognition by the World Bank which recently has upgraded its credit ability. He also made a special reference to the imminent accession of his country into the EU by the year 2004.

From his side, Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber President Dimitris Bakatselos referred to the potential for the further development of bilateral trade.

The Lithuanian exports to Greece were US$10.7 million in 2000 compared to US$1.6 million in 1999, while the Greek exports to Lithuania reached US$8.3 million in 2000 compared to US$6 million in 1999. Mr. Bakatselos stated, however, that those figures underestimate bilateral trade relations as a big part of the trade transactions is being done through third countries like Germany, Denmark and Poland. Also, based on figures provided by the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance at least 24 Greek businesses have invested in the country.

Mr. Bakatselos stressed that there is great cooperation potential in the sectors of energy, construction, manufacturing, services, transportation and tourism.

[03] GREECE'S EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

Greece's European Commissioner Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou referred to the political dialogue underway on the future of Europe in statements she made to reporters.

Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that in a year from today, the united Europe will include ten more countries and many different policies like those concerning immigration and foreign affairs will acquire a European dimension.

On the issue of the Euro-army, she stated that Europe can be strong in the future only if it is autonomous and independent which means that all EU decisions will be reached through its bodies and through specific procedures.

Referring to the far-right or populist parties, Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that they are political parties that appear in most countries and the messages they send are clear but they do not offer any solutions to the problems. She expressed the belief that the rise of the far-right political parties will not create problems for the Greek EU presidency in the first half of 2003 but it can shift interest toward the economic dimension and away from the social one.

Regarding the wages issue, Ms. Diamantopoulou stressed that the income convergence is not an issue that can be solved by a government but it is an issue that concerns a whole generation and it is the result of many successful policies.

[04] THE ISSUE OF THE 13 PALESTINIANS IS STILL PENDING

The issue of the 13 Palestinians, who were released from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, is still pending, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, as there are many problems that are exclusively legal.

A solution to the issue is expected to be reached before the Summit meeting in Seville, Spain.

[05] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.62% at 2.389,52 points, while the volume of transactions was notably increased compared to previous sessions reaching 161.1 million Euro or 54.9 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 291 recorded gains and only 46 had losses, while the value of 36 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] THE ADRIATIC PARLIAMENT PRESIDENTS IN ATHENS

The 2nd Meeting of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea Initiative Parliament Presidents will take place in the Greek Parliament in Athens on May 20.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis will open the proceedings of the meeting that will be held in the Senate Chambers of the Greek Parliament. The participants will hold a discussion on Regional Parliamentary Cooperation and the Future of Europe and afterwards, a formal dinner will be given in their honor by Mr. Kaklamanis.

[07] THE CHINESE VICE PRESIDENT IS IN CRETE

The Chinese Vice President is on a two-day visit in the city of Iraklion in the southern Aegean island of Crete within the framework of his formal visit to Greece.

During his stay, the Chinese Vice President will meet with local administration officials, and he will visit museums and archaeological sites.

[08] PAPANTONIOU CALLS FOR CHANGES IN SOCIAL POLICY

Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou called for the improvement of the government policy in the sectors of health, education and employment, stating that there is a weakness in translating the economic achievements into tangible social results specifically, in sectors that have to do with the people's quality of life.

Speaking in an event organized by the Commerce and Industry Chamber in Athens, Mr. Papantoniou stated that unemployment remains at high levels throughout the EU, while social policies cannot be far reaching without the backing of a strong economic growth.

Referring to the results of the recent elections in France and Holland, he maintained that the negative results for the European Socialist Parties reflect to a great extent their inability to build a new vision for a strong and fair society in response to the US neo-liberal model.

[09] HE STRANGLED A SMALL GIRL TO SAVE SOULS

36-year-old Christos Kolovos, who confessed to strangling 11-year-old Maria Didaskalou, will appear before the Ioannina Magistrate today. He has been charged with murder in the first degree.

11-year-old Maria's body was found strangled, hidden in a warehouse, on May 14, after searches by the police and her parents since early that afternoon. The warehouse owner and close by neighbor of the little girl and her family, Christos Kolovos, confessed to killing her. The coroner stated that the little girl had no evident signs of sexual abuse.

His statement that he had to sacrifice the young girl without spilling any blood in order to save other souls, had initially caused further alarm in the Ioannina community, while the police did not rule out his involvement with Satanist groups. However, no evidence was found linking him to any such organizations or activities after searches on his farm in Arta.

What they did find was blood soaked ropes that have been sent to forensic labs in order to ascertain whether it is human or animal blood. The police also found extreme right wing party pictures and texts.

There are also fears that Kolovos has committed more crimes in the past, as the police have reopened 7 missing person's cases, concerning young women gone missing in the area.

[10] TOURISTS THAT NEVER LEAVE...

The doors were shut on thousands of Romanian citizens at the Promachonas border crossing in Serres, as it was discovered that many enter the country as tourists and stay in order to work without permit. During the checks made on tourist groups, they found that while many buses of a Romanian travel agency were passing through the Promachonas customs full, one third of their passengers was missing on their return. Specifically, last week the employees of customs office employees denied entry to Romanian tourists on an "Omnia Travel" bus.

Accusations against the Romanian travel agency were also made by an official of the Romanian Embassy to Athens. In statements to the "Aggelioforos" newspaper, Valerios Nicolae stressed: "Certain passengers on the bus were going to stay in Greece illegally . Buses from the "Omnia Travel" agency usually left Greece with 30% to 40% less tourists".

The foreigners that reach the Promachonas border crossing are usually from Romania, Bulgaria and countries of the Former Soviet Union according to the border guards. On a daily basis there are 20 to 30 entry denials, but on certain days it reaches 100 individuals. doors were shut on thousands of Romanian citizens at the Promachonas border crossing in Serres, as the employees there discovered that many enter the country as tourists and stay in order to work. During the checks made on tourist groups, they found that while many buses of a Romanian travel agency were passing through the Promachonas customs full, one third of their passengers was missing on their return. Specifically, last week the employees of customs office employees denied entry to Romanian tourists on an "Omnia Travel" bus.

Accusations against the Romanian travel agency are also made by an official of the Romanian Embassy to Athens. In statements to the "Aggelioforos" newspaper, Valerios Nicolae stressed: "Certain passengers on the bus were going to stay in Greece illegally . Buses from the "Omnia Travel" agency usually left Greece with 30% to 40% less tourists".

The foreigners that reach the Promachonas border crossing are usually from Romania, Bulgaria and countries of the Former Soviet Union according to the border guards.

On a daily basis there are 20 to 30 entry denials, but on certain days it reaches 100 individuals.

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