Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-05-29

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE EXPLOITATION OF FOREIGN WOMEN IN GREECE

[02] CRPM INTER-MEDITERRANEAN COMMITTEE CONFERENCE IN MOROCCO

[03] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE THE STRATEGY OF NON TENSION

[04] PRESIDENTIAL DECREE ON THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE AIRPORTS

[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] MAGRIOTIS' CONTACTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

[07] SIMITIS: THE ANKARA TEXT ON THE EURO-ARMY MUST CHANGE

[01] THE EXPLOITATION OF FOREIGN WOMEN IN GREECE

The issue of human trade is taking up huge dimensions as according to estimates, a total of 700.000-2.000.000 women and children are being exploited worldwide.

In Greece, a total of 240.000 people make a living by exploiting the 20.000 foreign women, who are forced to prostitution, while child prostitution and the exploitation of minors is the dark side of the issue as there are no official figures available.

There is great concern regarding the disappearance of hundreds of the so-called children of the traffic lights as only a few of them have returned to their countries, while about 100 are staying at shelters in Greece. The fate of the rest is unknown, while there are rumors according to which, their organs have been sold or they are dead.

The figures were presented in the International Conference on Human Trade that was co-organized by the UNESCO Center on Women and Peace in the Balkan Countries and the Stability Pact office in Thessaloniki.

[02] CRPM INTER-MEDITERRANEAN COMMITTEE CONFERENCE IN MOROCCO

The annual General Assembly meeting of the CRPM Inter-Mediterranean Committee was held in Tangiers, Morocco with the participation of representatives from 45 regions-members from Greece, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Tunisia and Morocco.

The successful work of the participating regions and states in the preparation of the Interreg III programs is being praised in the Final Declaration text, as well as the work of the CRPM joint working teams on issues concerning the environment, the research and development, transportation and equal opportunities.

[03] PROTOPAPAS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE THE STRATEGY OF NON TENSION WITH TURKEY

The government will continue the strategy of non tension with Turkey, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, while responding to a question on the likelihood of a "hot incident" he reiterated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' negative response.

Mr. Protopapas added that the government never said that it has secured eternal peace with Turkey and stressed that the strategy of non tension will be continued by the Greek side. He also underlined that Greece is ready to defend its rights any time.

When called to comment on the statements made by Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou that the Helsinki decision brought no results, Mr. Protopapas responded that the Helsinki decision was very important and clarified that Mr. Papantoniou was right to point out the Turkish intransigence. Mr. Protopapas said that Turkey continues to have extreme and intransigent positions and does not contribute to a solution in the case of the Cyprus problem. However, he said that Greece has an interest in promoting Turkey's European course.

On the statements made by former Turkish President Suleiman Demirel concerning islets and gray zones in the Aegean, Mr. Protopapas stated that for Greece there are no disputed islets.

[04] PRESIDENTIAL DECREE ON THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE AIRPORTS

The presidential decree determining the terms and preconditions for the establishment, construction, operation and exploitation of airports by private companies and local administration organizations was signed by Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications Mr. Christos Verelis.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, the presidential decree in question is expected to be signed soon by the President.

Mr. Verelis stated that this presidential decree allows private capital to have access to the construction and management of airports which is a sector of great importance for the national economy.

[05] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.18% at 2.298,79 points, while the volume of transactions was at 135.7 million Euro or 46.2 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 150 recorded gains and 154 had losses, while the value of 69 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] MAGRIOTIS' CONTACTS ON THE MIDDLE EAST

The situation in the Middle East and the course of the efforts aimed at easing the tension in the region, dominated in the meeting Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis had with Libyan attache Mr. Eswiee yesterday. They also discussed issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the Mediterranean in view of the Greek EU Presidency.

The issue of the Middle East also dominated in the meeting Mr. Magriotis had today with Palestinian Authority representative in Greece Mr. Abdulah. A special reference was made to issues concerning the promotion of the Greek humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people and the initiatives that are being undertaken within the framework of the EU and the OECD.

[07] SIMITIS: THE ANKARA TEXT ON THE EURO-ARMY MUST CHANGE

Greece's efforts on the issue of the Euro-army focus on the Ankara Text which has to change, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis after the meeting he had with President Kostis Stephanopoulos to brief him on domestic and foreign policy issues.

Mr. Simitis stated characteristically that the contacts and the meetings on the Euro-army continue, while himself had a series of meetings with EU Prime Ministers on the issue of the Euro-army and the likely developments concerning the EU enlargement.

The Prime Minister also briefed President Stephanopoulos on the contacts he had with the political party leaders on domestic and foreign policy issues. Responding to questions by reporters on the likelihood of a hot incident related to the EU enlargement, Mr. Simitis replied negatively.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article