Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] POLITICAL CONTACT WITH CHINA MUST BE INTENSIFIED

[02] PAPANTONIOU ON TURKISH VIOLATIONS

[03] 7TH INTER-BALKAN JOURNALIST CONFERENCE: THE CHALLENGE OF THE DIGITAL

[04] MPA CONFERENCE: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES IS A BALKAN AFFAIR

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] NEW VIOLATIONS OF THE GREEK AIRSPACE BY TURKISH FIGHTER JETS

[07] SIMITIS: THE GREEK-CHINESE ECONOMIC RELATIONS CAN IMPROVE

[08] AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT ON PARTHENON MARBLES AND EQUAL DISTANCES ON CYPRUS

[09] STEFANOPOULOS CONTACTS IN CANBERRA

[01] POLITICAL CONTACT WITH CHINA MUST BE INTENSIFIED

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis completed his official visit to China gping to Shanghai.

In a press conference, the Prime Minister stressed that his trip's message was positive, he referred to the role of China in the world system, pointing out the importance of developing political relations with the Asian country.

"China is not just a developing economy with which we must have good economic relations and pursue a market enlargement. It is, firstly, a great power of growing importance in the world, to world relations. It is a pole of the world system, which along with all the other poles, secures balance and contributes to peace and cooperation", he stressed, adding that it is especially positive that in certain national issues, which are of interest to us, it supported our positions and is moving in a similar direction to us.

Specifically, he mentioned that "China supports the application of UN decisions on the Cyprus issue and has the same opinion as us on the Balkans: that we should not follow a confrontation policy, but a course of development and cooperation".

The Prime Minister underlined that the present political contact must continue in a more methodical and intense manner, stressing that in this framework, inter-ministerial contacts on development and culture issues between the two countries, will be strengthened.

He pointed out that Greece's history and culture give it comparative advantages against other countries, even more powerful ones, that seek to do business in China.

"Greece is well known in China, it is respected, they want relations with it and to develop friendship with the Greek people. This is an advantage we have utilized so far, but we must continue to do so methodically, with consequence and great efforts", he said.

The Prime Minister stressed that the Chinese reality is characterized by enormous figures, so to pursue developed relationships in all sectors as with other countries, is impossible. He noted that what is necessary, is concentration on specific goals. As he said, during his visit cooperation prospects in the tourism, business and agricultural technology sectors were discussed.

He mentioned that in tourism there were, and still are, difficulties, because the EU has set a framework of relations with China, a framework that limits our prospects.

"We decided, however, to move to negotiations and agreements with China, while observing the framework, but carrying out the negotiations ourselves. Developments in this area were especially positive. I believe that at some point we will be able to come to an agreement in tourism, and will thus have an important increase for Greek tourism from Chinese tourists", he said.

Referring to cooperation prospects between Greek and Chinese businesses, he stressed that our businesses must understand that this country requires quantities, it requires a systematic and programmed approach.

He repeated that he told the Chinese government that Greece is willing to cooperate in the development of olive tree cultivation in China, that specialists will travel from Greece, to ascertain how the cultivation of olive trees could take place in China. In fact he announced that the Latsis Group is prepared to make a $100,000 offer to assist in this effort.

Mr. Simitis stressed the necessity of developing our knowledge of Asia, and of creating a center for studies and exchange of students with China, with the initiative of Greek universities.

He added that the Olympic Games are a great opportunity for better relations and he noted that the Ministry of Culture is planning an exhibition concerning on the Olympics to be held in various Chinese cities.

"Greece has the prospects to cooperate and come into contact. We can really take advantage of our relationship with this great country. It is in our hands, the government's, the official bodies', as well as the businesses'. It is in the hands of the citizens' society. I believe that we can respond and that we must respond", he ended.

[02] PAPANTONIOU ON TURKISH VIOLATIONS

Minister of National Defense giannos Papantoniou, characterized Turkey's recent violations of Greek national airspace over Rhodes and other points in the Aegean, as more provocative than usual.

Mr. Papantoniou, from Brussels where he is participating in the Meeting of EU National Defense Ministers, stressed that all necessary steps have been taken by the Foreign Ministry, and that the military leadership of NATO in Brussels was briefed by the General Chief of Staff, Mr. Antonakopoulos.

The Minister avoided commenting on possible political consequences the violations may have on Greek-Turkish relations, stressing that it is a negative element in the image of our relations as a whole, but it is premature for us to make political conclusions.

[03] 7TH INTER-BALKAN JOURNALIST CONFERENCE: THE CHALLENGE OF THE DIGITAL AGE AND THE PUBLIC NEWS AGENCIES

The cooperation of Balkan news agencies was the most important message in the 7th Inter-Balkan Journalist Conference that takes place in Thessaloniki today and tomorrow organized by Macedonian Press Agency and Athens 2004 Organization.

Albanian News Agency General Director Frok Cupi referred to the Balkan states cooperation that should become a reality and added that the mass media can help toward this direction.

This is called a communication era because of the big progress in communication technology, stressed Ismail Bezgin, Deputy General Director of the Turkish news agency Anadolu.

FYROM's news agency MIA General Director Zivko Georgievski referred to the new digital era and the technological progress, stressing that the need for cooperation among the Balkan journalists is a main issue.

Athens News Agency chief editor Nikolas Voulelis referred to the new digital technologies and the freedom of movement they offer to journalists.

Rompres news agency General Director Yoan Mihai Roska stressed that the exchange of information, especially in the economic sector, allows for the better knowledge of the potential of the Balkan region. He also stated that news must be objective and accessible.

Bulgarian news agency, BTA, representative, Sophia Georgieva, referred to the significance of cooperation among national mass media in southeastern Europe.

Yugoslav news agency, Tanjug domestic desk chief editor Mirko Dragisic underlined the strengthening of cooperation among the Balkan news agencies in the digital technology era.

MOLDPRESS news agency General Director Boris Marian referred to the existence of state mass media in Moldavia and their role and significance in political issues.

Bosnia-Herzegovina news agency ONASA General Director Mehmet Husic expressed the wish of his news agency management to become a member of Association of Balkan News Agencies.

FYROM's Peace Studies Balkan Center Director Olga Skaric submitted a proposal concerning the organizing of a Peace Olympiad at the same time with the 2004 Olympic Games. She also suggested the establishment of an Olympic Journalist Office.

[04] MPA CONFERENCE: THE 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES IS A BALKAN AFFAIR

The 2004 Olympic Games is an affair that concerns Greece and all the Balkan peoples, while apart from being a sports event of an international importance is also an opportunity to apply new technologies. This was the message sent in the opening of the 7th Inter-Balkan Journalist Conference on The Balkan Mass Media in the Digital Age The Challenge of the Olympic Games, which is co-organized by Macedonian Press Agency and the Athens 2004 Organization.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Giorgos Paschalidis opened the conference and underlined that the challenge of the Olympic Games can become an opportunity for the Balkans. Referring to the mass media, he said that those who are different usually are presented in a negative way by the press, mainly because of ignorance or lack of communication between journalists who come from different countries and have different religions and culture.

After the revolution brought by new technologies to the people's lives and to the printed and electronic press, many citizens began to doubt the mass media and are skeptical toward them, stressed Macedonian Press Agency President Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos.

MPA General Director Spiros Kouzinopoulos stressed that among the conference's goals are the exploitation of the technological explosion for peace and cooperation in the Balkans. He also stressed that the chance offered by the Athens 2004 Olympic Games should be exploited for the games to become an affair that will concern Greece and the rest Balkan states as well.

The cooperation among the Balkan mass media is one of the basic preconditions for stability in the region and the speedier accession of the southeastern European states into the Euro-Atlantic structures. For this goal to be achieved Romanian newspaper ZIUA chief editor Andrian Patruska suggested the creation of an Association of Journalists in Southeastern Europe (ASEEJ) and a Southeastern European Press Agency (SEEPA) under the umbrella of the DECAGON PROGRAM.

Turkish newspaper Turkish News chief editor Semih Intiz referred to the likelihood for the mass media to use the new technologies in the wrong way. He said characteristically that technology itself is neutral and what makes the difference is whether it is used in a good or bad way.

The belief that printed press has a future and can survive the digital age in spite of the fact that only 3% of the Greeks read newspapers systematically was expressed by Thessaloniki newspapers MACEDONIA-THESSALONIKI general director Traianos Hatzidimitriou.

The digital revolution acquires a more and more permanent character in Moldavia, according to Moldavian newspaper KOMMERCAHT PLUS General Director Svetlana Burlak.

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Political Science Professor Miroljup Padoikovic stated that a sine qua non precondition for the exploitation of the benefits that come from the new technology is the development of computer networks linking the Balkan mass media, the governments and the people.

Yugoslav newspaper POLITICA chief editor Milan Misic pointed out that the new technologies, like the Internet, are being established gradually in Yugoslavia and called on all the Balkan states to cooperate for certain of them to be able to become members of NATO and the EU.

ROMANIAN ECONOMIC DAILY newspaper deputy chief editor Florin Erhan stressed that the Balkan peoples have become the victims of a brutal international geopolitical intrigue and a new type of colonialism, the economic one.

Meanwhile, Bulgarian Undersecretary of Sports Stefka Konstantinova stated that the 2004 Olympic Games belong to all of us and stressed that Olympic medalists and journalists must work together. She said that her country supports the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and underlined that they will be the best in the history of sports.

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 1.02% at 2.295,93 points, while the volume of transactions was small at 77.5 million Euro or 26.4 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority of 269 had losses and 55 recorded gains, while the value of 50 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] NEW VIOLATIONS OF THE GREEK AIRSPACE BY TURKISH FIGHTER JETS

A large number of Greek airspace violations by Turkish fighter jets were recorded today. The Greek airspace was violated by about 30 Turkish jets that flew in 10 formations.

Meanwhile, the Turkish exercise "Sea Wolf" is underway at the Turkish coasts. The Turks have reserved the sea region between the Aegean islands of Skiros and Chios for this purpose but Greek airspace violations are being recorded and outside this specific area.

[07] SIMITIS: THE GREEK-CHINESE ECONOMIC RELATIONS CAN IMPROVE

Greece and China have a lot in common not only concerning their long tradition and culture but their rapidly growing economies as well, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in the Forum of Businessmen in Shanghai.

Mr. Simitis maintained that the two countries make significant steps toward economic prosperity and social cohesion and added that they can further improve their economic relations.

He mentioned tourism and sea transportation among the common interest sectors, while he stressed that the Olympic Games in 2004 are also an opportunity for joint businesses.

[08] AUSTRALIAN SUPPORT ON PARTHENON MARBLES AND EQUAL DISTANCES ON CYPRUS

Australia's position on Greece's request for the return of the Parthenon Marbles, the Cyprus issue, as well as the situation formed after September 11, were the issues Australian Prime Minister Mr. John Howard answered on, after questions of Greek and Australian journalists, following a meeting with Mr. Stefanopoulos.

On the return of the Parthenon Marbles, Mr. Howard stressed that his position is that which he presented in the framework of the summit meeting in the State of Brisbane last March, to the Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair. He had pointed out to Mr. Blair that there are many Australians that share the opinion of the Greek government. As Mr. Howard said, the British PM seemed to comprehend the issue, but he pointed out that the issue must be solved between the Greek and British governments and that there is a lot of strong support from Greek Australians.

It should be noted that the Australian PM is the only foreign state leader, that has raised the issue with the British Prime Minister, as there is a very powerful movement for the return of the Parthenon Marbles and the Australian Committee that supports it, includes former Prime Ministers, as well as distinguished personalities both from within the Greek community and from outside it. The campaign of the Greek Australian Committee and SAE, which was based solely on the Greek community media of Australia, resulted in the concentration of 350,000 signatures, and was submitted to Mr. Howard, asking him to take a position.

Answering the question of a Greek journalist on the lack of application of International Law on the Cyprus issue, Mr. Howard tried to keep equal distances, noting that the Cyprus issue is a very difficult one, which he also discussed with Mr. Stefanopoulos. Although he stated that Australia continues to encourage inter-community discussions in order to secure Cyprus' wholeness and the rights of the two communities, something that will promote peaceful relations between Greece and Turkey , he avoided giving a clear answer, pointing out that as Prime Minister of a country that has very friendly relations with Greece and is well disposed towards Turkey, he would not help the situation by making judgments, especially before the tour of the special Australian Foreign Ministry delegate on the Cyprus issue, Jim Short, who will be in the region at the end of the month and who will also have discussions in Athens.

He also stressed that Australia is a very good friend concerning this issue, and he expressed his hope that the problem is solved in the most peaceful manner possible.

It should be noted that since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus to this day, approximately 25 resolutions for the solving of the Cyprus issue have been passed in the federal and state parliaments of Australia, based on UN decisions.

Finally, on the international situation being formed since September 11, Mr. Howard noted that the events have clearly affected everyone and that terrorism has united all democratic countries. He pointed out the close cooperation with the US in the battle against terrorism, a battle that the US cannot fight alone as he said, referring to the presence of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan. He also stressed that the fight against terrorism must not name religions and countries, but find the terrorists no matter where they are.

[09] STEFANOPOULOS CONTACTS IN CANBERRA

Distinguished members from Australia's entire political spectrum and the Greek community, were present at the reception held for President of the Republic K. Stefanopoulos, by Prime Minister of Australia John Howard in Canberra. With their speeches, President Stefanopoulos and Prime Minister Howard marked the two countries' excellent bilateral relations and the prospects presenting themselves on development once more, as is appropriate between two republics connected with the holiest of ties, those of blood, as well as a thriving Greek community, contributing to the consolidation of a bridge of friendship between their birthplace and their new home.

Mr. Howard repeated that Australia owes a lot to Greece and showed his pride for the third largest city in the world in Greek speaking people, Melbourne, while he did not neglect to wish the 2004 Olympics are a great success, and the further tightening of relations with their friend, Greece.

In his reply, President Stefanopoulos pointed out the gratitude of the Greeks, who will never forget that during a difficult time for Greece, Australia accepted a significant number of immigrants, which are vigorous part of your local community today, while many of them hold distinguished positions in public life, a fact that makes all Greeks proud.

He also stressed that the common struggles of WWII are continuing to this day, as both countries served in the fight of the international community against terrorism from the first moment, sharing the same ideals and values.

After mentioning the prospects for the development of financial commercial relations between Greece and Australia, as both countries are elements of stability and peace in their regions, Mr. Stefanopoulos pointed out that Greece is waiting for Cyprus' accession to the EU, stressing the major problem of the illegal occupation of the island, despite the repeated decisions of the UN Security Council. As the President of the Republic said, Greece wants Turkey's accession to the EU, an accession that not only creates rights, but responsibilities, and our country expects the international community to encourage Turkey in that direction, in the normalization of relations with Greece, showing good will just as we have shown.

Finally, he expressed his certainty that Mr. Howard's upcoming official visit to Greece, will give the Australian Prime Minister the opportunity to have useful and constructive contacts to the benefit of both countries.

The rest of the day was full of emotion for the President of the Republic and his official entourage. The placing of a wreath at the monument of the Australian Unknown Soldier was immediately followed by that at the Greek-Australian monument of the fallen at the battle of Crete in 1941, with Greek-Australian veterans were present.

In the evening the President of the Republic was present at the large open reception at the Ambassador's Estate in Canberra, where former Prime Minister and hearty philhellene Gough Whitlam was among the guests, as well as Greek-Australian MPs and politicians, including Senator Nick Bolkas, MPs Dimitris Fouras and Tom Koutsantonis and the director of the Australian Prime Minister's political office, Ath. Synodinos, as well as Oceania SAE President Mr. Verjayas.

The official program of the President's visit to Canberra was completed with the dinner held by General Governor of Australia, Mr. Hollingworth.

Today, June 7, the delegation is departing for Sydney, where Mr. Stefanopoulos will have meetings with the political leadership of New South Wales, the Archbishop of Australia, Mr. Stylianos, and representatives of the Greek community, while he will open the works of the second Greek-Australian Business Forum in the framework of his visit to Australia.

The official visit to Australia will be completed on the night of June 8. On the following day, Mr. Stefanopoulos will depart for New Zealand.

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