Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] 5 DEAD IN MYSTERIOUS HELICOPTER CRASH

[02] THE EU BRINGS CHURCHES CLOSER TOGETHER

[03] SIMITIS TO VISIT AUSTRALIA

[04] DUTIES ON TOURISM

[05] GENERAL STRIKE IN GREECE

[06] PAPANTONIOU-HASIKOS MEETING

[07] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] THESSALONIKI WANTS TO HOST THE 2009 MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

[09] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS IN BOSNIA

[10] THREE-HOUR WORK STOPPAGE TOMORROW

[11] THE GREEK POLICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SUMMER FIRES

[12] THE EU COUNTRIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL

[01] 5 DEAD IN MYSTERIOUS HELICOPTER CRASH

The five passengers of the Immediate Response Augusta A109 helicopter, that crashed in the Anafi mountains in the early morning hours, were found dead. A second helicopter arrived and retrieved the bodies.

Pilot Vasilis Hamjidis, Swiss copilot Stefan Mayer, doctor Christos Antipas, paramedic Lefteris Ferentinos, and the patient, Anna Damigou, died in the crash.

Ships in the area, two C-130, two Air Force helicopters, two Navy destroyers, three Coast Guard patrol boats and a life guard vessel, participated in the searches to find the helicopter and its five passengers.

The Augusta crashed on Mt. Vigla in Anafi, where it had arrived at 1:30am, to take a patient to the Rhodes hospital. It crashed a few minutes after take-off and the first indications show an instrument malfunction.

[02] THE EU BRINGS CHURCHES CLOSER TOGETHER

The European Union brings Churches closer together, pointed out Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, in an interview to the Sunday Kathimerini, in which he referred to the role Christianity can play in saving the environment, as well as to the Venice Declaration, a historic event showing that there is a possibility to approach the Catholic Church, even on a non-dogmatic or ecclesiastic issue. Mr. Vartholomeos is in Greece for his unofficial visit to Crete, where he arrived on June 15.

Europe is moving to completing its union, and that cannot but bring together the Old and New Rome, which were united before the sorrowful Schism in the 11th century. The coexistence of European peoples belonging to two Churches in the same political and economic space, will certainly contribute to their coming closer together, and will assist in the restoration of the unity that existed before the Schism. That is something we all wish and strive for, said Mr. Vartholomeos characteristically.

On the international struggle the Church has undertaken to protect the environment, the Ecumenical Patriarch pointed out that the Church does not limit itself to caring for the salvation of humans, but it has extended its care to the protection of the environment, he stressed, continuing: The Church's role in the effort to save the environment can and must be essential, because it can be saved only if people change the way they think and live, because it is people who people who destroy the environment with their selfishness and greed. With its teachings and, mainly, liturgical life, asceticism and the spirit of respect for God's creations that it promotes within the flock, the Church invests in people's consciences, and that is the most important requirement for the efforts being made to save the environment to be successful, he added.

Referring to the Venice Declaration, Mr. Vartholomeos stressed that it is important that these two great Christian traditions of the East and West, concur in the efforts for the safety of the environment, and he pointed out: The consequences of this ecological crisis are exactly the same and know neither borders nor religious or other kinds of distinctions. The struggle to save the environment must be close to all religions. Only then can it be effective.

The dogmatic and theological differences between Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians must not stand in the way of a joint approach and cooperation on problems concerning people in modern times, stressed Mr. Vartholomeos and he underlined: This cooperation must be forged with ties of love and of a common debt, and without slackening efforts to resolve theological differences, which are taking place with official theological dialogues, in order to bring the two Churches closer together. This reveals that there is indeed a lot joining the two sides, and that should not be overlooked or underestimated.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed as a head of state, when he arrived in Crete on Saturday at 10am, for a 6-day visit.

Immediately after arriving at the Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heracleon, Mr. Vartholomeos stressed that Crete is very dear to the Holy church of Christ, which it support steadily.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was greeted by deputy Minister of Culture Giannis Kourakis, the Holy Provincial Synod, as well as MPs and local government representatives.

Mr. Vartholomeos will remain in Crete until Friday, while on Sunday he visited Chania. The Patriarch referred to the role and contribution of the Church to Crete's struggles, while he called the faithful to take care of and protect their land, the churches and the monasteries. History, and especially Crete's history is full of examples of prelates and priests, who worked zealously and who in fact sacrificed their lives for their flock, he said characteristically.

[03] SIMITIS TO VISIT AUSTRALIA

After the return of President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos to Greece, following an official visit to Australia and New Zealand, it is the turn of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis. The news was published by the New World, naming Greek diplomats in the Australian capital as its sources.

The date of his visit will be set through diplomatic routes, and the Greek side expressed its wish to travel to Australia after September and before the Municipal elections, or after November, while there is a third alternative for next July or August.

The same sources assure that Mr. Simitis will repay the visit Australian Prime Minister John Howard will pay to Greece in the beginning of July.

This will be the first official visit of Mr. Howard to Greece.

During the Greek Presidency of the EU, it is expected that efforts to upgrade the relations of Europe with Australia, New Zealand and other countries of the broader southeastern regions of Asia and the Pacific.

[04] DUTIES ON TOURISM

The need to overcome coordination problems between bodies relevant with the promotion of tourism in Greece, was mentioned by Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who opened the works of the two-day meeting on Balanced Development of the Prefecture, necessity and prospects of the Lagadas District, organized by the Prefecture of Thessaloniki an the Lagadas District. The solution, according to Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is in the delegation of duties outside the District, since, as he said, it is incomprehensible that there are still District programmes in Athens.

The Minister of Development also announced the creation of a Center for Business and Scientific Support of investment activity in the Lagadas District, in the framework of the Get connected programme of the Development Ministry.

Referring to the District's present situation, the Minister pointed out that in the beginning of the 21st century, and while a new decade is beginning, this Greek district is not far from the usual way in which economic development and cultural growth are promoted all over Europe. Thus we have realized that we are no longer the corner of Thessaloniki, of Macedonia, of Northern Greece, but a European corner, which is trying to build its future in the same ways that the citizens of other European countries are trying to build theirs.

The Development Minister pointed out that for Greece to move to a new age, a new development is needed, for a new decade with a rapid pace, financially, socially, culturally, and environmentally viable. In this framework, according to the Minister, a chance must be given to the children of all municipalities and of all provinces to have access to new knowledge, new technology, in which we invest so that there is a greater growth rate than that achieved with traditional economic activities.

[05] GENERAL STRIKE IN GREECE

The whole country will come to a standstill tomorrow as a result of the 24-hour strike announced by the Greek General Confederation of Labor and the Public Servants Union. They express this way their opposition to the draft bill on the social security system reform which will be presented in Parliament tomorrow and is backed by the government.

In a statement issued by the Greek General Confederation of Labor it is stressed that with their participation in the strike the workers are called to contribute to the great effort aimed at defending social security in accordance with the firm demands of the unions.

From its side, the main union representing the public employees stressed that the public employees are determined to fight for decent pensions.

[06] PAPANTONIOU-HASIKOS MEETING

The course of the solution of the Cyprus issue, the joint defense doctrine and wider issues of bilateral cooperation were discussed in the meeting Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou had with his Cypriot counterpart Socrates Hasikos at the Pentagon in Athens.

Mr. Hasikos briefed Mr. Papantoniou on the recent provocative action by Ankara which has proceeded with the deployment of 5.500 Turkish soldiers in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. Mr. Hasikos stressed that the Cypriot Republic faces with absolute calm this Turkish effort to create tension.

From his side, Mr. Papantoniou stated that the Turkish violations are very increased compared to the past and stressed that it is important for the Greek side to remain calm.

[07] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.22% at 2.220,10 points, while the volume of transactions was at 71.9 million Euro or 24.5 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 159 recorded gains and 139 had losses, while the value of 84 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THESSALONIKI WANTS TO HOST THE 2009 MEDITERRANEAN GAMES

Thessaloniki wants to host the 2009 Mediterranean Games, according to a joint press conference given today by Thessaloniki Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos, Thessaloniki New Democracy parliament deputy Giorgos Orphanos, responsible for culture and sports issues and Thessaloniki prefect Kostas Papadopoulos.

The Mediterranean Games take place every 4 years under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and it is the major sports event in the Mediterranean region.

The Mediterranean Games were held for the first time in Alexandria, Egypt in 1951. In the games participate a total of 23 countries and their athletes compete in 26 events.

[09] TSOCHATZOPOULOS IS IN BOSNIA

Greek Development Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is on a formal visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina accompanied by Greek businessmen.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos will meet with the state leadership, while the Greek delegation will have important contacts with Bosnian Foreign Trade Ministry officials to examine cooperation prospects in the sectors of technology and research and in the sector of electric energy.

The Bosnian mass media gave a special emphasis to the visit of the Greek Minister of Development and underlined that Greece has offered the sum of US$30 million for the reconstruction of Bosnia. An additional 19.5 million Euro will be given to Bosnia within the framework of the Greek plan for the economic reconstruction of the Balkans in the period 2002-2006.

[10] THREE-HOUR WORK STOPPAGE TOMORROW

Three-hour work stoppage by the Greek journalists will take place tomorrow, according to a decision by the Greek Federation of Journalists Unions in support of the strike decided by the workers unions in protest to the social security system reform.

The work stoppage will take place from 10am-1pm tomorrow.

[11] THE GREEK POLICE WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SUMMER FIRES

The Greek Police will participate again this year in the battle against summer fires, according to a decision reached in the meeting of the responsible agencies that was held today and was presided over by Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis.

The decision on the participation of the Greek Police provides for the land and air watch of forests and forest lands as well as every kind of assistance that is deemed necessary.

In the land surveillance will participate mixed car patrols made up of Police officers, Fire Department officers and soldiers. Their goal will be to avert fires, or spot them quickly, identify suspects and arrest arsonists.

[12] THE EU COUNTRIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROTECTION OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES

The response that was given by European Commissioner Viviane Rending to a question by Greek Euro-deputy Stavros Xarhakos, elected with the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, proves that France and the rest countries, that exhibit Greek treasures and antiquities in their museums, are responsible for the lack of the necessary measures for their protection.

Ms. Rending points out that the absolute responsibility for the protection of the antiquities lays with the French state authorities and stressed that it is up to the EU member-states to develop a cultural heritage protection policy.

A month ago, Mr. Xarhakos had protested to the European Commission against the almost third-world-like situation in the Museum of Louvre. Statues like the Aphrodite of Milos and the Victory of Samothraki, paintings by El Greco and Delacroix as well as, the creations of other famous artists are being exhibited without any kind of protection. Mr. Xarhakos stated that the same unacceptable situation is observed in the British Museum as well where the Parthenon Marbles are being exhibited.

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