Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH THE SEVILLE SUMMIT MEETING

[02] PAPANDREOU: CHANGES IN SEVILLE SECURE GREECE'S INTERESTS

[03] COMMENTS BY THE ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] GOVERNMENT REGRET ON THE LOSS OF THE TWO F-4 PILOTS

[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE UNDERWATER TUNNEL IN AKTION

[07] IOC: THE OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME

[08] THE PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATED THE PREVEZA-AKTION UNDERWATER TUNNEL

[09] TSOHATZOPOULOS SPEECH AT "EUREKA"

[10] FANTOM WRECKAGE FOUND-PILOTS DEAD

[11] PAPANTONIOU: THE TURKISH THREAT IS REAL

[12] PAPANTONIOU: THE ANKARA TEXT WAS "BURIED" THANKS TO GREECE'S STANCE

[01] THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED WITH THE SEVILLE SUMMIT MEETING

Acting Greek government spokesman and Ministry of Press general secretary Dimitris Gerou reiterated today that the government is satisfied with the outcome of the Seville Summit meeting.

Mr. Gerou stated that the political parties display the necessary maturity as it was established by the meetings and the talks that were held. The statement was made when he was asked to comment on the statements made by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy parliament deputy and ND candidate for the post of mayor of Athens Ms. Dora Bakoyianni. Ms. Bakoyianni made the statements after the meeting she had with Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou to be briefed on the outcome of the Seville Summit meeting.

[02] PAPANDREOU: CHANGES IN SEVILLE SECURE GREECE'S INTERESTS

The importance of the initial political agreement the 15 reached on the Euroarmy during the Summit Meeting in Seville was stressed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, in statements he made after his meeting with shadow Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister of New Democracy, Dora Bakoyianni.

Mr. Papandreou pointed out that the changes made in Seville secure Greece's interests and the principles of autonomy of NATO and the EU in making decisions, after making it clear in all texts that relations with third countries do not question sovereign or territorial rights.

Besides, he underlined that Turkey also has to see that the Seville texts secure stability in the region and mark obvious principles of International Law.

He also added that the issue is not closed, but that Greece, having taken up the presidency of defense issues of the EU, will continue negotiations with NATO member-states and Turkey, based on what was agreed in Seville.

[03] COMMENTS BY THE ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH VIOLATIONS

Turkey follows a strange stance lately but the government reacts with calm and determination to such challenges, stated acting Greek government spokesman and Ministry of Press general secretary Dimitris Gerou.

The statement was made when Mr. Gerou was called to comment on the repeated violations of the Greek airspace by Turkish aircraft.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Small gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to 0.36% at 2.237,86 points, while the volume of transactions was at 109.7 million Euro or 37.3 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 140 recorded gains and 166 had losses, while the value of 67 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] GOVERNMENT REGRET ON THE LOSS OF THE TWO F-4 PILOTS

Acting government spokesman and Ministry of Press general secretary, Dimitris Gerou expressed the government's regret and condolences to the families of the two F-4 fighter jet pilots who were killed in an accident yesterday during a training flight.

Mr. Gerou stated that the family of the Greek Air Force has lost two excellent officers.

[06] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE UNDERWATER TUNNEL IN AKTION

The underwater tunnel in Aktion is a great project that will benefit western Greece, stressed acting government spokesman and Ministry of Press general secretary Dimitris Gerou, referring to Prime Minister Kostas Simitis' tour of Preveza and Arta in western Greece and the inauguration of the underwater tunnel in Aktion.

Another major project becomes a reality, concluded Mr. Gerou.

[07] IOC: THE OLYMPIC GAMES WILL BE COMPLETED IN TIME

The International Olympic Committee, IOC, is satisfied with the course of the Olympic Games projects and it is certain that they will be completed in time, stated Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos responding to a question by reporters in the city of Volos, central Greece.

Mr. Venizelos stated that this is a very important development as an emphasis is given to the non construction projects such as hospitality, volunteerism and the participation of local communities.

[08] THE PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATED THE PREVEZA-AKTION UNDERWATER TUNNEL

Prime Minister Kostas Simitis inaugurated the Aktion-Preveza underwater tunnel which cuts the distance in the Aktion-Preveza-Igumenitsa axis by at least 35 minutes. The Prime Minister expressed a special satisfaction for the completion of the project and stressed that it will bring great changes to the region's everyday life.

The project got underway in 1995 and in 10 months the deviation from Preveza to Arta will also be open for the motorists.

[09] TSOHATZOPOULOS SPEECH AT "EUREKA"

The participants of the 20th Ministerial Conference of the Eureka programme were welcomed with a special ceremony at the Thessaloniki Megaron Music Hall last night, by Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

In his speech, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos underlined that it is a special honor that Thessaloniki is hosting a conference with ambitions of expressing common political will for cooperation and the support of new technologies as a new tool for the promotion of European development and European culture.

He pointed out that the prevailing view on development in the European region does not only have to do with financial development, but with the social demands of European citizens, demands related to the environment, culture and history.

We must not forget that Europe is, above all, culture. While culture is our basic difference, we still have one thing in common: we are all Europeans, he said.

The Minister of Development stressed that what is important is that through the development of technology knowledge is enlarged in relation to engines or industry. Knowledge and technology is the new power we hold in our hands today. The EU is trying to use this new power. Citizens all over Europe are ready to participate because they want fair participation rules in the formation of their future. This future demands cooperation and collaboration. This is the new prospect we must win, he underlined.

[10] FANTOM WRECKAGE FOUND-PILOTS DEAD

The wreckage of the Air Force Phantom type fighter aircraft was found yesterday afternoon at the summit of Mt. Dirfi in N. Evia, at an altitude of 1800 m. The Phantom went off radar yesterday at 9am. The wreckage was found by a C-130 aircraft that had been equipped with a metal detector.

A group of experts are investigating the cause of the aircraft's crash. Possible causes include the pilots' loss of consciousness or some unexpected breakdown. Dense fog covering the area and radar error have not been ruled out.

The aircraft was on a training mission and was attempting low altitude flying to avoid radar detection. The Air Force is mourning the loss of Lieutenant Kyriakos Karakitsios, 31 from Kozani, and Flying Officer Dimitris Kostopoulos, 29 from Larissa.

[11] PAPANTONIOU: THE TURKISH THREAT IS REAL

Greece is different from the other European Union member-states regarding the threats it faces, stressed Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou speaking in the European Socialist Party Conference in Berlin. The Turkish threat is real, stated characteristically.

The end of the Cold War did not bring any considerable changes to the security problem faced by Greece, said Mr. Papantoniou. The threat from the north was limited but the threat from Turkey continues to be great.

Mr. Papantoniou added that Greece, due to its geopolitical position, faced new threats very soon such as, illegal immigration and organized crime. The international terrorism also increases the pressures on Greece's security system.

On Turkey's EU accession, the Defense Minister made it clear that Greece backs Turkey's European prospect based on the principles of international law and stability, which are the fundamental preconditions for peace and security in the region.

Commenting on the outcome of the Seville Summit meeting, he pointed out that the autonomy of the European defense is necessary as well as the need for the protection of the EU member-states' borders and territorial integrity.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that the critical point is the settlement of the EU-NATO relations based on the principles of equal participation and the protection of the member-states' sovereign rights.

[12] PAPANTONIOU: THE ANKARA TEXT WAS "BURIED" THANKS TO GREECE'S STANCE

Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou addressed the Berlin Conference on Europe's global responsibilities which was organized by the European Socialist Party. Mr. Papantoniou referred to the issue of the Euro-army and the results of the European leaders' Summit meeting in Seville.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that the Ankara text on the Euro-army was buried thanks to Greece's stance in Seville. The minister spoke of a great national and European success as the autonomy of the European Union was restored regarding decision-making on defense issues. It was also made clear that the national interests of the EU member-states are not inferior compared to the interests of certain third countries.

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