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

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

CONTENTS

[01] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STOCK MARKETS OF SE EUROPE AND SE MEDITERRANEAN

[02] PROTOPAPAS COMMENTED ON THE INVESTIGATION ON TERRORISM

[03] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

[04] NEW DEMOCRACY ON THE INVESTIGATION ON TERRORISM

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[06] THE MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT MET WITH THE ALGERIAN ENERGY MINISTER

[07] SIMITIS IS VISITING UKRAINE

[08] THE MYSTERY OF TERRORISM UNRAVELS

[01] COOPERATION BETWEEN THE STOCK MARKETS OF SE EUROPE AND SE MEDITERRANEAN

The goal of the tripartite meeting of the three most important stock markets in southeastern Europe and southeastern Mediterranean was to examine new ways of cooperation.

Specifically, the representatives of the stock markets in Athens, Istanbul and Tel Aviv met in Athens to discuss ways aimed at promoting cooperation.

All the participants maintained that in a period characterized by the intensification of competition among stocks markets, actions should be undertaken for the promotion of their markets inside and outside their territory.

Within this framework, they examined certain models of tripartite cooperation while they agreed that the tripartite meetings should continue, as well as businessmen meetings.

[02] PROTOPAPAS COMMENTED ON THE INVESTIGATION ON TERRORISM

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, referring to the investigations on terrorism, suggested self-restraint and calm to everybody.

There is no cause for scenarios and overoptimistic speculations, stressed Mr. Protopapas and added that police do their job and cannot function well under pressure.

When called to comment on press reports according to which, Savvas Xiros' Spanish girlfriend was the Prime Minister's make-up artist, the government spokesman responded that he will not enter into such a discussion and suggested calm and a sense of responsibility to everybody.

[03] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE MET WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis met with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and briefed him on the economic developments in Greece and abroad, as well as on issues concerning the Greek EU Presidency.

The Minister of Finance referred specifically to the tax reform and the course of the true convergence of the Greek economy with the rest European Union countries. The strategy of convergence is the new national goal and Greece has the potential and the tools to continue its economic growth and increase employment, stated the minister.

Mr. Christodoulakis will be in Brussels on Friday and later he will be in Copenhagen to participate in the Euro-zone Ministers of Finance Summit meeting.

[04] NEW DEMOCRACY ON THE INVESTIGATION ON TERRORISM

Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos referred to the issue of the police investigation on terrorism which is underway after the bomb attack in Piraeus last Saturday.

Mr. Rousopoulos pointed out that important facts came to light as a result of an accidental event, stressing that they should be evaluated in the best possible way in order to combat the plague of terrorism effectively.

[05] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.73% at 2.180,69 points, while the volume of transactions was at 58.9 million Euro or 20 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, only 23 recorded gains and 310 had losses, while the value of 43 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] THE MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT MET WITH THE ALGERIAN ENERGY MINISTER

Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos and Algerian Energy Minister Chakib Khelil examined new ways of cooperation within the framework of the big changes that are underway in the European Union.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the liberalization of the energy, natural gas and electricity markets and the creation of new natural gas electricity production units in Greece open new ways of cooperation between the two countries.

He also stated that the electricity networks of Algeria, Italy, and Greece are ready to be put in operation and therefore, there is a cooperation potential in this sector.

The visiting Algerian Minister of Energy stated that Greece could become an important partner in locating natural gas reserves and added that his country wants to expand the exports of natural gas and electricity to the European Union and Greece. He said that Greece is an important strategic partner for Algeria due to its geographic position and due to the fact that it is situated close to the countries rich in hydrocarbons, while it is also close to the European markets and to emerging markets, like Bosnia.

[07] SIMITIS IS VISITING UKRAINE

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis is on a two-day visit to Ukraine. He will visit Kiev accompanied by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Andreas Loverdos and Undersecretary of Press and Mass Media, Tilemachos Hitiris.

During his visit to Ukraine, the Prime Minister will meet with the country's President, the Prime Minister, the Parliament President, the leader of the main opposition party and representatives of the Greek community.

Among the issues to be discussed will be bilateral relations and especially, economic and trade relations.

[08] THE MYSTERY OF TERRORISM UNRAVELS

The Greek police began to unravel the mystery of terrorism. According to the Greek police, the case of the bomb explosion in Piraeus, in which 40yearold Savvas Xiros was involved, is associated with terrorist organization 17 November.

The 38-calibre Smith & Wesson revolver found on Savvas Xiros is the gun that was stolen from 28yearold police officer Christos Matis during a bloody robbery in the National Bank of Greece branch at Petralona, Athens on December 24, 1984. The specific robbery had been attributed to 17 November but all these years the stolen gun had not been used in any terrorist act.

Savvas Xiros is an icon painter and the child of a priest. He is a resident of Pallini, in Athens and comes from Thessaloniki. The police found in his workshop guns and printed material of anarchist content. Meanwhile, tens of suspects have been taken in for questioning.

Xiros' Spanish girlfriend, Alicia Romero, has been arrested, as well as two men who visited his workshop and a couple who asked for information on his health at Jannio Hospital shortly after the explosion in Piraeus. Xiros is heavily guarded in the intensive care unit of Evangelismos Hospital.

Minister of Press and government spokesman Christos Protopapas referred to the government's stance and stressed that the less we talk about the issue the better, adding that Prime Minister Kostas Simitis has requested firm steps to be made on the issue of terrorism.

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