Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-12-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] UPS AND DOWNS ON CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS

[02] 2004 OLYMPIC VOLUNTEERS REACH 47,168

[03] SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS FOR IMMIGRATION LAWS

[04] EU PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN ATHENS

[05] TURKISH CYPRIOT RESPONSE HANDED TO UN

[06] VENIZELOS SPEECH AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[01] UPS AND DOWNS ON CYPRUS NEGOTIATIONS

A monkey wrench was tossed into the negotiations on the Annan proposal for the resolving of the Cyprus issue yesterday, when the Greek Cypriot side surprisingly retracted its text with observations on the UN Secretary General's proposal, due to the delay of the Turkish Cypriot side to submit its proposals, calling on technical difficulties. It had been agreed that both sides' texts would be submitted at the same time.

Meanwhile, the common position of Athens and Washington for the accession of Cyprus, in every case, and regarding the effort of resolving the Cyprus issue as quickly as possible, was ascertained during the meeting between Greek Minister of National Defense, Giannos Papantoniou, and US Undersecretary of State, Mark Grossman, according to Mr. Papantoniou's statements after the meeting in Athens yesterday.

At that point the Defense Minister pointed out that if the island's political issue is resolved by December 12, it would be the most desirable outcome, but even if that is not attainable, the procedure must be kept alive even after Copenhagen.

Another point addressed by Mr. Grossman and Mr. Papantoniou, was the need to encourage our EU partners to set a date for Turkey's accession negotiations. The Minister of Defense stated characteristically that Ankara's European prospects are an especially positive development both for Europe in the long-term, as well as for Greek-Turkish relations and stability in the region.

On the same issue, the US official noted that setting a date for the commencing of Turkey's accession negotiations will be a very important step of progress for Turkey and Greece, and, in general, for the EU and the US.

On another front, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou was very pleased with his meetings in Ankara last night, and stressed that the Turkish leadership has committed itself to continuing its efforts after December 12, if no solution has been found.

Mr. Papandreou added: We consolidated our progress up to this point and now we will continue, not merely step by step, but with great leaps.

[02] 2004 OLYMPIC VOLUNTEERS REACH 47,168

December 5 has been declared World Day of Volunteerism and the messages coming from the Olympic Organizing Committee, concerning interest expressed for participation in the Olympic Volunteer Programme in view of 2004, are very optimistic.

So far, 47,168 people have submitted applications to Athens 2004, in order to make their own effort as volunteers, knowing that it will be their presence that will define Greece's global image to a great degree.

According to the information of Athens 2004, 61.35% of the volunteers are Greek residents, 12.01% are Greeks from abroad, 22.97% are foreigners, and 2.15% are foreigners residing in Greece.

56% of the volunteers are women, 74% of which are between the ages of 18-34. 34% have prior experience as volunteers, while it is a noteworthy fact that 11% have post graduate degrees, 24% have university education, 10% are institute graduates, 43% are high school graduates and 10% have grade school education.

56% of the applications were submitted electronically, while the volunteers are characterized by their knowledge of other languages. The dominant language, after Greek, is English, spoken by approximately 80%. Then is French (approximately 20%), German (about 18%), Spanish (about 10%), while there are smaller percentages that can speak Arabic and Russian. Another noteworthy point is that 20% speak various other languages.

[03] SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS FOR IMMIGRATION LAWS

Residency permits of immigrants that have resided in Greece for more than 5 years will become permits of indefinite duration, according to announcements of Minister of the Interior Kostas Skandalidis, after the meeting of the Executive Board of the Institute for Immigration Policy (IMEPO).

As the Minister of the Interior stressed, the three gates that express Greece's overall national immigration policy are the complete handling of immigrant flow, social incorporation of immigrants and deterring illegal immigration.

Mr. Scandalidis and Deputy Minister of the Interior Lambros Papadimas mentioned that from now on, immigrants will have to pay approximately 147 euro in order to receive their new residency status.

This amount will have to be paid annually during the first five years of residency in order to renew their permit. Then their permit will become of indefinite duration.

Mr. Papadimas pointed out that there is still a problem with immigrants who are unable to present any traveling documents or passports, documents required for them to be granted a residency permit.

These are the cases of immigrants from countries that are unable to supply them with such documents or are in a state of war, and thus Greece has contacted these countries in order to reach a solution of some kind.

[04] EU PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT IN ATHENS

The President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox, has planned a two-day visit to Athens on December 9 and 10, in order to discuss the European enlargement with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and Greece's political leadership.

Their meeting has been scheduled to take place three days before the crucial meeting of the European Council, and Mr. Cox will be accompanied at his meetings by the Vice President of the European Parliament, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos.

Mr. Cox is expected to arrive in Athens on the afternoon of Monday, December 9, and have his meeting with the Prime Minister immediately following his arrival. At 20:30, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Cox will make statements to the press.

On Tuesday morning, Mr. Cox will have successive meetings with the President of the Parliament, Apostolos Kaklamanis, the President of New Democracy, Kostas Karamalis, the Secretary General of the KKE, Aleka Papariga, the President of the Coalition of the Left, Nikos Konstantopoulos, and the President of DIKKI, Dimitris Tsovolas. In the afternoon he will depart for Warsaw.

On December 19-20, Mr. Cox will return to Athens, in order to meet the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and discuss details concerning the Greek Presidency of the EU.

[05] TURKISH CYPRIOT RESPONSE HANDED TO UN

The Turkish Cypriot side handed over today its response to a letter sent to the two sides in Cyprus by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on November 25, requesting that they notify him about which points of his solution plan, handed to them on November 11, they would like to see changed.

The response was handed over to a UN official by the so-called ''representative'' of the Turkish Cypriot regime Resat Caglar.

The UN have not yet confirmed the delivery of the response.

(MPA-CNA)

[06] VENIZELOS SPEECH AT UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Greek Minister of Culture Evaggelos Venizelos, proposed the institution of a World day for Cultural Heritage, a day on which all monuments designated as part of global cultural heritage by the UNESCO chart, will be accessible to the public, during his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York, since the year ending was declared by the UN as the Year of National Heritage. Other topics addressed by Mr. Venizelos at the GA were the preparations for the Olympics and the returning of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Minister of Culture also proposed to include a special clause in the General Assembly's decision, so that the need to protect cultural heritage in less developed countries be covered by developmental aid from more developed countries, especially concerning countries in conditions of poverty, underdevelopment or war, where protecting cultural heritage is very difficult, since it is not a first priority issue when there is human life at stake.

Mr. Venizelos repeated the Greek position for a long-term lending of the Parthenon Marbles, and a joint exhibit by the new Acropolis Museum and the British Museum. It should be noted that it is the first time the Greek proposal was heard at the UN General Assembly.

Mr. Venizelos characterized the Athens Olympics as an important example of combining elements of cultural heritage, such as the monuments of Ancient Olympia, with elements of incorporeal cultural heritage, such as the ideals of peace, competition, and coexistence. It is clear, Mr. Venizelos stressed, that cultural heritage can function as a factor of social and financial development.

The Greek Minister of Culture also referred to the importance of the message of The Culture of Cultures, especially in this day and age, which is characterized by deep cultural conflict. The Culture of Cultures, underlined Mr. Venizelos, is the only position that can guarantee an honest and essential dialogue between cultures, transforming cultural differences into bridges of communication and not cause for friction, misunderstandings and military conflict.

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