Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-12-30

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] GREEK PRESIDENCY'S ECONOMIC PRIORITIES

[02] BAKOYANNI: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT A EU LEVEL

[03] GREECE FAVOURS COMMON EU STANCE ON IRAQ

[01] GREEK PRESIDENCY'S ECONOMIC PRIORITIES

The priorities of the Greek Presidency of the EU for the economic policy of the 15, will be presented today by Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, while there are only 48 hours left until the moment that Greece will take hold of the helm.

Among the issues to be promoted in the first 6 months of 2003 are making decisions to liberalize EU markets, as well as setting the framework for structural changes in the labor market and the state of the securities. The harmonization of taxes and renegotiation of the Stability Pact will also be discussed.

Meanwhile, Mr. Christodoulakis, as chairman of the council of EU Ministers of Finance, must promote the finalization of the general direction of all member states' economic policy. These directions are expected to be finalized in the June Summit, and will concern measures for greater flexibility in the labor market.

The minister must also promote the review of the Stability Pact, in order to allow developmental funding through loans to countries with a low public debt. In fact, the review is expected to include the obligation of countries with high debts, including Greece, to decrease them with long strides over the next few years.

[02] BAKOYANNI: LOCAL GOVERNMENT AT A EU LEVEL

Recently elected Mayor of Athens Dorah Bakoyanni is aiming at leading local government to a European level, as she stated in a short speech after swearing in as Mayor, in the presence of the departing mayor and the Minister of the Interior, who gave his best wishes that she succeeds in her work.

[03] GREECE FAVOURS COMMON EU STANCE ON IRAQ

Greece is aiming at playing the part of the bridge connecting the European Union and the US, with initiatives to be undertaken during its Presidency in the first six months of 2003, stressed Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in an interview to the Sunday Vima.

Concerning the possible US attack on Iraq and whether there will be a common position of EU member states, Mr. Papandreou noted: We will try to be effective in every case, but we must not forget that the Presidency is not a magician. We can find a common position if there is the will to do so on behalf of all partners, in there is some approach to the positions. We know that there can be no approach on some positions. Thus, we are not certain that we can find a common position.

Regarding the confrontation of international terrorism, he underlined that the EU must prove its special weight, the correctness of its thinking, and the effectiveness of its action, and he added: One may quite simply say that police or in some cases even military force is necessary when dealing with such problems. But still, if one has only this rationale in mind, they may win the battle, but they will lose the war. The war for peace.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article