Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] STRIKE OVER PAYROLLS

[02] 13 MILLION TO INFORMANT IN RIANCOUR CASE

[03] THREE PATRIARCHS IN CAPADOCCIA

[04] MOST SATISFACTORY AIRPORT WORLDWIDE

[05] PROTOPAPAS ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

[06] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE PROTESTS DURING THE SUMMIT MEETING IN

[07] 3RD EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE OF ENERGY MINISTERS IN ATHENS

[08] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ARGENTINA

[09] PAPANTONIOU: THE CREATION OF THE EURO-ARMY HAS BEEN COMPLETED

[10] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[11] EU LABOR INSPECTORS MEETING

[12] IMMEDIATE NECESSITY OF CAP SIMPLIFICATION

[13] VISIT TO BRUSSELS BY GREEK CYPRIOT AND TURKISH CYPRIOT JOURNALISTS

[14] EU MINISTERS OF DEFENSE IN BRUSSELS

[15] SIMPLE RESPONSE TO AN OLD OBLIGATION

[01] STRIKE OVER PAYROLLS

A 24-hour panhellenic strike and a rally at 11am outside the Ministry of Finance, have been announced by the Civil Servant's Union (ADEDY), demanding an improvement of the common payroll of civil servants. In response, the government stated that if the demands of the ADEDY are accepted, the burden to the budget will be heavy. Flights will be carried out normally, since air traffic controllers suspended their strike. A new meeting will take place on May 22 between Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis and ADEDY, while the President of the Civil Servant's Union, Sp. Papadopoulos, spoke of a final chance.

[02] 13 MILLION TO INFORMANT IN RIANCOUR CASE

Thirteen million drachmas (38,151 euro) were paid to Maria Tsinteri, a microbiologist and wife of an officer, by the Greek Police, for information she gave the authorities on the meeting members of the organization had on Louise Riancour st., according to the testimony of the then Chief of Police St. Makris in today's proceedings of the 17 November trial. St. Makris stated that the operation organized by the police failed. In a vehicle found at the scene a revolver that had been stolen from the Vyronas police station was recovered.

Savvas Xeros admitted his participation in the Riancour case, adding that he was disguised, but denied everything supported by Mr. Makris in his testimony that there was a coordinated police operation stressing that there were not that many police officers present.

According to the defendant, there was only one undercover car there with two police officers drinking coffee. Savvas Xeros spoke of a group within the Greek Police skimming undercover funds. Defendant Dimitris Koufontinas also supported that Mr. Makris' testimony was not serious.

[03] THREE PATRIARCHS IN CAPADOCCIA

A historical Holy Liturgy for world peace was held in the Holy Temple of St. Constantinos and Eleni in Sinassos, Capadoccia, by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa, Petros VII, and the Patriarch of Georgia, Ilias. Mr. Vartholomeos expressed his satisfaction on the positive atmosphere in Cyprus, and his hope that it further improves as time goes by.

[04] MOST SATISFACTORY AIRPORT WORLDWIDE

First place on global level, as far as overall passenger satisfaction for 2002 is concerned, was given to the "Elftherios Venizelos" airport in Athens, in the 15 million passenger maximum category.

These were the results of research carried out by "Global Airport Monitor" of the International Air Transport Association for last year. As was mentioned in the IATA report, the specific category is one of the most competitive ones, if one takes into account the fact that it has the largest number of participants (among which are the Brussels, Vienna, Helsinki, Geneva, Oslo, Montreal, Johannesburg, and Moscow airports).

[05] PROTOPAPAS ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

Based on what is currently in effect, national elections and Euro-elections will be held separately in 2004, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas.

Mr. Protopapas clarified that the Greek EU Presidency has undertaken no initiative to change the Euro-elections date.

[06] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE PROTESTS DURING THE SUMMIT MEETING IN CHALKIDIKI

The protest marches are legal, we have never faced a case of a banned protest, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas when asked to comment on the protests prepared to take place during the EU Summit meeting in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

He added that the measures that will be taken are going to be similar to those that were in effect in the case of the Athens EU Summit for the protection of the European leaders and delegations. He called on the civil organizations, preparing the protest marches and rallies in Thessaloniki, to do what they wish, stressing that they should respect the city's economic and social life.

[07] 3RD EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE OF ENERGY MINISTERS IN ATHENS

The results of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in the sector of energy will be examined in the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Energy Ministers organized by the Greek Ministry of Development with the support of the European Commission. The conference will be held in Athens today and tomorrow.

The ministerial conference will draw up the framework of a new Euro-Mediterranean action plan in the sector of energy made up of basic policies and priority actions in sectors of common interest. Its proceedings will be completed with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on electricity with the Maghreb countries.

In the conference have been invited to participate the 15 EU member states, the Euro-Mediterranean countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Malta, Cyprus and the Palestinian Authority) and the European Commission.

Eight new states (Estonia, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) have been invited as observers (Cyprus and Malta will attend as Euro-Mediterranean states). Also, invited are candidate member-states (Bulgaria, Turkey will attend as Euro-Mediterranean state) and Libya.

[08] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN ARGENTINA

The European Union congratulates Mr. Nestor Kirchner on his election as President of Argentina and wishes every success to the new President in his endeavours to consolidate social justice, put an end to the economic problems of the country and bring stability and prosperity to the people of Argentina.

The European Union wishes to express its optimism that the new Government of Argentina, with the President-elect at the helm, will bring the country again to the forefront of the political and economic scene of the Latin America region and in particular its southern cone.

The European Union, in the framework of the excellent relations with Argentina, will continue to enhance political dialogue and develop further the economic relations with the country, for the benefit of both, be it on a bilateral level or in the framework of the EU-Mercosur co-operation scheme.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.

[09] PAPANTONIOU: THE CREATION OF THE EURO-ARMY HAS BEEN COMPLETED

Today is a big day, a historic day, both for the EU and the Greek EU Presidency. One of the major goals set by the Greek EU Presidency, namely the creation of the Euro-army has been met, said Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou in the meeting of the EU Defense Ministers Council that met in Brussels today.

Mr. Papantoniou said that the 25 EU Defense Ministers agreed that the goal of the completion of the Euro-army operational capability has been met.

He stressed that the European Rapid Reaction Force, numbering 60.000 men and women, is now a reality and it is operationally ready and able to undertake wide spectrum operations.

Mr. Papantoniou also referred to the EU-NATO political agreement regarding the Euro-army issue that clarified the relations between them and safeguarded the EU autonomy toward the North-Atlantic Alliance, while at the same time it prepared the ground for the Euro-Army first operation in FYROM.

The 25 Defense Ministers also decided that a visit will take place to Skopje on June 5 by Mr. Papantoniou, EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana and the 25 EU ambassadors to inspect the first European soldiers deployed in FYROM.

[10] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.92% at 1.734,94 points, while the volume of transactions was at 76 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 100 recorded gains and 211 had losses, while the value of 53 stocks remained unchanged.

[11] EU LABOR INSPECTORS MEETING

The 44th meeting of the Senior Labor Inspectors Committee, SLIC, will take place in Thessaloniki on May 21-23 within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency. The meeting is organized by the Greek Labor Ministry and the Greek Labor Inspectors Agency.

It is held twice a year and its conclusions constitute the basis for the proposals on labor issues presented to the European Commission.

Among the issues to be discussed will be the evaluation of the Labor Inspection Systems adopted by different countries, safety in constructions, productivity indexes, cross-border assistance by legislation, and health and safety at the workplace.

[12] IMMEDIATE NECESSITY OF CAP SIMPLIFICATION

The immediate necessity to reform and simplify the EU's agricultural policy was mentioned by EU Agricultural Commissioner Franz Fischler, during his speech at the convention of presidents of Agricultural Committees of the EU Parliament, of candidate countries, that was held today in Athens by the Greek Parliament.

Mr. Fischler pointed out that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must be easier for the farmers of the 25 member-states, so that they are in a position to grow quality products, and live in a safe environment for future ventures.

The European Commissioner also referred to the fiscal framework of the CAP and the new maximum amount of agricultural expenditures for purchases and direct funding to be given in the European Union of the 25. The Commission proposed to fund agricultural development through differentiation and gradual reduction.

Regarding the benefits to the European market, Mr. Fischler stated that the reform of the CAP will improve the market's balance in very basic sectors, the agricultural sector's competitiveness, agricultural income, while it will strengthen its orientation towards the market and will favor more environment friendly production.

A basic element of the reform will be disconnection, since farmers will paid according to quality and not quantity, thus preserving support towards transparency in the system and money for the farmers.

[13] VISIT TO BRUSSELS BY GREEK CYPRIOT AND TURKISH CYPRIOT JOURNALISTS

Ten Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot journalists are on a visit to Brussels today until May 21 at the invitation of Greek governing Socialist Party of PASOK Euro-deputy Mirsini Zorba.

Mrs. Zorba characterized the visit as a symbolic initiative confirming the momentum created and the will of the Cypriots to tear down the wall dividing Cyprus, while it is also a proof of their desire for reconciliation and coexistence.

Referring to the reasons that led her to invite them to Brussels, Mrs. Zorba stressed that it is very important for the Euro-Parliament to bolster the common society of the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, promote joint European participation and initiatives undertaken by political parties, social institutions and agencies.

[14] EU MINISTERS OF DEFENSE IN BRUSSELS

The military goals of the European Union have not yet been achieved because the powers for the preservation of peace have delayed in defining and forming themselves. These are the ascertainments the EU Ministers of Defense are expected to come to during their meeting today in Brussels, since, their countries have only partially succeeded in the agreed goals on armament needs of the European Rapid Response Force (euroarmy), as well as in defining the principles to condition operational action. Today's meeting will dedicate a great part of its works to the European Action Plan for the (military) capabilities of the Union, shortcomings in weapons systems and the way they are to be covered, as had been decided on in 1999 at the Helsinki Summit.

At the time, the 15 had decided on formation of a military force of 60,000 men which could be mobilized in a period of 60 days and act for a whole year. The Defense Ministers are expected to justify these delays, make a statement of their satisfaction with the small European peace keeping force already in FYROM. We must not rule out however, reference to the Defense Minister document itself, the inability of the European Union to realize it, for the time being, carrying out a completed mission in another part of the country or a different country in which hostilities are taking place and which is not near the European boarders.

[15] SIMPLE RESPONSE TO AN OLD OBLIGATION

The decision of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to allow entrance of Cypriot passport holders into Turkey, was characterized as the fulfillment of an obligation by the President of the Cypriot Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos. Mr. Papadopoulos pointed out that so far Cypriots were allowed in Turkey only with special documents issued at Turkish Embassies and the Erdogan decision does not greatly improve the situation.

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