Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] OPERATION "RESET"

[02] SIMITIS AGAINST ND AND INTROVERSION

[03] JUSTICE TAKES A VERY LONG WHILE

[04] PRESIDENT OF GREEK ABROAD SPEAKS TO MPA

[05] 3RD EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

[06] THE RESULTS OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY IN THE SECTOR OF DEFENSE

[07] JUDICIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GREECE

[08] FIFTY GREEK COMPANIES IN THE 53RD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IN SKOPJE

[09] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[10] INVESTIGATION ON THE DEATH OF A GERMAN TOURIST AT MOUNT OLYMPUS

[11] PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTES AND FUEL IN RUSSIA

[12] THEODORAKIS TO MPA: THE OBLIGATION OF THE GREEKS

[01] OPERATION "RESET"

We must not only see how many businesses are closing, but also how many new ones are opening, stated Prime Minister Costas Simitis. There is no excuse for the mass firing of workers and employees, just because businesses did not take advantage of the policies that can respond to structural changes promptly, said Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, who ruled out further compression of labor cost. There has been interest in the acquisition of Yvonni Stores, Schiesser Palace is closing. The existence of an organized plan to limit the workers' rights was insinuated by the President of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, Ch. Polyzogopoulos.

[02] SIMITIS AGAINST ND AND INTROVERSION

The need to concentrate their efforts on the promotion of the government's work and the promotion of the movement's programming positions, was asked of party and government officials by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who also asked them to end the discussion on the reshuffling and to political confront ND. Mr. Simitis will lead PASOK to the 2004 elections, and party officials should create the necessary conditions for victory, stated the Secretary of PASOK's Central Committee, C. Laliotis.

[03] JUSTICE TAKES A VERY LONG WHILE

The acceleration of justice in favor of the citizens appealing to it, without, of course, this acceleration coming at the cost of the result's quality, is the goal of the Ministry of Justice, stated Minister Ph. Petsalnikos regarding the bill passed in parliament. Attorneys are responding with a 48-hour strike from the penal process. Discomfort from the President of the court trying the 17N case, who warned of the possible lapse of the 18 months of detention of the suspects for the completion of their trial.

[04] PRESIDENT OF GREEK ABROAD SPEAKS TO MPA

What is important is for us to see how we can help Hellenism and Orthodoxy, Greece and Cyprus, and promote our national issues in every country where there are Greeks. That should be the standing orientation of the Council of Hellenism Abroad.

The President of SAE, Andrew Athens, pointed out that at the present, conditions offer maximum support for the resolving of the Cyprus issue, which is an immediate priority for SAE. He stressed that Cyprus' accession to the European family is a great national success, which should be crowned with the resolving of the political problem.

The Cyprus issue was and still is our most important national issue regarding Greeks living abroad, said Mr. Athens. At our annual meeting from June10 to 12, 2003, in Washington, along with the Global Coordination Committee for the Cypriot Struggle, we will continue our dialogue with White House, State Department and Defense Ministry officials, senators and representatives. We will continue our struggle until we find the correct solution.

At this conference, SAE will raise the issue of recognizing the Genocide of the Pontians and I believe that conditions have matured enough to begin a dynamic and organized global campaign.

At the same time he mentioned the effort being made for the recognition of the Patriarch of Jerusalem Mr. Irineos by the Israeli government, with his pressure as President of the Coordinated Greek Effort. Although he could not go into detail, he stated that he expects good news very soon. The issue is to be raised in the upcoming meetings US Secretary of State Colin Powel and Security Consultant Condoleezza Rice are going to have with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Many Congress members have sent support letters on the issue to President Bush, and there are coordinated efforts with many Jewish organizations in America and Greece.

Regarding SAE, Mr. Athens expressed his concern and connected its progress to its financial self-reliance, which will come through the National Fund of Greeks Abroad, which was decided on by the 4th Global SAE Assembly.

It is important for us to have secure funds, he stressed. The government is helping us, but I do not want that to go on forever. That is why I am insisting on the strengthening of the National Fund of Greeks Abroad, and everyone must understand this, primarily those within SAE. Mr. Athens would like to see SAE reach a point where it is a partner of the Greek state, and brought the example of the Medical Programme which was greatly successful and supported by the Greek state. Mr. Athens stressed that we are not government employees.

[05] 3RD EURO-MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE IN ATHENS

The need for cooperation among the peoples as a response to the new geopolitical, economic and energy developments worldwide, was stressed by Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, who opened the proceedings of the 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Energy Ministers taking place in Vouliagmeni, Athens. In the conference, held in the presence of European Commission Vice-President Loyola de Palacio, participate a total of 35 countries, among them the new EU member states.

Mr. Tsochatzopoulos stated that the Declaration of Barcelona is the basis for the effort aimed at greater cooperation among the Mediterranean peoples.

He underlined that the Energy Ministers of the EU member states and the Mediterranean partners work since 1995 for the promotion of specific energy strategy plans to form a broad cooperation and sustainable development zone for all citizens. He added that the basic points of the dialogue launched to determine the future common actions, is the strengthening of competitiveness in the energy sector, the safe energy supply and the protection of the sensitive environment.

[06] THE RESULTS OF THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY IN THE SECTOR OF DEFENSE

The creation of the European Army Force, the so-called Euro-army and the decision of the European Council for the creation of a European Armaments Organization aimed at a common market for the European defense products, were two major successes of the Greek EU Presidency in the sector of defense. The above were stated by Greek Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou during the presentation of the Greek EU Presidency work in the sector of the European Security and Defense Policy.

Referring to the issue of the Euro-army, Mr. Papantoniou stressed that the European Union has the operational capability to launch humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. On the issue of armaments, he said that significant progress has been made, pointing out that resources were released at EU level to be used to finance research in the sector of defense. On the European Armaments Organization, he said that it will secure the future of the Greek defense industry and preserve thousands of job positions in the specific sector.

Mr. Papantoniou also referred to the escalation of the Turkish provocation in the Aegean and attributed it to the fact that the Turkish military establishment has become autonomous and exercises its own policy. He said that Greece does not have to change its course but at the same time, it remains at a high degree of readiness.

Asked to comment on the case of the A7 Corsair aircraft, after the revelation that repair tools have been found in their engines, he stated that an inquiry is underway and heavy penalties will be imposed to those responsible. He pointed out, however, that it has not been established yet if it was sabotage or serious negligence on behalf of the technical personnel.

[07] JUDICIAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN RUSSIA AND GREECE

Greek Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and his Russian counterpart Yuri Chaika signed a judicial cooperation agreement in a ceremony held at the Ministry of Justice in Athens.

The goal of the agreement is to upgrade and broaden bilateral cooperation in the justice sector.

Mr. Petsalinikos stated that a new chapter is being opened in bilateral cooperation in the sector of justice, while an opportunity is given for closer cooperation between the justice systems of the two countries.

On his part, the Russian Justice Minister stated that the meeting of the EU Troika with the Russian Federation held yesterday was very well organized and took place in a very positive and constructive atmosphere. Mr. Chaika said that the signing of the agreement is an important step for the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in the sector of justice.

[08] FIFTY GREEK COMPANIES IN THE 53RD INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR IN SKOPJE

The formal presentation of the Greek participation in the 53rd International Trade Fair in Skopje, to be inaugurated by FYROM President Boris Trajkovski on June 2, has been undertaken by Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair Ltd. The trade fair in Skopje will last until June 7 and will take place at the Skopski Saem Exhibition Center.

Fifty Greek companies will present their products in the 700 square meters of the Greek pavilion. The participating Greek businesses represent the sectors of building materials, food and beverages, industrial equipment, manufacturing and chemicals.

The FYROM market presents great interest regarding the development of business activities. The Greek-FYROM business activities develop rapidly since 1995 and Greece is FYROM's third largest trade partner.

[09] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.39% at 1.708,26 points, while the volume of transactions was at 92.9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 75 recorded gains and 242 had losses, while the value of 60 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] INVESTIGATION ON THE DEATH OF A GERMAN TOURIST AT MOUNT OLYMPUS

The body of a German woman, who was killed yesterday when she fell from a cliff at Mount Olympus, has been taken to the hospital in the city of Katerini. An investigation is underway by the Litochoro police to determine the causes of the accident.

The victim is 51yearold Kildegard-Roswitha Knecht, who went alpine climbing at Mount Olympus with her husband. During descent and at an altitude of 2,350 meters she slipped because of the snow and fell from a cliff suffering deadly injuries.

[11] PROGRAM FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF NUCLEAR WASTES AND FUEL IN RUSSIA

Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis represented the Greek EU Presidency in the ceremony for the signing of a multilateral environmental program, concerning the nuclear sector in the Russian Federation, that took place in Stockholm.

The goal of the program is the safe management of nuclear wastes and fuel in the Russian Federation.

In his speech, Mr. Magriotis stressed that the agreement signed should be a useful tool for the solution of the major issue of the nuclear wastes and fuel management in northwestern Russia.

[12] THEODORAKIS TO MPA: THE OBLIGATION OF THE GREEKS

Greece's course, mainly with regard to its domestic problems, can be better and it is the obligation of the Greeks themselves to discover the causes and follow new directions that will release the existing capabilities and help them toward development and progress. The above were stressed by world famous music composer Mikis Theodorakis in an exclusive interview with MPA on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Parliament deputy and peace marathon runner Grigoris Lambrakis.

Speaking to MPA Director General Spiros Kouzinopoulos, Theodorakis, who had formed the Lambrakis Democratic Youth right after the assassination, remembered the first hours outside Thessaloniki's AHEPA Hospital where Lambrakis was taken and referred to the lessons learnt from that shocking event.

Mikis Theodorakis also pointed out that the sacrifice of Grigoris Lambrakis is not out of place today. He stressed that when it was committed there was a threat of nuclear war, while today the world peace and the integrity of independent states and peoples is being threatened by the new dogma of the powers dominating in the United States.

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