Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-26

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] COORDINATION OF MOVES BY GREECE AND CYPRUS REGARDING TURKEY

[02] GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

[03] EUROPEAN CINEMA FEDERATION PROPOSED BY THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

[04] THE CASE OF OCALAN'S ILLEGAL ENTRY TO GREECE IS TRIED IN ATHENS

[05] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "IASON"

[06] THE GERMAN NATIONAL DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF IS VISITING GREECE

[07] THE ATHENS BAR ASSOCIATION AGAINST BLAIR ON THE ISSUE OF IRAQ

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON TERRORISM

[09] KAKLAMANIS-ALLENDE MEETING

[10] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[01] COORDINATION OF MOVES BY GREECE AND CYPRUS REGARDING TURKEY

The firm position of the Greek and the Cypriot governments that any solution to the Cyprus problem should be within the framework of the UN and the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Plan, was reiterated today by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis after the meeting he had with Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Mr. Simitis said that Cyprus is now an EU member and therefore, any solution to the political problem on the island cannot be outside this European framework.

On the occasion of the fact that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots were allowed by the Turkish Cypriot side to cross the green line, Mr. Simitis stated that it was a move aimed at softening the pressures exerted on the Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's regime.

The Greek Prime Minister also referred to the latest Turkish provocation in the Aegean, stressing that the efforts of the Greek side for the solution of the Cyprus problem will not be suspended.

On Turkey's European prospect, Mr. Simitis called on Ankara to present samples of its European course long before December 2, 2004, in order for a decision to be reached on December 2 on whether Ankara's EU course can be launched.

[02] GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS BETWEEN GREECE AND TURKEY

Talks between Greece and Turkey at political directors' level for the adoption of measures that will promote good neighborly relations are in progress and an agreement is likely to be signed as soon as today.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou clarified that they are measures which are not clearly of military nature but they promote cross-border cooperation, the cooperation between the two countries, and help ease the tension in general.

Mr. Papandreou pointed out that talks are held within the NATO framework as well concerning the so-called confidence-building-measures which are of military nature.

The Greek Foreign Minister also referred to the recent developments in Israel after the approval of the roadmap by the Israeli cabinet. Specifically, he said that this is a positive step for peace and added that as a result of this development the road will open for a viable Palestinian state in an environment with security guarantees for Israel.

[03] EUROPEAN CINEMA FEDERATION PROPOSED BY THE GREEK EU PRESIDENCY

Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stated that the Greek Ministry of Culture will examine the likelihood to hold a meeting of the National Cinema Centers of the 25 EU member states aimed at establishing a European Cinema Federation. The statement was made in a press conference held in Thessaloniki today on the occasion of the conference taking place in the city on the Future of the European Cinema and the Audiovisual Sector after the EU Enlargement.

Mr. Venizelos stated that this initiative will be attempted in June in order to be ready to be delivered to the Italian EU Presidency that will succeed Greece.

He reiterated that Europe cannot have political beliefs if it lacks cultural foundation, while on the conference proceedings, he maintained that they are very interesting given the participation of about 200 delegates.

[04] THE CASE OF OCALAN'S ILLEGAL ENTRY TO GREECE IS TRIED IN ATHENS

The case of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan's illegal entry to Greece four years ago is being tried at an Athens court today. A total of ten individuals are accused of helping organize the operation for Ocalan's illegal arrival in Greece.

Meanwhile, Ocalan, who is in a Turkish jail, sent a handwritten text of 58 pages to his lawyer yesterday analyzing his positions regarding what happened four years ago. The text will be at the disposal of the court as soon as it is translated.

A number of Kurds gathered outside the courtroom this morning chanting slogans in support of Ocalan.

[05] INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE "IASON"

The protection of sea ecosystems threatened with extinction in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, as well as the effect of climate changes to the wider region, will be examined in the international conference IASON that will get underway in Thessaloniki on Thursday and will last until June 1.

The goal of the conference is to consider ways to achieve sustainable development without further hurting the environment, according to statements made by Oceanography Department Director in the National Sea Research Center Dr. Vangelis Papathanasiou in a press conference given today.

Mr. Papathanasiou stressed that an effort will be made in the conference to achieve convergence of views of the representatives of the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean countries to form a common strategy.

The conference will be made up of 11 entities concerning, among others, climate changes, the use of land, coastal regions, biotechnology, the effects of pollution, mariculture and fishery.

Present in the conference will be representatives of the European Commission and about 85 foreign researchers and scientists from the 23 countries that will attend the event.

[06] THE GERMAN NATIONAL DEFENSE CHIEF OF STAFF IS VISITING GREECE

Germany's National Defense Chief of Staff, General Wolfgang Schneiderhan is on a formal visit to Greece until Wednesday starting today at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, General Giorgos Antonakopoulos.

The German senior official will meet with the civilian and military leadership of the Greek armed forces and will discuss issues of mutual military interest.

On Wednesday, he will watch the final phase of the military exercise code-named Sarisa-2003.

[07] THE ATHENS BAR ASSOCIATION AGAINST BLAIR ON THE ISSUE OF IRAQ

The Athens Bar Association intends to appeal to the International Court in The Hague in two weeks, accusing British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other British officials, civilian and military, of international law violation. The decision on whether charges can be filed against those responsible for committing crimes in Iraq will be reached by International Penal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.

The above were announced in a press conference in Athens today by Athens Bar Association President Mr. Dimitris Paxinos. Mr. Paxinos said that the unprovoked attack against Iraq by US and British allied forces constitutes violation of the UN Charter, violation of the international humanitarian law and violation of the International Penal Court Charter and therefore, it is an offence to international law and order.

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON TERRORISM

The Greek authorities are not in a state of emergency and alert, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas when asked to comment on the press report on the Athens Sunday newspaper To Vima based on which, Islamic terrorism is the number one threat for the Athens Olympic Games next year.

Mr. Protopapas stated that Greece is among the safest countries in the world and this can be confirmed and proved through its recent successes in the front against terrorism, adding that the Greek police authorities do their job very well.

[09] KAKLAMANIS-ALLENDE MEETING

The further strengthening of bilateral relations and the relations between the two Parliaments as well as, the international situation were at the center of the one-hour meeting Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis had with his Chilean counterpart Isabel Allende.

The meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere and Mrs. Allende stated characteristically that her first trip as the Chilean Parliament President had to be in Greece, stressing that her country always counted on Greece in difficult times. She also thanked Greece for its support to the ratification of the Chile-EU economic agreement.

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis underlined the world renowned personality of Mrs. Allende, internationally and inside her country, and stressed that he will soon visit Chile at her invitation.

[10] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.09% at 1.689,33 points, while the volume of transactions was at 85.6 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 234 recorded losses and 85 had gains, while the value of 58 stocks remained unchanged.

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