Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] MEASURES FOR GREEK-TURKISH CONFIDENCE

[02] SIMITIS SPEECH AT PASOK CC-PG JOINT MEETING

[03] PROFIT DID NOT TURN INTO INVESTMENT

[04] 2003 BLACK SEA BUSINESS DAY IN THESSALONIKI

[05] ANDREW ATHENS ADDRESSED THE 5TH CONSULTATION BETWEEN JUDAISM AND

[06] KARAMANLIS-PAPADOPOULOS MEETING IN ATHENS

[07] RAMCO AND HELLENIC PETROLEUM ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR MONTENEGRO

[08] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ADDRESSED THE 5TH CONSULTATION BETWEEN JUDAISM

[09] MORE LOSSES IN THE ASE

[10] EU PRESIDENCY ON THE RELEASE OF JOURNALIST HAMIDI BY THE SYRIANS

[11] BALKAN FRIENDSHIP PARACHUTE DESCENT

[01] MEASURES FOR GREEK-TURKISH CONFIDENCE

Corresponding visits of officials, visits of students from Armed Forces schools, and the installation of medical teleconference offices between two military hospitals, were announced by Greek and Turkish Foreign Ministers Giorgos Papandreou and Am. Gul, after their meeting in Heracleon. The issue of violations of Greek national airspace by Turkish fighters will be discussed by the political directors of the two Foreign Ministries.

[02] SIMITIS SPEECH AT PASOK CC-PG JOINT MEETING

With the phrase this is how I will continue, Prime Minister Costas Simitis made it clear to all sides that the government will firmly continue its policy and that PASOK will design a new 4-year term.

During his speech at the joint meeting of PASOK's Parliamentary Group and Central Committee, Prime Minister Simitis presented the successes in the government's policies. He said that it is correct for them to deal with issues of the European Union, and pointed out that whoever was ironic of or questioned the government's policy in various sectors, was proven wrong by the results themselves.

He launched an attack against New Democracy and its President Constantinos Karamanlis. ND is the only Right party in Europe still riveted to the past, while of Costas Karamanlis he stated that he is afraid of saying the word, but uses Right and divisional language, while at the same time ND is hiding extreme Right elements in its midst, which it keeps active.

He accused business interests interconnected to the conservative party of having launched an attack aiming at overthrowing the government. This attack was recorded with the scandal mongering and reached its peak on the day the EU accession treaty was signed.

No matter how much ND wants to change the agenda of discussions by introducing issues of scandal mongering, he will not change the agenda, as that would undermine all that has been achieved over the last few years.

Mr. Simitis characterized appreciations on an explosion in unemployment as unfounded, and said that political interests lay behind them.

If we continue to work with a plan and systematically, growth will increase, both before and after the 2004 Olympics, he stressed.

He recognized that there are certain problems and noted that the weakest strata are still government priorities, as is the new social state.

After the end of the Greek Presidency, PASOK bodies will meet and will make decisions on planning the next 4 years, he said, while he stated that he will lead that mobilization, as well as the new social state.

[03] PROFIT DID NOT TURN INTO INVESTMENT

Non-profitable businesses today, means closed businesses tomorrow and mass firing. But profit must lead to an increase in investments, employment and the increased protection of the environment, so that the groundworks for long-term viability are put into place. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, said Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis, at the general assembly of the Association of Industries of Northern Greece (SVVE). The requirements for self-supplying development have not been secured, stressed the President of SVVE, D. Simeonidis.

[04] 2003 BLACK SEA BUSINESS DAY IN THESSALONIKI

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, BSTDB, will be the host of the 2003 Black Sea Business Day event that will take place in Thessaloniki on June 2. The event, sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Development, will highlight the importance of economic relations between the Black Sea region and the European Union.

About 400 top government and international officials, business leaders, bankers and investors from the region and other countries will attend the event dedicated to attracting industrial investment and international financing to the Black Sea countries, as well as to promoting regional cooperation in the energy sector.

During the Black Sea Business Day, BSTDB will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the European Commission promoting new financing opportunities in the EU accession countries of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, which are BSTDB members.

For the record, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank started operations four years ago, in June 1999, with the objective of fostering economic development and integration in the greater Black Sea Region. Since then the Bank has launched the financing of more than 65 project and trade finance operations in its Member Countries and has made an important contribution to the regional economic cooperation process.

The opening session will be held in the presence of Greek Minister of Development Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Nikolay Vassilev, and Russian Federation First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Ivan Materov.

[05] ANDREW ATHENS ADDRESSED THE 5TH CONSULTATION BETWEEN JUDAISM AND ORTHODOXY

World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, President Andrew Athens pointed out the strong commitment of Orthodox Christians and Jews to Peace and Justice. He made the statement addressing the formal lunch he gave in honor of the participants in the 5th Consultation Between Judaism and Orthodoxy taking place in Thessaloniki in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Mr. Athens, who is the Host Chairman of the event, stressed that prejudice and violence cannot survive in a society where justice prevails. .

He also referred to the long history of mutual respect, cooperation and social action for justice shared with the Jewish Community in the United States, a history based on the principles of Judaism and Christianity.

[06] KARAMANLIS-PAPADOPOULOS MEETING IN ATHENS

The belied that we can look at the future, concerning the Cyprus issue, with greater optimism compared to the period before April 16, was expressed by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis in statements he made after his meeting with Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos.

They discussed the developments in Cyprus after its accession into the EU and Mr. Karamanlis characterized the meeting as very useful. He stressed that after meeting the major national goal, namely Cyprus' accession into the EU, the policy already drawn up can be followed firmly and based on the preconditions set to be able to solve the political problem in Cyprus.

[07] RAMCO AND HELLENIC PETROLEUM ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP FOR MONTENEGRO

Joint plans for the exploration of their extensive acreage offshore Montenegro were announced today by RAMCO Energy plc (RAMCO), the Aberdeen based independent exploration and production company and HELLENIC PETROLEUM S.A. of Greece.

RAMCO has been involved with the Ulcinj block in the Adriatic, since 1998 when through its Medusa subsidiary it entered into a contract with the Montenegrin State Oil Company, Jugopetrol Kotor (JPK). The original contract between RAMCO (51%) and JKP (49%) led to the acquisition of new seismic data, in 2000 to supplement the extensive existing seismic and drilling data from earlier exploration activity. The interpretation of this data led to the identification of a number of potentially significant oil and gas leads and was a key factor in HELLENIC PETROLEUM's decision to acquire an interest in JPK.

HELLENIC PETROLEUM acquired a majority share of JPK following last year's privatisation process and their involvement comes at an important stage in the exploration process, as a substantial number of sizeable prospects are being risked and prioritised and a future work programme agreed. Under the original contract RAMCO was responsible for funding the exploration programme until a declaration of commerciality. In order to accelerate the exploration programme RAMCO has agreed to transfer an 11% interest in the contract to JPK for their share of past costs and JPK has agreed to fund its share of future costs after the first well has reached its target depth and a decision made to test.

This years work programme includes the acquisition of around 200 sq km of 3D seismic over a shallow water area of high potential, thought to be gas bearing. This would be followed in 2004 with a well to test the structure. There is an option for a further RAMCO funded exploration well if required.

Stephen E. Remp RAMCO's Executive Chairman said We are delighted that HELLENIC PETROLEUM is our new partner in Montenegro. Our own extensive technical studies supported by recent gas discoveries and developments in the region reinforce our positive view of the block. The involvement of HELLENIC PETROLEUM, a company with considerable technical expertise combined with the regional knowledge and experience of JPK will be a catalyst to accelerate the activity in this high potential acreage.

Athanassios Karachalios, HELLENIC PETROLEUM's Managing Director and CEO, added Our co-operation with RAMCO, a company with such calibre, indicates once more our continuous efforts to accelerate our involvement in the area of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation. This, in addition to our participation in other similar projects, strengthens our confidence to meet the target of obtaining at least 80 million barrels of proven reserves by 2006.

Both companies welcomed the statement of Montenegro's Minister of Economy Mr. Darko Uskokovic : This project is very important for Montenegro. The government of Montenegro and the Ministry of Economy are committed to support the implementation of this project. If the results are positive, acceleration of progress of the state's economy is expected and this will foster joining of Montenegro in EU.

[08] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ADDRESSED THE 5TH CONSULTATION BETWEEN JUDAISM AND ORTHODOXY

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew referred to the need to lift religious fanaticism and overcome religious controversy in the speech he delivered opening the proceedings of the 5th Consultation Between Judaism and Orthodoxy taking place in Thessaloniki.

The Ecumenical Patriarch said that debates, like the one taking place, do not aim at religious conversion but their goal is to understand, in full scientific knowledge, the way the believer of another religion thinks and communicates. A fanatic is really a scared and insecure person and deep inside is not absolutely sure about the truth of his/her faith. On the contrary, those who are certain of their faith are peaceful, calm and friendly toward the others.

On Judaism and Christianity, he pointed out that they are in a state of dialogue for 2.000 years.

[09] MORE LOSSES IN THE ASE

More losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.85% at 1.675,01 points, while the volume of transactions reached 89.1 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 56 recorded gains and 274 had losses, while the value of 47 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] EU PRESIDENCY ON THE RELEASE OF JOURNALIST HAMIDI BY THE SYRIANS

The EU Presidency welcomes the release by the Syrian authorities of the journalist I. Hamidi.

This action was an overdue step in the right direction and demonstrates Syria's good intentions in respecting the freedom of expression and the principles governing a state of law.

The EU Presidency further encourages the Syrian authorities to withdraw the criminal charges against I. Hamidi  and to put an end to subsequent  legal proceedings.

We are convinced that, in so doing, the government of Syria  exhibits  its commitment to an irrevocable  reform process  in all spheres of the political life.

[11] BALKAN FRIENDSHIP PARACHUTE DESCENT

Paratroopers from Greece, Serbia, Turkey, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Belgium will participate in an event that will take place at the military airfield of Sedes, near Thessaloniki on May 30 and 31. The event named Balkan Jump of Friendship 2003 is organized by the Greek Association of Reserve Officers under the auspices of Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Yiannis Magriotis.

In the event will participate over 100 paratroopers and it is a unique parachute descent due to the participation of paratroopers from many different countries.

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