Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-06-13

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] LARISSA UPGRADED IN NEW NATO STRUCTURE

[02] "NEW" PUBLIC SECTOR IN 2004

[03] NANOPOULOS STAMP AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S

[04] EXODUS FROM THE HEAT WAVE

[05] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON LIBERIA

[06] NOBEL WINNER ELIE WIESEL IN THESSALONIKI

[07] LOVERDOS: TURKEY VIOLATES CITIZENS' SECURITY

[08] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON NEPAL

[09] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[10] THE EPP CONFERENCE IN CHALKIDIKI

[11] PAPANDREOU ASKS TURKEY TO SUBMIT FLIGHT INFORMATION

[12] THE ATHENS-CYPRUS-TEL AVIV FTSE INDEX IN OPERATION ON JUNE 19

[13] SIMITIS IN BERLIN

[14] SIMITIS REITERATED THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BECOMING EUROPEAN

[15] PAPANTONIOU SATISFIED WITH THE NEW NATO ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

[16] APOSTOLIDIS: GREECE SUPPORTS ROMANIA

[01] LARISSA UPGRADED IN NEW NATO STRUCTURE

The upgrading of the Larissa NATO HQ was decided on by the Ministers of Defense of the Alliance. According to the decision, the Larissa Air Center will hold more than twice its previous responsibility area, beginning from Italy and reaching Turkish national airspace, with a Greek Commander. The NATO Air Force Command is being moved to Smyrna, under an American Commander. Papantoniou satisfied, ND made mention of national rights being surrendered.

[02] "NEW" PUBLIC SECTOR IN 2004

The simplification of procedures for the issuing of administrative actions from the Public sector to the citizens, changes in the evaluation system of civil servants, the simplification of a new grading system and the institution of efficiency indexes for services and employees have been foreseen, among other things, in the bill made public by Minister of the Interior C. Skandalidis. The bill will be submitted to Parliament, after a dialogue with the Civil Servant's Union, and the changes will come into effect in 1/1/2004.

[03] NANOPOULOS STAMP AGAINST ALZHEIMER'S

The microtubes, that have been found to be related with Alzheimer's disease, were at last isolated by the research team of High Energy Physics Professor at Texas A&M University, Dimitris Nanopoulos, who was the main speaker at the opening ceremony at the 13th European Alzheimer's Conference and the 3rd Panhellenic Alzheimer's Disease and similar disturbances Conference, in Thessaloniki.

[04] EXODUS FROM THE HEAT WAVE

The temperature in Athens and Thessaloniki is expected to reach 38 degrees Celsius on Sunday, in the first heat wave for this summer, which coincided with the celebration of the Holy Spirit three-day weekend. Thousands of excursionists are leaving urban centers. There are very few tickets available. Hotels are almost full, emergency measures have been taken on national highways. Trucks with more than 1.5 tons of a payload are not allowed to travel over the weekend.

[05] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON LIBERIA

The European Union expresses its deep concern over the recent intensified fighting and violence in Liberia and the increased suffering of the Liberian people. The European Union calls on all warring parties to immediately cease all hostilities, respect international humanitarian law, ensure that humanitarian initiatives are protected and allow access to territory under their control for humanitarian actors.

The European Union condemns all attempts by armed rebel groups to take power in Liberia by the use of force. It also calls on all the warring parties to immediately cease hostilities and seek a negotiated solution to the Liberian crisis. The EU reminds neighboring states of their obligations under UN Security Council resolution 1478 (2003).

The European Union expresses its full support for peace talks underway in Ghana under the auspices of ECOWAS and in line with the conclusions of the international contact group on Liberia. The European Union urges all Liberian stakeholders to make use of this opportunity for peace, reconciliation and democratic reform in Liberia. The European Union remains committed to supporting a comprehensive framework for peace as a result of this dialogue, also through the presidency's special representative to the Mano River Union countries, Mr. Hans Dahlgren.

The European Union reiterates its strong support for the Special Court of Sierra Leone in its crucial task to bring the main perpetrators of serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sierra Leone to justice. The European Union holds the view that the indictment against Charles Taylor should not impede peace efforts underway in Ghana. The European Union calls on President Charles Taylor to cooperate with the Special Court

[06] NOBEL WINNER ELIE WIESEL IN THESSALONIKI

Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel will be in Thessaloniki on June 16. Mr. Wiesel will lay a wreath at the Monument for the Holocaust of the Thessaloniki Jews at 18:30 on Monday afternoon, while at 19:00 he will take a tour of the Museum of the Thessaloniki Jewish Community and then (20:30) he will attend the exhibit The Holocaust of the Greek Jews. The Persecuted and the Saviors, at the Royal Theater.

[07] LOVERDOS: TURKEY VIOLATES CITIZENS' SECURITY

There is a major problem with Turkey's unacceptable position. It is a hoodlum state, violating Greek airspace, not cooperating in observing the FIR and not observing international rules. We have informed the EU and the ICAO as well as other relevant bodies of all this, making it clear that our neighbor state is even violating citizens' security.

The above was stressed by deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos in response to a question submitted by independent MP Giorgos Karatzaferis.

Mr. Karatzaferis accused the government of being passive, stressing that that makes it an accomplice and called the government no to make the problem known, but to file a complaint regarding Turkey's actions so it can take the stand and be found guilty.

In response, the deputy Minister pointed out that it is well known that all countries are allowed access to international waters and airspace for their military exercises. But a country with such activity must abide by international law.

As far as Greek airspace is concerned, Mr. Loverdos pointed out that the Athens FIR was set in the framework of the ICAO and that there is a special nature to the Aegean. We have an interchange in Greek airspace and that causes technical difficulties. In military exercises political-military coordination is required, but Turkey is not cooperating and violates international treaties, he added.

[08] EU PRESIDENCY DECLARATION ON NEPAL

The EU Presidency expressed concern over the issue created after the deportation of 18 Tibetans from Nepal, pointing out to the Kathmandu government that this action is opposed to the UN charter on human rights.

The EU Presidency declaration has as follows:

The EU is seriously concerned over the recent decision by His Majesty's Government of Nepal to forcefully return 18 Tibetan asylum seekers from Kathmandu to China. Such a deportation order against a group of asylum seekers that also included eight minors, while access to them by UNHCR was denied, clearly violates humanitarian principles and contravenes international law.

The EU expresses its regrets over the fact that repeated appeals by EU Missions in Kathmandu to release the asylum seekers from prison and to process them in accordance with established practice and in cooperation with UNHCR were ignored by HMG without offering any explanation or justification for the harsh measures now taken against this group.

Respect for international norms and human rights is one of the fundamental pillars of cooperation between the EU and Nepal as it is for all of the EU's development partners.

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] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.91% at 1.910,60 points, while the volume of transactions was at 240.5 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 139 recorded gains and 187 had losses, while the value of 49 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] THE EPP CONFERENCE IN CHALKIDIKI

The enlarged Summit meeting of the European People's Party, EPP, will take place in Chalkidiki on June 19 with the participation of 10 Prime Ministers and 60 party leaders.

Among the participants will be the Prime Ministers of Austria, Spain, Italy, Holland, Luxembourg, France, and Portugal as well as the Prime Ministers of Slovakia, Estonia and Malta.

For the first time, Balkan political party leaders will participate as observers.

Ahead of the EPP Enlarged Summit meeting, the leaders of the political parties of the European Democratic Union will attend a meeting presided over by Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy President Kostas Karamanlis and Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Petersen.

[11] PAPANDREOU ASKS TURKEY TO SUBMIT FLIGHT INFORMATION

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou asked the Turkish side today to submit flight plans when its aircraft use the airspace over the Aegean. Mr. Papandreou briefed President Kostis Stephanopoulos on the goals of the Greek EU Presidency in view of the EU Summit meeting in Thessaloniki, the current developments, the Cyprus issue and the situation in the Balkans.

Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece and Turkey have already agreed on a dialogue at political directors' level within the framework of international regulations to overcome the tension in the Aegean. He stressed, however, that it is a risky issue as an accident could cause a tragedy and an even bigger tension in the Greek-Turkish relations at a moment when efforts are being made for the solution of major issues, such as the Cyprus issue.

On his meeting with US State Department special coordinator on Cyprus, Thomas Weston, Mr. Papandreou said that the US official pointed out that the Cyprus issue is not a forgotten one but prospects are promising.

[12] THE ATHENS-CYPRUS-TEL AVIV FTSE INDEX IN OPERATION ON JUNE 19

The Athens-Cyprus-Tel Aviv tripartite FTSE Mediterranean 100 index will be in operation on June 19 and it will be common for the stock markets of Athens, Tel Aviv and Cyprus.

The event on the formal presentation of the index will take place two days ahead of its operation in the presence of stock market officials.

[13] SIMITIS IN BERLIN

Greek Prime Minister and rotating President of the European Council Costas Simitis arrived in Berlin this afternoon.

Mr. Simiti's visit to the German capital is in the framework of the tour of the capitals, which is taking place in view of the EU Thessaloniki Summit, which is being organized by the Presidency in Porto Carras, Chalkidiki.

Mr. Simitis is expected to meet with German Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder later today. During their meeting they will discuss the results of the Convention for the Future of Europe, the decisions on the new Inter-Governmental Convention, immigration policy, EU-Western Balkan relations, as well as developments in Iraq and the Middle East.

Tomorrow the Prime Minister will travel to Vienna, where he will beet the Austrian Chancellor, a visit also in the framework of the tour of capitals.

[14] SIMITIS REITERATED THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BECOMING EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

Greek Prime Minister and European Council President Kostas Simitis stated one more time today that he is not interested in becoming European Commission President, responding to questions by reporters in Luxembourg after the meeting he had with his counterpart, Jean-Claude Juncker.

On his part, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg stressed that Mr. Simitis would make an excellent European Commission President adding, however, that a weaker candidate than him and Mr. Simitis will have to be found for the post now that both of them are not interested.

[15] PAPANTONIOU SATISFIED WITH THE NEW NATO ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE

The upgrading of the NATO headquarters in Larisa, central Greece, was decided in the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting in Brussels. According to the decision reached, the Combined Air Operations Center, CAOC, doubles its area of responsibility extending from Italy to Turkey, while its commander will be Greek.

A second operations center, that of naval deterrence, will also be based in Greece. This center will be responsible for operations against terrorism across the Mediterranean and is likely to be based in Souda, Crete.

Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou expressed satisfaction for the fact that the CAOC remains in Larisa with a Greek commander and twice as many personnel in spite of the fact that the NATO headquarters were limited to 16 from 26 based on the new NATO structure.

[16] APOSTOLIDIS: GREECE SUPPORTS ROMANIA

Greece will attempt to focus on the issue of security in the Balkans in view of the Thessaloniki EU Summit meeting in the talks with its partners in the EU and NATO, stated in Bucharest Greek Undersecretary of Defense Loukas Apostolidis.

After the meeting with his Romanian counterpart, he stated in a press conference that Greece will continue to back the efforts for Romania's and Bulgaria's accession into the EU by the year 2007.

The Romanian Undersecretary thanked Mr. Apostolidis for the excellent support and bilateral military cooperation.

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