Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-06-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] MALTESE DELEGATION THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

[02] EPP IN CASSANDRA

[03] SIMITIS WAITING FOR DECISIONS

[04] WORRYING VIBRATIONS

[05] EPP: GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS, A PRECONDITION FOR EU ACCESSION

[06] THE EPP CALLS FOR A CONSTITUTION BY THE END OF 2003

[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS DURING HIS VISIT TO THE PRESS CENTER

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] SIMITIS' STATEMENTS AT THE PRESS CENTER

[10] SIMITIS ON THE GREEK PRESIDENCY'S GOALS

[11] KARAMANLIS: THE PRESIDENCY'S SUCCESS IS A NATIONAL AFFAIR

[01] MALTESE DELEGATION THE FIRST TO ARRIVE

The delegation of Malta, headed by the country's Prime Minister Edward Adami, was the first to arrive, shortly before 11am, at the Macedonia international airport, thus opening the cycle of arrivals of foreign delegations to participate in the EU Summit beginning in a few hours in Chalkidiki.

It should be noted that Malta is one of the 10 countries that signed the Athens Accession Treaty on April 16.

[02] EPP IN CASSANDRA

The Convention has produced a positive result, approaching the Christian Democrat vision, values, History and concepts, pointed out President of the EPP Wilfried Martens, at an event organized last night at the Sani Beach hotel in Chalkidiki by New Democracy and the EPP. ND President Costas Karamanlis appeared to be more reserved as far as Mr. D'Estaing's proposals are concerned, while he pointed out that the proposals of the Convention so far have not fully met the will of the majority of Europeans.

[03] SIMITIS WAITING FOR DECISIONS

Developments in the interior of the governing party have been caused by the resignations submitted to the Prime Minster by Stefanos Manikas from the position of Minister of State and Michalis Neonakis from his position as a member of PASOK's Executive Office. Mr. Simitis is expected to take important initiatives immediately after the end of the Presidency, in order to revert the unfavorable political atmosphere for the party.

[04] WORRYING VIBRATIONS

Two seismic vibrations, measured at 4.7 and 4.6 on the Richter scale, were recorded in the early morning hours on the island of Evia, unsettling the residents once again. There have been 400 requests for inspections on houses and other buildings in the region.

[05] EPP: GOOD NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS, A PRECONDITION FOR EU ACCESSION

The contribution to regional stability and the European good neighborly relations is a basic precondition for each acceding country, according to the resolution for the European prospect of western Balkans issued after the completion of the enlarged EPP Summit meeting at Sani Beach in Chalkidiki, northern Greece.

The resolution mentions that the EPP backs the effort for the EU accession of Bulgaria and Romania by 2007 and expresses the party's satisfaction for the strengthening of the ties with these countries.

The EPP backs the pre-accession strategy adopted by the European Commission and the European Parliament for the western Balkan countries and expresses the belief that the new mechanism will help cooperation in sectors like, drug-trafficking and human trafficking, the return of refugees to their homes, migration, commerce, small-medium sized businesses, energy and transportation. Also, the EPP calls on the region's countries to follow the example of the ten new EU member states.

[06] THE EPP CALLS FOR A CONSTITUTION BY THE END OF 2003

European People's Party, EPP, President Wilfried Martens stated that his party backs the completion of the process for the adoption of a European Constitution by the end of 2003. The statement was made after the end of the enlarged EPP Summit meeting that was completed at Sani Beach in Chalkidiki with the participation of nine European Prime Ministers who will also attend the EU Summit meeting opening at Porto Carras later today.

Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader and EPP Vice-President Kostas Karamanlis stated that there are still many pending issues among them, the EU Presidency and the broadening of the assistance clause in the case of external military attack.

The enlarged EPP Summit welcomed the job done by the Constitutional Convention characterizing it as a very positive process.

[07] PAPANDREOU'S STATEMENTS DURING HIS VISIT TO THE PRESS CENTER

Europe is changing and Greece, both as the current EU President and as an EU member state, wishes to contribute to efforts for the creation of a democratic and strong Europe, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou told journalists during a visit to the Press Centre shortly before the opening of the European Council in Chalkidiki.

Replying to a question on the compromise draft of the European Constitution, Mr. Papandreou said we cannot but take into consideration the work of the Convention during the Intergovernmental Conference. He described the work of the Convention as laborious, difficult and very notable, while underlining the great importance of the role of the Convention, which involved a process of cooperation between Community and national institutions, as well as civil society.

On the issue of migration, Mr. Papandreou noted that the Greek EU Presidency was endeavouring to shift the discussion from the issue of protecting the external borders of the EU to the instituting of a new approach regarding which, once a year, the implementation of the joint policy on migration will be evaluated in a Commission report.

Regarding the proposal on the distribution of the relevant expenditures, Mr. Papandreou acknowledged that certain countries had reservations, while referring with an emphasis to the meeting of the summit of European Diasporas, which is being held in parallel with the Thessaloniki European Council. On the British proposal concerning a procedure for handling asylum requests, Mr. Papandreou observed that the issue remains open, given that it was a controversial proposal which has provoked reactions.

Lastly, expressing support for the Presidency's Balkan proposal, the Thessaloniki agenda, Mr. Papandreou stressed that its adoption and implementation would consolidate security in the region, while in response to questions he underlined that Turkey must speed up its adoption of the package of reforms and the implementation of the relevant provisions.

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.99% at 1.911,70 points, while the volume of transactions was at 202.5 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 65 had gains and 267 had losses, while the value of 43 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] SIMITIS' STATEMENTS AT THE PRESS CENTER

At the European summit, the Greek EU Presidency wishes to highlight the work accomplished during its six-month term as well as "the beauty of our country", the President of the European Council, Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, said during a visit to the Press Centre at Porto Carras Hotel where the EU Summit takes place.

Replying to a question on the threat of disturbances, Mr.Simitis noted that the Greek government had planned parallel events and discussion fora.

"We wish to hear the views of the movements", said Mr. Simitis, wondering "why some people would want to cause disturbances and bring discredit to their country".

Replying to another question on Turkey's candidacy for EU membership, Mr. Simitis said that the European Union had formulated a road map for Turkey to which the neighbouring country must respond, maintaining good relations with its neighbours and contributing to the settlement of the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan plan.

[10] SIMITIS ON THE GREEK PRESIDENCY'S GOALS

The Press Center and the other facilities of the Porto Carras hotel complex, which will host the works of the EU Thessaloniki Summit, was visited by Prime Minister Costas Simitis today, who was accompanied by the Minister of Press Christos Protopapas, alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis, deputy Minister of the Press Tilemachos Chytiris and other associates.

In his statements, Mr. Simitis said that with this Summit the Greek Presidency aims at promoting both sides of the country. First the political, its diplomatic capabilities, the success we have had so far during the Presidency, and its second side, its multifaceted beauty, its hospitality, the fact that it is open to all Europeans who want to visit. In fact, we have made a great effort and I believe that our success will be good.

On the possibility of incidents, he refused to accept the expression incidents. In Thessaloniki, he stressed, there will be various events, events that have been prepared and on which the government has cooperated, because there are various sides to social and political life that must be promoted. I want the events in Thessaloniki to point out a series of problems existing in the world originating from globalization, which state leaders are aware of, are watching, but which the countries must observe. Now if some people want these peaceful events to turn into a field of confrontation, then they are harming our land and their cause. We want an exchange of ideas which is always peaceful and the reason we are here is because we refuse violence.

[11] KARAMANLIS: THE PRESIDENCY'S SUCCESS IS A NATIONAL AFFAIR

President of ND Costas Karamanlis asked for the subscription of EU member-state leaders who are members of the EPP, in order for the Greek Presidency to have a successful conclusion, during the enlarged Summit of leaders of the EPP, which began today in Chalkidiki.

The successful conclusion of the Presidency is a national affair, said Mr. Karamanlis, in statements he made with the President of the EPP Wilfried Martens shortly before the meeting, participants in which include 11 active Prime Ministers from 10 EU countries and Norway, the Deputy Prime Minister of Denmark and leaders of center-right parties in the opposition.

In his statement Mr. Karamanlis said that there was a lot and excellent work done on the proposals of the Convention as far as the European Constitution is concerned, but he also expressed his reservations on certain points making mention of issues that are still pending.

Specifically, he repeated his preference in the rotating presidency of the EU, the need to retain one Commissioner from each country and the possibility of strengthened cooperation in the defense sector, towards any threat, terrorist or military.

As far as the Balkans are concerned, he stressed his standing support to the accessional prospects of the region's countries.

On his side Mr. Martens expressed his full agreement with the Europe's prospects for all and stressed the need for procedures to move faster so as to deal with the needs and expectations of all the citizens of Europe.

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