Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-07-23

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

CONTENTS

[01] YES AND NO TO THE ELECTORAL LAW

[02] TAXES THROUGH THE INTERNET

[03] WATER POLO TEAM IN WORLD FINAL FOUR

[04] JOINT REGIONAL ELECTRICITY MARKET IN SE EUROPE

[05] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN CYPRUS

[06] SIMITIS MESSAGE ON THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

[07] NEW ELECTORAL LAW DISCUSSED

[08] READY TO TESTIFY

[09] MITSOTAKIS HARSH ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT

[10] GREEK POLO TEAM IN FINAL 4

[01] YES AND NO TO THE ELECTORAL LAW

PASOK MPs of the first summer session were in favor of the 3% minimum for a party to enter the Parliament, a more proportional electoral system, stable governments, party collaborations and breaking up of major electoral districts, however they expressed their disagreement to Mr. Scandalidis on the use of electoral preference lists, on districts with a parallel prefecture elections, as well as on double ballots. Mr. Scandalidis will meet with the Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Papariga.

[02] TAXES THROUGH THE INTERNET

His reassurance that tax payers' transactions with Public Financial Services can now be carried out over the Internet, was given by deputy Minister of Finance Apostolos Fotiadis, speaking at an event of the Achaia Chamber of Commerce on the tax reform.

As was pointed out by Mr. Fotiadis, the measure has already applied the submission of VAT and income statement submission and has done away with accounting book validations.

Regarding the collaboration of the employees, Mr. Fotiadis noted that last year 100 employees of financial services were sent home due to perjury, and he stressed that there are three places to lay the blame, the tax payer, the employee and the tax consultant. Tax evasion is at 30% today, and doing by away with it we will be able to lower taxes by 30% or to utilize funds saved for other policies.

[03] WATER POLO TEAM IN WORLD FINAL FOUR

The greatest distinction in its history was achieved by the Greek national water polo team, which beat the US team in the Barcelona World Championship by 4-2, and qualified for the tournament's semifinals, where they will face Hungary, one of the greatest teams in the game. The Greek national team had put Russia out of the game in penalties. The team has received congratulations from Greek political leadership.

[04] JOINT REGIONAL ELECTRICITY MARKET IN SE EUROPE

Significant progress has been made for the creation of a joint electricity market in SE Europe was made at the 5th meeting of the work group of the Council of European Energy Regulatory Authorities, which is presided over by the Greek Electricity Regulatory Authority.

Apart from the regulators, representatives of the European Commission, the work group of the European Association of System Administrators of certain donor-countries for the SE European region also attended the meeting.

At the meeting there was a detailed processing of the analytical, technical-financial design of the organization of the joint electricity market in SE Europe and an in principle acceptance of that design.

The complete proposal of the Regulatory Authorities on the detailed organizing of the SE European energy market will be presented at the 3rd Meeting of the Athens Forum, this October, so that it becomes the basis of discussions among governments of the region and other market factors, on how the joint market will be developed.

Details were also discussed regarding the application of the system and mechanism for Inter-border Commerce beginning in 2004, which is already being applied in European Union countries, so that electricity trade can be facilitated, without economic and administrative obstacles, especially avoiding the successive tolls/tariffs in inter-border electricity trade.

The trial run of this mechanism in SE Europe will begin on January 1, 2004, and it will be normally applied in July of the same year. Greece began participating in the corresponding mechanism of EU countries in July 2003.

[05] GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN CYPRUS

An investigation is underway in Cyprus by the authorities and we are waiting for its results, responded Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas, regarding the discovery of many classified documents in rubbish bags in Cyprus.

[06] SIMITIS MESSAGE ON THE RESTORATION OF DEMOCRACY

Today, our consolidated democracy is a steady foundation for the development and prosperity of the citizens, mentioned Prime Minister Costas Simitis in his message for the 29th anniversary since the restoration of democracy in Greece.

In his message, the Prime Minister noted the woes brought on by the tyrannical regime in Greece and Cyprus, with the invasion of Attilas, and honored the victims of the colonels' junta. He juxtaposed today's Greece as a factor of peace and stability in the international environment, and characterized Cyprus accession as justice done to the struggles of Hellenism.

[07] NEW ELECTORAL LAW DISCUSSED

The MPs' support to the 3% minimum for entrance of a party to the Parliament, to a more proportional elections system, to stable governments, party collaborations and the breaking up of major electoral districts, in principal, left Minister of the Interior Costas Scandalidis satisfied, after the discussion on the proposed electoral law held yesterday in PASOK's relevant parliamentary sector in the presence of Mr. Scandalidis.

Regarding points of controversy, the Minister said that there are disagreements on the essence of introducing preference lists for ballots in districts, while there are traditional ballots in prefectures, as well as regarding double ballots (one ballot for the party and one for the MP).

Mr. Scandalidis' discussion with the 45 PASOK MPs participating in the first Parliament holiday session, will continue with the MPs of the second and third sessions, while it will be repeated with the entire group in September.

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Interior will begin his briefing of opposition party leaders on the electoral law today, with his meeting at 2pm with the Secretary General of the Greek Communist Party, Aleka Papariga, in the KKE's offices. Tomorrow, Mr. Scandalidis will meet with the relevant ND sector head, Vyron Polydoras at 1pm.

[08] READY TO TESTIFY

The testimonies of the 19 individuals accused of the crimes that were allegedly committed by members of the 17N terrorist organization will begin with the testimony of Dimitris Koufontinas. In the short recess yesterday, Koufontinas stated he had been ready for some time. He has taken responsibility for the actions of the organization but will not name those involved in the actions. Koufontinas' statement will be proceeded by the reading of documents that have been submitted to court.

[09] MITSOTAKIS HARSH ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT

A harsh attack was launched against the government by honorary President of New Democracy Costantinos Mitsotakis, who characteristically mentioned that with today's government, the country will not see no prosperity.

This government clings to power and is determined to sell out everything in a hopeless effort to win an election it has already lost. So the sooner it leaves, the sooner elections are held, the better it will be for Greece.

In response to journalist questions on the progress of the materialization of the 3rd Community Support Framework, Mr. Mitsotakis accused the government of trying to beautify a reality which unfortunately is not pleasant in the sector of the 3rd CSF. What (the government) does with economy in general.

In conclusion, the honorary President of ND referred to the 2nd CSF, which he said as has been accepted, ended with a significant loss in proceeds. It was admitted today by Mr. Pachtas and Mr. Christodoulakis. This was another Greek failure they are covering up carefully.

[10] GREEK POLO TEAM IN FINAL 4

Greek national water polo team in the World Championship in Barcelona managed to enter the semifinals phase. With good defense as its weapon, Greece beat the USA relatively easily with a score of 4-2, and qualified for the final four.

Sandro Campania's team started off badly and fell behind in the score by 0-1 in the first seven minutes of the game. The discipline and decisiveness of the Greek side, put them back in the game and they managed to tie the game and then obtain a small lead in the score.

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