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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-09-06

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] INSPECTING THE WORKS
  • [02] PUBLIC ACCEPTS SOCIAL PACKAGE
  • [03] RALLIES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND WORKS
  • [04] VOTE INTENTION IS NOT AFFECTED BY SOCIAL MEASURES
  • [05] CYPRUS ASPIRES TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL BRIDGE LINKING THE EU WITH THE
  • [06] INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTRYS REGIONS
  • [07] SIMITIS: ELECTIONS IN THE SPRING OF 2004
  • [08] PROTOPAPAS: ND IS LOSING TOUCH WITH REALITY
  • [09] PROTOPAPAS:ND CONTINUOUSLY SLIPPING FROM REALITY
  • [10] KARAMANLIS:MR. SIMITIS CANNOT ERASE THE PEOPLE'S MEMORY
  • [11] GREEK-ALBANIAN COOPERATION IN THE SECTOR OF HEALTH
  • [12] REPORT BY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW ON THE PROBLEMS OF THE

  • [01] INSPECTING THE WORKS

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (09:48 UTC+2)

    The Thessaloniki works are to be inspected today by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who is in the city for the inauguration of the 68th Thessaloniki International Fair, during which he characterized the coming four year term as "high risk" for the economy, social cohesion and national issues and he addressed a message for the consolidation of all the people, so that national confidence can be strengthened. After

    inspecting the Thessaloniki works, Mr. Simitis will meet with PASOK officials, while in the afternoon he will meet with city bodies and tonight he will speak at a dinner to be held in his honor.

    [02] PUBLIC ACCEPTS SOCIAL PACKAGE

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (13:42 UTC+2)

    Citizens are especially positive regarding the measures included in the social package, while public opinion has given a clear lead of confidence to the governing party and Prime Minister Costas Simitis regarding the administration of economic issues.

    Specifically, according to the information of the poll carried out by METRON ANALYSIS for the "Saturday Imerisia" newspaper, 61.5% of those asked, appreciated that the measures of the social "package" are a move in the right direction, while only 27.7% appreciated that they are wrong move.

    Individuals with low incomes, families with low incomes and children in university, farmers and pensioners are considered the groups to benefit the most from the measures, while wageworkers, small and medium business holders, women/mothers who want to work, also feel a

    considerably satisfied.

    According to the poll, all those informed on the package believe that the measures contribute to the support of: the lowly-paid (56.1% to 38% who believe they do not contribute), families with low incomes and children in university (55.6% to 35.4%), farmers (55.3% to 34.3%), pensioners (53% to 41%), wageworkers (45.4% to 38.6%), women who are mothers and wish to work (40.7% to 32.7%), small and medium businesses (36.6% to 34.2%).

    The only department in which the "Simitis package" seems to be weak and could use some additions is that of the unemployed, as the majority, 43.2%, believe that the measures do not contribute to their support, in contrast to 41% who believe they do.

    [03] RALLIES FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND WORKS

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (13:48 UTC+2)

    The issues of de-industrialization, high prices, unemployment and the acceleration of Thessaloniki's works will be raised at the rally to be organized in Aristotelous square today, shortly before the Prime Minister's speech at the TIF, with the initiative of the Thessaloniki Workers' Center and Thessaloniki Civil Servants Union, and the participation of the 84 bodies that participated in the meeting organized by Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos. Protest marches were carried out by officers of the police, the fire department and the coast guard in uniform. ESIEMTh is not participating in the events.

    [04] VOTE INTENTION IS NOT AFFECTED BY SOCIAL MEASURES

    Athens, 6 September 2003 (21:06 UTC+2)

    The measures included in the social package announced recently by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis do not appear to have an effect on the preferences of the electorate in spite of the fact that the measures announced are regarded as necessary by the Greek society. The above are recorded in an opinion poll published today by the newspaper O Kosmos tou Ependiti.

    Regarding the effect the measures will have on the economic situation of the people and their behavior in the elections, 55.9% believe that their economic situation will not improve in any way, while only a small improvement is expected by 22.5% of the people who responded to the opinion poll questionnaire.

    Also, 71.7 % stated that the social measures announced will have absolutely no effect on their vote intention.

    [05] CYPRUS ASPIRES TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL BRIDGE LINKING THE EU WITH THE MIDDLE EAST

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (19:22 UTC+2)

    Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Giorgos Lillikas stated that the goal of the Cypriot government is to promote Cyprus into a regional center of services that will function as a bridge linking the EU with the Middle East in the area of investments and trade.

    Within this framework, the main goal is the creation of an applied technology park in Cyprus a prospect that has already tempted foreign investors, according to statements made by the Cypriot Minister in the general assembly meeting of the Central Association of Greek Chambers in Thessalonki.

    Mr. Lillikas pointed out that the accession into the club of the 25 constitutes a historical challenge and a major bet for Cyprus given the fact that it leaves the protectionist economy for the open market economy.

    [06] INVESTMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COUNTRYS REGIONS

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (19:22 UTC+2)

    Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis presented the governments investment program for the countrys regions until the year 2008 in the formal dinner given this evening within the framework of Thessalonikis 68th International Trade Fair.

    The Prime Minister stated that a new production system will be completed in the country through this program with an emphasis on the regions. In the future, this program will be further supported by resources used today for the construction of the Olympic projects.

    The first axis of the program is the promotion of part of the public and private investments in the countrys regions. The second axis is the funding of projects in the countrys regions through state budget funds and the 3rd Community Framework of Support.

    Specifically, the Prime Minister stated that the government proceeds with the establishment of Investors Support Centers in every prefecture. He said that already 5 such centers are in operation and the goal is for every prefecture in the country to have similar centers by next year. Entrepreneurship and Development Centers will be established in each one of the countrys 13 regions to coordinate the initiatives financed by the 3rd Community Framework of Support, support small-medium sized businesses and promote employment. Finally, Venture Capital will be used to finance high risk investments in the countrys regions.

    Mr. Simitis stressed that regional development is a top priority in the governments economic policy as the countrys true convergence passes through regional convergence. He added that the government wants the country to achieve convergence with the European Union without leaving parts of it or regions behind because they face problems in following the procedure leading to higher living standards. He underlined that the government policy is directed toward all geographic parts of the country because all regions have significant production and employment capabilities which are unexploited.

    On the occasion of the criticism launched by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy regarding the government policy on the countrys regions, Mr. Simitis stressed that the results of the government choices are visible in the Greek society and stated that regional inequalities in Greece tend to become smaller.

    [07] SIMITIS: ELECTIONS IN THE SPRING OF 2004

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (16:48 UTC+2)

    Elections will be held in Greece in the spring of 2004, stated Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in a luncheon with government and party leading officials in Thessaloniki at noon today.

    Mr. Simitis stressed that until then a lot need to be done, adding that the government has completed many projects and there are more to be presented. He added that the governing Socialist Party of PASOK will have to give its battle with self-confidence and determination.

    On the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy, Mr. Simitis stated that it will not leave the battle without a fight and will use every means to create a grim atmosphere. Within this framework, it will exploit groups of workers that have unwise demands, said the Prime Minister.

    On his part, PASOK Central Committee Secretary Michalis Chrisochoidis stated that the governing party has assumed a combat disposition and the major issue is to explain to the people the social package announced by the Prime Minister, while at the same time, complete the reconstruction of PASOK.

    [08] PROTOPAPAS: ND IS LOSING TOUCH WITH REALITY

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (16:48 UTC+2)

    Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas inaugurated the pavilion shared in Thessalonikis 68th International Trade Fair by Macedonian Press Agency, MPA, and Athens News Agency, ANA.

    Mr. Protopapas commented on the public opinion poll made public today, the speech delivered in Halkida yesterday by right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis and the statements made by ND spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos on the presence of Prime Minister Kostas Simitis in Thessalonikis ITF.

    Referring to the opinion polls, which record great public acceptance of the social measures announced by the Prime Minister while they also show that Kostas Simitis is leading Kostas Karamanlis in popularity terms, Mr. Protopapas stated that ND is annoyed by the measures.

    He said that when Greece is on a convergence course with the EU through the measures announced, ND appears to more and more lose touch with reality.

    Referring to the speech delivered yesterday by Mr. Karamanlis he said that the ND President promotes a dead end policy.

    Responding to the statements made yesterday by ND spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos on the radio and television ads and the Prime Ministers presence in the ITF, the government spokesman stated that ND is consumed in a costly gray publicity race.

    Regarding the opinion polls, Mr. Protopapas referred to the one conducted by Metron Analysis, published by the Athens newspaper Imerisia today, in which it is pointed out that 61.7% of the people believe that the social package announced moves on the right direction.

    He also referred to the opinion poll conducted by the Kappa Research polling company, which will be published on the Thessaloniki newspaper Angelioforos tomorrow. The specific opinion poll records a popularity increase for Mr. Simitis compared to Mr. Karamanlis based on the responses given to the question who is the fittest for the post of the Prime Minister.

    [09] PROTOPAPAS:ND CONTINUOUSLY SLIPPING FROM REALITY

    Thessaloniki, 6 September 2003 (15:03 UTC+2)

    The joint exhibition space of the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) and the Athens News Agency (ANA) in the ground floor of kiosk 16 of the Thessaloniki International Fair, was inaugurated today by Minister of the Press and Government Spokesperson Christos Protopapas.

     While inaugurating the stands of the two Greek press agencies, Mr. Protopapas also held a briefing for the journalists that attended, harshly criticizing ND policy.

    [10] KARAMANLIS:MR. SIMITIS CANNOT ERASE THE PEOPLE'S MEMORY

    Athens, 6 September 2003 (14:19 UTC+2)

    A new harsh wave of criticism was launched by President of New Democracy Costas Karamanlis, drawing on the announcements of Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    In a speech this morning at the Evoia Chamber of Commerce, he stressed that the measures announced by Mr. Simitis are in no way a redistribution of wealth, and characteristically said that the greatest redistribution of wealth that has been carried out in Greece during all the years that PASOK has been in government, are the thirty billion drachmas (88.041.085 euro) that were lost in the stock market.

    The President of ND underlined that the Prime Minister and the government cannot erase the memory of the people, while drawing on the upcoming "Charta of Convergence", he characterized it a "charta of aberration". "Mr. Simitis is trying to play the role of the protector of the ones he has led to this aberration", noted Mr. Karamanlis.

    [11] GREEK-ALBANIAN COOPERATION IN THE SECTOR OF HEALTH

    Tirana, 4 September 2003 (20:47 UTC+2)

    Greece and Albania have signed a cooperation agreement in the sector of health. The agreement, signed by the Albanian Health Minister and the Greek ambassador in Tirana, provides for the free hospitalization of 300 Albanians in Greek hospitals during next year and the specialization of Albanian medical doctors in Greece.

    The Albanian Health Minister stressed that the overall goal of the agreement is the promotion of bilateral cooperation in the sector of health, mainly through the exchange of experience and the specialization of Albanian medical doctors.

    The Albanian Health Minister stressed that it is an agreement that will be in effect for two years and it will be renewed immediately after it expires.

    [12] REPORT BY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW ON THE PROBLEMS OF THE MINORITY

    Ankara, 3 September 2003 (16:32 UTC+2)

    Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew allegedly delivered a report to the Turkish leadership on the problems faced by Orthodox Christians in Turkey. According to a news report on the Turkish newspaper Milliyet, the Ecumenical Patriarch protested against the policy followed by Turkey toward minorities in a meeting he had in Ankara with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.

    In the report prepared by the Ecumenical Patriarch, the contents of which were presented by CNN Turk, is mentioned among others, that Turkey never proceeded with a strict implementation of the Lauzanne Treaty articles concerning minorities and that it follows a policy aimed at minority cleansing. It is also mentioned that the policy followed regarded the minorities as dangerous, while the latest harmonization laws with the EU are not being implemented.

    In addition, a reference is made to the Theology School of Halki, while regret is expressed regarding the restrictions in the education of Greek children who are Turkish nationals.


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