Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-04-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE EU APPROVED THE "GREEN LINE REGULATION" ON CYPRUS

[02] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S BROADENED HOLY SYNOD MEETS TOMORROW

[03] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THE INVESTIGATION ON THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CONTRACTS

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN RESPONSE TO GIORGOS PAPANDREOU

[05] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO GREECE

[06] CHILEAN DELEGATION TO THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE

[07] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] KARAMANLIS-DE SOTO MEETING IN ATHENS TOMORROW

[09] CONTACTS OF THE PRESIDENT OF SAE IN ATHENS

[10] MOLIVIATIS' CONTACTS WITH THE AMBASSADORS OF US AND BRITAIN

[01] THE EU APPROVED THE "GREEN LINE REGULATION" ON CYPRUS

The Council of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers meeting in Luxembourg approved today a proposal entitled Green Line Regulation, which determines the legal framework of the crossing of persons, goods and services as from May 1, 2004 in Cyprus.

The regulation clearly determines the legal framework of the demarcation line (dividing the government-controlled southern part and the Turkish-occupied northern part of the island) and safeguards that the "Green Line" does not constitute an external border of the EU. It also secures the central role of the Republic of Cyprus concerning the responsibility and control of commercial transactions.

Regarding the treatment of goods arriving from the areas not under the effective control of the government of the Republic of Cyprus, these shall be accompanied by a document issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce duly authorized for that purpose by the Commission, in agreement with the Government of Cyprus or by another body so authorized in agreement with the latter.

All goods coming from the north and comply with the EU conditions, shall have the status of Community goods.

According to the regulation, the competent authorities of the Republic shall check the authenticity of the document provided by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

[02] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S BROADENED HOLY SYNOD MEETS TOMORROW

The stance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate after the election of the Metropolites in the New Countries held in a way that was against the rules of the Church, according to the Patriarchate, will be decided tomorrow. The decision will be made by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which will meet in a broadened form with the participation of hierarchs from the Dodecanese, Crete, Europe and America.

Meanwhile, the ordination of the new Metropolite of Kozani took place today in the presence of 15 Metropolites and without television cameras, while only 9 Metropolites attended the ordination of the Metropolite of Eleftheroupolis yesterday.

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece stated in a speech that he respects the Patriarchate.

The State should not get involved in the internal affairs of the Church, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos.

[03] SPILIOTOPOULOS: THE INVESTIGATION ON THE MINISTRY OF DEFENSE CONTRACTS WILL CONTINUE

The investigation concerning the contracts signed by the Ministry of Defense will continue, stated Minister of Defense Spilios Spiliotopoulos responding to a statement issued by PASOK's Parliamentary Sector on Foreign Affairs and Defense.

According to the statement, the governments of PASOK always defended public interest in the contracts and supplies of the armed forces securing the necessary transparency.

The new leadership of PASOK has panicked knowing the extent of the corruption and what the consequences will be if it is revealed, stated Mr. Spiliotopoulos.

A scientific committee has been formed in the Ministry of Defense to reform the legislative framework concerning the armed forces supplies. The committee will submit its proposals within two months.

[04] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN RESPONSE TO GIORGOS PAPANDREOU

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos was called to comment on the statement made by PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou, who allegedly has stated that Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis is offering land and water to the Turks.

Mr. Rousopoulos responded that the truth is that Mr. Karamanlis has not danced a zembekiko before his Turkish counterpart adding, Obviously, our views and approach in foreign policy are different.

[05] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO GREECE

Mr. Erdogan is a formal guest of the Greek government and therefore, he is welcomed and his visit displays the improvement in the Greek-Turkish relations and the mutual trust, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to a question regarding the tour of the Turkish Prime Minister to Thrace during his visit to Greece.

Mr. Erdogan has the right to meet with people sharing with them the same religion and this confirms the maturity of democracy in Greece, which faces such events without fear, worry and insecurity. Greece has nothing to hide and on the contrary, it wants to demonstrate the achievements in the region of Thrace where a model of an open democratic society has been built that respects equality of rights, equality before the law, human and minority rights. Mr. Rousopoulos stated that the insecurities of the past have been abandoned while at the same time consolidating relations that remove any form of distrust.

He said that based on the commitments undertaken by the party of New Democracy during the election campaign, Greece has a modern European minority policy and builds good relations of friendship and confidence with its neighboring countries. Within this framework, Thrace, as well as other regions, constitute firm bridges of friendship and cooperation with the neighboring countries, added Mr. Rousopoulos.

He also mentioned that on the last day of his visit to Greece, Mr. Erdogan will be accompanied by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis, while a formal dinner will be given in his honor.

[06] CHILEAN DELEGATION TO THE MINISTER OF DEFENSE

Greek Minister of Defense Spilios Spiliotopoulos met today with his counterpart from Chile Mrs. Micelle Bachelet Jeria and the Chilean ambassador to Athens.

Mr. Spiliotopoulos stated that they discussed issues of bilateral cooperation and reached an agreement of cooperation at a defense-technical level.

Mrs. Micelle Bachelet Jeria stated that an agreement was reached for the signing of a memorandum of understanding, adding that both sides will form committees to explore further ways of cooperation.

[07] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.40% at 2543.54 points, while the volume of transactions was at 140.2 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 74 had gains and 228 had losses, while the value of 81 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] KARAMANLIS-DE SOTO MEETING IN ATHENS TOMORROW

UN official Alvaro de Soto will meet with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis in Athens tomorrow.

Greek government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos reminded that the goal of the Greek government is the reunification of Cyprus through an agreed solution while, at the same time, it wants to keep international interest high and preserve the existing momentum for a solution that will offer a sense of security to all Cypriots.

[09] CONTACTS OF THE PRESIDENT OF SAE IN ATHENS

Council for Greeks Abroad, SAE, President Andrew Athens met today with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis, responsible for issues concerning the Greeks living abroad.

After the meeting, Mr. Skandalakis stated that SAE and the General Secretariat for Greeks abroad will be upgraded based on the commitments the government had undertaken during its election campaign. An emphasis will be given on issues of education and culture as well as, the further development of SAE and its Medical Centers in countries of the former Soviet Union and Albania.

On his part, Mr. Athens assured that the world organization will work in concert with the new government promoting ideas and proposals to materialize the goals set.

Mr. Athens also met with Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas and discussed issues concerning the cooperation between the ministry and SAE and specifically, the support of SAE's actions around the world as well as the cooperation of the ministry with Greek businessmen of the Diaspora.

[10] MOLIVIATIS' CONTACTS WITH THE AMBASSADORS OF US AND BRITAIN

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis met in Athens today with the ambassadors of US and Britain, Thomas Miller and David Madden respectfully.

Mr. Madden stated that its natural that Cyprus will become a full member of the European Union and expressed satisfaction concerning the regulation on the green line and the measures that will be adopted to benefit the Turkish Cypriots.

Foreign Minister Moliviatis briefed US ambassador Thomas Miller on the Greek government's stance regarding Turkey's European course.

In the afternoon, Mr. Moliviatis will have a farewell meeting with Alvaro de Soto on the occasion of the end of his role in the Cyprus issue after the referendums and Cyprus' accession into the European Union.

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