Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-05-04

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] METROPOLITE OF EFESOS: WE LEAVE SATISFIED

[02] THE SCHEDULE OF THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO GREECE

[03] TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON

[04] ALEKA PAPARIGA MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION

[05] THE PRESIDENT OF MOLDAVIA VISITS MOUNT ATHOS

[06] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE COALITION OF THE

[07] PAPANDREOU'S CONTACTS ON THE CHURCH ISSUE, THE ERDOGAN VISIT AND

[08] LUXURIOUS FLOATING SUITES FOR THE OLYMPICS

[09] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[10] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE DEPUTY FOREIGN

[11] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER

[12] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER VISITS THE UNITED STATES

[01] METROPOLITE OF EFESOS: WE LEAVE SATISFIED

Metropolite Chisostomos of Efesos stated that the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation leaves satisfied after the meeting it had with Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou.

The Metropolite of Efesos stated that the meeting was fruitful and pointed out that himself and Metropolites Ioannis of Pergamos, Meliton of Philadelphia and Emmanuel of France discussed all aspects of the problem between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece with the Minister of Education. He also appeared satisfied with Mrs. Giannakou's decision to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate's seat at Fener shortly.

Metropolite Chrisostomos stated that there was agreement that a solution should be found to ease the crisis, adding that this is the wish of the Patriarchate as well.

The Metropolite did not make clarifications on the details that were examined during the meeting and stated that the Ecumenical Patriarch was emotionally charged and stressed when he announced the decision of the Patriarchate.

Asked to comment on the stance of the Greek government, he stated that common sense shows what the government can do and what it cannot.

Earlier, the four hierarchs had a meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Takis Skandalakis.

[02] THE SCHEDULE OF THE TURKISH PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO GREECE

The office of the Greek Prime Minister gave to publicity the schedule of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visit to Greece on May 6,7 and 8.

Mr. Erdogan will have meetings with President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki.

The two Prime Ministers will discuss bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues.

On May 8, Mr. Erdogan will be on a private visit to the city of Komotini in Thrace, northeastern Greece.

A business delegation and members of the Turkish media will accompany Mr. Erdogan. A meeting of the Greek-Turkish Business Council will be held on the occasion of his visit to Athens.

[03] TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON

The phenomenon of the total eclipse of the Moon will be visible from Greece at 8:50pm this evening (Greek time).

It is a rare phenomenon that happens only when it is Full Moon and if the Moon is covered by the Earth's shadow.

[04] ALEKA PAPARIGA MET WITH THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION

The crisis in the Ecumenical Patriarchate relations with the Church of Greece could be dealt with in a better way if the State-Church separation was in effect, stated Greek Communist Party general secretary Mrs. Aleka Papariga after the meeting she had today with the four Metropolites making up the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation.

Mrs. Papariga expressed the wish that the dispute between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Greece will not divide the Greek people, adding that the political parties should be very careful to avoid contributing to such a division.

[05] THE PRESIDENT OF MOLDAVIA VISITS MOUNT ATHOS

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis welcomed Moldavia's President Vladimir Voronin, who arrived at Thessaloniki's Macedonia International Airport today. The Moldavian President is in Greece on an unofficial trip for a two-day private visit to the monastic community of Mount Athos in Chalkidiki, northern Greece, heading a small delegation.

In the ceremonial meeting held at the airport's VIP section, Mr. Voronin and Mr. Tsiartsionis referred to the very good bilateral relations, stressing that relations can improve further at a political, economic and business level.

They also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and issues concerning the wider region of southeastern Europe.

The President of Moldavia expressed a special interest in the Olympic Games and stressed that, being a football fan, he knows that the football qualifiers for the Olympic teams will take place in Thessaloniki expressing his intention to watch them.

Mr. Tsiartsionis briefed the Moldavian President on Thessaloniki's bid to host the International Exhibition EXPO 2008 and underlined Greece's interest in the European prospect of the southeastern European countries.

The Moldavian President also told reporters that his private visit to Greece coincides with the 500th anniversary of the death of the founder of Moldavia, Stefan the Great, who had close relations with Mount Athos and made many donations to its monasteries every time they needed support.

[06] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE COALITION OF THE LEFT PRESIDENT

The Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation made up of four Metropolites met in Athens today with Coalition of the Left President Nikos Konstantopoulos.

The delegation pointed out that the Coalition of the Left showed understanding and expressed the hope that the issue that has arisen between the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece will be resolved.

On his part, Mr. Konstantopoulos characterized as meaningful and cordial the meeting he had with the Metropolites and reiterated his party's position supporting the separation of the roles of the State and the Church.

[07] PAPANDREOU'S CONTACTS ON THE CHURCH ISSUE, THE ERDOGAN VISIT AND EURO-ELECTIONS

The Church issue, the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Greece and the current political developments were the main issues of discussion in the meetings PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou had with his party's coordinators and parliament deputies today.

According to information, a special reference was made to Mr. Erdogan's visit to Thrace, northeastern Greece, while it was pointed out that the political framework of the visit is not clear. Also, it was stressed that the issue of the Muslim minority in Thrace was never a bilateral issue between Greece and Turkey.

On the Euro-elections, Mr. Papandreou outlined the party strategy calling on the people to contribute to this new effort.

Meanwhile, it was announced that Mr. Papandreou will finally meet with Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece on Monday morning.

[08] LUXURIOUS FLOATING SUITES FOR THE OLYMPICS

Foreign businessmen have rented luxury yachts instead of staying in hotel suites during the Olympic Games in Athens because this way they will have the opportunity to visit the islands of the Aegean Sea.

Such yachts cost from 8,000 to 110,000 euros a day according to their size. About 90% of those who can afford such a luxury are Americans, while the Russian market is also on the rise.

[09] SMALL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Small losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.19% at 2540.06 points, while the volume of transactions was 125 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 83 had gains and 220 had losses, while the value of 80 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis, responsible for issues concerning the Greeks abroad, met in Athens today with the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation.

The delegation presented the views of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on the dispute with the Church of Greece.

Also, they discussed issues concerning the Council for Greeks Abroad, SAE, the Mount Athos administration regulation as well as, the problems faced by the Greeks in Istanbul regarding the Greek-speaking education and the Ecclesiastical Schools.

The Deputy Foreign Minister also attended the meeting the Prime Minister had with the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation.

[11] THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE DELEGATION MET WITH THE PRIME MINISTER

Metropolite Chrisostomos of Efesos stated that Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis appeared to understand the stance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

In statements he made after the meeting of the Ecumenical Patriarchate delegation with the Prime Minister, the Metropolite of Efesos said that the meeting was held based on the orders the delegation had and there was an exchange of views. He added that the Prime Minister expressed understanding at least toward the concerns of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The Metropolite of Efesos also stated that it was a very useful cooperation, adding that the Prime Minister told the delegation that he respects the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

On the visit of the Minister of Education to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Metropolite of Efesos stated that it is an issue that concerns the Greek government.

[12] THE GREEK MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER VISITS THE UNITED STATES

Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis, who is on a visit to the United States since Sunday, meets today with Archbishop Dimitrios of America and the Mayor of New York.

Mr. Voulgarakis will be in Washington this evening for contacts with US administration officials. The main issues of discussion will be bilateral cooperation against organized crime, Olympic Games' security and regional cooperation in southeastern Europe.

Mr. Voulgarakis will return to New York on Friday to attend a meeting of Greek-Americans.

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