Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-05-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS-ERDOGAN MEETING

[02] THE GREEK MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON FYROM'S EU ACCESSION APPLICATION

[03] THE ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE GREEK EMPLOYMENT MINISTER

[04] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[05] THOUSANDS OF APPEALS FOR THE RETURN OF REAL ESTATE TO THE RIGHFUL

[06] EUROSTAT: THE GREEK DEFICIT WAS AT 3.2% IN 2003

[07] YOUNG GREEKS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

[08] KARAMANLIS-ERDOGAN MESSAGE FOR STRONGER BILATERAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION

[09] FIRST VISIT OF A TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TO THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

[10] THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A CELEBRATION OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

[01] KARAMANLIS-ERDOGAN MEETING

The political will of the governments of Greece and Turkey will contribute to the solution of the problems in bilateral relations, stated the Prime Ministers of the two countries, Kostas Karamanlis and Recep Tayyip Erdogan respectively, after the formal talks they had in Athens this morning.

The talks were held in a very positive atmosphere a fact that was pointed out by both sides. Mr. Karamanlis stressed categorically that Greece supports Turkey's European prospect and Mr. Erdogan thanked for this support, pointing out that the rapprochement procedure between Athens and Ankara proceeds in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Erdogan stressed that he is happy because this is the first time since 1988 that a Turkish Prime Minister is on a formal visit to Greece.

Mr. Erdogan stated that the reopening of the Theology School of Halki is an issue that can be resolved very quickly, there is a political will on behalf of Turkey and it is an issue on the daily agenda. Responding to a question on the rocky islet of Imia that brought the two countries on the verge of war and other issues that cause tensions, Mr. Erdogan appeared determined not to allow them cast a shadow on the climate of rapprochement and cooperation.

Responding to the question on whether Turkey intends to lift the casus belli against Greece in case it proceeds with the expansion of the territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, he said that the technocrats examine the issue trying to find the right solution and believes that a solution will be found.

The reporters also asked on the likelihood for Greece and Turkey to reach a memorandum on the issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean and Mr. Karamanlis responded that the exploratory talks have been launched, continue and have not been completed yet and nobody can predict if they will be completed in the immediate future.

On Turkey's campaign in favor of the occupied part of Cyprus, Mr. Karamanlis stated that the issue has ended, as the whole of the island is a member of the European Union. He welcomed the initiatives of the Cyprus Republic for the support of the Turkish Cypriots and pointed out that the goal is the reunification of the island for all its residents to enjoy the benefits of the EU membership.

[02] THE GREEK MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON FYROM'S EU ACCESSION APPLICATION

Greek Minister of Agriculture Savvas Tsitouridis, who represented the Greek government in the ceremony on FYROM's side of the border during which the army handed over the guarding of the Doiran border station to the border police, welcomed the fact that FYROM has submitted a formal application for EU membership.

Mr. Tsitouridis stated that through the application the progress made toward the implementation of the Ochrid agreement is recognized.

The army handed over the guarding of the border station to the border police within the framework of the procedure aimed at meeting the European criteria on the guarding of the borders.

[03] THE ALBANIAN PRIME MINISTER MET WITH THE GREEK EMPLOYMENT MINISTER

Minister of Employment and Social Protection Panos Panagiotopoulos heading a delegation in which participated Deputy Minister Nikos Angelopoulos, responsible for social security issues, met with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, who was accompanied by a government delegation in which participated Minister of Finance Anastas Angeli. In the meeting, held within the framework of Mr. Nano's formal visit to Athens, they expressed good intention for a creative and fruitful cooperation.

The Albanian side raised issues concerning the social security and labor rights of its nationals working in Greece. According to the Ministry of Employment and Social Protection, the relevant procedures are underway aimed at intensifying bilateral dialogue after the end of the Athens Olympic Games for a mutually acceptable solution.

The talks were held in a cordial atmosphere and Minister of Employment and Social Protection Mr. Panagiotopoulos accepted the invitation issued by the Prime Minister of Albania to visit Tirana after the Olympics.

Mr. Panagiotopoulos made a special reference to the importance attributed by the Greek government to the absolute respect of the rights of the ethnic Greek minority living in Albania and its interest in the creation of infrastructures in the ethnic Greek minority regions aimed at creating more jobs.

[04] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -0.26% at 2486.3 points, while the volume of transactions was at 127.9 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 177 had gains and 118 had losses, while the value of 88 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] THOUSANDS OF APPEALS FOR THE RETURN OF REAL ESTATE TO THE RIGHFUL OWNERS

The people claiming their real estate that was confiscated or nationalized by former Communist regimes in the Balkans are estimated to correspond to 15% of the Balkan population and the value of the real estate they claim is estimated at 20% of the cost of all industrial buildings and companies in the region.

The above were stressed by Edo Pirkmajer, President of the Union Internationale de la Propriete Immobiliere, UIPI, a European association of real estate owners, within the framework of a press conference he gave in Thessaloniki on the occasion of the first Balkan Conference by the Greek Federation of Real Estate Owners at Thessaloniki's Commerce and Industry Chamber.

He stated characteristically that in Albania the ownership of property is forbidden and the issue of the return of real estate in the specific country concerns 100% of the real estate.

Thousands of appeals are waiting to be examined by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasburg. Specifically, the appeals pending against Romania are 3,635, against Croatia 747, Bulgaria 682, Slovenia 259, FYROM 134 and 24 against Albania, while Serbia has not ratified yet the protocol on the right to appeal in court.

The UIPI intends to assist in every way the responsible organizations in the Balkans to coordinate their efforts at national, Balkan and international level.

[06] EUROSTAT: THE GREEK DEFICIT WAS AT 3.2% IN 2003

Greece's fiscal deficit in 2003 was at 3.2% of the GDP, while public debt reached 103%, according to the EU statistics agency, Eurostat.

In the statement issued by Eurostat in Brussels, it is pointed out that these are new figures submitted to the agency by the Greek government and confirmed by Eurostat, adding that they are the result of a partial revision of previous figures.

According to Eurostat, the previous figures submitted by the Greek authorities in early May 2004 mentioned that fiscal deficit in 2003 was at 1.7% of the GDP and the debt was at 102.4%.

[07] YOUNG GREEKS HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Optimistic and, at the same time, concerned appear to be the young Greeks regarding the Olympic Games in Athens.

However, the positive views outmatch the negative ones, while more optimistic on the positive results of the Games and less concerned about the negatives are those who are well informed.

The above will be presented within the framework of the International Scientific Conference on the 2004 Olympic Games and the International Mass Media organized in Thessaloniki by Thessaloniki's Aristotle University Journalism Department, co-organized by MPA, and in cooperation with the European Parliament (Athens office).

[08] KARAMANLIS-ERDOGAN MESSAGE FOR STRONGER BILATERAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION

The view that the business world in the new era can be the forerunner of diplomacy and open roads for a better future to benefit the people, was expressed by Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, addressing the economic forum of Greek and Turkish businessmen in Athens.

Mr. Karamanlis reiterated Greece's support to Turkey's European prospect and stressed that Greece watches with great interest the reform in the economic system of the neighboring country.

On his part, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that if his country receives a date for the opening of the accession negotiations with the EU by the end of 2004 it will be good for Greece and Turkey and will become a model for the rest of the world.

On the bilateral economic cooperation, the Greek Prime Minister referred to the development of bilateral relations in the sectors of commerce, business activities, energy, transportations and tourism, while he underlined that there is a lot of room for business cooperation in the sectors of oil transportation, constructions, shipping and banking system.

Mr. Karamanlis also asked for the support of Turkey to the efforts by Thessaloniki to host EXPO 2008.

The Turkish Prime Minister stated that the goal is to triple the size of the Greek-Turkish trade transactions.

Both Mr. Karamanlis and Mr. Erdogan underlined the need to further strengthen business and economic cooperation.

[09] FIRST VISIT OF A TURKISH PRIME MINISTER TO THE GREEK PARLIAMENT

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the first Turkish Prime Minister to visit the Greek Parliament.

Parliament President Mrs. Anna Psarouda Benaki received Mr. Erdogan and in statements he made after the meeting, he stressed that his visit to the Greek Parliament is placed within the framework of the talks he has in Greece aimed at improving the course of the Greek-Turkish relations.

The Turkish Prime Minister also suggested the establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship Committee and expressed the wish that the representatives of the two Parliaments will have the opportunity to offer more for the development of bilateral relations.

Mrs. Benaki accepted the invitation conveyed to her by Mr. Erdogan and issued by her Turkish counterpart to visit Turkey, while she assured that the Greek Parliament will contribute to the improvement of bilateral relations.

Mrs. Benaki stated that in the meeting with Mr. Erdogan they discussed, among others, issues concerning the environment, drug trafficking and illegal immigration.

[10] THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE A CELEBRATION OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

Greece reflects confidence regarding the safety of the Olympic Games, stressed Deputy Minister of Defense Vasilis Michaloliakos in a press conference in Washington after the 11th Conference of the Greek-US High Level Advisory Committee.

Mr. Michaloliakos stated that Greece firmly believes that the Olympic Games will be a celebration of peace and sports and a triumph of Democracy and freedom over terrorism. He stressed that Greece cooperates with seven countries to ensure the safety of the games.

On the Naval Deterrence Training Center in Crete, he said that the government wants its establishment and Turkey is the only NATO member that raises objections.

He stated that in the conference it was established that the Greek-US bilateral relations are at a very good level in the sector of defense but there is room for further improvement.

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