Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] RELATIONS OF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN THE BALKANS

[02] THE NEWLY ELECTED METROPOLITES TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT

[03] GARGANAS: NO TO AN INTEREST RATES' SETTLEMENT THAT WILL HURT THE

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] ROUSOPOULOS ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

[06] THE US AMBASSADOR MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER MOLIVIATIS

[01] RELATIONS OF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE IN THE BALKANS

The government makes every effort with boldness and determination to build relations of mutual confidence among the Balkan states and peoples, stressed Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis speaking in the 10th Thessaloniki Forum yesterday.

He called on the countries in the region to get rid of the unproductive nationalistic stubbornness, the sterile disputes, and the intolerance of the fanatics, open new avenues of cooperation, and move forward with a new pace, new perspective and new momentum.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the government plans to accelerate the implementation of the Greek Reconstruction Plan for the Balkans, which has made little progress even though it has been approved since 2002, while he characterized as a Balkan bid Thessaloniki's bid to host EXPO 2008.

He expressed support to Turkey's European prospect, while on Cyprus he said that Greece backs a mutually agreed upon operational and viable solution on the basis of the Annan Plan.

On the Olympic Games, he pointed out that the battle with time is being won and the preparation made ensures absolutely successful Olympics. He said that Greece has created a tight and faultless security network for all the sports missions and visitors to feel safe.

[02] THE NEWLY ELECTED METROPOLITES TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT

The four newly elected Metropolites of Thessaloniki, Eleftheroupolis, Kozani and Mesogea will be presented to Greek President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

The ceremony will take place in the Presidential Building in the presence of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All of Greece and Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou.

Meanwhile, no decision was reached in the Ecumenical Patriarchate Holy Synod meeting on the restoration of the Church of Greece Ecumenical Patriarchate relations, while the meeting of the Holy Synod of the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece on Friday is regarded as decisive for bilateral relations.

The only issue of discussion in the Church of Greece Holy Synod will be the peace plan of the Ministry of Education and the Archbishop will face the tendencies dominating in the Hierarchy of the Church of Greece.

[03] GARGANAS: NO TO AN INTEREST RATES' SETTLEMENT THAT WILL HURT THE CREDIBILITY OF THE BANKS

The Bank of Greece will not agree to legislative regulations on excessive interest rates that will be unbearable for the banks and hurt their credibility.

Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas made the statement before the Parliament's Finance Committee during the briefing on the 2004 fiscal report issued by the Bank of Greece.

Mr. Garganas stated, however, that the banks themselves have already erased many of the old loans and any regulations that may be adopted by the government will not have an effect on the banks.

He appeared optimistic on the course of the economy, stressing that this year it develops smoothly as well as on the course of unemployment, adding that the high growth rates in view of the Olympic Games will boost employment.

The Bank of Greece Governor expressed concern regarding the deficit increase pointing out that it has to be kept under the 3% mark.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1% at 2352.22 points, while the volume of transactions was at 119.4 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 193 had gains and 106 had losses, while the value of 86 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] ROUSOPOULOS ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

The Euro-elections' battle, just like any other election battle, is not a battle of impressions and it is not a show. It is a battle of substance, a battle of political controversy and positions, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos responding to a relevant question.

He reminded that the issue of the televised debate had been raised initially by New Democracy and reiterated that the government seeks a free and meaningful dialogue as opposed to PASOK.

Responding to a relevant question, Mr. Rousopoulos stressed that the Prime Minister is willing to participate in a discussion with the political party leaders, while regarding the Prime Minister's visits to different parts of the country in view of the Euro-elections, he said that the Prime Minister never stopped visiting the country, discussing with the people, listening to their problems and presenting his own views and therefore, he will continue touring Greece in view of the Euro-elections.

[06] THE US AMBASSADOR MET WITH FOREIGN MINISTER MOLIVIATIS

US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller met with Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis.

In statements he made afterwards, Mr. Miller pointed out that they examined the results of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis' visit to the United States. However, according to information, they also discussed the Cyprus issue and the issue of the Olympic Games' security.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell referred to the contacts Mr. Karamanlis had in Washington, as well as to the Cyprus issue speaking in the television network CNN. Mr. Powell stated that they had a good discussion with Mr. Karamanlis, adding that the US believes that a good opportunity was missed when the Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan Plan. The US Secretary of State stated characteristically we seek means for the promotion of the plan and examine ways to help the Turkish Cypriots.

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