Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-06-15

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] THE GOV'T SUBMITTED A NEW ANTI-TERRORIST LAW TO PARLIAMENT

[02] A MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN PARNASSOS - BOTH PILOTS ARE DEAD

[03] THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE ALBANIAN FINANCE MINISTER

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

[05] ROUSOPOULOS: MERCHANT MARINE IS A NATIONAL CAPITAL

[06] THE ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITED THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

[07] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

[08] CHANGES IN THE COALITION OF THE LEFT LEADERSHIP

[09] FLATTERING WORDS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES BY PRESIDENT CHIRAC

[01] THE GOV'T SUBMITTED A NEW ANTI-TERRORIST LAW TO PARLIAMENT

The new draft law on the European arrest warrant and the measures against terrorism was submitted to Parliament today by Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras, reflecting the international community cooperation in the effort to combat organized crime and terrorism.

The law, as a supplement to the previous one, incorporates the commitments undertaken by Greece toward the European community and according to the Justice Minister in three weeks it will be Greece's new anti-terrorist law that will shield the country in view of the Olympic Games.

For the first time, Europe gives a definition of terrorism underlining that it is any act that tends to terrorize the population and put at risk fundamental political, social and economic structures of the State.

The new law attempts to find a golden mean in coupling the fundamental values of freedom and security. Based on that, the leader of a terrorist group will be punished individually and with a bigger sentence than simple terrorist group members, while the terrorist group's economic sponsor will also be punished. Capital offences will be placed under the statute of Limitations after a period of 30 years instead of the 20year period that is in effect today.

On the European arrest warrant, the double jeopardy principle is in effect namely, actions will be persecuted both in Greece and in any other country requesting extradition of those responsible.

The Justice Minister clarified that regarding the extraditions to America bilateral agreements will continue to be in effect.

[02] A MILITARY AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN PARNASSOS - BOTH PILOTS ARE DEAD

A military aircraft disappeared from the radars at noon today during a training exercise.

A little later, Greek Air Force helicopters located parts of the plane in the region of Kelaria, Parnassos and according to initial information from the rescue crews both its pilots are dead.

The aircraft had taken off shortly after 4pm this afternoon from the Andravida Airport.

[03] THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE ALBANIAN FINANCE MINISTER

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis, responsible for International Economic Relations, met today with Albanian Minister of Finance Anastas Angjeli.

In the meeting, which was held in a cordial atmosphere, they discussed the Greek-Albanian relations and the promotion of a bilateral agreement on the protection, repatriation and reception of minors who are victims of illegal human trafficking.

Regarding the Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, they agreed to encourage private investments and proceed with the immediate implementation of major projects that will be promoted after meetings of committees of specialists from both sides to be held soon.

[04] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.76% at 2402.88 points, while the volume of transactions was at 108.3 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 125 had gains and 151 had losses, while the value of 110 stocks remained unchanged.

[05] ROUSOPOULOS: MERCHANT MARINE IS A NATIONAL CAPITAL

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis held meetings with the Ministers of Justice and Tourism today and afterwards, he presided over a Governmental Committee meeting on the problems and prospects of shipping.

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos stated that the Greek-flag merchant marine fleet includes a total of 3,400 ships corresponding to 16% of the ships worldwide and therefore, it continues to be a major shipping power internationally. He added that Greek shipping is a national capital, characterizing it as a dynamic and extrovert sector that offers jobs, brings in foreign exchange and constitutes a fundamental capital for a strong economy.

The goals of the government is a profit-making and competitive shipping sector, with a constantly increasing number of ships, meeting all security specifications and environmentally safe.

The government spokesman also mentioned that the Prime Minister will depart for Brussels tomorrow to attend the European People's Party Summit meeting and then the European Council Summit meeting.

[06] THE ESTONIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITED THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

Parliament President Anna Benaki Psarouda met Estonia's Foreign Minister Kristiina Ojuland today. The Estonian Foreign Minister congratulated the Parliament President for occupying such a high post and expressed the wish for further strengthening of Parliamentary relations between Estonia and Greece.

Mrs. Ojuland also expressed the belief that Greece will organize very good Olympic Games.

On her part, Mrs. Benaki stressed that Parliamentary contacts between the two countries will continue in the same good climate within the framework of the Parliamentary Committee of Friendship and assured Mrs. Ojuland that Greece will host successful and safe Olympic Games.

[07] THE GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE EURO-ELECTIONS

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos expressed again today the government's satisfaction regarding the Euro-election results, stating that the government is totally satisfied with the outcome.

Asked to comment on the fact that New Democracy has lost an estimated 750,000 voters compared to the state elections, he pointed out that the vote in the national elections is different from that of the Euro-elections. He stressed that the governing party has set three records, namely, it has increased its distance from the second party, received the largest vote percentage and won 11 seats, which is unprecedented in Greek Euro-elections.

[08] CHANGES IN THE COALITION OF THE LEFT LEADERSHIP

The decision by Nikos Konstantopoulos not to be a candidate for the Coalition of the Left leadership in the next party congress has opened a discussion within the party on the name of its new leader.

Based on a report on the Athens newspaper TA NEA, there are four leading Coalition of the Left members who will claim the party leadership namely, Alekos Alavanos, Michalis Papagiannakis, Fotis Kouvelis and Yiannis Dragasakis.

Alekos Alavanos was elected Euro-deputy in 1981 and represented his party in the European Parliament for a total of 22 years before returning to the central political scene to be elected to the state Parliament.

Michalis Papagiannakis was a Euro-deputy for 12 years and in 1993 he was a candidate for the Coalition of the Left leadership opposite to Nikos Konstantopoulos, Alekos Alavanos and Fotis Kouvelis.

Fotis Kouvelis is elected to the state Parliament with Coalition of the Left since 1989.

Yiannis Dragasakis is a Coalition of the Left Parliament deputy and a former Communist Party member. He was a candidate for the post of the Communist Party General Secretary but he lost to Aleka Papariga by four votes.

[09] FLATTERING WORDS ON THE OLYMPIC GAMES BY PRESIDENT CHIRAC

Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis met in Paris this morning with French President Jacques Chirac who will be in Athens in August to watch the Olympic Games.

President Chirac did not make any statements after the meeting with the Athens 2004 President but she conveyed to reporters the views of the French President. Mrs. Angelopoulou stated that Mr. Chirac referred to the Olympic Games with flattering words, expressed his admiration for the effort made by Greece internationally and congratulated the Greek authorities on the issue of security.

It is the second time Mrs. Angelopoulou meets with the French President as their first meeting took place in October 2002.

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