Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-01-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESSURES WITHOUT SANCTIONS

[02] PRESENT IN POLITICS BUT NOT AS A POLITICAL PARTY LEADER

[03] THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER DRAFT LAW TO BE VOTED IN PARLIAMENT TOMORROW

[04] THE REDUCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT IS A NATIONAL GOAL

[05] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE "GRAY ZONES" IN THE AEGEAN

[06] ANTONAROS ON THE GREEK MILITARY PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN

[07] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE FARMERS' MOBILIZATIONS

[08] ALOGOSKOUFIS: THE EU WANTS THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO BE STRICTLY OBSERVED

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

[10] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER MET WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

[01] PRESSURES WITHOUT SANCTIONS

The EU Finance Ministers Council, ECOFIN, expressed satisfaction for the Greek government's pledge to proceed with fiscal stabilization aimed at producing a balanced or surplus budget. The ECOFIN mentions that given the high deficit in 2004, deficit could continue to be high in 2005 as well. It also stresses that the measures taken by Greece aimed at cutting public deficit and bring it below 3% of the GDP are notable but not sufficient.

Greek Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis, expressed satisfaction for the fact that the EU Council of Financial and Monetary Affairs recognized the efforts made by the Greek government aimed at cutting deficit.

Mr. Alogoskoufis made the statement after the ECOFIN meeting, which adopted the European Commission proposal and called on Athens to speed up the efforts aimed at cutting Greece's fiscal deficit to achieve fiscal balance.

The EU recognizes the significant efforts made by Greece but they should intensify because they are not sufficient, stated European Commissioner Mr. Almunia.

[02] PRESENT IN POLITICS BUT NOT AS A POLITICAL PARTY LEADER

Former Prime Minister Kostas Simitis stated that he is present in politics stressing, however, that he does not intend to be a candidate again for the leadership of the Socialist Party of PASOK.

In a talk-show, aired on the Athens television channel MEGA yesterday, Mr. Simitis referred to his government work during the 8 years he was in office and stressed that he set the country on a course, while he characterized Greece's accession into the EMU, Cyprus' accession into the EU, the Athens Olympic Games and the major public works as milestone events.

Mr. Simitis characterized as a weakness the fact that Egnatia Odos national motorway was not completed and that no additional personnel was appointed in hospitals attributing them to the lack of funds.

He clarified that he did not become a Prime Minister for the sake of power but in order to do things for Greece because a lot were not going well after 1960 and the dictatorship.

[03] THE MAJORITY SHAREHOLDER DRAFT LAW TO BE VOTED IN PARLIAMENT TOMORROW

The draft law on the majority shareholder is likely to be voted in Parliament tomorrow, while the debate on the issue continues for a second day today.

During the first day of the debate yesterday, the representatives of the government defended the compatibility of the draft law with the European legislation and stated that the government's pledges aimed at combating corruption will materialize.

Minister of Interior Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos stressed that combating corruption is a matter concerning the quality of Democracy, while Minister of State Thodoris Rousopoulos pointed out that by the summer the government will present a draft law concerning the mass media.

Main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK deputies Evangelos Venizelos and Tilemachos Hitiris accused the government of opening a front with the EU and attempting to control the mass media financially.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party and Coalition launched an attack on the two major political parties for the policy they follow on issues of transparency in public life.

[04] THE REDUCTION OF UNEMPLOYMENT IS A NATIONAL GOAL

The reduction of unemployment in 2005 is a national and social goal and constitutes a top priority for the government.

This was the direction set by Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis in the meeting he had today with the leadership of the Ministry of Employment.

Minister of Employment Panos Panagiotopoulos stated after the meeting that the ministry will intensify its actions aimed at promoting employment and the goal is to benefit a total of 65,000 unemployed in 2005.

He also pledged that by the end of the year, the waiting period for the approval of new pensions will be cut down to a month.

[05] THE GREEK GOVERNMENT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE "GRAY ZONES" IN THE AEGEAN

The Greek government, the Greek state, the Greek political parties do not recognize gray zones. Greece's sovereign rights in the Aegean, and everywhere else they exist, are non-negotiable, stressed acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros. He made the statement in response to a question regarding Ankara's effort to raise an issue of gray zones in the Aegean.

Regarding the state of the Greek-Turkish relations after the last European Council decision on Ankara's European prospect, Mr. Antonaros pointed out that the Greek-Turkish relations are being characterized by an exchange of views, good neighborly relations the two countries must have and by the cooperation that exists in many levels, among them, the diplomatic level.

Responding to a remark by a reporter according to which, Turkey is out on a walk in the Aegean, Mr. Antonaros reacted by saying that nothing like that is happening and pointed out that every time Ankara has attempted to target zones or spheres of Greek sovereign rights it was forced to lay off.

The Greek armed forces and the Greek state defend the Greek sovereign rights to the fullest and make it clear that they will accept absolutely no reduction to the Greek sovereign rights, underlined Mr. Antonaros.

Mr. Antonaros also stated that he is not aware whether Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone communication yesterday with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.

[06] ANTONAROS ON THE GREEK MILITARY PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN

Greece cooperates with the United Nations in their mission aimed at the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan, stated acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros. He added that Greece's contribution is within this framework and if there is a request to increase its presence there it will be considered.

Mr. Antonaros made the statement when asked by a reporter if the Greek presence in Afghanistan is likely to be increased.

[07] THE ACTING GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE FARMERS' MOBILIZATIONS

The government has entered a dialogue with the farmers, which is in effect. The goal to be met through the scheduled meetings is to satisfy the farmers and restore calm in rural regions.

Acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros made the statement mentioned above during the scheduled press briefing when he was called to comment on the farmers' mobilizations.

[08] ALOGOSKOUFIS: THE EU WANTS THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO BE STRICTLY OBSERVED

Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis stated in a press conference today, held to brief the press representatives on the ECOFIN Council meeting results, that the European Commission will suggest to Greece the strict implementation of the 2005 budget in the recommendations it will direct to Athens within a month.

Mr. Alogoskoufis admitted that Greece's fiscal situation is difficult and much worse than what the Greek economy can withstand, stressing at the same time that the effort will not burden the Greek people and will not include excessive loaning.

The Minister of Finance assured that the government efforts will focus on spending cuts. He said that the wide public sector needs reform, pointing out that the budget problems are, among others, the result of hidden public sector debts.

Regarding the revision of the Stability Pact, Mr. Alogoskoufis underlined that it will be limited and will not affect the set goals, namely keeping the deficit below 3% and the debt under 60% of the GDP.

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +1.64% at 2879.18 points, while the volume of transactions was relatively small at 173,4 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 156 had gains and 127 had losses, while the value of 138 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC ORDER MET WITH THE BRITISH AMBASSADOR

Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis met with British ambassador to Athens Simon Gass on the occasion of his recent appointment to the post.

They discussed issues of bilateral interest and specifically, the Greek-British cooperation in the efforts to combat international terrorism, illegal immigration, human trafficking and organized crime in view of the British EU Presidency in July 2005.

The Greek Minister of Public Order briefed the British ambassador on the course of the investigation concerning the murder of special guard Charalambos Amanatidis. They also discussed issues concerning the postponed visit of Mr. Voulgarakis to Britain to be held at a time to be decided in the future.

Both sides expressed the wish for excellent and productive cooperation and Mr. Voulgarakis wished to the British ambassador a good and creative stay in Greece.

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