Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] 2005 IS A YEAR OF CHANGES

[02] EXPLANATIONS BY THE METROPOLITAN BISHOPS OF PIRAEUS AND CORINTH

[03] INDICATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY

[04] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES

[05] MARKOYIANNAKIS: CONNECTIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE GREECE PROTECTED VAVILIS

[06] KARAMANLIS-ZAPATERO MEETING

[07] THE OIL PIPELINE PROJECT TO BE ANNOUNCED

[01] 2005 IS A YEAR OF CHANGES

Now is the time for changes and we cannot operate based on 70s decade rationale, stressed Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis addressing the ruling party of New Democracy Political Council.

Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that 2005 is a year of fundamental changes and reforms, while he reiterated that a policy of mild adjustment will be followed that won't put a burden on the weaker classes of society.

Furthermore, he stated that in the first year of its four-year term in power the government did well, while regarding New Democracy he underlined that it has to be an active party that will not be trailing behind developments.

On his part, New Democracy Central Committee secretary Vangelis Meimarakis pointed out the need to change mentality and added that the party supports the government choices.

[02] EXPLANATIONS BY THE METROPOLITAN BISHOPS OF PIRAEUS AND CORINTH

The Church of Greece Holy Synod asked for explanations by Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon of Corinth who is facing embezzlement charges and is also accused of avoiding audit inspection and by Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos of Piraeus who was accused by a holy chorister of lewd conduct thirteen years ago.

Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos stated that he will bring the case to the courts of justice stressing that he is the victim of a frame-up.

Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece called for management inspection in all Holy Metropolises of the Church of Greece.

Metropolitan Bishop Chrisostomos of Zakynthos is also likely to appear before the Holy Synod today to give explanations concerning the villa in the island of Patmos.

[03] INDICATIONS OF CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY

Archimandrite Iakovos Giosakis and justice court judge Evangelos Kalousis gave marathon statements before the Supreme Court yesterday.

The Archimandrite testified concerning his relations with court judges and Kalousis testified concerning illegal actions he has allegedly committed.

It appears that there are serious bribery indications against Kalousis especially after three money orders discovered in his bank account.

Meanwhile, drug dealer Giorgos Syntichakis, who is serving a life sentence, testified yesterday against former examiner Antonia Elia and well-known Athens lawyer Sakis Kechagioglou when his case was tried in the Court of Appeals accusing them of bribery.

[04] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES

The agenda of Greek Foreign Minister Petros Moliviatis includes important issues to be discussed during his visit to the United States.

During his contacts in the US State Department, Mr. Moliviatis will examine developments in the Balkans, the issue of the FYROM name, the Greek-Turkish issues and the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Moliviatis will meet with his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice on March 24 as well as with National Security Adviser Steven Hadley. On Monday, March 28 he will visit the UN headquarters in New York to visit with UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos stated that the talks launch a new close cooperation with the United States and it is an opportunity to form terms of strategic cooperation in a wide spectrum of issues.

[05] MARKOYIANNAKIS: CONNECTIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE GREECE PROTECTED VAVILIS

Deputy Minister of Public Order Christos Markoyiannakis stated that strange connections inside and outside Greece informed and protected the wanted by the police Apostolos Vavilis averting his arrest until now.

He also stressed that everything humanly possible is being done to arrest Vavilis, and he will be soon something that certain people wish not, and then the whole truth will be revealed.

Mr. Markoyiannakis stated referring to the activities of Apostolos Vavilis that it is very strange that even though court warrants were pending against him since 1997 there was a delay in being included in the wanted by the police list. As a result, he was able to move about freely, issue passports and enter transactions with the Ministry of Public Order.

[06] KARAMANLIS-ZAPATERO MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis had a meeting with his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid at noon today within the framework of the events of the International Conference on terrorism, democracy and security.

They discussed European Council issues and specifically, the Stability Pact issue, the management of the 4th Community Support Framework funds, the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation particularly, in the sector of illegal immigration, the situation in the Balkans as well as, issues of Greek-Spanish interest.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Karamanlis attended a luncheon at the Club de Madrid in the presence of the Spanish Royalty.

Mr. Karamanlis is scheduled to have meetings with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Prime Minister of Poland Marek Bnelka while later in the evening he will attend a formal dinner given by the Spanish government president in honor of the visiting state leaders.

[07] THE OIL PIPELINE PROJECT TO BE ANNOUNCED

Negotiations on the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline appear to be close to an agreement for three countries, Greece, Russia and Bulgaria.

Deputy Minister of Development Giorgos Salagoudis meets tomorrow with representatives of the Ministries of Energy of Russia and Bulgaria.

According to reliable diplomatic sources, the date for the signing of the agreement will be announced after the negotiations, held with the participation of the companies that will undertake the construction of the colossal project. The most likely date for the signing of the agreement is March 15 and the place will be Bulgarian capital, Sofia.

It is the second visit of Mr. Salagoudis to Moscow within a month and the third in the past six months.

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