Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

[02] THE DEFENSE MINISTER ON HIS MEETING WITH HIS US COUNTERPART

[03] KARAMANLIS TO MEET WITH SIOUFAS AND ALOGOSKOUFIS

[01] KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE MINISTERS OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

The current economic issues and the operation of the Easter market dominated in the agenda of the separate meetings Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had today with Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas.

The head of the government's economic staff did not make any statements after the meeting.

On his part, Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas clarified that he briefed the Prime Minister on the operation of the market during the Easter holidays and the structural changes that are imminent on issues under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Development.

[02] THE DEFENSE MINISTER ON HIS MEETING WITH HIS US COUNTERPART

The Greek Minister of Defense characterized as very useful and interesting the recent meeting with his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld in Washington and pointed out that they reconfirmed the strong friendly bilateral relations and the prospects for a strategic cooperation in the region.

On his part, the US Secretary of Defense stressed that they discussed a large number of issues and activities in which the two countries are involved within the framework of the various allied actions.

[03] KARAMANLIS TO MEET WITH SIOUFAS AND ALOGOSKOUFIS

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will have separate meetings today with Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis and Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas to discuss issues under their jurisdiction.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister speaking in the meeting of the International Democratic Union (IDU) Executive Committee meeting characterized this year as very crucial for western Balkans, pointing out that Greece supports the European prospect of the region's countries and the participation of political parties in organizations such as the International Democratic Union to the degree there is respect to the European principles and standards.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that the people's desire for change, the victory of Democracy and the lessons taught by past experience should be and will be the best weapons in the battle against prejudice, blind fanaticism and extreme beliefs.

The Prime Minister pointed out that international cooperation is necessary to combat terrorism, which he characterized as a major plague. Mr. Karamanlis stated that terrorism and organized crime have a global field of action, which makes cooperation at international level imperative in order to deal with it in a coordinated and effective manner.

He also referred to Western Balkans pointing out the need to be transformed from a field of nationalist tensions and unrest to a contemporary European neighborhood.

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