Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-05-25

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] EXPULSION WITHOUT RESIGNATION

[02] GREECE BIDS FAREWELL TO HARILAOS FLORAKIS

[03] KARAMANLIS-PAPOULIAS MEETING

[04] GIORGOS PAPANDREOU IS THE NEW VICE-PRESIDENT OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

[05] MEETING IN THRACE ON THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

[06] KOUMOUTSAKOS ON THE ISSUE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

[07] TURKISH COASTGUARD VESSEL IN THE REGION OF IMIA

[08] MARATHON RUNNER MICHALIS KOUSIS DIED

[01] EXPULSION WITHOUT RESIGNATION

The Pan-Orthodox Synod in the Fener, Istanbul decided to remove the name of Patriarch Irenaeus of Jerusalem from the diptychs of the Christian Orthodox Church.

The only negative vote came from the Patriarchate of Georgia while the Patriarchates of Antioch and Poland abstained.

The decision opens the succession procedures as it authorizes the three-member committee heading the synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to proceed with the appointment of a vicar and the election of a new Patriarch. Metropolitan Bishop Vasilios of Ceasaria stated that this will be done immediately.

A letter from the Palestinian Authority prime minister's office was read in the Synod stressing that the Palestinian Authority respects any official and legal decision made by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the leadership of the Christian Orthodox Churches.

When asked if a schism is likely Patriarch Irenaeus responded, ask them, referring to the Patriarchs.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew announced the Pan-Orthodox Synod decision and stated that Patriarch Irenaeus was called to resign as an act of sacrifice for peace to return to the Church.

The Ecumenical Patriarch added that Patriarch Irenaeus refused and the Pan-Orthodox Synod decided to remove his name from the Christian Orthodox diptychs.

[02] GREECE BIDS FAREWELL TO HARILAOS FLORAKIS

Greece says the last goodbye to Harilaos Florakis today, the historical leader of the Greek Communist Party.

The funeral service will take place at the Communist Party offices in Perissos, Athens at 6pm, while his body will continue to lie in state until 2pm today.

A large number of people gathered yesterday outside the Communist Party headquarters to pay their last respects to the Communist Party honorary president.

Harilaos Florakis will be buried in his village, Paleozoglopi, in the municipality of Itamos at the Agrafa Mountains in Thessaly, central Greece according to his last wish.

[03] KARAMANLIS-PAPOULIAS MEETING

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias and briefed him on the results of his recent trip to the United States and his meeting with US President George Bush.

The meeting with President Bush was held in a very good atmosphere, stated Mr. Karamanlis to reporters and pointed out that undeniably his trip was productive. With the US President they discussed issues of bilateral and international interest and they reconfirmed the excellent level of bilateral relations as well as their will to promote cooperation on issues of common interest. Peace, stability, security and democratization in SE Europe and the Middle East constitute a strategic priority.

Before visiting the President, Mr. Karamanlis had a meeting at his office with Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda.

[04] GIORGOS PAPANDREOU IS THE NEW VICE-PRESIDENT OF SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL

Main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou was elected to the post of the vice-president of Socialist International after the completion of the organization's council proceedings in Ramallah.

Responding to a question on peace in the Middle East, Mr. Papandreou stated that Greece can always play an important role and the Socialists can play an even greater one considering the traditional relations they maintain and the initiatives they have undertaken on the Palestinian issue.

[05] MEETING IN THRACE ON THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

The technical details and the characteristics of the region, where the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline construction site will be on Greek soil, were examined by the large committee of technocrats, Bulgarian and Russian company representatives and German specialists, who visited Alexandroupolis in Thrace, northeastern Greece, yesterday.

The committee of technocrats had contacts with the Prefect of Evros, the Mayor of Alexandroupolis and representatives of technical municipality and prefecture departments involved in the construction and operation of the oil pipeline.

[06] KOUMOUTSAKOS ON THE ISSUE OF THE PATRIARCHATE OF JERUSALEM

The immediate assumption of the historical responsibilities is imperative and in case the current sad situation drags on the blame for the consequences will be on those who, through their actions and omissions, did not rise to the occasion, stated Foreign Ministry spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos on the issue of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem after yesterday's decision by the Pan-Orthodox Synod in the Fener, Istanbul.

He added that the Greek government adopted a prudent stance, responsible and clear from the beginning and the Synod decision confirmed the correctness of the Greek stance, which remains unchanged.

[07] TURKISH COASTGUARD VESSEL IN THE REGION OF IMIA

A Turkish Coastguard vessel entered twice the Greek territorial waters in the region of Imia, southern Aegean, this morning.

There has been no engagement with a vessel of the Greek Coastguard or with fishing boats sailing in the region.

[08] MARATHON RUNNER MICHALIS KOUSIS DIED

Marathon runner Michalis Kousis died at the age of 52 from heart failure. He was one of the leading personalities in the Greek track and field and had won many medals.

He lived in Thessaloniki and he died while jogging.

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