Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-06-15

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] TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS

[02] CHANGES IN SOCIAL SECURITY

[03] THE UN MISSION RENEWED IN CYPRUS

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION AND THE BARROSO

[01] TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in the meeting he had with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis and Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis discussed the Greek position on the issues concerning the enlargement and budget to be examined in the EU Summit meeting in Brussels on June 16-17.

Mr. Molyviatis stated that the Council will be a difficult one because the budget becomes smaller while the number of those who claim a share increases.

Mr. Alogoskoufis said that the negotiation will be a difficult one and the uncertainties are great.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso suggested the suspension of the European Constitution ratification process.

[02] CHANGES IN SOCIAL SECURITY

The bank employees' strike continues for a seventh day today as the governmental committee reached a decision yesterday on the bank social security issue that was rejected by the bank employees.

Minister of Finance Giorgos Alogoskoufis assured that no social security rights will be affected while the state will not undertake the cost.

Main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK Political Council Employment, Social Policy and Health Sector head Evangelos Venizelos stated that the government reforms are a monument of sloppiness and thoughtlessness.

The reforms are anti-labor and adjusted to the bank interests while they gradually lead to the decrease of the social security contributions paid by the banks, stated the Communist Party.

The Greek General Confederation of Labor Unions characterized the reforms as a monument of sloppiness and announced a three-hour work stoppage tomorrow.

According to the biannual opinion poll conducted by the polling company MRB, 73.8% of the people believe that reforms are necessary in the social security system. Also, 23.8% agree with the government's moves, 21.2% back the positions of the Greek General Confederation of Labor Unions and 15.9% support the stance of the opposition.

[03] THE UN MISSION RENEWED IN CYPRUS

The UN Security Council is expected to adopt at 10:15 pm (Cyprus time) this evening the UN Secretary-General report on the renewal of the UN peacekeeping mission in Cyprus for another six months namely, until December 15, 2005.

The mission is expected to be renewed unanimously, while certain of the UN Security Council members are likely to take the stand and express the reasons for their decision.

In the final draft resolution that is going to be adopted by the UN Security Council, all UN resolutions on Cyprus are being confirmed.

[04] THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION AND THE BARROSO STATEMENT

The Greek position on the ratification of the European Constitution is known. The process must continue, stated government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos adding that given the fact that there have been two negative referendums there should be further consideration and the messages should be analyzed.

Asked to comment on the statement by European Commission President Mr. Barroso that the European Constitution ratification process must stop, Mr. Rousopoulos responded that the European Commission President has his own opinion and it is respected.    

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