Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-09-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] NEW DEMOCRACY IS LEADING PASOK BY 4.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS

[02] THE US THANKED GREECE FOR THE AID OFFERED

[03] DISCREET SECURITY MEASURES

[04] THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS ATHENS

[05] THE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS NEO-NAZI EVENT

[06] A TOTAL OF 1,070 EXHIBITORS IN THE 70TH THESSALONIKI ITF

[07] TURKISH TYCOON BACKS THE PROMOTION OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

[01] NEW DEMOCRACY IS LEADING PASOK BY 4.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS

Ruling party of New Democracy enjoys a steady lead of 4.1 percentage points over main opposition Socialist Party PASOK, according to an opinion poll conducted by OPINION polling company on behalf of Athens television channel MEGA aired last night.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is regarded as most fit for the post by 33% of those who responded to the questionnaire compared to PASOK President Giorgos Papandreou who got 18%.

Specifically, 30.4% responded that they intend to vote for New Democracy compared to PASOK with 26.3%, the Communist Party 7.9%, Coalition Party 3.5% and LAOS 2.3%.

The opinion of the people on the state of the Greek economy is impressive as 49% regard it as very bad and 34% as rather bad.

[02] THE US THANKED GREECE FOR THE AID OFFERED

A total of 71 people were killed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans according to the available figures, while the overall number of fatalities in all the regions hit rose to 230.

The death toll is regarded as very temporary because authorities believe that the victims will reach the thousands.

In the state of Mississippi there are 152 confirmed deaths while in Florida which was hit by Katrina on August 25 a total of 7 people lost their lives.

Washington thanked Greece for the aid offered to the hurricane victims.

No unpleasant incident has been reported among the Greeks living in the affected by the hurricane US area, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stilianidis.

[03] DISCREET SECURITY MEASURES

All measures will be taken so that life in the city will not be upset, stated Minister of Public Order Giorgos Voulgarakis responding to a question by reporters on this year's demonstrations scheduled to take place during Thessaloniki's International Trade Fair.

The aim is for everybody to be able to demonstrate freely in discreet and safe conditions, stated Mr. Voulgarakis, expressing the hope that the whole process will not be harmful to the city.

The Greek General Confederation of Labor Unions, GSEE, will hold a protest rally in Thessaloniki on Saturday, September 10.

[04] THE ITALIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS ATHENS

Italy agrees with the draft response prepared by the British EU Presidency after the unilateral statement by Turkey on the non recognition of the Cypriot Republic. According to Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, who is on a formal visit to Athens, Italy believes that it would be a mistake to set additional conditions for the opening of Ankara's EU accession negotiations. However, he called on Turkey to proceed with the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Last December, the European Council came to the conclusion that Turkey had met all terms set, stated Mr. Fini, after the meeting he had with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. He clarified however, that Turkey should remember that there are issues that it cannot continuously leave for the future. The Italian Foreign Minister congratulated the Greek government for the prudent, brilliant, correct and very brave position it has adopted with regard to the opening of Turkey's EU accession negotiations and expressed the hope that Ankara's negotiations with the EU will be launched on October 3 as scheduled, pointing out that during the long time that they will last Ankara will have to solve the pending major issues like the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the situation in the Balkans, Mr. Fini stated that it remains vague pointing out, however, that significant steps have been made and initiatives have been undertaken by Rome and Athens aimed at bringing the region's countries closer to Europe.

Mr. Fini also referred to the excellent bilateral relations and specifically, to the high level of economic and trade transactions between the two countries. He stressed that one of the reasons Italy is interested in strengthening these relations with Greece is the fact that Greece's image internationally has become impeccable after hosting last year's Olympic Games so successfully.

Regarding the issue of illegal immigration, Mr. Fini stated that it is an issue of great importance for both countries which are the Europeans on the borders and have every reason to want to turn the EU attention toward the Mediterranean. He congratulated the Greek authorities for the excellent cooperation with the responsible Italian authorities in the efforts made to face the illegal immigration wave. If we want to combat terrorism we must avoid the confrontation between religions and civilizations at any cost, clarified Mr. Fini.

On his part, Mr. Molyviatis expressed satisfaction for the results of the meeting and referred to the excellent atmosphere in bilateral relations. He stated that they discussed issues concerning the EU enlargement, its fiscal prospects and Turkey's EU accession course while it was confirmed that the two countries share the same views on many issues. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East and southeast Europe in general. Mr. Molyviatis reiterated the need to work together for peace, democracy and stability in the region, adding that the catalyst to achieve all that is no other than the European prospect of all our neighbors.

Earlier, Mr. Fini had separate meetings with Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

[05] THE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNS NEO-NAZI EVENT

Government spokesman Thodoris Rousopoulos referred to the neo-Nazi event allegedly planned to take place in Greece, pointing out that such information has not been confirmed.

Mr. Rousopoulos made the statement on the occasion of relevant press reports on domestic and foreign mass media and stressed that the government condemns such events that foster racist phenomena. He also pointed out that the official Greek authorities have received no request to allow such an event to take place.

He also pointed out that all measures provided by the Constitution and law and order will be taken, clarifying that such events should not be allowed to take place and stressing that the Constitution is clear on the issue.

Responding to the question if a mechanism will be activated to avert the event, Mr. Rousopoulos responded positively, pointing out that this will happen if it is deemed necessary and in a way provided by the Constitution and the laws.

[06] A TOTAL OF 1,070 EXHIBITORS IN THE 70TH THESSALONIKI ITF

Tangible results in the fields of trade and business cooperation are being sought by the 70th International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki to be inaugurated on Friday, September 9 by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Music concerts, art exhibitions and fashion shows will take place on the grounds of the ITF and the public will be able to enjoy all scheduled events with a ticket of 5 euros in an effort by the organizer HELEXPO to come closer to the people.

The flagship of the ITF's social-cultural side will be 6 special presentations, while the products-services presented by the 1,070 exhibitors on the grounds of the ITF, covering a total of 44,000 square meters also have a special interest.

HELEXPO Ltd President Aristotelis Thomopoulos stressed in a press conference today that HELEXPO inaugurates its new strategic planning with an emphasis on the business field. Specifically, the ITF 1st International Business Conference (September 14-16), the new exhibition presentation Global Exchange, the Expopartenariat (scheduled business meetings) and the BOSS European program with the participation of 350 businessmen from the EU are the main events toward this direction.

The renovated grounds of the HELEXPO will host 833 direct and 237 indirect exhibitors, while foreign exhibitors will represent 28 countries compared to 20 last year.

The official state participations increased to 21 from 13 last year (Egypt, Armenia, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, Germany, United States, Japan, Italy, Israel, India, Indonesia, Cyprus, Hungary, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Slovakia, Syria and Turkey).

[07] TURKISH TYCOON BACKS THE PROMOTION OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

The presence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul must be used for the benefit of Turkey maintained Turkish tycoon Rahmi Koc on the occasion of the recent presentation of the restoration works in the St. Nikolaos church in Umre, Antalya, expressing the belief that the Patriarchate enjoys a worldwide prestige equal to that enjoyed by the Vatican and the Pope.

Mr. Koc pointed out the global effect in case Patriarch Bartholomew officiated in the St. Nikolaos church after the restoration works are completed.

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