Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-09-29

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] NATIONAL INTEREST ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON

[02] HEPATITIS C IS ON THE RISE

[03] DRAFT LAW FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EUROPEAN COMPANY IN GREECE

[04] GREEK-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

[05] NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN POLICY MEETING

[06] SHENYANG DELEGATION VISITS THESSALONIKI'S KAFTANTZOGLIO STADIUM

[07] US UNDER SECRETARY KAREN HUGHES VISITS THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

[08] FIVE GREEK AMERICANS ON THE LIST WITH THE 400 RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE

[01] NATIONAL INTEREST ISSUES UNDER DISCUSSION IN THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN POLICY

Issues of national interest and the latest developments in Turkey's EU accession course will be discussed in detail in the National Council on Foreign Policy that meets today under the presidency of Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

Yesterday, the European Parliament plenary session sent a strong message to Turkey just a few days before the opening of Turkey's EU accession negotiations.

In a resolution adopted by the European Parliament it is mentioned that a precondition for Turkey to become a member of the EU will be to recognize the Armenian Genocide committed in 1915, while Turkey is also called to recognize the Republic of Cyprus as soon as possible.

It is underlined that in case this does not happen, the consequences on the negotiation process will be serious and could lead even to its interruption.

It is stressed that the opening of negotiations will be the starting point of a long process which by nature is open-ended and does not lead in advance and automatically to accession.

A special reference is made to the serious and persistent violation (in Turkey) of the principles of democracy, freedom, human rights, fundamental freedoms, minority rights and the state of law.

Specifically, a reference is made to the problems in the freedom of expression faced by author Orhan Pamuk. Regarding a very sensitive issue for Greece, concern is being expressed for the operation of religious minorities. The law on properties that belong to religious institutions (=Vakoufia) is mentioned as a characteristic example.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee postponed the vote for the expansion of Turkey's customs union with the European Union.

The postponement decision was reached by the European Parliament plenary session after a proposal by the leader of the Christian-Democrats according to which, Turkey is not committed that it will not proceed with the signing of the statement on the non recognition of Cyprus during the ratification of the Ankara Protocol by the Turkish National Assembly.

[02] HEPATITIS C IS ON THE RISE

The number of hepatitis C cases in Greece shows a progressive increase as a result of the arrival of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, according to figures presented by Thessaloniki's Papanikolaou Hospital.

Papanikolaou Hospital Gastroenterology Clinic director and Greek Society for the Study of Liver Georgios Kitis stated to ANA-MPA that a total of 550 people sought treatment at outside-patient units in 2004. Twenty of them came from former Soviet Union countries, 30 were Albanian and the rest were Greek.

A total of 250 patients received treatment for chronic hepatitis C, 100 from the former Soviet Union, 10 Albanians and the rest Greek.

Mr. Kitis characterized the hepatitis B virus as a class-related virus because it clearly depends on the people's living standards stressing that 20 years ago the patient percentage was 3.5 to 5, while in the past few years it has dropped to 2.5%. In general, hepatitis C is less common compared to hepatitis B which is more easily transmitted.

The figures on hepatitis C were made public on the occasion of Hepatitis C Day on October 1.

[03] DRAFT LAW FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EUROPEAN COMPANY IN GREECE

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas and Deputy Minister of Development Yiannis Papathanasiou submitted a draft law to Parliament today for the introduction of the European Company (Societas Europaea-SE) in Greece as well.

Under the SE, the companies that carry out businesses in different EU member states can act as one company under unified rules. By consolidating different companies in different regions under SE competition advantages are strengthened and economic advantages generated.

The companies won't have to establish separate subsidiaries to different member states anymore in order to carry out business there.

Under the SE Regulation, companies in different member states can merge either by way of forming a new SE or by converting one of the parties involved into an SE. The regulation allows enterprises of different member states to establish SE without being constrained by local legislation.

The regulation is directed exclusively to existing enterprises active or wishing to become active, in cooperation with a company or companies in another or other member states, at a community level not restricted to satisfying purely regional needs.

[04] GREEK-RUSSIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL

The Federation of Greek Industries and the Federation of Russian Industrialists and Businessmen decided to form a Greek-Russian Business Council within the framework of the inter-ministerial Greek-Russian Committee meeting taking place in Moscow.

The Council will be made up of a small group of businessmen active in the two countries. The two Federations signed a cooperation agreement in Moscow yesterday based on which the two main business federations will seek to support the activities of Greek firms in Russia and Russian firms in Greece.

Specifically, they will facilitate bilateral business contacts, convey views of their members to state authorities to help them adopt regulations aimed at improving the volume of bilateral transactions, help in overcoming obstacles in the solution of problems in bilateral cooperation on issues like taxation, customs procedures, implementation of legislative framework, delays or discrepancies in payments, transportation issues etc.

Also, they will offer support to the creation of new companies, branches or joint ventures, offer useful information to their members regarding trade and investment opportunities through special circulars and their webpage on the Internet and organize conferences, visits and business contacts.

[05] NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN POLICY MEETING

Consensus on the strategic goals and the long-term objectives in foreign policy as well as disagreements and reservations concerning the tactical moves were recorded in today's three-hour meeting of the National Council on Foreign Policy, according to Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.

The main issues on the agenda were Turkey's European course in view of the EU accession negotiations on October 3, the recent UN General Assembly meeting and developments in the Balkans.

Mr. Molyviatis stated that in any case it was a useful exchange of views and once again the usefulness of this institution was confirmed.

Main opposition Socialist Party PASOK Political Council member, Christos Papoutsis reiterated that his party continues to back Turkey's EU accession course but clarified that in the negotiating framework for Turkey's accession there are no timetables and safety valves guaranteeing issues of Greek national interest.

Mr. Nikos Konstantopoulos participated in the Council representing Coalition Party. He backed Turkey's EU accession course under the necessary precondition that Turkey will become democratic and respect the European laws and acquis. He also called for initiatives that will promote the course of the Balkan countries toward Europe, while the European acquis can be the framework based on which a fair and viable solution to the Cyprus problem can be reached.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Representatives Committee of the 25 EU member-states meeting in Brussels today was unable to reach an agreement on the negotiating framework within which the European Commission will have to move during negotiations with Turkey.

According to well-informed sources, the Austrian delegation insists in making it clear that the conclusion of the EU accession negotiations will not necessarily be Turkey's accession into the EU.

After today's inability by COREPER to reach an agreement, the discussion will take place in the Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg on Sunday evening.

During that meeting, a compromise agreement should be reached to make feasible the opening of Turkey's formal EU accession negotiations scheduled for October 3.

[06] SHENYANG DELEGATION VISITS THESSALONIKI'S KAFTANTZOGLIO STADIUM

A delegation from the Chinese city of Shenyang visited Thessaloniki's Kaftantzoglio Stadium this morning. Shenyang will host the football preliminaries in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the members of the delegation were briefed on the relevant preparations made in Thessaloniki for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

The Shenyang delegation also visited the stadium in the municipality of Kalamaria used as a training stadium during the Olympic Games, and a Day Nursery in the municipality of Panorama, while later this afternoon they will visit the Byzantine Civilization Museum.

[07] US UNDER SECRETARY KAREN HUGHES VISITS THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

US Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes who is on a visit to Turkey characterized Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as a leading man of faith.

After the meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, the US State Department official stated that they had a very cordial discussion in continuation of the previous meeting the Ecumenical Patriarch had with US President George Bush.

Mrs. Hughes stated that they discussed the importance of religious freedom and a reference was made to the reopening of the Theology School of Halki and its significance for the future of the Church namely, to be able to train the new generation of Church hierarchy.

[08] FIVE GREEK AMERICANS ON THE LIST WITH THE 400 RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES

Five Greek Americans, Messrs. Emmanuel (Michael) Jaharis, Alexander Spanos, Peter Nicholas, Georgios Argiros and Ioannis Calamos are on the annual list with the 400 richest people in the United States published by Forbes magazine.

Bill Gates, 49, the founder of Microsoft Corporation, is still at the top of the list with a property worth US $ 51 billion.

The Greek Americans included in the list are first, second and third generation. Peter Nicholas ranks 78th on the list followed by Ioannis Calamos (125), Emmanuel Jaharis (207), Georgios Argiros (258) and Alexander Spanos (320).

Mr. Jaharis, 77, is self-made millionaire and received a degree in Law from DePaul University. In the early 1970s, he acquired the pharmaceutics company "Key Pharmaceuticals" which had big gains when it discovered a drug for asthma. In 1988, he founded the firm Kos and in 1997 discovered a drug for cholesterol known as "Niaspan".

He is the vice-chairman of the Archdiocese of America Archdiocese Council and has made large donations to the Metropolitan Museum of New York and Tufts University in Boston where he has founded the Public Health Center.

Mr. Georgios Argiros, 68, is a second generation Greek American born in Detroit. In 1962, he got into the real estate business and his company "Amel & Affiliates" now owns thousands of apartments and office spaces. He also has served as an ambassador to Spain.

Mr. Alexander Spanos, 68, is a first generation Greek American and started out as a helper at his father's bakery. When his father refused to give him a raise he left the family business and opened a mobile food-stand selling sandwiches to workers. At the age of 33, he got into the real estate business and later into construction. In his book "Share the Wealth" writes about his life.

Mr. Peter Nicholas, 64, is self-made and co-founder of "Boston Scientific", a medical equipment manufacturer.

Mr. Ioannis Calamos, 65, is the son of Greek immigrants and an Illinois Polytechnic School graduate. He became a banker and in 1977 he founded "Calamos Asset Management". His personal assets increased 750% during the past five years.

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