Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-11-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] ENLARGEMENT BASED ON PRINCIPLES

[02] KOSTUNICA VISITED MOUNT ATHOS

[03] REGION OF WESTERN MACEDONIA GENERAL SECRETARY VISITS NEWLY DISCOVERED

[04] PRESIDENT PAPOULIAS MET WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS FROM ROMANIA AND BULGARIA

[05] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF ROMANIA AND

[06] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SKANDALAKIS TO VISIT UNITED STATES

[01] ENLARGEMENT BASED ON PRINCIPLES

The Greek Parliament ratified today the treaties for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union on January 1, 2007. The ratification took place in the presence of the presidents of the two countries, Georgi Parvanov and Traian Basescu respectively.

In favor of the accession voted the Parliament deputies of ruling party of New Democracy, main opposition Socialist Party PASOK and Coalition Party while the Communist Party gave a negative vote.

Greece is in favor of the European orientation of the Balkan states, stated Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in his speech stressing that this presupposes the respect of European principles.

The two state presidents will be received by their Greek counterpart Karolos Papoulias while they will also attend a formal luncheon given by Prime Minister Karamanlis at Maximou Mansion in Athens.

Greece is the fifth country to ratify the treaties for the accession of Sofia and Bucharest into the EU after Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Cyprus.

[02] KOSTUNICA VISITED MOUNT ATHOS

The studies for the restoration of the Monastery of Hilandari at the monastic community of Mount Athos, one of which will be funded by the Serbian government, will be launched within the year, according to Mount Athos Heritage Protection Center (KEDAK) director Christos Limenopoulos who made the statement during the private visit of Serb Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica to Mount Athos.

Mr. Limenopoulos briefed Mr. Kostunica on the course of the repair works in the monastery.

Already, KEDAK has allocated 1.4 million euros to proceed with repair works in order to make the monastery safe after the damages caused by the fire in March 2004.

[03] REGION OF WESTERN MACEDONIA GENERAL SECRETARY VISITS NEWLY DISCOVERED MACEDONIAN TOMB

Region of Western Macedonia General Secretary Andreas Leoudis visited a Hellenistic era Macedonian tomb discovered on October 28.

Mr. Leoudis was offered a guided tour of the archaeological site of the Macedonian Tombs, situated 5.5 km west of Kariochori in the Municipality of Aghia Paraskevi in the prefecture of Kozani, NW Greece.

Mr. Leoudis stated that another monument is added to the group of similar tombs unearthed in the region and is placed among the Macedonian tombs found in the prefectures of Pella and Imathia.

He also stated that a restoration study has been prepared for another Macedonian tomb that was discovered earlier is the same region. The study aims at making the monument accessible to tourists and the suggested budget for the project is 285,000 euros.

[04] PRESIDENT PAPOULIAS MET WITH HIS COUNTERPARTS FROM ROMANIA AND BULGARIA

Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias had separate meetings today with his counterparts from Romania and Bulgaria, Traian Basescu and Georgi Parvanov respectively.

Earlier, the two leaders had attended the special Parliament session held this morning for the ratification of their countries' EU accession treaty.

Welcoming Mr. Parvanov, Mr. Papoulias stated that this is a big day for Bulgaria and the Balkans, while he used warm words for the Interbalkan Cultural Forum organized by Bulgaria a few months ago in Varna.

Later addressing Mr. Basescu, the Hellenic Republic President stressed that Greece shares the joy of Romania and Bulgaria because it has worked hard and systematically for the accession of both countries into the European Union.

The Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania thanked Greece for its support to their countries' efforts to approach the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

[05] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS MET WITH THE PRESIDENTS OF ROMANIA AND BULGARIA

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis held talks with the state presidents of Romania and Bulgaria, Traian Basescu and Georgi Parvanov respectively, at Maximou Mansion in Athens today within the framework of the 4th Summit meeting of tripartite cooperation after the ratification by the Greek Parliament of the treaty for the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the European Union.

The Prime Minister expressed Greece's firm support to the accession of the two countries into the EU on January 1, 2007 while he underlined the need for coordination and further deepening of cooperation stressing that there are mutual interests involved.

Mr. Karamanlis stressed that trilateral cooperation must be strengthened pointing out that the European prospect of western Balkans can contribute to the solution of all pending problems between the region's countries.

They also discussed current developments in Kosovo and Prime Minister Karamanlis stressed that any decisions should be reached very carefully and without a rush for a firm and viable result. He reiterated that there is a need for total respect of human and minority rights and implementation of the criteria set.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the SE European countries underlining that it is the only collective forum.

Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov thanked Greece for ratifying the treaty and for its firm support to Bulgaria's European course. He agreed on the need to strengthen trilateral cooperation and underlined that the European prospect of the region's countries is the best solution. He pledged that Bulgaria will respond positively and meet the criteria set by the European Commission in spite of the existing problems.

He underlined that the views of the region's peoples must be heard more both regarding Kosovo and other pending issues as well. He pointed out that a solution in Kosovo must be based on EU and UN decisions and should support the region's multiculturalism.

He referred to the need for coordination to deal with the problems in the sectors of energy and organized crime, adding that the three countries should coordinate their actions in the case of natural disasters on the basis of the proposal made by the Greek Prime Minister.

Romanian President Traian Basescu stated that his country will compensate for Greece's support to Romania's accession into the EU and NATO.

President Basescu stated that there will be a united voice by Greece, Bulgaria and Romania on the issue of Kosovo pointing out that the solution that will be reached should comply with international models and the EU and UN decisions.

The Romanian President pointed out that they discussed issues concerning illegal trafficking of weapons and people and the need for immediate measures. He also stressed that there was agreement for the close cooperation of the countries on issues of natural disasters and emergency situations and assured that his country will meet the obligations it has undertaken toward the European Commission.

[06] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SKANDALAKIS TO VISIT UNITED STATES

Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis departed for the United States today and within the framework of his tour of the country will have contacts with members of the Greek American community in Tampa, Florida.

Mr. Skandalakis will visit the Greek consulate and be briefed on the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in the region of New Orleans and Mississippi, the distribution of the Greek aid to the hurricane victims and the state of the Greek American community in New Orleans. He will also meet with the heads of the Greek Federation in Florida and brief the Greek Americans on the latest developments in Greece regarding national issues and the new law on the operation of SAE to be passed shortly in Parliament.

Mr. Skandalakis will also meet with Greek Americans in Tarpon Springs and Clear Water and afterwards he will visit Atlanta and meet with Metropolitan Bishop Alexios of Atlanta and representatives of the Greek American community in the state of Georgia.

Wrapping up his tour of the United States, Mr. Skandalakis will visit New York and meet with Archbishop Dimitrios of America and members of the Greek American community. He will also attend an event on the Greek-speaking education and present diplomas to Greek language graduates.

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