From: zarros@turing.scs.carleton.ca (Theodoros Sp. Zarros)
Subject: Episkopnsn tupou - Sat, 5 Feb 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa).

Athens News Agency Bulletin, 

	Athens, 05/02/1994 (ANA) - Alternate Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos and Sir Leon Brittan, European Commission
vice-president for external economic affairs and trade policy,
yesterday held talks on the GATT agreement to be signed on April
15 and other Community issues. They also discussed Russia's
relations with the European Union. The issues will also be
raised at the two-day General Affairs Council which opens in
Brussels Monday.

	Diplomatic sources reported Sir Leon suggested to the Greek
Presidency that a meeting be held between the French and the
Russians so that some form of agreement might be reached on what
is referred to as "nuclear matter".


	Athens, 05/02/1994 (ANA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Ali
Akbar Velayati said yesterday that he would convey the views of
the European Union on the Bosnian crisis to Moslem leader Alia
Izetbegovic. Mr. Velayati made the statement after two hours of
talks with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias, current president
of the EU Council of Ministers. Mr. Velayati also had a meeting
with Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou yesterday. Mr. Papoulias
briefed Mr. Velayati on Greece's national issues during the
talks which, according to statements by both men, had yielded
positive results.

	It was announced that a special envoy of Mr. Velayati
would visit Greece soon, for talks with Alternate National
Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on bilateral trade and
economic co-operation. "The meeting and the talks were fruitful",
said Mr. Papoulias, who accepted an invitation to visit Tehran "as
soon as possible", in order to continue yesterday's talks. Mr.
Velayati said that Greek-Iranian relations had developed and
prospects existed for their further strengthening. He also met
with Political Spring leader Antonis Samaras before leaving for
Istanbul to take part in a meeting with his Turkish and Syrian
counterparts.


	Athens, 05/02/1994 (ANA) - Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias
and Alternate Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos will fly to
Brussels to preside over the EU General Affairs Council'
meetings to be held there on Monday and Tuesday. Sources said
Mr. Papoulias will preside over the meetings on the Yugoslav
crisis. Mr. Pangalos will go to Strasbourg from Brussels on
Wednesday to participate in the European Parliament Assembly.
The Assembly will focus on European Union relations with Russia,
Ukraine and the Baltic countries and issues related to the GATT
agreement. The agenda also includes a discussion on the Greek
presidency's targets which will be broadcast live on Belgian TV.
The European Union's relations with Algeria will also be
discussed.


	Brussels, 05/02/1994 (ANA - K. Verros) - An informal meeting
of the European Union's Council of Transport Ministers will be held
in Athens on Monday February 7 for an initial general discussion
on a report by the "Wisemen's Committee" on the European air
transport industry, proposing reorganization in the sector aimed
at liberalization and a subsequent increase in its
competitiveness. Contrary to current practice by which ministers
primarily examine only one matter at informal meetings, Monday's
session will focus on three issues: a mandate to the European
Commission on negotiations with Switzerland in the framework of
transit transport, the Paneuropean Transport Conference in Crete
and the report by the "Wisemen's Committee" on European air
transport.


	Paris, 05/02/1994 (ANA - O. Tsipira) - French Foreign Ministry
spokesman Richard Duque yesterday termed the results of French
Foreign Minister Alain Juppe's visit to Athens Thursday, a
"coincidence of views, constructive discussions, excellent
atmosphere of friendship". Mr. Duque referred both to talks Mr.
Juppe had with Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias and Alternate
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and his meeting with Prime
Minister Andreas Papandreou, stressing that "I would like to
underline broad coincidence of views on almost all matters
discussed with the Greek leadership", adding "this also goes for
bilateral relations which are excellent". "There is a common
will to strengthen relations between the two countries in the
political, economic and cultural sectors", the spokesman said,
making special reference to the French Minister's wish for a
greater spreading of the French language in Greece.


	Athens, 05/02/1994 (ANA) - Russia's decision to establish
diplomatic relations with Skopje was the outcome of Moscow's
recognition of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)
in August 1992, the government said yesterday. Government
spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said the government had lodged a
protest and taken all necessary steps to avert Moscow's
decision, announced Thursday, to set up diplomatic links with
Skopje.

	Mr. Venizelos reiterated the decision did not contribute to the
maintenance of stability in the region. Foreign Minister Karolos
Papoulias said Greece would "take appropriate action" in
response to Russia's decision. Speaking to reporters after talks
with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Velayati, Mr.
Papoulias expressed displeasure at Moscow's decision to
establish diplomatic ties with Skopje under the name of
"Macedonia". "Russia has recognized Skopje under a name which
upgrades its diplomatic relations. We do not welcome the move.
Greece will react to defend its own positions".