Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 97-04-17

From: Macedonian Press Agency <[email protected]>

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory

MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH

Thessaloniki, April 17 1997

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

TITLES

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEWS IN DETAIL

[A] NATIONAL NEWS

[01] PRESIDENT OF GREECE TO BE IN STRASBURG ON MONDAY

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will be in Strasburg on Monday for a one-day visit.

President Stephanopoulos has been invited by the Council of Europe and will address the Parliamentary Assembly as an official guest. A.F.

[02] SECOND PART OF GREEK BATTALLION TO ARRIVE IN VLORE TOMORROW

The Greek Navy's tank-landing ship "Samos" will arrive in Vlore tomorrow with 500 more Greek troops who are participating in the multinational peacekeeping mission code-named "Operation Alba" assigned to Albania.

The Greek battallion's first troops arrived safely in Tirana yesterday in six C-130 which took off from Thessaloniki's military airport "Mikra".

Grece's Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos stated that he is satisfied over the course of the Greek battallion's assignment so far and expressed his certainty that it will fulfil its mission successfully.

"Of course, the conditions are difficult, the problems are great, since Albania's most basic facilities must be upgraded so that our soldiers can use them" Mr. Tsochatzopoulos added.

The remaIning troops of the Greek battalion are to depart for Albania by the beginning of next week. A.F.

[03] PRIME MINISTER SIMITIS WILL MEET WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP

Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced that Prime Minister Kostas Simitis will meet this evening with the Foreign Ministry leadership to discuss issues concerning the Greek- Turkish relations.

On yesterday's meeting between Greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs mr.Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart mr.Oymen, the government spokesman said that the two men focused on the exploration of procedures and that they did not hold a discussion on specific issues.

Regarding the proposal of the Dutch EU Presidency for the establishment of a committee of specialists, mr.Reppas stated that Greece has suggested the establishment of a committee of representatives from each country with the task to explore different procedures and added that the Greek side awaits for Ankara's response.

The Greek government spokesman stated that the success of the Dutch initiative will depend on Turkey's position and reiterated that Greece has set as pre-conditions the respect of the Greek sovereign rights and International Law, which will not be the subject of a dialogue or a procedural exploration.

[04] PREMIER MEETS WITH MINSTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND DEFENSE

Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis held successive meetings with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos and alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou today wherein he discussed the outcomes of the latter's meeting in Malta yesterday.

Mr. Papandreou stated that premature conclusions must not be drawn, adding that certain positive steps have been taken. The alternate Foreign Minister also expressed the hope that a positive outcome will be reached during the process of resolving the pending issues.

When asked why the Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Van Mierlo, who currently holds the EU's rotating presidency, appears optimistic, Mr. Papandreou responded that his role is such that he must be optimistic.

Following his meeting with the Premier, Mr. Tsochatzopoulos said that there is no issue of a substantive dialogue with Turkey, the Greek government is simply exercising the decision to conduct dialogues within the European Union's framework.

Meanwhile, a number of reports claim that there is an American initiative for the Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue in the works, which, according to State Department officials, will be activated once the three involved parties offer indications of good will.

The Premier is to chair an extraordinary Cabinet meeting this afternoon. which will examine the results of the contacts recently made by alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou in Malta where he met with his Turkish counterpart Onur Oymen. Mr. Oymen has stated that significant developments have occurred in the relations between the two countries. A.F.

[05] GREECE'S ECONOMICS AND FINANCE MINISTER IN WASHINGTON

Greece's Economics and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, currently in Washington, met with the US Trade Department Secretary William Daley with whom he discussed the initiative to enact a program of economic and political reconstruction for countries in the southern Balkan region and those near the Black Sea.

According to Mr. Papantoniou, the programme aims to enable to the countries of those regions to smoothly transit into a free market system. A.F.

[06] SECOND PART OF GREEK BATTALLION TO ARRIVE IN VLORE TOMORROW

The Greek Navy's tank-landing ship "Samos" will arrive in Vlore tomorrow with 500 more Greek troops who are participating in the multinational peacekeeping mission code-named "Operation Alba" assigned to Albania.

The Greek battallion's first troops arrived safely in Tirana yesterday in six C-130 which took off from Thessaloniki's military airport "Mikra".

Meanwhile, in Albania's city of Elbasan 14 persons were injured yesterday from a bomb explosion. Also, two residents of northern Epirus were discovered murdered in their car, a few miles outside of Gjirocaster. An investigation is under way for this killing. A.F.

[07] GREEK CULTURE MINISTER: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MONUMENTS IS A GREEK DAY

In light of tomorrow's commemmoration of the International Day of Monuments, Greece's Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stated today that culture must be ugraded to such degree as to become a top priority in public life.

This day is naturally a Greek day, Mr. Venizelos stated, adding that "the monuments in Greece, which in itself is a vast archaeological site, is the tangible proof of the Greek culture's timelessness.

"Culture is our country's comparative advantage and constitutes the means for its entrance to the international competition rinks." A.F.

[08] GREEK BUSINESSES UNDERGO LOSSES IN ALBANIA

The Chamber of Commerce in Florina is drawing lists for about 30 businesses active in Albania so that conclusive damage and loss estimates can be taken. A.F.

[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

[09] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS WILL VISIT THE ITALIAN CITY OF TRENTO

The Italian press characterizes as historical the upcoming visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to the Italian city of Trento.

The Ecumenical Patriarch will visit Trento on May 19 on the occasion of the celebrations for the 1.600th anniversary since the martyrdom of three deacons who died for their faith on May 29 in the year 397AD.

[10] ALBANIAN ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 29

The leaders of the Albanian government of reconciliation have agreed to hold the country's general elections on June 29, according to the special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Franz Vranitski who met with them today. A.F.

[11] BERISHA BLAMES SOCIALISTS FOR RIOTS, OSCE'S VRANITSKI CURRENTLY IN TIRANA

Austria's former chancellor and current special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in |Europe (OSCE) Franz Vranitski is currently in Tirana where he met with Premier Bashkim Fino and was received by Albanian President Sali Berisha.

Mr. Vranitski's visit to Albania is within the framework of the efforts exerted to prepare the country for June 29's parliamentary elections. Mr. Vranitski has cancelled his visit to Skodra and Vlore which was scheduled for today, stating that it is more prudent that he continue his diplomatic efforts in Tirana.

Mr. Berisha is said to have been opposed to Mr. Vranitski's visit to the southern region, by reiterating his claims that the rioters are a result of his opponents' (the Socialist Party) designs. Mr. Berisha believes that the problem will be resolved once the Socialist Party requests that the committees of the rioters be dissolved.

Following his meeting wth President Berisha, Mr. Vranitski stated that in spite of the progress that has been noted, the problem of the rioters remains unsolved. A.F.

[12] OSCE'S VRANITSKI CURRENTLY IN TIRANA

Austria's former chancellor and current special envoy of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in |Europe (OSCE) Franz Vranitski is currently in Tirana where he met with Premier Bashkim Fino and was received by Albanian President Sali Berisha.

Mr. Vranitski's visit to Albania is within the framework of the efforts exerted to prepare the country for June's parliamentary elections. Mr. Vranitski has cancelled his visit to Skodra and Vlore which was scheduled for today, stating that it is more prudent that he continue his diplomatic efforts in Tirana.

Mr. Berisha is said to have been opposed to Mr. Vranitski's visit to the southern region, by reiterating his claims that the rioters are a result of his opponents' (the Socialist Party) designs. Mr. Berisha believes that the problem will be resolved once the Socialist Party requests that the committees of the rioters be dissolved.

Following his meeting wth President Berisha, Mr. Vranitski stated that in spite of the progress that has been noted, the problem of the rioters remains unsolved. A.F.

[13] GREECE-GEORGIA SAIL INTO NEW HORIZONS AFTER SHIPPING AGREEMENT

Greece and Georgia have signed a shipping agreement which is to open new navigation opportunities between the two countries as it allows for the unobstructed access of both countries' ships into international shipping transport.

Specifically, the agreement foresees free access to both countries' ports, unimpeded loading and unloading of cargo, and abolishing duty taxes for the Greek and Georgian ships. A.F.

[14] GREEK PARLIAMENT'S GENERAL DIRECTOR DIED IN SEOUL, KOREA THIS MORNING

The Greek Parliament's General Director Antonis Aggelopoulos died this monring in Seoul, Korea, after having suffered a heart attack.

The President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis has expressed his deep condolences over the loss of his colleague.

Mr. Aggelopoulos was the Greek Parliament's youngest General Director, following the fall of the junta. He was in Seoul representing Greece in the session of the Conference of the Union of Secretary-Generals of Parliaments of member-states of the Interparliamentary Association. A.F.

[15] GREECE-ESTHONIA SIGN SEA TRANSPORT AND MUTUAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENTS

Greece and Esthonia proceeded to signing two agreements today to promote mutual investment and sea transport today, after Esthonia's Foreign Minister Thomas Silver met with Greece's Premier Kostas Simitis this morning, accompanied by Greece's Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

According to Mr. Pangalos, the three men discussed bilateral issues and added that Esthonia is a country that features full capacity to embark on negotiations for gaining accesion to the European Union, as well as NATO, adding that Greece supports these efforts.

"It is a country with an old and special culture, marked by struggles for its independence," Mr. Pangalos stated. A.F.

[16] ROMANIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION MEETS WITH GREEK PARLIAMENT CHIEF

The Romanian delegation participating in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Cooperation met with the President of the Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis in Athens today.

The Romanian delegates emphasized their country's interest in entering the Alliance and the other western European structures, requesting Greece's support by pointing out that it was the first country to sign in favor of Romania's association with the European Union.

In turn, Mr. Kaklamanis emphasized the need to build a pan- European security system that will feature a high number of participants therein, while he also referred to the EU's eastward and central European enlargement. A.F.

[17] TRADE AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND READY-TO-WEAR GARMENTS WAS SIGNED BY THE EU AND FYROM

A trade agreement on textiles and ready-to-wear clothes was signed in Skopje by representatives of the European Union and FYROM's Ministry of Commerce.

According to FYROM's state television, the agreement safeguards favourable terms in the European markets for the trading of textiles and ready made clothes from FYROM. Based on statements made by FYROM's Ministry of Commerce officials, the agreement will contribute significantly to the decrease of the country's trade deficit.

[18] EUROPE HAS THE LARGEST NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

The improvement of road safety in Europe will be the main issue for discussion in the meeting of EU politicians and transportations' specialists that will be held in Amsterdam, Holland.

Based on EU data, western Europe has more traffic accidents than the United States, as about 50 thousand people die each year on its road networks.

[19] EXHIBITION OF CONTEMPORARY YUGOSLAV ARTISTS IN THESSALONIKI

An art exhibition with works of Yugoslav painters and sculptors will be inaugurated tomorrow and will be open to the public until May 14. The exhibition is held within the framework of the cultural events taking place in Thessaloniki, the Cultural Capital of Europe for 1997, and is characterized as a panorama of Yugoslav artistic creation.

Among the works of art that will be exhibited are included 80 paintings and sculptures as well as, video art created by 40 representatives of the Yugoslav modern art movement.

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