Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-01-19
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, January 19, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SEVE HAILS DRACHMA'S REVALUATION
[02] FM TO VISIT ANKARA TOMORROW
[03] CONSUMER GROUP REVIEWS CENTURY'S ECONOMY
[04] DUTCH PM CONGRATULATES GREECE ON EU CONVERGENCE
[05] FUNERALS OF PHANTOM PILOTS TO BE HELD TODAY
[06] PM, DEFENSE AND ECONOMY MINISTERS MEET TOMORROW
[07] SECI BUREAU TO OPEN IN THESSALONIKI
[08] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE EMU
[09] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED WITH LOSSES OF 3.26%
[10] MEETING OF THE BRITISH DEPUTY FOREIGN SECRETARY WITH THE
GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
[11] EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK-CZECH MEMORANDUM ON BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION
[13] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTOLOMEOS TO VISIT WARSAW
[14] EU Oks GREECE'S CONVERGENCE PROGRAM
[15] PMS OF ALBANIA, FYROM, MONTENEGRO APPEAL FOR AID
[16] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE WILL BE IN SKOPJE TOMORROW
[17] THE DAMAGES ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES DISPLAYED IN A BRITISH
MAGAZINE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] SEVE HAILS DRACHMA'S REVALUATION
The drachma's revaluation against the euro will undoubtedly
have a positive impact on the economy, the Federation of Northern
Greece Exporters (SEVE) stated yesterday, albeit pointing out that
there would be a negative impact focusing mainly on exports and on
lowering the competitiveness of Greek products and its tourism
sector.
However, the SEVE officials predicted that an expected
improvement in the country's economic climate would counterbalance
some of the negative impact in the long term.
Specifically, SEVE stated that measures are needed to support
Greek exports through a Third Community Support Framework program,
while it also pointed out the necessity of drafting a national
strategy on exports and marketing, financing of export-oriented
companies, transport costs subsidies, technological development,
restructuring of businesses and strengthened cooperation in the
business sector.
[02] FM TO VISIT ANKARA TOMORROW
Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou is to conduct a
two-day visit to Turkey as of tomorrow, the first Foreign Minister
who pays an official visit to Turkey since 1962.
The Foreign Minister is expected to meet with Turkish
President Suleyman Demirel, Parliament Speaker Yildirim Aktuna and
Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit.
Mr. Papandreou, who will be accompanied by a delegation of
businessmen, parliamentarians, and journalists, will sign four
bilateral agreements with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem. The
said agreements concern issues of environment, tourism, terrorism,
and protection of investments. Mesrs. Papandreou and Cem are also
expected to discuss the results of dialogue which started between
the two countries last July, as well as bilateral relations.
According to press reports, Mr. Papandreou will also travel
to Istanbul where he will meet with Greek and Turkish businessmen.
[03] CONSUMER GROUP REVIEWS CENTURY'S ECONOMY
Greece's Consumer Association for the Quality of Life
(EKPOIZO), has released a report portraying the economic and
socioeconomic developments in Greece during the past century.
According to the report, Greece's economy grew by 36 times
during the past century, its industrial sector grew by 46 times,
agricultural economy by 13 times, the provision of services by 50
times and the per capita income increased by 8.6 times.
EKPOIZO reports that the respective economic growth on a
global scale for the same period was much smaller: The economy
increased by 18.5 times, industry by 36 times, agricultural
economy by 7 times, services by 22 times, and the world per capita
income by 4.9 times.
Nevertheless, the country did not fare so well on the social
front according to the data provided.
In the period from 1900 to 2000, Greece's population grew
only by 4.24 times, while cultural and educational trends were not
moving at the same pace as economic trends.
[04] DUTCH PM CONGRATULATES GREECE ON EU CONVERGENCE
Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok congratulated the country on its
efforts to converge with the European Union, speaking after his
meeting with Premier Costas Simitis in Athens yesterday.
Messrs. Simitis and Kok discussed European Union issues,
Greece's prospective entry into the EU's economic and monetary
union (EMU), and bilateral relations.
Mr. Kok stated that "Greece finds itself very close to
submitting its application for participation in the euro zone."
Greece hopes to enter the 11-member euro zone on January 1,
2001.
[05] FUNERALS OF PHANTOM PILOTS TO BE HELD TODAY
The funerals of the two pilots aboard the ill-fated Phantom
II Greek air force fighter plane, whose wreckage was discovered
yesterday near the Parnassos mountain, will be held today.
Flight lieutenant Efstratios Golias and flying officer Nikos
Nezis will be buried in Athens at 3.30pm.
The wreckage of the jet, which disappeared from radar screens
on Monday, was discovered yesterday by a search-and-rescue
helicopter in the Xerovounio area.
[06] PM, DEFENSE AND ECONOMY MINISTERS MEET TOMORROW
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will meet with Defense Minister
Akis
Tsochatzopoulos and National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou tomorrow, according to government spokesman Dimitris
Reppas.
The meeting will be held a day before the Government Council
on Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) meets.
KYSEA is expected to discuss the Hellenic Air Force's new
five-year armaments program for the period 2001-2005, Greece's
participation in the production of the Eurofighter, a final
agreement for the purchase of more US-made F-16 fighter planes, as
well as an agreement for the acquisition of French-made Mirage
2000-5 jetfighters and the upgrading of several of the air force's
Mirage 2000s into Mirage 2000-5 fighters.
[07] SECI BUREAU TO OPEN IN THESSALONIKI
The Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) is to
open a bureau in
Thessaloniki next week, in order to provide information and
endeavor the encouragement of the private sector in the economic
and social development of the Balkan region.
Thessaloniki's facility, as well as two other bureaus to be
opened in Istanbul and Venice, will operate under the auspices of
SECI's Business Council which, during the years of its operation,
has managed to attract leading investors from throughout Southeast
Europe.
The Chairman of the Northern Greece Industries Association
(SVVE) (which will host SECI's bureau) Vasilis Takas stated that
the office will serve as a "one stop shop" for firms and
organizations, providing them with information and reports
pertaining to both the private and public sectors.
The SECI bureaus of Thessaloniki, Istanbul and Venice will
feature a common web site on the Internet, although each office
will specialize in one sector.
For instance, Thessaloniki's bureau will focus on trade,
transportation and telecommunications, Istanbul will deal with
environmental and energy issues, while Venice's office will
specialize in legal and financial issues that concern the
development of small-to-medium sized firms.
[08] REPPAS COMMENTED ON THE EMU
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas commenting on
Greece's course to the EMU stated that hard work is still needed
and that the government follows a policy of stability and
development. The results are obvious, stated Mr. Reppas, adding
that the pace followed is unprecedented in the European Union.
Mr. Reppas also stated that the country now enjoys the fruits
of the hard work, adding that all the problems will be faced
through dialogue and social consensus.
[09] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED WITH LOSSES OF 3.26%
Big losses were recorded in today's session of the Athens
Stock Exchange. The general index closed at 5.067,31 points with
losses of 3.26%, while the volume of transactions was 305,2
billion drachmas.
Strong pressures were exerted on the stock prices. The
pressures were intense on all the categories of stocks and as a
result all the secondary indexes closed with considerable losses.
[10] MEETING OF THE BRITISH DEPUTY FOREIGN SECRETARY WITH THE
GREEK FOREIGN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
The British deputy foreign secretary responsible for European
affairs, who is visiting Athens, had meetings today with Greek
foreign minister and deputy foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou
and Christos Rokofillos.
In the talks dominated the European Union enlargement issues,
while the British government official praised the stance of Greece
on the issue of the Turkish EU candidature during the Helsinki EU
Summit meeting.
Mr. Rokofillos pointed out that if Turkey respects human
rights and the rights of minorities its talks with the European
Union will be facilitated.
Mr. Rokofillos also had a meeting with EU Portuguese
presidency special representative on Cyprus Leonardo Matias. The
Greek deputy foreign minister in statements he made he was in
favor of a solution for the Cyprus problem that will be based on a
two-zone, two-community federation.
[11] EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE
A two-day conference on democratization and the
implementation of the Stability Pact in south-eastern Europe will
open in Thessaloniki tomorrow organized by the European Economic
and Social Committee and the Royaumont procedure in cooperation
with the Greek branch of the committee.
The goal of the meeting is the exchange of views among
representatives of different social and economic groups in Greece
participating in the Royaumont procedure. The main topics of
discussion will be the society of citizens and the social dialogue
as the basis of the economic and social development, the regional
economic and social structures modernization procedure and the
means and procedures for the strengthening of the economic and
social organizations in the countries of south-eastern Europe.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[12] GREEK-CZECH MEMORANDUM ON BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION
A memorandum calling for cooperation in reconstruction
projects in Southeastern Europe was recently signed in London by
the Minister of Foreign Affairs George Papandreou and his Czech
counterpart Jan Kavan.
According to the memorandum, the two countries reaffirmed the
excellent level of bilateral relations and stressed the wish to
promote the development of friendly ties and close cooperation
between the two countries in all fields, including
economic cooperation.
Specifically, the memorandum calls for "close collaboration
in providing the most effective assistance possible to the
economic entities in both States that wish to participate in the
economic reconstruction and development of the conflict and war-
stricken areas."
In particular, both countries will exchange information on
market opportunities for such enterprises and cooperate for the
promotion of the business opportunities offered by the work of
Stability Pact and the European Agency for Reconstruction.
Moreover, both countries vowed to promote all activities of
their respective Governments aimed at working out mechanisms in
support of concrete cooperation between the Hellenic Republic and
the Czech Republic in the reconstruction and development of the
region of South Eastern Europe.
"Such cooperation will be promoted through a joint Greek-
Czech Board to be based in Thessaloniki under the auspices of the
respective Ministers for Foreign Affairs who will chair the common
sessions," the Memorandum reads, adding that
the Board will be supported organizationally by the Ministry of
Macedonia and Thrace.
The said Board is to establish a close working relationship
with the Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center (DIPEK).
[13] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTOLOMEOS TO VISIT WARSAW
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is to embark on a three-day
visit to
Poland on Saturday.
Mr. Vartholomeos will give a service with the Archbishop of
Poland at the
city's Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, while he will speak at the
Polish Parliament on Monday on the position of Orthodoxy in the
modern world.
During his stay, the Ecumenical Patriarch will also meet with
President Aleksander Kwasiniewski, Prime Minister Jerzi Buzek and
Parliament President Majiec Plazjmski who will host an official
dinner in his honor.
[14] EU Oks GREECE'S CONVERGENCE PROGRAM
The European Commission adopted Greece's convergence program
for 1999-2000 in Strasbourg yesterday, a step away from the
coveted final approval by the Council of Finance ministers, which
will meet on January 31.
According to the European Council's report, Greece's
economic policy is in correspondence with its goal for its entry
to the European Monetary Union, albeit it advises a restrained
salary policy.
Speaking to the Macedonian Press Agency, Commissioner Pedro
Solbes described the Greek convergence program as reliable,
expressing his optimism that Greece's entry to the European
Monetary Union will be ratified during the European Union summit
meeting in Portugal in June.
"Greece is going in the right direction," he said, adding "its
government has taken all the necessary measures but their effect
will have to be verified."
[15] PMS OF ALBANIA, FYROM, MONTENEGRO APPEAL FOR AID
The prime ministers of Albania, FYROM and Montenegro issued a
joint appeal yesterday for more international help in integrating
the western Balkans region in Europe.
"The impression is that we are living in a small geographic
area, but at the same time, we are distant from each other because
of ... bad infrastructure," FYROM's Premier Ljubco Georgievski
told a joint press conference.
Mr. Georgievski met counterparts Ilir Meta of Albania and
Filip Vujanovic of Montenegro in Ohrid for discussions on a
stability pact in southeast Europe.
The three said the international community must help improve
transport links and other infrastructure to set the scene for
better cooperation between their countries.
Mr. Vujanovic said the meeting had also examined making
access to Kosovo easier, while Mr. Meta said the ultimate aim of
the three countries was to join European institutions.
The three said their next meeting will be held in Tirana.
[16] THE MINISTER OF MACEDONIA-THRACE WILL BE IN SKOPJE TOMORROW
Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis will visit
FYROM tomorrow. Mr. Magriotis will represent the Greek government
in the ceremony that will take place tomorrow morning on the
occasion of the construction of the first 10 kilometers of the
Skopje-Thessaloniki oil pipeline, while later he will inaugurate
the Greek food industry plant "NIKAS" in the capital of FYROM.
In the afternoon, Mr. Magriotis will attend the signing of a
cooperation agreement between the Greek state television channel
ET-3 and the FYROM state television.
[17] THE DAMAGES ON THE PARTHENON MARBLES DISPLAYED IN A BRITISH
MAGAZINE
The damages suffered by the Parthenon Marbles as a result of
the cleaning method used on them in 1937 were displayed in
articles included in an extensive presentation of the British
monthly magazine "The Art Newspaper".
The presentation includes a review of the events that took
place in the two-day conference on the Parthenon Marbles organized
in the British Museum last November with the positions of both
sides on the legal status of the marbles.
A special emphasis was given to the fact that Dr. Ian Jenkins
has admitted that the Parthenon Marbles suffered damages in the
30's, as well as to the dinner that was given by the British
Museum in the room where the marbles were kept, the serious
positions of the Greek side and the rude way in which Greek
embassy press counselor Nikos Papadakis was forced to interrupt
his speech and leave the podium.
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