Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-01-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT VISITS ITALYS GREEK-SPEAKING VILLAGES

[02] GREECE NEVER HAD AND WILL NEVER HAVE ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR BOMBS

[03] IN MAY THE FINAL DECISION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BALKAN COMMITTEE

[04] PAPANTONIOU: NO STATEMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS IN THE ATHENS STOCK

[05] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

[06] A WINDOW TO CRETE OPENS IN GERMANY

[07] INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF PHONE CARDS IN THESSALONIKI

[08] POLICE ARREST IRAQI FOR TRAFFICKING HUMANS

[09] GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA MAXED OUT IN 2000

[10] PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALYS GREEK COMMUNITIES

[11] MILD QUAKE IN PATRAS IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN

[12] ABOUT 3.000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED IN BULGARIA WHILE

[13] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN ST. PETERSBURG

[01] PRESIDENT VISITS ITALYS GREEK-SPEAKING VILLAGES

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, presently on an official visit to Italy, met with Greek speaking residents of Italy's Apulia region yesterday.

During his stay in the region Mr. Stephanopoulos met with mayors of ten Greek speaking municipalities and accepted a commemorative plaque from the mayor of the town Kalimera, whose name means "have a good day" in Greek.

The Greek President was given a warm reception, while a local Greek folklore music group performed Greek songs.

A.F.

[02] GREECE NEVER HAD AND WILL NEVER HAVE ATOMIC OR NUCLEAR BOMBS

Greece never had and will never have atomic or nuclear bombs, stated Greek defense minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos speaking in parliament in response to a question by Communist Party deputies concerning the so-called "Balkan Syndrome", while he reiterated the efforts made by Greece both in NATO and in other international organizations that were aimed at averting the war in Yugoslavia.

He said that Greece was the first to call for an investigation concerning the materials used by NATO and the effects on the environment, while it took all necessary precautionary measures for the protection of the Greek soldiers participating in the international peacekeeping force. He also gave the assurance that no Greek soldier will stay in Kosovo unless they want to.

He finally stressed that Greece's participation in the peacekeeping force during the war was requested by the Serbs and that its presence in the region of Yugoslavia is necessary because it safeguards its role in the Balkans for peace and cooperation.

[03] IN MAY THE FINAL DECISION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BALKAN COMMITTEE FOR THE COOPERATION OF COASTAL REGIONS

The final decision on the establishment of a Balkan Cooperation Committee will be reached in May within the framework of the conference of European Coastal Regions (CRTM). The foundations for its establishment were laid in the first technical meeting of regions of eastern Balkan countries that was held in Komotini today at the initiative of eastern Macedonia-Thrace region general secretary Aris Papadopoulos and CRTM director Philip Sikovlac.

A second technical conference, with the participation of western Balkan countries will be held in Thessaloniki on February 9, while the general assembly meeting, during which a final decision will be reached, will be held in May at a place that will be announced in the future.

This decision will be approved by the CRTM general assembly in the fall. In CRTM participate European coastal regions and its goal is to promote the interests and cooperation of the participating countries and the exchange of experience.

[04] PAPANTONIOU: NO STATEMENTS AND INTERVENTIONS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

There must be no statements and interventions in the Athens Stock Exchange, underlined minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou.

In an interview with Flash.gr, the head of the government's economic staff also mentioned that he is certain that in the next four years Greece will be able to meet the challenges ahead namely, to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the economy and at the same time, create the pre-conditions for the Greek people to enjoy the fruits economic success, increased wages, new jobs and better quality of life.

[05] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index increased by 0.12% at 3.071,83 points, while the volume of transactions was relatively satisfactory compared to the past sessions reaching 136.37 million Euro or 46.4 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 187 recorded gains and 144 had losses, while the value of 44 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] A WINDOW TO CRETE OPENS IN GERMANY

A window to the southern Aegean island of Crete and the glory of the Minoan Civilization opens in Karlsruhe, Germany today where a relevant exhibition will be inaugurated under the auspices of Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos and the prime minister of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.

In the exhibition, which will last until April 29, will be presented artifacts dated back to the Minoan Civilization that came from different countries and cities such as Greece, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, Massachussets and Jerusalem.

Federation of Cretan Associations president, Yiannis Epitropakis stated to MPA that the specific exhibition is the first Greek cultural event held in Europe after the country joined the Economic and Monetary Union.

[07] INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OF PHONE CARDS IN THESSALONIKI

The 6th international exhibition of phone cards "Card Collect" will be held in Thessaloniki this weekend.

The "Card Collect" exhibition is one of the oldest of its kind and this time is expected to attract the interest of thousands of phone card collectors as well as tens of collectors' items distributors from Greece, Cyprus, Belgium, Poland and Germany.

The visitors of the exhibition will have the opportunity to admire thousands of phone cards, old post cards, stamps, paper bills and collectors' toys.

[08] POLICE ARREST IRAQI FOR TRAFFICKING HUMANS

Border patrol officials arrested a 32-year-old Iraqi man found leading a group of 31 illegal immigrants whom he had smuggled into Greece on foot.

The human convoy, spotted a few kilometers outside the city of Alexandroupolis, had entered Greece by boat. The group was to board a truck waiting on the national highway and be transported to Athens.

Eighteen of them managed to flee the border patrol, while those arrested will appear before the Alexandroupolis prosecutor.

A.F.

[09] GREEK INVESTMENTS IN BULGARIA MAXED OUT IN 2000

Greek investments in Bulgaria topped all previous records during the course of the year 2000, amounting to USD241.1 million, placing Greece in the fourth rank of the neighboring country's top foreign investors.

Specifically, last year's overall investment volume surpassed the total capital that poured into the neighboring country during the eight-year course between 1992-2000, when it reached USD328million.

Last year's investment frenzy followed the lull that characterized 1999, when Greek capital in Bulgaria amounted to a mere USD14.9 million.

According to Bulgaria's Foreign Investment Agency (BFIA), Greece's eight-year raking is preceded by Germany (USD498.2 million), Belgium (USD412.9 million) and Italy (USD374.1 million).

A.F.

[10] PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ITALYS GREEK COMMUNITIES

The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, presently on an official visit to Italy, met with leading members of Italy's Greek Communities and Fraternities Federation yesterday, shortly prior to his departure for Greece.

The Federation's president George Mathioudakis briefed the President on the lifestyle led by Italy's Greeks, as well as on the various problems they are faced with.

According to Mr. Mathioudakis, Italy's Greek community is not hurdled by severe problems, largely because of their financial status and also due to the fact that they are enjoying equal status in the local community.

However, Mr. Mathioudakis stated that there are distance-related difficulties in organizing various events that could strengthen the identity of Italy's Greeks and, concurrently promote Greece in Italy.

Alos, in cooperation to Greece's Education Ministry, the Federation's 14 communities provide Greek language lessons, along with lessons in Greece's history and geography.

The President thanked the Federation's representatives, stating that " we are proud you are representing us in a friendly country, such as Italy."

A.F.

[11] MILD QUAKE IN PATRAS IS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Seismologists are reassuring over the mild earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale that shook the city of Patras early today.

The quake, which struck at 5:35 a.m. with its epicenter in the sea region between Rio and Antirrio, jolted the city of Patras and its northern suburbs, and was also felt in the Nafpaktias region. No damages have been reported.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Seismic Protection Organisation (OASP) said an earthquake drill scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Sunday in the wider region of Martino, in Atalandi, is a "routine exercise".

A.F.

[12] ABOUT 3.000 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED IN BULGARIA WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER GREEK TERRITORY

Bulgarian border guards arrested about 3.000 illegal immigrants, who attempted to enter Greek territory during the past year.

In a press conference in Sofia, border police director colonel Valeri Grigorov said that a total of 2.850 would-be illegal immigrants were arrested, while they were attempting to cross the borders with Greece. Mr. Grigorov stated that most of them were coming from former soviet republics and Romania.

The director of the Bulgarian border police also referred to a network that deals with the illegal trafficking of young women from the former soviet republics via Bulgaria and Romania.

[13] THE GREEK DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER IS IN ST. PETERSBURG

The Modern Greek Studies Department in the University of St. Petersburg will be visited today by Greek deputy foreign minister Ms. Elisavet Papazoi who continues her visit to Russia.

Ms. Papazoi will also attend the presentation of a book with a collection of works by Konstantinos Kavafis that were published for the first time in the Russian language, and she will meet with members of the Greek community.

Yesterday, Ms. Papazoi met in Moscow with her Russian counterpart Alexander Avdeyev, undersecretary of foreign affairs Gevgeni Gusarov, responsible for European Union issues as well as, federal culture minister Nikolai Svidkoi with whom she discussed the practical details on the development of bilateral cultural relations and especially issues concerning Greek participation in the events on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the founding of St. Petersburg.

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