Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] NEGATIVE EXAMINATIONS

[02] NOTAM TO ANKARA, BRIEFING TO NATO

[03] RESHUFFL�S ARE NOT PREANNOUNCED

[04] HELLAS SAT LAUNCHED

[05] PAPANTONIOU: THE INCREASED TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN CREATES

[06] THE NEW LAB TEST RESULTS ON THE SUSPECTED SARS PATIENT WERE NEGATIVE

[07] THE GREEK GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH PROVOCATION

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON THE SUSPECTED SARS CASE

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

[10] EU PRESIDENCY INITIATIVE FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF THE EU-AFRICA

[11] EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

[12] EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS IN YEMEN

[13] SIMITIS-ADAMI MEETING IN VALLETTA

[14] SIMITIS-BARROSO MEETING

[15] EUROPEAN MESSAGE FOR PEACE & SECURITY

[01] NEGATIVE EXAMINATIONS

All medical examinations of the 23-year-old flight attendant from South Africa who was working in the Arab Emirate Airlines and arrived in Athens from Hong Kong on Saturday, have so far been negative. The results of the molecular check are expected today, while we will know if she has been affected by the virus with certainty in 21 days. Anyone who came into contact with her, either on the flight or at the hotel, is under medical surveillance. The Union of Athens Hospital Doctors has postponed its strike. Another suspicious case in Laiko hospital, Athens. Measures for 2004. The World Health Organization refutes a decline of the virus in Asia.

[02] NOTAM TO ANKARA, BRIEFING TO NATO

An official diplomatic protest will be made towards Ankara by Athens after the harassment of Greek fighter jets by Turkish aircrafts, during scheduled air maneuvers. Circles of the Defense Ministry, which will send NATO an electronic depiction of the incident, made mention of a hostile action and stated that never has a similar event of clear and direct obstruction of a Greek military exercise been recorded in the past.

[03] RESHUFFL�S ARE NOT PREANNOUNCED

I will not say if and when I will carry out a reshuffling, because government reshufflings are not preannounced, stated Prime Minister Costas Simitis when he was asked in Lisbon, when changes will be made within the government. In any case, Mr. Simitis repeated that elections will be held at the end of the government's four year tenure, characteristically stating that the government will prepare the elections normally. The government has not ruled out some changes to the electoral law, which ND is opposed to.

[04] HELLAS SAT LAUNCHED

US satellite Atlas V was launched at midnight from Cape Canaveral, carrying with it the first Greek telecommunications satellite, Hellas SAT. Hellas SAT will cover the needs of Greece and Cyprus for the next 15 years, while it will be put on operational standby approximately a week later. Shortly after that it will begin normal transmission, covering the larger part of Europe.

[05] PAPANTONIOU: THE INCREASED TURKISH PROVOCATION IN THE AEGEAN CREATES QUESTIONS

The increased provocation displayed by the Turkish Air Force over the Aegean creates questions, stressed Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou commenting on the Turkish violations reported yesterday during the air and sea exercise code-named Trident.

The Defense Minister pointed out that this provocative stance could involve lasting risks.

Mr. Papantoniou stated characteristically that the number of violations and the way in which the dogfights take place, mainly by armed Turkish aircraft, create questions on whether this increased provocation is compatible with the image of a country that wants to be among the civilized states.

[06] THE NEW LAB TEST RESULTS ON THE SUSPECTED SARS PATIENT WERE NEGATIVE

The molecular lab tests on the flight attendant from South Africa, who is hospitalized in Athens as a suspected SARS case, were negative. The above were stated by Health Minister Kostas Stefanis, who clarified that the likelihood for the 23yearold stewardess to have SARS is now more remote.

The Health Minister did not rule out the likelihood of SARS but he reiterated that the final answer will be given by the tests that will show if the young woman has developed antibodies to the SARS virus. The results for those tests will be out in two weeks time.

Referring to the clinical condition of the patient, he characterized it as very satisfactory and pointed out that one could ask why is she still in the hospital. He said that if the young woman was Greek she could very well be allowed to go to her house on Sunday and be monitored from there.

Mr. Stefanis stated that Greece did what it had to do by reporting the case to the World Health Organization because there was a combination of epidemiological background and symptoms.

[07] THE GREEK GOV'T SPOKESMAN ON THE TURKISH PROVOCATION

The Turks are at a dead end and are being isolated by the international community because of the tactic they follow in the major international problems among them, the Cyprus problem. The statement was made by Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas when asked to comment on the Turkish provocation that was recorded over the Aegean yesterday during the air and sea exercise, code-named Trident.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek Foreign Ministry made all necessary steps (demarche) and the Greek military aircraft intercepted the Turkish fighter planes. He reiterated, however, that the government will remain firm to its policy and will not lose sight of the goal, which is the solution of the Cyprus problem and the creation of a zone of peace and cooperation in the region. At the same time, said Mr. Protopapas, Greece promotes its national interests within the framework of the international community.

[08] PROTOPAPAS ON THE SUSPECTED SARS CASE

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas referred to the statements made today by Health Minister Kostas Stefanis regarding the suspected SARS case in Greece.

Mr. Protopapas reiterated that the state mechanism was prepared to deal with such a case and a special negative pressure chamber was ready in the hospital where the patient was admitted. He also said that an effort was made by the hospital to inform of the situation every person that came into contact with the patient.

[09] GAINS IN THE ASE

Gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.55% at 1.742,04 points, while the volume of transactions was considerable at 111.4 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 215 recorded gains and 87 had losses, while the value of 75 stocks remained unchanged.

[10] EU PRESIDENCY INITIATIVE FOR THE STRENGTHENING OF THE EU-AFRICA DIALOGUE

A roundtable discussion with the participation of 15 personalities from Europe and Africa, with an expressed interest in the development of the African continent, will be organized by the Greek Foreign Ministry in Athens to take place on May 16-17. The participants will be addressed by Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

The goal of the roundtable discussion is the exchange of views and the preparation of specific proposals on the way the EU could contribute to Africa's efforts to approach the NEPAD goals (New Partnership for Africa's Development).

Based on the talks that will take place, a White Bible will be drawn up on Building an Africa EU Partnership for Action that will focus on specific proposals in the sectors of prevention/avoidance of conflicts and restoration, good governance and the limitation of poverty.

The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the strengthening of future dialogue and cooperation between Africa and the European Union.

[11] EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

The European Union welcomes the fact that the Presidential, Parliamentary and Gubernatorial elections in Nigeria were conducted peacefully in most parts of the country and represented an important step for the democratic process in the country, in the context of the transition from military to civilian administration.

The European Union acknowledges that President Obasanjo has been announced President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 22, 2003 by the competent electoral authority, and we wish to congratulate him. The President now has a clear mandate for his second term.

The European Union also took positive note, that the Nigerian government invited inter alia European Union observers to the country, in order to efficiently observe the electoral process.

The European Union expresses concern about the serious irregularities and instances of fraud which were observed and reported by the European Union election observation mission, resulting in a lack of credibility of the electoral process in those states concerned. The European Union strongly recommends that appropriate measures are taken as provided for under the electoral law of Nigeria and welcomes the decision of all aggrieved parties to settle their disputes peacefully and within the constitutional framework. Furthermore, the EU expects that all perpetrators of political violence during the electoral campaign will be prosecuted.

The European Union has confidence in the Nigerian authorities, now that the 2003 elections are over, to remain focused on the democratisation process, in order to further improve the quality of democracy and increase accountability in Nigeria in the coming period.

The European Union notes with satisfaction the increase in voter participation and in particular, that women for the first time made up a substantial proportion of those who voted. This constitutes a clear sign of the increasing democratic awareness in the country.

The European Union looks forward to working in cooperation with the newly elected president and his government and to supporting their endeavours to strive for steady democratic development and economic improvements.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this declaration.

[12] EU PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS IN YEMEN

The European Union welcomes the recent holding of the third general elections in the Republic of Yemen. The elections have registered a high level of participation and were conducted in conditions generally considered fair. Significantly less violent incidents were reported than in the past.

The European Union wishes to commend the Yemeni people and government, as well as the newly elected representatives, for continuing the process of democratization and decentralization. It also reiterates its continuous support to the Republic of Yemen in pursuing sustainable, equitable and participatory development, of which the promotion of human rights, democracy, the rule of law and good governance are integral parts.

The Acceding Countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia, the Associated Countries Bulgaria, Romania align themselves with this declaration.

[13] SIMITIS-ADAMI MEETING IN VALLETTA

Greek Prime Minister and European Council President Kostas Simitis expressed regret for the victims of the latest terrorist attack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Malta Edward Fenech Adami in Valletta.

Mr. Simitis reiterated the position of Greece and the European Union on terrorism and underlined the need to continue the efforts against it.

Mr. Simitis and Mr. Adami also discussed the international developments, the future of the European Union and bilateral relations.

[14] SIMITIS-BARROSO MEETING

Prime Minister and President of the European Council Costas Simitis met with his Portuguese counterpart Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, in continuation of his tour of European member-state capitals, in view of the Thessaloniki Summit.

In the discussions Mr. Simitis had with his Portuguese counterpart, the issues to be discussed at the Thessaloniki Summit, the European Constitution, institutional changes in Europe, and better cooperation among the 15 on illegal immigration, were raised.

In statements to the press after their meeting, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Barroso underlined that small and medium countries can play an important role in European developments and that there must be balances in new Constitution so that the Union is effective and not discriminate among its members.

The interest of the Portuguese press also turned to the developments in Greece and Mr. Simitis was asked when he would carry out the governmental reshuffling. The Prime Minister stated that the elections will take place in 2004, while, as he characteristically stressed, he will not say when and if there will be a reshuffling, because governmental reshufflings are not preannounced.

Mr. Simitis pointed out that it is the first time the 25 member-states will all participate in a Summit. Despite the fact that the 10 states are not yet full members, they have the right to present their views and there is an agreement that they will participate in the decisions of the Summit, he said, stressing that for the first time we must try, all 25 member-states, to find a common path and decide together.

He also mentioned that the Thessaloniki Summit is important as the plan for the new EU Constitution will be presented by the President of the Convention for the Future of Europe, Valerie Giscard D'Estaing.

What is necessary is more Europe, which means better cooperation and common effort in order to solve the problems, not just those concerning the markets, but also those concerning foreign policy, the security and defense policy and answer questions, such as those on the SARS epidemic and the problems of European citizens.

On his side Mr. Barroso congratulated Mr. Simitis on his special effort all these difficult months, during which, as he stressed, the Greek Presidency was able to prove that in Europe, in cooperation with the heads of Governments during a specific period of time, there was very important progress noted on our common vision for a powerful European Union.

[15] EUROPEAN MESSAGE FOR PEACE & SECURITY

We must give hope to the Palestinians of living in a peaceful stable region and to the Israelis of not living in fear of suicide attacks, stated Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou after his meetings with the political leaderships of the Palestinians and the Israelis. Let us return to the peace I had signed for with Rabin and he was killed by extremists, he stated after his meeting with Yasser Arafat.

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