Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-02-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PRODI PRAISES FOR SIMITIS AND PAPANDREOU

[02] PAPANDREOU TO VISIT CYPRUS

[03] EXTENSIVE DAMAGES IN THE GREEK FARM PRODUCTION BY THE FROST

[04] PAPANDREOU: THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR

[05] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

[06] NEW OPINION POLL IN THESSALONIKI SHOWS PAPANDREOU TO BE MORE FIT FOR

[07] TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF LEGAL ACTION AGAINST DRAFT DODGERS LIVING

[01] PRODI PRAISES FOR SIMITIS AND PAPANDREOU

European Commission President Romano Prodi referred to Greek Prime Minister Kostas Simitis and governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou with praising words, in an interview with the Athens newspaper Ethnos.

Mr. Prodi underlined that he will remain to his post until the end of his term and stressed that everything else lies in the hands of God, responding to the question if it is likely to head the Center-Left in the Italian elections.

Responding to the question if his successor in the European Commission Presidency will be from northern Europe and the Center-Right according to the tradition or there will be an exception, he said that there is a kind of an informal agreement that in the leadership of the European Commission will be a former European leader who has served as a Prime Minister for at least two years and comes from the political party that will get the majority vote in the Euro-elections. However, he said, this is an unwritten law and in the case of a deadlock or other problems other solutions are not ruled out.

Regarding Turkey's European prospect and if there is a likelihood for a date to be given concerning the opening of its accession negotiations, he said that the European Council in Copenhagen has authorized the European Commission to prepare a report on Turkey's progress for a decision to be reached possibly in the 2004 December Summit.

[02] PAPANDREOU TO VISIT CYPRUS

Governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou will visit Cyprus today and tomorrow morning will be received by Cypriot Republic President Tassos Papadopoulos.

Mr. Papandreou will also meet with Cypriot Parliament President Dimitris Christofias and afterwards, with political party leaders.

Tomorrow afternoon, he will have contacts with Turkish Cypriots at Lydra Palace and will address an event at the Conference Center organized by the Prefectural Committee of PASOK in Cyprus.

[03] EXTENSIVE DAMAGES IN THE GREEK FARM PRODUCTION BY THE FROST

A considerable part of the Greek farm production was damaged as a result of the extreme weather that hit most of the country last Thursday, mainly central and southern Greece, characterized by arctic temperatures, heavy snow and frost.

According to the Athens television station Alpha, many crops have suffered total destruction, while based on initial estimates the damages reach 150-200 million euros.

Over 50,000 tons of potatoes were destroyed by the frost recorded in Kalamata, southern Greece, while tons of oranges and cauliflower were destroyed in Volos, central Greece.

[04] PAPANDREOU: THE SOLUTION OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM IS A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR GREECE

Governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou handed over the Foreign Ministry to Alternate Foreign Minister Tasos Giannitsis in a very emotional atmosphere today.

Mr. Papandreou thanked all those who have worked hard in the Foreign Ministry guided by vision and passion for a strong Greece able to respond effectively to the challenges of the times, while he referred extensively to the achievements of his foreign policy.

He pointed out, among others, that the policy followed has yielded fruit, making a special reference to the Cyprus issue and expressing the hope that a united Cyprus will become a member of the EU.

[05] MARGINAL GAINS IN THE ASE

Marginal gains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index rose to +0.05% at 2463.69 points, while the volume of transactions was at 114.5 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 88 had gains and 206 had losses, while the value of 92 stocks remained unchanged.

[06] NEW OPINION POLL IN THESSALONIKI SHOWS PAPANDREOU TO BE MORE FIT FOR THE POST OF THE PRIME MINISTER

Governing Socialist Party of PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou appears to be more fit for the post of the Prime Minister leading by 1.6% right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis in an opinion poll in the A' electoral district of Thessaloniki conducted by the polling company Kapa Research on behalf of the Thessaloniki newspaper Angelioforos.

Of those who responded to the questionnaire, 37.9% stated that more fit for the post of the Prime Minister is PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou compared to New Democracy's Kostas Karamanlis with 36.3%. Also, 47.4% stated that they are satisfied with Giorgos Papandreou and 48.2% with Kostas Karamanlis.

[07] TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF LEGAL ACTION AGAINST DRAFT DODGERS LIVING ABROAD

The temporary suspension of legal action against draft dodgers living abroad is in effect starting today until March 26, 2004 in order to be able to return to Greece and vote in the March 7 parliamentary elections.

Beginning today and until March 26 the draft dodgers living abroad can enter Greece and stay in the country without preconditions and special procedures. If they choose to return they will also have the opportunity to be in Greece for the national holiday of March 25 and the Olympic Flame Ceremony.

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