Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] PARLIAMENT OPENING

[02] MITSOTAKIS AND THEODORAKIS AT MAXIMOU

[03] ANNAN PRESSURES FOR SOLUTION

[04] PETRALIA: THE REMAINING TIME UNTIL THE OLYMPICS IS AN ENEMY

[05] CHANGES IN THE MARATHON ROUTE CONSTRUCTION

[06] GREEK-TURKISH TALKS WILL BE UNDERWAY ON WEDNESDAY

[07] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AND US AMBASSADOR MEETING

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] "MISSILE UMBRELLA" DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES

[10] THREE MOMENTS OF SILENCE WERE OBSERVED BY THE EUROPEANS

[01] PARLIAMENT OPENING

The new parliamentary period will begin this Thursday with the oath taking of the 300 MPs. Mrs. Anna Psarouda-Benaki has been nominated for the Presidency of the Parliament. The discussion of the government's program statements will begin on Saturday. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis asked his Ministers to turn in the files with their priorities in every sector and is preparing for the presentation of the program statements, while he will continue having meetings with his Ministers. PASOK President G. Papandreou had meetings with Movement officials, in order to form their Oppositional tactics.

[02] MITSOTAKIS AND THEODORAKIS AT MAXIMOU

Former Prime Minister Constantinos Mitsotakis and distinguished composer Mikis Theodorakis will be received at the Maximos mansion today by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. It should be noted that Mr. Theodorakis had sent a congratulatory letter to Mr. Karamanlis for his undertaking of the Ministry of Culture. Mr. Mitsotakis has expressed the view that the Karamanlis government is a good government.

[03] ANNAN PRESSURES FOR SOLUTION

President of they Cypriot Republic Tassos Papadopoulos returned from Athens pleased, while he stated that the Greek government reassured us of its full support towards our policies and towards the Cypriot people, and restated that they will stand by our side in the difficult days expected once again. Discussions are continuing again today, while the Cypriot press has mentioned that UN Secretary General Kofi Annan wishes for a solution without the use of the arbitration recognized by the two communities in New York.

[04] PETRALIA: THE REMAINING TIME UNTIL THE OLYMPICS IS AN ENEMY

Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli Petralia met with new Olympic Games secretary general Spiros Kapralos and stated that until the Olympic Games are held time is an enemy.

Mrs. Petralia also expressed joy because Mr. Kapralos is very familiar with issues concerning sports and culture.

On his part, Mr. Kapralos stated that this is a difficult venture and the remaining days are crucial.

The assurance that the political sports leadership will do everything feasible for the Greek athletes to have the best possible performance in the Olympics was expressed by Sports Deputy Minister Giorgos Orphanos after the meeting he had with Athens 2004 Organizing Committee President Mrs. Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalakis.

[05] CHANGES IN THE MARATHON ROUTE CONSTRUCTION

Minister of Environment, Land Planning and Public Works Giorgos Souflias announced after a two-hour meeting that there will be technical changes in the Marathon route project that will have no effect on the operation and quality of the Marathon race starting-point facilities. The changes were decided in agreement with the designers of the project, the contractor and the responsible ministry agencies.

Mr. Souflias pledged that the project will be ready by June 15, adding that everything that will not be done now will be completed after the Olympics.

Last Friday, when he inspected the Marathon route construction site, the minister had expressed strong concern on whether the Olympic Games' projects will be ready on time, just 5 months before the games, characterizing the situation along the Marathon route as unacceptable.

[06] GREEK-TURKISH TALKS WILL BE UNDERWAY ON WEDNESDAY

The talks between Greece and Turkey, held under the UN auspices on security and guarantee issues in Cyprus, will be underway on Wednesday, March 17 at the Greek Foreign Ministry.

Political Affairs Director Elias Klis, responsible ambassador Mr. Tritaris and Major-General Stilianos Panagopoulos from the National Defense General Staff will represent the Greek side.

In charge of the Turkish delegation will be ambassador Bagi Ilkin, while a delegation made up of UN political and military officials will also participate in the talks.

[07] GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER AND US AMBASSADOR MEETING

Greek Minister of Defense Spilios Spiliotopoulos received US ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller and his advisers in a ceremonial meeting today on the occasion of the assumption of his new duties.

In the meeting, that lasted about an hour they discussed issues of mutual interest.

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -2.33% at 2363.66 points, while the volume of transactions was at 122.7 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 33 had gains and 299 had losses, while the value of 62 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] "MISSILE UMBRELLA" DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES

A missile umbrella made up of Patriot, Stinger and Hawk missile batteries will protect the regions of Attiki, Evia and Viotia, central Greece, in an effort to boost defense against terrorism.

The air defense map for the safety of the Olympic Games is ready, according to the Athens newspaper Apogevmatini.

The air defense umbrella will be completed with the presence of Mirage 2000 and F-16 interception fighter jets as well as, T-6A Texan II aircraft, which are latest technology single engine turboprop aircraft, and flying radar stations.

Similar protection will have other four Greek cities with Olympic venues. The country will also be protected from nuclear threat, as the responsible authorities consider any likelihood.

[10] THREE MOMENTS OF SILENCE WERE OBSERVED BY THE EUROPEANS

People across Europe observed three moments of silence at 2pm today in mourning for the victims of terrorism.

State Minister Thodoris Rousopoulos confirmed Greece's participation in the protest.

The investigation held by the Spanish authorities for the arrest of those responsible for the bloody attacks in Madrid, that killed over 200 people and injured hundreds more, has focused on an Islamic group active in Morocco.

In Spain, the unexpected victory of the Socialists who, nevertheless, cannot form an independent government, creates a new political scenery in the country as the persistence displayed by the Aznar government to blame ETA for the terrorist attack was condemned by the people based on yesterday's election results.

The Spanish Prime Minister suggested cooperation against terrorism at national level.

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