Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] RISE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN EVROS

[02] EARTHQUAKE OF 4.2 MAGNITUDE IN RAFINA, NEAR ATHENS

[03] WRITTEN EXPANATIONS BY KALLINIKOS

[04] THE HOLY SYNOD FOUND THE EXPLANATIONS BY KALLINIKOS ADEQUATE

[05] IMPORTANT STEP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL

[06] KARAMANLIS-BARROSO MEETING

[07] FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INSPECTION IN THE HOLY METROPOLISES

[08] CLARIFICATIONS BY ANTONAROS OF THE VAVILIS CASE

[09] GREECE SUPPORTS THE FYROM NAME NEGOTIATIONS

[10] KARAMANLIS-STEPHANOPOULOS FAREWELL MEETING

[01] RISE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN EVROS

The arrests of illegal immigrants in Alexandroupolis, northeastern Greece, increased by 87.8% in 2004 while police authorities state that a large number of illegal immigrants wait outside Istanbul for the water level of Evros River to drop in order to cross it and come to Greece.

On the identity of the illegal immigrants, authorities clarify that the number of Bulgarians and Romanians trying to cross the Greek borders illegally during the past few years has dropped, while many Albanians choose to enter Greece through FYROM.

According to Thessaloniki daily Angelioforos, based on police figures a total of 30,844 illegal immigrants were arrested in northern Greece (Thessaloniki not included), while in 2003 the arrested illegal immigrants were 29,220.

[02] EARTHQUAKE OF 4.2 MAGNITUDE IN RAFINA, NEAR ATHENS

Earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale hit the region of Rafina, near Athens at 1 pm today.

The earthquake was felt in Attiki alarming local residents.

According to seismologists, there was no increase in seismic activity during the past few days reiterating that there is no cause for concern because today's tremor is regarded as an isolated phenomenon.

[03] WRITTEN EXPANATIONS BY KALLINIKOS

Explanations concerning accusations of sexual harrassment were given to the Holy Synod today by Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos. Meanwhile, the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece has appointed Metropolitan Bishop Vasilios of Elassona as the examiner in the case concerning the allegations against Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos for lewd conduct targeting a holy chorister made 13 years ago. Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos maintains that he is the victim of a frame-up.

Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos also cited a decision issued in 1994 by the Holy Synod according to which, he was the victim of a slander attack. He also stated that he is determined to appeal to the criminal courts to restore his prestige.

[04] THE HOLY SYNOD FOUND THE EXPLANATIONS BY KALLINIKOS ADEQUATE

The Church of Greece Holy Synod found the explanations given by Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos of Piraeus adequate concerning the allegations made against him 13 years ago on lewd conduct involving a holy chorister.

Holy Synod press spokesman Metropolitan Bishop Dorotheos of Siros stated after the meeting that the written explanations offered by Metropolitan Kallinikos, who denies the accusations and characterizes them as slanderous, were regarded as adequate.

However, Metropolitan Kallinikos has stated that he wishes the case to clear up and, therefore, it was decided to appoint Metropolitan Bishop Vasilios of Elassona as ecclesiastical examiner to investigate the case.

[05] IMPORTANT STEP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BURGAS-ALEXANDROUPOLIS OIL PIPELINE

The meeting Deputy Minister of Development Giorgos Salagoudis had in Moscow yesterday with the representatives of the responsible ministries in Russia and Bulgaria is regarded as a very important step for the promotion of the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

According to an agreement reached in the meeting, the oil pipeline construction deal will be signed in Sofia on April 15.

[06] KARAMANLIS-BARROSO MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will have a meeting with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in Brussels on Wednesday, according to acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros.

Mr. Antonaros clarified that the meeting does not concern the majority shareholder regulations, stressing that the Greek government believes that the law is compatible both with the constitution and the European law.

[07] FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INSPECTION IN THE HOLY METROPOLISES

Minister of Education and Religion Marietta Giannakou announced that an audit inspection will be held in all the Church of Greece Holy Metropolises responding to a relevant question in Parliament by opposition Coalition Party.

Mrs. Giannakou stated that there is a joint decision on the audit by the Ministry of Education and Religion and the Ministry of Finance, while she also stated that a special clause will be passed according to which, the Metropolitan Bishops will have to declare the way in which they acquired their personal assets.

[08] CLARIFICATIONS BY ANTONAROS OF THE VAVILIS CASE

Acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros referred to the destruction of the National Information Service documents on Apostolos Vavilis.

Mr. Antonaros pointed out that the documents were destroyed on March 13, 2003 under unclear conditions but he avoided to blame the previous government and suggested to reporters to check the dates and reach their own conclusions.

He stated that the case is already at the office of the Athens prosecutor and an investigation will be launched.

[09] GREECE SUPPORTS THE FYROM NAME NEGOTIATIONS

The Greek government supports the negotiations on the issue of the FYROM name and participates in them with an accelerated pace to agree on a mutually acceptable name within the framework of the United Nations.

Acting government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros made the comment mentioned above responding to a question by a reporter on whether an agreement is imminent on the issue of the FYROM name.

To the question whether there are prospects that allow for optimism, Mr. Antonaros referred to the consultations held by Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis in New York and suggested patience stating that 3 years of inaction have passed during the previous government. He added that the current government has accelerated the pace of negotiations stressing that he does not want to forejudge the negotiations' outcome.

[10] KARAMANLIS-STEPHANOPOULOS FAREWELL MEETING

Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis had a farewell meeting with outgoing Hellenic Republic President Kostis Stephanopoulos and thanked him for the impeccable manner in which he performed his duties.

Mr. Karamanlis stated that Mr. Stephanopoulos in his two five-year terms served with a high sense of responsibility the constitution, the institution of the presidency, the country and Hellenism in general. He stressed that it was only fair that he has won the appreciation and respect of the Greek people.

Earlier, Mr. Stephanopoulos wished for everything to go well and the country to prosper, stressing that Karolos Papoulias is the best possible choice for the post of the Hellenic Republic President.

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