Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-08-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] THE ISSUE OF TURKEY IN THE EU

[02] INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN THESSALONIKI

[03] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS SENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE US PRESIDENT

[04] OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE USED GREEK SEA PORTS THIS SUMMER

[01] THE ISSUE OF TURKEY IN THE EU

The permanent representatives of the EU member states in their meeting will decide on the stance the EU will adopt toward the unilateral statement by Turkey according to which it does not recognize the Cypriot Republic. The statement accompanied the documents signed by Ankara for the expansion of Turkey's customs union with the EU to include the 10 new EU member states.

The British EU Presidency has allegedly suggested issuing a statement to Turkey calling it to lift the statement on Cyprus while other countries, among them France, appear to be calling for pressures to be exerted on Ankara.

The Greek government aims at the solution of the problems created by the statement in question, stated Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis clarifying that the Greek position on Turkey's European course remains firm.

[02] INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY IN THESSALONIKI

The bill for the establishment of a state university based in Thessaloniki to offer higher education in English and other languages and target mainly foreign students was voted in principle by the Parliament deputies of ruling party of New Democracy and main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK.

The students of the International University of Greece will pay the same tuition fees regardless of the country of origin.

Minister of Education Marietta Giannakou stated that there is interest on behalf of many countries like China or the Arab states as well as by the Greeks living in the United States who wish to study in Greece.

Initially, the university will have three departments (Humanitarian Sciences, Economy and Management and Science Technology).

[03] PRIME MINISTER KARAMANLIS SENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE US PRESIDENT

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis sent a letter of condolences to US President George Bush and the American people expressing deep regret for the loss of so many lives as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

He underlines that on behalf of the Greek government and the Greek people he extends his sincere condolences for the tragic loss of people caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Our thoughts are with the families of those lost and with all those who live through the consequences of this disaster, mentions the Prime Minister in his letter.

[04] OVER 5 MILLION PEOPLE USED GREEK SEA PORTS THIS SUMMER

An estimated 2.5 million passengers used the port of Piraeus to travel to the Greek islands during the summer months, while over 5 million passengers in total used Greek sea ports this summer, stated Minister of Merchant Marine Manolis Kefalogiannis after the meeting he had today with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Mr. Kefalogiannis said that the state guarantees the safety of transportation and pointed out that the average age of the passenger ships currently in service is low stressing that most of them meet the quality standards and are very reliable.

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