Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-04

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM says Greece ready to contribute to Kosovo settlement, concludes Balkan tour

[02] Detrop trade fair opens Friday

[03] BSEC meeting on energy in Alexandroupolis

[04] PASOK leader rejects conflict between civilisations, in party congress address

[01] PM says Greece ready to contribute to Kosovo settlement, concludes Balkan tour

Petersen thanked the prime minister for Greece's support in all sectors in Kosovo and briefed him on the current situation and on the course of dialogue, stressing that progress has been achieved towards the fulfilment of criteria set by the international community, but there is still a great deal of ground to cover.

However, President Ibrahim Rugova, with whom Karamanlis had met earlier on, reiterated his position for an independent Kosovo, pointing out that he will contribute to the region's stability and underlining that its citizens will enjoy equal rights.

Karamanlis, who was accompanied on his tour by Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos and Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis, will return to Athens on Thursday evening, while on Friday morning he will be receiving Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano at the Maximos Mansion.

[02] Detrop trade fair opens Friday

Organised by Helexpo, the trade fair also includes machinery and equipment associated with the sector. Entry is open to the public from Friday-Sunday and for trade visitors only on Monday.

Nikos Tsiartsionis, Macedonia-Thrace Minister, will be inaugurating the exhibit.

An associated event is the 5th Thessaloniki International Wine Contest, which began on Wednesday and ends on Friday.

The only event of its kind in Greece, the contest is arranged by Union of Northern Greek Vintners with Helexpo as part of the trade fair.

Other events, such as the Greek National Cooking and Pastry contest, an olive tasting event and others will also be held on the sidelines of DETROP 2005.

[03] BSEC meeting on energy in Alexandroupolis

A joint declaration is expected to be signed at the end of the meeting promoting multilateral cooperation in the energy sector.

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis will be opening the session, which is being organised by the Development and Foreign ministries.

A work group session was held on March 2 and 3 in preparation for Friday's meeting.

[04] PASOK leader rejects conflict between civilisations, in party congress address

Papandreou also rejected xenophobia, racism, fear towards immigrants, poverty in developing countries, impoverishment in global economic competition, violence and terrorism and the downgrading of the environment.

Referring to globalisation, the PASOK leader said it requires a world governance system which can only be a democratic governance. He added that the new world order will either be progressive or it will be dangerous for the world. Criticising the United States, Papandreou said the superpower is very often incapable of handling its power.

Papandreou also commented on the European constitution, saying that PASOK will rally Greek society on this issue and will develop new alliances at European and international level.

He placed particular emphasis on cooperation with the prime ministers of Spain and Portugal Zapaterro and Socrates and with the socialist parties of France, Italy and the Balkans.

Merssages were also addressed to the congress by European Parliament President Josep Borrell, former French prime minister Michel Rocard, former Italian prime minister Massimo D'Alema, Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson and former Danish prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

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