Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-05-12
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 12, 1999
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PM: WE MUST PROVE THAT BALKANS ARE NOT PROBLEM AREA
[02] GREEK PM ON F.R.Y.: WE HAVE NO LATITUDE FOR IMPRUDENCE
[03] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
[04] NATO CHIEF SOLANA DEFENDS AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
[05] ALBANIAN CONSULATE INAUGURATED IN THESSALONIKI
[06] SOLANA: OUR TERMS TO MILOSEVIC ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
[07] NATO TROOP SUPPLIES TRANSPORTED TO FYROM FROM THESSALONIKI
[08] SOLANA: OUR TERMS TO MILOSEVIC ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
[09] PAPANDREOU ON GREECE'S EFFORTS FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CRISIS
IN KOSSOVO
[10] REPPAS: THE FINAL DECISIONS ON THE STABILITY PACT FOR SE
EUROPE HAVE NOT BEEN REACHED YET
[11] NATO MILITARY SUPPLIES WERE TRANSPORTED TO FYROM VIA
THESSALONIKI
[12] GREECE WILL NOT ALLOW ITS AIRSPACE TO BE USED BY NATO
AIRCRAFT BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA
[13] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE EURO-PARLIAMENT OPENS TODAY
[14] THE MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT RESPONDED TO THE TRAVEL ADVISORY
ON GREECE ISSUED BY BRITAIN
[15] THE ONASIS FOUNDATION OFFERS 500.000 US DOLLARS TO THE
KOSSOVO REFUGEES
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] GREEK PRESIDENT ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA
[17] BONN EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR GREECE'S STANCE ON KOSOVO
[18] ANOTHER ROUND OF NATO RAIDS POUND YUGOSLAVIA IN THE NIGHT
[19] YELTSIN DISMISSES PRIMAKOV FROM PREMIER'S POST
[20] RUSSIA: PROSPECTS OF YELTSIN'S IMPEACHMENT REMAIN THE SAME
[21] GREECE AND MOROCCO SIGN AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT
[22] ASHES OF CHINESE EMBASSY JOURNALISTS AIRLIFTED TO BEIJING
[23] UNHCR COLLABORATES WITH MICROSOFT ON REFUGEE REGISTRATION
[24] ALLEGED SECRET US ARMS EMBARGO ON GREECE IS REVEALED BY A
TURKISH NEWSPAPER
[25] ECEVIT: NATO WILL USE TURKISH AIRPORTS FOR THE OPERATIONS
AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
[26] SOLANA: THE AIR ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL CONTINUE
[27] NEW POLITICAL CRISIS IN RUSSIA
[28] TALBOT'S CONTACTS IN MOSCOW
[29] THE GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO ARMENIA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREEK PM: WE MUST PROVE THAT BALKANS ARE NOT PROBLEM AREA
Addressing the Sixth Balkan Business Forum, which concluded
in Thessaloniki yesterday, Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis
stated that the Kosovo crisis, continuing for more than a month,
is a regrettable development in the region which, if not
contained, could lead to instability.
In his address, Mr. Simitis stressed that, at any given
opportunity, Greece's positions on the Balkan region constitute an
essential part of the country's policy in Europe and elsewhere. He
proceeded to outline Greece's input in the following initiatives:
· the convening of the Balkan conference on Crete,
· participation in the Royaumont initiative,
the Organization for Economic Cooperation of Black Sea countries
Referring to the resolution of the Kosovo crisis, "Greece
maintained the need for an involvement of the United Nations right
from the start," Mr. Simitis stated.
"I believe that an international peacekeeping force has to
be deployed in Kosovo with the authorization of the United
Nations, in which not only NATO forces will participate, but also
Russia and other countries. Greece would be willing to join forces
in such a case," he said, adding that Greece has presented a three-
fold comprehensive proposal for stability in the Balkans, based on
a political resolution of the crisis as soon as possible. The
proposal calls for stabilization, democratization and
development.
"This proposal of ours comes to complement the proposal of
the German presidency for a Stability Pact for the region," he
stated.
Referring to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, Mr.
Simitis stated that
the continuation of the bombings has succeeded neither in
preventing the authoritarian policy of the Milosevic regime and
the policy of ethnic cleansing nor in weakening him.
He stressed that the crisis has to be solved on the
principles of respecting human rights and minority rights,
respecting the existing borders and the peaceful resolution of
conflicts.
The Greek Premier added that Greece was exposed to the Kosovo
crisis more than other EU countries, due to its proximity to
Yugoslavia and its stronger economic ties with Balkan countries.
[02] GREEK PM ON F.R.Y.: WE HAVE NO LATITUDE FOR IMPRUDENCE
There is no latitude for imprudent conduct in Yugoslavia,
Greece's Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed last night in
Thessaloniki while commenting on NATO's raids which have killed
civilians and struck Belgrade's Chinese embassy.
The Premier advised that the attempts to reach a political
solution to the crisis should be marked by caution and attention,
while he referred to the "day after" the war and stated that an
accord of stability in S.E. Europe should be found, while
stressing the necessity of all Balkan countries signing
association accords with the European Union.
Moreover, Mr. Simitis referred to Greece's plan for the
restructuring of the Balkan region following the war, which would
grant Thessaloniki and northern Greece a central role in the
efforts.
[03] ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH VARTHOLOMEOS TO VISIT THESSALONIKI
The Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos will visit the
Thessaloniki suburb of Kalamaria on May 31, the feast of the Holy
Spirit, accompanied by Archbishop
Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual leader of all of the
world's Orthodox Christians, will arrive in Greece on May 21 for
a two-week visit as the official guest of the Orthodox Church of
Greece.
He will be granted all the honors accorded a head of state.
[04] NATO CHIEF SOLANA DEFENDS AIR RAIDS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
In an article published in an Athens daily, NATO's Secretary-
General Javier Solana stated that the abhorrent situation of the
refugees is temporary and the Alliance is determined to improve
the conditions as soon as possible.
Moreover, Mr. Solana defended the Alliance's raids against
Yugoslavia, by stating that NATO is conducting the bombings in
order to defend the fundamental human rights of the Kosovars.
[05] ALBANIAN CONSULATE INAUGURATED IN THESSALONIKI
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his
Albanian counterpart Paskal Milo inaugurated the Albanian General
Consulate in Thessaloniki yesterday, in the presence of Albanian
Premier Pandeli Majko.
Mr. Papandreou stated that in spite of past difficulties,
"the two countries have drawn a relationship whose future is
marked with significant opportunities that will enable stability
in the wider region and, hopefully, Albania's political, economic
and social development."
The consulate is housed in a new building located at 6
Odysseos St., Platia Vardariou, tel. (031) 547-435.
[06] SOLANA: OUR TERMS TO MILOSEVIC ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
In an article published in the Athens daily "Kathimerini",
NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana stressed that the terms set
forth by the Alliance to the Yugoslav President are non-
negotiable, maintaining that Slobodan Milosevic has to stop the
massacre, withdraw his forces, permit the entry of an
international force, allow the return of the refugees and accept a
final political negotiation based on the Rambouillet talks.
"None of these terms is negotiable," Mr. Solana states in the
article, expounding that the sooner Mr. Milosevic accepts these
terms, the sooner the restructuring process can begin.
"Our troops are ready to enter Kosovo as soon as possible, in
order to ensure that not only will the refugees be allowed to
return to their homes, but also that they will be able to live
with security, and return to a normal life they so want and
deserve," he added.
The NATO Secretary-General is to travel to FYROM and Albania
today, in order to be briefed on the refugee situation plaguing
these countries.
[07] NATO TROOP SUPPLIES TRANSPORTED TO FYROM FROM THESSALONIKI
Approximately thirty NATO armored vehicles and military
containers were transported during the early morning hours to
military camps in FYROM from Thessaloniki's port.
In addition, shortly after midnight last night, a convoy of
sixty large NATO trailers arrived in Thessaloniki from FYROM and
entered the city's port where they loaded the vehicles and
containers, prior to departing at four a.m. for FYROM.
NATO officials in Thessaloniki are expecting a French cargo
ship which will take military vehicles that will be transported to
other NATO member-states where they will either be maintained or
recalled.
[08] SOLANA: OUR TERMS TO MILOSEVIC ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
In an article published in the Athens daily "Kathimerini",
NATO's Secretary-General Javier Solana stressed that the terms set
forth by the Alliance to the Yugoslav President are non-
negotiable, maintaining that Slobodan Milosevic has to stop the
massacre, withdraw his forces, permit the entry of an
international force, allow the return of the refugees and accept a
final political negotiation based on the Rambouillet talks.
"None of these terms is negotiable," Mr. Solana states in the
article, expounding that the sooner Mr. Milosevic accepts these
terms, the sooner the restructuring process can begin.
"Our troops are ready to enter Kosovo as soon as possible, in
order to ensure that not only will the refugees be allowed to
return to their homes, but also that they will be able to live
with security, and return to a normal life they so want and
deserve," he added.
The NATO Secretary-General is to travel to FYROM and Albania
today, in order to be briefed on the refugee situation plaguing
these countries.
[09] PAPANDREOU ON GREECE'S EFFORTS FOR THE SOLUTION OF THE CRISIS
IN KOSSOVO
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou, in a press
conference he gave in Athens today, referred to the Greek efforts
for the solution of the crisis in Yugoslavia made at a diplomatic
level as well as to its efforts for the distribution of the
humanitarian aid to the Kossovo refugees.
Mr. Papandreou stressed that the Greek initiatives and the
actions of the Greek government for the reconstruction of the
Balkans after the end of the war in Yugoslavia show that the Greek
diplomacy can form alliances for the promotion of solutions.
[10] REPPAS: THE FINAL DECISIONS ON THE STABILITY PACT FOR SE
EUROPE HAVE NOT BEEN REACHED YET
The final decisions on the Stability Pact for south-eastern
Europe have not been reached yet and the sovereign rights of
Balkan states will not be affected under any circumstances, stated
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
Meanwhile, the EU general affairs council members will meet
with Kossovo ethnic Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova on May 17 to
hold discussions on the Balkan Conference. The issue will also be
discussed in a meeting of the German EU presidency with
representatives of the states bordering with Yugoslavia, while the
Stability Pact for south-eastern Europe will be discussed in the
EU summit meeting that will be held in Germany on June 3 and 4.
[11] NATO MILITARY SUPPLIES WERE TRANSPORTED TO FYROM VIA
THESSALONIKI
About thirty armoured personnel carriers and containers with
military supplies left for NATO military camps in FYROM via
Thessaloniki in the early morning hours today.
Sixty NATO military trucks on which the personnel carriers
and the containers were loaded arrived in Thessaloniki just before
midnight to pick up their cargo and the convoy left the city at
4am today.
NATO chiefs of staff in Thessaloniki expect a French cargo
ship to sail into the port of Thessaloniki to take to NATO member-
states the military vehicles and equipment that need maintenance.
[12] GREECE WILL NOT ALLOW ITS AIRSPACE TO BE USED BY NATO
AIRCRAFT BOMBING YUGOSLAVIA
Greece will not allow its territory or airspace to be used by
NATO aircraft participating in the bombing of Yugoslavia, stated
Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, responding to a
question by a reporter on the stance of the government in case
there is a request to give permission to allied aircraft coming
from Turkish airports to fly over Greece.
Mr. Reppas also stated that since the start of the bombing of
Yugoslavia, no AWACS aircraft, that took off from the Greek Air
Base of Aktion, have been used in the operations.
[13] THE PRE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE EURO-PARLIAMENT OPENS TODAY
The pre-election campaign for the Euro-Parliament elections
that will be held on June 13 opens today. The cross-party
committee that dealt with the distribution of television time for
the political parties participating in the elections met today
under the chairmanship of interior minister Vaso Papandreou.
Prime minister Kostas Simitis will speak before electoral
committee members in Nikea at 7pm this evening while right-wing
main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis
will speak in a one-day party conference in Lutsa at 4pm this
afternoon. The prime minister will speak in many big cities and
will close his pre-election campaign with his speeches in
Thessaloniki on June 8 and in Athens on June 11.
[14] THE MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT RESPONDED TO THE TRAVEL ADVISORY
ON GREECE ISSUED BY BRITAIN
Greek minister of development Evangelos Venizelos responded
to the travel advisory issued by Britain against Greece, speaking
before the parliament's development and trade committee.
Mr. Venizelos stated that based on the same rationale the
terrorist actions in London should have discouraged the Greek
tourists from visiting the British capital. The minister stressed
that all the necessary steps have been made to avert such actions
and appeared optimistic over tourism in Greece estimating that it
will be increased by 5-6% compared to last year if a political
solution is reached for the Yugoslav crisis before the end of May.
Mr. Venizelos also stated that his ministry prepares a
advertising campaign aimed at boosting domestic tourism.
[15] THE ONASIS FOUNDATION OFFERS 500.000 US DOLLARS TO THE
KOSSOVO REFUGEES
The Onasis Foundation board of directors decided unanimously
to cancel this year's award ceremonies and offer the money saved
to the Kossovo refugees.
Specifically, the Onasis Foundation will offer the sum of
500.000 US dollars and the money will reach the refugees through
the Archbishoprics of Greece and Albania.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[16] GREEK PRESIDENT ON OFFICIAL VISIT TO ARMENIA
The President of the Hellenic Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos
is presently conducting an official, two-day visit to Armenia, at
the invitation of the republic's leadership, where he will meet
with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharyan and the leaders of
Armenian political parties.
Messrs. Stephanopoulos and Kocharyan will hold private talks
this morning and will sign three texts: an agreement on the
avoidance of double taxation; an agreement for mutual assistance
between customs administrations and a protocol for an exchange of
documents on the ratification of a friendship and cooperation
agreement between Greece and Armenia - signed in Athens in June
1997.
According to his itinerary, the President will visit the
memorial to the victims of the 1915 genocide of Armenians today,
where he will lay a commemorative wreath, and will also meet with
representatives of Greek diaspora in Armenia.
Tomorrow, a Greek hall will be inaugurated at the Yerevan
State University's library, which will contain books on history
and sciences presented by Greece.
The University will bestow upon the Greek President the
honorary doctor degree.
Greece and Armenia enjoy bilateral ties that date back
centuries and centuries, according to Armenian Ambassador to
Greece Arman Kirakosian. The framework of such relations is laid
down in the 1996 treaty of friendship and cooperation between
Armenia and Greece, followed by agreements which covered the
entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation.
President Stephanopoulos is accompanied by Deputy Foreign
Minister Grigoris Niotis and Deputy National Economy Minister
Alekos Baltas.
[17] BONN EXPRESSES APPRECIATION FOR GREECE'S STANCE ON KOSOVO
The German Foreign Ministry State Secretary has expressed
his appreciation for what he called "the responsible stance" held
by Athens regarding the Kosovo crisis.
Following his Bonn -held talks with Greece's alternate
Foreign Minister Yiannos Kranidiotis earlier this week, Guenter
Verheugen also said Greece had a "major role" to play in the
stabilization of the region after the end of the war in
Yugoslavia.
During his meeting with Mr. Verheugen, Mr. Kranidiotis
stressed the Greek government's support for the initiative of the
German EU presidency for a Balkan Stability Pact which, he added,
was based on a number of Greek ideas.
Mr. Verheugen said he had relayed the German government's "
great respect and appreciation for the stance of the Greek
government which, located as it is in this difficult and sensitive
region, is acting with a high sense of responsibility..."
"Greece has the greatest experience in the region and borders
with Albania, a country which plays a key role in the
Stabilization Pact. We believe that Greece can play a major role
in promoting and implementing the pact and, as Mr. Kranidiotis
stressed, it is willing to do so," the German official said.
[18] ANOTHER ROUND OF NATO RAIDS POUND YUGOSLAVIA IN THE NIGHT
NATO aircraft continued to pound Yugoslavia last night,
targeting northern and central Kosovo, Pancevo's industrial zone,
fuel depots and television transmitters in the cities of Voivodina
and Nis. According to Yugoslav press reports, there are victims,
although the number has yet to be specified.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder is conduct a
visit to Beijing where he will hold talks with political leaders.
The President of FYROM Kiro Gligorov has forwarded a letter to his
Yugoslav counterpart Slobodan Milosevic wherein he states that he
will not allow the passage of NATO troops through his country in
case of ground operations against Kosovo.
[19] YELTSIN DISMISSES PRIMAKOV FROM PREMIER'S POST
Following a 20-minute meeting held in the Kremlin this
morning, Russian President Boris Yeltsin dismissed Prime Minister
Yevgeny Primakov from his duties by a decree, appointing Mr.
Primakov's first deputy and interior minister, Sergei Stepashin.
"Today, I made a difficult decision -- I dismissed Yevgeny
Primakov from his position of the chairman of the government," Mr.
Yeltsin said in a statement released by his press service.
"The government has accomplished a tactical task set for it
in full. However the situation in the economy is not improving.
Today, as nine months ago, the question about an economic strategy
still remains open," the Russian President noted.
[20] RUSSIA: PROSPECTS OF YELTSIN'S IMPEACHMENT REMAIN THE SAME
The Speaker of the Russian Duma, Gennady Seleznyov, has
blasted Yevgeni
Primakov's dismissal as "the biggest mistake the President (Boris
Yeltsin) could have made," adding that the prospects of Mr.
Yeltsin's impeachment by the State Duma lower house of parliament
"remain the same as before the sacking of Primakov."
According to Russian press reports, the Duma must confirm the
incoming premier in office. Should deputies reject the nomination
three times, parliament is dissolved and new elections are called.
The president may dissolve parliament if he appoints a
replacement to Primakov whose candidacy fails to win confirmation
by deputies.
Parliament, however, insists the president loses his right to
dissolve parliament once impeachment proceedings are launched, and
it could be up to the usually pro-Yeltsin Constitutional Court to
rule on the issue.
[21] GREECE AND MOROCCO SIGN AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT
Greece and Morocco have signed an air transport agreement,
allowing for the free movement of passengers, cargo and mail
between the two countries, according to the Greek Transport and
Communications Ministry.
The agreement was signed in Rabat by Greece's Transport and
Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis and his Moroccan
counterpart Mustafa
Mansouri.
The two ministers underlined their countries' interest for
further development of bilateral relation in all sectors of
transport, and particularly in advancing combined transports in
the framework of the development of European- Mediterranean
cooperation, the ministry said.
[22] ASHES OF CHINESE EMBASSY JOURNALISTS AIRLIFTED TO BEIJING
The ashes of the three Chinese embassy staff members who were
killed in Belgrade during one of NATO's strikes have been
airlifted to Beijing, along with about 20 Chinese nationals who
were wounded during the air raid.
Shao Yunhuan, 48, correspondent of the Xinhua news agency, Xu
Xinghu, 31,
correspondent of the Guangming Ribao, and his wife Zhu Ying, were
killed by a missile attack which NATO officials said was a
mistake.
[23] UNHCR COLLABORATES WITH MICROSOFT ON REFUGEE REGISTRATION
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and
the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will work with
Microsoft in order to deliver computer support for urgently needed
refugee registration in Albania.
According to a UNHCR announcement, the collaboration effort
will also involve Microsoft's partners, namely Compaq, Hewlett-
Packard, Security World Ltd. and ScreenCheck B.V.
The new registration system will provide relief agencies with
a tool to registering refugees quickly, issuing new identification
documents, and facilitate the reunification of separated families.
UNHCR said the first phase of the registration will begin on 17
May while the final phase, including issuance of identity cards,
will commence in early June.
More than 400,000 Kosovars have crossed the border into
Albania in the past
six weeks and the majority have been stripped of all
identification, according to UNHCR. Many have been separated from
their families.
"We are very impressed with the generous and quick response
by Microsoft
and its partners", said High Commissioner Sadako Ogata. "Without
their help the registration exercise would be substantially more
difficult," she added.
[24] ALLEGED SECRET US ARMS EMBARGO ON GREECE IS REVEALED BY A
TURKISH NEWSPAPER
Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet writes about an alleged "secret
arms embargo" that has been imposed on Greece by the United
States.
Citing information from the US capital, the newspaper
maintains that Washington adopted this position without making any
formal statements on the issue, because US president Clinton and
his government are outraged by Greece's pro-Serb stance.
According to the Turkish newspaper, the United States have
suspended the delivery of weapons systems to Greece with a total
value of 1.1. billion US dollars.
Among the weapons systems that are not being delivered,
according to Cumhuriyet, are four Patriot missiles' batteries that
were ordered by Greece to reinforce its defense.
[25] ECEVIT: NATO WILL USE TURKISH AIRPORTS FOR THE OPERATIONS
AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA
Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit confirmed that NATO will
use Turkish airports for its operations against Yugoslavia.
Responding to a question by a reporter, on whether the NATO
aircraft that will take off from Turkey will be used in the
bombing of Yugoslavia, he said that this is not clear yet and it
is still under discussion.
NATO, which plans to further expand the air strikes in
Yugoslavia, has asked from Turkey and Hungary for their permission
to use their airports and Turkey has already responded positively
to the request.
[26] SOLANA: THE AIR ATTACKS AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA WILL CONTINUE
NATO secretary-general Javier Solana reiterated from Tirana
today the alliance's decision to continue the air strikes against
Yugoslavia.
In statements he made immediately after his meeting with
Albanian president Redzep Meidani, Mr. Solana stressed that NATO's
air attacks against Yugoslavia will continue until there is an end
to the ethnic cleansing committed by Milosevic in Kosovo.
Mr. Solana reiterated that Albania has the backing of NATO
underlining that the alliance will not allow Albania's territorial
integrity to be at risk.
[27] NEW POLITICAL CRISIS IN RUSSIA
Russia faces a new political crisis after the dismissal of
prime minister Gevgeni Primakov and his government by president
Boris Yeltsin.
The Russian president appointed interior minister Sergei
Stepasin to the post of the prime minister and asked the Lower
House of Parliament to ratify his decision. Parliament speaker
Genadi Selesniov stated that Yeltsin made a very serious mistake
that opens the door for his own impeachment by the Duma. The
discussion on the issue will open tomorrow.
In his statement president Yeltsin mentions that Gevgeni
Primakov was dismissed because he failed to improve the economic
situation of the country.
[28] TALBOT'S CONTACTS IN MOSCOW
Russian president Boris Yeltsin announced that his country
will stop the diplomatic efforts for the settlement of the crisis
in Kosovo if the new proposals he will submit do not have a
positive response by the NATO countries.
Meanwhile, US assistant secretary of state Strobe Talbot met
in Moscow with Igor Ivanov, while he will also have contacts with
Russian mediator Victor Chernomyrdin and president Boris Yeltsin.
German chancellor Gerhard Schroder is in Peking for meetings
with the Chinese leadership. China lifted the demand it submitted
to the UN for the condemnation of the bombing of the Chinese
embassy in Belgrade and now it wants to be disapproved.
[29] THE GREEK PRESIDENT CONTINUES HIS VISIT TO ARMENIA
The talks of Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos with his
Armenian counterpart Mr. Kotsaryan continued today in a friendly
atmosphere.
Later, at noon were signed agreements in the presence of the
two presidents aimed at avoiding double taxation and at further
improving cooperation in the customs sector.
Also, there was an exchange of ratification documents
concerning a friendship agreement and a consulate cooperation
agreement.
In a joint press conference, Mr. Kotsaryan stated that they
discussed issues of mutual interest, issues concerning the region
of Caucasus as well as matters concerning the region of the
Balkans and stressed that Greece is a key-country for the
promotion of Armenia's positions in the international
institutions. The president of Armenia also said that it was very
significant the fact that Mr. Stephanopoulos was accompanied by a
business delegation that held contacts aimed at the further
development of bilateral trade and economic relations. He also
said that Greece and Armenia share the same views and there are no
differences between the two countries.
Mr. Stephanopoulos reiterated that bilateral relations are at
an excellent level and added that the wish of both sides is to
further develop the economic, trade and cultural relations, while
he also stated that he invited Mr. Kotsaryan to visit Greece.
The Greek president also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum
outside the city of Yerevan, built in the memory of the 1,5
million Armenians massacred by the Turks.
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