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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-07-21

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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


MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 21, 1999

SECTIONS

  • [A] NATIONAL NEWS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] THE SIMITIS-KOSTOV MEETING WAS HELD IN A VERY POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE
  • [02] KRANIDIOTIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
  • [03] UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM 7 BALKAN STATES WILL VISIT CHALKIDIKI
  • [04] IOC PRESIDENT JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH IS IN ATHENS
  • [05] MR. KRANIDIOTIS MET WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF CYPRUS
  • [06] A TURKISH FIGHTER JET HARASSED THE PASSENGER PLANE WITH THE GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION
  • [07] "GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY AND OIL COMPANIES
  • [08] BULGARIAN PREMIER VISITS ATHENS
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [09] THE TURKISH MIT ARRESTED PKK'S SECOND IN COMMAND
  • [10] THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR THE DISARMAMENT OF KLA EXPIRES TODAY
  • [11] PKK: SOYSAL WAS HANDED OVER BY MOLDAVIA
  • [12] KLIRIDIS: WE DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER OF CONFEDERATION

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] THE SIMITIS-KOSTOV MEETING WAS HELD IN A VERY POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE

    The meeting of Greek prime minister Kostas Simitis with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivan Kostov has been completed in Athens. Their talks focused on the reconstruction of the Balkans and the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project.

    Mr. Simitis stated in a press conference regarding the situation in the Balkans, that both have agreed that the stability pact procedures should go ahead within the framework of the European Union. They also stressed that the stability pact can not be directed to isolated problems but it has to deal with the Balkans as a whole, given the fact that the EU does not have a complete and satisfactory policy at this point.

    Mr. Simitis stated on the issue of Kosovo that there are many problems in the region that can be faced through international law, the participation in the United Nations procedures as well as, the respect of international regulations and the existing borders.

    Prime minister Simitis stressed that Greece will deal with the EU enlargement in the Helsinki summit meeting and it will suggest that the negotiations with Bulgaria should start immediately.

    The two prime ministers characterized bilateral relations as very good and the Bulgarian prime minister expressed his satisfaction concerning the pledge by Mr. Simitis to back Bulgaria's bid for membership in the European Union and NATO. Mr. Kostov stated that Greece is Bulgaria's most important economic partner in south-eastern Europe which is proved by the volume of Bulgaria's foreign trade transactions and the impressive presence of Greece in the Bulgarian privatization process.

    On the joint Greek-Bulgarian projects, Mr. Simitis and Mr. Kostov discussed the pan-European road axis No4 construction plan which according to Mr. Kostov is the alternative road that links the south-eastern European countries with the rest European states. On the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, Mr. Kostov reiterated his country's positive stance and announced that by the end of July there will be a meeting of Greek and Russian specialists to discuss the creation of a committee that will undertake the further examination of the existing issues.

    Mr. Simitis pointed out that a joint group of specialists should be formed to examine the likelihood of a free movement zone of 10 to 25 kilometers deep on both sides of the Greek-Bulgarian borders. Commenting on the issue of the construction of the road axes, Mr. Simitis stated that certain issues have already been settled but more preparatory work is needed.

    [02] KRANIDIOTIS WILL BE IN THESSALONIKI TO DISCUSS ISSUES CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS

    Deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis will be in Thessaloniki next Tuesday to discuss with local authorities the issue concerning the place where the headquarters of the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans will be housed.

    The first stop for Mr. Kranidiotis will be the ministry of Macedonia-Thrace where he will discuss with minister Yiannis Magriotis the existing options. Afterwards, the deputy foreign minister will have contacts with local administration authorities on the same issue.

    On the organization's timetable, it is estimated that it will be in operation by September or in October at the latest, given the fact that the European parliament has to issue a decision on the matter.

    [03] UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM 7 BALKAN STATES WILL VISIT CHALKIDIKI

    University students from Greece and Cyprus and from 5 other Balkan states will be in Chalkidiki, northern Greece on Friday to participate in the 4th Conference of the South-Eastern Europe Youth Center.

    In the conference that is being organized with the support of the National Youth Institute participate university student associations from Albania, Yugoslavia, FYROM, Romania and Bulgaria.

    During the conference the students will adopt a number of proposals on the role of the new generation in the effort to bring peace and prosperity to the Balkans. Those proposals will be sent to the EU member-states, the OSCE and the United Nations.

    [04] IOC PRESIDENT JUAN ANTONIO SAMARANCH IS IN ATHENS

    International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch arrived in Athens at noon today and later this afternoon he will speak in the Olympic Academy meeting.

    In statements he made upon his arrival at the Athens Airport, Mr. Samaranch referred to the resignation of the Olympic Games Organization "Athens 2004" organizing committee president Stratis Stratigis.

    He stressed that he is not concerned over the resignation, underlining that there will be someone equally able to replace Mr. Stratigis. Mr. Samaranch also appeared very satisfied with the construction course of the sports facilities projects scheduled to be completed in time for the 2004 Olympic Games that will be held in Athens.

    IOC president Mr. Samaranch will meet today with culture minister Elisavet Papazoi and undersecretary of sports Andreas Fouras.

    [05] MR. KRANIDIOTIS MET WITH THE FOREIGN MINISTER OF CYPRUS

    Greek deputy foreign minister Yiannos Kranidiotis met with Cypriot foreign minister Yiannakis Kasoulides in Athens today. In the meeting they discussed the prospects for the accession of Cyprus into the European Union, the Cyprus problem and the relations with Turkey.

    Mr. Kranidiotis stated that the visit of Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit to the Turkish occupied northern part of Cyprus undermines the efforts made for the opening of a Greek- Turkish dialogue on secondary issues and the efforts made by Turkey itself to become part of the European family.

    From his side, Mr. Kasoulides characterized as especially positive the initiative undertaken by the G8 and the United Nations on the Cyprus problem and underlined that the efforts will continue for the overturning, through political and diplomatic means, of the fait accompli created by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

    [06] A TURKISH FIGHTER JET HARASSED THE PASSENGER PLANE WITH THE GREEK MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION

    A Turkish fighter jet harassed today the two-engine passenger plane on board which was Greek minister of transportation Tasos Mandelis on his way back to Athens from Cyprus.

    The first harassment was recorded while the passenger plane was 48 miles south-east of the southern Aegean island of Rhodes and the second when the plane was 28 miles away from the island.

    Two Greek Mirage-2000 fighter jets arrived at the region immediately but there was no interception as the Turkish fighter jet had already left.

    The Greek minister of transportation was in Cyprus representing the Greek government in the events held in the island on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.

    [07] "GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY AND OIL COMPANIES

    New fuel prices are to be announced today, as well as the highest possible profit, after the "gentlemen's agreement" reached yesterday between oil companies and gas station owners and the Ministry of Development. The agreement will be valid until August 17, especially in 12 prefectures where extremely high prices have been reported. Development Minister, Evagelos Venizelos estimated that in the next few days there will be a fall in the prices of crude oil due to the fall of the dollar equivalency, as well as due to the decrease in the rate of international demand.

    [08] BULGARIAN PREMIER VISITS ATHENS

    Bulgarian Premier, Ivan Kostov, is paying a visit to Athens today. He will meet with his Greek counterpart, Kostas Simitis, Greek President, Kostis Stefanopoulos and Speaker, Apostolos Kaklamanis. Their discussions will focus on the construction plans of three new roads in the border passages of Rouzodem-Xanthi , Delchev-Drama and Kirtzali-Komotini. They are also expected to discuss about the construction of the oil pipeline between Burgas and Alexandroupolis. Mr Kostov is accompanied by the Bulgarian vice-president Evgeni Bakartziev and the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Valentin Vasilev.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [09] THE TURKISH MIT ARRESTED PKK'S SECOND IN COMMAND

    The Turkish Information Service (MIT) announced that it has arrested in Germany Cevat Soysal, second in command in the Kurdish PKK organization in Europe, according to a report on the Turkish television network MTV.

    In a statement issued by MIT, it is stressed that Soysal was arrested during a Turkish secret service operation in Germany and was taken to Turkey.

    Meanwhile, two police officers and a civilian have lost their lives, while seven people were injured in armed attacks against two cities in Turkey that are being attributed to Kurdish rebels.

    [10] THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR THE DISARMAMENT OF KLA EXPIRES TODAY

    The first deadline for the gradual disarmament of the Kosovo Liberation Army, KLA, expires today.

    The KLA rebels will have to hand over all their heavy weapons and 30% of their light weapons.

    [11] PKK: SOYSAL WAS HANDED OVER BY MOLDAVIA

    The Kurdish Workers' Party, PKK, has issued a statement according to which Cevat Soysal was handed over to Turkey by the Moldavian authorities and he was not arrested in Germany as it was reported by the Turkish mass media. Meanwhile, German officials have stated that they can not confirm Soysal's arrest on German soil.

    The Turkish television had reported earlier that Soysal was arrested in Germany and was transferred to Turkey on board a private plane, while it also presented pictures showing Soysal leaving the plane accompanied by Turkish MIT secret agents and wearing a hood over his head.

    [12] KLIRIDIS: WE DO NOT DISCUSS THE MATTER OF CONFEDERATION

    There is no way we are going to discuss the matter of a confederation or accept talks of an inter-state nature, stressed President of Cyprus, Glafkos Kliridis. Mr. Kliridis said that the Greek-cypriot side is ready to take part in inter-communal talks in order to search for a solution of a two-zone-two communities confederation, according the UN Security Council's resolutions and the declaration of G-8 on Cyprus.
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