Visit the Foundation for Hellenic Studies (FHS) Homepage Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Thursday, 28 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-10-07

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, October 7, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] SEARCH CONDUCTED FOR SUNKEN SHIP IN THE AEGEAN
  • [02] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CYPRUS TOMORROW
  • [03] GERMAN NATIONAL MISSING AT MT. ATHOS HAS BEEN DISCOVERED
  • [04] INFOSYSTEM '99' OPENS WITH VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
  • [05] SE EUROPEAN, BLACK SEA COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT LINKS
  • [06] GREEK, FRENCH FMs AGREE ON COOPERATION IN S.E. EUROPE
  • [07] INFORMATION COMPANIES MEET IN THESSALONIKI TODAY
  • [08] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN RHODES
  • [09] GREECE MEETS EMU CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC DEFICIT
  • [10] SIMITIS: GREECE WILL PROMOTE MALTA'S BID FOR EU MEMBERSHIP
  • [11] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
  • [12] REPPAS CONDEMNED THE BOMB ATTACK IN ISTANBUL
  • [13] THE GREEK COASTGUARD ARRESTED 18 IRAQI ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND A TURKISH SLAVE-TRADER
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [14] C OF E THREATENS TURKEY WITH EXPULSION OVER COURT RULING
  • [15] DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 70 FROM LONDON TRAIN CRASH
  • [16] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO UNITED STATES
  • [17] SERB OPPOSITION LEADERS INVITED TO EU FM MEETING
  • [18] BOMB CAUSES MATERIAL DAMAGE AT GREEK SCHOOL IN ISTANBUL
  • [19] THE ALBANIAN IMMIGRANTS ACCUSE THE ALBANIAN CONSULATE EMPLOYEES IN THESSALONIKI OF BAD BEHAVIOR
  • [20] AUSTRIAN PRAISES FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
  • [21] THE EU COMMISSION CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE SHUT DOWN OF THE KOZLODUI NUCLEAR PLANT
  • [22] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT SOCIALIST GROUP LEADER STATED THAT GREECE'S STANCE TOWARD TURKEY IS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] SEARCH CONDUCTED FOR SUNKEN SHIP IN THE AEGEAN

    Coast Guard crews are continuing their efforts to locate a shipwreck in the Aegean Sea, near Falconera.

    In an SOS call transmitted last night, a woman pled for help, saying that on the ship's radio that the boat had caught on fife and it was sinking. The Ministry of Merchant Marine has yet to locate the boat named "Katerina", as dozens of other boats listed on the shipping register bear the same name.

    [02] GREEK ALTERNATE FOREIGN MINISTER TO VISIT CYPRUS TOMORROW

    Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Christos Rokofyllos, who is handling issues regarding Cyprus' EU accession course, will pay an official visit to Cyprus tomorrow.

    The agenda of the talks will include the latest developments in the Cyprus issue and the line the Greek side will adopt following the meeting US President Bill Clinton had with Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit at the White House.

    Mr. Rokofyllos will also discuss matters concerning cooperation and coordination between the two countries' foreign ministries.

    [03] GERMAN NATIONAL MISSING AT MT. ATHOS HAS BEEN DISCOVERED

    A German tourist who was missing form two- days on Mount Athos, the all-male monastic community in northern Greece, has been located.

    The German reportedly got lost in the footpaths of the mountain-top community and contacted relatives in Germany on his mobile phone, who in turn alerted the Greek authorities.

    [04] INFOSYSTEM '99' OPENS WITH VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

    The 13th computer software exhibition "Infosystem '99" opened its gates in Thessaloniki today, with 629 exhibits from various countries.

    This year's event is touted as the largest of its kind in Greece, occupying some 11,000 square metres of floor space.

    The exhibition also includes a conference entitled "Formulating Society of the Year 2000 ".

    Trade visitors have been invited from 62 countries, while professionals from the specific branch have confirmed their interest, namely from Cyprus, Bulgaria, Albania, FYROM, Romania, Russia, Georgia, France, Sweden, Nigeria, Syria, Egypt and India.

    [05] SE EUROPEAN, BLACK SEA COUNTRIES TO DISCUSS TRANSPORT LINKS

    Two high-level meetings will be held in the city of Alexandroupolis next week, to promote multilateral cooperation in the transport sector, with the participation of countries of the Black Sea region and southeastern Europe.

    Both meetings have been organised on the initiative of Greece's Transport and Communications Ministry.

    On October 11, within the framework of Greece's presidency of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the organisation's Transport Group will meet to discuss infrastructure policy and easing transport.

    The meeting will focus on the prospects for integrating the transport infrastructures of Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania, particularly within the framework of the inter-European networks. It will also look at the possibilities of funding viable investment programs.

    Greece aims to project its strategic role in formulating policy by making optimum use of a Memorandum of Understanding on easing road transport in southeastern Europe.

    [06] GREEK, FRENCH FMs AGREE ON COOPERATION IN S.E. EUROPE

    The Foreign Ministers of Greece and France, George Papandreou and Huber Vedrine respectively, met in Thessaloniki yesterday and addressed a seminar titled "southeastern Europe, democratization, development, process of fulfillment", which featured the participation of task forces from both countries.

    The two delegations agreed on specific conclusions in regards to the present situation in the region of Southeast Europe, with Greece's role in the Balkan region lauded by the French task force, the leader of which called Greece "the European model in the Balkans".

    Mr. Vedrine stated that Greek-French relations constitute a fine example of cooperation and proposed that the meeting be expanded onto other topics, such as Turkey and the Near East.

    Mr. Papandreou agreed and in turn proposed that the following meetings, which will be held on a semi-annual basis, include the participation of academics and officials from non-governmental organizations.

    Moreover, the Greek FM proposed the founding of a Greek-French Business Council, aiming at the promotion of Greek-French economic cooperation in S.E. Europe within the framework of the Stability Pact.

    [07] INFORMATION COMPANIES MEET IN THESSALONIKI TODAY

    Representatives of 61 information companies from Greece, the Balkans and throughout Europe are meeting in Thessaloniki today and tomorrow in order to review the opportunities for cooperation.

    The meeting, held within the framework of the INFOSYSTEM '99 exhibition currently underway in Thessaloniki features the participation of companies form Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and the United Kingdom.

    The event is organized by the IRC Praxi network, in cooperation with the FEMIRC offices of Bulgaria and Romania.

    [08] EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO HOLD CONFERENCE IN RHODES

    Access given to enterprises in support services provided by the European Union will be discussed during a conference to be held next week at the island of Rhodes, organized by the General Directorate of the European Commission.

    The event, to take place October14-16, will feature the participation of 600 delegates from various European countries, who will attempt to secure a wide- yet focused- action plan from the Commission in supporting enterprises at a local level.

    [09] GREECE MEETS EMU CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC DEFICIT

    Greece fulfills the Economic and Monetary Union's public deficit criteria, as the European Union's Monetary Committee has lifted the relevant order for excessive deficits and the final resolution is expected to be drawn at the EU economy ministers conference to be held on November 8.

    Meanwhile, in order to meet the new criteria to be created by the country's accession to the EMU, Greek entrepreneurs are forging alliances through company mergers.

    [10] SIMITIS: GREECE WILL PROMOTE MALTA'S BID FOR EU MEMBERSHIP

    Prime minister Kostas Simitis, in statements he made after the meeting he had in Athens with his Maltese counterpart, expressed Greece's intention to promote Malta's bid for European Union membership.

    Mr. Simitis characterized the bilateral relations as excellent and pointed out that the two countries have many common interests. He also announced that an agreement was signed today on the air transportation sector, while the prospects for closer cooperation in tourism and other sectors are being considered.

    The Greek prime minister pointed out that Greece has already backed Malta's participation in the procedures for EU accession and expressed the wish that a decision will be reached in the EU summit meeting in Helsinki. The prime minister stated that Greece believes that the European Union must have as many members as possible and i the process include all the European countries, adding that Greece promotes the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.

    [11] KARAMANLIS LAUNCHED AN ATTACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT

    Right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis launched an attack against the government both for the stance adopted by its Euro-deputies and for the handling of the Greek-Turkish relations.

    He characterized as a monstrosity the behavior of the governing socialist party of PASOK Euro-deputies in yesterday's vote in the Euro-parliament when Turkey was characterized as a likely future EU candidate state. At the same time, he strongly criticized the government regarding its policy on the Greek-Turkish and Euro-Turkish relations.

    Mr. Karamanlis said that Greece makes dangerous concessions on firm policy positions and because those issues are crucial he asked for the establishment of a Foreign Policy National Council.

    In response, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas stressed that Mr. Karamanlis misinforms the people in an irresponsible and damaging way for the issues of national importance.

    Mr. Reppas characterized the Euro- parliament's resolution as positive because it mentions that Turkey does not meet the necessary pre-conditions and criteria for its accession into the European Union, while it is also mentioned that the Turkish authorities must actively contribute to the effort for a political solution to the Cyprus problem, adding that there is a need to continue Cyprus' EU accession course.

    According to Mr. Reppas, the resolution reiterates the core of the EU positions as they have been expressed in the summit meetings in Luxembourg and Cardiff and asks Turkey to improve the good neighborly relations with Greece. He said that the resolution safeguards the Greek positions completely and added that Greece backs Turkey's European orientation but itself has to contribute toward this direction. He said that there is no preferential treatment and the resolution mentions what is self- evident.

    [12] REPPAS CONDEMNED THE BOMB ATTACK IN ISTANBUL

    Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas condemned the bomb attack on the Zografion Greek school in Istanbul and characterized it as an isolated incident.

    He said that an Islamic organization has claimed responsibility for the attack and called on the authorities in Turkey to take the necessary measures and isolate those elements.

    [13] THE GREEK COASTGUARD ARRESTED 18 IRAQI ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND A TURKISH SLAVE-TRADER

    A boat carrying Iraqi illegal immigrants, who were having Greece as their destination, was spotted by the Greek Coastguard in the region of Psalidi in the south-eastern Aegean island of Kos.

    The Coastguard officers called on the Turkish slave-trader to stop its boat but he ignored the call and tried to escape. Warning shots were fired in the air and the boat was immobilized.

    The 18 Iraqi illegal immigrants and the Turkish slave-trader were arrested.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [14] C OF E THREATENS TURKEY WITH EXPULSION OVER COURT RULING

    The Council of Europe, which monitors the implementation of rulings issued by the European Court of Human Rights, has threatened Ankara with expulsion if the latter fails to pay - timely- the compensation due to Greek-Cypriot refugee Titina Loizidou.

    The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordered Turkey to pay 300,000 CYP pounds in damages to Ms. Loizidou for the continued violation of her right to peaceful enjoyment of her property.

    In what is described as a landmark case, Turkey has also been ordered to pay a further 20,000 for non-pecuniary damages and 137,084 for her costs and expenses.

    [15] DEATH TOLL CLIMBS TO 70 FROM LONDON TRAIN CRASH

    Seventy people were killed and just as many more remaining missing from the devastating tragedy that hit London on Tuesday, when two commuter trains collided during the height of the morning rush hour.

    The cause of the collision was not immediately known, but health and safety officials began an urgent investigation.

    In what has been described as the all-time worst transport accident in London, the number of victims could climb to 100 as rescue efforts continue.

    [16] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER CONDUCTS OFFICIAL VISIT TO UNITED STATES

    Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoides has embarked on an official visit to the United States, where he will have talks on issues related to combating terrorism and organized crime.

    Mr. Chrysohoides is leading a delegation of officials, comprising the head of the Greek police, Lt.-Gen. Ioannis Georgakopoulos and Public Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis.

    During their stay in Washington, the members of the Greek delegation will meet with Attorney General Janet Reno, FBI director Louis Freeh, CIA director George Tenet and US Sen. Paul Sarbanes.

    [17] SERB OPPOSITION LEADERS INVITED TO EU FM MEETING

    Finland's Foreign Minister Tarja Halonen has invited 30 Serb opposition leaders to Monday's EU foreign ministers' meeting, where they will discuss ways to bring down President Slobodan Milosevic, the Finnish presidency announced yesterday.

    As the French news agency AFP reported, members at an informal session of the Saariselkae council in Finnish Lapland decided to issue the invitation. Monday's meeting takes place in Luxembourg.

    EU foreign ministers will be asking how they can help to remove the Yugoslav president from power and build democracy in the country.

    The EU will contribute financially to the reconstruction of Serbia when those two conditions have been fulfilled.

    The two Serbian opposition leaders, Vuk Draskovic and Zoran Djindjic, are among those invited.

    [18] BOMB CAUSES MATERIAL DAMAGE AT GREEK SCHOOL IN ISTANBUL

    A bomb exploded last night at the Greek all- male school of Zografio, in the Taksim region of Istanbul, causing minor material damages.

    According to the Turkish television station NTV, the bomb was placed at the Greek school's cafeteria window.

    Meanwhile, two more explosions rocked Istanbul yesterday, with a bomb placed at the headquarters of the Industrial Development Foundation located in Sisli, causing significant damage. Eight passers-by sustained minor injuries from broken glass falling from overhead.

    A short while later, the local office of the Housing ministry in the Besiktas district in the city's European sector, was rocked by an explosion.

    There were no injuries, but the blast blew out the windows of the building.

    According to NTV, an ultra-leftist organization claimed responsibility for the explosions.

    [19] THE ALBANIAN IMMIGRANTS ACCUSE THE ALBANIAN CONSULATE EMPLOYEES IN THESSALONIKI OF BAD BEHAVIOR

    The Albanian immigrants in a letter, that was published by the independent Albanian newspaper "Koha Yone", launched serious accusations against the employees of the Albanian consulate in Thessaloniki.

    In the letter, the Albanian consulate personnel is accused of bad behavior and indifference toward the big problems faced by the Albanian immigrants in Greece.

    Among others it is revealed in the letter that for each certificate they request they have to pay a 10.000 drachma fee to the consulate when the sum mentioned on the receipt they are asked to sign is 9.200 drachmas.

    [20] AUSTRIAN PRAISES FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE

    The director of the Athens office of the biggest Austrian investment bank Credit Anstalt - Investment Bank praised the growth rate of the Athens Stock Exchange.

    According to Mr. Franz Kubik, the growth rate of the Athens Stock Exchange is breathtaking as in spite of the recent plunge of the general index the gains offered by the Athens Stock Exchange exceed notably those of the rest western European stock markets.

    In the 2 weeks since its opening the Credit Anstalt - Investment Bank Athens office has become the recipient of strong investment interest by Austrian businesses, mainly in the constructions sector.

    [21] THE EU COMMISSION CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE SHUT DOWN OF THE KOZLODUI NUCLEAR PLANT

    If no decision is reached to shut down the dangerous nuclear reactors in the nuclear plant of Kozlodui in Bulgaria there can be no positive decision on Bulgaria's accession into the European Union, stated the new EU Commissioner responsible for the EU enlargement in response to a question tabled by Greek right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy Euro-deputy Antonis Trakatelis.

    The European Commissioner also mentions that specific decisions on this issue must be made before the Helsinki summit meeting in December when it will be discussed issues concerning the opening of negotiations with the "second wave" of the EU candidate states.

    [22] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT SOCIALIST GROUP LEADER STATED THAT GREECE'S STANCE TOWARD TURKEY IS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT

    The new stance of the Greek government is the most significant development, stressed among others the Spanish leader of the Socialist Group in the Euro-parliament, responding to a question by a reporter calling him to comment on the greater rapprochement tendency observed between the EU and Turkey at a time when there are no big changes recorded inside the country, open military interventions outside its borders have resumed and the massacre in the Turkish prisons continues.

    However, he stated that certain shocking situations still exist in Turkey and therefore, the Socialist Group and the Euro-parliament as a whole will follow closely the developments concerning the Turkish government policy, adding that a way should be found for reforms, mainly political, to be implemented in the country.

    - - - - - - - - - - - - -

    - - - - - - - - - - - - -


    Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    mpegr2html v1.01a run on Friday, 19 November 1999 - 14:21:17 UTC