Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 03-06-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] ATHENS WILL NOT FOLLOW IN TENSION

[02] COOPERATION FOR PROSPERITY

[03] NEW OWNER FOR TVX

[04] BULGARIAN SOCIALISTS FOR GREECE AND EU

[05] ANOMERITIS: THE AEGEAN SHOULD BECOME A SEA OF PEACE

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE NATIONALITY OF ETHNIC GREEKS IN SOUTH ALBANIA

[07] THE FINANCE MINISTER IS SATISFIED WITH DEVELOPMENTS ON TVX

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

[09] STANISHEV: THE BIGGEST ENEMY OF THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT IS THE

[10] SIMITIS' MESSAGE TO TURKEY

[11] SECURITY MEASURES AT THESSALONIKI'S MACEDONIA AIRPORT

[12] EU NEEDS 30 MILLION IMMIGRANTS

[13] EU SOCIAL MODEL NEEDS MODERNISATION

[01] ATHENS WILL NOT FOLLOW IN TENSION

Athens has stated that it is determined not to give into the efforts being made to increase tensions in the Aegean, after issuing a diplomatic notam towards Ankara, and briefing NATO, the EU and the international civil aviation organization, on the harassment of an Olympic Airways flight by two Turkish fighters, within Greek airspace above Psara. Athens has ascertained a difference in the opinions of Turkish political leadership and the military, to which he attributes the intention of trying to impede Turkey's European course. Calmly we reply, that first of all, Greece is a country of peace and cooperation for the entire Balkan region, and has proven itself such, underlined Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou.

[02] COOPERATION FOR PROSPERITY

Relations between the government and the Association of Greek Industrialists (SEV) have improved, after the leadership of SEV was received by the Prime Minister, although the President of the Association denied that there were any real clouds to disperse, in their relationship with the government. The government, SEV and the workers are an integral to a broad social and economic dialogue. We have a common goal: more growth, employment and prosperity, said Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis.

[03] NEW OWNER FOR TVX

Forty per cent of the new joint scheme being discussed concerning the ownership of the TVX HELLAS metal mines in Chalkidiki, may be given to LARKO, although there have been no official announcements so far.

An equal percentage is expected to be held by local government in Chalkidiki, jointly with the association of LARKO's specialized personnel, as well as with construction companies and possibly banks.

Finally the Canadian KINROSS, which had bought out TVX, may participate with the remaining 20%. It should be noted that nothing is certain for now, as negotiations are still underway and there have been no results.

More than 100 of the 500 workers at the mines belonging to the Kinross Gold Corporation, are still keeping themselves locked inside the metal mines of Madem Lako in Stratoni, going on the 9th day of their hunger strike.

As worker spokespersons told the MPA, the hunger strikers are exhausted and receive water and medication at times, while no doctors were required to intervene over the passed two days.

[04] BULGARIAN SOCIALISTS FOR GREECE AND EU

In a dinner held in Thessaloniki by the AmericanHellenic Chamber of Commerce, DIPEK and the MPA, the President of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Sergei Stanisev, will speak tonight, on Greek-Bulgarian cooperation. Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoidis will also speak in the same event. Mr. Stanisev was received by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou yesterday and Secretary General of PASOK's Central Committee, Costas Laliotis.

[05] ANOMERITIS: THE AEGEAN SHOULD BECOME A SEA OF PEACE

A message to the Turks, who want their country to become a member of the EU, the people living in the Aegean islands and the sailors, was sent through exclusive statements to the Turkish newspaper Sabah by Greek Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Anomeritis calling them to contribute to the effort aimed at turning the Aegean into a sea of peace.

Mr. Anomeritis said among others that the Greek side is determined to back Turkish or Greek companies that want to launch a bilateral cooperation in the sector of coastal shipping.

He said that the necessary work has been done already for coastal shipping lines linking the northeastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis with the northeastern Aegean island of Tenedos in Turkey, while there are requests for coastal shipping lines linking the northeastern Aegean island of Limnos in Greece with Tenedos.

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE NATIONALITY OF ETHNIC GREEKS IN SOUTH ALBANIA

Negotiations are underway between the Greek and the Albanian government aimed at settling the problem concerning the issuing of a dual nationality to the ethnic Greek population in south Albania. Already, Greek Interior Minister Kostas Skandalidis is in contact with his Albanian counterpart. The above statements were made by Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas in response to a news report on the Athens newspaper Kathimerini.

Mr. Protopapas characterized it as a very serious and sensitive national issue. He said that for those Greeks dual nationality is the right thing, while this settlement will serve national interests.

[07] THE FINANCE MINISTER IS SATISFIED WITH DEVELOPMENTS ON TVX

Greek Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis expressed satisfaction over the developments so far in the effort to find a solution to the issue of the TVX Hellas company, and expressed the view that the problem of the mines in Chalkidiki will be settled soon.

In an interview with the NET state-run television station, Mr. Christodoulakis stated that the economy will be the government's strong point in the following months and its growth rate will be high in the following years.

On inflation, he said that the prices of certain goods are high and assured that the government is determined to give a battle in this field, adding that consumers should display greater awareness.

[08] LOSSES IN THE ASE

Losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index had small losses of 0.27% at 1.863,47 points, while the volume of transactions was at 154.4 million euros.

Of the stocks trading today, 140 recorded gains and 171 had losses, while the value of 67 stocks remained unchanged.

[09] STANISHEV: THE BIGGEST ENEMY OF THE BULGARIAN GOVERNMENT IS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF

The Bulgarian Socialist Party, BSP, will not call for early elections because the voters are not ready for this, said its President Sergei Stanishev. However, he said that the country is likely to be led to early elections because of the problems faced by the Saxe-Coburg Gotha government.

The biggest enemy of the Bulgarian government is the government itself, stressed Mr. Stanishev in a press conference he gave in Thessaloniki today and accused the Bulgarian government of making mistakes in Bulgaria's preparation for EU accession. He said that it has no clear political plan and no political communication with the people. It does not explain to them the changes that will take place in Bulgaria with its accession into the EU and does not discuss the future of Europe.

All political parties have as a top priority Bulgaria's accession into the EU, stressed Mr. Stanishev and added that he estimates that his country's preparations will be completed in 2004 and the EU accession will take place in 2007. His party helps in the preparations and suggests adjustments to the country's legislation in accordance with what is in effect in the EU.

He acknowledged Greece's contribution to Bulgaria's European course and referred to the good level of bilateral relations.

In view of the municipal elections in Bulgaria in the fall, he said that his party will give a battle in the big cities. In Varna, the mayor was elected as an independent with the backing of the BSP, while in Sofia and Plovdiv the party's candidates will enter the second round of voting.

On the parliamentary elections, he pointed out that his party is in communication with other parties, inside and outside the parliament, and if there is a need for an alliance government it will be formed based on the parties' agendas and not just for the sake of cooperation.

Responding to the question, what his party's stance will be in case there is a proposal for the opening of US bases in Bulgaria, he said that the issue will be discussed if such a proposal is made. He said that they will examine the economic and environmental dimension of the proposal, as well as issues of independence and will consider the experience of other countries that have or used to have US bases. He also observed that in crucial circumstances, Bulgaria had cooperated with the US to secure peace and stability in the region.

On the EU-US relations, he said that after the crisis they went through as a result of the war over Iraq, the two sides must find common ground.

Responding to the question if he feels a political grandson of former Communist President Zivkov he said that he does not feel that way because these are two different eras. He said, however, that he could say that he is Zivkov's political grandson only because he follows a dynamic policy in the area of the Greek-Bulgarian relations.

He pointed out that Greece is Bulgaria's second biggest trade partner and stressed that the bilateral trade relations are balanced, a fact that proves there is interest by both sides.

The BSP President and Greek Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis will be the main speakers in a formal dinner that will be given this evening by Hellenic-US Chamber of Commerce, DIPEK and Macedonian Press Agency at Macedonia Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki.

Referring to the event, MPA President Mr. Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos said that it is a long overdue initiative within the framework of the developments in the wider region and Bulgaria's European course.

[10] SIMITIS' MESSAGE TO TURKEY

A clear message to Turkey that in case it wants to have a European prospect it should implement the international regulations, was sent by Greek Prime Minister and European Council President Kostas Simitis from The Hague. Mr. Simitis is in The Hague within the framework of his tour of European capital cities.

On the occasion of the unprecedented incident of the harassment of an Olympic Airways passenger plane by Turkish fighter jets over the Aegean, Mr. Simitis pointed out that the implementation of international regulations is mandatory for all and if Turkey does not implement them it cannot demand a European prospect.

He pointed out that military exercises are currently underway in the Aegean and underlined that Turkey does not implement the regulations concerning the sea and air borders, adding that when this happens the situation created is very dangerous and should be avoided.

Mr. Simitis met with his Dutch counterpart Jan Peter Balkenende and discussed the agenda of the EU Summit meeting as well as international developments. A special reference was made to the draft Constitution prepared by Constitutional Convention President Valerie Giscard d' Estaing as Holland disagrees with certain proposed points. They also discussed issues concerning the adoption of a common policy on immigration and the preparation for the new EU military, defense dogma.

[11] SECURITY MEASURES AT THESSALONIKI'S MACEDONIA AIRPORT

No charter flight will arrive at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport in the eight-hour period between 10am and 6pm on June 19 within the framework of the scheduled security measures for the smooth reception of the Thessaloniki EU Summit participants.

However, there will be no change for the scheduled 15 regular flights. Police control at the airport will be strict and according to information, only those with an airplane ticket for one of the scheduled flights will be allowed at the airport grounds.

[12] EU NEEDS 30 MILLION IMMIGRANTS

The EU's financially active population will have dropped from 331 million at the present, to 243 million in 2043, and as far as global production is concerned, it will only cover 12% in 2020, in contrast to 22% that it covers today.

The above was stressed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou in his speech at the Symposium and Meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe, in Lagonissi, in immigration and political asylum issues. In fact, he called upon research that was carried out for the EU , pointing out that by 2020, the EU will need 30 million immigrants.

The Foreign Minister also stressed that EU member-states must be honest towards their citizens and inform them that zero immigration policies are not a solution for the European Union.

I consider the increase in the number of immigrants unavoidable, he added, but it is completely necessary to properly administrate immigration, so that the European market's future needs are met and the citizens' feeling of security is not upset.

[13] EU SOCIAL MODEL NEEDS MODERNISATION

The role that the EU can play in dealing with global challenges, especially in the sector of social dialogue and understanding among social partners, was expounded on by Minister of Labor Dimitris Reppas, in his speech at the 91st meeting of the International Labor Organization on Poverty and equal opportunities in employment, being held in Geneva.

Mr. Reppas stressed that it was a priority of the Greek Presidency of the EU to promote and modernize the European social model. He also pointed out Europre's tools in achieving employment and social protection policies. According to the Minister, these tools are legislation setting the minimum requirements for employment and social prosperity, coordination of national social policies, promotion of social dialogue for the respect of human rights and companies taking initiatives so as to apply original policies aiming at improving competitiveness and quality of labor.

Speaking on the role of the International Labor Bureau, he underlined the need to strengthen it in the direction of balancing the consequences of the globalization of economy, preserving the values of the labor model, the adjustment of employment to the new reality and prevention of taking advantage of humans.

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