Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-05-04

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] MOBILITY ON CYPRUS

[02] NEW BIG STEP IN THE SECTOR OF ENERGY

[03] UN AND EU BODIES SIMULATION CONFERENCE

[04] GREEK-SPANISH MEETING ON THE PROTECTION OF SEA BORDERS

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL MEETS WITH GERMAN DEPUTIES

[01] MOBILITY ON CYPRUS

Developments in Cyprus were the main issue in the meeting Greek Foreign Ministry General Secretary Giorgos Gennimatas had in Athens with visiting US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Laura Kennedy.

According to diplomatic sources, during the meeting that lasted about an hour they reviewed the latest developments in Cyprus and the Greek-Turkish relations and confirmed the good level of the Greek-US bilateral relations.

[02] NEW BIG STEP IN THE SECTOR OF ENERGY

Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas and his Italian counterpart Claudio Scajola signed an agreement in Paris for the construction of a pipeline that will bring natural gas from the Caspian Sea to major European markets.

The agreement is expected to contribute greatly to the improvement of Greece's energy map especially after the signing of the cooperation memorandum for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

Earlier, Minister of Development Mr. Sioufas had stated that within the next few weeks the construction of a Greek-Turkish pipeline will also get underway.

The Greek Minister of Development made the relevant announcement after the proceedings of the International Energy Organization ministerial meeting that took place in Paris on May 2 and 3 during which he presented to his 29 counterparts Greece's energy policy.

[03] UN AND EU BODIES SIMULATION CONFERENCE

The International Student Simulation Model of UN and EU Bodies opensin Thessaloniki today until May 8 organized for a fourth year by the Macedonia University in Thessaloniki with the participation of 300 university students from Greece and abroad representing an estimated 75 countries, members of the United Nations.

The year 2005 is regarded as a year of important developments given the fact that in September the UN member states will be called to adopt the report submitted last March by the UN Secretary-General with basic goals the implementation of specific measures that will lead humanity to a new course characterized by development, security and human rights for all, as well as by the reform of the organization's structures.

The conference is an exercise simulating the UN General Assembly, Security Council and the UN Economic and Social Council as well as the European Council. During the simulation the participants discuss the current UN and EU issues to practice dialogue, consensus through peaceful procedures, familiarization with international issues and acquaintance with different views from different countries.

The foreign students participating in the conference come from Spain, Nigeria, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Britain, France, Austria, Albania and United States.

Among the issues to be discussed will be the crisis in Sudan, the creation of a nuclear-free zone in the Middle East, sustainable development in developing countries, human rights in the fight against terrorism, drugs and the reform of the UN Security Council.

[04] GREEK-SPANISH MEETING ON THE PROTECTION OF SEA BORDERS

The first meeting of Greek and Spanish delegations on issues of bilateral and international cooperation in the protection of the EU sea borders will take place in Athens tomorrow after a Greek initiative for the creation of a EUROCOASTGUARD.

In the meeting will participate officials representing the government ministries of Merchant Marine, Foreign Affairs and Public Order.

The Greek initiative includes the establishment of a joint European rapid intervention coast guard force in the Mediterranean aimed at dealing with illegal immigration via sea routes and inter-border crime.

[05] GREEK PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL MEETS WITH GERMAN DEPUTIES

The 4th vice-president of the Greek Parliament Philippos Petsalnikos of the main opposition Socialist Party of PASOK met with 16 German Bundestag deputies from the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg who are on a visit to Greece.

They discussed issues like Turkey's European course, the Cyprus issue, the situation in the Balkans and the future of Kosovo, the issue of the FYROM name, the next EU enlargement and the Greek-German relations.

Mr. Petsalnikos reiterated that Greece supports Turkey's European prospect under the precondition of the full implementation of the Copenhagen criteria.

On the issue of the FYROM name, Mr. Petsalnikos referred to the very friendly and good trade relations between Greece and FYROM reminding, among others, that historical reasons make necessary a jointly acceptable solution, which will take under consideration the historical and cultural elements on which Greece's positions are based.

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