Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 05-12-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] CHANGES AND STRIKES

[02] ND LEADS PASOK BY 1.3%

[03] FYROM IS ALARMED BY THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' DECISION

[04] UNICEF TELETHON RAISED OVER 1 MILLION EUROS

[05] THE ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE BBC REPORT

[06] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SKANDALAKIS MEETS WITH THE NEW PATRIARCH OF

[07] THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE NEW PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

[01] CHANGES AND STRIKES

The debate on the draft bill concerning the changes in the public utility companies, DEKO, opens in parliament today while serious problems are expected as a result of the strike declared by the Greek General Confederation of Labor (GSEE) and the Confederation of Public Servants (ADEDY).

Olympic Airlines announced that due to the participation of the Federation of Civil Aviation Unions (OSPA) in the two 24-hour strikes on December 14 and 15 only one domestic flight per destination will be scheduled while there will be one foreign flight per country. Also, there will be no train service by Hellenic Railways (OSE).

Police officers will hold a protest rally, while the media will be on a four-hour work stoppage.

[02] ND LEADS PASOK BY 1.3%

Ruling party of New Democracy still leads PASOK by 1.3%, while three out of ten main opposition Socialist Party PASOK voters have a positive view about the prime minister, according to a GPO opinion poll.

Costas Karamanlis is regarded as most fit for the post of the prime minister (45.8%) compared to PASOK leader Giorgos Papandreou (33.2%).

The majority of those who responded to the questionnaire (52.3%) believe that in the following months the households' economic situation will become worse, 35.9% believe that it will not change, while 10% is optimistic that better days will come.

According to the GPO opinion poll conducted on December 7-9 by phone on a sample of 1,000 individuals from across Greece, 32.3% responded that they intend to vote for New Democracy, 31% for PASOK, 7% for the Communist Party, 4.7% for LAOS and 4% for Coalition, while 12.1% were undecided.

[03] FYROM IS ALARMED BY THE EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' DECISION

The EU Foreign Ministers Council, after a French proposal, postponed the final decision on whether FYROM will receive a candidate state status to be made in the EU Summit meeting on December 14 and 15.

Political analysts in Skopje see the signs as alarming and point out that in case the EU Summit does not approve a candidate state status for FYROM it will be the result of the deep disagreements inside the EU over the fiscal prospects and the skepticism over the policy on the further EU enlargement. The electronic media in FYROM note the French skepticism and point out that the country can become the victim of circumstances.

[04] UNICEF TELETHON RAISED OVER 1 MILLION EUROS

The UNICEF telethon hosted by public television channel ET1 ended at 2 am this morning.

The telethon for the children of earthquake stricken Pakistan was launched at 4 pm on Monday afternoon and when the 10-hour show ended a total of 1,113,919 euros had been raised from television viewers' donations.

Tens of television and radio stations across Greece contributed to the success of the telethon by broadcasting the UNICEF appeals.

Telephone operators received a total of 14,108 telephone calls with donations while a total of 192,085 text messages were sent by mobile phones.

[05] THE ACTING GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ON THE BBC REPORT

Acting government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros was called to comment on information aired by BBC according to which, a total of 28 suspect Muslims were taken into custody in Greece and questioned by English-speaking individuals.

No formal complaint of such kind has been made, responded Mr. Antonaros while responding to a similar complaint made to the media by the president of Pakistani immigrants in Greece, he referred the question to the Ministry of Public Order stressing, however, that the Greek authorities have no involvement whatsoever given the fact that they received no formal complaint of such kind.

Mr. Antonaros gave a negative response to the question if the Greek legislation allows foreign prosecuting authorities to question individuals living in Greece.

[06] DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SKANDALAKIS MEETS WITH THE NEW PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis met today with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem and discussed problems faced by the Patriarchate.

After the meeting, Mr. Skandalakis stated that he was briefed on issues concerning the operation of the Patriarchate, the Holy Sepulchre community, the Patriarchate's relations with Israel, Palestine and Jordan.

The main thought of the Greek state is to assist the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the lighthouse of Hellenism and the Christian Orthodox Faith in a sensitive region, stressed Mr. Skandalakis.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem stated that they discussed issues like the economic state of the Patriarchate and relevant issues such as, its reorganization, the restoration of certain services as well as issues concerning the Holy Sepulchre property in Greece.

He added that they also examined ways to contribute to the smooth operation of the Patriarchate, based on transparency and avoiding new scandals. The situation in the Patriarchate is that of complete paralysis. However, with the help of God and the support of the Greek government things will improve, stated the Patriarch.

[07] THE PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MEETS WITH THE NEW PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM

New Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos met with Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda today.

The Parliament President welcomed the Patriarch of Jerusalem and expressed support to the efforts made by the Patriarchate.

In the ceremonial visit, the Parliament President was briefed on current issues concerning the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

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