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Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 99-06-21

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, Ιούνιος 21, 1999

SECTIONS

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

  • NEWS HEADLINES

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

  • [01] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REFUTES INTENSE RUMORS OF RESHUFFLE
  • [02] NICOSIA, ATHENS, SATISFIED WITH G8'S COMMUNIQUE ON CYPRUS
  • [03] BLACK SEA TRADE & DEVELOPMENT BANK INAUGURATED TODAY
  • [04] BSTDB OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN ECONOMIC, DIPLOMATIC TIES
  • [05] PM, ECONOMY MINISTER MEET TOMORROW TO DISCUSS TAX BREAKS
  • [06] GREECE'S DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER TO VIEW BRITAIN'S TAX SYSTEM
  • [07] EUROPEAN BORDER REGION REPRESENTATIVES MEET IN GREECE
  • [08] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 3.3 ON RICHTER SCALE ROCKS VOLOS
  • [09] THE BLACK SEA BANK IS OPEN TO ALL
  • [10] REPPAS: SETTLEMENT OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BASED ON THE UN RESOLUTIONS
  • [11] THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION COUNTRIES WILL MEET WITH THE EU TROIKA IN THESSALONIKI IN OCTOBER
  • [12] PAPANTONIOU : THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICY WILL BE UNAFFECTED
  • [13] THE ODYSSEY OF THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PASSENGERS CONTINUES
  • [14] THE EU MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT WILL MEET IN LUXEMBOURG ON THURSDAY
  • [15] THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT'S INTERVIEW TO THE GREEK NEWSPAPER "APOGEVMATINI"
  • [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

  • [16] UCK AGREES TO TURN OVER ITS ARMS, SIGNS ACCORD WITH NATO
  • [17] US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TO VISIT BULGARIA TOMORROW
  • [18] RUSSIAN PRESIDENT GIVES TO US COUNTERPART DOCUMENTS ON JFK
  • [19] CLINTON TO MEET WITH SCHROEDER TODAY FOR AN EU-US SUMMIT
  • [20] CLINTON DOES NOT RULE OUT PEACEKEEPERS MAY SUFFER LOSSES
  • [21] AFTER DEAL WITH KFOR, UCK DOESN'T EXIST AS MILITARY FORCE
  • [22] BEIJING CALLS ON THE US TO CLARIFY ITS POSITION CONCERNING THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE
  • [23] THE MATERIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE NATO BOMBINGS IN YUGOSLAVIA IS ESTIMATED AT 100 BILLION US DOLLARS
  • [24] PREMIERE FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM IN FRANCE
  • [25] THE EU EXAMINED ITS RELATIONS WITH THE FIVE COUNTRIES MOST HIT BY THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA

  • NEWS IN DETAIL

    [A] NATIONAL NEWS

    [01] GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REFUTES INTENSE RUMORS OF RESHUFFLE

    Government spokesperson Dimitris Reppas has refuted the recent and persistent rumors of a cabinet reshuffle being in the works, by stating that there is no such plan in the horizon.

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis is reportedly considering the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle, in his effort to give a new boost to the government. His final decision is expected soon and either prior to his departure to Latin America on Wednesday or after his return and in conjunction with the convening of the ruling PASOK party's central committee, which is scheduled to meet on July 9-10.

    Mr. Simitis attended and spoke at yesterday's memorial held at the Athens Metropolitan Church in honor of the three-year mark since the death of PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou.

    The Premier stated that "Andreas (Papandreou) is on our side for a strong, socially just Greece. His work demands of us to be protagonists of renewal and modernization."

    [02] NICOSIA, ATHENS, SATISFIED WITH G8'S COMMUNIQUE ON CYPRUS

    The governments of Greece and Cyprus are reportedly satisfied with the joint communique issued by the leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations and Russia regarding Cyprus.

    The G8 call on the U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan to bring both sides in Cyprus to the negotiating table in the autumn in order to resolve the island nation's division.

    The G8 leaders also said that in accepting an invitation for talks from U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan, the two "parties/leaders" should commit themselves to four principles. The principles stated in the communique were to set no pre-conditions for talks, put all issues on the negotiating table, make a commitment in good faith to continue to negotiate until a settlement is reached, and give full consideration to relevant UN resolutions and treaties.

    "The Cyprus problem has gone unresolved for too long. Resolution of this problem would not only benefit all the people of Cyprus, but would also have a positive impact on peace and stability in the region," the G8 leaders said.

    Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash is reportedly dissatisfied with the communique, as he has stated that if his demand for a confederation is not considered, then he will not participate in the talks.

    [03] BLACK SEA TRADE & DEVELOPMENT BANK INAUGURATED TODAY

    The official opening of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), which embarked on its operation at the beginning of the month, will be inaugurated today by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou in the presence of government officials from the 11 member-states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact (BSEC).

    Mr. Papantoniou will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will also feature addresses by the Minister of Macedonia- Thrace Yiannis Magriotis, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Grigoris Niotis, Secretary-General of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Mr. Baychev, the Governor of the Central Bank of the Ukraine Mr. Yushchenko, who is also the vice-chairman of the Bank's administrative council, and the chairman of the BSTDB Ersoy Volkan.

    A number of events will be held throughout the morning, where bank officials will outline the financial institution's strategy and aims.

    The day will close with a formal gala, sponsored by the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace, which will feature a concert by the Black Sea Orchestra.

    The BSEC aims at facilitating the transition of the member-states of the BSEC to the free market economy. Thus, funds from its budget will be channeled mainly into projects and programs which will be co-funded by similar organizations such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development.

    Members of the BSEC are Greece, Turkey, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia and Albania.

    [04] BSTDB OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN ECONOMIC, DIPLOMATIC TIES

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is opening a new chapter in the economic, diplomatic and political relations of its 11 member-countries, according to the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou who officially inaugurated the financial institution's operation today in Thessaloniki in the presence of government officials from the 11 member-states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact (BSEC).

    Mr. Papantoniou stressed that Greece holds a leading role in the European Union's eastward course, underlining that Thessaloniki's role in this direction is decisive.

    "Our aim is to establish Thessaloniki as the center of the Balkans," Mr. Papantoniou said, pointing out that, within the framework of the 3rd Community Support Framework, the region of Northern Greece will enjoy a significant share of community funds which are expected to surpass by 50% the funds allocated from the Delors Package.

    Referring to Greece's potential role in the economic reconstruction of the Balkan region, Mr. Papantoniou stated:

    "We are in a position to assist the region's people to stand on their feet, especially following the peaceful resolution of the Balkan conflict.

    "However, the economic development of the Balkan and Black Sea regions has to be handled within the framework of their incorporation in the wider European region," the Minister added.

    In turn, the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Yiannis Magriotis expressed his confidence that the BSTDB will function as a vehicle for the expedient development of economic cooperation in the region.

    [05] PM, ECONOMY MINISTER MEET TOMORROW TO DISCUSS TAX BREAKS

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the Minister of National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou are to meet tomorrow, June 22, in order to discuss ways to bolster the lower incomes.

    According to reports, the Economy Minister and his staff are drawing a package of tax breaks amounting to 300 billion drachmas.

    Commenting on these reports, a main opposition deputy, New Democracy's George Alogoskoufis, said that they concern "irresponsible adjustments that create negative conditions for the (imminent accession to) Economic and Monetary Union."

    [06] GREECE'S DEPUTY FINANCE MINISTER TO VIEW BRITAIN'S TAX SYSTEM

    Deputy Finance Minister George Drys is embarking on a four- day visit to Britain today where he will hold talks with British government ministers concerning the country's tax system.

    According to reports, Mr. Drys wants to be informed on the operation of the British tax settlement system which enables taxpayers to calculate their taxes by themselves and pay the first installment simultaneously with the submission of tax statements.

    Mr. Drys will meet with UK's Treasury Undersecretary on tax issues Barbara Roche, Treasury Undersecretary Dawn Rimarolo also chairman of the EU's tax committee, Undersecretary for the public sector's reform P. Kilfoyle and other government officials.

    [07] EUROPEAN BORDER REGION REPRESENTATIVES MEET IN GREECE

    The Association of European Border Regions is holding a conference in the city of Drama today where the topics to be discussed are the improvement of the border crossings for the residents' better mobility and overall issues concerning cooperation and communication.

    The conference, which got underway yesterday, features the participation of 26 delegates from various European countries, among them the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

    The initiative and organization of the said conference was taken and performed by the key participants of the NESTOS-MESTA, as well as the Prefecture, Municipality and Chamber of Drama.

    Yesterday, the delegates were given a tour on the Greek Electrical Company's hydro-electricity power plant at Thesaurus, which constitutes an example of Greek-Bulgarian border cooperation.

    [08] EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 3.3 ON RICHTER SCALE ROCKS VOLOS

    An earthquake measuring 3.3. on the Richter sale rocked the city of Volos at 8:30 a.m. today, although no damages were reported.

    According to the Athens National Observatory, the quake's epicenter was located in the near by sea region.

    [09] THE BLACK SEA BANK IS OPEN TO ALL

    The Black Sea Bank receives positive messages 20 days after its opening. The contacts that were made in the past 12 months gradually give fruit as the bank has the support of the governments of the participating countries and has attracted the interest of the region's business world. The above were stated by Black Sea Bank president Ersoi Volkan in a press conference today on the occasion of the official opening of the institution.

    Mr. Volkan stated that among the priorities of the bank is the cooperation with other international money and credit organizations, while at the same time he clarified that the Black Sea Bank is open to private sector initiatives.

    At the steering wheel of the Black Sea Bank are Greece, Turkey and Russia with 16.5% of the share capital, followed by Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine with 13.5%. Albania, Moldavia, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaidjan participate with a smaller percentage of 2%.

    [10] REPPAS: SETTLEMENT OF THE CYPRUS PROBLEM BASED ON THE UN RESOLUTIONS

    There is strong interest in the Cyprus problem and its solution can be achieved based on the UN resolutions and international law, underlined Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.

    To the question concerning the statements made by US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns on terrorism in Greece, Mr. Reppas responded that Greece rejects any insinuations and characterized as "funny allegations" everything concerning the alleged training of Kurdish terrorists on Greek soil.

    [11] THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION ORGANIZATION COUNTRIES WILL MEET WITH THE EU TROIKA IN THESSALONIKI IN OCTOBER

    The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization countries will meet with the European Union troika in Thessaloniki on October 27 and 28 within the framework of the Greek presidency of the organization. In the meeting will be discussed issues concerning the institutional cooperation of the two bodies.

    The above were announced by Greek undersecretary of foreign affairs Grigoris Niotis in the official opening of the Black Sea Bank offices in Thessaloniki. Greece holds the organization's presidency in the period of May to October 1999 and considers a plan of action for the cooperation of the EU with the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization with special emphasis to the sectors of transportation, energy, tele-communications, trade, foreign investments protection, environment and internal affairs.

    From his part, the Black Sea Bank president Ersoi Volkan stressed that on the occasion of the current events taking place in the Balkans the Black Sea Bank can play the role of a leading economic force in the wider region, as the recent events have showed that the international credit organizations can not always be helpful and therefore, the establishment of regional bodies is imperative.

    [12] PAPANTONIOU : THE GOVERNMENT'S ECONOMIC POLICY WILL BE UNAFFECTED

    The government's economic policy, which is currently PASOK's powerful point and will continue to be in the future, will be unaffected by the outcome of the Euro-elections, stated minister of national economy and finance Yiannos Papantoniou in the official opening of the Black Sea Bank offices in Thessaloniki.

    Mr. Papantoniou stressed that the operation of the bank opens a new chapter in the economic, diplomatic and political relations of the 11 Black Sea Cooperation Pact countries. He also added that the goal is to make Thessaloniki the center of the Balkans.

    The minister referring to the role Greece can play in the economic reconstruction of the Balkans, stated that Greece is in the position to assist the peoples in the region to stand on their own feet after the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Balkans.

    [13] THE ODYSSEY OF THE OLYMPIC AIRWAYS PASSENGERS CONTINUES

    Serious problems are being observed since this morning in the Olympic Airways flight schedule and as a result many airline passengers are going through an odyssey in the Greek airports. The Thessaloniki to Athens flight has been canceled because there was no airplane available, while five domestic flights were held with half-hour delays.

    Minister of transportation Tasos Mandelis announced that a bill handing over the management of the Greek state airline to a foreign company will be passed in parliament during the week. According to the minister of transportation, the new manager of Olympic Airways will take over by July.

    [14] THE EU MINISTERS OF ENVIRONMENT WILL MEET IN LUXEMBOURG ON THURSDAY

    The issue of the genetically altered products will be the main topic of discussion in the meeting of the EU ministers of environment that will be held in Luxembourg on Thursday.

    Greece undertakes an initiative on the issue, while Greek undersecretary of environment, public works and land planning Theodoros Koliopanos will suggest the adoption of a 2-year moratorium in the experimental farming in order to have the necessary time to amend the relevant legislation. Mr. Koliopanos stated that he got positive responses already to his proposal by Denmark, Holland and Luxembourg. In Greece, the consideration of applications concerning experimental farming has been suspended.

    [15] THE ROMANIAN PRESIDENT'S INTERVIEW TO THE GREEK NEWSPAPER SAPOGEVMATINI"

    Romanian president Emil Constantinescu in an interview with the Athens newspaper "Apogevmatini" expressed the view that the NATO bombings of Yugoslavia are not enough to bring a viable settlement of the situation in Kosovo and that the West has the obligation to be involved in the efforts for the reconstruction of the people's society in the region.

    Mr. Constantinescu stated that his country backed the efforts made by NATO in the Yugoslav crisis in order to avert ethnic cleansing and pointed out that the West should not abstain from the reconstruction procedures. He also expressed concern over the risks involved in the passions of the Balkan minorities and suggested that the antidote to nationalism is democracy, the people's society and the market economy.

    Mr. Constantinescu praised the role of Greece in south- eastern Europe maintaining that it has a key-role and expressed satisfaction over the results of his meeting with Greek president Kostis Stephanopoulos who visited Bucharest recently.

    On the Greek-Romanian relations, he said that they are at an excellent level, that both countries share similar positions in many important issues and that there is room for the further development of bilateral relations.

    On Romania's accession into the Euro-Atlantic structures, the Romanian president stated that it is a fundamental goal of the country's foreign policy and the wish of the Romanian people.

    Regarding the presence of ethnic minorities in the Balkans, he stated that they should not be a factor of friction but a factor of rapprochement between different countries and reiterated that if the West backed the democratic forces in Yugoslavia the country would have avoided destruction.

    [B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS

    [16] UCK AGREES TO TURN OVER ITS ARMS, SIGNS ACCORD WITH NATO

    The Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) has signed an agreement with NATO to turn over its heavy armaments and to store the remaining artillery it possesses.

    Meanwhile, Serb forces have completed their withdrawal from Kosovo hours ahead of the deadline provided by NATO which officially declared the end of its air raids against Yugoslavia.

    [17] US SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT TO VISIT BULGARIA TOMORROW

    US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is to conduct a visit to Bulgaria tomorrow, according to state television reports.

    Ms. Albright will meet with her Bulgarian counterpart Nadejda Makhailova, Prime Minister Ivan Kostov, and President Petar Stoyanov with whom she will discuss the situation in Yugoslavia, Bulgaria's application for membership in NATO, and bilateral relations.

    Ms. Albright's visit to Sofia has been postponed twice due to her busy schedule.

    [18] RUSSIAN PRESIDENT GIVES TO US COUNTERPART DOCUMENTS ON JFK

    Russian President Boris Yeltsin handed over several declassified documents concerning the assassination of former President of the United States John F. Kennedy to US President Bill Clinton yesterday, the Russian news agency Itar-Tass reported.

    According to Itar-Tass, U.S. National Security Adviser Samuel Berger, who is accompanying Mr. Clinton in his European tour, made the announcement by stating that "this is a very interesting gift. "

    Mr. Berger declined to say whether the documents contain new information on JFK's assassination.

    "The documents will be reviewed carefully and all interesting elements will be made public," he said.

    The National Security Adviser said the materials had been collected in various Russian archives on an instruction from President Yeltsin.

    [19] CLINTON TO MEET WITH SCHROEDER TODAY FOR AN EU-US SUMMIT

    United States President Bill Clinton is to meet with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Bonn today, for an EU-US summit expected to tackle the problem of reconstruction in the Balkans after the Kosovo war.

    As the French news agency AFP reported, the two men will also discuss a host of transatlantic issues, including trade disputes. European Commissioner Jacques Santer will also attend the talks.

    Nevertheless, Kosovo is expected to be the focus of the Clinton-Schroeder talks, just as it dominated the G8 summit that ended in Cologne yesterday.

    Mr. Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in Cologne that they agreed Europe should carry the bulk of the cost of Balkan reconstruction.

    The US President has said that since the United States bore the main cost of the NATO war to drive Serb troops from Kosovo, Europe should pick up most of the bill for a major reconstruction effort that will include Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and FYROM, the main countries affected by Yugoslavia's wars since 1991.

    [20] CLINTON DOES NOT RULE OUT PEACEKEEPERS MAY SUFFER LOSSES

    U.S. President Bill Clinton does not rule out the possibility of the international peacekeeping force assigned to Kosovo sustaining losses in Kosovo, as he told CNN.

    Peace-keepers of all the countries are faced with the threat from both Kosovo Albanians and Serbs, President Clinton said, adding that it cannot be ruled out that some persons or groups may commit crimes guided by feelings of rage or revenge.

    Mr. Clinton said he could not guarantee there would be no acts of terror and no American soldier could be wounded or killed.

    However, he assured they had taken additional safety measures.

    [21] AFTER DEAL WITH KFOR, UCK DOESN'T EXIST AS MILITARY FORCE

    The Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK) has agreed to disarm its forces, after an accord on disarmament and demilitarization was signed last night between the UCK's political representative, Hashim Thaci and the commander of the Kosovo peace force, British Lieutenant-General Michael Jackson.

    According to the Russian news agency Itar-Tass, the UCK leadership undertakes to refrain from any hostile and provocative acts, and from the use of arms and mine-laying.

    The UCK promised to turn over most of its arms to the Kosovo peace force, or KFOR, within 90 days.

    The accord stipulates an immediate stop to all "hostile actions" of the UCK and bans its setting up its check-posts.

    The accord also said that the UCK's obligations not to attack Kosovo's civilian population, not to take hostages and not to carry out intimidating actions are effective immediately. The UCK must leave its strongholds, trenches and road check-posts within four days and show its mine-fields to KFOR.

    The mine-fields must be cleared within a week of the signing of the accord.

    UCK fighters who are not Kosovo's residents are to leave the province, and all "banned" arms with calibers over 12.7 millimeters are to be turned in at KFOR depots.

    The demilitarization process must be completed in 90 days, after which carrying any automatic arms of lower calibers and wearing UCK uniforms and insignia will be banned.

    Lt. Gen. Jackson, who signed the accord on behalf of KFOR, told reporters that, by signing the accord, the UCK recognized that it does not exist as a military force any longer.

    Mr. Thaci said in a statement that the "army" had fulfilled its "historic task" during the war and is to transform to act in new conditions.

    The signing ceremony was attended by the US State Department's press secretary James Rubin, who held a long meeting with Mr. Thaci.

    [22] BEIJING CALLS ON THE US TO CLARIFY ITS POSITION CONCERNING THE BOMBING OF THE CHINESE EMBASSY IN BELGRADE

    Chinese foreign ministry press spokesperson and deputy director of the foreign ministry information department Ms. Zank Kiue responding to a question by MPA on the relations of the US with her country and the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO, stated that the relations of China with the United States are in a very difficult period and the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade has caused the anger of the Chinese people.

    China is not satisfied with the answers that were given to Beijing by the US government spokesman concerning the NATO bombing and wants new investigations and satisfactory results. Also, China wants compensation for the victims of the bombing and the material damages caused to the embassy building as well as the court trial and punishment of those responsible.

    The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson responding to a question concerning the appeal to the International Court of Justice in The Hague in order to settle differences between two countries, on the occasion of what is taking place in the Aegean and Greece's position on the issue, she stated that the Court of Justice in The Hague plays a role in the settlement of disputes between two countries, stressing that both countries should agree to bring their cases to the court.

    [23] THE MATERIAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE NATO BOMBINGS IN YUGOSLAVIA IS ESTIMATED AT 100 BILLION US DOLLARS

    International economic analysts estimate that Serbia will be needing 40 years to recover from the NATO bombings and return to the economic levels it was before Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic came to power.

    Based on facts provided by the independent Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the material damage inflicted on Serbia after 2.5 months of continuous bombings is expected to reach 100 billion US dollars. However, Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic himself is regarded by the international community as the biggest problem for the recovery of the Yugoslav economy. Mr. Milosevic is seen as an obstacle to the economic and institutional reforms the country needs in order to receive new foreign investments.

    The Group 17 which is made up of independent Serb economists believes that Yugoslavia will need at least 16 years to reach the production levels it had before the NATO bombings. However, other economists appear more optimistic. Former governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia Dragoslav Avramovic believes that the destruction caused by the bombings is an opportunity for the country as most of the facilities hit by the allied forces were not productive.

    On the electricity production network, it is estimated that its capacity has been limited by 30% because of the bombings, while the rebuilding of the Serb oil refineries will cost about 100 million US dollars.

    [24] PREMIERE FOR THE GREEK NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM IN FRANCE

    The Greek national basketball team will have its first game in the European Championship in France. The Greek team will play against Germany's national team at 9:45pm this evening. The participation of Frangiskos Alvertis and Yiannis Yiannoulis, who were injured in yesterday's practice, is uncertain.

    In spite of the unfortunate incidents the Greek national team is optimistic and its goal is to win a medal in the event.

    The national team of Lithuania, which belongs to the same group of teams with Greece, will play this afternoon against the national team of the Czech Republic.

    [25] THE EU EXAMINED ITS RELATIONS WITH THE FIVE COUNTRIES MOST HIT BY THE WAR IN YUGOSLAVIA

    The contractual relations of the European Union with the five countries most hit by the war in Yugoslavia namely, Albania, FYROM, Croatia, Bosnia and Yugoslavia, were examined in the general affairs council meeting that was held in Luxembourg this morning.

    The council will start procedures for the association of FYROM with the European Union and the same procedures will be followed almost immediately with Albania.

    Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou requested that there should be equal treatment of the five countries in the procedure for their association with the European Union, while he suggested that Thessaloniki should be the seat of the Organization for the Reconstruction of the Balkans.

    Meanwhile, Greece and Italy called for the lifting of the fuel embargo imposed on Yugoslavia.


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