Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 01-12-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] MESSAGE OF UNITY FROM THE 4TH SAE

[02] E.VENIZELOS: THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHY SUPPORTS THE OLYMPICS

[03] AGGELOPOULOS STARTS NEW FILM

[04] THE SAE PRESIDENT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION

[05] THE EURO-ARMY WILL BE DISCUSSED IN BRUSSELS

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE ROAD BLOCKADES BY THE FARMERS

[07] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] THE GOVERNMENT BACKS THE HEALTH SECTOR REFORM EFFORTS

[09] THE TAX REFORM WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2002

[10] "THE ATLAS OF THE DIASPORA" PRESENTATION

[11] THE GREEKS ABROAD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE

[12] KARAMANLIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES IS A NATIONAL AFFAIR

[13] E. VENIZELOS: GREECE WILL HOST THE BEST OLYMPIC GAMES

[01] MESSAGE OF UNITY FROM THE 4TH SAE

Unity, harmony and cooperation were the messages that marked the proceedings of the 4th World SAE yesterday afternoon.

Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos mentioned the 6 year course of progress of SAE, and he stressed that its foundation is a historic mark for Hellenism abroad. According to the Minister, the development and improvement of Greece's relations with Greeks all over the world, strengthens the growth potential of a joint front against the problems and challenges that the Greek people faces.

Our goal is the utilization of potential cooperation in the sectors of economy, and development in education, research and science.

The 2004 Olympics are, as the Minister pointed out, a great new challenge for the whole of Hellenism, and that is why the mobilization of worldwide Hellenism, the youth network, the entrepreneurs' network and the tourism network is needed. In this framework, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed the need to cover the shortage in tourism from the US and Canada.

SAE was characterized as a welcoming place that adds, multiplies the forces, and supports the ties of Greece to Greeks living abroad, by Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Georgios Paschalidis, who noted that this meeting would be an exchange of ideas, views and positions.

The issues covered by the convention strengthen the cooperation between the state and Greeks living abroad, based on the long lived values of worldwide Hellenism and Orthodoxy, stated the Minister of Macedonia-Thrace.

To the dangers of assimilation, the interruption of the historic continuance of Hellenism, the answer will be given with the consolidation of Hellenism, stressed the Vice-President of the Special Standing Committee for Hellenism Abroad of the Greek Parliamen, Takis Skandalakis.

According to Mr. Skandalakis, the role of SAE in this struggle will be catalytic, as the moment has arrived for Greeks to mark their noble and long lived values.

[02] E.VENIZELOS: THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHY SUPPORTS THE OLYMPICS

The Ecumenical Patriarchy of Istanbul offers its assistance in all aspects of the 2004 Olympics and volunteerism, to the Cultural Olympics, and to the spreading of the message for peace and brotherhood. There is close cooperation with the Greek government and the Athens 2004 Organizational Committee, stated the Minister of Culture, E.Venizelos, immediately following his meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew.

Mr. Venizelos announced that they decided to found a center for the restoration and documentation of Byzantine antiquities, which will extend and contribute not only to the region's Orthodox Churches, but everyone, since their target is to rescue cultural heritage, which belongs to all people.

Concerning the Ecumenical Patriarch, he stated that he is a major international personality, transmitting messages directly connected to the goal of the 2001-2004 Cultural Olympics, which is the quest for the culture of cultures. The Ministry of Culture supports the Ecumenical Patriarch on interreligious discussions, in the conference to take place next week in Brussels. It will organize exhibitions in European capitals and Mr. Venizelos will raise the issue at the meetings of the Cultural Ministers of Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean, which will take place in January and February in Greece.

The 1st Vice-President of the Parliament, Mr. Panagiotis Sgouridis, underlined that volunteerism is the key to the 2004 Olympics in Athens, during his speech at the 4th World SAE. For that reason, he explained, the parliament will take up initiatives in consolidating volunteerism. It will organize exhibitions on the Olympics in the building of the Parliament, it will mobilize Greeks MPs in Australia, who have experience from the previous Olympics, and it will raise the issue at the sessions of the Teenage Parliament of 2002 and 2003.

[03] AGGELOPOULOS STARTS NEW FILM

In the beginning of January, the filming of Thodoros Aggelopoulos' new film, the weeping field, will commence, with a budget of 1.7 billion drs, and a large part of it will be filmed at the bottom of lake Kerkini.

The first part of the trilogy the director has promised, follows the characters during the first years of their lives. From the time the young children (3 and 5 years of age) leave Odyssos, when it is conquered by the Bolsheviks (1919) and reach Northern Greece as refugees, until their roads part. The woman, Eleni, has the fate awaiting political refugees after the civil war, while the man leaves as an immigrant for Germany.

The Weeping Field will be ready in September 2002, in time for the Venice Film Festival. By then the preparations for the next two films of the trilogy (The Third Feather and The Eternal Return) will have moved along, and Thodoros Aggelopoulos will find the actors that will succeed the very young Nikos Poursanidis and Alexandra Aidini, stars of the first films.

[04] THE SAE PRESIDENT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WORLD ORGANIZATION

The proceedings of the 4th World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, World Assembly continued in Thessaloniki for a second day today with the speeches of the 11-member SAE Presiding Board.

In his speech, SAE President Andrew Athens referred to his vision and the significant activities undertaken by the world organization in every continent focusing on the Medical Program in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

He said that SAE founded five Medical Centers that offer free medical assistance and medicines to the Greeks in the former Soviet Union countries and their neighbors.

The trade and culture are the new sectors of strong interest for SAE responding to a demand expressed by many Greeks, while the materialization of a strategic plan is in progress in cooperation with the Association of Exporters in Northern Greece.

He also referred to the activities of the five SAE networks, namely, businessmen, culture, scientists, women and youth, stressing that their work is very important as they open another path toward the activation of the Greek communities around the world.

[05] THE EURO-ARMY WILL BE DISCUSSED IN BRUSSELS

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou will give a battle in Brussels today to defend the Greek views on the issue of the Euro-army in a formal dinner that will be given within the framework of the EU Foreign Ministers General Affairs Council.

The above were stated by Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas responding to a question on the text-proposal submitted by the United States and Britain on the issue.

Greece wants changes to be made on the text to comply with the principles of the Nice Treaty on the autonomy of the European Union in decision making.

[06] PROTOPAPAS ON THE ROAD BLOCKADES BY THE FARMERS

The road blockades are not a fair form of mobilization, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas, because it creates problems in the economic and social life. Mr. Protopapas expressed the hope that the voice of reason and responsibility will prevail.

He also stressed that satisfactory solutions have been given to the problems of the farmers and those solutions are the final ones because the EU decisions cannot change.

[07] SIGNIFICANT LOSSES IN THE ASE

Significant losses were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange today. The general index dropped to -1.56% at 2.661,96 points, while the volume of transactions was at 125 million Euro or 43 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 58 recorded gains and 279 had losses, while the value of 21 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THE GOVERNMENT BACKS THE HEALTH SECTOR REFORM EFFORTS

The government backs the reforms in the sector of health, stated Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas when asked to comment on whether Health Minister Alekos Papadopoulos enjoys the absolute confidence of the Prime Minister.

The government spokesman stated characteristically that the government supports the efforts made to have the right reforms, stressing that the efforts must succeed because they are for the benefit of the Greek people.

[09] THE TAX REFORM WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2002

The assurance that the tax reform will be completed in 2002 was given by Minister of Finance Nikos Christodoulakis in his opening speech in the 12th Annual Conference of the US-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

In his speech, Mr. Christodoulakis stated characteristically that the privatization program will proceed with a quicker pace in 2002.

He underlined that the strengthening of competitiveness and the speeding-up of development, aimed at increasing the number of job positions, are the top priorities for the government's economic staff. He stressed that the crucial point is the further liberalization of the markets and the strengthening of competitiveness, while the relevant draft law will be presented in Parliament in January 2002.

On the Olympic Airways issue, he said that there must be solutions that are reliable and viable, stressing that the airline's privatization will become a reality and that the goal is to have absolute clarity in the procedure that will be followed as well as, healthy financing.

For the record, the draft law on the strengthening of business activities will be presented in parliament next week.

[10] "THE ATLAS OF THE DIASPORA" PRESENTATION

The "Atlas of the Greek Diaspora" guide book that will be presented today, within the framework of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, World Assembly, includes the history of the Greek Diaspora and immigration.

The history of the Greek Diaspora is included in the two volumes of the book, through a presentation of the experience and successes of the 7 million Greeks living in 140 countries around the world.

Its presentation will take place in the presence of government ministers, parliament deputies, and SAE president Andrew Athens.

[11] THE GREEKS ABROAD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF THE OLYMPIC IDEAL

The Greeks of the Diaspora offer a great assistance in the effort to host the 2004 Olympic Games, according to Ms. Eagan "Athens 2004" Greeks Living Abroad Office Director, speaking in the 4th World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, World Assembly in Thessaloniki .

She stated that her office responded to 2.900 e-mails in a week, stressing that it is the link between "Athens 2004" and the Greeks living abroad. She added that it has a consultative role, stressing that her office helps the Greeks abroad to solve the problems they face.

Ms. Eagan also said that the Greek communities abroad should learn about the Olympic Games and play a leading role in the effort to host the best Olympic Games possible.

[12] KARAMANLIS: THE OLYMPIC GAMES IS A NATIONAL AFFAIR

New Democracy supports and will continue to support the 2004 Olympic Games considering them an affair of national importance, stated the right-wing main opposition party leader Kostas Karamanlis, after his visit to the "Athens 2004" Organizing Committee offices in Athens where he met with its president Yianna Angelopoulou.

He also said that his party will continue to exert pressures and criticism on the government, expressing the hope that the government will rise to the occasion and avoid the delays and lack in coordination in the Olympic Games preparations that were observed in previous years.

[13] E. VENIZELOS: GREECE WILL HOST THE BEST OLYMPIC GAMES

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, speaking in the 4th World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, World Assembly in Thessaloniki, expressed the certainty that Greece will organize the most successful and technically impeccable Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

He invited the Greeks living abroad to unite in the effort to organize the best Olympic Games and stated that 87% of the Olympic Games infrastructure is already ready.

The minister admitted that there were problems and delays and that probably there will be more in the future, pointing out, however, that the most important thing is that Greece is in control, and has the knowledge and the way to solve them.

On the crucial issue of security and the questions raised, he responded that Greece is the safest western country. He said that the International Olympic Committee, IOC, did not make things easy for Greece and stressed that Greece has a historic right to the Olympic Games. Mr. Venizelos also said that the Athens 2004 Olympic Games are the big bet for the true modernization of the country.

The Culture Minister referred to the great importance of the Cultural Olympiad and added that the Western world is not the only civilized world, stressing that first we have to deal with the culture of survival (eg. the Third World poverty) and afterwards with the survival of cultures.

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