Thessaloniki presents Expo 2008 theme on ‘Mother Earth and Nutrition’
Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis, at the head of the coordinating committee of Thessaloniki’s bid for hosting World Expo 2008, yesterday presented the proposed theme of the exposition, «Mother Earth: Knowledge of the Earth and Nutrition,» at the Main Press Center (MPC) of the Olympic Games. «It is a theme extremely important for both developed and developing nations. We have worked very hard to achieve our goal and believe in a positive vote by the 91 member states of the (Paris-based) Bureau International des Expositions (BIE),» he said. Tsiartsionis said the bid has the broadest support among political parties, local authorities and public opinion, and is a first-class opportunity for transforming Macedonia into a crossroads serving all of southeastern Europe. In a video-taped message, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said, «We were ready for the Olympic Games and we are ready to host Expo 2008.» The proposal submitted to BIE envisages the exposition opening on May 1 and lasting for three months. Thessaloniki is competing with Italy’s Trieste and Spain’s Saragossa. BIE will decide on the winner in December.
