Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-19
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1142), March 19, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Simitis: Athens' Balkan policy contributes to stability,
democracy in region
[02] Papantoniou
[03] Niles
[04] Greece willing to extend loan, support to Albania
[05] Greece prepared to help Albania restructure armed forces
[06] Kranidiotis in Albania
[07] Solution to Albania through peaceful means, premier says
[08] Evert briefs PM on Albanian visit
[09] KKE, Synaspismos
[10] Humanitarian aid to Albania
[11] Business consultant council established by SECI
[12] Inter-Balkan Medical Center units announced for five Balkan
capitals
[13] Premier leaves for Romania tomorrow
[14] Macedonia-Thrace Bank opens Balkan Trading Company
[15] Postponed G. Papandreou trip to Sweden rescheduled for Friday
[16] Ag Under-secretary Geranidis on official visit to Armenia
[17] Pangalos urges Ankara to clarify position on European orientation
[18] Decisive initiatives needed, Cypriot FM says
[19] Albania 'a tough lesson'
[20] Turkish violations of Athens FIR, Greek airspace reported
[21] Laliotis briefs expatriate journalists on metro construction
[22] Greek-Tunisian tourism agreement
[23] HEPO participation at int'l jewelry exhibition
[24] Greece rejects proposals for new farm prices
[25] Commission expected to write-off Skaramanga debts
[26] Internal ND deliberations continue in light of ND congress
[27] KKE to host communist parties' meeting
[01] Simitis: Athens' Balkan policy contributes to stability,
democracy in region
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in Thessaloniki last night
that Athens' Balkan policy is the tool capable of contributing
to stability, democracy, development and co-operation in the
Balkans.
Mr. Simitis was speaking at the closing session of a two-day
conference entitled "Business Co-operation in Southeastern
Europe" held in northern Greece for the fourth consecutive year.
"We can defend our common future in the Balkans, we have a voice
and influence in shaping developments," he noted.
Mr. Simitis outlined initiatives which the government has taken
and intends to take to handle the crisis in Albania, to prevent
it from spreading and having unfavorable repercussions for the
ethnic Greek minority as well as to prevent a wave of mass
immigration to Greece.
He referred to the inter-Balkan conference being prepared by the
government at a foreign ministers' level in Thessaloniki on June
9-10 and recalled action taken by Athens from the time events
began in Albania.
"Greece has processed a structured and overall proposal aimed at
the long-term handling of problems faced by Balkan states and
this proposal was presented at the European Union's Council of
Foreign Ministers on Feb. 24," he said.
Mr. Simitis said the proposal is aimed at mobilizing the EU in
co-operation with the International Monetary Fund, the World
Bank, the European Investment Bank and other international
fiscal organizations.
He said these efforts are not enough and for this reason he
called on all bodies in Greek society to jointly mobilize
themselves together with the state, extending a hand of help,
co-operation and joint action to their counterpart bodies in the
other Balkan states. He added that they should not wait for
others to surpass their national sensitivity, but should be the
first to offer a hand of friendship and support without
arrogance and hegemony.
Mr. Simitis said that developments in Albania and the rest of
the Balkans have shown that a more substantive and integrated
policy is required by European organizations for the entire
Balkan region.
He added that the latest events have shown the possibility of
the EU and its bodies to respond to the needs of the crisis,
saying that at the same time they showed the need for the
international organizations' institutions to equip themselves
with duties, means and effective functions to handle similar
crises. He went on to say that this particularly concerns the
EU's common foreign policy and security policy which is being
shaped.
Mr. Simitis placed particular importance on business
co-operation, saying that it is the motive power behind economic
relations. He said that trade transactions between Balkan
countries increased from US$ 1.7 billion dollars in 1988 to US$
4.2 billion in 1995. He added that the target of all must be to
place the Balkans on a convergence course by promoting
development processes which will support the transition to the
market system, a transition of an institutional, social and
economic nature which requires systematic and long-term effort
and backing.
[02] Papantoniou
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Last year was the first year of real convergence of the Greek
economy with the rest in the European Union, according to
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.
Speaking during the same conference in Thessaloniki, Mr.
Papantoniou said that the country has entered a period of low
budget deficits, low inflation and comparatively higher growth
rates, forecasting that lower lending interest rates would
maintain the stabilization of the economy and accelerate the
pace of economic growth.
Specifically, he said that the fiscal deficit will be reduced to
4.2 per cent of GDP, public debt to 109 from 111.8 per cent of
GDP last year, and that a further substantial fall in interest
rates will contribute to an improvement of the competitiveness
of businesses, despite a strict exchange policy.
The recovery in investment, public and private, is expected to
accelerate the rate of growth, bringing it to 3.5 per cent.
Inflation is expected to fall to 4.5 per cent with the
appropriate combination of fiscal, monetary and exchange policy,
he stated.
Mr. Papantoniou said 1996 was the first year of real convergence
of the Greek economy to Maastricht Treaty targets, inaugurating
a period of low fiscal deficits, low inflation and comparatively
higher growth rates.
He described the overall record of the Greek economy in the last
3.5 years as satisfactory, given that fiscal deficits came down
by 7 percentage points, from 14.4 per cent in 1993 to 7.4 per
cent last year, and inflation from 12.3 per cent in 1993 to 6. 6
per cent in February this year.
"This rate is the lowest in the last 25 years, while the
exchange parity of the drachma has been fully stabilized and
constitutes a crucial factor of confidence in the Greek
economy," he said.
Greek and international businessmen attending the two-day
conference said that improving economic co-operation between
Greek and Turkish businessmen would also result in the bettering
of the political climate between the two countries.
Addressing the conference, the president of the Federation of
Northern Greek Industries (SBBE) Nikos Efthymiadis called for a
"bolder European Union policy" to help the Balkan countries
quickly exit the current impasse and proposed the establishment
of a Northeastern European Investments Center.
Intracom President Socratis Kokkalis called on European
governments to take more substantial steps towards
denationalization, adding that "market deregulation will lead to
more competition, quality improvement, cheaper prices and more
jobs."
On Greek-Turkish co-operation in the economic and business
sector, Mr. Kokkalis said "co-operation leads to common
interest..."
On his part, Turkish industrialist Rahmi Koc said that "the most
important condition for development of business activity is the
deregulation of commerce."
Mr. Koc said the Turkish economy improved after the gradual
deregulation of imports and reduction of tariffs in 1993, adding
that most businesses had managed to adjust and even become more
competitive.
Stressing that the markets of the Black Sea countries were of
particular interest, Mr. Koc said Turkey achieved, through
promoting economic co-operation with these markets, to increase
in 1993 the overall trade transactions with these countries by
51 per cent.
He said similar bilateral and multilateral co-operations should
be promoted in the Balkans, adding that Greece could play a
catalytic role in this direction.
Concluding, Mr. Koc said that if restrictions on movement were
lifted Turkey could become a country exporting tourists.
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
US ambassador Thomas Niles said the development of southeastern
Europe could be achieved through private investments and not
based on an "outside" intervention, such as the Marshall Plan,
which was implemented after the Second World War.
"It is obvious that no public sector funds are adequate for the
broad restructuring deemed necessary for the economies of the
region," Mr. Niles said.
"We must rely on private capital, which today, in contrast with
the period after the Second World War, is agonizingly seeking
investment opportunities globally," he added.
"The Southeastern European Co-operation Initiative is seeking to
play this role, to make the region attractive to foreign capital
through co-operation (schemes) between states," Mr. Niles said.
"The fact that the enormous potential prospects and not already
completed projects constitute the subject of the conference,"
the US ambassador said, "means that something, in the process,
has gone wrong."
"Certainly we could not have predicted all deviations down to
the very detail, yet the mid and long-term economic, social and
environmental consequences of decades of communist
administration are clear," he added.
Referring to prospects, Mr. Niles said that "these exist, are
enormous and I am convinced that in due time they will thrive."
"Maybe we have simply been over-optimistic about the moment this
would happen," the US ambassador said, adding that "perhaps we
should have been more generous with the help we gave to the
southeastern European states and the states of the former Soviet
Union."
US Ambassador in Greece Thomas Niles also referred to the
situation in Albania at the conference.
Mr. Niles said that in the opinion of President Bill Clinton,
the situation in Albania will have been normalized within a
matter of weeks or months.
Speaking at the same conference, Clinton's security adviser
Richard Shifter said that the immediate priority for Albania was
the provision of humanitarian aid.
He added that Washington would be planning investment programs
in Albania if the situation in the country was normalized.
[04] Greece willing to extend loan, support to Albania
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Greece announced yesterday its intention to grant a
20-billion-drachma loan with favorable terms to help Albania
overcome it current crisis, and expressed its will to also
assist in the restructuring of the neighboring country's armed
forces.
National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou announced Greece's
offer to guarantee the 20-billion-drachma National Bank of
Greece loan to Albania as partial recompensation for those who
lost their savings in the failed pyramid investment schemes as
well as to assist in the recovery and modernization of that
country's economy.
The national economy minister made the announcement in his
address to the fourth annual conference on economic co-operation
in southeastern Europe, saying that every effort should be made
to deal with Albania's economic and structural problems.
Mr. Papantoniou said the loan would be extended by the National
Bank on favorable terms and the government would try to have the
initiative incorporated in a broader European or international
financing plan.
In other statements to the conference, Mr. Papantoniou said
Greece's role in southeast Europe can and should be a strong and
substantial one, since it went hand-in-hand with the
modernization and development of the Greek economy and the rapid
and effective adjustment to the new conditions in the world
economy.
Mr. Papantoniou stressed that Greece enjoyed many comparative
advantages which would help it in its effort to strengthen its
role in the broader region.
"Greece must contribute substantially to procedures for the
reform and modernization of the economies in these countries (of
the region), while at the same time promoting the formulation of
a more integrated European policy," Mr. Papantoniou told
delegates.
Mr. Papantoniou said the consolidation of conditions of steady
progress in the Balkans dictated the charting of a long-term
strategy aimed at strengthening co-operation on the basis of
mutual benefit.
[05] Greece prepared to help Albania restructure armed forces
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said that Albania
was expected within the next few days to submit an official
request to the Greek government for assistance in the overall
restructuring of the Albanian army and that Athens would respond
"accordingly".
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was speaking after a meeting of the working
group of the ministries of defense and foreign affairs, which
convened to discuss matters related to the new structure of NATO.
He reiterated that Greece had a particular responsibility in the
Balkans and as a neighbor of Albania as well as due to its
interest in the safety of the ethnic Greek minority in Albania.
"We must co-operate in the most effective way and help Albania
to find its direction towards stability, the smooth operation of
a democratic system of government and above all, ways must be
found to provide economic assistance to Albania in this crucial
period," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.
He stressed, however, that Greece would not intervene in order
to influence political developments in Albania.
"Our role will be restricted to a purely humanitarian basis and
be on the level of the collective decisions of international
organizations, either of the European Union, of the Western
European Union or the Organization for Security and Co-operation
in Europe," he said.
[06] Kranidiotis in Albania
Gjirokaster, 19/03/1997 (ANA - S. Sideris)
Meanwhile, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis yesterday
held talks with representatives of the insurgents in southern
Albania.
After the meeting, he stated that everyone demanded the
resignation of Albanian President Sali Berisha, and that the
insurgents support the government of Bashkim Fino.
Mr. Kranidiotis reiterated Greece's steady position in favor of
dialogue with the new government, and the need to avert
violence, as well as its strong interest in the ethnic Greek
minority, whom he urged not to desert their villages.
At a meeting in prefecture headquarters later, Mr. Kranidiotis
assured of Greece's continued provision of humanitarian aid.
He also visited Sarande late last night and met with the
prefect, representatives of the insurgents and local authorities.
Mr. Kranidiotis reiterated Greece's position for normalization
of the situation in Albania through dialogue, adding that the
insurgents must hold talks with the government in order for a
solution to be found soon.
[07] Solution to Albania through peaceful means, premier says
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
On his part, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in a written
statement that Greece had decided a specific policy for the
present crisis in Albania.
"This policy consists of confronting the crisis with political
and peaceful means, not only in co-operation with the Albanian
government and political forces but also with international
initiatives within the framework of the European Union and the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe," Mr.
Simitis said.
In the statement, the premier underlines that "this is the most
effective way to protect the Greek minority in the neighboring
country" while concluding that the contacts of all Greek
political parties should be aimed at the said target.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced that
the interministerial body would convene at the foreign ministry
today to discuss the problems which have arisen due to the
crisis in Albania.
[08] Evert briefs PM on Albanian visit
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert
yesterday briefed Mr. Simitis on his recent visit to strife-torn
southern Albania. Mr. Evert told the press after the half-hour
meeting that he and Mr. Simitis had agreed as to the way in
which Greece, within the framework of the European Union, should
handle its role in helping resolve the crisis in Albania.
[09] KKE, Synaspismos
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) yesterday called on Greece's
opposition parties to oppose a potential military intervention
in Albania.
KKE criticized those Greek political parties which "support
military intervention in Albania, such as (the main opposition
New Democracy) ND, political intervention such as the Coalition
of the Left and Progress or follow a stance of tolerance against
strategy of the imperialistic organizations."
"NATO constitutes the greatest danger for the peoples in the
region and together with the European Union they are not
peaceful powers, but powers committing crimes against people in
order to remove the obstacles in the way of the
multi-nationals," the announcement read.
Coalition of the Left and Progress sent a message of solidarity
to Albania's Socialist Party leader Fatos Nano, who was released
from prison following the outbreak of turmoil in the neighboring
country.
Expressing desire to meet him in Tirana during his scheduled
visit to Albania in the next few days, Mr. Constantopoulos
expressed certainty in the message that Mr. Nano will play a
leading role in helping the country return to the democratic
normality, economic recovery and integration in Europe and the
world.
[10] Humanitarian aid to Albania
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos is to visit Sarande today in
order to accompany humanitarian aid sent to Albania by the
Athens municipality.
The aid consists of 30 tons of food and other basic necessities
donated by Athens residents following an appeal by the
municipality.
[11] Business consultant council established by SECI
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
A business consultant council has been set up by the
Southeastern Europe Co-operation Initiative (SECI) within the
framework of the fourth Inter-Balkan Conference.
The council is to operate on two levels: it will advise the six
SECI working groups regarding dealing with problems in the
operation of the region's private sector, and it will also act
as a Balkan chamber of commerce.
SECI member-countries have decided for the presidency of the
newly formed council to be shared between two individuals.
Costas Karras, a member of the Union for Democracy in the
Balkans and Rahmi Koc, a well-known Turkish industrialist, have
been elected as the first two to hold the position.
The council aims to publicize the gradual improvement of the
climate in the private sector and to encourage new companies in
business activities in the region.
It also aims to connect large international companies with local
businesses in order to promote regional development.
[12] Inter-Balkan Medical Center units announced for five Balkan
capitals
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
The Inter-Balkan Medical Center and the Henri Dunant Institute
of the Greek Red Cross yesterday announced co-operation in order
to establish a network of diagnostic centers for five Balkan
capitals.
The president of the Inter-Balkan Medical Center, Georgios
Apostolopoulos, told a press conference that the venture would
begin in Bucharest, where everything was ready for the operation
of the first such diagnostic center.
Mr. Apostolopoulos said similar centers would also be set up in
Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, Skopje, Sofia and Belgrade.
Out-patient clinics and first aid stations will operate at all
five centers as well.
The five centers will be linked on a permanent basis with the
Inter-Balkan Medical Center of the G. Apostolopoulos group and
the Henri Dunant Institute by means of an advanced
communications system.
The system will enable an evaluation at any time of the
seriousness of each case and, when necessary, patients will be
transferred to the Inter-Balkan Center in Thessaloniki or to the
Henri Dunant Hospital in Athens.
Participating in the US$ 15 million investment are the
Apostolopoulos group with 50 percent, the Greek Red Cross -
through the Henri Dunant Institute - with 30 percent and the
Latsis group, via the Balkan Fund, with 20 percent.
[13] Premier leaves for Romania tomorrow
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis leaves tomorrow for Bucharest on a
two-day official visit and talks with Romania's political
leadership on bilateral issues and the situation in the Balkans.
Tomorrow evening, Mr. Simitis will have talks with his Romanian
counterpart Victor Ciorbea and on Friday the premier will be
received by President Emil Constantinescu.
During his stay, Mr. Simitis will also meet with the presidents
of the Romanian parliament and senate, former president Ion
Iliescu and Patriarch Theoktistos.
[14] Macedonia-Thrace Bank opens Balkan Trading Company
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
A Balkan trading company was set up yesterday in Thessaloniki on
the sidelines of a four-day conference on business co-operation
in southeast Europe for the purpose of facilitating its members
in their commercial activities.
The initiative for the establishment of the "Balkan Trading
Company," which will be headquartered in Thessaloniki, belongs
to the Bank of Macedonia-Thrace.
The undertaking will have branch offices initially in Sofia and
Bucharest and eventually in all Balkan capitals. The objective
of the company is to facilitate and promote commercial
transactions in the Balkans.
It is hoped that the trading company will serve as an effective
intermediary agency, through the creation of local
infrastructures.
The share capital of the new company totals 300 million
drachmas, to which the Bank of Macedonia-Thrace will be
contributing 9.3 per cent. The remainder will be put up by
prominent Greek undertakings with activities in the Balkan
countries.
[15] Postponed G. Papandreou trip to Sweden rescheduled for Friday
Stockholm, 19/03/1997 (ANA - N. Servetas)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou's postponed visit
here will take place on Friday, it was announced yesterday.
The visit was originally scheduled for Monday, March 17 but was
postponed because of developments in Albania.
Mr. Papandreou will meet with Foreign Minister Lena Hjelm-Wallen
for discussions of bilateral issues, co-operation in the
framework of the EU, NATO expansion and the situation in the
Balkans, including Turkey.
He will also meet with Sweden's Under-secretary for European
Affairs Gunnar Lunt.
[16] Ag Under-secretary Geranidis on official visit to Armenia
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Agriculture Under-secretary Vassilis Geranidis will leave for
Armenia today on an official visit, during which he will sign an
agreement between the agriculture ministries of Greece and
Armenia on co-operation in the sector.
Co-operation concerns, among others, plant and animal
production, the production of fodder crops, processing and
transforming, agricultural research, mechanization of
agriculture and land improvement.
Mr. Geranidis will meet the Armenian Agriculture Minister
Movsisian and other high-ranking government officials.
He will also have an important meeting with representatives of
the Greek Community Federation, representing about 5,000 ethnic
Greeks who live in Armenia.
[17] Pangalos urges Ankara to clarify position on European orientation
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos urged Ankara yesterday to
choose between the road to Europe and its policy of domination,
adding that Greece would never engage in negotiations under the
threat of war.
However, he reiterated his earlier statements regarding Turkey's
place in Europe, declaring his opposition to the view that
Moslems could not be Europeans.
"There are certain circles in Turkey who are not only discussing
but planning the partition of the Aegean Sea," said Mr.
Pangalos, addressing a conference on business co-operation in
southeastern Europe yesterday in Thessaloniki.
He added that Ankara's continually expanding territorial claims
were an obstacle to Greece's sitting down at the negotiation
table.
If Turkey abandoned its claims, or even declared its intention
to do so, this could form the basis of a discussion as it would
create "a new kind of relationship" between the two countries.
"Nowhere in the world have there ever been negotiations between
two countries under the threat of war," he stressed.
He expressed the view that Turks had the "cultural perspective"
to be a part of Europe, reminding "those who had forgotten...
the cohabitation of Greeks and Turks in the past."
The minister declared his opposition to the position that
Moslems were not Europeans, saying that "a European is whoever
feels himself to be one" and that neither he nor his political
belief system could entertain the mentality of exclusion.
"However, there is no room for hegemony in Europe and if Turkey
acts correctly and chooses the road to Europe under the
necessary conditions, Greek-Turkish problems will be solved as
if by magic," he concluded.
With regard to the enlargement of the European Union, Mr.
Pangalos warned that the issue would be the subject of much
discussion, readjustments and conflicts among member states of
the EU.
Greece's position, he said, was in favor of the accession of
those states who fulfilled two conditions. These were
participation in the Council of Europe and a positive report
from the European Commission on each country's economy.
[18] Decisive initiatives needed, Cypriot FM says
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides, meanwhile, urged
the US and European Union to show decisiveness in their
initiative on the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Michaelides said that while the proximity talks between
Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot side were a step forward,
it was not enough.
"What counts is if Ankara will be given the message that the
Cyprus issue is to be solved once and for all. The question is
not whether there will be a solution to the problem, but the
various aspects, the details and the elements comprising the
solution," he contended.
The role of the European Union, he continued, could not simply
be that of onlooker in the broader region.
"It is not enough to tell a candidate member state, solve the
problem and then you can become a member."
Mr. Pangalos proposed that the creation of a federal state in
Cyprus with the peaceful co-existence of Greek Cypriots and the
Turkish Cypriot minority could be tried as an experiment. If the
experiment worked, he added, it could act as a blueprint for
relations between Islam and Europe.
[19] Albania 'a tough lesson'
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Turning to the situation in Albania, Mr. Pangalos spoke of "a
tough lesson which teaches us that the transition to a market
economy is not an easy matter".
Describing the situation in the neighboring country as
"horrendous", Mr. Pangalos said the manifestation of "such
extreme phenomena" could not be ruled out in other neighboring
countries also.
[20] Turkish violations of Athens FIR, Greek airspace reported
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Turkish warplanes yesterday violated Greek national airspace and
air traffic regulations in the Athens Flight Information Region
(FIR) between the eastern Aegean islands of Hios, Limnos and
Lesvos, reports said.
According to the same sources, 20 Turkish F-4 and F-16 conducted
10 violations of air traffic regulations and violated national
air space seven times.
In all instances, the Turkish aircraft were identified and
escorted out of national airspace by Hellenic Air Force
fighters, while in 10 instances air-to-air engagements were
reported.
[21] Laliotis briefs expatriate journalists on metro construction
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Speaking during a briefing for some 40 Greek expatriate
journalists concerning Athens' under construction metro
yesterday, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister
Costas Laliotis said the project is 55 per cent ready.
The expatriate journalists are in Greece at the invitation of
the press ministry.
In addition, Mr. Laliotis told the group that his ministry is
currently managing available national and European funds for
major infrastructure projects in Greece amounting to 4.3
trillion drachmas.
The event was also attended by Athens Mayor Dimitris
Avramopoulos and the president of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
Committee, Yianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki, who urged the
journalists to convey the message that Greece will be ready to
host the Olympic Games in the year 2004.
Architectural work has started at 12 of the 21 metro stations,
while work is underway at the same stations to install
ventilation systems as well as electrical and mechanical
equipment. A total of 6,300 meters of double railway track has
already been laid along the Pentagon-Katehaki route and the
Sepolia section, while work has also begun for the installation
of railway lines in the direction of the Panormou station.
Moreover, 87 per cent of archaeological excavations has been
completed.
[22] Greek-Tunisian tourism agreement
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
An agreement protocol has been signed between the Greek Tourist
Organization (EOT) and the Tunisian Tourist Organization during
a visit paid to Tunisia by EOT President Yiannis Stephanidis,
who was representing Greece at the second session of the joint
Greek-Tunisian tourist co-operation committee.
The session ascertained considerable possibilities to increase
tourist movement in both countries.
Among others, the protocol anticipates co-operation in tourist
promotion, investments and cultural tourism sectors, a visit by
Tunisian officials to Greece for an exchange of views on issues
concerning marinas, golf courses and hotel management, the
holding of a three-to four-week training seminar in Greece to
train Tunisian tourist occupation academy educators, the issuing
by both countries of a pamphlet containing Ulysses' sailing in
the Mediterranean and the twinning of the cities of Ithaca and
Jerba and the island of Kalymnos with the island of Kerkennah.
Apart from holding talks with his Tunisian counterpart F. Mesai,
Mr. Stephanidis met with Tunisian Tourism Minister Sleheddine
Maaoul, to whom he delivered an invitation by Development
Minister Vasso Papandreou for a visit to Greece.
[23] HEPO participation at int'l jewelry exhibition
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
The Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (OPE) has announced Greece's
participation in the international jewelry exhibition "JA Show
'97" in New York from July 19-22.
High quality gold and silver jewelry, decorative silverware,
watches and precious stones will be displayed at the exhibition.
For more information call HEPO at 99.82.100 in Athens,
031-26.21.20 in Thessaloniki and 0651-32.763 in Ioannina.
[24] Greece rejects proposals for new farm prices
Brussels, 19/03/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas has rejected a European
Commission package of proposals for new farm prices in 1997-98,
saying they are limited to the restriction of the fiscal cost
and ignore farmers' problems.
"For a decade now, we have been preoccupied with only one of the
aims of CAP, namely market balance, and we have been limiting
ourselves to fighting surpluses and restricting fiscal cost," he
told the farm ministers' council, which began deliberations o n
Monday.
He stressed that according to Community figures, farmers'
incomes in Italy, Portugal, Ireland and Greece are below
average, while in other member-states it has tripled.
"Small producers in the less developed areas, such as Greece,
are not responsible for the increases in production and
agricultural expenses. In a final analysis, they are fighting
against a deterioration in their incomes," he said.
He called for the determination of the largest guaranteed
national areas for rice, and greater quotas for dairy products.
Meanwhile, the farm council decided to continue joint financing
of olive oil production, and determined that the transitional
period for national products with exclusive appellation will end
in May 2001.
[25] Commission expected to write-off Skaramanga debts
Brussels, 19/03/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
The European Commission today is expected to write off the debts
of the Skaramanga shipyards, along with other similar concerns
in Germany and Spain.
The debt in question is a 54-billion-drachmas state support
granted in 1991. The EU's executive is expected to accept the
argument of the Greek government that the initial state subsidy
amount had increased due to delays in the partial privatization
of the company.
Following an arrangement arrived at in 1995, the state controls
a 51 per cent of equity capital with workers holding the rest.
[26] Internal ND deliberations continue in light of ND congress
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
Intense activity and deliberations are taking place in the main
opposition New Democracy party in view of the opening of a
national congress and the first round of the ND leadership
election on Friday.
Former culture minister Dora Bakoyianni, a supporter of former
minister George Souflias for the top leadership, criticized in a
newspaper interview the incumbent leader, Miltiades Evert, as
well as one of the other two leadership contenders, Costas
Karamanlis for not accepting a Souflias proposal for the
election of a leader for a four-year term.
In another newspaper interview, former national economy minister
Stephanos Manos, another Souflias supporter, did not rule out
his resignation from the party if its mode of operation does not
change and the leader is not elected for a specific term.
Voting for the new ND president will begin at 1 p.m. and will be
concluded at 5:30 p.m., with the result expected at 8 p.m. If a
second round is needed, it will begin at about 9 p.m., while the
result will be announced at around 3 on Saturday morning.
[27] KKE to host communist parties' meeting
Athens, 19/03/1997 (ANA)
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) will host a meeting of
various communist and labor parties in Athens over the weekend.
The meeting will focus on the situation in the wider region of
the eastern Mediterranean and the Balkans, while a discussion
will also be held.
End of English language section.
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