Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-10

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1285), September 10, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Greek interest expressed for Belgrade-Thessaloniki road axis

[02] Laliotis on Egnatia

[03] Messages continue to pour in for Athens' Olympic success

[04] Australian leader favors permanent return of the Olympics to Greece

[05] Greek delegation to attend national parliaments' summit

[06] EU telecoms engineers to meet in Thessaloniki

[07] PASOK co-operation with Albanian Socialist party

[08] Loan to be discussed during Greek, Albanian FMs meeting

[09] Athens condemns latest Dini statements regarding Cyprus

[10] Swedish deputy FM on Cyprus

[11] ND criticizes Papadopoulos for remarks on local Gov't mergers

[12] Thessaly farmers mobilize to protest trial

[13] State Dept. on S-300 missiles

[14] Sofia, Bucharest to mediate Greek-Turkish differences

[15] Press minister receives ATA general director

[16] Intracom head protests to OTE over delays in bid decisions

[17] Greek-Czech commercial relations

[18] Greenpeace defendants acquitted in Thessaloniki

[19] Major art collection on display next year

[20] Greek Byzantine choir completes Moscow performances

[21] Italy, France honor memory of diva Maria Callas

[22] Star ballet dancers to appear in Thessaloniki

[23] Greek stocks rise in record turnover still buoyed by Olympics

[24] Greek inflation rises to 5.6 pct yr/yr in August

[25] Greece to auction Drs 180 bln of zero coupon bonds

[26] Greek public investments double in Jan-Aug

[27] Greece, Ukraine sign pact to boost trade, investments

[28] Greek firms to build Albanian road links

[29] EU finances creation of 31 energy agencies

[01] Greek interest expressed for Belgrade-Thessaloniki road axis

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The project, budgeted at US$650 million, will be tendered by the end of 1997 and awarded by March 1998.

Mr. Ivkovic was speaking at a conference on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki fair, entitled: "Tech-nical Projects: Prospects for Co-operation in the New Markets of Southeastern Europe".

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Under-secretary Christos Verelis told ANA afterwards that a number of bilateral contacts during the conference would lead in the immediate future to the signing of co-operation agreements with the foreign minis try.

Earlier, representatives from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria and Albania presented their proposals regarding "Corridor 8", a proposal to connect the Albanian port of Durres in the west to the Black Sea ports of Burgas and Varna.

The representatives said the project had yet to receive commitments for financing. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has only approved funding of ECU24 million for the Durres-Tirana section.

On his part, Mr. Ivkovic said the project was "pointless", doubting it would ever be constructed and that it would take such a long time that it wouldn't affect construction of the already underway Egnatia Motorway, which will span the breadth of northern Greece, from the Ionian port of Igoumenitsa to the border city of Alexandroupoli, when completed.

[02] Laliotis on Egnatia

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Laliotis made the comments at a press conference held at the Helexpo-Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) headquarters.

He said Greece has secured an additional loan amounting to 70 billion drachmas from the European Investment Bank to construct two additional sections of the Egnatia Motorway, while expressing the government's satisfaction over the conclusion of agreements by Greek construction companies with several Balkan and Black Sea countries.

Referring to the issue of the para-Egnatia, Mr. Laliotis reminded of the outcome of a study prepared on instructions by the EU concerning road transport networks.

"On the road axis of Durres-Skopje-Sofia-Varna, the study mentions that it is a project which is not expedient. In essence, it cancels out its execution," Mr. Laliotis said, adding that "after this conclusion all the Balkan countries have embarked on a race through their co-operation with Greece to join themselves with the Egnatia motorway."

In addition, Mr. Laliotis said Athens also wishes to support the return of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to international organizations and its full participation in them, as well as to help in promoting relations between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with the EU, according to an announcement by the Yugoslav General Consulate in Thessaloniki, an ANA dispatch reported.

Mr. Laliotis also expressed the conviction that talks between the Serb government and representatives of Greek companies on the construction of a section of the motorway in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, stretching from Belgrade to Skopje, will succeed. It is a project for which Greece will provide a loan amounting to US$100 million.

According to Tanjug, Mr. Laliotis and Mr. Ivkovic agreed that the inter-state agreement on scientific and technical co-operation to be signed by the end of 1997 will constitute a good basis for further developing bilateral co-operation.

[03] Messages continue to pour in for Athens' Olympic success

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday received congratulatory messages from International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio Samaranch and President of the French Republic Jacques Chirac.

Mr. Samaranch expressed the certainty that the Greek government would assist in guaranteeing the success of the games. In a similar message he sent to Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras, he said, "I am sure your ministry will make the cultural aspect of the games a certain success".

Mr. Chirac said that heard of Athens' success with joy and said the IOC had "paid its homage and respect to the great homeland of the Olympic spirit and the dynamism of Greece".

Athens bid committee chairman Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and her husband had dinner with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, who said to the press after it that he hoped Ms Angelopoulou would become the head of the new Organizational Committee for the Olympic Games, yet to be set up.

The ministry would like to see a coordinated effort among many sides in order to take advantage of the new opportunities, Mr. Pangalos said.

In his daily briefing, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that the government had no plans to upgrade the sports undersecretariat, which belongs to the Culture ministry, to a full ministry.

Replying to questions on whether there was any question on appointing Ms Angelopoulou at the head of an organizational committee, Mr. Reppas said the government had not received any pressure to not appoint her, since her presence led to a successful bid .

The government will take all necessary measures to ensure that the people forming the committee would be the best possible, he said.

Meanwhile, the Association of Greek Olympic Games Winners sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Fouras yesterday, for what they termed as his "significant, yet discreet contribution to (your) effort" of winning the bid.

The group members expressed full support for him and said they would "do (our) duty in the Sydney Olympics and that of Athens".

"We shall always stand by you in full force, because you know very well how to honor Olympic champions. You have proven this recently by inviting to Lausanne all of the Olympic winners, including Olympic weightlifting coach Christos Iacovou..." the announcement said.

Messages of congratulations continued as well to be sent to President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday following the news that Athens would host the 2004 Olympics.

The president's office announced that messages had been received from Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch, Argentine President Carlos Menem and South Korean President Kim Young-sam.

[04] Australian leader favors permanent return of the Olympics to Greece

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

"Holding the Olympic Games should not be the privilege of just a few rich states. Now that the Games have gone home for the 2004 Olympiad, I think the time has come for international support for the idea of holding the Games permanently in Greece," Mr. Beazley said in a written statement.

[05] Greek delegation to attend national parliaments' summit

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The delegation represents all political parties in the Greek Parliament - PASOK, main opposition New Democracy, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) and the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI).

Among the issues to be discussed at the summit, which will last until Sept. 16, are international policies, economic and social issues, closer relations between parliaments to safeguard democracy as well as measures against unemployment and child labor .

The issues of Cyprus, the Mideast peace process and relations between the Arab world and Israel are also on the agenda.

Parliament's Secretary-General, Panayiotis Giorgopoulos, will also take part in the summit of Parliament secretary-generals to be held on the sidelines of the Cairo conference.

[06] EU telecoms engineers to meet in Thessaloniki

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The topic of the conference, which takes place in Greece for the second time after 10 years, will be "Emerging Opportunities in Telecommunications at the Dawn of the Third Millennium."

It is expected that the conference, to take place at the 'Ioannis Vellidis' HELEXPO center, will be attended by more than 600 participants from all 15 EU member-states.

[07] PASOK co-operation with Albanian Socialist party

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Maiko's visit is taking place following a visit Mr. Skandalidis paid to Tirana recently.

PASOK intends to organize seminars for training and briefing cadres of the Albanian party. It also intends to support the Albanian Socialist party's accession to the socialist international.

[08] Loan to be discussed during Greek, Albanian FMs meeting

Gjirokaster, 10/09/1997 (ANA -P. Barkas)

The two foreign ministers will also discuss details of a Greek loan to be extended to Albania.

[09] Athens condemns latest Dini statements regarding Cyprus

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

"The European Union has a policy on the issue (of Cyprus) which has been expressed officially by the president of the Council of Ministers Jacques Poos," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said

"The European Union has not discussed any other proposal, the political position on the Cyprus issue has been taken unanimously, is being implemented and will brook no change," Mr. Reppas said.

According to a Cyprus News Agency dispatch from Washington, Mr. Dini, speaking to the press on Monday prior to a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, said there are "two governments, two entities and borderlines" in Cyprus.

Asked by a Turkish reporter if the part of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since its 1974 invasion of the island needs to be recognized as an "independent state", Mr. Dini replied he had never said such a thing.

"But I think it has to be recognized that there are two entities in Cyprus," noting "if there were not two entities there would not be negotiations... for a federated state. This is the point I made," the Italian minister added.

Asked to say whether the "two entities are equal", Mr. Dini replied: "No, I wouldn't say equal entities. There are two entities. They exist, they co-exist. There are borderlines and two different governments and that is a state of fact."

Athens and Nicosia strongly protested statements by Mr. Dini in Rome last month after a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, that "there are two republics, two governments and two entities in Cyprus".

Repeated statements by both the Prime Minister of Italy, Romano Prodi and the country's foreign ministry said Mr. Dini's statements were misrepresented by the media and that Italy recognizes only the Republic of Cyprus and that a Cyprus solution should be based on UN resolutions.

Only Turkey recognizes the illegal regime, unilaterally set up in November 1983, and the UN itself has called on all states not to recognize the self-styled entity and "not to facilitate or in any way assist the aforesaid secessionist entity."

In statements later, Foreign Under-secretary Kranidiotis said Mr. Dini was "incorrigible". "Despite the efforts under way by the international community and by Greece... (Mr. Dini) persists in clashing with the international community and with the decisions of the European Union itself," Mr. Kranidiotis said.

These decisions, he noted, recognize that "in Cyprus there is one legitimate government, one Cypriot government with which the talks on the accession of the island republic to the Community must be held".

There are two communities on Cyprus, Mr. Kranidiotis said, "but these find themselves under the same legal international entity, the Republic of Cyprus, which is represented by the Cypriot government."

[10] Swedish deputy FM on Cyprus

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

"We are sorry to see the linkage between the UN negotiations and other issues which are not related to that negotiation and we hope now that we will not lose momentum," Mr. Eliasson said after a meeting in Athens with his Greek counterpart Mr. Kranidiotis.

"It's extremely important not only for this area, not only for Greece and Turkey but also for Europe and the world that the Cyprus issue is really solved and this requires a sense of wisdom, statesmanship and farsightedness which now will have to be use d very quickly. "We will follow this issue both as a member of the UN Security Council; we fully support UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's efforts, but we will also follow the issue from the European union's side, since we hope also to see Cyprus in the end as a united and federal Cyprus part of the European Union," he said.

This will entail "a lot of work and great responsibility as to be accepted by all those concerned," he said, adding that his talks with Mr. Kranidiotis had been "very useful and very important" in this regard.

The two said their meeting also focused on important international issues, such as developments in Albania, Bosnia and the Middle East and issues affecting Sweden in the Baltic Sea.

Mr. Kranidiotis said he underlined to his Swedish counterpart the need for Turkey to meet its obligations under international law and treaties, to stop its "aggressive policy" and "explosive statements" by Turkish government officials.

The Greek minister also thanked Stockholm for its involvement in the Cyprus issue, saying Sweden "has a role to play in the joint effort to promote a just and viable resolution (of the Cyprus issue) based on United Nations resolutions and the principles of international law."

"We believe that the European Union is in agreement on this point," Mr. Kranidiotis continued, "that negotiations for Cyprus' accession to the European Union will begin, as agreed, six months after the signing of the inter- government treaty of Amsterdam and that, at the same time, efforts must be undertaken for a just and viable resolution of the Cyprus issue, one which will be compatible with the European edifice, with European laws and decisions," he said.

Mr. Eliasson said he hoped to see an improvement in the human rights situation in Turkey that would bring it closer to the European Union. "We have of course also discussed the crucial issues of the relationship between Greece and Turkey where of course we know the importance of developing those relations, because that relationship will have an impact not only in this area, but also in Europe as a whole," he said.

"We hope that we will see a development, where democracy and human rights will be established firmly in Turkey, so that we could bring Turkey closer into the family of European nations," he said.

[11] ND criticizes Papadopoulos for remarks on local Gov't mergers

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

In his interview to the Athens daily "Exousia", Mr. Papadopoulos said he was angered by ND's wavering reactions to the plan on compulsory mergers.

In a relevant announcement, Mr. Spiliotopoulos concludes that Mr. Papadopoulos has adopted the "tactic of misleading and disorientation" and created many vague points regarding the economic aspect of mergers. He believes that the planning for the mergers has an vague and coercive character, adding that "forged accusations" against ND do not dull the impressions caused by the protests of thousands of citizens.

[12] Thessaly farmers mobilize to protest trial

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Farmers who had held mass rallies and obstructed the main highways and certain railway lines, effectively cutting the country in half last December, were taken to court by the Greek Railways Organization (OSE) and the National Road Construction Fund (TEO).

The trial, one of many held at various parts of Greece, opens in Larisa on Tuesday with a lawsuit filed by OSE and TEO against members of the Larisa-based committee, for what they claim were losses amounting to one billion drachmas from obstruction of transports.

Farmers opened their new series of mobilizations with a rally in Farsala, Thessaly, and will continue with rallies in Elassona and Karditsa today, and another Friday afternoon outside the farmers' cooperative in Larisa.

[13] State Dept. on S-300 missiles

Washington, 10/09/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Called on by Turkish reporters to comment on recent statements by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, State Department spokesman Jim Foley said comments by both sides, speaking of war, as was the case in the past with Turkish officials who openly threatened with an attack on Cyprus in the event the Russian S-300 missiles are deployed, are "out of bounds."

However, Mr. Foley assessed that there is no cause for concern and said: "On the specific missiles issue we have taken into consideration a commitment by President Clerides that the sale will not go ahead for quite a long time. We look forward to a solution to the issue and that the sale will not be carried out."

[14] Sofia, Bucharest to mediate Greek-Turkish differences

Sofia, 10/09/1997 (ANA/ABNA)

Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov and his Romanian counterpart Emil Constantinescu said they agreed to the idea of mediating between Turkey and Greece, saying they have started preparations for a four-party session.

The formal proposal for the session is expected in Athens and Ankara next week.

According to an announcement by the Bulgarian presidency, the two Balkan head of states will hold separate meetings before the session with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Turkish President Suleyman Demirel to discuss disputes between the two countries and assess the views of the two sides on specific problems.

Immediately after these meetings are held, the initiative for a meeting between the presidents of Greece and Turkey is being examined.

All problems between the two countries will be placed on the negotiating table and all sides, if the meeting is finally held, will seek ways of resolving the problems.

[15] Press minister receives ATA general director

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas referred to Greece's interest in assisting Albania's restructuring, stressing the need to strengthen friendly ties between the two neighboring countries, while he underlined the significance of co-operation between ATA and the Athens News Agency (ANA) in promoting these targets, as well as the exchange of news and information.

Mr. Cupi focused on the problems faced by Albania, the significance of Athens' support, the role played by the mass media and the strengthening of friendship and co-operation between the two peoples.

ATA and the ANA signed a co-operation agreement and decided to establish a direct line linking the two agencies, allowing for continuous communication and an exchange of news.

[16] Intracom head protests to OTE over delays in bid decisions

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The Intracom founder citing as example a decision on tendering SDH systems, which has been pending since 1995.

In a letter to OTE President Dimitris Papoulias and other board members, Mr. Kokkalis said there were delays in general in procurements, which were expected to total 1.2 trillion drachmas by 2,000.

Referring specifically to procurements for OTE's new venture in mobile telephony, or COSMOTE, expecting to cost nearly 90 billion drachmas within the next three years, Mr. Kokkalis said the tendering was completed in 34 days, "despite the fact that again this time there were very serious objections as to the objectivity of the choice".

Speaking about procurement delays in general, he said that "since the phenomenon of extensions has become the rule (in final decisions over bids), creating serious problems in all tendering," the board managers should "examine what the real reasons are that lead to such delays".

[17] Greek-Czech commercial relations

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Conversely, exports from the Czech Republic to Greece increased slightly and amounted US$92.9 million as against 90.9 million in 1995. The Czech Republic exports cars, timber products, crystals, textiles, iron, steel, tractors and household appliances t o Greece. Greek exports include textiles, cotton, citrus and other fruits and tobacco.

[18] Greenpeace defendants acquitted in Thessaloniki

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The offenses were allegedly perpetrated five years ago when the defendants attempted to prevent the unloading of toxic substances at the installations of the Hellenic Fuel and Mineral Oils Group (EKO) in Thessaloniki.

Three Greek nationals were among the eight defendants who stood trial at the hearing. The remaining five were tried and acquitted in absentia since they had not been delivered subpoenas in time.

According to the indictment, in September 1992 the activists had suspended themselves from the anchor chain of a tanker and had remained there for five days to prevent the unloading of 2,000 tons of suspected toxic materials.

[19] Major art collection on display next year

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

At a press conference, Mr. Venizelos said the Euripides Koutlidis collection, which includes some 1,400 paintings, will be shown in its entirety at the gallery. The National Gallery will also be responsible for the collection's preservation.

The collection is owned and managed by the Koutlidis Foundation, which must approve any action dealing with the artworks.

Foundation President Stephanos Matthias, who is also president of the Supreme Court, said the value of the collection, which includes mostly works by Greek painters, was calculated at more than two billion drachmas.

[20] Greek Byzantine choir completes Moscow performances

Moscow, 10/09/1997 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)

The other two performances were held in the odium and the Historical Museum of Moscow.

The choir was conducted by University of Athens professor Grigorios Stathis and appeared as part of events commemorating the 850th anniversary of the founding of Moscow.

The concerts were organized by the Greek embassy in Moscow with the help of the Foundation of Hellenic Culture and the culture ministry.

[21] Italy, France honor memory of diva Maria Callas

Rome, 10/09/1997 (ANA/AFP)

Opera singers Katja Ricciarelli, Cecilia Gasdia, Maria Dragoni, among others, will sing arias from Verdi, Rossini, Bizet and Puccini, while actresses will recite poems written about Callas.

Piero Belugi will be conducting, and the concert will be transmitted via RAI television throughout the world.

Aircraft which fly scheduled flights over Ostia will be diverted on the night of the concert, that will be attended by the president of the Italian republic.

Another event will be held in Paris on Sept. 11 to commemorate the anniversary.

The event will include readings by actors on the diva's life, and Greek actress Irene Papas will recite the "Medea" soliloquy and two ancient Greek hymns.

It is organized by the city of Paris and will be held at the mayoral hall, while it will be transmitted onto a giant screen set outside the hall.

[22] Star ballet dancers to appear in Thessaloniki

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The "Gala des Etoiles" includes star performers from the Kirov, the Bolshoi, the American Ballet Theater, the Paris Opera and the ballets of Hamburg, Osaka, Hungary, New York and Chicago.

The gala, with a group of 31 dancers, was first presented in Montreal in 1986, and performs every six months throughout the world, featuring a repertoire which includes choreography by Petipa, Balanchine, Bejar and Kilian.

Tickets for both days have been sold out, while profits will be used to reforest the Seikh Sou forest, nearly half of which burned down this summer. No invitations will be issued.

[23] Greek stocks rise in record turnover still buoyed by Olympics

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The value of transactions, however, shot up to set a new 1997 record. Turnover was 66.1 billion drachmas.

The general index closed 1.49 percent higher at 1,688.51 points, sharply down from the day's highs. The index jumped 7.33 percent during the first hour of the session but eased back on profit-taking. Most sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 1.47 percent, Leasing was 0.80 percent higher, Investment increased 1.11 percent, Industrials were 2.05 percent up, Construction jumped 6.40 percent, Holding was 0.18 percent higher, but Insurance and Miscellaneous fell by 0.08 and 2.73 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies eased 0.79 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 112 to 107 with another 11 issues unchanged.

Edrasis, Bank of Athens, Mechaniki, Attikat, Aktor, Aegek and Sarandopoulos scored the biggest percentage gains, while Babyland, Rilken, Xylemporia and Macedonian Plastics suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 36,500 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,300, Alpha Credit Bank at 20,700, Delta Dairy at 4,185, Titan Cement at 16,005, Intracom at 13,400 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 7,040.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas urged investors to remain calm and said that the government would pursue the same economic policies regardless of the fact that Athens had been awarded the 2004 Olympic Games.

[24] Greek inflation rises to 5.6 pct yr/yr in August

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The National Statistics Service (NSS) said that electricity and petrol prices burdened the consumer price index by 0.07 percent and 0.8 percent respectively. Consumer price inflation was 8.0 percent in August 1996. NSS said it expected the inflation rate to ease in September.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas admitted there was a slight deviation from this year's inflation target but stressed it was a temporary phenomenon.

[25] Greece to auction Drs 180 bln of zero coupon bonds

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The auction of the electronically registered issue worth a total of 180 billion drachmas will yield 9.40 percent annually.

The Bank of Greece said in a statement that the auction would be based on competitive bids and that both institutional and private investors could take part.

[26] Greek public investments double in Jan-Aug

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

The national economy ministry reported that payments totaled 557.8 billion drachmas from 275.8 billion a year earlier, an increase of 102.2 percent.

National Economy Under-secretary Christos Pachtas said that the sharp rise in payments was an encouraging message for the economy due to the fact that projects co-funded by the EU's Delors II package accounted for 65 percent of payments from the public investments program.

August payments were 143 billion drachmas, up from 89.2 billion in the same month last year.

[27] Greece, Ukraine sign pact to boost trade, investments

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Under the terms of the agreement, which was signed on Monday on the sidelines of the Thessaloniki international trade fair, businesses will have access to practical aid and information on investments and trade.

In addition, trade fairs, conferences and seminars will be held to promote economic ties between the two countries.

Also covering co-operation in the arts, the memorandum was signed by representatives of Ukraine's foreign economic affairs and commerce ministry, the Greek-Ukraine Association, and Greece's state trade fair organizer, Helexpo.

[28] Greek firms to build Albanian road links

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

Award of the projects was decided on September 4-5 in Tirana when a delegation headed by Deputy National Economy Minister Alekos Baltas visited the Albanian capital for talks on the project with government officials.

The contractors have agreed to hand over detailed engineering for the road links between Kakavia and Gjirokaster and Gjirokaster and Tepelene early in 1998.

[29] EU finances creation of 31 energy agencies

Athens, 10/09/1997 (ANA)

This will bring the total number of European agencies set up with the Commission's support to 141.

The projects selected meet the following objectives designed to develop a European energy policy consistent with sustainable development:

* To contribute to better Community integration in energy matters through a bottom-up approach to energy problems, while encouraging local bodies to co-operate and exchange scientific and technical know-how at a European level

* To foster economic and social cohesion by reducing the disparities between regions: because of their proximity to consumers, local energy agencies can make a worthwhile contribution to this objective and have an impact on the creation of jobs locally

* To boost the efforts of regional and local authorities involved in efforts to combat climate change

* To improve environmental protection and the quality of life The following projects have been selected for Greece:

* Oberfranken District (D) with Peloponnese Region (GR);

* Mayo County Council (IRL) with Province of Pisa (I) and Prefecture of Trikala (GR)

* Tipperary County (IRL) with Prefecture of Larissa (GR);

End of English language section.

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