Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-09-26
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1299),
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Athens says Greek-Turkish relations still stalemated
[02] ... Opposition
[03] Poos rejects Ankara's claims that Cyprus can't join EU
[04] US reiterates interest in Greek-Turkish relations
[05] Turkey's path to EU narrower, Papoutsis says
[06] Turkey to receive EU funds only under terms
[07] Greece, Albania sign defense co-operation pacts
[08] Pangalos sees prospects for co-operation with FYROM
[09] Kaklamanis leaves for Australian tour today
[10] Venizelos comments on Spata, Metro delays
[11] Investigation results over Dornier forced landing expected
[12] Simitis meets with Kaklamanis, Christodoulakis
[13] Simitis sees Commissioner Fischler today
[14] Alexia Bakoyiannis presents book on assassinated father
[15] Stephanopoulos condemns Ankara as 'int'l troublemaker'
[16] U2 trucks allowed to pass
[17] AEK sold to Britain's ENIC
[18] Rhodes twinned with Catalonia's Rozes
[19] Greek-Australian cancer researcher in Athens
[20] Rare Byzantine artifacts on display in Moscow
[21] Landfill near Metsovo approved
[22] Montenegro signs trade pact with Greece
[23] DELTA dairy sales increase noted
[24] Athens bourse posts all-time high in privatization euphoria
[25] Greece to host EuroMed industry conference in October
[26] Papoutsis stresses EU's interest in SMEs' growth
[27] HEPO directorate for Balkans, E. Europe based in Thessaloniki
[28] Late season tourist arrivals increase in Rhodes
[29] EU industrial production up in first half of '97
[30] Aluminium's first half results improved
[01] Athens says Greek-Turkish relations still stalemated
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Athens sees a convergence of views with Ankara as "difficult to
impossible" following Tuesday's talks in New York, but is in
favor of continuing talks, government spokesman Demetris Reppas
said yesterday, commenting on meetings between Foreign Minister
Theodoros Pangalos with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem and
with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
The fact that Greek-Turkish relations were in difficulties after
New York was Ankara's fault, Mr. Reppas said, adding that any
potentially positive developments in future would depend on a
change in Turkey's political stance. However, he said he did not
rule out a change in Turkey's stance before the Balkan summit in
Crete scheduled for early December.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Greece would not agree to refer all
"pending" bilateral issues to the International Court of Justice
in The Hague.
"Turkey does not recognize (the court's) jurisdiction, nor has
it expressed the will to do so," Mr. Reppas observed, adding
that the government was in favor of holding bilateral meetings,
such as at the upcoming NATO summit on Oct. 10, on
confidence-building measures.
"There is a desire for rapprochement and dialogue, but not at
any cost," Mr. Reppas said, adding that statements on Wednesday
by Mr. Pangalos referred to the impossibility of communicating
with someone who wanted a commitment to make compromises in
advance.
Mr. Pangalos said on Wednesday it was impossible to talk to
"robbers, murderers and rapists". "Mr. Pangalos was not talking
about a specific country or politicians but about those who have
placed themselves in a position of bad faith so that no
communication is possible with them," the spokesman said.
"As for the specific words used by the foreign minister, the
phrase 'the rape of Cyprus' has repeatedly been used," he added.
Meanwhile, with regard to Mr. Pangalos' references to a section
of the "diplomatic and military establishment in Turkey that has
come up with the idea of questioning Greece's borders in the
Aegean", the spokesman said:
"The Greek government does not make distinctions between Turkish
officials, but wants a reliable interlocutor to deal with issues
raised by Greece and the European Union, so that Turkey can
overcome its isolation and join the international community." H
e referred to a past statement by Turkish President Suleyman
Demirel, who he said had admitted that Turkish officials had
made conflicting statements.
[02] ... Opposition
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris
Spiliotopoulos said that the New York talks confirmed that "the
government's passivity and willingness for concessions," was not
yielding to results, but further triggering the Turkish
intransigence.
"Only the negative aspects of the Madrid communiqui will (now)
remain," he added.
"The foreign minister has crossed over to the (ranks of the)
proud supporters of isolationism," Political Spring party leader
Antonis Samaras said.
[03] Poos rejects Ankara's claims that Cyprus can't join EU
United Nations, 26/09/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
The Luxembourg president of the EU Council of Ministers, Jacques
Poos, yesterday dismissed Turkish claims that the 1960
agreements establishing Cypriot independence precluded the
island republic from joining any international organization
where both Greece and Turkey are not members.
"The 1960 agreement provides for the non-union of Cyprus with
another country, and it is clear that this provision was
included in the agreement in order to stop the union of Cyprus
with Greece, and respectively with Turkey.
"But the 1960 agreement does not prohibit Cypriot membership of
an international organization. The EU is an international
organization which respects the sovereignty of its member-states
and we do not understand why Turkey, also a candidate for
accession to the EU, which it desires fervently, wishes to stop
Cyprus from entering the Union.
"This stand is truly incomprehensible to us and we made it clear
during our recent visit to Ankara, which was very constructive
and fruitful," he told UN correspondents in a press conference.
He reiterated that the EU desired the accession of the whole
island, expressing the view that its poorest parts, which were
in the north, would reap the greatest benefits.
"We shall try to explain to the Turkish Cypriot side in the next
few years what these benefits are. I hope they understand that
they are not going to lose out. On the contrary, their cultural
heritage will remain intact, as in all EU member-states which
retain their culture and their national sovereignty," Mr. Poos
concluded.
[04] US reiterates interest in Greek-Turkish relations
New York, 26/09/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
US Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman yesterday
reiterated that the Clinton administration would continue its
initiatives to facilitate a dialogue between Greece and Turkey.
"What we are trying to do and I think many other countries are
trying to do, along with the European Union and the European
Commission, is to facilitate this dialogue between Greece and
Turkey... We shall continue," he told Greek reporters after a
working breakfast with Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
He added that they had discussed a broad range of issues.
"We talked on NATO enlargement. The minister briefed me on the
enlargement of the European Union. We talked about the Balkans,"
he said.
Questioned on whether they discussed the issue of the Aegean,
Mr. Grossman stressed that he had listened with great pleasure
and care to the minister's views. He added that the last thing
that any country would wish to do would be to push things
through rhetoric statements.
Finally, he said he would visit Athens on Wednesday and
Thursday, and would then go on to Bulgaria and Romania.
[05] Turkey's path to EU narrower, Papoutsis says
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Turkey's path towards Europe is full of obstacles and will
become narrower as long as the occupying forces remain on
Cyprus, while Ankara does not respect human rights and has
expansionist plans against a European Union (EU) member-state,
Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said yesterday.
Speaking at a press conference in Larisa, Mr. Papoutsis said
that Turkey's behavior makes the road to Europe narrower,
although the EU would wish it open.
Referring to Imia, Mr. Papoutsis said the EU did not want gray
zones at its borders, and this issue must at one point stop.
[06] Turkey to receive EU funds only under terms
Brussels, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
The Europarliament yesterday set four terms for Turkey before
approving ECU 35 million in funding.
Following a proposal by Greek Eurodeputy Katerina Daskalaki (New
Democracy), the Europarliament's Foreign Affairs Committee froze
a "special support" fund of ECU 3.5 billion and the "funding
agreement" funds of ECU 35 million.
Following this approval, the parliament committee passed by a
narrow margin (19 yes, 16 no) an amendment to this by Greek
Eurodeputy Alekos Alavanos (KKE) setting terms for releasing the
funds to Turkey.
The terms are as follows: Respect for international law and
human rights, recognition of the rights of the Kurds,
contribution towards solving the Cyprus issue on the basis of
United Nations resolutions and respect for the external borders
of the Europe an Union and its member-states.
[07] Greece, Albania sign defense co-operation pacts
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece and Albania yesterday signed three protocols of
co-operation in the defense sector, providing for assistance
from the Greek military in reorganizing Albania's armed forces,
supplies from the Greek defense industry and the training of
Albanian army troops. The protocols, which are a continuation of
existing military agreements, were signed by National Defense
Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and his Albanian counterpart Sabit
Brokaj, who is currently visiting Greece .
Mr. Brokaj said his country recognized the contribution of Greek
troops towards the multinational effort to overcome the recent
crisis in Albania.
The Greek minister referred to the historic bonds of friendship
and co-operation between the two countries, adding that he hoped
the military co-operation would strengthen Albania's democratic
course.
The details of the accords, to be discussed today by senior
officers from both countries, provide for the legal status of
Greek troops in Albania to reorganize specific units as well as
to offer assistance in setting up the administration of security
forces, the modernization of airports and the construction of
infrastructure projects for naval bases. At yesterday's meeting
it was agreed to promote initiatives to secure peace and
stability in the region, and to hold regular meetings on all
levels so that agreements already signed would be carried out
speedily.
[08] Pangalos sees prospects for co-operation with FYROM
New York, 26/09/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)
Greek Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met late on Wednesday
with his counterpart from the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Blagoje Handzinski.
Mr. Pangalos said after the meeting that they had discussed
bilateral relations and FYROM's participation in the Balkan
summit to be held on Crete in early November.
There are many prospects for bilateral relations, he said,
noting the dramatic increase in trade and investments between
the two countries.
"We have serious prospects for developing our relations," he
said.
Replying to press questions, Mr. Pangalos said US Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright's "disappointment" at the lack of
progress in Greek-Turkish relations was due to Turkey's stance.
"In these contacts, the problem was the fact that Turkey
insisted on its position and subsequently with this position,
any progress is impossible," he said.
[09] Kaklamanis leaves for Australian tour today
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Parliament Speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis leaves on an official
seven-day visit to Australia today at the invitation of the
Australian legislative assemblies.
This is the first official visit by a Greek parliament speaker
to Australia. Mr. Kaklamanis will visit Sydney, Canberra and
Melbourne for talks with federal and state leaders and
representatives of the Greek-Australian community.
Australian Ambassador in Athens Dr. Robert Merrillees issued a
statement emphasizing the two countries' common interests, which
now included staging the Olympic Games - Sydney in 2000, Athens
in 2004.
[10] Venizelos comments on Spata, Metro delays
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos yesterday laid the blame
for the delays in progress on the international airport at Spata
and on the Metro at Kerameikos squarely at the feet of past
culture ministers.
Mr. Venizelos said the ministry had failed to contribute at the
right time to the planning of major works such as the airport
and Metro, adding that if the Central Archaeological Council had
submitted its reports earlier "there would have been no delays ".
The discovery of archaeological sites and ruins at Kerameikos
and Spata have significantly delayed work on the projects.
Problems in the execution of events for Thessaloniki Cultural
Capital, Mr. Venizelos added, were due to a "public servant
mentality".
"The basic problem of the culture ministry is not so much its
low budget as the degree to which administrative services meet
the choices of the political leadership," Mr. Venizelos said.
[11] Investigation results over Dornier forced landing expected
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
The government is awaiting the conclusions of an inquiry into
the circumstances of a forced landing by an Olympic Aviation
plane on Wednesday morning, spokesman Demetris Reppas said
yesterday.
He added that press articles on the problem would also be
included in the report.
That report is due to be forwarded to Transport and
Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis on Saturday, according
to sources.
A public prosecutor yesterday filed charges yesterday on "all
responsible" at Athens' Hellenikon Airport over the incident, in
which a commuter airliner Dornier DO 228 flying to Milos was
forced to turn back to Athens when its nose undercarriage system
failed.
The plane eventually landed safely at the Tanagra military base,
rather than Hellenikon, because special equipment to lay foam on
runways in such cases was out of order.
In addition, there have been claims of a lack of coordination at
Hellenikon, which forced the Dornier to land at Tanagra.
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou said yesterday that there
was a proposal from the Civil Aviation Authority to purchase a
new foam machine for the airport in 1996 but that the ministry
never received a response to its repeated requests for technical
specifications.
The request for the purchase was not reiterated in 1997 due to
cutbacks imposed on the program for public procurements by the
finance ministry, she said.
[12] Simitis meets with Kaklamanis, Christodoulakis
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Parliament President Apostolos
Kaklamanis met yesterday to discuss the beginning of the new
Parliament session.
A brief account of issues affecting Parliament, promotion of
legislation and the working of PASOK's Parliamentary group was
discussed.
Mr. Simitis also met with Finance Under-secretary Nikos
Christodoulakis, who briefed him on issues related to his
ministry.
It was decided that Parliament would convene on Oct. 8. PASOK's
Parliamentary group will meet before the inaugural session of
the plenum, while on the next day, Prime Minister Costas Simitis
will host a reception for party deputies and their spouses at
Maximos Mansion.
[13] Simitis sees Commissioner Fischler today
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to meet with European
Commissioner for farm issues Franz Fischler today, government
spokesman Demetris Reppas said.
Mr. Reppas added that the agriculture ministry's bill will be
the first to be discussed with Parliament convenes on October 8.
He said that today's meeting of the Cabinet would examine the
institutional framework of state procurements and public works
projects, as well as public order ministry issues.
[14] Alexia Bakoyiannis presents book on assassinated father
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
A collection of unpublished essays by assassinated New Democracy
(ND) cadre Pavlos Bakoyiannis was presented by his daughter
Alexia at the Old Parliament building yesterday.
Bakoyiannis, shot down by the infamous November 17 terrorist
group eight years ago, was married to current ND deputy Dora
Bakoyianni, and was the son-in-law to former prime minister
Constantine Mitsotakis.
Alexia Bakoyianni said in her speech that the purpose of
publishing her father's work was to provide inspiration for
youth today who could fight for a better society, as he did.
Speakers also included former prime minister Tzannis
Tzannetakis, Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos and Coalition
of the Left and Progress parliamentary representative Fotis
Kouvelis.
Main opposition ND party leader Costas Karamanlis said following
the event that everyone's presence was a way of honoring
Bakoyiannis' memory and of pledging to uproot terrorism.
Constantine Mitsotakis said that Bakoyiannis' presence "is
missed by his family, his party, this country's political
life... terrorists pick their victims very successfully."
[15] Stephanopoulos condemns Ankara as 'int'l troublemaker'
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos yesterday
characterized Turkey as an "inter-national troublemaker", while
he also criticized the international community for what he said
was their tolerance, saying it encourages Ankara's behavior.
During statements in Volos, Mr. Stephanopoulos also said the
country's future development is connected with Greece's ability
to overcome long-standing bilateral problems with Turkey.
The president was declared an honorary citizen of Volos.
[16] U2 trucks allowed to pass
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
A problem created by a strike of customs officials was solved
late yesterday as 24 trucks carrying equipment for a
mega-concert by the Irish rock group U2 today were allowed to
pass through the border and on to Thessaloniki.
Customs officials, on a nationwide 48-hour strike as of
yesterday, decided to make an exception for the trucks,
following long negotiations with Thessaloniki officials.
Tickets for the concert have been sold out long ago. About
50,000 people are expected to attend the concert, including
youth from neighboring countries.
The concert is expected to begin at 8:30 p.m. today.
[17] AEK sold to Britain's ENIC
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Controversial Athens-based businessman Mihalis Trohanas
announced yesterday that his SoE investment group has sold its
79 per cent stake in the AEK Athens professional soccer club to
the English National Investment Co. (ENIC).
ENIC, partly owned by cigarette manufacturer Richmond, acquired
AEK in a four-billion-drachma deal signed at dawn yesterday,
which gave SoE 2.7 billion for its majority share package and
another 1.3 billion drachmas for a complete payoff of the club's
debts, taken over by ENIC under the sale contract.
AEK is the first Greek soccer club to be sold to foreign
concerns.
[18] Rhodes twinned with Catalonia's Rozes
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
The town of Rhodes and the Spanish town of Rozes in Catalonia
were twinned during a ceremony on the eastern Aegean island
yesterday.
"We are returning home after 3,000 years to find our brothers,"
the mayor of the Spanish municipality, Carles Paramo, said in
his address at the ceremony.
Rozes was founded by colonists from Rhodes in the 8th century BC.
Events will last for three days and include concerts featuring
groups from the towns as well as lectures by Greek and Spanish
archeologists.
[19] Greek-Australian cancer researcher in Athens
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Greek-Australian cancer researcher Dr. Vasso Apostolopoulos, who
has been acclaimed for her work in contributing to the
development of a cancer vaccine, told a press conference
yesterday in Athens, where trials of the vaccine are about to
begin, of the positive results achie-ved so far in Australia.
Ms. Apostolopoulos is currently visiting Greece to set up the
trials, in conjunction with Melbourne University Professor Ian
Mackenzie and Associate Professor Stamatis Vasilaros of the
breast cancer clinic at the "Prolipsis" Center in Athens.
Greece is the first country after Australia to participate in
the program, beginning next month and scheduled to last five
years. Around 100 Greek women suffering from breast cancer will
participate.
Ms. Apostolopoulos said that 60 women had already been given the
vaccine in Australia, and another 40 were scheduled to receive
it, noting that none of the women already vaccinated had
presented any side effects, while their immune systems appeared
to have been activated and were reacting against the cancer
cells.
Ms. Apostolopoulos met yesterday morning with Health Minister
Costas Geitonas, and yesterday afternoon was received by
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos who bestowed
upon her the honor of Commander of the Order of the Phoenix.
[20] Rare Byzantine artifacts on display in Moscow
Moscow, 26/09/1997 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)
Rare objects and art work showing medieval Russia's cultural
exchanges with the 1,000-year Byzantine Empire will go on
display at the Church of Annunciation in the Kremlin.
The exhibition is part of Moscow's celebrations for its 850th
anniversary. Artifacts are dated between the 11th and 17th
centuries, and reflect the gifts brought into the Principality
of Moscovy in exchange for protection of churches, monasteries
and cities. They include pieces dated from Constantinople, Mount
Sinai, Patmos and Mount Athos.
The exhibition was an initiative by the Greek embassy in Moscow
and the culture ministry.
[21] Landfill near Metsovo approved
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Environment and Public works Minister Costas Laliotis and
Ioannina prefect Nikolaos Zorbalas yesterday signed a
600-drachma-mil-lion agreement with the Ipeiros SA development
company for construction of a waste landfill site in Metsovo,
and the procurement of equipment and management of garbage.
The project's timetable is 22 months.
Ipeiros SA was founded by all local government and other social
organizations in Ioannina prefecture.
Mr. Laliotis also signed, along with Interior, Public
Administration and Decentralization Under-secretary Lambros
Papadimas, a document approving the environmental conditions for
the construction and running of a new household waste landfill
in Thesprotia prefecture, with a capacity of 6,000 tons annually.
[22] Montenegro signs trade pact with Greece
Belgrade, 26/09/1997 (ANA-M. Mouratidis)
Montenegro Trade Minister Branko Vujovic signed an agreement in
Athens Tuesday with National Economy Under-secretary Alekos
Baltas on the use of a recycled commercial loan, the original
amount of which totals US$10 million, according to Montenegrin
press reports.
Mr. Vujovic was accompanied in Athens by Foreign Minister Branko
Petrovic. In Podgorica, he said that in talks held in Greece he
got the impression that Greece appreciated the fact that
Montenegro had entered the path to development and was ready for
full co-operation with its neighbors and the international
community.
The Montenegrin ministers said that the economic co-operation
with Greece was a result of the confidence shown in the economic
reformations of the former country by the world.
[23] DELTA dairy sales increase noted
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Economic indicators for the DELTA dairy firm registered an
increase in the region of 9 per cent in the first half of 1997,
since sales amounted to 37.4 billion drachmas and profits up to
2.2 billion drachmas.
At a group level, the increase in sales is in the region of 10
per cent, while total profits amounted to 2.8 billion drachmas
as against 2.5 billion drachmas in the first half of 1996.
Profits before depreciation also registered an increase, rising
by 3 0 per cent to 6.9 billion drachmas compared to 5.2 billion
drachmas in the corresponding period in 1996.
In parallel, the company is continuing the policy of high
depreciation which appears 47 per cent higher compared to the
corresponding period in 1996. Namely, it is in the region of 4.6
billion drachmas as against 3.2 billion drachmas last year.
In the first half of 1997 DELTA's upward trend has continued in
southeastern Europe, registering an increase in sales outside
Greece in the region of 30 per cent. A new factory has become
operational in Romania and markets in Serbia, the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Russia have opened.
[24] Athens bourse posts all-time high in privatization euphoria
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities yesterday hit an all-time high in heavy trade to
finish at 1,740.10 points on euphoria stemming from the
socialist government's plan to carry out privatization through
the bourse.
The market consolidated its grip on stubborn resistance at 1,700
points.
Players scooped up industrials and heavily-weighted banks,
allowing the general share index to sprint past the previous
1,727.70 record on May 23. The close was up 1.38 percent.
Turnover slipped to 23 billion drachmas from 27 billion a day
earlier.
Propelling the market was a statement by National Economy and
Finance Minister Yannos Papantoniou that the socialist
government would accelerate its privatization plan through
part-listings on the bourse, traders said.
Speaking after a World Bank and International Monetary Fund
meeting in Hong Kong, Mr. Papantoniou also pledged to adhere to
targets aimed at aligning Greece's economy with other European
Union countries.
Acting as a backdrop to the rise were a spate of healthy results
reported by listed companies, high liquidity in mutual funds and
a forecast decline in September's consumer price inflation.
Most sector indices scored gains. Banks rose 1.0 percent,
Leasing gained 0.90 percent, Insurance jumped 1.30 percent,
Investment rose 0.19 percent, Industrials soared 2.65 percent,
Construction increased 0.42 percent, Holding slipped 0.08
percent, and Miscellaneous gained 0.58 percent.
The parallel market for smaller cap stocks ended 0.46 percent
off. Of 248 stocks traded advances led declines by 134 to 93
with another 21 issues holding steady.
Closing at the eight percent daily upper volatility limit were
Macedonian Plastics (preferred), Hellenic Bottling, Ergo
Informatics and Pouliadis.
Finishing near limit-down at eight percent were Ridenco (-7.8
percent), Dimitriadis (-7.5 percent), Papoutsanis (preferred,
-6.7 percent), and Alysida (-6.0 percent). National Bank of
Greece ended at 34,260 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,650, Alpha
Credit Ban k at 20,450, Delta Dairy at 3,920, Titan Cement at
16,780, Intracom at 14,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization at 6,795.
[25] Greece to host EuroMed industry conference in October
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Greece will host a conference on industry in Europe and the
Mediterranean on October 6-7 to debate foreign investment,
trade, tourism, energy and infrastructure, government and
industry officials told a news conference yesterday.
The organizers of the conference, which is being held under the
aegis of Prime Minister Costas Simitis, are the Federation of
Greek Industries, the development ministry, the European Union's
Commission, and UNICE, a European UNICE employment organization.
"Greece's location, proximity to south Mediterranean countries,
traditional cultural and trade ties, and the potential of many
Greek firms to invest mean the country can act as a catalyst in
regional development as part of EU policy," Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou said.
In 1990 the EU upgraded its presence in Mediterranean countries
by launching what it called the New Mediterranean Policy, which
involved funding, bilateral co-operation protocols and tariff
concessions in order to aid the trade balance with EU member
states.
The countries that agreed to the policy, which represent about
300 million residents, were Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, Israel,
Cyprus, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, the Palestinian territories,
Syria, Turkey and Tunisia.
EU summits after 1990 endorsed the policy and set up the Med
programs that aim to boost co-operation.
[26] Papoutsis stresses EU's interest in SMEs' growth
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
European Commissioner Christos Papoutsis yesterday called for a
"new business spirit and a new generation of business
proprietors", saying the Commission would encourage initiatives
to promote such a culture and the search for new ways to support
them as a way to fight unemployment and create equal employment
opportunities.
He was speaking at a conference in Larisa yesterday organized by
the Commission and the Greek organization of small- and
medium-sized enterprises, EOMMEX.
"The European commission has chosen to promote business in
Europe and to support categories of potential business owners
such as young people and women," he said.
Creating a suitable climate, he added, "required the
implementation of stable, healthy macro-economic policy,
simplification of legislation, a reduction in administrative
obstacles and improved access to banks by manufacturers and
small businesses".
The Commission, he said, had already taken initiatives in this
direction.
At a press conference later, Mr. Papoutsis said the government
was moving in the right direction with regard to the absorption
of EU funds and that its policies were effective.
This was a problem common to all EU member-states, he observed,
noting that problems of absorption in Greece up until now were
due to Greece's public administration which had trouble in
adapting to conditions in the EU. However, he also said the
Europe an Commission services also shared some of the blame.
[27] HEPO directorate for Balkans, E. Europe based in Thessaloniki
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
The directorate for market research in the Balkans and eastern
Europe of the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) is being
transferred to Thessaloniki, the agency announced yesterday.
HEPO said from now on business people who wished to activate
themselves in these regions would now have to inquire through
the Thessaloniki office.
According to the head of the new directorate, the object of the
new service will be to record the developments in international
economy and trade, with emphasis on the above regions, and also
the carrying out of relevant studies.
It is expected that the new directorate will issue until the end
of the year three business guides on Ukraine, Kazakhstan and
Armenia, and will organize three one-day conferences on the
markets of these countries, while the organization will also
under take an initial exploration of the market of Uzbekistan
and will open an information bureau at the international
Konsum-Expo fair in Tashkent.
HEPO also announced that it was in the process of completing the
programs for the promotion of Greek garments in Germany as well
as olive oil and marble in the United States next year.
[28] Late season tourist arrivals increase in Rhodes
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Despite the fact that the tourist season is nearing its end, the
number of visitors to Rhodes remains high, up 13 per cent
compared to the same period last year.
According to National Tourism Organization (EOT) figures, the
number of tourists only in hotels on the island stands at 53,566
- of which, 1,193 are Greek tourists - compared to a total of
47,689 last year and 50,478 in 1995.
Tour operators forecast that brisk business will continue brisk
into next month, particularly the first 10-day period.
[29] EU industrial production up in first half of '97
Brussels, 26/09/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)
Industrial production in the European Union increased by 1.4 per
cent between the first and second quarter of the current year.
According to Eurostat, available data show that we are before "a
period of stable growth" in industrial production. Finland holds
first place with an increase of 2.6 per cent in industrial
production between the first and second quarter of 1997.
Increases above the EU average of 1.4 per cent occurred over the
same period in Germany 2 per cent, Spain 1.7 per cent, Italy 1.7
per cent and Sweden 1.45 per cent. Greece showed an increase of
0.4 per cent.
[30] Aluminium's first half results improved
Athens, 26/09/1997 (ANA)
Results for the Aluminium of Greece Co. improved considerably
during the first half of 1997, amounting to US$14 million -
about 3.9 billion drachmas.
Although they do not equal the results of the first half of
1996, they are visibly higher than those of the second half
which were eight million dollars, namely, about 2.2 billion
drachmas, before the restructuring expenditures.
This favorable development is primarily due to a recovery in the
international aluminium market, the increase in the US dollar
parity and initial results in cost cutbacks, brought about in
the framework of the "Challenge" program, aimed at improving the
enterprise's competitiveness.
End of English language section.
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