Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-10-08
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1309), October 8, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Gov't announcement on utilities' privatization expected
[02] Dutch royal couple begin state visit
[03] Prime minister's luncheon
[04] Stephanopoulos dinner
[05] The 3rd EuroMediterranean Industrial Conference concludes
[06] Poos-Kasoulides meeting within framework of EU-Cyprus structural
dialogue
[07] G. Papandreou
[08] G. Papandreou reiterates support for closer EU-Albania ties
[09] Meeting focuses on better co-operation between defense, foreign
ministries
[10] Tsohatzopoulos on Gurel statements
[11] ND reaction
[12] US official stresses need to salvage Madrid communique principles
[13] Schengen Pact partially in force as of Dec. 1
[14] President to attend CoE summit
[15] Contacts between German, Greek foreign ministries
[16] Gov't comments on Albanian Metropolitans issue
[17] Court slaps injunction on Metro drilling as more subsidence
shuts down Panepistimiou
[18] Olympiako Metro says new drilling head to be used for tunneling
[19] Papadopoulos lauds 'Kapodistrias' plan for local gov't
reorganization
[20] Kaklamanis briefs press on recent Australian trip
[21] New program to highlight country's monuments
[22] Conference focuses on EU cancer rate
[23] Patras dyslexia unit to collaborate with Canadian researcher
[24] Preveza hosts World Astrophysics Conference
[25] Papaioannou attends EU labour, social security ministers' meeting
[26] Papoutsis focuses on trade transactions payment delays in Union
[27] National Bank-Microsoft software deal finalized
[28] EBEA conference on trade prospects with Latin America opens
[29] Profit taking halts prices rally
[30] EU inflation rises to 1.8 pct in August
[31] Greece-FYROM trade on the rise
[32] Seminar on public administration in Athens
[33] Road fatalities fall in EU except Greece
[34] Intralot renews contract with Romanian state organization
[35] Awarding of bourse's computerization project
[01] Gov't announcement on utilities' privatization expected
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Greek National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou signaled the
privatization of a large part of public utilities in a process
modeled on Hellenic Telecommunications Organization's flotation.
Speaking at a conference on the course of the Greek economy in
Lamia on Monday night, Mr. Papantoniou said that the government
would soon issue a statement on the flotation of public utility
enterprises followed by a procedure of mergers and abolition of
state organizations.
He pledged that there would be no lay-offs in the process of
state rationalization.
Mr. Papantoniou stressed that the government remained firm in
its effort to boost employment and through the adaptation of a
more flexible labour market.
Referring to the course of the economy, Mr. Papantoniou said
that a decline in the inflation rate was a significant factor
paving the way for further interest rate cuts in 1998.
[02] Dutch royal couple begin state visit
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Queen Beatrix and Prince Klaus of the Netherlands arrived here
yesterday to begin a three-day official visit at the invitation
of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.
Queen Beatrix and Prince Klaus are the first royal couple to
officially visit Greece since 1968, when King Baudouin of
Belgium paid a similar visit.
The couple were given a warm welcome by Mr. Stephanopoulos and
the government.
An official reception began at the Presidential Mansion at noon
with the national anthems of the two countries.
Mr. Stephanopoulos and the Dutch royal couple then inspected a
honour guard formed by members of the Presidential Guard.
The couple were also welcomed by Mr. Simitis and his wife,
Daphne, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Press and Media
Minister Demetris Reppas, Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos as
well as representatives of the armed forces headed by the Chief
of the National Defense General Staff Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis.
Among the high-ranking Dutch officials attending the ceremony
was Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo. The Dutch royal couple,
who flew to Athens from Corfu, where they spent the night, met
with Mr. Stephanopoulos in the presence of the foreign ministers
of the two countries.
According to sources, the meeting provided an opportunity for an
exchange of views on bilateral relations, the general situation
in Europe and the Balkans.
[03] Prime minister's luncheon
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Queen Beatrix and Prince Klaus were also the guests of honour at
a luncheon by Prime Minister Costas Simitis that was attended by
several ministers.
Later in the day Beatrix lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier and visited the Greek Parliament, where she was received
by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
The royal couple also met with the vice-presidents of the
Parliament and was given a tour of an exhibition on Harilaos
Trikoupis, Greece's most renown statesman of the 19th century.
[04] Stephanopoulos dinner
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
In the evening, Mr. Stephanopoulos held a dinner in honour of
the royal couple at the Presidential Mansion, stressing in his
speech Greece's devotion to peace and co-operation with its
neighbours and its appreciation of the Netherlands's support
against the seven-year military junta that ruled Greece between
1967-74.
The president gave an overview of Greece's concerns in the
international scene, with special mention of the Cyprus issue,
while he noted the importance of respecting borders in Europe.
In her speech, Queen Beatrix focused on ancient Greek
civilization, saying that all of western European culture is a
reminder of ancient Greek achievements, and recalled the
contribution of the late culture minister Melina Mercouri to the
idea of the European Cultural Capital.
Despite occasional differences within the European Union fold,
she said, both countries make an effort to show understanding
for each other.
Today, the royal couple are expected to visit Meteora, the
Athens 2004 bid committee's headquarters at Zappeion Hall, the
Hellenic Navy officers' club in Piraeus and city hall, before
attending a concert at the Athens Music Hall (Megaro).
[05] The 3rd EuroMediterranean Industrial Conference concludes
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The 3rd Euro-Mediterranean Industrial Conference, organized by
the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) in co-operation with
the development ministry, the European Commission and the Union
of Industrial and Employers' Federations of Europe, was
concluded in Vouliagmeni yesterday.
SEB President Iason Stratos presented the text of the final
Athens Declaration, which he and his colleagues from European
and Mediterranean countries will present at a political level at
the 2nd Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Session on Industrial
Cooperation in Marakesh at the end of the month.
In this way, the co-operation process in the Mediterranean
basin, inaugurated at the 1st Euro-Mediterranean industry
minister's conference in Brussels in May, will continue.
The declaration said "in Athens the industrial federations
confirmed the great importance they attribute to peace and
stability for the achievement of the target of economic
co-operation and their commitment to play a vital role in the
Mediterranean's development into an area of prosperity and
co-operation."
The primary target set is the development of a Free Trade Zone
(by 2010) between the countries of the northern and southern
Mediterranean and in this framework reference is made to the
need to promote a regulatory framework favouring trade and
investments in all countries.
On the question of investments in particular, an appeal is made
to investors in developed European countries to transfer capital
to the south.
"Investments are the key factor for economic development in the
southern Mediterranean countries," the Declaration said, urging
governments to ensure the creation of a suitable legal and
administrative framework to attract investments.
It was decided during the Athens conference that
Euro-Mediterranean industrial organizations must make their next
rendezvous in Tunis at the end of 1998 or in early 1999, in
accordance with developments taking place in the meantime. It
was further agreed that the next conferences will take place in
Turkey and then in Egypt.
[06] Poos-Kasoulides meeting within framework of EU-Cyprus structural
dialogue
Luxembourg, 08/10/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
Foreign Ministers Jacques Poos and Ioannis Kasoulides of
Luxembourg and Cyprus, respectively, met here yesterday to
discuss the results of the recently held Euro-Mediterranean
summit in Malta, the Middle East peace process and the current
situation in Albania.
The meeting was held in the framework of structural dialogue
between Cyprus and the European Union. Luxembourg is currently
holding the rotating EU presidency.
"The continuation of the structural dialogue is not linked with
a solution to the Cyprus problem. This has been made clear in
the meeting," Mr. Kasoulides told reporters after the talks.
He reiterated Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides' recent
invitation to the Turkish Cypriot side to attend the structural
dialogue as part of the Cypriot delegation, hoping that the
Turkish Cypriots would respond positively.
"I told them that if in a joint team, half want (EU) accession
and the other half do not, then we better not begin at all. We
shall never accept a downgrading of the international standing
of the Republic of Cyprus, and by this we do not mean that we
demand that Mr. (Rauf) Denktash recognize us, but we would like
to know that the European Union is negotiating with the Cypriot
government. This is what we are interested in. Everything else
can be settled," he said.
The Cypriot foreign minister also stressed the significance of
the course towards EU accession in the efforts to solve the
Cyprus problem
"The Euro-Mediterranean partnership gives new dimensions to
EU-Cyprus relations," Mr. Poos said during the meeting.
He noted, however, that relations between the Union and the
island republic were already close due to Cyprus' EU accession
course.
Mr. Kasoulides said Cyprus, due to its geographical position,
supported the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, while adding that
as a future member of the European Union, Cyprus will constitute
a bridge to eastern Mediterranean countries.
Regarding peace talks in the Middle East, Mr. Poos said views
between the EU and Cyprus coincided.
Referring to the current situation in Albania, the minister said
Cyprus, drawing from experience, was willing to contribute to
efforts for Albania's economic rehabilitation as well as to
participate in EU efforts in this direction.
[07] G. Papandreou
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Meanwhile, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou
expressed his satisfaction over the content of the talks,
stressing that the position of Nicosia on the issue of Turkish
Cypriot participation finds a positive response in the European
Union, while also providing a challenge to the Turkish Cypriot
side, which must assume its responsibilities.
[08] G. Papandreou reiterates support for closer EU-Albania ties
Luxembourg, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said during an EU
General Affairs Council meeting here yesterday that the Union
should offer continuous financial assistance to Albania.
Mr. Papandreou called for a reinforcement of Albania's efforts
to establish democratic institutions and ensure growth, adding
that a scheduled "International Convention on Albania", due to
be held in Rome on Oct. 18, "must achieve its goals."
Greece has already granted over the past three months 2.5
billion drachmas in financial assistance to Albania. Athens will
also extend to Tirana a low-interest loan of 18 billion drachmas.
Mr. Papandreou also stressed that EU-Albanian relations should
be reinforced and upgraded, while he further supported a
resumption of political dialogue between Albania and the
European Union as well as an EU-Albania co-operation agreement
of preferential status.
"The Greek government believes that closer ties between Albania
and the European Union will reinforce efforts for a European
integration and economic co-operation in the broader European
economic region," Mr. Papandreou said.
[09] Meeting focuses on better co-operation between defense, foreign
ministries
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos chaired a meeting
yesterday aimed at improving coordination between his ministry
and the foreign ministry in view of forthcoming meetings which
he and Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos are to have within
the framework of NATO, the Western European Union (WEU) and the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The meeting, also attended by Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos
Kranidiotis, focused on changes in NATO and co-operation between
European countries within the framework of arms systems
monitoring committees.
Replying to press questions concerning confidence-building
measures between Greece and Turkey in view of reports of a
meeting in Brussels on Friday between NATO Secretary General
Javier Solana and representatives of the two countries, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos said it constituted the continuation of a
dialogue which was interrupted during the summer following
Turkey's rejection of proposals submitted by Greece.
Asked about fresh proposals reportedly being put forward by Mr.
Solana, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said Athens would wait until they had
been formally submitted before taking a stance.
[10] Tsohatzopoulos on Gurel statements
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos was also asked to comment on statements by
Turkish State Minister Sukru Sina Gurel in an interview with a
Greek-language New York newspaper, in which he spoke of islands
and islets in the Aegean which he claimed had no identity.
Reiterating that the Turkish leadership from time to time
expressed "hidden desires" which were not worth commenting on,
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said:
"This is old food which has been warmed up. It bears no relation
to reality and confirms Turkey's role as an international
destabilizing factor in the region."
Mr. Tsohatzopoulos stressed that the situation in the Aegean was
crystal clear and once again called on Turkey to respect
existing international treaties and international law.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas meanwhile dismissed Mr.
Gurel's statements as "the manifestation of an ongoing Turkish
aberration".
"All this shows that Turkey lacks the will to create good
relations with Greece. It would appear that Ankara does not want
good relations with Athens," he said.
The spokesman observed that Mr. Gurel's statements were also to
the detriment of Turkey, since they exposed Ankara in the eyes
of international public opinion "because they reveal that Turkey
does not want dialogue".
If the issue were not so serious, Mr. Reppas continued, it would
be too absurd even to talk about.
"All these matters being raised by Turkish officials can never
be the subject of any type of discussion," he added.
[11] ND reaction
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party reacted to Mr. Gurel's
statements, calling on the government to give a clear message
out to all that territorial integrity and Greek sovereign rights
are non-negotiable.
ND added that the Madrid communique "did not restrain Turkish
provocativeness in the least..."
[12] US official stresses need to salvage Madrid communique principles
Washington, 08/10/1997 (ANA/T. Ellis)
A US official yesterday stressed the need to salvage the
principles included in the Madrid communique.
At a congress of the Greek leadership, a US official said that
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had contributed in
important ways to the Madrid communique, and Washington would do
whatever it could to guarantee it.
The meeting between the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey on
Crete for a summit of Balkan leaders in November must become the
starting point for smoothing Greek-Turkish relations, he said,
adding that the first step would be for Turkey to accept the
idea of taking the Imia issue to the International Court at The
Hague.
[13] Schengen Pact partially in force as of Dec. 1
Vienna, 08/10/1997 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)
The Schengen Pact will partially come into force in Greece on
Dec. 1, 1997, the treaty's executive committee decided yesterday
following marathon negotiations.
According to the decision, on the above date Greece will start
having access to the pact's computer data bank in Strasbourg and
will start applying the stipulated policy on passport visas.
In the second half of 1998, the executive committee will decide
on the abolition of internal border controls by Greece.
The application of the pact by Greece has to be approved by
France and The Netherlands.
Meanwhile, the Greek foreign ministry's Secretary General for EU
Affairs, Stelios Perrakis, who attended yesterday's session,
stressed that it was Greece's intention to strengthen its
co-operation with all other countries, and would keep all its
obligations.
He described Dutch reservations as a constitutional problem in
that country.
Yesterday's decision for Greece is in suspension for two months,
according to article 132 of the Pact, which was invoked by the
Dutch delegation due to specific constitutional problems
requiring approval by the Dutch parliament.
In the text of the decision, the executive committee takes into
account that Greece has made serious efforts to apply as soon as
possible all controls at airports and external borders.
[14] President to attend CoE summit
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos will represent
Greece at the Council of Europe summit beginning on Friday.
He will leave Greece tomorrow evening and return on Saturday.
Mr. Stephanopoulos will address the plenary session and attend a
luncheon hosted by French President Jacques Chirac.
[15] Contacts between German, Greek foreign ministries
Bonn, 08/10/1997 (ANA/P. Stangos)
The political directors of the Greek and German foreign
ministries Ilias Gounaris and Wolfgang Issinger met yesterday in
the first of a new series of contacts aimed at giving "depth" to
bilateral diplomatic contacts.
According to Greek foreign ministry sources, more such visits
are planned to both Bonn and Athens, the next scheduled being
that of a visit to Bonn by the head of the Balkan Affairs
Directorate, Ambassador Korandis.
Balkan issues, as well as Greek-Turkish relations, were on the
agenda of yesterday's meeting. Mr. Issinger has been appointed
by Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel as special envoy to Kosovo,
within the framework of the joint mediation effort by the US and
Germany.
[16] Gov't comments on Albanian Metropolitans issue
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
There is no issue of the prime minister being "displeased" with
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos over the issue of the
appointment of three Metropolitans to the Albanian Orthodox
Church, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday.
The government deals with such issues with particular
sensitivity and care, while for the good of relations between
the Patriarchate, the Albanian Orthodox Church and
Greek-Albanian relations, these issues should be dealt with in
the context of good relations which the Orthodox Church must
have, Mr. Reppas said.
The three Orthodox Metropolitans appointed to serve in Albania
by the Ecumenical Patriarchate met with the Albanian Minister of
State Kastriot Islami on Monday, after Tirana objected to the
appointments on grounds that it had not been consulted.
The opposition by the socialist government of Fatos Nano follows
rejection to the appointments by the previous Berisha government.
Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania also attended
the meeting.
Following the meeting, Mr. Islami said:
"The meeting was friendly, the three understood our positions,
which are linked to previous decisions by the Albanian
government".
[17] Court slaps injunction on Metro drilling as more subsidence
shuts down Panepistimiou
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
An Athens judge yesterday ordered a 24-hour suspension of
tunnel-boring for the Athens Metro under downtown Panepistimiou
street, at the same time as workers closed off access following
new subsidence early in the morning.
Judge Spyros Eftaxias said he had ordered suspension of the
drilling until a court hearing today of an injunction request by
12 local shop-owners.
The subsidence yesterday was noted at the point where a kiosk
collapsed into a cavity opened up by the drilling, but had
expanded across two lanes of the avenue.
Attika Metro officials said the problem was due to the
resumption of drilling late on Monday, when the drill
encountered a new cavity and an underground water course, only
4.5 metres from the previous cavity.
The shop-owners, in a complaint filed with the Athens First
Instance Court, have asked for work on the Metro under
Panepistimiou street to be halted, claiming "danger from the
frequent subsidences", which they said "become even more
hazardous as addition al underground cavities are encountered
along the way".
The shop-owners said they feared for their "lives, physical
well-being and property".
They said Attika Metro officials, when addressed by the
shop-owners on the matter, had verbally assured them that there
was no danger. But despite the assurances, the problems
continued to exist they said, and cited the incident last week
when the newsstand collapsed into a cavity opened up by the
drilling. The shop-owners want a restraining order on drilling
under Panepistimiou street as well as a court-ordered study, at
company expense, to be conducted by state engineers.
Earlier, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister
Costas Laliotis said Attiko Metro was "supervising the project
in a serious and responsible manner, with the safety of the
local residents in mind", and called for the problem that has
arisen on Panepistimiou street not be exploited for "political
or party expediencies".
He said a meeting would be held today with officials from Attica
Metro and technical consultants to brief officials on the
situation.
New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis visited the site of the
subsidence yesterday morning, accompanied by ND deputy Vangelis
Meimarakis, who is responsible for public works projects for the
opposition party.
Mr. Karamanlis spoke with Olympic Metro officials about the
problems of subsidence, as well as with local shop-owners.
Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos called on the environment,
town planning and public works ministry to intervene to resolve
the issue, saying he shared the concern of residents and wanted
clear confirmation that there was no danger. Meanwhile,
Technical Chamber of Greece president Costas Liaskas said that
Attiko Metro was solely to blame for the situation but that he
agreed with experts that there was no cause for concern.
In a related development, the Communist Party of Greece called
for the government to immediately compensate shopkeepers for the
damage they have suffered.
[18] Olympiako Metro says new drilling head to be used for tunneling
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
A representative of the Olympiako Metro company last night
stressed that work on Athens' underground metro will not stop,
adding that similar problems (subsidence) had been faced by the
joint venture when it was building similar projects in Paris,
New York and other cities.
He said that initial studies made under Panepistimiou street had
not shown ground instability.
The Olympiako Metro official went on to say that a few metres
away from where a tunneling machine is currently located the
ground is more stable and no problems will be faced.
He also announced that a new head will be brought for the
tunneling machine which will be suitable for soft ground - such
as that of Athens - for the tunnel to be opened from Syntagma
Square to the Daphni district.
[19] Papadopoulos lauds 'Kapodistrias' plan for local gov't
reorganization
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The restructuring into larger administrative units of local
government entities throughout Greece, the "Ioannis Kapodistrias
plan", will give a breath of life to rural areas, Interior
Minister Alekos Papadopoulos said yesterday.
In an exclusive interview to ANA, Mr. Papadopoulos said that the
country's new administrative map would be released on Friday, at
the same time the draft law on "Kapodistrias" is being submitted
to parliament.
The minister said he would accept any constructive proposals and
ideas from all parties, but would not negotiate the issue of the
distribution of demes into new areas.
He said reactions against the plan, including a protest
scheduled tomorrow, "leave him cold" and termed such protests as
"the death throes of a situation that is changing".
"The present local self-government is a dummy, a false
self-government, which bears no relation to the modern needs of
rural Greece," he said.
[20] Kaklamanis briefs press on recent Australian trip
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday gave a press
conference on the occasion of the start of the new term of
Parliament, in which he referred to his recent trip to Australia
and the pending parliamentary work.
He described his Australian trip as "useful", saying he held
talks at both parliamentary and government level, but also with
members and representatives of the Greek-Australian community,
which, as he said, is quite advanced in social and political
terms.
He also reported that there is strong interest in our national
issues, and particularly the Cyprus question, on which he found
strong solidarity, but also in the problems of the broader
region.
"Our positions found full understanding and were accepted to a
large degree," he said.
He noted, however, that there were certain problems among the
Greek-Australian community on ecclesiastical issues.
[21] New program to highlight country's monuments
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
"Light on Culture" is the title of a program aimed at
highlighting the country's ancient and more recent monuments,
announced yesterday by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou.
The program, organized in co-operation with regional authorities
and the Public Power Corporation (DEH), includes the ancient
monuments in Delphi, Edessa, the Justinian Wall in Kastoria, the
castles of Ioannina, Ayia Mavra on the island of Lefkada, and
ancient Corinth.
DEH has undertaken to carry out both the preliminary studies and
the construction using its own resources, to administer the
projects for the first six months of operation and to publish a
collection of photographs of all the monuments, to be
distributed free of charge.
[22] Conference focuses on EU cancer rate
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Cancer is the second leading cause of death after heart diseases
in the European Union. In 1995 alone, 1.4 million new cancer
cases were diagnosed throughout the Union.
Figures on the disease were provided by researchers at a press
conference yesterday on the occasion of "European Week Against
Cancer" (Oct. 6-12) in Greece, during which various events will
be held in European Union countries.
The press conference was held at the European Commission's
Athens offices. Addresses were made by the delegation's director
Marios Kamhis, main opposition New Democracy Eurodeputy Nana
Mouschouri and others.
It was added that in 1995 cancer was the cause of death for
526,000 men and 400,000 women in the European Union.
[23] Patras dyslexia unit to collaborate with Canadian researcher
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The University of Patras will be collaborating with Canada's
Saskatchewan University researcher C.K. Leong in the context of
the Patras University dyslexia diagnostic unit's co-operation
with universities abroad.
Mr. Leong, currently in Patras to discuss the collaboration, is
internationally known for his research into the problem of
dyslexia and other learning disorders.
He will be collaborating with Patras University in the context
of a Europe-wide network of dyslexia centres operating at
various European institutions of higher education.
The purpose of the centres is to exchange scientific information
an carry out joint diagnostic research into the problem of
dyslexia.
Patras University operates the only centre for the diagnosis and
treatment of dyslexia in a Greek university. The unit is headed
by Professor Constantine Porpodas.
The dyslexia unit will also soon be completing a pioneering
method, using CD-ROM, for teaching the Greek language to
children suffering from dyslexia and other learning disorders.
The University of Patras has also concluded the first
inter-language study between its own dyslexia unit and that of
London's Cambridge University, while similar studies are
underway with Dundee University in Britain and the University of
Copenhagen.
[24] Preveza hosts World Astrophysics Conference
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The World Astrophysics Conference began yesterday in Preveza,
northwestern Greece, with the participation of scientists from
the United States, Europe, Asia and other countries.
The conference has been organized by Ioannina University within
the framework of a series of international conferences being
financed by the European Union and ministries of education and
culture and the General Secretariat for Research and Technology.
During the conference, which will be focusing on issues related
to the sun, many of the findings of research carried out by the
European satellite SOHO will be announced. The conference will
end on Sunday.
[25] Papaioannou attends EU labour, social security ministers' meeting
Luxembourg, 08/10/1997 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
Labour and Social Security Minister Miltiades Papaioannou
yesterday attended the EU's Labour and Social Affairs Council
session, which focused on measures for boosting employment and
discussion of detailed proposals t o be submitted to the next EU
summit.
The 15 EU ministers agreed that the summit must adopt specific,
but few in number (four at the most) general guidelines for
employment.
Mr. Papaioannou said it was a substantive meeting.
"It was important that we are getting away from the expression
of general wishes for boosting employment and going into
specific, measurable and assessable targets. The (rotating EU)
presidency seems determined to proceed in that direction. For
Greece, it is a success because we are one of those countries
which started this effort to include a separate chapter on
employment in the Treaty of the European Union," he said.
Another issue that the session dealt with was the pre-accession
procedure for the countries of eastern and central Europe.
"It was a useful exchange of information. We ... shall have
bilateral contacts, particularly with Balkan countries, Bulgaria
and Romania, but also with others, like Poland, regarding the
issue of illegal immigrants," Mr. Papaioannou said.
[26] Papoutsis focuses on trade transactions payment delays in Union
Brussels, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
European Union Commissioner Christos Papoutsis attended
yesterday's public debate organized by the European Commission
on payment delays in trade transactions in Europe.
"I am determined to proceed with a solution to the problem of
payment delays in Europe for the benefit of all businesses and
for the benefit of the European economy," Mr. Papoutsis said.
Mr. Papoutsis, responsible for SMEs in the Union, said the draft
directive he will be submitting by the end of 1997 will
anticipate "a package of measures" to resolve not only the
problem in the private sector but also "payment delays from the
public sector."
What is necessary in his view for the present situation to
improve is that relevant proposals must take into consideration,
among others, "the need to anticipate a strong legal right of
interest payment in delayed payments."
Mr. Papoutsis said "the result must be such that loaning will
cost more through delayed payments than bank loaning."
Yesterday's public debate was attended by members of the
European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee,
member-state representatives, representative organizations and
representatives from small and medium-size enterprises,
industry, chambers of commerce, banks and other interested
professional classes.
[27] National Bank-Microsoft software deal finalized
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The National Bank of Greece and the giant US-based Microsoft
Corp. announced an agreement yesterday by which Greece's largest
banking group will apply Microsoft software at all National Bank
branch offices and central services.
In the framework of its modernization program, National Bank
will upgrade all computerized equipment at its branch offices
and central offices.
National Bank Governor Theodoros Karatzas said the bank is
building the computer infrastructure necessary for the next
century.
[28] EBEA conference on trade prospects with Latin America opens
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Trade and economic relations between Greece and Latin American
countries, although strengthened since the '80s, do not
correspond to potential and opportunities appearing,
particularly in the wake of developments taking place in these
countries.
This was stressed by National Economy Under-secretary Alekos
Baltas yesterday, as he inaugurated a two-day conference on
"Greek Businesses Discovering Latin America", organized by the
Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA).
Mr. Baltas said Latin American countries are experiencing speedy
economic growth, due both to the consolidation of economic
reforms and the strengthening of political stability. He added
that the European Union constitutes the first trade partner for
eight of the 12 countries in the region. Mr. Baltas focused on
the potential for business co-operation between Greece and Latin
American countries in the creation of joint enterprises,
privatizations and industrial restructuring programs in those
countries .
The conference is being attended by almost all the ambassadors
of Latin American countries in Greece.
[29] Profit taking halts prices rally
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Greek equities came under profit-taking pressure yesterday to
end slightly lower on the Athens Stock Exchange, a normal
correction after the market's recent rally to record levels.
The general index closed 0.26 percent lower at 1,775.06 points
but traders predicted that the market would resume its upward
trend following a decision by National Bank of Greece to lower
short-term interest rates.
Sector indices ended mixed. Banks rose 0.07 percent, Insurance
increased 0.12 percent, Leasing was 2.33 percent higher,
Investment ended 0.12 percent up, Construction fell 1.99
percent, Industrial eased 0.92 percent, Miscellaneous dropped
0.60 percent and Holding rose 0.93 percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 1.29
percent down.
Trading was heavy and turnover was 27.7 billion drachmas.
Broadly, declining issues led advancing ones by 125 to 91 with
another 27 issues unchanged.
St. George Mills, Intertek, Mailis, Interinvest scored the
biggest percentage gains while Medical Centre, Zampa, Chalyps
and Koumbas suffered the heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 33,060 drachmas, Ergobank at
19,700, Alpha Credit at 20,450, Delta Dairy at 4,245, Titan
Cement at 16,820, Intracom at 14,900 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 6,875.
In the domestic foreign exchange market the US dollar ended
slightly lower against the drachma.
[30] EU inflation rises to 1.8 pct in August
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
European Union consumer price inflation rose to 1.8 percent in
August from 1.7 percent the previous month, the EU's statistics
agency Eurostat said yesterday.
The inflation rate increased in most EU member-states in August
with the exception of Britain, Ireland, Italy and Belgium.
Greece showed the highest inflation rate at 5.6 percent,
followed by the Netherlands with 2.5 percent and Denmark with
2.4 percent.
Consumer price inflation rose from 1.1 to 1.6 percent in France
and Finland, in Austria from 0.9 to 1.3 percent, in Sweden from
1.8 to 2.2 percent and in Greece from 5.2 to 5.6 percent in
August. Ireland and Austria reported the lowest rates at 0.6 an
d 1.3 percent respectively.
The inflation rate was steady at 2.2 percent in the United
States and at 2.1 percent in Japan.
Annual inflation rates in EU member-states in percentage:
Ireland 0.6, Austria 1.3, Luxembourg 1.4, France 1.6, Italy 1.6,
Portugal 1.6, Finland 1.6, Belgium 1.7, Germany 1.7, Spain 1.7,
Britain 2.0, Sweden 2.2, Denmark 2.4, Netherlands 2.5, Greece
5.6, EU average 1.8.
[31] Greece-FYROM trade on the rise
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Greece-FYROM trade is steadily improving according to figures
for the first half of 1997.
Greek exports to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
totaled 73.128 million US dollars in the period January-June,
while FYROM's exports to Greece totaled 46.402 million.
Total exports in 1996 were 77.429 million and 102.409 million
respectively.
Greece is currently FYROM's third biggest trade partner with
bilateral trade accounting for 8.8 percent of the neighbouring
country's trade, after the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with
16 percent and Germany with 13.7 percent.
Greek companies have been highly active in investing in Skopje.
The Levendis group (Hellenic Bottling Co) has signed an
agreement worth eight million US dollars for the production and
distribution of refreshments and mineral water with state firm
Scopsko.
Delta Dairy has agreed on a joint venture with Rivara Scopsko
for the production and distribution of ice-cream in FYROM, worth
3.5 million DMarks.
Mytilineos has paid 22 million US dollars for exploitation of
FYROM's total production in zinc and lead.
Mamidoil (JETOIL) has remained the exclusive supplier of crude
oil to FYROM's state refinery OKTA since 1964.
Greek banks have recently showed interest in investing in
Skopje, spearheaded by Ionian Bank, while Titan Cement has
expressed interest in acquiring a majority stake in FYROM's
privatized state cement producer.
[32] Seminar on public administration in Athens
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
A three-day seminar on Public Administration and European
Integration, geared towards state officials from central and
eastern Europe, starts today at the Zappeion Hall in Athens.
The seminar, included in the European Union Sigma program, is
co-organized by the ministry of the interior, public
administration and decentralization and the National Public
Administration Centre.
[33] Road fatalities fall in EU except Greece
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Road fatalities have declined over the last few years in all
European Union member-states except Greece, according to figures
released by the French records centre CDIA.
The United Kingdom and Sweden had the safest roads with 146 and
147 deaths per million vehicles respectively, while Greece
showed the highest rate with 689 deaths per million.
Italy (198 deaths), the Netherlands (203), Finland (205),
Germany (222), Austria (286), Luxembourg (294), France (296),
Denmark (303), Spain (316), Belgium (370), Ireland (401) and
Portugal (630) followed the two leading states.
Spain reported the most impressive results in a campaign on
safer road traffic with the number of fatalities dropping by 50
percent since 1990. Austria and France followed with a drop of
39 and 25 percent respectively.
[34] Intralot renews contract with Romanian state organization
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
Long-term co-operation between Athens-based Intralot and the
Romanian Organization of Lottery Games (RALN) has been sealed by
renewal of a relevant contract between the two for two more
years.
The contract, amounting to 1.2 billion drachmas, includes
procurement, marketing and rendering of advisory services for
the management of instant lottery games in Romania.
It has been assessed that sales of instant lotteries in Romania
will increase over the next two years.
[35] Awarding of bourse's computerization project
Athens, 08/10/1997 (ANA)
The Athens Stock Exchange's computerization project, named
"Integrated Automatic Electronic Transactions System" (OASHS)
and budgeted at two billion drachmas, is entering the awarding
stage.
The bourse's board is expected to award the project to a joint
venture headed by the Infoquest firm, during its meeting
tomorrow.
The project concerns the upgrading of the existing
computerization system at the Athens Stock Exchange and the
development of suitable infrastructure for the management of new
bourse products.
Three other joint ventures, Delta Informatics-Unisys, Bull and
Altec-IBM-EFA participated in the tendering.
End of English language section.
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