Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-11-07
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1334), November 7, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greek foreign policy initiatives bear fruit, PM tells parliament
[02] ... Karamanlis
[03] ... Papariga
[04] Papandreou signs European Agreement on Citizenship
[05] Papandreou, Cem meet in Strasbourg
[06] Simitis chairs meeting on foreign policy
[07] Holbrooke's talks in Cyprus to be unofficial, US says
[08] Russia expresses concern over Turkish military exercise in Cyprus
[09] Parmenion '97 military exercise winds up
[10] ... Stephanopoulos
[11] Turkish colonel killed during maneuvers in Cyprus
[12] Self-styled mufti gets 22 months jail
[13] Premier gives full backing to Skandalidis
[14] Reppas comments on Papandreou archive
[15] Seismologists cautious but say new quake unlikely
[16] Greek yacht sails on after pirates attack
[17] Mantelis announces new measures for public transport
[18] Development minister opens 'Philoxenia '97' exhibition
[19] Hoteliers call for gov't aid for tourism promotion
[20] October inflation falls to 4.7 percent
[21] Greek bourse ends lower pressured by high interbank rates
[22] PM satisfied with course of social dialogue
[23] EU economic sentiment at seven-year high in October
[24] Energy sector faces challenge, Papoutsis says
[25] Maillis concludes bonds loan for $ 35 mln.
[26] Promotion of Greek products in the Japanese market
[27] Conference on utilization of hydrocarbons
[28] Participation in marble fair
[01] Greek foreign policy initiatives bear fruit, PM tells parliament
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis said last night his government's
policy of active initiatives in foreign relations was not only
in tune with the demands of the times, but was also bearing
fruit.
"The new era demands overcoming the traumas of the past, it
demands new perceptions and ways of approaching the major
political issues, adjustment to the messages of the new
international reality, and initiatives in order to determine
ourselves our new identity and developments in the area," he
said during parliament's special debate on foreign policy issues.
"The policy of active initiatives which we apply is already
bearing fruit in our relations with the European Union. It is
bearing fruit in the Balkans. And it will bear even more fruit
in the sum total of the country's international relations," he
added .
Pre-empting critics who might wonder why tension with Turkey is
still high, the prime minister said the neighboring country's
reaction was the result of Greece's pressure. "The reaction
originates in our moves, which have resulted in a freezing of
issues related to the EU's protocol of financial assistance to
Turkey, the prospects for EU Cypriot membership negotiations ...
EU's urging of Turkey to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus
problem, the settlement of Greek-Turkish issues, the violation
of human rights, and a solution of the Kurdish issue," he said.
The prime minister described as necessary, useful and positive
his meeting with his Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz on Crete,
where he directly and clearly set out the sum total of Greek
positions.
"A condition for stability and peace is the respect for national
sovereign rights, international law and treaties, and the
safeguarding of the status quo in the Aegean. Our relations with
Turkey at every step must not have any 'gray points' or doubtful
aspects," he said.
The prime minister said he opposed Mr. Yilmaz's position for
dialogue on all issues, describing the step-by-step approach as
the only realistic and productive.
"I urged Mr. Yilmaz that Turkey must respond with consistency to
the spirit of Madrid (communiqui), which meets two of the three
conditions for adopting the step-by-step approach, namely a
declaration that the use of, or threat of using violence is rule
d out, and the acceptance of the institutional framework
governing the status quo in the Aegean."
He said it was not possible to unfreeze the EU financial
assistance to Turkey if Ankara does not seek recourse over the
Imia issue at the International Court at The Hague, or if it
does not give up its illogical claims.
"The next step would be the drafting of a joint agreement to
refer the issue of the continental shelf to The Hague, while the
two countries could start co-operation in sectors of mutual
benefit (tourism, trade etc..)," he said.
He stressed that this proposal was beneficial for Greece, Turkey
and the whole region, and that Greece weakened Turkey's charges
that it was refusing rapprochement.
"There are no ready roads to peace. They are carved out through
initiatives," he stressed.
"The two countries could talk without the mediation of third
parties, whose good offices may prove useful, but we ought to
render them unnecessary. We shall therefore pursue a
continuation of contacts through the most appropriate means.
"We must understand that meetings and talks cannot be treated as
urgent events prompted by conjuncture, but as a basic tool in
the exercise of our foreign policy," he said.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Simitis said the prospect for
the island-republic's EU membership could constitute a catalyst
for finding a political solution, and was an independent process
without terms and pre-conditions.
"The defense of Cyprus is an inalienable right and duty. Greece
will stand by Cyprus in any aggressive move by Turkey...
"The start to the Cypriot EU accession process constitutes first
priority for Greece. At the same time, we support the
simultaneous commencement of negotiations with all the candidate
countries of central and eastern Europe, and therefore, the
equal participation of Bulgaria and Romania," he stressed.
He described the southeast European leaders' summit on Crete,
last Monday and Tuesday, as a paramount event in the development
of relations between Balkan countries in the last few decades.
"Greece is determined to play a prominent role in the efforts
for the creation of a cohesive area of political and economic
co-operation, which will have common political orientations,
will seek development and convergence of economies, and will
increasingly reduce the distance from Western Europe," he said.
[02] ... Karamanlis
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis,
who had originally asked for last night's debate, expressed his
full disagreement with the government's handling of foreign
policy issues.
He stressed the need for a national understanding on such
issues, adding that this required a briefing of political
leaders which, however, had not been forthcoming, and wondered
why this was so, and whether the prime minister was afraid to do
so. Two other conditions, also lacking, were dialogue in
parliament and the setting up of a national council of foreign
and defense policy.
Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Karamanlis charged
that Turkish policy was hegemonic and expansionist, aiming to a
revision of the status quo, and particularly, a division of the
Aegean.
"It is a policy of the gunboat," he said.
"With the government's ineffective and inadequate policy, the
situation is continuously deteriorating," he went on to warn.
"A most clear-cut policy is needed and the clearest of messages
must be sent to Turkey. (But) from the Imia crisis to the Madrid
agreement, Greece is continuously sending the wrong messages to
the other side. It is sending out messages of political
passivism and concessions. This is proved by the fact that
Turkish provocations and infringements have multiplied in number
and intensity. It is the first time that we have references to
'gray areas' and claims on 131 rocky islets, the first time that
an issue of territorial integrity is raised," he said.
"There have been serious deviations from the permanent Greek
positions without anything in return. We are making step-by-step
concessions. The bankruptcy of the policy that led to the Madrid
agreement is also apparent from the fact that Turkey tramples
upon it from the first moment... Far from losing, Turkey is
winning on an international level. The policy of appeasement
brings closer tension and the likelihood of any armed clash ...
We are obliged to warn that if certain things do not change, we
shall be led to particularly dangerous impasses," he said.
[03] ... Papariga
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Addressing the parliamentary debate, Communist Party of Greece
(KKE) Secretary-General Aleka Papariga called for the parties'
positions on Greece's participation in the NATO alliance's new
structure.
She said future developments in the wider region entail great
dangers for Greek national interests and the country's
territorial integrity.
"Greece has already entered the status of limited national
sovereignty and the Aegean has already been distributed with the
United States possessing the lion's share," she said.
Ms. Papariga said NATO's new structure restricts to the point of
asphyxiation Greece's possibility to defend itself, abolishes
borders and national defense spaces, determines armaments
programs on the basis of NATO's aggressive plans and brings
about a change in the role played by the Greek armed forces,
since it obliges them to participate in the organization's
aggressive plans and actions, particularly in third world and
northern African countries.
In parallel, she said, Turkey is creating tensions in the Aegean
so as to promote it as an extremely problematic region and
promote its landscape as a path for the safe passage of oil
pipelines. She added that this is not a Greek-Turkish problem
and because the US has vital interests it is refusing to condemn
Turkey politically.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos
in his speech said Greece was left behind in the sectors of
inter-Balkan co-operation, projection of its positions
internationally and in its negotiations for its inclusion in the
new Europe an structures.
Indirectly accusing Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, Mr.
Constantopoulos accused the government of double talk in its
foreign policy.
Democratic Social Movement leader Demetris Tsovolas said the
government was dangerous for Greece's national interests.
He also said that since he took office, Prime Minister Costas
Simitis proceeded to a radical change in foreign policy,
abandoning fundamental positions of Greek foreign policy for
decades.
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said in a
statement party leaders should ask the prime minister directly
whether he accepts or rejects the proposal by Turkish Prime
Minister Mesut Yilmaz for all differences he claims Turkey has
with Greece to be referred collectively to the International
Court at The Hague.
Mr. Samaras, who made his statement in light of the off the
agenda Parliamentary debate on the country's national issues
last night, reminded that Turkish provocativeness "has
christened the claiming of half the Aegean a difference with
Greece."
[04] Papandreou signs European Agreement on Citizenship
Strasbourg, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou signed the European
Agreement on Citizenship in Strasbourg yesterday on behalf of
the Greek government.
The agreement was promoted by the members of the Council of
Europe with the purpose of developing legal principles
concerning citizenship and their adoption by international law.
The agreement also anticipates the avoidance of discriminations
in issues related to citizenship and the right to defend family
life in accordance with the human rights code.
Addressing the 101st Ministerial Session of the Council of
Europe, in the framework of which the agreement was signed, Mr.
Papandreou stressed Greece's support for the Council's
institution, pointing out that its signing and the
implementation of treaties is one of the most effective ways to
strengthen its role.
Mr. Papandreou also underlined the need to upgrade the role of
the Council of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe, referring as well to the issue of
strengthening regional co-operation between member-states in the
framework of the Council's principles and resolutions.
[05] Papandreou, Cem meet in Strasbourg
Strasbourg, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou had a meeting
yesterday with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem on the
sidelines of the Council of Europe's ministers council.
The two ministers discussed issues relating to the CoE and
Turkey's relations with the European Union.
The 45-minute meeting had not been planned in advance.
Mr. Papandreou also held separate meetings with Romanian Foreign
Minister Adrian Severin and French and Italian European Affairs
Ministers Pierre Moscovici and Pierro Fascino.
[06] Simitis chairs meeting on foreign policy
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday chaired a meeting of the
foreign ministry leadership to examine current issues of foreign
policy, focusing on last night's off-the-agenda Parliamentary
debate, at political party leaders' level, on national issues.
No statements were made after the meeting.
[07] Holbrooke's talks in Cyprus to be unofficial, US says
Washington, 07/11/1997 (ANA - A. Ellis)
US State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday,
referring to recent military exercises conducted by Greek and
Turkish forces in the Aegean and Cyprus, that "the State
Department communicated with both governments and urged them to
do all they can to safeguard that the locations of these
exercises will not cause an unnecessary incident."
Referring to US presidential emissary Richard Holbrooke's visit
to Cyprus next Monday and his joint meeting with Cyprus
President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash, Mr. Rubin said that the meeting had been decided by
Mr. Holbrooke after his meetings in New York last week with Mr.
Denktash and a telephone conversation with President Clerides.
Mr. Holbrooke's forthcoming talks in Cyprus "have no agenda and
are unofficial."
[08] Russia expresses concern over Turkish military exercise in Cyprus
Moscow, 07/11/1997 (AFP/ANA)
Russia yesterday expressed concern over a Turkish military
exercise in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus saying that the
character of the exercise raised doubts over its "defensive
nature".
"Such demonstrations of military force create some doubts over
the defensive character of the exercises," Russian Foreign
Ministry spokesman Gennadi Tarasov said, according to the
"Interfax" agency.
Turkish aircraft made mock bomb attacks on a supposed
Russian-made anti-aircraft S-300 missile site. Cyprus has signed
an agreement to buy the Russian missiles, which are expected to
arrive on the island republic in mid-1998. Turkey strongly
opposes the deployment of the missiles, threatening to prevent
with military means their transportation to Cyprus. The Turkish
demonstration "preve-nts the search of a negotiated settlement
of the Cyprus problem," Mr. Tarasov added.
[09] Parmenion '97 military exercise winds up
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, commenting on the results
of the Parmenion '97 military exercise that ended yesterday on
the island of Lesvos, said military exercises confirmed Greece's
defense capability, which was the country's contribution to
cooperation, peace and stability in the region.
There were those, he said in a clear reference to Turkey, who
sought other ways of resolving problems by destabilizing the
region. The only way to resolve those problems, he added, was by
the exercise of political will by all to work for peace and
cooperation in the region, something which had been confirmed at
the recent Balkan summit in Crete.
With regard to recent violations of Greek air space by Turkish
fighter planes, the defense minister urged Turkey to realize it
had nothing to gain by these actions but only created tension,
and that it would be solely responsible for any risks created.
He observed that military exercises in the Aegean were the sole
responsibility of the country's armed forces, as was also the
case with Turkey, which could carry out its own exercises in its
own air space. The final phase of the Parmenion exercise was
carried out in the Aghios Ioannis district of the island of
Lesvos, with the combined forces, including flights by F-16, A7
Corsair, F-4 and Mirage 2000.
[10] ... Stephanopoulos
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Also present on Lesvos for the final phase of the exercise,
apart from the defense minister, was President of the Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos as well as the defense ministry's
political and military leadership.
Mr. Stephanopoulos said that those who indirectly claimed Greece
wanted to provoke conflict or that the Republic of Cyprus was
arming itself against an enemy were illogical to the point of
ridiculous. It had been proven that Greece only wanted peace, he
said, as evident in the Parmenion exercise, the scenario for
which was aimed at defending the country.
Chief of Staff Gen. (Air) Athanasios Tzoganis expressed his
satisfaction with the excellent co-operation between the forces
particip-ating in the exercise.
[11] Turkish colonel killed during maneuvers in Cyprus
Ankara, 07/11/1997 (DPA/ANA - A. Abatzis)
Suspicious circumstances surround the death of a Turkish colonel
who was killed Wednesday during a Turkish maneuver in the
occupied north of Cyprus, according to Turkish press reports
yesterday.
Colonel Vural Berkai, in charge of the operations department of
the Turkish General Staff, was in a tent watching the
Taurus-2/97 military exercise when a bullet ricocheted off a
rock and hit him, private television ATV reported.
The newspaper "Sabah" maintained yesterday that the tent was two
kilometers away from the site of the exercises, and added that
there were suspicions that the shot had been aimed at Turkish
army chief General Hussein Kivrikoglu, who was standing in front
of the colonel. Sabah also quoted an unidentified member of the
Turkish Cypriot authorities who maintained that the "bullet was
not bent, something which increases the likelihood of a murder
attempt".
The newspaper Milliyet also headlined its account of the issue
"Colonel's suspicious death". The accident came on the last day
of the exercise, a full-scale live-fire military exercise during
which Turkish soldiers practiced defending the Turkish-held part
of Cyprus from an invasion.
[12] Self-styled mufti gets 22 months jail
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
A court in Lamia, central Greece yesterday sentenced a
self-styled Moslem religious leader to 22 months' imprisonment
for usurping religious authority.
Mehmet Aga was found guilty of unlawfully using the title of
"mufti" when signing messages directed at Greece's Moslem
minority which is concentrated in the northeast of the country.
The education and religious affairs ministry has appointed a
mufti in accordance with Greek legislation, following a
procedure which applies all over the world, including Turkey,
where muftis are appointed, not elected.
Mr. Aga arrived in Lamia yesterday morning on a coach
accompanied by about 60 supporters and former independent Moslem
deputy for Xanthi, Ahmet Faikoglou.
In statements to reporters, Mr. Faikoglou said the mufti
appointed by the ministry was not acceptable to the Moslem
minority, adding "tradition" dictated that Mr. Aga hold the post.
Mr. Aga's father was the mufti of Xanthi until his death in
February 1990. Mr. Aga then refused to allow his name to be
included on the list of candidates for the post, saying that he
had been "elected" to the post and that the state had no right
to be involved in the procedure.
Mr. Faikolglou himself has in the past acknowledged that Aga was
"elected" by a show of hands, not even a formal ballot.
Mr. Aga was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment in April this
year after being found guilty on the same charge. He was
released pending an appeal.
A number of similar cases are pending against Mr. Aga, whose
trial yesterday was followed by Turkish diplomats who traveled
to Lamia from the embassy in Athens.
[13] Premier gives full backing to Skandalidis
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis gave full backing to ruling PASOK
party Secretary Costas Skandalidis yesterday on the issue of a
letter Mr. Skandalidis allegedly addressed to the late PASOK
leader Andreas Papandreou.
The letter, dated January 1995, was published in the monthly
magazine "Men" and republished in the newspapers "Athinaiki" and
"Avriani." It contained accusations against Mr. Simitis as well
as leading party members Paraskevas Avgerinos, Vaso Papandreou
and Theodoros Pangalos. Mr. Skandalidis strongly denied the
letter.
Asked to comment on the issue at the end of a meeting by PASOK
on social dialogue, Mr. Simitis said that Mr. Skandalidis "is a
tried cadre of PASOK and has contributed to the progress and
development of the party", adding that he knows him and has
cooperated with him from the time they were in the party's youth
wing.
Mr. Simitis said he "knows the contribution and the work of Mr.
Skandalidis" and letters and what they contain do not concern
him, adding that everything else is absurd.
He further said that he is not interested in who organize such
campaigns and added that the government's work is what defines
its course.
[14] Reppas comments on Papandreou archive
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The government said yesterday that all queries regarding the
fate of documents and letters from the archives of late PASOK
founder Andreas Papandreou should be directed to a special
committee set up by the ruling party.
Government spokesman Demetris Reppas said the work of the
committee members would be "difficult" but that the government
would await their report.
Responding to another question, he said there were no minutes of
the meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and his
Turkish counterpart Mesut Yilmaz but that there were notes.
[15] Seismologists cautious but say new quake unlikely
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Seismologists said yesterday that seismic activity in Attica and
near the region seemed to be winding down, following Wednesday
night's 5.4 quake originating from the Gulf of Corinth.
No damage or injuries were reported in the latest quake, which
resulted in a black-out in the regions of Galaxidi and Itea.
Seismologists said however they were tracking developments over
the next 24 hours. "I cannot predict whether there will be
earthquakes but I believe that things will develop normally,"
Thessaloniki University professor Vassilis Papazahos said.
"We cannot rule out the possibility of a new quake but the
probability is that things will develop normally."
He said the tremors in Galaxidi and Avlona on Wednesday and
Elefsina on Tuesday were unexceptional but created psychological
problems because they occurred close to densely-populated areas.
Tremors registering 4.6 are almost a daily phenomenon while a
5.4 Richter quake like the one in Galaxidi occurs at regular
intervals, he said.
George Stavrakakis, the director of the Athens Geophysical
Institute, said the critical period was not yet over but agreed
that the Galaxidi quake was as powerful as the tremors would get.
[16] Greek yacht sails on after pirates attack
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Ten crew members of pleasure craft "Galileos" are safe and well
after being held up on the high seas 30 nautical miles off the
coast of Yemen by armed pirates.
Crew members told authorities the pirates were dressed in
military fatigues.
They were robbed of their money and allowed to go free after
their ordeal. The Galileos continued on to its destination, the
Seychelles.
[17] Mantelis announces new measures for public transport
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Transport and Communications Minister Tassos Mantelis yesterday
announced a series of measures to upgrade public transport in
Athens and the wider area.
Mr. Mantelis said he had ordered public transport bodies to make
immediate investments that would serve the needs of citizens,
including the purchase of 100 mini-buses, the upgrading of
inter-municipal transport, lighting at bus and trolley stops and
t he creation of more routes, particularly express routes.
Mr. Mantelis said the ministry was looking into finding a
suitable location for a KTEL terminal in western Athens, calling
the present KTEL terminals on Kifissos Avenue "unacceptable".
"Until we abolish them we will make the necessary
interventions," he said.
The operation of the new inter-city bus terminal, he said, would
be self-financed, and would include post offices, restaurants
and banks.
[18] Development minister opens 'Philoxenia '97' exhibition
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Speaking at a press conference after inaugurating the exhibition
"Philoxenia '97" in Thessaloniki yesterday, Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou announced the creation of a committee to study
the possibilities of the country's tourist promotion on the
occasion of the Athens 2004 Olympiad and the hosting of other
major sports events undertaken by Greece.
The committee will include personalities and representatives
from agencies. Ms. Papandreou pointed out that the target is not
to promote Athens alone but the entire country.
Referring to this year's tourist period, Ms. Papandreou said a
small increase occurred in all indicators and expressed
"reserved optimism" for a similar increase in 1998.
[19] Hoteliers call for gov't aid for tourism promotion
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The Panhellenic Hoteliers' Federation has asked the government
to contribute at least 10 billion drachmas to the federation's
budget for the promotion of tourism in Greece.
The request was made in Thessaloniki yesterday, the first day of
the annual Philoxenia Tourism Fair at a meeting of the
federation's board, which has been expanded this year to include
the heads of local hotel unions.
Otherwise, Greek hoteliers fear that no improved returns can be
expected. They also urged the government to support the
provinces in their efforts to attract tourism.
This year's increase in tourism was estimated at around 10
percent, although financial returns were down from the previous
year as prices had been kept down, a trend which they said they
could not be expected to maintain.
[20] October inflation falls to 4.7 percent
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Inflation dropped to 4.7 percent in October from 4.9 percent the
previous month, the national statistics service ESYE announced
yesterday.
ESYE attributed the drop to a reduction in medicine prices and a
good overall course in the prices of clothing, footwear and
foodstuffs.
ESYE anticipated that inflation would continue declining in
November, thus containing the 0.6 point increase on the index to
arise from the return of heating oil prices to the "basket" of
prices on the basis of which consumer inflation is measured.
ESYE did not rule out inflation running at about 5.0 percent at
the end of the year.
[21] Greek bourse ends lower pressured by high interbank rates
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The interest rate barrier according to the market's description
of recent high interest rates in the domestic money market
discouraged trading on the Athens Stock Exchange for one more
session yesterday.
Greek equities lost further substantial ground to end sharply
lower.
Traders said the market ignored news of a new fall in inflation
at 4.7 percent in October. The Greek market was closely
following events in the domestic money market where interbank
rates remained steady at 70 percent in a central bank's effort
to defend the national currency.
The general index closed 4.23 percent down at 1,513.66 points
with all sector indices losing ground. Banks fell 3.88 percent,
Insurance dropped 4.47 percent, Leasing eased 6.99 percent,
Investment fell 3.50 percent, Construction was 6.95 percent off,
Industrials fell 5.37 percent, Miscellaneous eased 4.10 percent
and Holding dropped 3.91 percent.
The parallel market index for small cap companies ended 4.76
percent down.
Trading was extremely heavy reflecting the transaction of large
block of shares in Elval, Viochalco and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization. Turnover was 43.7 billion
drachmas.
Broadly, decliners led advancers by 209 to 19 with another eight
issues unchanged.
Macedonian Mills and Kekrops scored the biggest percentage gains
with 7.7 and 7.4 percent respectively, while Chalyps Cement,
Pairis, Benrubi, Shelman and Heracles Cement suffered the
heaviest losses.
National Bank of Greece ended at 28,400 drachmas, Ergobank at
16,400, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,030, Delta Dairy at 3,610, Titan
Cement at 13,895, Intracom at 12,450 and Hellenic
Telecommunications Organization at 5,750.
[22] PM satisfied with course of social dialogue
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday expressed his
satisfaction over the course of a social dialogue between the
government, trade unions and employers. Speaking to reporters
after a meeting with cabinet and party members, Mr. Simitis said
that at t he current stage of the dialogue, the interested
parties were discussing growth, competition and employment.
He noted that a consensus was apparent on the framework of the
social dialogue between the government and political parties.
Any differences, he said, concerned the setting of priorities in
the dialogue.
The prime minister stressed that the dialogue would include farm
policy, social security and education.
Mr. Simitis criticized, however, the stance of trade unions,
saying they were being led by partisan interests.
[23] EU economic sentiment at seven-year high in October
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Economic sentiment in the European Union was at its highest
levels for seven years in October the European Commission said
in its latest monthly survey.
Also, capacity utilization in EU's manufacturing industry
continued to rise at 83 percent in October from 82.1 percent in
July, the Commission said.
Both new orders and export volume expectations were at the
highest levels for two year confirming an improvement in
industrial confidence indicators, currently at the highest
levels in two years.
The optimism was apparent also from the increase in consumer and
construction confidence indicators.
[24] Energy sector faces challenge, Papoutsis says
Brussels, 07/11/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Addressing a conference on the Kyoto Summit organized by the
newspaper "European Voice" in Brussels, Commissioner Christos
Papoutsis said "the energy sector is facing a very big challenge
in the framework of discussions on climatic changes."
"The production, distribution and use of energy play a crucial
role for the emission level of various greenhouse gases," he
said, while particular attention paid to carbon dioxide
emissions "places energy in the front line of discussions on
policy to be followed."
Mr. Papoutsis added that "the challenge of climatic changes is
fully reflected in our energy policy."
[25] Maillis concludes bonds loan for $ 35 mln.
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The Maillis company has concluded a bonds loan for 35 million
dollars. The loan has been covered in full by private
investments in the London capital market.
The duration of the bonds loan is seven years with a three-year
period of grace. The capital obtained will be used to eliminate
the company's short-term liabilities which will considerably
improve its liquidity.
Profits after taxes will amount to 1.49 billion drachmas this
year compared to 1.039 billion in 1996, while the prediction for
1998 is profits totaling 2.1 billion.
Sales in 1997 are expected to reach 14.6 billion drachmas as
against 10.74 billion, while the figure anticipated for 1998 is
19.8 billion drachmas due to an increase in the production
capacity.
[26] Promotion of Greek products in the Japanese market
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The presence of Greek products in the Japanese market, currently
the second in size in the world, is considered extremely limited.
According to data provided by Eurostat and processed by the
Research Institute (IEES) of the Federation of Exporters of
Northern Greece (SEBE), Greek exports to the Japanese market in
1996 amounted to 65 million ECU.
A decrease in tobacco exports is visible although it remains in
first place among products exported to Japan by Greece. Other
products exported are tinned food, cotton, aluminium products,
marble and fresh fish.
According to Eurostat, 70 per cent of Greek exports to the
market in question come from northern Greece.
Greece's imports from Japan are very high and in 1996 they
totaled 712 million ECU. They concern the import into the Greek
market primarily of cars and other vehicles, ships, machines and
electrical appliances.
In an effort to promote Greek products in the Japanese market,
the National Economy Ministry is implementing the plan "Ermis"
which anticipates the development of commercial and tourist
transactions with Japan. In parallel, it is implementing a
program for the promotion of Greek clothes in the Japanese
market.
[27] Conference on utilization of hydrocarbons
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
Development Minister Vasso Papandreou stressed the need to
create an institutional framework for research and utilizing
hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean and Balkans in harmony with
the existing European Union framework, declaring the opening of
a special conference organized at the Hilton Hotel by the "KAPA"
group.
At least 20-25 per cent of the country's needs in oil can be
covered by oil deposits in western Greece, where research is
taking place in regions with possible oil deposits, the Public
Petroleum Corporation's (DEP) Managing Director Mr. E. Tzellas
told the conference.
In any case, Ms. Papandreou said, Europe must not forget its
dependence on oil and natural gas and Greece is no exception.
Ms. Papandreou said oil policy in modern-day Greece has been
defined on the basis of the government program, the existing
legislative framework, the European Union's green paper on
energy and lastly geopolitical conjuncture.
[28] Participation in marble fair
Athens, 07/11/1997 (ANA)
The Greek Foreign Trade Organization (HEPO) is to participate in
the international marble and tile fair "Coverings 98" to be held
in Orlando, US, from March 22-24, 1998. For details contact HEPO
headquarters in Athens tel. (01) 9982 247 or Thessaloniki (031)
262120.
End of English language section.
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