Browse through our Interesting Nodes on the Environment Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923) Read the Convention Relating to the Regime of the Straits (24 July 1923)
HR-Net - Hellenic Resources Network Compact version
Today's Suggestion
Read The "Macedonian Question" (by Maria Nystazopoulou-Pelekidou)
HomeAbout HR-NetNewsWeb SitesDocumentsOnline HelpUsage InformationContact us
Friday, 29 March 2024
 
News
  Latest News (All)
     From Greece
     From Cyprus
     From Europe
     From Balkans
     From Turkey
     From USA
  Announcements
  World Press
  News Archives
Web Sites
  Hosted
  Mirrored
  Interesting Nodes
Documents
  Special Topics
  Treaties, Conventions
  Constitutions
  U.S. Agencies
  Cyprus Problem
  Other
Services
  Personal NewsPaper
  Greek Fonts
  Tools
  F.A.Q.
 

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-01-23

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1397), January 23, 1998

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


CONTENTS

  • [01] WEU's de Puig discusses Greek presidency's priorities
  • [02] 'Agenda 2000', dominates Papandreou talks in Lisbon
  • [03] No Pangalos proposal to Turkey, Gov't spokesman says
  • [04] ... Ankara
  • [05] British secretary: 'continuing discussion' over Parthenon marbles
  • [06] Int'l conference on 2004 Olympics
  • [07] US army chief begins Greek visit
  • [08] Changes in high school history books
  • [09] News bulletins in foreign languages
  • [10] 24-hour strike called a success by trade unionists
  • [11] ... Reppas
  • [12] Appeals court rejects extradition request for Bianco
  • [13] Seismic activity prediction under consideration
  • [14] Arrest of major Albanian drug smuggler announced
  • [15] Illegal immigrant smugglers convicted
  • [16] Conference on Greece's course toward EMU
  • [17] Tax draft bill ratified in principle, objections raised
  • [18] No decrease in funding for Egnatia, Santer says
  • [19] Supreme Court says compound interest on bank debts illegal
  • [20] Bourse decision for new shares issue
  • [21] Baltas says Gov't sticking by 'hard drachma' policy
  • [22] ... IOBE
  • [23] HELEXPO business plan
  • [24] Banks lead Greek stocks higher
  • [25] Agrotica '98 opens January 28 in Thessaloniki
  • [26] Greek, Cypriot shipowners interested in Bulgaria's shipyards

  • [01] WEU's de Puig discusses Greek presidency's priorities

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Visiting Western European Union (WEU) parliamentary assembly President Luis-Maria de Puig was received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday, before holding talks with Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Athens' priorities during its six-month WEU rotating presidency.

    Mr. de Puig is on a two-day visit to Greece.

    On his part, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos noted that the two men were in agreement on the issues to be promoted during a WEU summit, scheduled this May in Rhodes.

    He added that decisions reached at the summit must lead to an increasingly upgraded role for the WEU and the European Union.

    In a statement after his arrival on Wednesday, Mr. de Puig said that "odd as it may seem, in an organization such as the WEU, a small country like Greece often has bigger possibilities than a larger country to secure a consensus and be able to convince on important issues it will desire to promote."

    Mr. de Puig noted Greece's decision to rigorously promote the WEU goals. He also expressed his certainty that the WEU summit will reach important decisions about the WEU's relations with EU and NATO.

    In answer to a question, he said the issue of a 10-mile limit for Greek airspace has not been discussed at the parliamentary assembly and that he does not know all the details of the issue.

    However, Mr. de Puig said "we support" Greece's internationally recognized rights and he reiterated Mr. Simitis' statement that Greek-Turkish relations must be settled through the acceptance of international law.

    Later in the day, Mr. de Puig met with Foreign Ministry Secretary General on EU Affairs Stelios Perrakis and discussed legal and budget issues between the two organizations.

    He also met separately with main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis and Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.

    After his meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis did not rule out the possibility of what he called "adventures" arising from Turkey's tactics.

    Mr. Kaklamanis said Ankara was waging a war of nerves with Europe and "reacting like a spoiled child to the conditions set by the European Union for a country to join the European family".

    Greece, he continued, is well aware that this tactic may give rise to "certain adventures".

    During his talks with Mr. de Puig, Mr. Kaklamanis also referred to the proposal for the holding of a summit meeting of WEU parliaments in Athens.

    In order for such a meeting to succeed, he said, a declaration of principles should be adopted in which Europe expresses its will "for the independent determination of the future of its security and defense... which does not disregard the roles of others but at the same time does not accept their hegemony".

    [02] 'Agenda 2000', dominates Papandreou talks in Lisbon

    Lisbon, 23/01/1998 (ANA - D. Stamboglis)

    Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou began talks here yesterday with the leadership of the Portuguese foreign ministry on the "Agenda 2000" and other issues related to EU enlargement as well as the Western European Union (WEU).

    Greece currently holds the rotating WEU presidency, with the organization's ministerial council to meet on Rhodes on May 11-12. Mr. Papandreou is meeting in Lisbon with Foreign Minister Jaime Matos Gama and Under-secretary Francisco Seixas da Costa.

    According to reports, Lisbon supports Athens' candidacy for a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council, as well as Greece's positions on several foreign policy issues, such as the accession of Cyprus to the EU and recognition of FYROM based on provisions set out by the United Nations.

    At a joint press conference following the talks, MR. Papandreou said the two-hour meeting had also centered on EU-Turkey relations, as well as the Kurdish refugee problem within the framework of the Schengen Pact.

    According to diplomatic sources, agreement was reached on most issues.

    "We gave emphasis to enlargement and stressed that the EU's internal cohesion should not be weakened. This is a priority for the new period being ushered in by the "Santer package" (of EU funding)," said Mr. Papandreou.

    It was also agreed that the political problem in Cyprus should not be an obstacle to the republic's accession to the EU.

    In response to questions, Mr. Papandreou said Turkey had been wrong to react negatively to the conclusions of the Luxembourg summit. Instead of taking advantage of the "economic package" which was available from the EU, it had proceeded to carry out violations of Greek national airspace.

    During his meeting with the Portuguese minister, the latter reportedly agreed that Turkey should "accept" the summit's conclusions.

    Portugal has shown particular interest in the 2004 Olympic Games of Athens, as well as the idea of an international "Olympic truce" for the duration of the Games.

    Portugal is to stage EXPO '98 this year, the 500th anniversary of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama's journey to the East Indies. The international fair is to open on May 22, and will be visited by Prime Minister Costas Simitis on July 7.

    In a related development, it was announced that bilateral trade increased in recent months due to efforts on both sides. Greek tobacco exports to Portugal posted a 350 per cent jump from 1995-1996, while olive imports increased by 95 per cent during the same period.

    [03] No Pangalos proposal to Turkey, Gov't spokesman says

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos has made no proposal to Turkey, government spokesman Demetris Reppas said yesterday in reply to questions on recent statements by the foreign minister regarding Greece's national airspace.

    According to Mr. Reppas, the foreign minister expressed a general position that in case a country viewed that it had a problem with another, then it could take recourse to the international court at The Hague.

    The statements by both the foreign minister and the government spokesman gave rise to a series of questions and concerns about the government's foreign policy, according to main opposition New Democracy press spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos, who yesterday addressed three questions to the government.

    The first question raised by the ND spokesman was whether the government was abandoning its position that the only bilateral differences that could be taken to The Hague are the delineation of the continental shelf issue and Turkish disputes over Greece 's sovereignty on the Imia islets.

    Second, could the government accept that Turkish disputes over Greek sovereignty on 131 islets in the Aegean could be left to international arbitration.

    And third, whether the government regarded it appropriate that the issue of demilitarization of the Aegean islands should be examined by such courts.

    Mr. Spiliotopoulos further said that if those were the positions opted by the government, then it was obvious that the country's territorial integrity and national security were now dependent on the judgment of an international arbitration body.

    [04] ... Ankara

    Ankara, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    The Turkish foreign ministry yesterday said the Greek government spokesman's statements on Athens' right to extend territorial waters to 12 nautical miles when the latter regarded it appropriate were contrary to the Madrid communiqui.

    According to an ANA dispatch from Ankara, the announcement added that the Greek spokesman's statements could not be regarded as falling within the framework of the principles of good-neighborly relations and the respect for legal and vital interests of the other side.

    [05] British secretary: 'continuing discussion' over Parthenon marbles

    London, 23/01/1998 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

    Greece and Britain are having a "continuing discussion" of the question of the Parthenon Marbles, Culture and Sports Secretary Chris Smith said here yesterday.

    Athens is asking for the return of the ancient marble friezes, lifted from the Parthenon in the early 19th century by Lord Elgin and shipped to England. They later became the property of the British Museum in London, where they are displayed today.

    Mr. Smith repeated a statement used by various British officials over the years, saying he was concerned that the marbles' eventual return to Athens would open a "Pandora's Box" of demands by other countries for the return of artifacts currently in British museums.

    [06] Int'l conference on 2004 Olympics

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    A two-day international conference entitled "Olympic Games, City and Environment" opened at Athens' Zappeion Hall yesterday, organized by the World Network of Environmental Science and Technology in co-operation with the International Institute of Environmental Research and the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia".

    The conference was attended by Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister Costas Laliotis, who stressed in his speech that the 2004 Olympics had the potential to create a huge and timeless surplus for Greece in many sectors.

    The minister said that many projects were already underway, while the required studies and plans were ready for others.

    Mr. Laliotis also replied to a demonstration by the Greenpeace group outside the conference building. "They are not the only ones to have (environmental) concerns", he said.

    Some of the banners held by group members read: "To be or not to be... in Athens in 2004", and "New great idea, new great catastrophe".

    The environment was also the main theme in a message to the conference by the Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who said that initiatives of global dimensions were needed in order to overcome the ecological crisis.

    The premier said in his message that the quality of the Games will not be judged only on minimizing the negative impacts, but also on the improvement in the character and infrastructure of Athens through appropriate projects.

    EU Commissioner Christos Papoutsis, through a message to participants, proposed that a special energy center for the Games be established in Athens with EU funds to study new energy needs and propose solutions on administration and energy saving.

    If his proposal is accepted, said Mr. Papoutsis, then the energy center could be ready to operate within 1998.

    Sports Under-secretary Andreas Fouras spoke on economic administration for the organization of the Games, stressing that the relevant draft bill proved the government's insistence on complete transparency.

    In the meantime, the government yesterday announced the names of the members of the organizing committee of the Athens Olympics.

    Government spokesman Demetris Reppas announced that Costas Bakouris, director of the European section of a large US firm, was appointed managing consultant.

    Members of the committee include Athens Mayor Demetris Avramopoulos and International Olympic Committee members (IOC) Nikos Filaretos and Lambis Nikolaou.

    According to Mr. Reppas the organizing committee will soon be turned into the board of the sociiti anonyme company to be formed in accordance with a law passed by Parliament.

    [07] US army chief begins Greek visit

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    US army chief General Dennis Rymer began a three-day visit to Greece yesterday at the invitation of his Greek counterpart, Lieutenant-General Manoussos Parayioudakis.

    The US military official had successive meetings yesterday with Parayioudakis and the Chief of the National Defense General Staff, General (air) Athanasios Tzoganis.

    At noon he was received by National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos.

    The focus of Gen. Rymer's talks was on issues related to bilateral defense co-operation.

    During his stay in Greece, Gen. Rymer will visit army units and a number of archaeological sites.

    [08] Changes in high school history books

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    The education ministry has instructed the Paedagogical Institute to proceed with all necessary revisions to relevant sections in junior high and high school history books concerning the Minor Asia catastrophe.

    Education Under-secretary Ioannis Anthopoulos made the statement in Parliament yesterday.

    He was replying to a question by PASOK deputy Yiannis Kapsis. The undersecretary added that Greek history will be tough by a 'multiple book', which will include historical narration and additional materials from school libraries.

    Mr. Kapsis said students over the years have been given insufficient information on the economic and cultural prosperity of the Ionia region and the city of Smyrna before the Minor Asia catastrophe.

    [09] News bulletins in foreign languages

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Foreigners in Greece will be able to hear news in seven languages as of Monday, January 26 on the state radio station ERA 2, ERA General Director Yiannis Tzannetakos announced yesterday.

    The news bulletins will be produced by the Voice of Greece (ERA 5) by a team of 37 Greek and foreign journalists and broadcast on 93.6 and 103.7 FM daily at 7.03 (in Arabic and Russian), 8.03 (Polish, Albanian and English and at 9.03 (French and Bulgarian).

    [10] 24-hour strike called a success by trade unionists

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Unionists said yesterday's 24-hour strike by public utilities, banks and urban transport organizations was an overwhelming success and warned the government that it should think first before it chooses a rift with state-sector unions.

    But the government reiterated its determination to proceed with a restructuring of overdebted public enterprises although it acknowledged workers' right to protest in defending their interests.

    General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) president Christos Polyzogopoulos told a rally in Athens that there was almost total participation in the strike from the urban transport sector.

    The strike caused serious congestion in central Athens as commuters resorted to their cars to get to work.

    Reports said the participation rate in state-run banks and the Greek telecommunications organization (OTE) was lower.

    Yesterday's strike affected all urban transport, Olympic Airways flights and inter-city railway links. Workers at DEH, OTE, Greek Post Offices and the Athens Water and Sewage Company, as well as all state-run banks, said they would support the strike.

    GSEE called the strike over a provision in the government's new tax bill that allows a change in the status of workers at DEKOs in the framework of their reform. Workers say that the provision directly undermines their status.

    "If the government wants a break with the unions, then it shall have it," Mr. Polyzogopoulos said.

    Sources said the union movement was considering calling another 24-hour strike next week. The issue is expected to be discussed today.

    National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou reiterated to unionists presenting him with their demands that the provision applied only to loss-making or bankrupt public enterprises and corporations (DEKOs).

    He said a six-month period of negotiations between DEKO management and unions was sufficient time to achieve an agreement on changes but said that the final decision lay with the government.

    Mr. Polyzogopoulos, however, said the union movement would not accept different conditions for workers in loss-making and profit-making enterprises and warned of increased labor unrest.

    Reports said urban transport organizations - one of the sectors that Mr. Papantoniou says would be affected by the provision - were considering an indefinite strike.

    Urban transport organizations alone have debts of 850 billion drachmas, which will be accommodated by legislation to be submitted to Parliament later in the year.

    [11] ... Reppas

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Government spokesman Demetris Reppas told reporters yesterday that the government was firm in its goal to restructure all loss-making public enterprises into profitable ones.

    He said however that the government sympathized with trades unions reaction but stressed that workers were mistaken in thinking that government measures would harm their interests.

    [12] Appeals court rejects extradition request for Bianco

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    An Athens appeals court yesterday rejected Rome's extradition request for Italian national Enrico Bianco, ruling that charges brought against him by Italian authorities concerned activities of a political rather than criminal nature.

    The three-member appeals court, which is competent for deciding the extradition of foreigners, ruled that only one charge involving possession of a small quantity of a controlled substance was a criminal offense, but that under Greek law this charge had been canceled out by the relevant statute of limitation.

    The appeals court's prosecutor yesterday asked the court to accept the Italian request for Mr. Bianco's tradition.

    Following the ruling, Mr. Bianco, who was arrested near Preveza last December following a tip-off by Interpol, is expected to be released.

    Court sources said it was likely that Italian authorities would submit a new extradition request containing new evidence linking the man to criminal offenses carried out in the neighboring country.

    [13] Seismic activity prediction under consideration

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Anti-seismic planning and Protection Organization (OASP) officials yesterday confirmed the existence of a telegram sent by the earthquake forecast system (VAN) team, predicting seismic activity of up to 6 on the Richter scale in the greater Magnesia region.

    The prediction was initially given to state agencies last Dec. 20, which was followed by heightened contingency measures, despite the fact that there has been intense controversy in the past over the reliability of VAN's predictions.

    The validity of the entire VAN system was again at question since the predicted earthquake did not materialize within the six to eight weeks since the forecast.

    [14] Arrest of major Albanian drug smuggler announced

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Albanian drug dealers have been smuggling greater quantities of drugs, chiefly hashish, into Greece over recent months through a change in tactics, according to a high-ranking Thessaloniki police official.

    Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki yesterday to announce the arrest of wanted Albanian drug smuggler Besim Elesi, Security Police Chief Brig. Costas Economou said drugs from Albania were being smuggled into Greece through rugged terrain and hidden in forested areas, namely, in Kastoria, Florina and Pieria prefectures. Smugglers then seek out Greek contacts to distribute and sell the drugs.

    Two armed suspects accompanying Elesi escaped, while police found 13.5 kilos of hashish hidden in a nearby forest.

    [15] Illegal immigrant smugglers convicted

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    An Alexandroupoli court yesterday convicted two illegal immigrant smugglers on charges of transporting 16 illegals in a coach. The two men were arrested last Monday in Evros.

    Demetris Rigoulis and Christos Kaseris were both handed a 10-month prison sentence and ordered to pay fines of two million drachmas each. Their coach was also confiscated. The 16 illegal immigrants were given a suspended three-months sentence, before being deported.

    [16] Conference on Greece's course toward EMU

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    A conference focusing on Greece's course toward Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) opens today in Hamburg, Germany, with the participation of several distinguished Greek and German academics, researchers, economists and journalists.

    During the two-day event, some 30 participants will examine figures regarding Greece's economic convergence, as well as the level of readiness by the country's private sector.

    The conference is organized by three important research institutions - Europa-Kolleg of Hamburg, the Society of Southeastern Europe (Suedosteuropa Gesellschaft) of Munich and the Edmund Siemers Foundation, as well as by the Greek consulate in Hamburg an d the German-Greek Association of Attorneys.

    An address will be delivered by Foreign Ministry Secretary General for EU Affairs Stelios Perrakis.

    Among Greek specialists set to attend are P. Kazakos, G. Kallimopoulos, A. Kotios and N. Hlepas, as well as Eurodeputy D. Tsatsos (PASOK), New Democracy deputy P. Loukakos and Athens-based correspondent Costas Tsatsaronis.

    [17] Tax draft bill ratified in principle, objections raised

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Parliament approved in principle a government taxation draft bill with 153 votes for and 122 against, after a roll-call vote yesterday.

    PASOK deputy Christos Kipouros was present at the vote but abstained.

    Before the vote, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou replied to a question by main opposition ND honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis regarding labor relations in public utilities (DEKOs).

    "There is not going to be any amendment/addition and no essential change in the clause. It will be a reformulation of the provision that will be announced next week", the minister said.

    Objections to provisions in the two first clauses of the draft bill were voiced by ruling PASOK deputies Anastasios Peponis, Lefteris Verivakis and Demetris Georgakopoulos.

    [18] No decrease in funding for Egnatia, Santer says

    Brussels, 23/01/1998 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    There will be no cuts in Community Support Fund credits for the Egnatia motorway or natural gas projects, European Commission President Jacques Santer stressed recently.

    The Commission president responded in writing to a memo sent two months ago by New Democracy Eurodeputy Antonis Trakatelis.

    The memo contained a signed petition by 32 main opposition New Democracy deputies, stating that the Greek government was considering shifting funds from major projects in northern Greece in order to use them in other, smaller projects.

    [19] Supreme Court says compound interest on bank debts illegal

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    A Supreme Court plenum yesterday ruled the unilateral levying of compound interest by banks on outstanding debts as illegal.

    By a majority vote of 16 to five, the high court overturned an appeals court ruling, and sent the matter back to it for reconsideration.

    [20] Bourse decision for new shares issue

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    The Athens Stock Exchange board of governors yesterday ruled that all listed companies wishing to issue new shares will have to open a special account with a Greek bank, where all prospective shareholders will directly deposit the money required.

    The measure aims to promote transparency, the board said.

    [21] Baltas says Gov't sticking by 'hard drachma' policy

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    National Economy Under-secretary Alekos Baltas yesterday said that the "hard drachma" policy is a basic goal of the government's fiscal policy in order to "build a correct economy."

    Speaking at the Greek-Italian Chamber of Commerce Symposium, he said that Greek businesses must create alliances within and outside Greece so as to play a role in economic globalisation.

    The under-secretary noted the role of chambers of commerce and other related organizations.

    [22] ... IOBE

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    The Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) yesterday announced that it backs the "hard drachma" policy.

    The announcement also said that for the policy to be successful the state must adjust its fiscal policies.

    IOBE, however, is skeptical of the continued pressure on the drachma from continued international monetary crises, which began last October.

    [23] HELEXPO business plan

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    HELEXPO President Antonis Kourtis yesterday announced that preparation of the state-run Thessaloniki exhibition organization's business plan is in progress.

    Mr. Kourtis also announced that HELEXPO has undertaken the western Macedonia region's tourism promotion and is planning to expand activities to Crete.

    He said that the first Greek exhibition of businesses in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) last December was a success

    Additionally, HELEXPO will organize an exhibition in Kiev in June, the third over the last two years.

    [24] Banks lead Greek stocks higher

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Greek equities moved steadily upwards yesterday for the fourth consecutive session on the Athens Stock Exchange this time helped by strong buying interest in banks.

    The general index closed 0.86 percent higher at 1,451.64 points, led by a 2.47 percent surge in the banking index.

    Other sector indices were mixed. Insurance rose 1.18 percent, Leasing fell 0.02 percent, Investment dropped 0.42 percent, Constructions fell 1.44 percent, Industrials were 0.05 percent up, Miscellaneous jumped 2.81 percent and Holding was 0.62 percent higher.

    The parallel market index for small cap companies gained 0.72 percent, while the FTSE/ASE index rose 1.13 percent to 799.10.

    Trading was heavy with turnover at 18.4 billion drachmas.

    Broadly, advancers led decliners by 100 to 99 with another 20 issues unchanged.

    Lambropoulos, Macedonia-Thrace Bank, Ideal, Levenderis and Pairis scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's upper limit of 8.0 percent, while Desmos, Dane, Thessaliki and Sato suffered the heaviest losses.

    National Bank of Greece ended at 20,800 drachmas, Ergobank at 14,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 15,250, Delta Dairy at 2,750, Titan Cement at 13,590, Intracom at 14,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 5,530.

    [25] Agrotica '98 opens January 28 in Thessaloniki

    Athens, 23/01/1998 (ANA)

    Agrotica '98, the biggest agricultural trade fair in the Balkans, will be held January 28-February 1 in Thessaloniki, the first exhibition by Helexpo in the new year.

    Agrotica, an international trade fair which started 14 years ago, will present an increased number of exhibitors and will occupy the largest area in its history.

    According to Helexpo, 1,517 Greek and foreign exhibitors will participate in this year's Agrotica fair on a site of more than 38,500 square meters, compared with 1,501 exhibitors and 36,807 s.m. respectively last year. A total of 776 foreign exhibitor s from 35 different countries and 741 Greek companies will participate, while seven countries - Albania, Bulgaria, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and Tunisia - will participate with national pavilions.

    [26] Greek, Cypriot shipowners interested in Bulgaria's shipyards

    Varna, Bulgaria 23/01/1998 (BTA/ANA)

    Major Greek and Cypriot shipping firms have expressed interested in placing orders with Bulgaria's Varna shipyards, on the north Black Sea coast, shipyard officials said yesterday.

    Varna Shipyard's chairman and board of directors left Tuesday for Cyprus where they were due to meet with representatives of firms over ship-building orders.

    "We have rather successfully cornered the market for 42,000-ton vessels," an official at the shipyard told BTA. "Major Greek, German, Singaporean and British companies are interested in vessels of this tonnage."

    End of English language section.


    Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article
    Back to Top
    Copyright © 1995-2023 HR-Net (Hellenic Resources Network). An HRI Project.
    All Rights Reserved.

    HTML by the HR-Net Group / Hellenic Resources Institute, Inc.
    ana2html v1.01g run on Friday, 23 January 1998 - 15:43:13 UTC