Browse through our Interesting Nodes of Museums in Greece 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, 01-03-15

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

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

  • [01] Central bank sees inflation below 3.0 pct in second half
  • [02] FYROM foreign minister expresses appreciation for Greece's support in 'priority areas'
  • [03] Cyprus' UN envoy calls on T/C community to take advantage of EU prospects
  • [04] Alternate foreign minister meets Romanian president
  • [05] Tsohatzopoulos meets Simitis to discuss defense revision, party
  • [06] Tsohatzopoulos denies new Patriot III missiles deal does not include operational software
  • [07] Administrative Reform Council on Interior minister's proposals
  • [08] Deputy foreign minister Niotis visits Canada
  • [09] ND leader says PM has lost control and the government is falling apart
  • [10] KKE says 'anti-terrorism' draft bill would restrict civil liberties
  • [11] KEP spokeswoman announces Avramopoulos tour, names party officials
  • [12] High growth rates create big deficits, Papantoniou says
  • [13] Gov't to unveil proposals on social security reform next month
  • [14] EU funds' inflows to total 1.3 trillion drachmas this year
  • [15] Unemployment rate falls to 11.1 percent in 2nd quarter 2000
  • [16] U.S. Ambassador promises to promote investment in Evros, northeastern Greece
  • [17] Panel discussion focuses on Central Asia energy resources, 'pipeline vision'
  • [18] Federation of Greek Tourist Enterprises calls for creation of company to advertise and promote Greece
  • [19] Federations and unions request revision of state-assessed real estate prices
  • [20] Athens Medical Group announces expansion plan
  • [21] Antenna TV gets key deal with 20th Century Fox
  • [22] ASE chairman blames international turmoil for ASE fall
  • [23] Athens bourse saw 48 new entries in 2000, tapping Dr 871.6 bln
  • [24] Greek stocks plunge on foreign selling
  • [25] Athens Academy, Athens City Council oppose Olympic rowing center at Schinias
  • [26] General Confederation of Workers of Greece holds event on 2004 Athens Olympiad
  • [27] National Medicines Organization stresses repercussions from use of medicine Arava
  • [28] AMUN event for public and private high schools
  • [29] Aegean ministry to hold conference on ministry-funded projects
  • [30] Consumer Day events to focus on food safety, INKA says
  • [31] Kaklamanis says Youth Parliament to help Hymettus reforestation
  • [32] British Minister of State says no other negotiating track except the UN peace process

  • [01] Central bank sees inflation below 3.0 pct in second half

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Greek consumer price inflation is expected to fall below 3.0 percent in the second half of 2001, dropping to the 2.0 percent stability threshold or below in 2002, barring external surprises, Bank of Greece governor Lucas Papademos said on Wednesday.

    Submitting an interim report on monetary policy for 2000-2001 to parliament, Papademos said it was the last that would fall solely under the central bank's jurisdiction, and the first following the country's entry into the euro zone on January 1 this year.

    He told a news conference that productivity and competitiveness had to show a continuous and marked improvement to allow Greece to achieve real convergence with the euro zone in a reasonable period of time, combined with price stability.

    The country's social partners should strive to attain those targets through a moderate incomes and prices policy and an attempt to keep labor costs down per product unit, the central bank governor added.

    If inflation consistently exceeded the average in member states of the European Union, competitiveness of the Greek economy would fall, with no offsetting factors.

    Papademos did not rule out a lower rate of growth in gross domestic product than the government's forecast of 4.5 percent, rising to 5.0 percent in coming years.

    Lower growth could help contain inflationary pressures but it would also lower government revenue from tax, which may decline further if the Athens Stock Exchange remains down, reducing tax from stock transactions, he said.

    Finally, a widening in the current account deficit was not expected to continue in 2001, Papademos forecast.

    According to preliminary data, the deficit almost doubled to 8.4 billion euros in January-December 2000 against 4.8 billion euros a year earlier.

    The rise in 2000 was circumstantial, with around 40 percent of the increase in the deficit due to factors including a hike in world oil prices and a sharp decline in domestic interest rates that had led to a rise in loans directed towards imports, Papademos said.

    The Bank of Greece governor is expected to address parliament's economic affairs committee on the bank's monetary policy.

    [02] FYROM foreign minister expresses appreciation for Greece's support in 'priority areas'

    SKOPJE, 15/03/2001 (ANA - M. Vichou)

    FYROM's foreign minister Srgan Kerim on Wednesday expressed appreciation for Greece's overall support, including FYROM's problems with Albanian extremists, following talks in Skopje with a visiting Greek party leader.

    "I view with particular appreciation Greece's support in the difficulties we are facing with the extremists," Kerim said after a meeting with Coalition of Left and Progress (SYN) leader Nicos Constantopoulos in the FYROM capital.

    Kerim said Greece was supportive of FYROM "in all three priority areas" set out by his country, namely advancing economic reforms, incorporation in the Euro-Atlantic structures, and regional cooperation with the Balkan countries.

    "Greek capital is helping the advancement of our economic reforms, and Greece is opening up the doors for us for entry into the European Union and NATO," Kerim told reporters after the meeting.

    With respect to regional cooperation, he said that soon there would be a meeting among the three foreign ministers of Greece, FYROM and Albania in Skopje on the issue of the Little Prespa lake.

    The prime ministers of Greece, Albania and FYROM met in the northern Greek town of Florina in February last year and declared a

    "Balkan Park of Prespes", the Balkans' first cross-border protected natural reserve in the area of Prespes Lakes, one of Greece's most important wetlands, coinciding with the celebration of International Day for Wetlands.

    The natural reserve, extending into Albanian and FYROM territory, is part of efforts to protect the quality of the lakes' waters, safeguard wildlife and bio-diversity, develop an integrated and sensitive approach to tourism in the area, and boost maintenance and promotion of traditional architecture and Byzantine and post-Byzantine monuments in the region.

    Replying to questions on the idea of "federalization", Kerim said it was "problematic" because "democracy is advanced not through federalization, and until now our model, that of a state of citizens, has been efficient".

    "It was with this model that the European Union signed the cooperation agreement with us," Kerim added.

    Also, he added, "none of the western leaders" he had spoken with in his contacts over the past two months "agree that the model of federalization would be good" for FYROM.

    [03] Cyprus' UN envoy calls on T/C community to take advantage of EU prospects

    NEW YORK, 15/03/2001 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Cyprus' permanent representative to the United Nations warned during a televised interview on a UN-sponsored TV program that globalization could prove disastrous for the Turkish Cypriot community if it remains glued to the past and oblivious to the future.

    Speaking on the latest developments over the long-standing Cyprus issue, Ambassador Sotos Zakhaios noted that the Cypriot government has long acknowledged the fact that the island republic will be a bizonal, bicommunal federation, while Nicosia desires an effective central government in the future that operates smoothly within the EU's framework.

    He also emphasized that Cyprus' projected accession to the European Union will benefit Turkish Cypriots immensely, as opposed to the present situation: the mass emigration from the Turkish-occupied areas along with import of illegal settlers from the Turkish mainland that has aggravated problems for the Turkish Cypriot community.

    [04] Alternate foreign minister meets Romanian president

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Elizabeth Papazoi, currently on an official visit to Romania, met in Bucharest on Wednesday with Romanian President Ion Iliescu and assured him of Greece's readiness to contribute to Romania's progress and procedures for accession into the European Union.

    During the meeting with the Romanian president it was underlined by both sides that Romania's and Bulgaria's accession into the European Union would constitute an element of stability and economic development throughout the region.

    Iliescu expressed his satisfaction over the development of bilateral relations and noted the important Greek presence in the investment sector.

    The Romanian president has accepted an invitation by his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos to visit Greece in the first 10 days of December.

    [05] Tsohatzopoulos meets Simitis to discuss defense revision, party

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The government's high-ranking KYSEA council for foreign affairs and defense is to meet next month to take decisions regarding the implementation of Greece's armaments procurements' program, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos announced on Wednesday, after a 1.5-hour meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    He said the meeting had focused chiefly on the operation of the defense ministry and the prospective future operation of the PASOK party.

    According to Tsohatzopoulos, the KYSEA council meeting would discuss the strategic defense revision, which will make institutional changes to the way the ministry operates, with greater interconnection between the three branches of the armed forces, and outline new responsibilities for the Armed Forces chief.

    Other issues up for discussion will be training and arms procurements. For the latter, Tsohatzopoulos said that discussion on revising the goals of arms procurement program by the military would be completed within two or three weeks.

    At the end of July last year, the government had announced a five-year (2001-2005) armaments procurement scheme for Greece's armed forces costing close to four trillion drachmas, which provided for the purchases of new tanks, transport planes and fighter jets.

    Out of the approximately 3.95 trillion drachmas earmarked to finance the armaments program, 2.25 trillion were to be borrowed and the remainder to come from the state budget. The initial proposal by the national defense ministry called for a total spending of 4.4 trillion drachmas.

    PASOK internal affairs: Commenting on his party's internal affairs, Tsohatzopoulos noted the need for PASOK to live up to its commitments to the electorate and present policies and proposals regarding problems such as development and the redistribution of wealth.

    "We don't want to shut anyone out, what's important is that we use modern strategies to deal comprehensively with joblessness, employment, social insurance, the problems of families and young people, so that we confirm PASOK's role in the modern era," he said.

    [06] Tsohatzopoulos denies new Patriot III missiles deal does not include operational software

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    National defense minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos on Wednesday denied claims that the new generation Patriot III missile systems being purchased by the Hellenic Armed Forces lacked the necessary operating software.

    In February 1999, Greece signed a purchase agreement for four US-made long-range new generation Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC 3) anti-missile systems worth 887 million US dollars with manufacturers Raytheon.

    Replying Wednesday to a question in parliament tabled by main opposition New Democracy MP Iordanis Tzamtzis "regarding the payment of the software program for the Patriot missiles" and claiming that "a company is demanding 30 billion dr. from the defense ministry for the missiles' software", Tsohatzopoulos said that the deputy had "fallen victim to misinformation" since the purchase contract stipulated that "the system will not be taken delivery of without the software", adding that such a "company and its supposed demand" were "unknown".

    The minister continued that until the cutting-edge technology Patriot-III missiles were delivered, second-hand Patriot-II systems had been made available to Greece, through the method of leasing, so that the Armed Forces could train in the systems' use in the interim period.

    Tsohatzopoulos further said that the US government had proposed to Greece that it participate, together with the other countries acquiring Patriot-III systems, in a group for the "technical support and development of the new systems", adding that the offer was "being negotiated as participation in the group entails some cost".

    Tsohatzopoulos invited Tzamtzis to attend a test of the Patriot-III system, "which only the United States, Germany, Israel and Greece have", after the ND deputy insisted that the new system was "blind".

    Replying to Tzamtzis' claim that procurement of the software would escalate the cost of the purchase, Tsohatzopoulos explained that the increase in the cost of the deal was related to use of an option in the contract for the purchase of two additional systems.

    Under the terms of the agreement signed in 1999, the total purchase program amounted to 917 million dollars (of which 887 million for the missile systems themselves), including the leasing of the Patriot-II units for three years, and would rise to 1.139 billion dollars if Greece picked up on its option for the additional two systems.

    Also under the terms of the 1999 agreement, delivery of the Patriot-III systems would begin as of September 2001 and be completed by May 2002, with all systems fully operational.

    The government anticipated at the time that offset benefits linked to the procurement deal would reach 120 percent of the total purchase value, while eight Greek public and private firms would be participating as sub-contractors in the production of other Patriot systems ordered by third countries, with that joint participation estimated at one billion dollars for expected orders for 24 Patriot units.

    [07] Administrative Reform Council on Interior minister's proposals

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The interior ministry's proposals for public sector reform were the subject of a Wednesday seminar in Athens for the National Council for Administrative Reform, a consultative body made up of ministry officials and representatives of the civil servants' union ADEDY.

    The council's brief is to discuss improvements for the operation of the civil service and make recommendations, which are not, however, binding for the government.

    The seminar was addressed by Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou, who reiterated that it would discuss issues related to upgrading public administration and the quality of services it provided, increasing its effectiveness and unifying procedures, supporting dialogue with the workforce and using new technology to govern the country.

    She particularly stressed planned improvements in approving pensions, a process that could currently take up to 10 months or even years, according to some speakers.

    The Council's conclusions based on the proposals outlined by the minister will be submitted to the Cabinet so that final decisions can be made.

    The president of the ADEDY union Spyros Papaspyros expressed the union's opposition to reducing the state's role in public administration and to policies for shrinking and limiting the public sector, such as contracting services out and privatizations.

    The union is also against changes in the way that civil servants rise up the ranks, the further reduction of public-sector activities, reducing staff in the public sector and differentiating between staff in terms of pay and prospects.

    Claiming that the civil service was the victim of a campaign to discredit it, Papaspyros called for monitoring and assessment of the planned reform policies, defining organizational structure and management models, transferring remits, greater fairness and the acceptance and utilization of trade union proposals.

    [08] Deputy foreign minister Niotis visits Canada

    MONTREAL, 15/03/2001 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

    Deputy Foreign Minister Grigoris Niotis, responsible for issues regarding overseas Hellenism, on Wednesday visited Greek community schools in Montreal.

    The Greek children showed great interest in offering their services voluntarily in participating in the organization of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    Niotis was due to meet on Wednesday with Canada's Prime Minister Jean Chretien and with Foreign Minister John Manley to discuss Greek-Canadian bilateral relations within the frame-work of NATO, the situation in the Balkans and European Union issues.

    Niotis will remain in Canada until Friday.

    [09] ND leader says PM has lost control and the government is falling apart

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday reiterated that Prime Minister Costas Simitis has lost control and that the government is falling apart.

    Karamanlis was referring to recent intraparty conflicts in the ruling PASOK party during an address at a party conference on "Quality of democracy-Institutions and transparency" in light of the party's upcoming congress.

    "The prime minister is preoccupied with the creation of impressions to show that he still exists at his post, but he takes no decisions and neither can he do so, while this is the greatest problem of a country with so many problems and such pressing needs," he said.

    Karamanlis said the government vacuum is growing by the day, adding that the rift between the government and society is widening and that the solution is up to his party.

    [10] KKE says 'anti-terrorism' draft bill would restrict civil liberties

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) formally tabled its criticism on Wednesday over the government's recently unveiled "anti-terrorism" and organized crime draft bill.

    KKE's leadership also cited "press reports" of pending legislation aimed at curbing protest marches, claiming that prior notification to authorities, videotaping of demonstrations and bans are envisioned.

    KKE leader Aleka Papariga also repeated her party's positions that the long-anticipated and controversial legislation, which was unveiled on Monday by the justice ministry, would violate citizens' civil liberties. Papariga tabled a question on the issue in Parliament, asking for a reply by the prime minister.

    One of the key provisions in the draft bill allows for DNA testing of individuals "when well-founded suspicions exist" that felonies have been committed. A magistrate would have to order the mandatory DNA testing, while any genetic material gathered and tested would subsequently be destroyed, according to the proposed bill.

    Collection of personal data, including phone conversations and videotaping of individuals' identified as suspects is also included in provisions, along with the legal framework for Greece's first-ever "witness protection program" and amnesty for members of terrorist or organized crime gangs who turn state's evidence.

    The bill comes on the heels of growing pressure to track down and convict members of the notorious "November 17" terrorist group, blamed for more than two dozen assassinations and bomb attacks dating back to the mid-70s.

    The DNA clause could be utilized for investigations into at least one "November 17", a rocket attack against the German ambassador's residence in May 1999. Bloodstains probably belonging to one of the terrorists were discovered inside a stolen vehicle used in the attack along with a wool cap.

    Besides civil liberties, critics say provisions - such as judicially approved wiretaps and police surveillance -- are already foreseen by current legislation.

    The government, meanwhile, has denied that the legislation is the product of foreign pressure or that it primarily targets terrorism, saying that organized crime, money laundering and corruption are main targets.

    [11] KEP spokeswoman announces Avramopoulos tour, names party officials

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, head of the newly formed party Movement of Free Citizens (KEP), is planning a tour of the provinces, KEP party spokesman Eliza Vozenberg said on Wednesday, during a meeting with reporters at the party's headquarters.

    She announced that Costas Triantafyllou was to be the general director of the party's new offices, and denied reports that he had resigned as "ridiculous and groundless".

    She also named Yannis Golias as head of the organizational section, Spyros Pappas as head of ideological section, George Kountouris as head of political planning section, Thomas Papanastasiou for regional policy.

    Asked how the Athens Mayor had acquired a helicopter that he used to visit Ileia over the weekend, Vozenberg said the Livanos family of shippers had supplied the helicopter.

    [12] High growth rates create big deficits, Papantoniou says

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    An economy growing at annual rates of 5.0 percent, compared with growth rates of 2-2.5 percent of its competitors, will naturally grow a big current accounts' deficit, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Economic and Social Policy Committee, Papantoniou hinted that the Greek economy could have recorded growth rates of 7.0 percent if it were not for high fuel prices and stressed that the country would continue having significant trade deficits in the next 4-6 years.

    "This is natural because all investments in the country are imported," he said.

    Papantoniou noted that ensuring funds for maintaining high growth rates in the country was one of the reasons for Greece's entry in to the eurozone.

    The meeting discussed progress of Lisbon's European Council decisions ahead of an EU summit in Stockholm at the end of March aiming to improve Europe's competitiveness.

    Papantoniou said the meeting agreed that Greece has made significant progress on the issues of employment, market deregulation, new economy and social exclusion.

    Education Minister Petros Efthimiou stressed the government's initiatives to expand the use of new technology in the economy and education.

    "Our aim is that by the end of 2001 every Greek child around the country to have access to a computer and the Internet," Papantoniou said.

    [13] Gov't to unveil proposals on social security reform next month

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The Greek government would be ready to unveil its proposals on the reform of the country's social security system early next month, Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Giannitsis said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Giannitsis dismissed recent press reports on the conclusions of a survey drafted by a UK firm on the Greek welfare system, saying the reports did not reflect the truth both in findings and conclusions of the survey.

    Giannitsis said a dialogue on the reform of the social security system would begin in April after completion of a GSEE (Greece's largest trade union umbrella) congress.

    ND asks that UK firm's report on social insurance be made public: Main opposition New Democracy deputy Dimitris Sioufas, in a question for Prime Minister Costas Simitis in Parliament on Wednesday, has asked that a report by a UK firm of consultants on overhauling the country's social insurance system be made public.

    He also asked the government to clarify whether discussion of planned reforms would be carried out on the basis of the report.

    [14] EU funds' inflows to total 1.3 trillion drachmas this year

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Funds inflows from a Third Community Support Framework program to Greece would total 1.3 trillion drachmas this year, Deputy Economy Minister Christos Pahtas said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to reporters over a process of managing and distributing EU funds, Pahtas said pre-approvals have already totalled 510 billion drachmas and that the government expected delivery of the first 500 billion drachmas, out of a total 1.3 trillion drachmas earmarked for the country this year, next month.

    [15] Unemployment rate falls to 11.1 percent in 2nd quarter 2000

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The unemployment rate fell to 11.1 percent of the workforce in the second quarter of 2000 in Greece from 12.1 percent the previous quarter, the National Statistics Service said on Wednesday.

    The NSS said that the number of unemployed people fell below 500,000 for the first time since the third quarter of 1998.

    [16] U.S. Ambassador promises to promote investment in Evros, northeastern Greece

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The U.S. Ambassador in Greece Nicolas Burns on Wednesday said he would attempt to convince American businessmen to examine investment opportunities in the Evros prefecture, northeastern Greece.

    Burns, who concluded a tour of eastern Macedonia and Thrace, with his visit to the capital of Evros, Alexandroupoli, met with the local leadership and discussed the capacity of the region to accept investment, especially in regards to existing infrastructure and cross border cooperation with Turkey and Bulgaria.

    [17] Panel discussion focuses on Central Asia energy resources, 'pipeline vision'

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The geopolitical significance of Central Asia, especially in terms of massive oil and gas reserves, was the subject of a panel discussion in Athens last week, entitled "The Geopolitics of Energy in Central Asia: A New Status Quo Emerging?"

    State-run Hellenic Petroleum (EL.PE) executive Mihalis Myrianthis focused on what he called the "great game" as related to a so-called "pipeline vision" shared by the countries in the Central Asia, most of whom gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

    He also referred to the "dubious economic viability" of the ambitious Baku-Ceyhan pipeline project - which would conceivably transport oil from the Caspian Sea to a Turkish port in the eastern Mediterranean - and to three "Balkan" options for new pipelines:

  • The Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline connecting a Bulgarian Black Sea port with a Greek outlet in the northern Aegean, a much-heralded project announced in the mid 1990s that has been plagued by disagreements within a three-nation partnership planning to build and operate it

  • The remote Burgas-Vlore option, which would conceivably run a pipeline between Bulgaria, across the southern Balkans, ending up on Albania's Adriatic coast, and,

  • An even lengthier Constanta-Trieste link, from Romania to the Italian industrial port at the northern portion of the Adriatic.

    At present, only Burgas-Alexandroupoli appears as a viable project, having attracted partial financing and investors' interest.

    Finally, Myrianthis said initial estimates of Caspian oil and gas deposits are now being "put to the test", as recent drilling appears to confirm assessments of reserves amounting to only between 12 and 30 percent of Persian Gulf deposits.

    On his part, Greek foreign ministry official Costas Schinas profiled the eight Central Asia and Caucasus states that have emerged from the USSR's breakup - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. He focused on the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in relation and the leading role, as he noted, of "ambitious regional powers," such as Russia, Turkey, Iran, the People's Republic of China and Pakistan.

    Plamen Tonchev, a researcher at the Athens-based Institute of International Economic Relations, cited what he called the explosive rise in energy demands in East and Southeast Asia, a region considered as a major future market for oil.

    "It's obvious that whatever the oil deposits in the Caspian region, they will be seen on a global scale as a strategic alternative to the Persian Gulf," he said.

    Finally, Panteion University in Athens assistant professor Konstantinos Arvanitopoulos emphasized Eurasia's importance in Washington's foreign policy agenda, detailing US positions over the past decade vis-a-vis the former Soviet Union and interests in Central Asia.

    The University of Athens geography department hosted the discussion, with noted "Kathimerini" daily columnist Giorgos Delastic moderating.

    [18] Federation of Greek Tourist Enterprises calls for creation of company to advertise and promote Greece

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The Federation of Greek Tourist Enterprises (SETE) reiterated at a press conference on Wednesday its proposal for an SA company to be created to undertake to advertise and promote Greece as a tourist destination, adding that the request is opportune in light of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

    SETE pointed out that the games are a great opportunity for Greek tourism, which should not be lost, and for this reason suitable advertising for the country abroad is necessary.

    It was added that both Spain and Australia utilized the Barcelona (1992) and Sydney (2000) Olympic Games appropriately in the tourist sector.

    SETE, following a relevant study, presented an extensive analysis of efforts made by the Spaniards and Australians to exploit the sports event for tourist reasons, drawing the attention of world public opinion to their respective countries both before and after the games.

    [19] Federations and unions request revision of state-assessed real estate prices

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Federations and unions have addressed a joint letter to the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), as well as to local administration bodies, protesting new state-assessed real estate prices recently announced.

    They claim that the new prices will be disastrous for private taxpayers, building companies and the real estate market.

    The federations and unions also call on the finance ministry to revise them, following a careful study, with regard to the repercussions they will have on the national economy and Greek society, while revised prices should take effect as of January 1, 2002.

    [20] Athens Medical Group announces expansion plan

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Athens Medical Group will expand into the primary health-care market with the creation of a network of 30 diagnostics centers around the country, which combined with the group's eight hospitals would be able to cover all health insurance programs, Vassilis Apostolopoulos, the group's vice-chairman, said on Wednesday.

    Speaking to reporters, during a press conference, Apostolopoulos also announced an agreement with Alpha Insurance for the development of a new product, called Alpha Diagnosis.

    The agreements with several diagnostics centers around the country will be signed in the next few days and will include takeovers, equity participation or franchising deals, Apostolopoulos said.

    These centers are located in Alexandroupolis, Kavala, Drama, Serres, Thessaloniki, Kozani, Katerini, Trikala, Volos, Lamia, Patras, Arta, Ioannina, Agrinio, Halkis, Corinth, Pyrgos, Tripoli, Kalamata, Rhodes, Hania and Heraklion.

    [21] Antenna TV gets key deal with 20th Century Fox

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Antenna TV SA, a leading media group, announced on Wednesday that it had signed a movie and television programming deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Limited, which will give the Greek channel access to the Fox film and television library and productions.

    The agreement, which is the first step in a developing relation-ship with News Corporation, secures exclusive access in Greece for a six year period to new features and movies produced by Fox Studios and new television series under license by Fox in Greece.

    The Fox library includes feature box office hits such as the "The Full Monty", "Independence Day", "Dr. Doolitle", "The Beach" and the "Speed 1 & 2", and consistent TV ratings winners such as "Ally McBeal", "Dharma & Greg", "The X Files" and "The Simpsons".

    Since March 1999, Antenna's ADSs have been listed on New York's NASDAQ market, and on the London Stock Exchange.

    "The Fox Studio deal guarantees the supply of block buster movie titles and top rated TV series for the Antenna Group," Theodore Kyriakou, the managing director of Antenna, said.

    "Furthermore, the deal establishes a great degree of price stability and predictability for a key component of our business. The Fox film and television library is extensive and the Antenna Group is in a good position to exploit it for Greece with consequent revenue benefits to Antenna," Kyriakou added.

    Stephen J. Cornish, senior vice president & managing director of Twentieth Century Fox International Television Distribution, said: "The Antenna Group is a leading media group in the region and we believe that together we will see growth in market share and enjoy bigger audiences for our products."

    [22] ASE chairman blames international turmoil for ASE fall

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Panagiotis Alexakis, the Athens Stock Exchange chairman, on Wednesday said a sharp drop in equity prices was a result of a turmoil in international markets.

    "Today's sharp fall of prices in the market was not a result of domestic reasons but the market was influenced from foreign bourses," Alexakis said.

    "Greek investors are resuming their confidence in the market and investors should remain calm," Alexakis noted.

    [23] Athens bourse saw 48 new entries in 2000, tapping Dr 871.6 bln

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The Athens Stock Exchange in 2000 saw the number of quoted firms increase by 48, which tapped the market for 871.6 billion drachmas, up 39 percent on 1999, Stavros Thomadakis, chairman of the capital markets commission, said on Wednesday.

    In 1999, new entries totalled 46, drawing 627.8 billion drachmas in funds, Thomadakis said.

    Cash raised from share capital increases in 2000 was 2.96 trillion drachmas, up 6.8 percent on a year earlier, despite a loss of investor interest in the Athens market.

    Fines imposed by the authorities in 2000 totalled 3.41 billion drachmas, up from 1.074 billion drachmas in 1999, marking a 217.61 percent increase, Thomadakis said.

    [24] Greek stocks plunge on foreign selling

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Equity prices ended Wednesday's session sharply lower on the Athens Stock Exchange hit by waves of selling in the last hour of trading following sharp losses in other European markets.

    Traders said signs of a new fall in US markets (based on pre-opening trends in the Dow Jones and Nasdaq index contracts) undermined sentiment in Europe and led foreign institutional investors to heavy selling in blue chip stocks in the Greek market, particularly telecommunications stocks.

    The general index dropped below the 3,100 level for the first time in the last 25 sessions, dramatically reversing an early advance, which pushed the index at 3,283.33 points during the session.

    Trade was extremely volatile with several share prices swinging from the day's 12 percent limit up to the day's 12 percent limit down at the close.

    The general index ended 5.19 percent lower at 3,063.69 points, with turnover a heavy 502.60 million euros, or 171.26 billion drachmas, of which 12.17 million euros accounted for pre-agreed block trades.

    The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 4.27 percent lower at 1,750.13 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index plunged 7.20 percent to 367.55 points.

    Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,543.56 -3.27% Telecoms: 995.54 -5.57% Insurance: 1,402.12 -3.98% Investment: 1,243.35 -5.76% Construction: 1,407.75 -10.59% Industrials: 1,910.56 -5.66% Holding: 3,410.97 -6.96% Base metals: 989.85 -5.86% Minerals: 1,020.67 -4.20% Publishing: 962.94 -9.64% Textiles: 1,192.46 -10.97% Retailing: 1,114. -9.29% IT: 1,037.16 -10.09% IT solutions: 996.97 -10.97%

    The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 332.63 points, off 8.97 percent.

    Broadly, decliners led advancers by 345 to 13 with another two issues unchanged.

    Leading share closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 37.80 Alpha Bank: 29.66 Commercial Bank: 48.50 Eurobank: 19.60 Piraeus Bank: 13.66 Lambrakis Press: 12.24 Altec: 6.82 Intrasoft: 11.42 Titan Cement (c): 38.28 Hellenic Telecoms: 15.00 Panafon: 6.40 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.20 Attica Enterprises: 7.40 Intracom: 20.46 Mytilineos: 8.04 Minoan Lines: 4.62 Viohalco: 9.64 Coca Cola: 17.02

    Bond prices rise in record trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in record-breaking trade.

    The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.27 percent from 5.29 percent a day earlier.

    The yield spread over German bunds was 58 basis points from 55 basis points in the previous session

    Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled a record 1.755 billion euros (598 billion drachmas) for the market from 1.2 billion euros (427.6 billion drachmas) in trade the day before.

    Buy orders accounted for 1.214 billion euros of turnover.

    [25] Athens Academy, Athens City Council oppose Olympic rowing center at Schinias

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The Athens Academy and the Athens Municipality on Wednesday sided with environmentalists in opposing the construction of an Olympic rowing center for the 2004 Athens Games at Schinias, near Marathon.

    In a statement, the Academy said it had addressed a letter to premier Costas Simitis, dated January 26, 2001, "setting out the reasons why the construction of the Olympic Rowing Center in the Marathon-Schinias area must be averted".

    The spokesman of the municipality, during a joint press conference of environmental groups, said that the Municipality Council of Athens decided to notify the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Commission that the city of Athens was opposed to the construction of the rowing center in Marathon.

    In addition, representatives of the Academy said it had put forward its opinion by virtue of Article 1, paragraph 3 of its Statutes, setting out as a purpose of the Academy the presentation of "consultative opinions, proposals, decisions and judgments to provide enlightenment and guidance on the relevant works of the government and other authorities, and in general to serve the public and private needs of the country".

    Objections to use of the site as the venue for Olympic rowing and canoeing events have also been put forward by the Archaeological Society -- on the grounds that the site is historically significant because of its link with the ancient battlefield of Marathon, where the Athenians drove back a Persian invasion in the 5th century B.C. -- and by environmental groups, including WWF-Hellas, which claim it will cause irreversible damage to the ecosystem of the Schinias wetland, on the outer rim of the Marathon district, and one of the last remaining such habitats in Attica.

    In a reply to the Archaeological Society in February, culture minister Evangelos Venizelos argued that the site chosen does not overlap any listed archaeological site, nor any area within the A or B protection zones, nor any site listed and protected as a historic landscape.

    Venizelos further argued that up until a few weeks earlier, the site had been occupied by the Flying Club's airfield, built in 1953, and the rowing center would be constructed precisely on the spot occupied by the runway.

    He said the airfield was built there soon after World War II and operated until recently with light aircraft belonging to the Flying Club and private owners - at some cost to the environment. During the '50s, the area was also home to a US military base, while smaller Greek military facilities had also altered the landscape and caused serious problems to the survival of many rare species, the minister said.

    [26] General Confederation of Workers of Greece holds event on 2004 Athens Olympiad

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) on Wednesday organized an event on "2004 Olympic Games, workers and volunteerism" at a downtown Athens hotel where its 30th congress will get underway on Thursday.

    Speakers referred to the significance of volunteerism for the successful holding of the games and to new prospects existing both for the opening of the labor market and the ideological upgrading of the games.

    Deputy Culture Minister George Floridis expressed satisfaction over GSEE's active participation in the organizing process and added that "this huge undertaking will be led to the best possible result."

    Floridis said 60,000 volunteers for the Olympic Games will be trained and provided with abilities enabling them to become a specialized productive force in the country.

    GSEE President Christos Polyzogopoulos said "if we want the Olympic Games to constitute a national vision then their holding, and through volunteerism as well, should constitute a kind of a huge training program both inside and outside workplaces."

    Earlier, he clarified that GSEE's targets include the dissemination and development of volunteerism through its bodies. However, he added that careful planning is necessary for the full consent of all labor unions involved, as well as of the remaining social forces.

    [27] National Medicines Organization stresses repercussions from use of medicine Arava

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The National Medicines Organization (EOF) on Wednesday announced that the medicine named Arava, in circulation over the past six months, is reportedly related to cases of serious harming of the liver such as hepatitis and other deficiencies of the liver. Despite the fact all these cases cannot be attributed to the use of the medicine with certainty, since some patients also took other medicines as well, EOF points out that the use of the medicine is not indicated in cases of liver malfunctions.

    EOF added that before treatment is started a check of liver enzymes should be conducted and continued during regular periods throughout the entire treatment process.

    [28] AMUN event for public and private high schools

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    The United Nations Information Center in Athens in a press release on Wednesday said it is organizing its Fourth Athens Model United Nations (AMUN) for public and private high schools on Thursday.

    The keynote address at the opening ceremony will be delivered by Education Minister Petros Efthymiou and remarks made by Canadian Ambassador David Hutton and Tunisian Ambassador Ali Hachani who will share their UN experiences with the students.

    A total of 250 students from a record number of 45 high schools, will be representing 45 member states of the United Nations, in a simulation exercise of a United Nations General Assembly.

    Subjects on the agenda will include UN relations with regional organizations, the situation in Central America, the situation in the region of the Caucasus, sustainable development and international economic cooperation, human rights questions and the prevention of the arms race in outer space.

    [29] Aegean ministry to hold conference on ministry-funded projects

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    A three-day conference focusing on the Aegean ministry's contribution to the research and promotion of the Aegean Sea's culture, organized by the ministry itself, is to begin in Athens on April 5-7.

    Fifty scientists and academics, including archaeologists, architects, geologists and paleontologists will take part and make presentations of some 80 projects carried out with Aegean ministry funding.

    [30] Consumer Day events to focus on food safety, INKA says

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    International Consumer Day on Thursday will be dedicated to food safety and quality, according to the president of the Athens-based consumer organization INKA, Haralambos Kouris.

    During a press conference in Athens on Wednesday, Kouris stressed the dangers to public health and safety and claimed that the state's system for monitoring markets was "crumbling" with over 117,000 complaints concerning food safety and quality.

    He said that Consumer Day would be marked by events throughout the world on Thursday to inform the public, while INKA has organized a conference where individual citizens and organizations will be awarded for their activities. After this a "Consumer Information" exhibition is to be inaugurated, while similar events are planned for Athens' Klafthmonos Square and in Thessaloniki.

    He also announced an event organized by the European Commission in honor of Consumer Day, again on food safety and quality.

    [31] Kaklamanis says Youth Parliament to help Hymettus reforestation

    Athens, 15/03/2001 (ANA)

    Parliament speaker Apostolos Kaklamanis said on Wednesday that the 350 school students participating in the annual Youth Parliament would 'adopt' the ravaged forest on Hymettus and participate in its reforestation through tree-planting excursions.

    Kaklamanis and a delegation of parliamentary deputies were taking part in a tree planting organized by the MP Volunteers Committee, the Attica Regional Authority, the Hymettus Protection-Development Association and the Ilioupolis municipality.

    The Parliament speaker also paid homage to the three members of the fire brigade and a volunteer fire fighter that lost their lives while trying to put out fires on the mountain in 1998, laying a wreath on a monument for fallen fire-fighters.

    [32] British Minister of State says no other negotiating track except the UN peace process

    NICOSIA, 15/03/2001 (CNA/ANA)

    British Minister of State Keith Vaz has said there is no other negotiating track except the UN peace process and urged Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to return to the negotiating table, which he abandoned last November.

    Speaking at a press conference attended by Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot journalists, after his meetings here, Vaz said British support for Cyprus' accession to the European Union is "unequivocal" and pledged continuing action to see the case of illegally detained Greek Cypriot Panicos Tziakourmas resolved without interference in what he called "the due process of law" in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus.

    The British official, who held a one-day talks on the island, was received on Wednesday morning by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and held talks with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides. He had also a meeting with Denktash in the Turkish-occupied northern part.

    Replying to questions at the press conference held at the Ledra Palace hotel situated in the UN-controlled buffer zone in Nicosia, Vaz said Britain's message on the need to see the talks continue was made abundantly clear to the Denktash whom he urged to return to the negotiating table. "We have to give the proximity talks the opportunity to be successful, if this does not happen, it causes difficulty," he said, noting that Denktash "set out the position that he had set out before".

    Commenting on Cyprus' EU, he said "we would like to see a settlement before accession but that is not a precondition and our support to Cyprus' accession is unequivocal."

    Britain is Cyprus' best friend in the European Union and wants to ensure that it joins the EU as soon as possible, Vaz said after a working lunch with Kasoulides, noting that Cyprus is doing extremely well and has closed more chapters than any other candidate country.

    The British minister responsible for European affairs said he reaffirmed London's commitment to the UN-led proximity talks, which should continue as soon as possible.

    In his remarks, Kasoulides said he had "a very good opportunity to explain our positions on the efforts for a united country, the effort to join the European Union and other issues of bilateral interest and of common interest", expressing pleasure that he had the chance to hear the position of the UK on the above issues.


    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 v2.01 run on Thursday, 15 March 2001 - 15:00:19 UTC