Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU defense ministers discuss military potential

[02] EU's 15 FMs discuss Mideast, relations with Iran

[03] Deputy Defense minister to visit Bulgaria

[04] Magriotis in Tunisia, Libya this week

[05] PASOK's Executive Bureau to meet on Tuesday

[06] Environment minister outlines national plan for solid waste management

[07] Metropolitan Savvas of Warsaw begins official visit to Greece

[08] Athens mayor meets Pope John Paul

[09] Greece absorbed 97 pct of EU funds in 2001

[10] Gov't rules out extra fare hikes in passenger shipping for 2002

[11] Greek real farm prices up 8.3 percent in 4th quarter 2001

[12] Greece, Cyprus to tighten links in tourism, energy

[13] EU earmarks 71.2 mln euro for Greece-Cyprus border program

[14] Targets set for tax overhaul

[15] Olympic Airways to retire Boeing 737-200s in fall

[16] EU okays border cooperation plan between Greece,

[17] Greece most popular holiday destination for FYROM citizens

[18] Greek state bond prices slightly up in April

[19] Greek stocks end slightly up on Monday

[20] Results of Olympiad volunteerism program satisfactory

[21] 'The Nation' publisher Navasky in Athens this week

[22] Cyprus hopes Annan's visit would create momentum in peace effort

[23] US: progress towards comprehensive settlement can take various forms

[24] Cyprus satisfied with EU decision on Palestinians

[01] EU defense ministers discuss military potential

BRUSSELS, 14/05/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Greece will undertake the presidency in the defense sector as of July 1, 2002, since Denmark, which will hold the EU presidency during the second half of the current year, does not participate in European defense policy.

Papantoniou attributed a historic character to the first official meeting of EU defense ministers, in parallel with foreign ministers, saying that in this way the European defense identity is strengthened as an element equal to common foreign policy.

The Defense Council also discussed the creation of a permanent apparatus for deploying military potential, based on a proposal by Britain, which does not include Cyprus and Malta because they do not participate in cooperation for peace agreements with NATO, resulting in Papantoniou disagreeing and expressing reservations on the British text.

Papantoniou termed the issue ''technical'' primarily although it does not lack, as he said, political substance. However, he clarified that it has no relation whatsoever with the pending issue of the so-called Euro army which concerns the EU's relations with NATO and on which the Greek position remains unchanged.

Both Papantoniou and Foreign Minister George Papandreou were subjected to ''pressures'' from their European counterparts to lift their objection to the Ankara agreement concluded by the United States and Britain which allows Turkey to jointly decide on the EU's operational planning, without being a member of the EU, while at the same time excluding the Aegean and Cyprus from the field of action of the European rapid deployment force, but as the two ministers said ''Greece insists on its position.''

Papantoniou and Papandreou said consultations between the EU's foreign policy and defense high commissioner Javier Solana and the Spanish EU presidency and NATO secretary Lord Robertson are continuing in a constructive way without, however, there being ''anything new'' so far.

''We cannot accept the Ankara text,'' Papantoniou reiterated, while Papandreou mentioned that the foreign ministers of Austria, Luxembourg and Finland acknowledged the significance of commitments the EU is undertaking with this settlement, as well as Greek objections on the extra institutional process with which it was shaped.

The Council also examined the EU's armaments policy, which does not exceed 1-1.5 percent of the member-states' GDP, with the exception of Greece whose defense expenditures amount to 5 percent of GDP, compared to the United States where they are in the region of 3 percent of GDP.

Papantoniou went on to say that it will be difficult for Europe's defense identity to be strengthened and its voice and influence boosted when it provides half the expenditures on armaments compared to the United States and, in parallel, it is also in danger of widening the gap at defense technology level as well.

In this context, the EU's defense ministers examined ways of facilitating the process of backing armaments with flexible forms of financing through leasing contracts.

[02] EU's 15 FMs discuss Mideast, relations with Iran

BRUSSELS, 14/05/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Regarding the Middle East, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Ireland were the only EU members that stated their willingness to accept on their soil the 13 Palestinians exiled from the Middle East after the month-long standoff at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem.

Papandreou said that the 13 will depart from Cyprus, where they are staying temporarily, to the countries that will host them as soon as possible and probably by the end of the week.

In this light, diplomats from the EU's member-states will continue to discuss the final official status of the 13 exiles, attempting to resolve legal and technical problems that arose.

Papandreou appeared guardedly optimistic concerning developments in the Middle East, but called the decision by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's ruling party to vote against the creation of a Palestinian state negative.

Concerning Iran, the 15 ministers did not reach an agreement as to the character of the cooperation agreement between the EU and that country, as some countries - including Greece - supported the signing of an agreement on trade, while other member-states supported the idea of a wider agreement with political ramifications.

The final decision on this agreement was postponed for June, while until then the European Commission will study alternatives.

The 15 also discussed the EU's economic relations with the so-called developing nations as well as the EU's strategy for next year, while Greece, via Papandreou, tabled the issue of the EU's relations with Romania and Bulgaria, in light of the first wave of enlargement, calling for a strong message to be sent to both concerning their prospects of entry to the EU and proposed economic support for their efforts.

Finally, Papandreou met with European Commissioner Michel Barnier and discussed the course of talks over the future of Europe.

The French EU Commissioner also signed the proposal for an international truce during the Olympic Games.

Cyprus' EU accession, solution of Cyprus problem and Euro army issues not linked: Cyprus' accession to the European Union, the solution of the Cyprus problem and the European army are three different issues, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Monday in reply to a question whether they are linked.

The spokesman expressed the hope that these three issues will be concluded during Greece's EU presidency in the first half of 2003. He acknowledged there were difficulties in these issues but that they would be overcome.

[03] Deputy Defense minister to visit Bulgaria

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Apostolidis returns to Greece on Wednesday.

[04] Magriotis in Tunisia, Libya this week

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The Greek deputy minister is expected to meet with the leaderships in both Maghreb countries, with talks expected to cover - besides the Middle East situation -- bilateral relations, Euro-Mediterranean cooperation and other international issues.

[05] PASOK's Executive Bureau to meet on Tuesday

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Simitis and PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis met at the Maximos Mansion on Monday and discussed the issue of the organizational conference.

[06] Environment minister outlines national plan for solid waste management

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The minister also announced works to expand the existing landfill site at Ano Liosia and warned regional government in east Attica to choose a site for a sanitary landfill by the end of the year or have the ministry's choice imposed on them by act of law.

Under its updated plan for waste management, the government will seek to gradually reduce the amount of biodegradable waste that ends up in sanitary landfill sites, enforce strict adherence to environmental protection regulations, and introduce mandatory alternatives for managing solid wastes, such as recycling and reuse.

The minister said that 264 million euros of European Union and national funds had so far been spent on studies, the construction and operation of existing sanitary landfill sites, waste reloading stations, mechanical burial and composting centers, recycling programs and related activities.

Papandreou said a further 483 million euros would be spent under the new program to modernize waste management systems throughout the country, creating an estimated 3,000 new jobs. She also announced initiatives to encourage private investment in the recycling and waste reuse industries, with which the government hoped to attract private investment exceeding 88 million euros.

Another government objective was the steady reduction of uncontrolled landfill sites, which had already been reduced from 6,500 in 1997 to 1,455 at present, Papandreou said.

The minister said this work was continuing in 2002 with the help of local authorities, while the final aim was to have just one landfill sites per municipality. The ministry expected to have cut down the number of uncontrolled landfills in Greece to 1,000 by 2003 and none at all by 2006, she added.

[07] Metropolitan Savvas of Warsaw begins official visit to Greece

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

He was met at Athens airport by Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, members of the Holy Synod, government officials and the Polish ambassador to Athens.

Following the Metropolitan's arrival, a service was held at Athens Cathedral.

Receiving Metropolitan Savvas, Archbishop Christodoulos referred to the bonds of friendship he has with the Polish Orthodox faithful and stressed that Europe needed Orthodox spiritualism.

On his part, the Metropolitan of Warsaw referred to close cooperation existing between the Church of Poland and the Church of Greece and expressed his pleasure for visiting Greece.

Metropolitan Savvas will depart for Warsaw on May 20.

[08] Athens mayor meets Pope John Paul

II ROME, 14/05/2002 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

Avramopoulos gave the Pope, with whom he discussed the Pontiff's visit to Athens last year, the gold medal of the city of Athens and in return received the Vatican medal.

Avramopoulos also met with Rome Mayor Valter Veltroni with whom he signed a friendship and cooperation protocol.

He addressed the International Mayors Conference ''Global Forum'', organized by the municipality of Rome and attended by mayors from 25 major cities in the world, as well as by Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and representatives of the Palestinian Authority.

Avramopoulos also met former Rome Mayor and current Eurodeputy and president of the ''Margarita'' party Francesco Rutelli and invited him to visit Athens.

[09] Greece absorbed 97 pct of EU funds in 2001

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Mr. Pahtas said he was satisfied with the implementation process of the 3rd CSF and noted that the Greek government has already secured 31 percent of forecast spending in the program.

Pahtas said that there were programs implemented with very satisfactory rates and others with less satisfactory rates.

He said that the ministry would soon announce programs and actions to support new farmers, to promote information techno-logy and to create a navigation support information system.

[10] Gov't rules out extra fare hikes in passenger shipping for 2002

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Speaking from the Cretan port city of Hania, Minister George Anomeritis said only a 5-percent increase in fares is foreseen after May 15, followed by a 6-percent increase after Nov. 1. Other fare hikes are nevertheless foreseen for individual vessels built within the last decade as an incentive to replace Greek coastal shippers' ageing fleet with more modern vessels.

He added that despite the pending lifting of cabotage - deregulation of sea transports in the domestic market -- passenger fares will still be determined by the ministry, as least in the economy class.

[11] Greek real farm prices up 8.3 percent in 4th quarter 2001

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The EU's statistics agency said that vegetable produce real prices rose 10.5 percent and animal product prices increased by 3.4 percent in the October-December 2001 prices in Greece, compared with 0.9 percent increase in the EU-15 average real farm prices and a 0.6 percent average increase in eurozone members.

Real farm prices rose in eight EU countries, with price increases ranging from 0.1 percent in Germany to 8.3 percent in Greece. Real farm prices fell in seven EU countries, ranging from -0.3 percent in Denmark to -7.1 percent in Portugal.

In the fourth quarter of 2001, real farm prices in fresh produce rose 4.3 percent, while animal product prices eased by 2.3 percent over the same period in the EU-15.

[12] Greece, Cyprus to tighten links in tourism, energy

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos was speaking after a meeting in Athens with the Cypriot minister for trade, industry and tourism, Nikos Rolandis.

The two sides discussed creation of a framework of economic, social and environmental development, and signed a bilateral cooperation protocol.

Among points agreed were the opportunity to boost links between the two countries' national tourism organizations, Tsohatzopoulos added.

[13] EU earmarks 71.2 mln euro for Greece-Cyprus border program

BRUSSELS, 14/05/2002 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Commenting on the decision, European Commissioner for regional policy Michel Barnier said the program was an important tool for Greece and Cyprus in view of Cyprus' accession to the Community.

''It provides Cyprus an opportunity to benefit, as have the other candidate countries, from the experience of cross-border cooperation with countries that regions within the EU with which it shares borders,'' he added.

The Community's contribution to the program will be 47 million euros, while a further 15.7 million euros will be paid out from public coffers and 8.5 million euros will be contributed by the private sector.

The aim of the program is to improve cross-border infrastructure, such as ports, customs facilities and security infrastructure at the borders, boost economic development and employment through cooperation between businesses, universities and the introduction of new technologies, and upgrade the quality of life through initiatives for health care and the environment, such as the exchange of know-how and technical support and through additional funds for cultural events and tourism.

[14] Targets set for tax overhaul

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

Among the main objectives should be a reduction in red tape and intelligibility to the public, companies and public administration, the finance ministry said in a statement.

Other goals were social equity, especially for the salaried and pensioners; and boosting business activity and competitiveness of the economy, with incentives for sustainable development, the statement said.

The new tax system should also aid the government's policy of job creation, and help avert job losses.

In conjunction with the overhaul, tax evasion should be tackled decisively; and the tax base widened.

The representatives, working as the social dialogue committee, are due to submit their recommendations to the government in June, which will take them into account in drafting its final measures for implementation in 2003.

[15] Olympic Airways to retire Boeing 737-200s in fall

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The national carrier issued a statement on the issue responding to press reports over an alleged request by the country's transport ministry to the European Commission for extending a deadline in the withdrawal of these aircraft.

Olympic Airways operates only three out of a total of 11 Boeing 737-200 aircraft in its fleet, under the highest safety standards. OA said that the company had notified EU authorities seven months ago over its intention to end the use of this type of aircraft after completing its summer flight schedule.

[16] EU okays border cooperation plan between Greece,

FYROM BRUSSELS, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The two countries are to receive funding of 73 million euros, which will be given to Greece through the EU's Interreg III initiative and to FYROM through the Cards program for reconstruction, growth and stabilization in western Balkan countries, the Commission said in a statement.

The overall program will bring another 24.3 million euros in investment from the public sector and 6.0 million euros from the private sector, the statement said.

The plan aims to step up cross-border cooperation and sustainable development for the regional economy.

[17] Greece most popular holiday destination for FYROM citizens

SKOPJE, 14/05/2002 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

The result is that there are many queues daily outside the Liaison Office in Skopje. Some people wait for as long as 48 hours.

Skopje's newspaper ''Best'' dedicated a front-page article on the issue on Monday, noting that many who did not desire to stand in long queues paid other people to stand in for them.

[18] Greek state bond prices slightly up in April

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The central bank, in its monthly report, said that the 15-year bond price, ending January 11, 2014, recorded the biggest monthly increase, 99 basis points, to 107.99 at the end of April, while the three-year bond, the smallest monthly rise, 29 bps, to 100.30. The 10-year benchmark state bond ended the month at 98.36 (yielding 5.47 percent), from 97.47 (5.58 percent) in March.

The report attributed the slight decline in yields to a steeper yield curve in the domestic market, as investors were beginning to discount a change in monetary policy in the eurozone by next fall. The yield spread between three- and 20-year bonds widened to 129 basis points from 124 bps in March.

The value of transactions in April exceeded 38 billion euros, slightly up compared with March's figure (37.3 billion euros).

Investors' interest focused on short-term securities, with a maturity less than 10 years, which accounted for 72 percent of total turnover, of which 46 percent were bids and 54 percent offers. The five-year bond (April 19, 2007) was the most heavily traded security, accounting of 9.41 percent of total turnover, followed by the 10-year bond (May 18, 2012), which accounted for 8.34 percent of total turnover in April.

[19] Greek stocks end slightly up on Monday

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.18 percent up at 2,325.04 points, with turnover an improved 116.6 million euros.

The IT Solution, Bank and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.62 percent, 1.19 percent and 0.80 percent, respectively), while the Publication, Telecommunication and Wholesale sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.85 percent, 0.36 percent and 0.30 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.55 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.13 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.04 percent.

Broadly, decliners narrowly led advancers by 149 to 147 with another 61 issues unchanged.

Among the most heavily traded shares in value were Vodafone, National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Intracom and Hellenic Telecoms.

Equity index futures at discount: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished at discount in heavy trade on Monday with players reacting cautiously to the underlying market's short-term outlook in the wake of several rises.

Turnover was 102.4 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.55 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.04 per-cent.

Bond prices drop in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished lower in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.53 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 2.6 billion euros.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of trade.

[20] Results of Olympiad volunteerism program satisfactory

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

According to information provided by ATHOC, about 200,000 Greeks have received applications and are in contact with it, while what is considerable is the participation of young people from all over the country.

However, Organizing Committee sources pointed out, following the furor created by a report on incentives for volunteers that the Olympic Games should be kept away from political expediency from wherever it may come and the Olympic ideal should be observed to the letter in this sector as well.

Meanwhile, ATHOC President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki will head a group of Olympic medallists and Organizing Committee members in a visit to Thrace, northern Greece, on May 17-19 as part of visits to promote volunteerism and mobilize the entire population for the Olympic Games.

[21] 'The Nation' publisher Navasky in Athens this week

Athens, 14/05/2002 (ANA)

On Monday, the Columbia University journalism professor will speak at the University of Athens on the issue of "Neo-McCarthyism: The 'Black List, Now and Then". On Tuesday, meanwhile, he will address an audience at the Panteios University on the timely issue of "Terrorism and Democracy".

Navasky, a guest of the general press secretariat and the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists' Unions (POESY), will also be received by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos on Tuesday morning.

[22] Cyprus hopes Annan's visit would create momentum in peace effort

NICOSIA, 14/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Monday that he anticipates that Annan would apply his diplomatic and political skills, afforded to him by his high post, to move the peace talks forward quickly. ''The Secretary General does not intend to submit any plan for a solution. We believe that the meaning and the objective of his presence here is to create a momentum in the peace process to assist the process out of the current difficult phase,'' Papapetrou said.

The spokesman said that the Secretary General and the UN have at their disposal ''diplomatic, political means to promote their goals, which in this case is to make headway in the peace process and do it fast.''

''We expect the Secretary General to apply these possibilities available to him towards this direction,'' Papapetrou said.

Replying to questions, he said that the government is not of the view that during the visit there will be statements similar to some past remarks. In September 2000, President Clerides sought and got clarifications on a UN statement by Annan regarding the equal status of the two parties involved in the talks.

Invited to comment on public criticism Denktash has had from Turkish vice president Mesut Yilmaz, the spokesman said the government believes that Turkey is approaching a time when it will have to decide whether it wishes to continue with its European prospects or carry on with its occupation of Cyprus' northern areas.

''The government, without underestimating the importance of such public remarks, is not interested in what people say in their speeches but in what is submitted at the negotiating table,'' he said, only to add ''and what we see at the table is unacceptable.''

Yilmaz called on Denktash to be more conciliatory at the talks and said a paper on a prospective solution, the Turkish Cypriot leader put forward, is not good enough.

He also warned that if Turkey misses the European Union train, in ten years' time Turkish military will outnumber the Turkish Cypriots in occupied Cyprus.

UN-led direct talks began on 16 January here and so far expectations for a breakthrough by the June target date have been dashed by unacceptable demands for two separate states put forward by Denktash.

The Security Council called on both sides, but ''in particular the Turkish side'' to cooperate fully with Alvaro de Soto in solving their differences. Papapetrou said the Secretary General arrives late Tuesday evening and on Wednesday morning he would meet President Glafcos Clerides and then the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community Rauf Denktash.

Later the same day, he would have a joint meeting with the two leaders at the UN administered area in Nicosia airport (defunct since the 1974 Turkish invasion) and in the evening he would host a dinner for Clerides and Denktash at the residence of his acting special representative and chief of mission Zbigniew Wlosowicz.

Present at these meeting will be Annan's special adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, who has been on the island since mid January, conducting the direct talks.

On Thursday before leaving Annan would visit the UN peacekeeping force, stationed on the island since March 1964.

[23] US: progress towards comprehensive settlement can take various forms

NICOSIA, 14/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Bandler also said that Tuesday's visit to the island by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan offers the chance to ''catalyze some of that political will that is needed to begin getting tangible results.''

Speaking after an hour-long meeting with President Glafcos Clerides, he said ''we had a fairly long and broad ranging meeting, we touched upon a number of subjects and the Cyprus problem is one of them.''

''We are looking forward to the visit of the Secretary General coming up, it is an important visit, an opportunity to forge some progress towards a comprehensive solution that we would like to see,'' he said.

Invited to give his interpretation to statements that ''tangible results'' by June are expected, the Ambassador said ''something tangible gives the sense of something real, something concrete, some real movement, we want real movement towards a comprehensive settlement, we want it as soon as possible.''

''Our long standing policy is to get a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem,'' he said, but pointed out that ''any negotiation does not get resolved overnight, it goes step by step and there are a series of steps, one thing is resolved, the next thing is resolved, generally through a give and take process.''

Asked if an agreement on the framework of the solution would be acceptable, he said that ''progress on the core issues (would be acceptable), progress towards a comprehensive solution can take various forms.''

On the realistic expectations of Annan's visit, the US Ambassador said the Secretary General will have ''serious conversations with the two leaders in the direction we have said.''

''He is a very important international figure, he is working on this problem, he has the good offices mission and we think this is a good chance to catalyze some of that political will that is needed to begin getting these tangible results,'' he said.

Replying to questions, he said ''persuasion and self interest'' is a good start to make headway.

[24] Cyprus satisfied with EU decision on Palestinians

NICOSIA, 14/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

"The decision of the General Affairs Council of the EU satisfies the government of Cyprus in the sense that the decision of a longer term relocation of the 13 Palestinians from Cyprus to EU member states has been taken", Kasoulides told the press.

He added that after arrangements, the transfer of the 13 Palestinians would be over in a few days.

"I hope that in a period of one week the transfer of the 13 Palestinians from Cyprus to countries of longer term temporary destinations will take place", Kasoulides stated.

He clarified that the days needed to make the relocation p

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