Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-18

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] Gov't: Developments on Cyprus issue no cause for optimism

[02] Cypriot minister: Island republic a front-runner in EU accession bid

[03] Terrorism, poverty and drugs are global problems, Yiannitsis says

[04] Greek Alternate FM addresses EU-Latin America summit in Spain

[05] Greek EU Commissioner defends Athens' stance on EU force

[06] EU member-states reps decide in principle on fate of 13 Palestinian exiles

[07] DM satisfied with high level of air force's readiness

[08] NATO's Southern Region Commander visits Tyrnavos NATO HQ

[09] Suspicious package in NATO's HQ in Tyrnavos proves innocuous

[10] Lithuanian President meets with Macedonia-Thrace Minister

[11] PM to meet with opposition party leaders late next week

[12] Karamanlis sternly warns against abolition of ASEP

[13] PM Simitis, KKE leader Papariga on civilian-clothed policemen at rallies

[14] Genocide of Pontian Greeks remembered, Kaklamanis to deliver speech on Sunday

[15] Ministry organizes inspection of Athens public works by MPs

[16] Gov't spokesman on Eurobarometer findings regarding xenophobia

[17] Forum examines situation in Balkans

[18] Gov't Announces Plan to solve social security system funding

[19] Greece has 42 companies in the world league of clothing and textile enterprises

[20] Lithuanian President urges Greek businessmen to invest in his country

[21] Gov't fires head of Greek Center

[22] Large delegation of Chinese officials in Greece this week

[23] Egnatia Way set for completion in 2004

[24] ATHENS 2004 ATHOC President visits Thrace, calls for volunteers

[01] Gov't: Developments on Cyprus issue no cause for optimism

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

According to Protopapas, the Turkish-Cypriot side appeared to be intransigent at this time and this was also bad for Turkey, which would have to deal with the negative repercussions of its stance in the positions of international organizations.

Athens was continuing with its strategy as planned, while a meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis next Wednesday had been arranged in view of the emerging dangers for the progress of talks on the Cyprus issue, the spokesman added.

Regarding the attempts of Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to hold up Cyprus' accession to the European Union, Protopapas stressed that the Turkish-Cypriot side's efforts were no secret but nor was the EU's evaluation that Cyprus' accession would go through successfully (as recently expressed by the European Commissioner for enlargement) or the determination of the Greek government that this should take place.

Asked about an emerging shift toward the right in European countries and what effect this might have on foreign policy issues important to Greece, Protopapas denied that there was any cause for concern on foreign policy issues, though he conceded that the "rise to power of parties that did not respect the European social model and diversity" might be a source of worry for Europeans generally, especially for the European Left.

[02] Cypriot minister: Island republic a front-runner in EU accession bid

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

To make his point, Rolandis said EU citizens already travel to the east Mediterranean island by presenting only a simple identification card.

Were completely ready for EU accession. Cyprus is the only country out of the candidates-states with the misfortune of having a robust economy. Thats why it (Cyprus) hasnt received nary a euro from the Communitys coffers towards its convergence with the European Union, Rolandis said, adding:

Cyprus also features a higher per capita income that many current members, in fact (i.e. Greece, Ireland, Portugal).

Referring to the long-time Cyprus problem, the minister simply noted Nicosias standing hope that accession will inevitably lead to a resolution of Turkeys occupation of a third of the island republics territory.

Regarding regional cooperation in the energy field, Rolandis said Cyprus is holding discussions with Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Syria, while the largest desalinization plant in the Mediterranean a Cypriot-Israeli project has already opened in Larnaca with a second planned.

[03] Terrorism, poverty and drugs are global problems, Yiannitsis says

Madrid, 18/05/02 (ANA - E. Boukaouri)

Yiannitsis, who is representing Greece at the European Union summit with Latin American and Caribbean countries taking place on Friday and Saturday, was speaking at a press conference for Greek reporters.

Referring to discussions held during the summit's sessions, Yiannitsis said that apart from different understandings and approaches existing, there are many common denominators between EU and Latin America.

He added that Latin America is a part of the world plagued by poverty and instability, which is pressing persistently for an opening of EU markets.

Yiannitsis said Prime Minister Costas Simitis did not attend the summit due to a heavy work program, adding that heads of states having far greater interests in Latin America attended the summit for only a short while, arriving late on Friday to make their address and leaving early in the afternoon.

He said important proposals submitted at the talks included the will to strengthen the European Investments Bank to have available funds increased for investments in Latin America, as well as a proposal by Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker on the Eurozone creating a system of intervention against speculation worldwide.

Other issues discussed was the handling of U.S. protectionism and issues concerning support through the opening of European markets for Latin American countries. The general will also existed to further widen cooperation.

Replying to a question by the Athens News Agency (ANA) on the summit's special significance for Greek interests, Yiannitsis said Greece is extremely liked in Latin America and that the good relation existing might not be conveyed to direct economic benefits but has importance for certain policy issues, such as the common position on the Cyprus issue or the Balkans. He also said good relations are being created between the countries in the long run.

In light of the EU's Greek presidency, in the first half of 2003, these countries are looking forward to the neutral if not friendly addressing of their problems.

On the question of the 13 Palestinians staying temporarily in Cyprus, Yiannitsis said France lifted its reservations regarding the issue of their non-extradition and what remains now is the taking of a decision on their allocation to various countries.

A discussion on this issue is continuing at permanent representative level (COREPER) in Brussels.

[04] Greek Alternate FM addresses EU-Latin America summit in Spain

The social aspects of problems faced by Latin American countries and Europe and the need to work together for globalized solutions was stressed by Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitis on Friday, in his address to the second summit of European Union, Latin American and Caribbean countries in Madrid.

Yiannitsis is representing Greece at the summit, which is being attended by some 50 heads of state and government, with the exception of Fidel Castro has stayed in Cuba in order to receive former US president Jimmy Carter.

The Greek minister also referred to the 'common problems' of terrorism and drug abuse. According to Yiannitsis, both of these caused the disintegration of societies and, in conjunction with poverty, destabilised peace and were absolutely contrary to the common principles and positions of EU, Latin American and Caribbean nations.

He stressed the global nature of terrorism following the attacks of September 11 and the need for a global response from the international community, including efforts to fight poverty and under-development.

In the fight against drugs, he stressed the need to reduce demand and consumption of narcotics.

The twin goals of fighting terrorism and narcotics made a deeper strategic relationship between the EU, Latin American and Caribbean countries necessary and urgent, he concluded.

He also underlined that Greece, which was situated in a very sensitive region, would be particularly supportive of any efforts made in this direction.

The issues of global terrorism and the narcotics trade, as well as trade ties and economic cooperation, have so far dominated the addresses made at the summit, while other topics to be raised on Friday include the protection of human rights and democracy.

Later in the day, the 50 leaders gathered in Madrid are expected to sign an agreement for economic cooperation with Chile and to issue a joint communique condemning the escalation of violence in Colombia and announcing enhanced cooperation against terrorism and drugs.

One demand insistently repeated by Latin American countries is a relaxation of immigration rules by EU countries, while Argentina has appealed for assistance in overcoming its current economic crisis.

[05] Greek EU Commissioner defends Athens' stance on EU force

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

The Greek Commissioner underlined that only EU organs should be involved in the decision-making process for the EU crisis management force and that all decisions should be made following specific procedures.

"What Greece is doing today is supporting European principles for the taking of decisions," she stressed.

Responding to questions regarding the rising fortunes of the far-right in Europe, Diamantopoulou said that both conservative and socialist parties would have to develop more clearly-defined positions in order to reverse this trend.

Diamantopoulou noted that far-right and populist parties gave out clear-cut, simple messages of opposition to globalization, the Community and immigrants but did not offer any solutions.

Center-right and socialist parties, on the other hand, were faced with the much tougher job of presenting coherent positions on new sets of problems, such as security, multi-cultural societies and immigration and the major foreign policy issues that the EU had to face, the commissioner added.

Asked whether this also applied to ruling PASOK in Greece, Diamantopoulou said that European socialist parties, in particular, had an obligation to present clearer positions on the economy, support for the market and the new status quo, as well as the new role of social models that required reform in all EU countries.

[06] EU member-states reps decide in principle on fate of 13 Palestinian exiles

The permanent representatives of the European Union's 15 member-states (COREPER) on Friday arrived at an on principle agreement concerning the future status of 13 Palestinian exiles temporarily hosted in Cyprus.

The 13 Palestinians were evacuated from the Nativity Church in Bethlehem last week and are being hosted by the Cyprus government, until more permanent arraignments can be made.

According to diplomatic sources, the Palestinians will receive a ''special residence permit'' of a special legal status ''of temporary humanistic protection'', without, however, the right to freely move within the European Union.

The representatives also decided that in case Israel requests their extradition, all 15 member-states will have to decide in common whether to satisfy such a request.

The decision on which countries will host the 13 Palestinians will be made by the foreign ministers of the Union, who are in Madrid at present to participate in the EU, Latin America and Caribbean summit.

A first arrangement, however, notes that Belgium, Ireland, Portugal and Greece will host one Palestinian each, and Italy and Spain three each, while there was no decision on the remaining three.

The EU has said that six of its member-states Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece have agreed to

receive the evacuated Palestinians, a gesture aimed at defusing tensions in the Middle East.

COREPER will meet again on Tuesday to finalize its decisions.

[07] DM satisfied with high level of air force's readiness

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

At the end of his flight over the northern Aegean, Papantoniou expressed satisfaction, saying that the air force is at an extremely high level of readiness and is in a position to respond to whatever provocation.

On the question of the European army, Papantoniou said there is no development, Greek positions on the issue remain steadfast and it is expected from EU foreign and defense policy high representative Javier Solana and the rest who are mediating for a mutually acceptable solution to be found to submit their proposals to enable the Greek side to see whether it can proceed.

Papantoniou visited the tactical air force headquarters in Larissa on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

[08] NATO's Southern Region Commander visits Tyrnavos NATO HQ

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Johnson was briefed on the mission and activities of JCSC, and conducted a tour of the base. The visit was completed with an official lunch hosted by the Commander JCSC.

[09] Suspicious package in NATO's HQ in Tyrnavos proves innocuous

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

The package had created suspicion when it arrived in a postal room on Tuesday with signs of a white powdery substance visible on the surface, a press release said.

Local emergency services were called in, the package and the immediate environment isolated, and personnel who had risked exposure were given appropriate precautionary medical treatment, the press release added.

Given recent world events the key phrase in all such cases is maximum precautions. I am naturally relieved that the package proved to be innocent, but this incident demonstrated the high state of interoperability this headquarters shares with the local emergency services,'' Commander JCSC, Lt. Gen Nikolaos Katagas said.

''Everyone carried out his or her job according to planned procedures. If the threat had been real, the risk to my personnel and the locality would have been reduced to the absolute minimum,'' he concluded.

[10] Lithuanian President meets with Macedonia-Thrace Minister

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Paschalidis, following the meeting with Adamkus, said that Greece supports actively the accession of Lithuania to the Euro-Atlantic structures, while Adamkus said that in an ever-changing world it is necessary for ''us to join our efforts for a better tomorrow''.

[11] PM to meet with opposition party leaders late next week

Athens, 18/05/2002 (ANA)

Specifically, Simitis has requested separate meetings with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis on Friday morning; followed by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga, and finally, with Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) president Nikos Constantopoulos.

In later statements, Karamanlis announced that he would accept the prime minister's invitation for talks on issues of national importance, as the thorny 'Euro-Army' issue and on-going Cyprus talks have dominated the spotlight over recent months.

"Of course, I will accept (the invitation), because this deals with national issues. Besides, it was Mr. Simitis who had refused such national dialogue to begin with".

[12] Karamanlis sternly warns against abolition of ASEP

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

The ND leader also criticized the government for what he called poor planning and for failing to institute true public administration reform based on efficiency and meritocracy.

Moreover, he also warned against any abolition of the Supreme Council for Personnel Recruitment (ASEP), or designs to introduce what he termed as a politically motivated overhaul of the regime governing public sector hirings under the guise of making criteria more objective.

Finally, he told ADEDYs executive board that ND believes public administration reform ranks as a national priority and should not be sacrificed on the altar of petty partisan expediencies.

[13] PM Simitis, KKE leader Papariga on civilian-clothed policemen at rallies

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

''The existence and operation of the mechanism of police surveillance which undermines the people's movement has been exposed,'' said Papariga who denounced what she termed ''the overt and covert suppress if mechanisms used following indications by the U.S. and NATO.''

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said in reply that ''the only statement of support of the right is that by (KKE honorary president) Harilaos Florakis that the (main opposition) New Democracy party will 100% win the elections.''

Simitis admitted that the police used uniformed and civilian-clothed policemen so as to secure the peaceful holding of demonstrations and avert incidents such as by people from the extreme right.

The prime minister also termed as absurd that mechanisms existed on the order of NATO and the U.S. and said what would the need for such mechanisms be since today television shows persons and protagonists.

[14] Genocide of Pontian Greeks remembered, Kaklamanis to deliver speech on Sunday

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Events, in the memory of the heinous crime against a whole peoples, began on Friday with photographic exhibitions and speeches.

On Sunday a whole series of events will take place in the Greek capital of the north.

[15] Ministry organizes inspection of Athens public works by MPs

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Environment Minister Vasso Papandreou announced that the MPs would be visiting the work sites on the Attica Highway and the Hymettus Avenue west ringroad on Monday morning, so that they would have a direct picture of the progress being made in these vitally important projects.

Currently, 22 out of 70 kilometers of the Attica Highway have been turned over for use, with additional segments to be opened as they are completed, while the Hymettus western ring-road is due to be completed and turned over for use by the end of June 2003. The ministry has announced that the segment of the Attica Highway from the Athens-Lamia national highway to Pendelis Avenue will be complete by the end of 2002.

[16] Gov't spokesman on Eurobarometer findings regarding xenophobia

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

In terms of Greece, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Athens has moved to legalise a large portion of illegal immigrants in the country as a step towards answering such negative phenomena, i.e. xenophobia, anti-migrant rhetoric.

[17] Forum examines situation in Balkans

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Journalist Cathrine Samary from Le Monde Diplomatique and Panteios University international relations professor Dimitris Konstas analyzed the situation in the Balkans on the theme ''The Balkans in the trial of globalization.''

Samary said the negative elements of globalization were many and did not leave the Balkans unaffected, on the contrary they speeded up the breakup in the region.

She said the policy of the International Monetary Fund contributed to this by implementing in Yugoslavia, just as in other countries, the strategy of privatizations, the doubting of the social state, austerity and the decrease in social solidarity. She

added that this strategy did not differ very much from that of the EU in member-states.

Samary further said that a second negative factor was the way the EU handled the Yugoslav crisis which was neither democratic nor effective, primarily with the recognition of Slovenia and Croatia before a solution to national issues.

Konstas said the number of states in the region doubled, minorities both multiplied and shrinked, artificial ethnic groups were created according to various scenarios, the Albanian issue broke out, Albanian irredentism broke out, two interventions took place, one of which was the herald of another era, and the beginning of the end of NATO's defense was signaled.

He concluded by saying that there is peace in the Balkans but there is no substantive peace, adding that everything will depend on the solution to be given to Kosovo.

He also said of Greek foreign policy that this decade was one of the most difficult periods and was crowned with failure.

[18] Gov't Announces Plan to solve social security system funding

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

"We are solving definitely the issue of funding a social security system by creating conditions of credibility and certainty for the coming years," Mr Christodoulakis told reporters after a meeting with GSEE, Greece's largest trade union umbrella.

He noted that under the government's plan, IKA would benefit around 3.0 trillion drachmas. Christodoulakis pledged that the next budget would deal with IKA's debt towards other state organizations, worth more than 500 billion drachmas.

The government has proposed to finance IKA with up to 1.0 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product annually, to help the social security system cover its current funding needs and to create a reserve fund for the future.

Mr Christodoulakis said that this proposal ensured, for the first time in the history of the social security system, a long-term and credible funding solution.

He announced a series of meetings, next week, with all other social partners to discuss the proposal before drafting it into a legislation.

GSEE's chairman, Christos Polyzogopoulos, welcomed the government's proposal, although he is expected to find it difficult to persuade union members, mainly from the opposition, who rejected the plan and urged for a 24-hour panhellenic strike for May 29.

[19] Greece has 42 companies in the world league of clothing and textile enterprises

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

The Union presented a report by EURATEX, the European Association of Textile and Clothing Enterprises.

The report included 532 companies from the clothing industry and 823 from the textile industry. Total turnover of the 1,355 largest companies in the world in 2000 was 337.2 billion euros, with the clothing companies reporting a turnover of 152.65 billion euros and the textile companies a turnover of 184.54 billion euros.

A total of 31 companies out of a total 532 clothing companies in the report reported a turnover more than 1.0 billion euros in 2000, accounting 50.6 percent of total turnover, with 327 of them based in the European Union. Germany with 79 companies topped the list, followed by Italy (70) and France (58). The US had 55 companies, Turkey 21 and Japan 17.

Greece is represented with 18 clothing companies, with FANCO SA listed at the 350th position in 2000, down 14 places from 1999, followed by Sex Form SA (384) and Triumph International SA (407).

Holding Partecipaz, LVMH-Grupee Clothing and Zara were the biggest European clothing companies.

In the textile sector, 40 companies out of a total of 823 included in the report, reported a turnover more than 1.0 billion euros. Five of them were based in the EU, seven in South Korea-Taiwan, one in Switzerland, 10 in Japan, 16 in the US and one in Turkey. These companies accounted for 43.7 percent of total turnover in 2000.

European Union companies accounted for more than 50 percent of the big-823, with 441 companies based in the EU. Belgium topped the list with 113 companies (mainly tapestries), followed by Italy (75) and France (68).

Greece is represented with 24 textile companies, with Klonatex ranking 158th (up 57 places from 1999), followed by AKKA (290) and Hadzioannou Group (327).

Sara Lee (US) is the biggest textile company in the world, with Coats Viyella the only European company to be listed in the top 10.

[20] Lithuanian President urges Greek businessmen to invest in his country

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Addressing a Greek-Lithuanian economic forum held in Thessaloniki, Mr Adamkus stressed the significance placed by

himself in the economic cooperation of peoples and in the economic development of countries. ''Economy is the most important link between people and from that they depend their life quality. It is the blood in state's structures and we have to do whatever possible for its growth. No country is sufficiently strong without a strong economy,'' Mr Adamkus said.

The Lithuanian president is visiting Greece leading a business delegation and trying to present his country's economic profile to Greek businessmen.

He said that Lithuania was offering investment opportunities in several sectors, and noted that the country has managed to develop its economy, to organize is democratic institutions, to win praise from the World Bank (it recently upgraded its credit worthingness), it has created a favourable environment for investments and most of all, it has an honest and working people.

Mr Adamkus stressed the significance of a prospect to ''lock'' Lithuania's national currency with the euro currency ahead of its expected entry in the European Union by 2004.

Dimitris Bakatselos, president of the Thessaloniki Chamber of Trade and Industry, said that Greek imports from Lithuania totaled 10.7 million US dollars in 2000, up from 1.6 million in 1999, while exports totaled 8.3 million dollars from 6.0 million over the same period.

Mr Bakatselos stressed that these figures were underestimating bilateral relations as a large part of trade transactions was made through third countries, such as Germany, Denmark and Poland. He said that at least 24 Greek enterprises have invested in Lithuania.

[21] Gov't fires head of Greek Center

Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Friday that a replacement would be sought for the head of the Greek Investments Center, Kostas Bakouris.

According to ministry sources, Bakouris was dismissed from his post for publicly releasing the contents of a report on disincentives to investment in Greece before notifying the finance ministry, the center's overseer.

In addition, the report failed to carry proposals that would help to attract investors, the sources said.

Bakouris outlined the report produced by the center at a news conference on Thursday.

The main opposition New Democracy (ND) party claimed on Friday that the report contained standard data about the investment situation in Greece.

ND's economic spokesman, George Alogoskoufis, said in a statement that the picture included ''overlapping powers, a lack of transparency and corruption.''

He added that the government should have acted on the report's information in order to improve the investment climate instead of firing Bakouris.

[22] Large delegation of Chinese officials in Greece this week

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

The 95-member group is led by State Council Vice-Premier Li Lanqing.

[23] Egnatia Way set for completion in 2004

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

''Total spending on the project is 1.2 trillion drachmas, and completion is expected by the end of 2004,'' Papandreou told reporters in the northern port town of Kavala.

''This will greatly ease overland traffic, also contributing to further growth in the whole of northern Greece,'' she said.

The minister was visiting the construction site of a section of the Egnatia Way near Kavala.

[24] ATHENS 2004 ATHOC President visits Thrace, calls for volunteers

Athens, 18/05/02 (ANA)

Speaking in Thrace, northeastern Greece, at the beginning of a three-day visit, Angelopoulos-Daskalaki stressed the importance of the volunteer force for the Games and accepted an invitation extended by Evros Prefect George Dolios to jointly organize a nation-wide journalism conference in the summer of 2003, dedicated to the Olympic Games.

Angelopoulos Daskalaki visited a pavilion set up in a central square in Alexandroupoli to accept applications and provide information regarding volunteerism for the Games.

She also visited local schools and spoke to students about the volunteer spirit of the Games.

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