Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-05-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Enlargement a turning point for both the EU and Europe

[02] PM Simitis expresses need for completion of EU's political unification

[03] PM to visit Portugal and Malta this week, gov't spokesman says

[04] DM and U.S. official discuss weapons of mass destruction and Iraq

[05] Government responds to main opposition's criticism

[06] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national airspace

[07] Greece, Russia debate natural gas, oil supply projects

[08] FinMin chairs Eurogroup, ECOFIN meetings

[09] Retail banking to lead growth in Greek banking sector, report says

[10] EU conference on labor protection in Alexandroupolis

[11] Doctors in Athens, Piraeus to strike for more SARS measures

[12] Greek Stock Exchanges seen privatized in the summer

[13] New common agricultural policy likely to be voted by end-June

[14] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

[15] PM chairs joint inter-ministerial, ATHOC meeting on Athens 2004 Games

[16] Archbishop Christodoulos visits ATHOC HQ

[17] Launching of 'Hellas Sat' postponed for at least 24 hours

[18] Verelis, Kazamias: Hellas Sat an historic event for Greece and Cyprus

[19] Press minister files second slander suit against Kouris, 'Avriani'

[20] Xiros brothers recognized as robbers by witness in N17 trial

[21] Prince of Wales arrives in Kavala for visit to Mount Athos

[22] Culture minister expresses sorrow over death of Graham Binns

[23] Police pick up 201 illegal immigrants in sweep of northeast Greece

[24] Parliament speaker supports dual nationality for Albania's ethnic Greeks

[25] Book festival dedicated to peace opens in Athens

[26] Conference stresses need for revision of EU TV without borders directive

[27] Government: we want negotiations as soon as possible

[28] Turkish policy unchanged, says Cypriot spokesman

[01] PM: Enlargement a turning point for both the EU and Europe

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The Greek premier also stressed that Europe now needed a new Constitutional framework and that the Greek EU presidency intended to propose discussion of a draft European Constitution that would be prepared by the Convention for the Future of Europe at the June summit under the Greek EU presidency in Thessaloniki.

Through the recent signing of accession treaties, Europe had knocked down the last remaining vestiges of the wall that had once divided the European continent, creating mechanisms for rallying together and development that offered new opportunities and capabilities to its member-states, Simitis said.

He described enlargement as ''an inevitable undertaking'' that was inextricably linked with the course toward the future, as well as an ''ambitious attempt'' to effect a transition from an incomplete state structure to a more complete one.

When EU leaders meet in Thessaloniki in June, he added, they will hold talks based on the Convention's proposals for a draft European Constitution.

He stressed that this would be more than a series of amendments or additions to the various EU treaties, which were no longer comprehensible to the general public, but a new text that would redraw the basic rules and guidelines for the Union.

The Greek premier stressed that discussion of such a draft treaty by the EU would be a major step forward and noted that the Union's cohesion and effectiveness was chiefly due to a drive to promote its policies, which prevented a slough or the development of 'centrifugal' forces at this very sensitive phase in the EU's history. This allowed it to remain a Union of values for its people and societies not just a vast melting-pot of market mechanisms, he added.

According to Simitis, the values that such a new Constitution would consolidate are those of freedom, democracy, peace, development and prosperity, as well as cohesion and solidarity. It would also introduce powerful institutions and organs based on the principles of equality between small, medium and large member-states, so that Europe could be adequately represented, formulate effective policies and take rapid decisions and be able to play a role for peace and sustainable development around the world, as well as accept in its ranks those countries that wished to join.

During his address, the Greek premier did not spare criticism of domestic preoccupation with petty party-politics and stressed that Greece's participation in processes for European integration could not proceed on ''automatic pilot'' and that the Greek presidency was not a ''public relations exercise''.

Strong Greece was intimately linked to Europe, while the development of a common foreign policy and especially a common European defense policy was one of the main factors for strengthening the Union's role internationally, Simitis said.

[02] PM Simitis expresses need for completion of EU's political unification

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

Addressing a luncheon of the European Publishers Association, the Greek premier said that the present reality goes to show that the EU's national societies and in extension their leaderships are not yet ready to accept bold steps towards this direction.

What is needed is a strong Europe through formations which will arise from mutual compromises of federal positions and transgovernment rapprochements, Simitis said, noting, ''a Europe however which will be effective.''

Therefore, what is essential is the strengthening of the role and powers of the European Commission, he said. ''It embodies and expresses the 'communal model of integration'. It secures basic balances. Consequently, it should be reinforced. For this to happen, the President of the Commission should be elected by the European Parliament and be 'ratified' by the European Council,'' Simitis added.

Referring to the future of Europe, the prime minister said a strong Europe cannot just be a big market, stressing also that a strong Europe is not composed simply from the institutional upgrading of the EU's Common Foreign and Defense Policy. What is needed is ''the undertaking of responsibility towards what is going on in the international scene. A comprehensive policy on the problems of globalization,'' he said.

Simitis further noted that Cyprus' accession to the European Union is an ''important contribution to peace and stability in the region,''

adding:’ We worked and will work - Greeks and Cypriots - with stability and consistency for the settlement of the political problem, the problem of the island's partition, for a just, viable and workable solution. It is necessary for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to continue.''

[03] PM to visit Portugal and Malta this week, gov't spokesman says

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

Briefing reporters from Corfu on Monday, he said the premier was due back in Greece on Thursday for a meeting with Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, while on Friday he was scheduled to meet Health Minister Costas Stefanis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

The spokesman also referred to a conference on the social role of advertising and the electronic media taking place on Corfu, underlining that its results would be particularly significant.

Along with the results of an informal meeting EU ministers for audiovisual media on May 24-25, they would form the basis for revising the Community's 'TV without frontiers' directive, he said.

Papandreou-Shalom: Israel awaits Palestinian premier's effective moves against terrorism JERUSALEM 13/05/2003 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)

The new Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Mazen will have to prove his ability to combat terrorism and realize reforms, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said on Monday, after his meeting with visiting Greek Foreign Minister and current EU Council of Ministers President George Papandreou.

''We are ready to resume the peace process with the Palestinians and we hope that the upcoming meeting, of Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Abu Mazen, will create a better atmosphere and personal contacts that may allow for the progress of the peace process,'' Shalom said.

''We confront an opportunity and we are ready to take it. If the others want to do so we will move forward,'' Shalom added.

''We should not allow for a new failure now that we have this opportunity, the Abu Mazen government and the road map,'' Papandreou underlined, expressing the hope that the European Union will play a more significant role and that the future is composed of a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state.

Papandreou also noted his sympathy for the average Israeli citizen ''that is faced with the immediate and unjustified terrorist threat,'' while he called the issue of security absolutely necessary for both sides.

He also expressed his wish for the establishment of a viable Palestinian state that will be prosperous and will be free of violence and stressed the necessity for the establishment of trust between the two sides.

''We support Abu Mazen and the road map, this is the message we give to all sides, we support the reforms,'' Papandreou said, responding to questions about his meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Tuesday.

On his part, Shalom said that Israel wishes for and is ready to begin negotiations and wants to ''decrease the blank points between the road map and the vision of (U.S. President George) Bush''.

[04] DM and U.S. official discuss weapons of mass destruction and Iraq

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

''We had an interesting discussion regarding the handling of the problem of weapons of mass destruction. With regard to our European reply to this issue, I remind that the foreign minister had raised the issue at the informal Council of Foreign Ministers in relation to the shaping of a common European strategy on handling problems linked to weapons of mass destruction, their proliferation and the danger they can constitute concerning peace and security in our countries,'' Papantoniou said.

''A second issue concerns the issue of Iraq regarding the postwar reconstruction period. I pointed out to Mr. Bolton Greece's very great interest both as a public and private sector and the Greek economy being present in this period of reconstruction. Because, as it is known, there are considerable debts of Iraq towards Greek construction, primarily, companies, while there are also many Greek companies in the technical sector as well, as well as in other sectors, which could contribute in participating in wider joint ventures undertaking reconstruction projects in Iraq,'' he added.

He went on to say that the foreign and national economy ministries are processing a plan according to which revenues from the projects will help in paying off past debts.

Bolton said the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction must be restricted, adding that it is one of the top priorities of the Bush administration.

He further said it is very important that hostilities come to an end in Iraq and talks are held with Greece, which has been a friend and ally for many years and also with its present position being exercised in the EU's presidency.

Papantoniou also stressed that there is no question of military forces being sent to Iraq, but there is always the issue of Greece's participation in humanitarian operations, which has not yet been raised.

Commenting on the launching of the first Greek satellite, Papantoniou said ''this launching is a success for Greek technology and there is no doubt about this issue. This fact is very important. This satellite belongs to OTE (the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization) and will have a telecommunications use, which means that it will facilitate and will speed up international communications a great deal'', adding that the National Defense General Staff is considering the possibility of having a military satellite created to collect information.

Loverdos meets with US counterpart Bolton: Greece’s Deputy Foreign Ministers Andreas Loverdos met with U.S. Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton on Monday in Athens for a discussion on issues pertaining to the preparation of a US–EU summit meeting, to be held in Washington on June 25, according to an announcement issued by the Greek foreign ministry.

Specifically, the two officials’ talks touched upon the proliferation of mass destruction weapons and the likelihood of certain countries obtaining such weapons.

Bolton said the specific issue was very likely to be examined during the US-EU summit, while he asked Loverdos to see that it is included in the agenda of June’s Thessaloniki EU Council.

[05] Government responds to main opposition's criticism

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The prime minister's statements on May 1 still applied and Simitis would strictly adhere to the time frame he had set, Protopapas told reporters on Corfu.

He also reiterated that the proposals made by cabinet secretary Sokratis Kosmidis were simply the secretary's personal views and were not in any way binding for the premier.

[06] Turkish warplanes violate Greek national airspace

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The Turkish aircraft entered the Athens FIR over eastern Aegean without submitting flight plans, which constitutes an infringement. They were recognized and intercepted by Greek warplanes, while in nine cases the interception process developed into an engagement.

The reports said eight of the Turkish aircraft recognized were armed. Greek Air Force sources believe provocations on the part of the Turkish Air Force will continue without any easing off being visible.

[07] Greece, Russia debate natural gas, oil supply projects

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Russian Energy Minister Igor Yusufov told reporters after a meeting in Moscow that works on natural gas was underway, with tenders ahead to find a strategic investor in gas-fired power plants to include Thessaloniki; and for construction of sections of a gas pipeline for areas in Greece.

''The two countries have a joint responsibility to promote the targets of bilateral energy cooperation that were signed during President Putin's visit to Athens,'' Tsohatzopoulos said.

Turning to planned construction of a pipeline to bring Russian oil to Greece via Bulgaria, the minister said he expected a agreement between the two states to be signed in two or three months.

''It is important to note that as part of this pact, the private or public engineering contractors that will be chosen to form the construction consortium for the project will have to ensure feed for the pipeline with quantities of oil adequate for economic operation of the system in coming years,'' he said.

''Russia is sounding out the possibility of ensuring this guarantee from oil companies that are likely to take part in construction of the pipeline. Bulgaria and Greece have already successfully accomplished this, arriving at specific companies,'' Tsohatzopoulos noted.

At the same time, Greece would not contribute to ensuring quantity, as it was not a producer country, unlike Russia.

''So we are waiting for Russia to make a final choice of firms in the near future that will guarantee distribution of the essential quantity of oil, and the contribution by these companies to construction, the minister added.

Tsohatzopoulos had said previous talks with Yusufov in Paris that contact would be made with Japanese construction firms in connection with the projects following consultations he held with his counterpart from that country.

Tsohatzopoulos also discussed energy issues involving Russia and the European Union with Yusufov.

He has said that Greece's aim is the unification of all Balkan networks, in order to create a regional energy market, in electricity and natural gas. The venture is included in the EU's trans-European networks.

''Already agreed with Turkey is the unification of natural gas transportation systems, as well as a link of the two countries' electricity networks,'' he said recently.

Tsohatzopoulos and Yusufov were preparing for an EU energy ministers' meeting in Brussels on May 14, and for an EU summit with Russia in St Petersburg on May 31.

[08] FinMin chairs Eurogroup, ECOFIN meetings

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The Eurogroup meeting would discuss the general economic situation and economic policy in the eurozone, developments in productivity, labor cost and prices and issues related with the eurozone and the European Convention.

The ECOFIN meeting will discuss a preliminary draft EU budget for 2004, economic policy, Austria's updated stability program, financial services (pension funds) and taxation issues in the European Union.

EU budget Commissioner Michaele Schreyer will present the EU's draft budget for 2004 as it was adopted by the European Commission on April 30.

[09] Retail banking to lead growth in Greek banking sector, report says

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The report stressed that Greek households' debt remained low and predicted its further rise after an expected deregulation of consumer credit caps in the domestic market, while financing of small and medium-sized enterprises was another factor expected to boost banking services.

National Bank's analysts said they expected the housing credit, investment products and insurances services to record the biggest growth in the coming years. The report said that housing loans, as a percentage of Greek GDP accounted for 15.1 percent, half the Eurozone average (30.9 percent), while mutual funds accounted for 18.1 percent of Greek GDP (from 43.2 percent in the Eurozone) and insurance income accounted for 2.0 percent of GDP (compared with 7.0 percent in the Eurozone).

Greek banks were also facing positive development prospects outside the Greek borders, especially in the Balkan region, the report said.

The report stressed that Balkan banks were expected to benefit from an increasing demand for loans, a prospect expected to support high and sustainable economic growth rates in the region.

Greek banks invested a total of 500 million euros in the financial system of Southeast European markets.

Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro were showing satisfactory economic progress, supporting Greek banks' plans for a more expanded presence in the region, National Bank's report said.

[10] EU conference on labor protection in Alexandroupolis

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

Addressing an international conference, held in Alexandroupolis, northern Greece, on "Better work and life - towards a more cohesive and competitive Europe".

The two-day conference is part of activities included in the Greek EU presidency's agenda.

The Greek minister stressed that Europe should "invest on human capital" and noted that this was the duty of state authorities, businesses and social partners.

Mr Reppas said that limiting the number of school drop-outs, and emphasizing on vocational training of adults, non-skilled workers, economic immigrants and farmers leaving the countryside, were the basic tools of this policy.

Businesses and social partners should be encouraged to organize and fund life training, while state authorities should also take a leading role in this effort since "market forces" cannot lead the employment sector to its maximum level, Mr Reppas said.

European Parliament Deputy Ioannis Koukiadis, addressing the conference, said that Europe should choose quality competitiveness and not competitiveness of low cost jobs. Mr Koukiadis acknowledged the need for businesses to become more flexible and urged employers to sign a new social contract to neutralize workers' fears and insecurities.

The conference is held in cooperation with the European Foundation for improving Living and Working Conditions. Labor ministers from Ireland and Bulgaria, academics and other officials participated in the conference.

[11] Doctors in Athens, Piraeus to strike for more SARS measures

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

According to EINAP, immediate action and funds from the state budget were needed to deal with the inadequacies at hospitals, noting that the country was currently defenseless against the serious threat to public health posed by SARS.

[12] Greek Stock Exchanges seen privatized in the summer

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

Dimitris Papageorgopoulos, supervisor of the company's market activities, said the firm, which owns the Athens bourse, was also expected to purchase a 10 percent stake in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's stock exchange in Skopje.

He was speaking at an investment seminar in the northern port city of Thessaloniki.

[13] New common agricultural policy likely to be voted by end-June

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The commissioner based his forecast on consultations held by EU farm ministers on the island of Corfu in an informal three-day session that ends on Tuesday.

[14] Greek stocks end lower on Monday

Athens, 13/05/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 0.46 percent to end at 1,704.88 points, negatively affected by a 5.50 percent fall in National Bank's share price (its shares were traded ex-dividend).

Turnover was a low 72.1 million euros. The Textile, IT Solution and Holding sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.58 percent, 1.96 percent and 1.09 percent, respectively), while the Food-Beverage (2.08 percent), Banks (1.98 percent) and Insurance (1.15 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks dropped 1.01 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.33 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.48 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index eased 0.74 percent.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 50.0 mln euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: