Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM cites broad mandate for reforms during Parliament debate; refers to 'hidden PASOK program'

[02] Papandreou disputes effectiveness of gov't reforms, economic policy

[03] KKE, Synaspismos party leaders reiterate standing criticism of country's economic model

[04] PM arrives in Bulgaria for two-day official visit

[05] Karamanlis's Sofia visit an impetus for further development of excellent bilateral relations

[06] Tourism minister satisfied with Washington D.C. visit

[07] Republic of Korea FM received by PM Costas Karamanlis

[08] ND, PM maintain lead in new VPRC Eurobarometer poll

[09] Papandreou sends letter of congratulations to Prodi on his electoral victory

[10] KKE leader to visit N. Korea, China

[11] Deputy FM meets with young Turkish journalists

[12] Gov't seeks to improve conditions for civil servants with disabilities

[13] Compromise but no change of constitutional name, FYROM PM tells reporters

[14] U.S. Ambassador visits Hania, stresses importance of Souda base

[15] U.S. Ambassador Ries on 'EU & Transatlantic Relations in Era of Globalization'

[16] Greek economy progressing well, FinMin says

[17] Russia to safeguard Greece's energy supply

[18] ASE head presents Greek market prospects in MIT speech

[19] Greek-Turkish business conference opens in Istanbul

[20] Local gov't authorities extend strike another 24 hrs

[21] PASOK party holds conference on household loans

[22] Hellenic Petroleum confirms interest for Serbian NIS

[23] Greek stocks down 0.39 pct on Thursday

[24] More than 20 strong aftershocks jolt Zakynthos overnight

[25] Police find disassembled Byzantine church in container in Schinousa island

[26] Dead Vodafone exec's family submits report to prosecutor

[27] Justice minister addresses symposium on 'Greece in the European society of law'

[28] Deputy FM Kassimis opens meeting on 'The cinema image as a document'

[29] Works by late sculptor and painter Gaitis exhibited at Benaki Museum

[30] Cypriot President Papadopoulos pleased with trip to India

[31] President Papadoupolos urges Indian businessmen to invest in Cyprus

[32] India assures President Papadopoulos of support to just Cyprus settlement

[33] House Plenary dissolves in view of coming parliamentary elections

[01] PM cites broad mandate for reforms during Parliament debate; refers to 'hidden PASOK program'

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Karamanlis, speaking at an off-the-agenda Parliament debate on the economy requested by PASOK leader George Papandreou, also juxtaposed his government's two-year track record while in office with the economic performance of successive and preceding PASOK governments, where Papandreou served as education and foreign affairs minister, among others.

"Some people count backwards. It is not the government that proposes uninsured labor, i.e. the Lavrio proposal, and the supposed 'Scandinavian model' of redundancies and heavy taxes," Karamanlis said in Parliament, comments referring to the most recent statements of a senior PASOK cadre, deputy and former minister George Floridis, as well as a top Papandreou aide.

Floridis' statements last week regarding a more flexible labor market caused his ouster as coordinator of PASOK's finance and economy policy, while academic Iraklis Polemarhakis' quip over incentives to raise retirement ages was also pounced upon by the ruling party and the press.

"In response to a demand for insured labor, they (PASOK) respond with eliminating social insurance contributions; in response to a need for tax stability, they propose plans leading to tax raids, while accusing everyone else for what they are considering," the premier added.

"They (PASOK) claim we are against collective bargaining talks when, in reality, an agreement between SEB (the federation of industries) and GSEE (the trade union umbrella group) was achieved (last week) ... they refer to the loss of jobs when the exact opposite is occurring. They speak of losses of Community funds when they are responsible for fines and shoddy workmanship (of delivered projects); for the land registry (project) debacle, and for the fact that in March 2004 most of the EU programs were in the 'red zone'," Karamanlis charged from Parliament's podium.

In citing one figure, Karamanlis said the average absorption rate of regional investment programs was 15.6 percent during the last PASOK government under Costas Simitis, 2000-2004, whereas it has reached the 40-percent mark in the period since March 2004.

Moreover, he reiterated his position that raising the country's competitiveness -- a standing government goal -- will not be achieved by squeezing labor costs, but only via the exploitation of new technologies, stepped up production and specific measures, such as slashing corporate tax rates, a new development law, more flexible shop hours and restoring the capital market's credibility following the 1999 bourse bubble, "credibility which had evaporated in the wake of the political and financial scandal at the Athens Stock Exchange".

In focusing on the preceding PASOK governments' performance on the economic front, he said public debt in 1996-2003 doubled and that the budget deficit "proved five times higher than reported and double the euro zone ceiling".

In returning to a favorite pre-election catchphrase, "creative bookkeeping", that he had repeatedly lobbed at the previous Simitis government, Karamanlis referred to both "machinations in order to cover-up failure" and "a well-planned trap" for the succeeding government.

Citing last month's closely watched Eurostat decision on the listing of defense spending and arms purchases by member-states, Karamanlis charged that "others created the problem and others are dealing with it. Even so, the culprits are now impersonating the accusers. Instead of contributing to the resolution of the problem, they predicted Greece's censure by the ECOFIN council. Instead of asking for forgiveness from the citizens, they expected the imposition of harsh tax measures. We proved them wrong and we disappointed them," he said.

Law on reform of state-run enterprises, utilities: Karamanlis, furthermore, again appeared unwavering over a high-profile law reforming state-run enterprises and utilities, many of whom are increasingly loss-making, stressing that the "vicious cycle of deficits that are passed on to the taxpayer undermine development and must be stopped as soon as possible. This is what citizens demand. This is what we are doing..." he said, while referring to a broad "social alliance" backing the government's changes and reforms.

[02] Papandreou disputes effectiveness of gov't reforms, economic policy

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In response to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' earlier criticism of a "hidden program" by PASOK, Papandreou shot back by saying that "(ruling) New Democracy is implementing its own hidden program, taking off the centrist mask that it used in order to come to power," he said, while calling on the premier to join him on joint tours of the provinces.

"Let's go together to Imathia, Pieria and Kilkis (prefectures in west and central part of the Macedonia province of northern Greece), let's visit Macedonia, which is plagued by unemployment, so you can say there that joblessness has fallen during your tenure. There, we can also talk about my proposals in Lavrio, and we'll see who is promoting uninsured work…" Papandreou said from Parliament's podium.

In criticizing the government's social spending, Papandreou said more was owed to pensioners, beyond the "insulting increases" in monthly payments, "you have already collected (the money) with increases in the VAT rate; you are deducting (the pension increases) on a daily basis by winking (with approval) to profiteers".

Papandreou also accused the government of allowing massive increases in fuel costs to eat away at Greek households' income, saying a 20-percent hike was recorded in Greece last year as opposed to a 12-percent EU average.

Additionally, he took aim at most of the government's reforms to date, saying more flexible shop hours have not led to more retailing jobs; unification of banks' pension funds is still at a standstill despite three laws; cutting overtime pay transferred a billion euros to employers; and that the 'primary shareholders' law got bogged down at the European Union level.

He also blamed the government for a significant decrease in profitability at the state-run and bourse-listed power monopoly, PPC, over the past two years, as well as a 300-million-euro deficit at the state-run telephony utility, OTE, following an agreement for the early retirement of several thousand OTE staffers.

Among others, Papandreou also referred to an increase in the number of bounced checks, citing a 40-percent increase, or 1.5 billion euros, since 2004.

Finally, he also took exception to a government decision slashing the corporate tax rate, saying some 200 million euros alone was returned to shareholders of listed companies this year, when net profits of those same companies totaled 6.3 billion.

[03] KKE, Synaspismos party leaders reiterate standing criticism of country's economic model

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papariga, who addressed Parliament after Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and PASOK leader George Papandreou, said the debate so far merely "misleads" the people.

"The clash between the two major parties is also insignificant, because the differences between them are insignificant, pointing to, among others, the policy followed by each vis-à-vis small-to-medium sized businesses.

"ND retained all of the laws and framework of PASOK governments and worse. PASOK started the process of privatizations and ND is finalizing and expanding it … Privatizations are privatizations. The difference between the two parties is a heating oil subsidy…" she added.

Furthermore, the head of Greece's largest communist party referred to "class-based exploitation" and also disapprovingly pointed to the level of investments from Greece to foreign markets.

"Six billion euros were exported by Greek businesses towards the Balkans. Does this mean that there are capitalist profits? Both parties, however, applaud this. We ask: Can a four-member family live on 10,500 euros a year? We therefore have other indices for the economy, and one of those is companies' profits. These tear-jerking addresses about hungry people are but an alibi for a policy that is eminently anti-popular and class-based," she said, while at the same time criticizing PASOK for its economic policies when in government.

Alavanos: On his part, the leader of the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), Alekos Alavanos, referred at length to a series of challenges, as he said, against working people's rights, which as he noted are continuing from one government to the next.

In reference to an ongoing debate, mostly played out in major newspapers' pages, about which model of development the country should follow -- i.e. the "Irish model" more-or-less favored by the government, as opposed to what's been dubbed the "Scandinavian model" reportedly earning the fondness of the main opposition -- Alavanos said it was "wrong to choose between the right to unrestricted firings, as in Sweden, or uninsured work, as in Ireland."

Moreover, he said a roll-back of workplace rights and domination by multinational companies is what's hiding behind the slogan, as he called it, of competitiveness.

In citing figures regarding household borrowing, Alavanos said 250,000 individuals that took out consumer loans and 40,000 people with home mortgages are behind in payments, whereas some 650,000 Greek households spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income to cover loan and credit card obligations.

[04] PM arrives in Bulgaria for two-day official visit

SOFIA, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

After inspecting a guard of honor, Karamanlis laid a wreath and toured the Cathedral together with Stanishev. The church was completed in the early 19th century and is a gift by the Russians for the liberation from Turkish rule in honor of the czar Alexander. Karamanlis was given a painting with the "spirit of Bulgaria."

The prime minister was due to attend an official dinner at 8.30 in the evening, given in his honor by his Bulgarian counterpart.

An agreement is expected to be signed on Friday on the opening of a corridor for private persons at Kyprinos in the Evros region, as well as a joint friendship and cooperation declaration.

Bulgaria is interested in particular in the opening of many corridors along the borders to enable seasonal workers to have access and because it was ascertained that many Greeks visit border cities in Bulgaria which are turning, in essence, into trade centers.

As regards bilateral issues, the agenda is open and the possibility of the issue of better cooperation on timely warning when the level of waters in the Evros River increases cannot be ruled out.

Karamanlis is accompanied by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis.

[05] Karamanlis's Sofia visit an impetus for further development of excellent bilateral relations

SOFIA, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

This common expectation for the upcoming summit dialogue between Athens and Sofia was expressed to the ANA-MPA by the presidents of the two Parliaments' friendship committees Stavros Dailakis and Aliosman Imamov.

The prime minister's official visit will begin on Thursday evening with an official welcoming, talks at the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria and an official dinner given by Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanisev in honor of his Greek counterpart.

Speaking to the ANA, Dailakis placed emphasis on the joint struggle for the completion of the two neighboring countries' accession course on January 1, 2007, which Athens and Sofia are giving together, following the lecture he gave at the National and World Economy University in Sofia on Thursday.

The Greek politician referred in detail to the dynamic development of the Greek economy and to other positive repercussions emanating from Greece's 25-year participation as an equal member of the European family.

Imamov said on his part that he was convinced that "talks between the two prime ministers, the Greek prime minister's contacts with President Parvanov and Parliament President Pirinski and inter-state agreements expected to be signed in the framework of Mr. Karamanlis' visit will constitute new convincing confirmation of the upward course of the friendship and cooperation of our two peoples."

[06] Tourism minister satisfied with Washington D.C. visit

WASHINGTON, 14/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/T. Ellis)

Former tourism minister and current health minister Dimitris Avramopoulos also described Greece's presence at the Summit as "a total success", speaking to reporters after a meeting with US undersecretary of state for political affairs Nicholas Burns -- who is a former US ambassador to Greece.

Addressing reporters after the completion of two-day summit, Petralia said she had ascertained that Greece has gained ground in the preferences of the US travel agents and tourism industry, but also of the American tourists.

"It is in our hands now to further develop these close ties that we have established. Naturally, there is much we must do in our country...we must move forward on the issue of cruises, we must proceed with flexibility on the issue of investments and, of course, American visitors to Greece are particularly interested because they have a high standard of living and also come under the category of big spenders when they travel," she said, adding that "all this is good for our tourism industry and Greece, following the (Athens 2004) Olympic Games, has repositioned itself on the global tourism map".

Petralia said that Greece's image in the US today was "very positive", stressing that the Greek government's target was a qualitative upgrading and the competitiveness of the Greek tourism product.

"My conclusion is that, for the US market, Greece is an enchanting country which -- as the officials I spoke with told me -- has the best product, which guarantees stability and security in the region, and a country that can offer a lot to every visitor. And when we invite the visitor to 'live their myth in Greece', we mean that each visitor can feel and live his/her own personal myth in Greece," the minister said.

Petralia praised Greek ambassador to the US Alexandros Mallias' contribution to the success of her US visit, while she also called the director of the embassy's press office Achilleas Paparsenos a "firm asset".

She also addressed students at Georgetown University, whom she briefed on Greece's new tourism development strategy, the investment opportunities in the tourism sector in Greece, and on the country's comparative advantages and its legacy from the successful and safe organization of the 2004 Olympics.

[07] Republic of Korea FM received by PM Costas Karamanlis

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Bakoyannis and Ban had earlier a separate meeting, after which the Greek minister said that "relations between Greece and Korea, as you are aware, both political and economic, are extremely good. We had the opportunity of discussing analytically, particularly our economic relations, possibilities being presented for their further improvement with the new economic developments that exist."

Bakoyannis further said that "we shall be in contact with the foreign minister. As you know, he is also a candidate for the post of secretary general of the UN. Greece has already declared itself in favor of an Asian candidacy because we believe that it is the time of Asia. From then on, the foreign minister has a strong candidacy."

She added that the President of the Republic will be receiving a visit by the President of the Republic of Korea in Greece between September 3-5 and discussions held on Thursday will have the opportunity of being continued.

Ban said on his part "I am particularly pleased to have the opportunity of appealing to distinguished Greek reporters during my second visit as foreign minister of Korea to your country."

He added that "foreign minister, Mrs. Bakoyannis, and I had the opportunity today of discussing at length the way with which the already excellent relations between our two countries can be enlarged and strengthened further."

The Korean minister further said that "we hope that with the exchange of senior officials, businessmen, contacts between artists, academics, students and with tourism, and with shipping as well, we shall be able to proceed in this direction. Our trade relations are developing primarily in the sector of shipping and the sector of shipbuilding. However, we believe that the other sectors must also be developed."

Ban said that he wants the signing of the shipping agreement to be completed as soon as possible, adding that "we are ready to sign a cultural cooperation agreement. We also discussed our cooperation in international organizations, including the UN."

Lastly, the Korean minister said "I wish to thank the minister for her warm words in favor of an Asian candidacy, particularly for all the kind things she said about my candidacy."

[08] ND, PM maintain lead in new VPRC Eurobarometer poll

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

More specifically, with respect to intent of vote, the ruling party was preferred by 41.5 percent of the respondents, maintaining a steady 2.0 percentage point lead over the main opposition PASOK party, which amassed 39.5 percent -- compared with the VPRC's previous Eurobarometer poll conducted in March. The two mainstream parties were followed by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 9.0 percent, the Popular Orthodox Rally party (LAOS) with 4.0 percent, and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Progress (SYN) with 3.0 percent.

On the question of who was best suited for prime minister, Karamanlis was leading with 20 percent against PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Regarding the government's economic policy, 62 percent of the respondents had a negative view, while 31 percent had a positive view. As for which government had the greatest responsibility for the state of the economy, 45 percent of the respondents held the preceding PASOK government accountable, while 16 percent held the present ND government responsible.

In comparison with the previous Eurobarometer in March, ND marked a loss of 0.5 percentage points with respect to intent of vote, while Karamanlis marked a 5 percentage point loss with respect to suitability for prime minister. The percentages shed by ND and the prime minister did not, however, go to PASOK or Papandreou in the new Eurobarometer. Losses of 0.5 percentage points were also marked by SYN and LAOS, while only the KKE gained one percentage point.

The opinion poll was conducted by telephone nationwide on April 6-7.

[09] Papandreou sends letter of congratulations to Prodi on his electoral victory

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Papandreou expressed certainty that "the vote by the Italian people was not simply a vote of protest. It was a statement of its will for change." He attributed the decision of the Italian people to choose "a progressive and socially responsible alternative solution against conservatism" to Romano Prodi's "persistent opposition."

The PASOK leader noted "I am certain that the open participation procedures, both to your election as leader of the Centre-left Alliance and to your election campaign, played a role in this decision." He added that "this spirit of renewal in the socialist parties everywhere in Europe, gave our Movement a new impetus." He further expressed certainty that "the new wave of Socialism which started in Spain and Portugal, now reached Italy" and "soon will also reach Greece, creating a unique opportunity for all of us to unite our efforts so as to bring about growth, peace and justice to our peoples."

Papandreou noted that "the neo-conservative governments failed to present feasible solutions to the economic and social problems plaguing Europe."

[10] KKE leader to visit N. Korea, China

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

During the visits, the KKE delegation is scheduled to meet with local party and government officials, research institutes and big organizations. It will also visit industrial and agricultural enterprises, as well as businesses in China's special economic development zones.

A KKE announcement said that the aims of the visits to the two countries were to become acquainted with the latest developments there and exchange views on theoretical, economic and other problems of concern to the international communist and labor movements.

The KKE delegation is due to return to Greece on April 26.

[11] Deputy FM meets with young Turkish journalists

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"We must take the best from every civilization and build a common identity with a European prospect. That is what is of importance," Stylianidis told the young journalists. "For the politician, it is easy to speak in fanatical and nationalist tones. What is hard is building a common dream", he said, adding: "Remember the cooperation during the earthquakes (referring to the devastating earthquakes in Greece and Turkey in 1999, when the two countries rushed to each other's assistance). The enemy was a common one, it was the earthquakes".

The initiative comes under the EU's 'Young Leaders' Program, and is being materialized by the non-governmental organization (NGO) Hellenic Institute of Communications.

"The target of the program is to strengthen the cooperation prospects between Greece and Turkey via NGOs, at the same time strengthening the Society of the Citizens, and economic diplomacy," Institute chairman Antonis Livanios told ANA-MPA. He added that economic diplomacy was moving in the right direction, and was in line with the major moves on the market, such as the National Bank of Greece's recent acquisition of a 46 percent stake in Turkey's FinansBank.

The value of the Society of the Citizens was also outlined by a spokesman for the Turkish delegation, saying that a new momentum was given to the Turkish NGOs with Turkey's EU prospect, with the purpose of promoting dialogue, common principles and values, and peace.

[12] Gov't seeks to improve conditions for civil servants with disabilities

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In order to help employees with disabilities, the ministry has asked for all government agencies to provide information on the number of employees with disabilities, their position and branch, the institutional framework surrounding their hiring, their job duties and the problems they face in their workplace, such as accessibility, working conditions, working hours, etc.

Having gathered this information, the interior ministry intends to proceed with legislation that will enable employees with disabilities to work autonomously and to eliminate any discrimination.

Finally, the ministry notes that it does not wish to collect personal information, only statistical data and urges agencies to comply with personal data protection laws when responding.

[13] Compromise but no change of constitutional name, FYROM PM tells reporters

SKOPJE, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

He had been asked to explain his statements at the Council of Europe regarding the name issue on Wednesday.

Noting that Skopje was prepared to intensify negotiations at the United Nations to find a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue with Greece after general elections in FYROM, he stressed that compromise did not mean that the country would change its name.

"In other words, we are prepared for a compromise and will continue in this framework to seek a solution but without a change of our constitutional name," he added.

During his address in Strasbourg, Buckovski had said the country was prepared to intensify talks "to perhaps arrive at a compromise solution" - a phrase for which he was intensely criticized by the Slav opposition parties at home.

Greece objects to the use of the name "Republic of Macedonia" by its tiny northern neighbor on the grounds that it is historically misleading and may in the future give rise to expansionist claims against the province of Macedonia in northern Greece, which shares a border with FYROM.

[14] U.S. Ambassador visits Hania, stresses importance of Souda base

14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"It supports a very important NATO mission, "Active Endeavor". It is the most important NATO base since it controls the Suez Canal up to Spain," he said.

Ries was on Crete to watch a target practice exercise at the NATO missile firing range (NAMFI) on the island.

During his third visit to Hania since he took over the Athens Embassy, Ries noted that conditions were improving steadily and that the U.S. would soon be able to bring aircraft carriers back to Crete.

The Ambassador stressed the need to cultivate better relations with the U.S. sailors at the base, noting that they would be tomorrow's tourists, but also underlined that Americans must display appropriate behavior during their stay on Crete.

[15] U.S. Ambassador Ries on 'EU & Transatlantic Relations in Era of Globalization'

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The event had as its theme:"The EU and the Transatlantic Relations in the Era of Globalization".

"The U.S. seek a diplomatic solution to the problem with Iran and does not want to recourse to military action," Ambassador Ries said.

"Globalization by itself is neither good nor bad," Ries said, stressing that after the crisis in U.S.-European Union relations in 2003, due to the intervention in Iraq, the situation has smoothed out significantly, thanks to the substantial effort made by both sides.

However, Ambassador Ries defended U.S. policy in the region, underlining that "the democratically elected government of Iraq also asked for the stay of the foreign forces in the country."

Regarding relations between the West and the East, the American diplomat referred to the offer of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis to play a mediatory role and expressed his satisfaction, saying that this possibility should further be explored.

[16] Greek economy progressing well, FinMin says

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking in parliament, during an off-the-agenda debate on the economy with political parties, the Greek minister said economic growth reached 3.7 pct last year, remaining strong despite high oil prices and problems inherited from PASOK governments' bad management in the past. Alogoskoufis said the unemployment rate fell below 10 percent of the workforce last year, while Greek households' real cash flow rose 4.3 percent in the last two years, compared with an average annual growth rate of 1.8 percent in the previous eight years. He said that real wages rose by 2.8 percent, exceeding the inflation rate. "They might not be satisfactory but there is no reduction. Wages, as a percentage of GDP, rose to 34.1 pct in 2005 from 32.8 pct in 2003," the Greek minister said, adding that per capita income would reach 80 percent of the EU-15 average by 2007.

Alogoskoufis also said that the country's fiscal deficit fell, while public spending eased in the last two years, while the government managed to control inflation and to raise private investments by 3.8 percent and to boost Greek exports. "Exports accounted for 20 percent of economic growth last year, while tourism also contributed significantly," he said.

Alogoskoufis rejected criticism by PASOK party leader George Papandreou and urged the main opposition party to agree to a minimum of understanding on major reform issues.

[17] Russia to safeguard Greece's energy supply

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"Evidence this intention was the fact that despite the Ukrainian natural gas crisis, the flow to Greece was uninterrupted," envoy Andrei Vdovin told a one-day conference in Athens.

The development ministry's secretary general, Nikos Stefanou, noted that the government intended to make Greece a strategic player in the European Union energy market.

Among landmarks in the project are construction of a Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline that is expected to begin operating early in 2007; revival of a plan to build an oil pipeline to carry Russian oil to Greece via Bulgaria; and the recent creation of a southeast European energy community.

"The Burgas-Alexandroupoli (oil) pipeline is the only competitive project for which full studies have been made. It is a short pipeline at about 300 kilometers, and therefore low-cost or the same price as one year's worth of tanker delays in the Bosporus," according to C. Dimas, director of the Greek consortium, ELPE SA-Thrace SA-Burgas Alexandroupolis Pipeline.

"In addition, it carries no environmental hazards, meets the geographical criterion, and ensures cheaper transportation. Beyond political value, it also has financial value," Dimas added.

The conference was arranged by the Ioannis Kapodistria Centre for European Studies, a non-governmental organization, with the Russian embassy and Greece's development ministry.

[18] ASE head presents Greek market prospects in MIT speech

14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In a speech delivered at the Sloan School of Management of the Massachusetts Technological Institute (MIT), Kapralos said the best example of this interest was the fact that foreign institutional investors currently owned more than 35 percent equity stake in Hellenic Exchanges, from 16 percent 12 months ago. Kapralos also referred to the recent acquisition of Turkey's Finansbank by National Bank of Greece.

"We are living in a very interesting period in the stock market sector due to strategic moves in the market," Kapralos said commenting on the news that Nasdaq purchased a 15 percent equity stake in the London Stock Exchange.

Kapralos presented the prospects of Hellenic Exchanges Group in Southeastern Europe and stressed that the Group aimed to become a stock market hub in the region, either through the use of a single technological trading platform or through an internet connection of stock markets in the region.

[19] Greek-Turkish business conference opens in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Panagiotis Koutsikos, Chairman of the Greek-Turkish Business Council, and his Turkish counterpart Selim Egeli, inaugurated the conference, which featured speakers active in the Greek and Turkish business community.

Speaking of the recently announced buying of a stake of Turkey's Finansbank by National Bank of Greece, Egeli said that "a dream has come true."

He also noted that the volume of transactions between the two countries has reached $2 billion.

On his part, Koutsikos said that commercial developments have an important impact on political relations between the two countries, noting that the volume of commercial transactions between Greece and Turkey has increased 10-fold from $200 million in 1999 to $2.1 billion in 2005.

He added that Greece's biggest construction company is working with Turkey's ENKA on projects abroad.

As for the tourism sector, Koutsikos said that while 100,000 Greek tourists had visited Turkey in 2004 the corresponding figure for 2005 stood at 585,000.

Finally, Koutsikos noted that Turkey ranked seventh as a recipient of Greek exports, adding that while the figures are satisfactory there is still great potential. "We could reach $4.5 - $5 billion [in commercial transactions]," he said.

[20] Local gov't authorities extend strike another 24 hrs

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

POE-OTA's Executive Committee also decided to request that Spyros Papaspyrou, President of the civil servants' union ADEDY, intervene on workers' behalf with the Ministry of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization in order to reach a compromise.

The Committee will convene again on Friday morning, while a POE-OTA delegation is scheduled to meet with main opposition PASOK Secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou.

Interior minister comments on garbage strike

Following the announcement on Thursday by the local government workers' union, POE-OTA, that it will continue its nationwide garbage strike, which will enter its tenth day on Friday, Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos in a statement yet again called on POE-OTA for a dialogue, while he termed as "a pretext" the continuing strike "which harms those who should be incorporated as soon as possible in the heavy duty and unhygienic category."

The minister said, "as I have repeatedly stressed the demand for the extension of the heavy duty and unhygienic category to the permanent personnel of the Local Government Organization is just."

Pavlopoulos added that "this government, having satisfied, at least, eleven basic demands of the employees ... has decided to open the dialogue also for dealing with the demand of the heavy duty and unhygienic category and asked for there to be a two-month deadline so as to settle the details for satisfying the demand."

"For 18 years this demand had not been met," the minister also noted.

[21] PASOK party holds conference on household loans

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The call came during a conference it held at the Convention Centre in Nea Ionia on the issue of "households' overindebtedness with banks."

Development sector chief Anna Diamantopoulou said that the Competition Committee must address issues concerning bank practices with consistency and in depth so that possible harmonized practices concerning commissions, as well as other issues, can be dealt with drastically.

She added that the Bank of Greece must take additional institutional duties regarding the supervision of banks and the development ministry must proceed with the improvement of the institutional framework concerning both responsible loaning and issues of misleading advertising.

Diamantopoulou further said that PASOK will submit a draft law before summer on the protection of the consumer in his relations with banks and called on citizens to support consumer movements.

Addressing the event, PASOK's economy sector chief Vasso Papandreou criticized banks and the government for the big increase in the loaning of households and the dangers of overindebtedness.

She said that during the past two years, the increase in the loaning of households is in the region of 68 percent and 500,000 households spend over 50 percent of their monthly income to pay off debts.

[22] Hellenic Petroleum confirms interest for Serbian NIS

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

In a letter to the Athens Stock Exchange, Hellenic Petroleum said it has publicly expressed its interest and the importance it places on the Serbian oil products market.

[23] Greek stocks down 0.39 pct on Thursday

ATHENS, 14/4/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The composite index fell 0.39 percent to end at 4,188.70 points, with turnover a low 219.5 million euros.

Most sector indices ended lower with the Industrials (1.68 pct), Technology (1.37 pct), Oil-Gas (1.33 pct) and Travel and Leisure (1.11 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day. On the other hand, Chemicals (3.08 pct), Construction (1.04 pct), Financial Services (0.44 pct) and Utilities (0.21 pct) scored gains.

The Big Cap index fell 0.31 pct, the Mid Cap index was unchanged and the Small Cap index ended 0.43 percent down.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 164 to 92 with another 61 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures: