Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Congress standing committee chairman Bangguo

[02] DM Meimarakis issues warning to Ankara

[03] Foreign ministry: Greece did not concede sovereign rights or functions

[04] PASOK party spokesman comments on air accident over Aegean

[05] Parliament to pay for education of downed pilot's children

[06] Danish Queen received by PM

[07] New Democracy MPs table proposal for revising Greek Constitution

[08] PASOK leader, SI president Papandreou invited to open Australian Labor Party conference in April

[09] PASOK hosts event on immigrants

[10] Foreign ministry comments on Montenegro referendum

[11] Public order minister to meet Albanian interior minister

[12] Public Order minister meets with US ambassador

[13] Education minister makes statement on building of churches

[14] FinMin: Gov't won't raise pension funds' investment ceilings

[15] Development ministry sets policy priorities for 2007-2013 period

[16] Main opposition on National Bank of Greece

[17] ATEbank shows Q1 profit rise

[18] Aid for poultry farming sector

[19] UAE developers eye Greek projects

[20] Greece, Cyprus seek closer business ties

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[22] Eurovision 2006 made a net profit in Athens, state broadcaster says

[23] Greece, Egypt in science, technology pact

[24] Events on the occasion of the Int'l Missing Children's Day

[25] Speedboat chase off Corfu with exchange of gunfire

[26] Ceremony commemorating the victims of the Battle of Crete

[27] Fashion show in support of children refugees in Greece

[28] Spokesman says Greek Cypriot side supports efforts towards Cyprus settlement

[29] EU Commissioner Dimas meets Cyprus environment minister

[30] CoE Congress President to promote Cyprus problem

[31] 31st Cyprus International Fair opens in Nicosia

[01] Congress standing committee chairman Bangguo

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The two sides reaffirmed the good climate in bilateral relations following Karamanlis' official visit to Beijing last January, and their desire to further develop bilateral relations in the sectors of investments and trade.

The high-ranking Chinese official conveyed to Karamanlis greetings from the Chinese prime minister, underlining the historical relations and ties between the two countries.

On his part, Karamanlis said he has instructed his Cabinet to intensify efforts related to closer Greek-Chinese cooperation, while Bangguo cited his interest in expanded port facilities in Greece. Additionally, he expressed an interest in increasing the number of Chinese tourists visiting Greece, the presence of Greece-based construction firms in Chinese road projects, as well as greater cooperation and the transfer of Olympic know-how from Athens to Beijing.

The top Chinese official, who also presides over the economy and international economic cooperation portfolio, called the budding economic cooperation between the two countries "extremely positive", noting that Karamanlis' visit to China helped establish a strategic relationship, whereas his visit to Greece aims to further upgrade this relationship.

The first practical benefits for Greece following Athens' initiative include a rise in olive oil exports to China -- 30 percent -- while talks continue for the establishment of direct flights between Athens and Beijing.

Also, the largest container ship in the world, with a capacity of 9,500 containers, is due to sail into the port of Piraeus next month. The vessel belongs to Greek interests and its christening will take place in Piraeus.

Crete visit: Afterwards, Wu Bangguo departed with a large PRC delegation to Irakleio, Crete, where he was greeted by local officials.

While on the large south Aegean island, he will meet with Bakoyannis later in the afternoon.

Earlier, the Chinese official was due to visit the Irakleio archaeological museum before touring the Knossos site.

He will depart the island on Friday.

[02] DM Meimarakis issues warning to Ankara

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The minister was speaking from Larissa, central Greece, where he visited the Tactical Airforce Headquarters.

Meimarakis said that "Turkey must understand that the development of our relations depends on its conduct as well as on its European course, and for this reason, its full abidance is required, to the principles of good neighborliness."

The defense minister called on Ankara "to cease the violations of Greek air space and to change logic and approach to the matter."

Meimarakis was accompanied on his visit to Larissa by Deputy National Defense Ministers Vassilis Michaloliakos and Yiannis Lambropoulos and Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Admiral Panagiotis Hinofotis.

EU requires that Turkey behave as a good neighbor, Greece stresses

The European Union has set out specific criteria for admitting Turkey into its ranks and one of these is good neighborly behavior, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stressed on Thursday.

Responding to questions about the collision of a Turkish and Greek military jet above the Aegean on Tuesday, the spokesman stressed that Turkey was obliged to fulfill all the conditions set by the 25 EU member-states in its course toward EU accession.

Emphasizing that this was a standing Greek position that had been repeatedly expressed by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, he also stressed that Karamanlis had left no doubts that all elements would be taken into account in assessing Turkey's progress toward Europe.

"It is necessary for Turkey to fully meet the obligations it has undertaken and that concern specific behavior. This behavior is monitored and assessed by the 25 EU member-states," Antonaros added.

Asked about the possibility of a veto to Turkey's further EU progress, however, the spokesman said that the right of veto was exercised as a last resort, when all other ways of reaching an understanding had failed.

"There is no instance when a country has used its veto," he pointed out.

Regarding dialogue between Greece and Turkey, Antonaros pointed out that there were frequent meetings and talks between politicians in the two countries, while dialogue between EU member-states and candidate-states was constant.

Greece's goal was to fully normalize Greek-Turkish relations and the government had succeeded in placing Turkey under continual scrutiny through its steady and unswerving policies, he added.

The two aircraft collided in the air above the Aegean on Tuesday, about 15 miles south-southeast of the island of Karpathos, when the Greek Airforce plane engaged in maneuvers to intercept a formation of Turkish planes that had entered the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) without submitting flight plans to Greek authorities.

The pilot of the Turkish F-16 was rescued shortly afterward but a search-and-rescue operation discovered only the helmet and survival kit of missing Greek pilot Constantine Iliakis, father of two.

[03] Foreign ministry: Greece did not concede sovereign rights or functions

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"This incident could have had elements of danger that no one desires and might have led to more dangerous situations," he added.

He also pointed out that the EU had stressed policies of respecting good neighborly relations as a prerequisite for Euro-Turkish progress.

"Turkey's stance does not demonstrate signs of respect for good neighborly relations and all these events form part of Greece's assessment," Koumoutsakos said, when asked if the policy being followed with respect to Ankara was effective.

At the same time, he pointed out that Greece had expected Turkey's compliance to take time and encounter difficulties.

"No one had the illusion that Turkey would immediately change its behavior after October 3," Koumoutsakos told reporters, adding that Greece was dealing with the problem with calm, level-headedness and determination.

He refused to comment on NATO's reaction to the incident, however.

Koumoutsakos also underlined that communication with Turkey had helped de-escalate tension and avoid misunderstandings that might have arisen otherwise.

Asked whether Athens had demanded an apology from Ankara for the incident, and whether such an apology was given, the spokesman said that Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul had expressed his sorrow over the event when he contacted Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

"This is an unfortunate event that in which there are clear elements of chance and this is how it must be viewed. Greece handled it with determination and calmness," he added.

Finally, when asked whether Athens would set a limit for tolerating such activities by Turkey, the spokesman reiterated statements by Karamanlis and Bakoyannis that the present situation could not continue.

Violations of Greek airspace and infringements of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) by Turkey above the Aegean are almost routine, since Ankara disputes the extent of airspace claimed by NATO-ally Greece and routinely sends its aircraft into the region without informing Athens. As a result, Turkish fighter aircraft are frequently engaged in mock dogfights with Greek jets that are scrambled to intercept them.

[04] PASOK party spokesman comments on air accident over Aegean

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Athanassakis said that PASOK's positions until now were based on information it had from the government and which Papandreou had requested from the defense minister "since nobody took the initiative to brief the main opposition party."

However, he mentioned that Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis communicated with Papandreou on the night of the same day.

The spokesman once again criticized the government for lacking strategy, saying that as a result of this the government "is functioning like a pendulum, going from yielding to tension."

[05] Parliament to pay for education of downed pilot's children

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The decision was made at the Parliament presidents council following a proposal by Apostolos Kaklamanis, while there is a similar precedent in the past.

[06] Danish Queen received by PM

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Margrethe II was received in the Greek capital a day earlier by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias. The Danish monarch, accompanied by her spouse, Prince Henrik, had arrived in the Greek capital on Wednesday morning aboard a yacht that docked at the Faliro marina of southern coastal Athens.

Greece sees room for closer business ties with Denmark: Greece sees more room for closer economic ties with Denmark against a backdrop of excellent political relations between the two countries, Deputy Foreign Minister Euripides Stylianidis said on Thursday.

Addressing a Greek-Danish business forum during a visit by the north European country's queen and prince, Stylianidis said the event was an opportunity to assess the outlook in sectors including shipping, energy, textiles, tourism and services.

He noted a rise in bilateral trade and a strong presence in Greece by Danish companies or their subsidiaries, and Danish tourists.

Stylianidis outlined the government's plans to make Greece a trade hub in the Balkans and energy hub between East and West.

Prince Henrik addresses Greek-Danish Business Forum: Prince Henrik of Denmark addressed the Greek-Danish Business Forum in Athens on Thursday, referring to the further development and strengthening of economic and trade relations between Greece and Denmark which have many similarities.

He said that Greek-Danish relations are at a very good level. As regards economic relations, trade between the two countries has more than doubled over the past two years, while many Danish businesses are active in the Greek market. The Danish delegation includes businessmen who are interested in benefiting from investments opportunities in the Greek market.

On his part, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas referred to possibilities appearing to widen trade and economic relations between Greece and Denmark, underlining favorable arrangements that the Greek government is promoting that are creating suitable ground for making investments.

Sioufas added that more than 30 Danish businesses are already active in the Greek market in various sectors such as energy, fisheries, sea transport, pharmaceuticals and dairy products.

Sioufas also had a private meeting with Danish Transport and Energy Minister Flemming Hansen in the framework of the Forum and discussed bilateral and European issues of mutual interest with him.

[07] New Democracy MPs table proposal for revising Greek Constitution

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The proposal was signed by all the MPs in the party, led by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said.

[08] PASOK leader, SI president Papandreou invited to open Australian Labor Party conference in April

MELBOURNE, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

According to an exclusive report in the Neos Kosmos Greek-Australian newspaper, Papandreou has been invited by the Australian Labor Party to open the party's Annual Conference, to be held in Sidney April 27-29, 2007.

[09] PASOK hosts event on immigrants

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Their request was endorsed by PASOK Euro-deputy Stavros Lambrinidis and PASOK Political Council member and Panteion University Professor Marilena Koppa in charge of the party’s Rights Division.

The event was also held to honor second generation immigrants who have distinguished themselves in the academic field and in the arts, as well as for their work as immigrant rights activists. Four of them originally coming from Kenya, Albania and Nigeria had the opportunity to share with the audience their personal struggle for social integration and recognition.

[10] Foreign ministry comments on Montenegro referendum

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Greece, the announcement added, hails the will expressed by the majority of the traditionally friendly people of Montenegro and expresses the wish that the new situation being shaped in the Balkans will contribute to the further consolidation of conditions of stability and to the development of friendly neighborly relations between all the countries in the region.

"We look forward to Serbia and Montenegro starting a friendly and constructive dialogue on the implementation of the will of the people of Montenegro," the announcement further said.

Lastly, it noted that Greece will continue its very friendly relations of cooperation both with Serbia and Montenegro, supporting their European prospects.

[11] Public order minister to meet Albanian interior minister

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The signing ceremony will be attended by the two chiefs of the fire brigades Andreas Kois and Alfred Christuli. The signing of the agreement will be followed by the official delivery of material and technical aid by the fire brigade of Greece to the corresponding Albanian fire brigade.

The donation includes two fully-equipped fire engines which will be provided for the fire brigades in Sarande and Delvine.

The bilateral agreement is aimed at extending cooperation on issues concerning the handling of big fires and serious natural disasters, while the exchange of information and knowledge in the firefighting sector is also anticipated.

[12] Public Order minister meets with US ambassador

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

No statements were made after the meeting.

[13] Education minister makes statement on building of churches

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

A relevant amendment had been submitted by 12 deputies from all the parties in Parliament.

On the question of the issue of approval for the building of churches, Yannakou said that this concerns the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry and the building service of the Church.

"I am aware that in a law on building licenses provided for consultations by the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works minister there will be a similar arrangement. It will be coming after September and we shall be discussing these there. We have no jurisdiction for this," she said.

Yannakou also said that over the past two years the education and religion ministry has never refused to give a license to the 65 known religions and faiths.

[14] FinMin: Gov't won't raise pension funds' investment ceilings

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Speaking to reporters, Alogoskoufis said the ceiling was currently 23 percent of reserves for each pension fund and that this level would not be raised.

Commenting on a deal by National Bank to buy Turkey's Finansbank, Alogoskoufis said decisions were taken by enterprises and that the role of politicians was not to consult enterprises on their moves. The minister, added, however, that when political parameters exist in certain deals, then firms would talk with members of the government. Alogoskoufis said that expanding business activities in the wider region was to everyone's benefit.

He added that an OECD ministerial meeting in Paris this past week focused on several interesting issues, such as the implementation of reforms, the OECD's initiatives to promote investments, the significance of open markets and the urgent need for a rapid completion of the Doha round of World Trade Organization talks.

[15] Development ministry sets policy priorities for 2007-2013 period

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The plan was drafted by a ministry commission headed by Commerce secretary-general Manousos Voloudakis and tries to set development priorities and goals for the period 2007-2013. Under the plan, main priorities are: ensuring healthy competition in domestic markets, creating a favorable business climate, restructuring a framework on public procurements and boosting transparency, supporting Greek exports, adopting innovation, promoting actions to improve product and service quality, reducing production costs, creating new and flexible funding tools and strengthening human resources.

The plan will be discussed with all interested parties in a meeting June 7.

[16] Main opposition on National Bank of Greece

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"The latest developments in Turkey render even more imperative the withdrawal by National's management of the proposal. It must go to shareholders with a substantively different proposal that benefits shareholders and the Greek economy," PASOK shadow economy spokeswoman Vasso Papandreou said in a statement.

She was responding to statements earlier in the day by Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis.

"If the government is convinced of a bright future for the bank, how can it justify its refusal to allow social insurance funds to take part in National's unprecedented share capital increase," Papandreou asked.

[17] ATEbank shows Q1 profit rise

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Net interest income was Euro 140.1 million, a 4.7% increase on a recurrent basis, excluding non-recurring interest income of around Euro 30 million during the first quarter of 2005 due to loan restructuring under law 3259/04 on overdue loan penalty rates, management said in a statement.

The Net Interest Margin (net interest income over average interest earning assets) as of 31 March 2006 stood at 3.09%, compared to 3.04% at the end of 2005 and 3.17%, on a recurrent basis, at the end of March 2005.

Net fee and commission income showed an increase of 23.2% compared to the corresponding period of 2005 to total Euro 18.1 million, mainly due to the increase in fees and commissions of loans and money transfers.

Other non-interest income reached Euro 38.3 million, showing a decrease of 6.7% versus the corresponding period in the previous year, mainly due to the reduced turnover of the subsidiary Hellenic Sugar Company, following the recent EU decisions regarding sugar production, the statement said.

As a result, operating income was Euro 196.5 million, an increase on a recurrent basis of 3.7%, while on a reported basis it showed a decrease of 10.5% compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Operating expenses remained almost stable, as they increased 0.03% compared to the corresponding period in 2005, reaching Euro 121.9 million.

"This trend, which appears for a fifth continuous quarter, reflects the effectiveness of the cost containment policy that is being implemented throughout the ATEbank Group of companies. As a result, the Group cost income ratio was reduced, on a recurrent basis, to 62.0% in the first three months of the year, compared to 64.3% in the same period of 2005," management said.

Total loans at the end of March 2006 reached Euro 13.4 billion, an increase of 9.2% compared to end of March 2005.

"The combination of new retail products combined with aggressive marketing campaigns that continued in 2006 has resulted in a remarkable increase in new disbursements. Average monthly mortgage lending new disbursements have gone up in the first quarter of 2006 by 240% compared to first quarter of 2005 and by 54% compared to the average of 2005," management said.

[18] Aid for poultry farming sector

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The program, which is slated for EU financing of 45 million euros, has been given to the European Union for approval. Remaining financing will come from the state budget, the minister reported.

[19] UAE developers eye Greek projects

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The ministry was relaying the outcome of a visit to Dubai by Deputy Finance Minister Peter Doukas on May 23-24 for talks on attracting investment, tightening business ties between the two countries, and promoting Greek exports.

Doukas held talks with the finance and industry minister, Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on closer political and economic cooperation. With the Emirates Group, he discussed the outlook for cooperation in air transportation and tourism.

The ministry statement also urged Greek firms to take advantage of opportunities in Dubai, especially banking, metallurgy, construction, tourism, foodstuffs and shipping links.

[20] Greece, Cyprus seek closer business ties

NICOSIA, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

"We agreed that closer cooperation and links between the business communities of Cyprus and Greece are essential to advance our economies for mutual benefit," Folias told reporters after the meeting.

Folias is representing the Greek government at the island republic's international trade fair.

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS, 26/5/2006 (ANA/MPA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.34% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.14% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.31% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 178 to 76 with 57 remaining unchanged.

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