Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-13

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] PM, development minister debate use of EU growth funds

[02] FM Dora Bakoyannis and Cyprus counterpart discuss Cyprus issue

[03] FM Bakoyannis' schedule of meetings

[04] Greece again details position over Turkey's EU obligations

[05] Foreign ministry echoes gov't in dismissing Papandreou comment over 'overall agreement' with Ankara prior to 2004 elections

[06] Government: Teachers offered what the economy can afford

[07] KKE's Papariga criticizes gov't over ongoing crisis in the education sector

[08] Alavanos calls for an off-the-agenda debate on Education

[09] Teachers decide to continue their strike next week

[10] Athens mayoral candidate Costas Skandalidis addresses rally

[11] Athens mayoral candidate Tsipras

[12] Pavlopoulos meets candidate Athens prefect Pipili

[13] Honesty superfluous for candidate mayors, opinion poll finds

[14] Foreign ministry dismisses US diplomat's quip over 'nat'l minorities' in Greece

[15] Greece to participate in naval force for the surveillance of Lebanon's sea region

[16] EU says Greece must pass measures for locating 112 line callers

[17] European Service for the Reconstruction of the Balkans to operate until end of 2008

[18] Greece's ambassador hosts dinner in honor of Nicholas Burns

[19] GDP revision not related with EU procedures for excessive deficit, FinMin says

[20] PASOK economy sector official criticizes economic policy

[21] Commission urges reform of Greek pension, social security system

[22] Gov't responds to criticism of economic revision

[23] Transport minister comments on renewed European transport policy

[24] New waterfront project inaugurated in Thessaloniki

[25] Greece to participate for second time in international exhibition in Skopje

[26] Citibank to significantly raise its branch network in Greece by 2008

[27] CEDEFOP begins two-day conference in Thessaloniki

[28] Greek households raise spending on entertainment, survey

[29] Industrial price import index up 2.3 pct in August, yr/yr

[30] Trade deficit with Turkey down 6.0% in Jan-Aug

[31] Athens keeps Moody's A2 rating

[32] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[33] Party leaders tour flood-stricken Thessaloniki, criticize Psomiadis

[34] Government spokesman replies to statements by Papandreou

[35] Pavlopoulos on the Athens Liberation anniversary

[36] Macedonia-Thrace ministry in Extramet program

[37] European Commission threatening EU countries with European Court on notary profession

[38] Foreign Minister says Cyprus cannot turn blind eye on EU-Turkish relations

[39] Cyprus says no EU chapters to open for Turkey before progress report

[01] PM, development minister debate use of EU growth funds

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

"Discussed in particular were the allocation of funds for energy and industry. Energy infrastructure and the energy network to Italy will also be supported, as well as in the framework of networks to southeastern Europe," Sioufas told reporters after the meeting.

Also discussed were private investment in electricity, natural gas and renewable energy, which Karamanlis wants to see entering the country's energy balance as soon as possible.

In addition, especial attention would be paid to popular programs of the ministry, including women and youth enterprise, commerce, vocations and services.

"The main point is to attain all-round growth and growth for all," Sioufas noted.

Finally, construction of a pipeline to carry Russian oil to Greece through Bulgaria was discussed, and the creation of new light industry parks.

[02] FM Dora Bakoyannis and Cyprus counterpart discuss Cyprus issue

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Their meeting was held shortly before the dinner given by Bakoyannis at Lagonisi for her European counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting of EU Mediterranean countries' foreign ministers.

Earlier, the foreign minister held talks with her Slovenian counterpart Dr Dimitrij Rupel, with identical views being ascertained on enlargement and support for the European prospect of Western Balkan countries.

Bakoyannis assured her counterpart of Greece's intention to convey its expertise and know-how to the Slovenian side that will assume the duties of the EU's presidency in 18 months.

[03] FM Bakoyannis' schedule of meetings

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Koumoutsakos also announced that Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos would arrive in Athens on October 18 on a visit, and was scheduled to meet that same day with foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis.

Turkey's EU accession course would also be discussed on Monday between Bakoyannis and Finnish parliament president Paavo Lipponen, who was also due in Athens on a visit.

On October 19, Bakoyannis would meet with European enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn, Turkey's chief EU accession negotiator Ali Babacan, and Italian foreign minister Emma Bonino.

[04] Greece again details position over Turkey's EU obligations

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

In a regular weekly press briefing, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos referred to a paradox, as he said, in Turkey's quest for EU membership, namely, the fact that it continues to not recognize a country that is a member in an organization it wants to join, something he termed "paradoxical and irrational".

Conversely, the spokesman said the upcoming period will allow for opportunities to "lift this paradox".

Asked about the screening of Turkey's ongoing EU accession process, Koumoutsakos said the chapter on "business and industrial policy" was discussed at a work group level within the EU recently, and that the Greek side had aired certain "substantive concerns" over technical issues. He added that the Cypriot side had expressed a negative opinion, leading to the tabling of relevant discussions for the future.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry spokesman declined to comment on the substance of a recent initiative by the Finnish EU presidency vis-à-vis the Cyprus issue and Turkey's stance, merely noting that the action aims to seek input by all interested sides. He also said that Athens has a standing position over the matter and does not wish to enter a reasoning of 'trade-offs'.

Finally, Koumoutsakos was again asked about Wednesday's somewhat eyebrow-raising quip by his counterpart at the Turkish foreign ministry, Namik Tan, who reportedly responded to Koumoutsakos' allusion to the ubiquitous "train crash" metaphor - a leitmotif in press reports and European leaders' comments about EU-Turkey relations over the recent period - by saying that "Greece's specialty are airplane accidents. I would advice him (Koumoutsakos) to stick with those instead of train accidents".

"I must tell you, because I know him, that Mr. Tan is a gentleman, and for this reason his statement surprised me," Koumoutsakos said, while declining to comment further. The spokesman's exact statement in Athens was: "Turkey will not derail if it follows the tracks..."

In an ANA-MPA dispatch from Istanbul later on Thursday, Tan told an ANA-MPA correspondent that his comments were misinterpreted.

"My statements had absolutely no intention of provoking or irritating," he said, while adding that he has repeatedly in the past highlighted the positive side of Greek-Turkish relations and has made systematic efforts to clear-up possible mis-understandings between Athens and Ankara.

Comment on French decision

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, Koumoutsakos was asked about Thursday's decision by the French National Assembly to pass a law making it a crime to deny that ethnic Armenians suffered genocide at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I.

"It is well known that the Greek parliament adopted a 1996 resolution condemning the Armenian genocide. At the same time, we believe that in the modern world the past must not be an obstacle for the future."

[05] Foreign ministry echoes gov't in dismissing Papandreou comment over 'overall agreement' with Ankara prior to 2004 elections

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

"The ministry of foreign affairs has never denied the fact that, following the 2004 elections, a memorandum was given to then Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis by outgoing foreign minister Tassos Yiannitsis regarding the course of exploratory contacts between Greece and Turkey," spokesman George Koumoutsakos said, while stressing that no other document was presented.

"From what is at the ministry's disposal, no where does it arise that there was a dynamic progress showing talks (with Turkey) were headed towards a final agreement," Koumoutsakos stressed.

His statements followed similar ones by the government spokesman on Monday, who first disputed the assertion by Papandreou, the long-time foreign minister in two consecutive Simitis governments, regarding a breakthrough with Turkey.

Papandreou was quoted in an interview that appeared in the Sunday edition of the Athens daily "Ethnos".

In the interview, Papandreou said the two sides "had reached a point where we would have agreed on a procedure by which Turkey would have withdrawn its 'grey-zones' type demands," and where all that was needed to reach an overall agreement was a "final push".

Commenting on Papandreou's reference to talks on a "political level" with Turkey, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos called on PASOK's leader to reveal what these contacts were, who had made them, what their object and results were and whether Papandreou had informed anyone apart from then premier Simitis.

[06] Government: Teachers offered what the economy can afford

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Regarding a ¬ 105 benefit that formed part of the teachers' demands, Roussopoulos conceded that teachers were right to strive for something that the government promised they would receive but noted that the government, on its part, was trying to fulfill its pledges to the extent that the economy could afford:

"The government notes that the capabilities offered by the budget have been exhausted and repeated that from January 1, 2007 the sum of ¬ 17.5 will be added to the salary of teachers, while from July 1 in that same year this sum will increase to ¬ 35, from January 1, 2008 the increase will be ¬ 52.5, from July 1, 2008 the increase will be ¬ 70 a month, from January 1, 2009 the increase will be ¬ 87.5 and from July 1, 2009 it will be ¬ 105 a month," the spokesman clarified.

Primary school teachers, apart from a substantial increase in base pay for those entering the profession, are also demanding that the ¬ 105 benefit be paid immediately in full. Under the government's counter-offer the overall sum they receive over the three years is reduced by just over half, while in the first year they will only get an additional ¬ 315 to their present annual salaries.

The spokesman also pointed out that an additional ¬ 215 million had already been allocated to education in the budget and listed the sums spent on education in past years, comparing the amounts allocated under PASOK governments and the present New Democracy government:

According to these figures, the annual budget for education had risen from ¬ 3,915 million paid out in 1999 to ¬ 5,183 million paid out in 2003. In 2004, the year in which New Democracy was elected and executed the budget prepared by the previous PASOK government, the amount originally allocated to education came to ¬ 5,550 million and the government paid out ¬ 5,939 million. The amount spent rose to ¬ 6,375 million in 2005, while the amount allocated to education in the 2006 budget was ¬ 6,911 million.

"In other words, in the past two and a half years the New Democracy government has increased funds for education by ¬ 1,411 million, while in the past six years the increase was ¬ 1,635 million. This shows in absolute numbers who is truly interested in giving more money for education.

Countering accusations of intransigency leveled against the government over the crisis with teachers, the spokesman stressed that the government was now entering the 24th month of dialogue and consultation on education issues and could hardly be called intransigent, while he again denied that the government was considering a civil mobilization to force teachers to return to classes.

Roussopoulos also denied that the government had changed its stance toward the protests of high school students since the days when New Democracy was in the opposition, in reference to his assertion that high school takeovers by students had been 'incited by others' and not by students themselves.

Repeating previous statements, the spokesman said that students should be given the freedom to decide for themselves whether they wanted to attend classes or not.

"Classrooms should not be padlocked so that we could see whether those who want to attend class are a majority or a minority," he said.

Primary school and kindergarten teachers are now in the midst of the fourth straight week of strike action, begun just days after the school term started. Apart from a base pay increase of some 47 percent for newly-appointed educators, which teachers' say is a demand shared with all public-sector staff, another bone of contention is the ¬ 105 benefit that was promised to them and not paid. They also want the government to fulfill a pre-election pledge to increase spending on education to 5 percent of GDP.

The labor mobilization, interspersed by eventful rallies, pickets and marches, has latterly been joined by high-school teachers, who held 48-hour strikes in the past weeks, and was this week complicated by high school takeovers that raise a new set of demands over university entrance examinations and the curriculum.

[07] KKE's Papariga criticizes gov't over ongoing crisis in the education sector

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

In a press conference she gave at the elelectoral centre of KKE mayoral candidate for Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Agapios Sahinis, Papariga stressed that "education is being scorned." She described the new primary school text books as a "tragedy", about which she claimed that "they are not educational and are unscientific."

Papariga stressed that "a prolonged struggle for education is worthwhile."

The KKE Secretary-General added that "the teachers must be paid well," while she called on the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement PASOK "to clarify what it supports regarding the struggle of the teachers and their economic demands."

Papariga made clear that the KKE "has already taken position for the first and the second round of the (local government) elections."

[08] Alavanos calls for an off-the-agenda debate on Education

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Alavanos mentioned that the sector of education is in an unprecedented state of disorder, while the main demands of the strikers call for public, free and quality education, dignified work conditions, real wage increases and the allocation of 5 percent of GDP for education.

Alavanos blamed the government for the situation in the education sector, accusing it of refusing to enter into a meaningful dialogue with the striking teachers.

[09] Teachers decide to continue their strike next week

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

As announced by the Federation, decision was reached for "the continuation of the struggle with a three-day strike (or four-day if there is no second round in the local government elections) on October 17, 18 and 19 (and 2Oth correspondingly).

Decision was also reached for a teachers' rally to be held in Athens and Thessaloniki, Macedonia, and in all of the country's major cities at noon on Thursday, October 19. On the same day, the plenum of the Federation's presidents will convene to decide on "the branch's further course."

[10] Athens mayoral candidate Costas Skandalidis addresses rally

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Skandalidis focused on his vision for Athens "the champion city, the Metropolis of culture, the city in which it is worth living, the meeting with all forces in the city, intellectuals, businessmen, the people of culture, science and technology, from downtown and in the outskirts, men and women, and planning for the 'road map' leading Athens to the year 2015."

He spoke of a "lost 20 years", calling on the Athenians to change "the regime ruling for 20 years, when the municipality of Athens became synonymous with extravagance and untrasparent management, the clientele logic, favors, mismanagement and even paradministration."

Skandalidis also referred to projects created for the Athens Olympic Games, speaking of "safeguarding modern infrastructures, major projects, great restorations, the unification of archaeological sites and the combating of bureaucracy, with the citizen's service centre."

He went on to say that "we made the state function effectively, we all experienced the clean, safe and hospitable Athens of the Olympic Games" and wondered "where is this Athens, what has remained to remind us of it."

The mayoral candidate then criticized his arch rival Nikitas Kaklamanis, for whom he had heard "from the most official lips", as he said, that his tenure as health minister was characterized by "mismanagement, untransparency, the paralysis of hospitals, illegal hiring's at the KEELPNO, etc."

Referring to his rival's candidacy for the municipality of Athens, Skandalidis said that in essence he has no program and for this reason "he has not much to say" and termed "an insult for democracy his refusal to say what he will do for the municipality."

Skandalidis also said of Kaklamanis that he "is hiding, avoiding confrontation and claiming arrogantly from time to time that the people will speak on the Sunday of elections, as if the people act in accordance with ephemeral opinion polls."

Skandalidis summed up his address by saying that "above all, however, we shall overturn the regime of the municipality which is keeping the city pinned down. I am speaking of an overturning, a democratic overturning."

[11] Athens mayoral candidate Tsipras

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

During a press conference, Tsipras stressed that 43 percent of the candidate city councilors on his ballot are women, adding that women experience the city's problems with greater intensity, and spoke of limited labor rights, job insecurity, high cost of day nurseries and lack of free spaces and safe side-walks for mothers and children.

[12] Pavlopoulos meets candidate Athens prefect Pipili

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Pipili stated after the meeting that her ticket's program calls for precautionary Audit Council inspections on all supra-prefecture expenditures, while measures will be taken to improve the state of the city road network. In addition, local referendums will be held on all major issues concerning the wider Athens region.

Pipili also added that her ballot supports the abolition of double compensation for elected prefects and supra-prefects in the new Prefectural Administration Code.

Pavlopoulos thanked her for the proposals which were presented while the code is being drawn up and added that the prime minister has stressed that over 80 percent of the 4th Community Support Framework will be allocated for the Regions and local government.

[13] Honesty superfluous for candidate mayors, opinion poll finds

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The "ability to provide solutions" is a necessary qualification for 38.3 percent of the respondents, followed by assertiveness (32.6 percent), "being aware of the city's interests" or "having a vision" (23.3 percent). Credibility is a decisive factor for the election of a mayor for 14.4 percent of the respondents, while just 12.5 percent cast their vote having the mayor's sense of honesty as a criterion.

Also, the opinion poll showed that one in two voters is greatly influenced by the mayor's communication profile and social image.

[14] Foreign ministry dismisses US diplomat's quip over 'nat'l minorities' in Greece

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

During his normal weekly press briefing, ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos merely noted that the unnamed US diplomat's comment "was absolutely flawed and deceptive, and one that contradicts the content of reports by the US State Department itself."

Moreover, Koumoutsakos once again stressed that the only recognized minority in Greece -- as per the 1923 Lausanne treaty -- is the Muslim minority in the northeast Thrace province.

Specifically, the statement uttered by the US diplomat reportedly referred to the tens of thousands of Albanian guest workers that entered Greece from the neighboring country legally and illegally over the past 16 years, most of whom have been granted temporary work and residence permits by EU and NATO member-state Greece.

Koumoutsakos noted that Albanian citizens in Greece have smoothly settled into Greek society.

[15] Greece to participate in naval force for the surveillance of Lebanon's sea region

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

By decision of the UN, The force's new commander will be a German captain who takes over from the Italian commander of the naval force which carried out patrols in the region.

Taking part in the new naval force are Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Sweden and Turkey. Greece will participate with the frigate "Egeo" (Aegean).

[16] EU says Greece must pass measures for locating 112 line callers

BRUSSELS 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA - M. Spinthourakis)

It said that reasoned opinions, the first step in the process for referring a member-state to the European Court of Justice, would be sent to Greece, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Slovakia, Italy and Portugal.

The 112 emergency number is common to all EU member-states and can be called from any country within the EU.

According to the Commission, many of those calling the line are not usually able to describe their exact location, so that valuable time is lost. For this reason, the Commission had established community regulations that allow the appropriate member-state authorities to precisely locate the callers when they seek assistance.

The Commission also announced that it was discontinuing action against Greece at the European Court over protection of privacy in electronic communications, after receiving notification that Greece had harmonized Greek legislation with that of the EU.

[17] European Service for the Reconstruction of the Balkans to operate until end of 2008

BRUSSELS 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)

The European Service for the Reconstruction of the Balkans was set up in February 2000, with the main objective the management of major European aid programs to Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). The Service for the Reconstruction of the Balkans has a total portfolio of more than 2.3 billion Euros and operational centers in Pristina, Belgrade, Podgorica and Skopje.

[18] Greece's ambassador hosts dinner in honor of Nicholas Burns

NEW YORK 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA / T. Ellis)

Greeting the US Under-Secretary, ambassador Mallias and US Senator Sarbanes referred to his ties with Greece since his term as a US ambassador, his contribution to the strengthening of the Greek-US relations, the many friends he has in Greece and his brilliant diplomatic career.

Burns thanked ambassador Mallias and everybody present and praised the constructive role played by Greece in the international scene. Referring to his ties with Greece he underlined that he has made more friends in Greece than in all the diplomatic posts he has served abroad combined. He particularly thanked the Greek American community representatives.

The dinner attended leading members of the Greek American community, World Council of Hellenes Abroad, SAE, President Andrew Athens, AHEPA President Gus James, AHI President Eugene Rossides, Pan-Macedonian Association USA President Panos Spiliakos, International Coordinating Committee "Justice for Cyprus", PSEKA, President Philip Christopher and Cyprus Federation of America President Panicos Papanicolaou.

[19] GDP revision not related with EU procedures for excessive deficit, FinMin says

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister stressed the country's fiscal deficit would end 2006 at 2.6 pct of GDP, and to fall to 2.4 pct of GDP in 2007, even using the old GDP figures. He noted that next year's final budget plan would both include old and new system figures. Alogoskoufis said the issue was now at the hands of Eurostat and the National Statistics Service while he stressed that until EU agencies verified the revised GDP figures, the old figures would be used to evaluate the country's fiscal deficit.

A decision by Eurostat over similar cases in the past has taken as long as nine months after application by a member-state. Alogoskoufis said the Greek government has asked for a speed-up of verification procedures. The Greek minister reiterated that Greece has to present balanced or slightly surplus budgets by 2010-2012.

He said that the Economy ministry would submit recommendations over improving the management of social insurance funds and ways to minimize management costs. Commenting on the issue of Skaramangas shipyards, Alogo-skoufis said the government has sent a letter to the EU's Competition Commission saying that the shipyards was mainly a defense contractor enterprises and that no state subsidies have been offered to the company.

[20] PASOK economy sector official criticizes economic policy

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Papandreou further said that "at the government's initiative, without it being compulsory and without briefing the Greek people and Parliament, it proceeded with the amendment of the GDP."

PASOK's official called on the government to have the studies by which the amendment of the GDP was necessary submitted in Parliament, "since many questions are raised with the data that has been publicized."

Papandreou also reiterated PASOK's position that "the repercussions of this amendment are painful for the Greek people and will worsen the position of working people and pensioners even more."

[21] Commission urges reform of Greek pension, social security system

BRUSSELS 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA / V. Demiris)

In a report released by the EU's executive on the long-term viability of EU public finances, Greece -- along with five other member-states (the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Portugal and Slovenia) -- was included in the high-risk group of European states likely to face problems in their pension and social insurance systems due to an ageing population.

The Commission said another 10 member-states (Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia and the UK ) were included in an intermediate list, while another nine member-states (Denmark , Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland and Sweden ) were in a "low risk" list.

Particularly for Greece, the Commission noted the need to improve its fiscal condition and underlined that public debt reached 107.5 pct of GDP last year, exceeding a benchmark rate envisaged in an EU Pact and stressed that a precondition for reducing the debt below 60 percent of GDP was ensuring high primary budget surpluses for a long period of time.

The Commission stressed that Greece, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary and Portugal faced high fiscal deficits and for that reason a fiscal restructuring was necessary and urgent to reduce risks over the long-term viability of public finances.

The report stressed that a current rate of four workers for each pensioner could reach two workers for each pensioner by the year 2040, while the economically active population in the country (15-64 years old) would be reduced to 54.7 pct of the population by 2050 from 67.7 pct currently. The Commission forecast that unless urged measures were taken to reform the pension system and to restructuring the country fiscal condition, Greece's public debt could soar to 255 pct of GDP by 2050.

The report also noted that according to the scenario that Greece would present a balanced budget in 2010, the country's public debt would fall from 107.5 pct of GDP today to 56 pct of GDP in 2050.

An ageing population will also affect the country's growth rates, falling to an average 2.9 pct in 2004-2010, 1.6 pct in 2011-2030 and 0.8 pct in 2031-2050.

[22] Gov't responds to criticism of economic revision

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

In a letter published in the newspaper's Thursday edition, GNSS head Emmanouil Kontopyrakis criticized the content of an article published on October 4 that he said ridiculed the outcome of two years of work by experts in the field.

Under the Eurostat rule, EU member states are obliged to revise the basis year of their national accounts at least every five years. As a result, the GNSS began a major review in autumn 2004 with 2000 as the basis year.

Amendments were made, including 11 new sources of information and other improvements that ranged from estimates from non-profit organizations to a structural study of commercial firms.

"It is a fact that one of the 11 sources covered illegal activities, such as prostitution, the drug trade and trafficking of alcohol and cigarettes. The study on illegal activities was requested and fully funded by the EU's statistical office. Eurostat asked for the study in question to be included in our revision," Kontopyrakis added.

[23] Transport minister comments on renewed European transport policy

BRUSSELS 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/V. Demiris)

Liapis backed the continuation of efforts for further strengthening road safety, the development of inter-European transport networks and of the supply chain, combined with trade centers.

In parallel, he said that emphasis should be given to the promotion of Short Distance Shipping and railways, the improvement of port infrastructures and safeguarding passengers' rights, as well as boosting the use of new technologies.

The minister further said that in every case and before any legislative proposal at EU bodies, economic and social repercussions must be evaluated in full.

Lastly, Liapis said that Greece acknowledges the global character of transport, primarily of sea and air transport, and supports the strong presence of the EU on the international scene, but stressed that member-states must maintain their flexibility in the taking of certain decisions at International Organizations.

[24] New waterfront project inaugurated in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Inaugurating the 50-million-euro new parks project, Papageorgopoulos stressed that in 2-3 years the 5.5km-long waterfront will be the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, after the major facelift is completed.

The new waterfront will feature a wooden promenade deck, water-inspired constructions and a 2.5km-long pine tree alley stretching from the Concert Hall building to the Public Power Corporation (PPC) building. The project will also include park benches along the waterfront, new street lighting and 14 theme parks.

[25] Greece to participate for second time in international exhibition in Skopje

SKOPJE 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Greece's second participation in the exhibition, scheduled to take place between October 17-21, will be organized by the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) S.A. company.

A total of 33 businesses will display their products at the Greek pavilion that will cover an area of 500 square meters. Participations will come primarily from the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Thessaloniki Light Industry Chamber.

Last year's Tehnoma exhibition had 700 exhibitors, while the event attracts an average of about 60,000 visitors.

[26] Citibank to significantly raise its branch network in Greece by 2008

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Vassiliadis said Citibank's network would gradually rise from 64 units currently to 69 by the end of the year, to 85 by the end 2007 and to 100 in 2008, for an increase of 50 percent during the four-year period from 2004 to 2008.

Citibank also plans to further expand its alternative networks, mainly ATMs, network and call center services. Vassiliadis said Citibank was the second largest franchise of Citigroup in Europe, with more than 650,000 customers.

[27] CEDEFOP begins two-day conference in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI 13/10/2006 (ANA)

French Eurodeputy Francoise Castex told the conference that the French National Soccer Team constitutes a "golden" example for the capability of elderly working people in Europe to function effectively in the labor market.

Castex reminded that in the context of the objectives, which were raised at the European Council in Stockholm in 2001, was for 50 per cent of the population in Europe aged between 55 and 64 to continue working until 2010 (against the EU average of 38.7 per cent in 2002).

Within the same time framework, the aim is for the age limit for retirement to increase by five years until 2010 (at 65.4 years against 60.4 in 2002).

[28] Greek households raise spending on entertainment, survey

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The survey said that spending on entertainment and cultural activities (sport tickets, cinemas, theatre, museums, gymnasium, conservatories and lottery) totaled 27.9 pct of total entertainment spending, while spending on pets, sport-wear, camping, gardening, etc, totaled 21.3 pct.

Greek households' spending on sound and vision equipment and computers totaled 15.4 pct of total spending on entertainment.

The survey was conducted on a sample of 6,555 private households with 17,386 members around the country.

[29] Industrial price import index up 2.3 pct in August, yr/yr

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

[30] Trade deficit with Turkey down 6.0% in Jan-Aug

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Greek exports to Turkey totaled 711.5 million US dollars, or 0.8 pct of total imports in Turkey, up from 0.6 pct in the same period last year. Turkish exports to Greece totaled 984.4 million US dollars, or 1.8 pct of Turkish exports, up from 1.5 pct in 2005.

Greece's trade deficit fell by 6.0 pct in the January-August period.

[31] Athens keeps Moody's A2 rating

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The rating, which is high for Greece, is also held by the Bank of Greece, or central bank, the borough said in a statement.

[32] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 2.12% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.61% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.85% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 180 to 76 with 55 remaining unchanged.

[33] Party leaders tour flood-stricken Thessaloniki, criticize Psomiadis

THESSALONIKI 13/10/2006 (ANA)

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou held Psomiadis responsible for the lack of flood protection while touring Vrasna and Stavros, two areas hard-hit by flooding, while Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga claimed that he had not fought for flood protection measures, otherwise he would know who was responsible for what and be able to navigate the "skein of bureaucracy" involved.

According to Papandreou, the prefecture had spent the tax-payers' money on advertising instead of anti-flooding works, while Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was also to blame for allowing his ministers "to go around cutting ribbons on major infrastructure projects, such as the Egnatia motorway, before these are finished, with the result that we have this major flood."

PASOK's leader expressed his support for flood victims and called for immediate payment of compensation, as well as advances that would help them get through the coming winter.

Papandreou was accompanied on his tour of the flooded districts by the PASOK-backed candidate for Thessaloniki Prefect in the elections this weekend, Olympic gold medalist track athlete Voula Patoulidou, expressing his personal conviction that she would be able to transform the prefecture from its present "pervasive impressions of untransparency, client politics, degradation and indifference".

Among his stops was a newly-delivered section of the Egnatia Highway just outside Rendina where the road surface had given way as a result of the rains.

Papariga was also accompanied by the candidate backed by her party for Thessaloniki prefect, Yiannis Ziogas, and a team of local KKE officials.

She visited Melissourgo, Olympiada, Stavros and Modi, speaking with flood victims and stressing that compensation should be paid out immediately, while funds should be allocated not only for lost household effects but also for destroyed infrastructure in a short space of time.

"A land register should have been created 30 years ago to chart the ground and the streams and torrents, so that the works could be carried out at public expense with specialization per area," she said.

"Instead of having those 'Roman' Olympic Games, or vying for the EXPO, why shouldn't we carry out flood and earthquake protection works, which may not be as visible but are felt by people in their daily lives," she added.

[34] Government spokesman replies to statements by Papandreou

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The spokesman added that "three days later, Mr. Papandreou in a usual display of petty partisanship now 'hurries' to call for the taking of measures which not only have been announced already but have begun to be implemented as well - the amounts for special aid for first and second degree Local Administration Organizations that have been hit have already been paid."

"Unfortunately for himself and his party, Mr. Papandreou constantly reminds citizens of the great qualitative difference that exists between the new governance and the mentality of PASOK, that is the difference between the responsibility of deeds and the irresponsibility of big and void words," Roussopoulos added.

[35] Pavlopoulos on the Athens Liberation anniversary

ATHENS 13/10/2006 (ANA)

He stressed the need for continuous vigilance, adding that Human Rights and particularly Freedom cannot be sacrificed in the name of any expedience or compromise.

Pavlopoulos concluded that another dimension of the Athens Liberation anniversary is that when united the Greek people can achieve great things, while everything that Greeks are ashamed of took place in conditions of division and disunity.

[36] Macedonia-Thrace ministry in Extramet program

THESSALONIKI 13/10/2006 (ANA)

The Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace attended the 6th meeting of the program's partners held in Sardinia, Italy, while the next meeting will take place in Thessaloniki on January 18-19, 2007 and will focus on the cases of Serres and the area reaching up to Lake Kerkini.

A total of nine agencies from Italy, Greece, France, Spain and Portugal participate in the Extramet program.

[37] European Commission threatening EU countries with European Court on notary profession

BRUSSELS 13/10/2006 (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)

According to an announcement by the Commission on Thursday, the precondition of citizenship for exercising the profession of a notary is contrary to freedom of establishment anticipated by the EU Treaty.

In addition, the profession of a notary does not coincide, according to the Commission, to activities linked to the exercising of public authority that are exempt from the principle of freedom of establishment.

The Commission calls on Greece and the other six countries to amend their legislative arrangements on exercising the profession of a notary and stresses that if there is no satisfactory response in two months, it might resort to the European Court.

[38] Foreign Minister says Cyprus cannot turn blind eye on EU-Turkish relations

LARNACA 13/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Commenting on the interventions of Cyprus and Greece, preventing the chapter on Industry in Turkey's EU accession negotiations from being brought to Thursday's COREPER meeting, Lillikas said ''this is the implementation of the policy we had announced very early and for which we had informed the EU presidency and the European Commission in time.''

''Cyprus cannot behave as if nothing has happened in EU-Turkish relations, when Turkey is refusing to implement its obligations towards the EU,'' he pointed out.

Lillikas was speaking at Larnaca Airport before departing for Athens, where he will be participating in the informal meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Mediterranean countries, EU members.

He noted that in the context of this meeting, he will have meetings with his counterparts of Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Asked if he would be discussing Turkey's EU accession course in view of the European Commission's progress report, Lillikas said this issue would come up, since ''it is the main issue during this period in the EU and which concerns all member states.''

He also said they would be discussing recent developments in the Cyprus problem and the government's positions regarding the Finnish EU presidency's initiative, as well as bilateral issues.

The Finnish presidency tabled some draft proposals in a bid to avoid a ''train crash'' in Turkey's accession talks, due to Ankara's refusal to implement an additional protocol, expanding its Customs Union to the ten new EU member states, including the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

Turkey, a country aspiring to become an EU member state, does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and refuses to implement the EU-Turkey Customs Union Protocol, by opening its ports and airports to Cyprus.

[39] Cyprus says no EU chapters to open for Turkey before progress report

NICOSIA 13/10/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

that by November 8, when the European Commission's progress report on Turkey is to be tabled, none of the 34 remaining chapters in Turkey's EU accession negotiations would be opened.

Asked if Cyprus would block the chapter on Industry, Pashiardis said it would not be taken to Thursday's COREPER meeting, after an intervention by the delegations of Greece and Cyprus.

Pashiardis said ''we stand by our steadfast position, which has already been expressed, that we will not allow the opening or closing of any chapters if Turkey continues to refuse to fulfill the commitments and obligations it undertook towards the EU and the Republic of Cyprus.''

Referring to the meetings of Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in Brussels, Pashiardis said their only significance is the reaffirmation of the primary aim of the Turkish side, which is not the solution of the Cyprus problem but the political upgrading of the regime in the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus.

Commenting on Talat's meetings in Brussels, Pashiardis said that ''beyond the personal emotions his meetings with foreign officials in general give him, his specific contacts in Brussels were unofficial regarding their form and simply informative regarding their substance'' allocation of 3.2 billion euros of sector funds under the European Union's 4th Community Support Framework.

"Discussed in particular were the allocation of funds for energy and industry. Energy infrastructure and the energy network to Italy will also be supported, as well as in the framework of networks to southeastern Europe," Sioufas told reporters after the meeting.

Also discussed were private investment in electricity, natural gas and renewable energy, which Karamanlis wants to see entering the country's energy balance as soon as possible.

In addition, especial attention would be paid to popular programs of the ministry, including women and youth enterprise, commerce, vocations and services.

"The main point is to attain all-round growth and growth for all," Sioufas noted.

Finally, construction of a pipeline to carry Russian oil to Greece through Bulgaria was discussed, and the creation of new light industry parks.

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