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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-05-23
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] European Commission satisfied with Greek economy's progress
[02] "2004 Olympics", top priority for Greece
[03] Petrol continues its upward course
[04] Greece supports the formation of a European Federation
[05] Preparations for NATO's "Dynamic Mix 2000" exercise
[06] A. Dimantopoulou optimistic about Cyprus' accession
[07] World conference for the return of Parthenon Marbles in Zappion
[08] Invalid cyclist Savopoulos heading to Constaninople
NEWS IN ENGLISH
(THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.)
[01] European Commission satisfied with Greek economy's progress
In a report publicised yesterday, under the title "State Finance in the
Economic and Monetary Union 2000", the European Comission stresses its
satisfaction at the Greek economy's achievements over the past years,
as well as the need for implementation of a restrictive fiscal policy.
At the same time, in view of Greece's entry to the European Monetary
Union, the government is speeding up processes regarding structural
changes and securitizations of state- owned enterprises. By the end of
the week, a special committee will be formed at the National Economy
ministry which will examine the status of the so called "closed
professions", that is preffesions that were only allowed to be
exercised only by certain citizens. It has also been anounced that the
"Hellenic Aerospace Industry" EAB and the "Greek Arms Industry" ELBO,
will be securitized in summer. To this end, Prime minister Costas
Simitis is meeting with National Economy minister Yannos Papantoniou
today, while he will visit the ministry of Interior next week. Today's
scheduled visit by the Prime minister to the National Economy ministry
is expected to mark the beginning of procedures to implement major
large scale structural changes in the Greek economy.
[02] "2004 Olympics", top priority for Greece
Prime minister Costas Simitis yesterday met with the chairwoman of the
" 2004 Olympic Organising Committee", Yanna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki to
prepare tomorrow's meeting of the inter-ministerial committee for the
"2004 Olympics". In the meantime, within the framework of Culture
minister Theodoros Pangalos' briefing of political leaders regarding
the "2004 Olympics", Mr. Pangalos met with New Democracy president
Costas Karamanlis yesterday. The Culture minister expressed his
satisfaction that the main opposition party was prepared to offer its
assistance for a better organisation of the "2004 Olympics" in Athens.
New Democracy party suggested that a committee under the chairmanship
of the President of the Greek Republic Costantinos Stephanopoulos, who
would be monitoring the prepartation of the Olympic Games, be formed.
[03] Petrol continues its upward course
OPEK's policy for high crude oil prices, is deploring inflation in
Europe. It seems that European efforts to combat inflation are being
tested by high oil prices and the rise of the US dollar. As of
midnight, the price of petrol is expected to rise by 12 drachmas per
litre in Greece. As a result, this development will lead to the
increase of the production cost of goods.
[04] Greece supports the formation of a European Federation
Greece supports the proposals of German Foreign minister Yoska Fischer
for the setting up of a European Federation in the future, Greek
Foreign minister Yorgos Papandreou said yesterday at a press conference
he gave after the General Affairs Council's meeting in Brussels. Mr.
Papandreou pointed out that he had stressed to Mr. Fischer that Greece
had always supported the further extending of European Union
member-countries relations in tandem with the European Union's
expansion. He also stated that following Greece's entry to the EURO
zone, Greece would be willing to discuss the possibility of other
countries' participating in the Federatinon, but however, only certain
conditions.
[05] Preparations for NATO's "Dynamic Mix 2000" exercise
NATO exercise "Dynamic Mix 2000", which has be prepared since last
Saturday, will take place in Southern Aegean, the mainland, and the
Ionian Sea. Thousands of NATO soldiers as well as ten aircrafts and
ships have arrived in Greece. Greece has sent two frigates and two more
war ships at Smyrna port. In the meantime, the Turks are refusing to
submit flight plans, causing National Economy minister Akis
Tsochatzopoulos' reaction, who stated that any jet fighters without
flight plans would be intercepted. Replying to a question yesterday on
whether planes participating in the "Dynamic Mix" NATO exercise would
fly over Greek territory without a a flight plan, government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas said that any aircraft that did not submit a flight
plan would be intercepted by Greek airforce jet figthers.
[06] A. Dimantopoulou optimistic about Cyprus' accession
Following a meeting with the President of the Cyprus Republic Glafkos
Klerides in Nicosia yesterday, the European commissioner for Employment
and Social Affairs, Anna Diamantopoulou, expressed her conviction that
all necessary changes would have been made by 2002, to bring Cyprus in
line with European standards, in the social sector, to ensure there
were no obstacles for the island's European Union accession.
[07] World conference for the return of Parthenon Marbles in Zappion
A world conference under the title "The Claiming of the Parthenon
Marbles within the EU framework" opened at the Zappion mansion
yesterday. Attending the conference are personalities from 17 foreign
countries as well as Greece. The conference was hailed by the chairman
of the Melina Mercouri Foundation, Jules, Dassin, the chairman of the
"Ioannis Kapodistrias Foundation" Nikos Markatos, while messages were
sent by Foreign minister Yorgos Papandreou, the Athens Mayor Dimitris
Avramopoulos, as well as world known personnalities, like Hillary
Clinton. In her message Mrs. Clinton states that she and her husband
are in full support of the Greek demand for the return of the Parthenon
Marbles to Greece.
[08] Invalid cyclist Savopoulos heading to Constaninople
Invalid cyclist Odysseas Savopoulos continues his cycling Marathon to
reach Constaninople. Mr. Savopoulos left Olympia on Thursday and aims
at briefing all invalid Greeks about their ability to distinguish
themselves in sports and at the same time to create relations of
friendship with the invalid of Turkey.
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