The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-07-12

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

12/7/2001 11:18:00 рм

[01] Conference on ''Europe's and Greece's Future''

[02] Greek President in Luxembourg

The two officials discussed all the aspects of European problems, including Cyprus' accession to the EU and also the situation prevailing in the Balkans, issues for which it was ascertained that their views coincided.

Today, the Greek president is scheduled to once again meet with Prime Minister Juncker and pay an visit to the European Communities Court.

President Stefanopoulos is the first head of state to visit Luxembourg during the Grand Duke's term in office.

[03] Greek PM will visit Moscow

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin will receive Simitis at the Kremlin, before returning that same evening to Athens.

[04] Public opinion poll on political parties

32.1% of the people consider ND party leader Kostas Karamanlis is the right person for the premiership against 31.9% who prefer Kostas Simitis.

Meanwhile, the newly-founded party of Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, "Free Citizens' Movement" is third on the peoples preference with 7.4%.

Nevertheless, 42.9% of the people believe that speeding up the congress of the ruling PASOK party will work positively for the movement and the government, against 34.4% who believe otherwise.

[05] No reason for concern over BSE disease in Greece

Slaughtered yesterday at an abattoir in Evros, Northern Greece, the five-year-old milk cow was imported three years ago to a cattle breeding unit in N. Greece from the Netherlands. Earlier this week, Dutch authorities notified their Greek counterparts that all the other cattle in the said animal's herd had developed BSE.

In an announcement issued before the animal was destroyed, Greece's Health Ministry said that the infected animal showed no symptoms of the disease, while the Agriculture ministry announced that strict inspections will continue in order to protect the health of consumers.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Yorgos Anomeritis gave assurances to consumers that there is no reason for concern as regards milk consumption or even for infected meat, as according to EU authorities the disease is found in the animals entrails, brain and marrow.

[06] Athens stock exchange

Blue chip stocks, particularily banks, remained under heavy pressure following a report by Merrill Lynch, the US investment bank, on Tuesday arguing that Greek banks' profits would be hit by falling prices in the stock market and also predicting a further decline in banks' share prices up to 25 percent.

The report took the Greek market (brokers, investors and banks) by surprise. Greek analysts questioned Merrill Lynch's report and said it was based on wrong evaluations and that it did not include basic figures of banks' dynamic growth.

The general index ended 2.85 percent lower at 2,435.65 points, with turnover a low 116.3 million euros, or 39.6 billion drachmas.

National Economy Minister Yannos Papantoniou, pointed out that strict fiscal discipline ought to be maintained in the next few years as well.

On the contrary, ND party leader Kostas Karamanlis stated that the economy is moving from bad to worse.

[07] IKA Doctors on strike

Meanwhile, the strike actions of the employees of Social Security Funds have been suspended, after an agreement with the Labour Ministry late last night.

In another development, the employees of he Greek Post Office who react to the governments privatization plan are also on strike today.

[08] Permits issued for mobile telecommunications

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article