Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-09-04
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, September 4, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM IN N.Y. TOMORROW FOR UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
[02] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TRAVELS TO U.S. THIS WEEK
[03] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN US
[04] DEPUTY ENVIRONMENT MINISTER IN FYROM TODAY
[05] SAE WORLD PRESIDENT VISITS THE PHANAR TODAY
[06] GRAND OPENING AT THESSALONIKI'S MUSIC MANSION
[07] HALF OF THESSALONICEANS ACCEPT PREMIER'S "VISION"
[08] GREECE PARTICIPATES IN NATO's BLACK SEA EXERCISE
[09] ICAO PRESIDENT MEETS WITH GREEK FM TOMORROW
[10] SVVE HOSTS DINNER IN HONOR OF EU COMMISSIONER
[11] LABOR MINISTER PRESENTS REFORMS LIST TO UNIONS
[12] DEPUTY FM: SUPPORT SMALL EXPATRIATE COMMUNITIES
[13] FOREST FIRES ARE IN PROGRESS IN KONITSA, NAFPLIO AND LAKONIA
[14] HUGE OIL-SLICK HAS POLLUTED THE SEA REGION BETWEEN THE GREEK
MAINLAND AND EVIA IN CENTRAL GREECE
[15] POSITIVE PROSPECTS FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE ACCORDING TO
FOUR INTERNATIONAL MONEY AND CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
[16] GREECE PARTICIPATES IN THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC GAMES WITH 148
ATHLETES
[17] 1/3 OF THE INVESTORS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE ARE LOSING
MONEY
[18] CYPRIOT AMBASSADOR: THE CYPRUS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED
PEACEFULLY
[19] CYPRUS' IMPORTS FROM GREECE HAVE INCREASED BY 5.2%
[20] IMPRESSIVE GAINS OF 1.48% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[21] POLAND WILL BE READY FOR EU ACCESSION BY 2002
[22] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU; THE MAIN GOAL OF SOCIAL
DIALOGUE IS TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT
[23] MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI MEETS WITH CHINESE OFFICIAL
[24] DIAMANTOPOULOU INAUGURATES NEW INFO CENTRE
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[25] WORKS BY GREEK ARTISTS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN LONDON
[26] GREEECE-FYROM SIGN ENVIRONMENTAL MEMO
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] PM IN N.Y. TOMORROW FOR UN MILLENNIUM SUMMIT
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will travel to New York on
September 5-9, at the invitation of U.S. President Bill Clinton,
where he will address the UN General Assembly Millennium Summit
and will participate in the "Progressive Government" leaders
meeting.
Mr. Simitis will depart for the United States tomorrow,
September 5. While in New York, the Premier is expected to hold a
series of meetings with other leading figures, such as the
President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides and the Archbishop of America
Dimitrios.
On the summit's sidelines, the Premier will also meet with
the King of Jordan Abdullah, and the Presidents of FYROM, Iran and
Albania.
The Greek Premier will be accompanied by Foreign Minister
George Papandreou who will be meeting with his Turkish counterpart
Ismael Cem.
[02] PUBLIC ORDER MINISTER TRAVELS TO U.S. THIS WEEK
Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoides will travel
to the United States on Wednesday, September 6, in order to sign a
bilateral memorandum of cooperation against terrorism.
Accompanied by high-ranking Greek police officials, Mr.
Chrysochoides will meet with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno.
A State department announcement notes that the said
memorandum "will facilitate cooperation between the two countries
on a thorough series of matters pertaining to the maintenance of
lawful order, inclusive of terrorism, with full regard to the
sovereignty of both countries."
[03] GREEK FM TO MEET WITH TURKISH COUNTERPART IN US
Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to meet with his
Turkish counterpart Ismael Cem on Wednesday, September 6, on the
sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Messrs. Papandreou and Cem are expected to discuss proposals
for confidence building measures between the two neighbors.
Speaking from the French city of Evian, presently hosting the
informal EU Foreign Ministers Council, Mr. Papandreou stated that
his imminent meeting with Mr. Cem will provide an opportunity to
review the course of Greek-Turkish relations and to plan the
steps to follow.
Referring to Mr. Cem's comment regarding a "blanket"
discussion over Aegean-related issues, the Greek foreign minister
reiterated Greece's known position that the only difference
existing with Turkey concerns the issue of the Aegean continental
shelf and str3essed that Greece, like any other country, does not
negotiate its sovereign rights.
[04] DEPUTY ENVIRONMENT MINISTER IN FYROM TODAY
Deputy Environment Minister Ilias Efthymiopoulos is presently
in Skopje, where he and FYROM Environment Minister Toni Popovski
will sign a "Memorandum for Understanding and Cooperation for
Sustainable Development and the Environment".
The said memorandum was drafted jointly by the environment
ministries of Greece and FYROM and reflects the will of both
countries to protect the natural and man-made environment.
[05] SAE WORLD PRESIDENT VISITS THE PHANAR TODAY
Andrew Athens, World President of the Council of Greeks
Abroad (SAE), is to travel to the Phanar today, where he is
expected to be received by the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.
Mr. Athens will be accompanied by SAE secretary Constantine
Georganas, the President of SAE's Oceania region Costas Vertzayias
and SAE's legal advisor Eleni Husak.
The Council of Greeks Abroad (SAE) recently acquired its
spacious new facilities in Thessaloniki, which were inaugurated
Saturday.
The building was given to SAE by the Municipality of
Thessaloniki, which had acquired it through the donation of Thomas
Makrides.
Covering an area of approximately 500 sq. m., the new offices
are located near the city's Music Mansion and take up two levels
of the building formerly housing the Makrides Cultural Center. In
addition to offices, SAE's brand new premises feature a vast
exhibition center and a conference hall.
SAE speaks for seven million Greeks represented by 3,700
associations worldwide.
[06] GRAND OPENING AT THESSALONIKI'S MUSIC MANSION
Thessaloniki's Music Mansion was grandly inaugurated last
night with a performance of London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra,
featuring solo pianist Yiannis Vakarelis.
Among those who attended the concert were Culture Minister
Theodoros Pangalos, Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos,
Thessaloniki Mayor Vasilis Papageorgopoulos and PASOK deputy
Evangelos Venizelos.
The Royal Philharmonic will give an encore performance this
evening, featuring solo pianist George Demertzis. The orchestra
will be conducted by Nikos Athineos.
[07] HALF OF THESSALONICEANS ACCEPT PREMIER'S "VISION"
Almost half of Thessaloniki's residents have positively rated
the Premier's keynote address delivered at the opening of the
city's 65's International Fair, according to a recent survey by
KAPA Research.
Conducted on behalf of local daily "Aggelioforos", the survey
found that 49.3 percent of the 1,000 respondents acquired - in
varying degrees- "a positive impression" from Prime Minister
Costas Simitis' address, where he outlined his vision for the
country's future.
However, 24.4% of those polled stated that they felt
indifferent to the Premier's speech, while 22.7 percent said their
impression was "negative" and another 11.4% stated that their
impression was "somewhat negative".
When asked to comment on the main opposition party's (New
Democracy) decision to abstain from the Premier's keynote address,
71 percent stated that N.D. should have been present. As for the
country's accession to the Economic and Monetary Union, 77%
believe that significant changes are now in store for Greece.
[08] GREECE PARTICIPATES IN NATO's BLACK SEA EXERCISE
Greece will be among the countries participating in the NATO
exercise in the Black Sea region, which gets underway today and
will last until September 15.
With a total of six Alliance members and eight partners
taking part, the exercise, code-named Cooperative Key 2000, will
be based near the port city of Constanza, Romania.
The manoeuvres will involve approximately 40 aircraft and 600
service people from Greece, France, Hungary, Turkey, Poland and
the United States and from NATO "Partners for Peace" nations
Austria, Bulgaria, FYROM, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and
Switzerland.
[09] ICAO PRESIDENT MEETS WITH GREEK FM TOMORROW
The president of the Council of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO), Assad Kotaite, presently on a four-
day, official visit to Athens, is to meet with Foreign Minister
George Papandreou tomorrow.
Among the subjects to be discussed are safety in
international civil aviation, environmental concerns linked to
noise pollution and aircraft exhaust fumes, and Greece's legal
position on statutes and structures of aviation law.
During his stay, Mr. Kotaite will also meet with President of
the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos and Transport and
Telecommunications Minister Christos Verelis.
[10] SVVE HOSTS DINNER IN HONOR OF EU COMMISSIONER
Greece's European Union Commissioner for Employment, Anna
Diamantopoulou is to be the keynote speaker at a dinner to be
hosted by the Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SVVE) in
Thessaloniki this evening.
Ms. Diamantopoulou is expected to speak on "The Course of
Europe" at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Palace.
The Commissioner will also address a European forum next
Friday in Crete, where she will present a package of measures to
combat discrimination against people with special needs.
Ms. Diamantopoulou's proposals are expected to stress the
rights of people with special needs to contribute to society
creatively and not as passive recipients of policy.
Furthermore, she is expected to emphasize the importance of
education, vocational training and employment in social
integration.
[11] LABOR MINISTER PRESENTS REFORMS LIST TO UNIONS
Negotiations between trade union leaders and the state,
already on precarious grounds, could be "jumpstarted" again as
Labor Minister Anastasios Yianitsis provided today the General
Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) with a thorough outline of
the planned reforms to the labor market.
Talks were interrupted late last month after GSEE president
Christos Polyzogopoulos demanded to have the said report by
September 4.
Mr. Polyzogopoulos is adamant in the view that the plight of
unemployment should not be dealt with through reforms in the labor
market.
Specifically, he stressed that legislation allowing the
deregulation of mass lay-offs, more flexible working-hour
arrangements (which unions claim will lead to abolishing the eight-
hour day), and greater flexibility in part-time employment,
temporary work, insurance, etc., is sure to be met with fierce
opposition from the labor force.
[12] DEPUTY FM: SUPPORT SMALL EXPATRIATE COMMUNITIES
While confident over the future and task of the Council of
Greeks Abroad (SAE), it is those small communities of expatriates
unaffiliated with the various Greek organizations that are the
priority of Deputy Foreign Minister Aggeliki Laiou, in charge of
expatriate affairs.
In an interview with the local daily "Thessaloniki", Ms.
Laiou also stressed the need to strengthen SAE's four forums
(each pertaining to expatriated women, entrepreneurs, youth and
intellectuals), which, she said, serve as networks for Hellenism
throughout the world.
Ms. Laiou will accompany Prime Minister Costas Simitis during
his visit to the United States this week, where he will be
attending the United Nations General Assembly Millennium Summit.
[13] FOREST FIRES ARE IN PROGRESS IN KONITSA, NAFPLIO AND LAKONIA
Three forest fires are in progress in Kastanea in the region
of Konitsa, north-western Greece, in Arvanitia in the region of
Nafplio, southern Greece and in Voutianous in Lakonia also in
southern Greece. Strong fire-fighting forces and tens of local
residents are trying to put the fires under control.
Meanwhile, the fire that broke out in a farm and forest area
in Serbia near Kozani, north-western Greece has been put under
control and another fire in Anavra near Almiros in Magnisia,
central Greece is under partial control.
[14] HUGE OIL-SLICK HAS POLLUTED THE SEA REGION BETWEEN THE GREEK
MAINLAND AND EVIA IN CENTRAL GREECE
The Greek Coast Guard operation for the cleaning-up of the
sea region of Lefkanti at the western coasts of the island of Evia
in central Greece, after the shipwreck of a Cambodian flag cargo
ship, continues. A huge, 10 kilometers long oil-slick has reached
a number of beaches near Athens, in Schimatari, Oropos, Halkoutsi,
Inophita and Dilesi causing an extensive ecological disaster.
Divers have managed to shut down the ship's central fuel
distribution pipe in order to stop the oil leak, while members of
the environmental organization Greenpeace and local residents
assist in the cleaning-up efforts.
According to the ship-owners, the cargo ship had been
supplied with 670 tons of crude oil, 15 tons of lubricants and 25
tons of diesel oil.
[15] POSITIVE PROSPECTS FOR THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE ACCORDING TO
FOUR INTERNATIONAL MONEY AND CREDIT INSTITUTIONS
The prospects are positive for the Greek capital market,
according to four international money and credit institutions.
However, they stress that the Greek stock market must find its own
balance and that it is too early to regard as certain the reversal
of the downward trend observed in the Athens Stock Exchange.
Specifically, according to the Athens newspaper "Imerisia",
the British money and credit institution HSBC regards the Athens
Stock Exchange as a source of attraction of foreign investors
given the fact that the big capitalization stocks are moving
upwards and the evaluation of the blue chips is no longer at
disappointing levels for foreign investors.
Credit Suisse First Boston stresses that the Greek money
market is cheap and the long-term investments will be profitable,
while Merill Lynch maintains that the medium-term picture of the
Greek money market is good and there are expectations for a
gradual rise.
Deutsche Bank which adopted a more cautious stance regards as
positive the rise in the volume of transactions in the Athens
Stock Exchange and adopts a wait-and-see stance before it draws
more concrete conclusions on the course of the Greek stock market.
[16] GREECE PARTICIPATES IN THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC GAMES WITH 148
ATHLETES
For the first time in its history Greece will participate in
an Olympiad with 148 athletes who will compete in 17 sports
events. This is a record number of athletes for Greece which will
have a strong presence in the Olympic Games in Sydney that will
last from September 15 to October 1. The male athletes dominate as
the Greek mission will be made up of 89 men and 56 women.
Most of the athletes (30 men and 25 women) will compete in
the track and field events, while Greece will be represented in
synchronized swimming, tae kwon-do, cycling, boxing, target
shooting, weight lifting, gymnastics, table tennis, equestrian
sports, diving, swimming, rowing and wrestling.
[17] 1/3 OF THE INVESTORS IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE ARE LOSING
MONEY
The negative psychological climate that dominates in the
Athens Stock Exchange for the past several months is fully
reflected in the opinion poll that was conducted by the Kappa
Research polling company and published by the Athens newspaper "To
Vima".
According to the opinion poll, 70% of those questioned
dispute the credibility of the Athens Stock Exchange even though
more than half believe that it is a free market that operates
based on the offer and demand laws. Also, 30.6% admit that they
have lost money in the stock market, while 15.6% stated that they
had gains and 43.9% still hope that they will have profits.
Analysts in Athens believe that the interest rate cuts and
keeping the daily turnover over 100 billion drachmas will have a
beneficial effect on the Athens Stock Exchange.
[18] CYPRIOT AMBASSADOR: THE CYPRUS PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED
PEACEFULLY
The Cyprus problem can be resolved peacefully through
dialogue, stated Cypriot ambassador to Athens Christodoulos
Pasiardis in a press conference he gave today at the pavilion of
his country on the grounds of Thessaloniki's 65th International
Trade Fair.
Specifically, he stated that a solution can be found to this
major issue by promoting correct and just positions, adding that
moving away from the dialogue will create a problem to both sides.
Mr. Pasiardis stated that the responsibility for the fact
that until now the dialogue is fruitless belongs mainly to the
Turkish side and under no circumstances to the Cypriot side.
[19] CYPRUS' IMPORTS FROM GREECE HAVE INCREASED BY 5.2%
The close relations between Greece and Cyprus, the growth of
the Cypriot economy and the expansion of the trading relations of
the two countries with European and neighboring states in
combination with Cyprus' EU accession prospect were the main
issues that were analyzed in today's press conference that was
given in the pavilion of Cyprus on the grounds of Thessaloniki's
65th International Trade Fair.
The Cypriot ambassador stated that it is the 40th
participation of Cyprus in the ITF as it takes part in the
exhibition every year since the founding of the Cypriot Republic.
The commercial attache of the Cypriot embassy pointed out
that the per capita GNP was 8.080 Cypriot pounds in 1999, the
growth rate was 4% and inflation was at 1.7%.
The imports to Cyprus increased by 3.4% last year compared to
1998, while the European Union is its main economic partner as
52.6% of the Cypriot imports come mainly from Britain, Italy,
Greece and Germany. Most of the Cypriot exports had the European
Union as their destination (50.7%) followed by the Arab countries
with 24.6%.
Regarding the trade transactions between Greece and Cyprus,
they showed an increase as the exports to Greece reached 11.5
billion drachmas increased by 14.6% compared to 1998, while re-
exports were 18 billion drachmas and the imports from Greece were
96 billion drachmas with an increase of 5.2% compared to 1998.
The tourist attache of the Cypriot embassy stated that a
record high of arrivals is expected in the current year as the
arrivals on the island in the first half of the year have already
showed an increase of 12%. He also stated that 90% of the
tourists, who visited Cyprus in 1999, came from Europe.
[20] IMPRESSIVE GAINS OF 1.48% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
It appears that the likely interest rate cuts expected to be
announced the day after tomorrow had a beneficial effect on the
Athens Stock Exchange as there were impressive gains of 1.48% in
today's session and the general index was at 3.655,25 points.
The volume of transactions was 70.1 billion drachmas and of
the stocks trading today 100 recorded gains and 239 had losses.
[21] POLAND WILL BE READY FOR EU ACCESSION BY 2002
The Polish economy is expected to be able to meet all the EU
accession criteria by the year 2002, according to Poland's
ambassador to Athens Dr. Wojtek Lamentowicz in a press conference
he gave in Thessaloniki today within the framework of his
country's participation in the 65th International Trade Fair held
in the city.
Mr. Lamentowicz stated that the privatization procedure is
moving ahead with a quick pace and today 70% of the capital
belongs to the private sector. Furthermore, the private
participation in the industrial sector is at 45%, while in the
banking sector is at 70%.
On the GDP growth rate, the Polish ambassador to Athens
stated that it was accelerated after 1993 and in 1997 it increased
by 7%, while in 1999 the growth rate will be at 5%.
Referring to his country's trade transactions with the
European Union, he pointed out that Poland is the fourth EU trade
partner as 70% of its exports are directed to the EU and 35% of
them is absorbed by the German market.
The bilateral cooperation between Poland and Greece concerns
mainly the shipbuilding sector, stated the Polish ambassador, who
said characteristically, that Greek ship-owner Mr. Livanos has
reached a deal with the "Sentino" shipyards to build 8 ships,
while the signing of another deal to build 5 ships is pending.
According to the Polish ambassador, if the new deal is signed the
building cost will reach US$ 500 million.
[22] EU COMMISSIONER DIAMANTOPOULOU; THE MAIN GOAL OF SOCIAL
DIALOGUE IS TO TACKLE UNEMPLOYMENT
Greek EU commissioner Ms. Anna Diamantopoulou stated after
her visit today to the European Center for the Development of
Vocational Training (CEDEFOR) in Thessaloniki that tackling
unemployment should be the common goal shared by workers,
employers and the government in the social dialogue on the work
relations.
She underlined that quick decisions must be made in order to
deal in time with the problem of unemployment and stressed that
any decisions and measures that will be taken on work relations
must be the product of a dialogue, saying that this is the essence
of the policy concerning the changes in the job market.
Ms. Diamantopoulou stated that the changes planned to take
place in the job market should not hurt the job security of the
workers.
She also stated that CEDEFOR is a valuable European policy
tool and added that it is very important that this center is based
in Thessaloniki.
CEDEFOR director Johan van Rens stated that the center is
ready to assist all those who are concerned with specialized
employment issues and vocational training.
[23] MAYOR OF THESSALONIKI MEETS WITH CHINESE OFFICIAL
The mayor of Thessaloniki, Vasilis Papageorgopoulos met with
the Chinese ambassador to Athens, Tsen Tsian Gouo and embassy
secretary Tan Xia Hing, to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Mr Papgeorgopoulos mentioned that the mayor of Thessaloniki
has signed a friendship and cooperation accord with the Chinese
town Senyiang, which he is planning on visiting soon during his
tour of various towns in China.
The mayor of Thessaloniki has also had recent meetings with
the former Italian consul to Thessaloniki and with the current
president of the Greek-Turkish chamber, Aldo Terezi, amongst
others.
[24] DIAMANTOPOULOU INAUGURATES NEW INFO CENTRE
There is a lack of information being passed on to citizens in
Greece as well as in Europe where the European Union and matters
relating to it are concerned, according to the Greek European
Communication, Information and Culture Centre delegate, Anna
Diamantopoulou, who expressed her views on the matter during her
speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Centre.
Greek Foreign undersecretary, Elizabet Papazoi, also
responsible for matters relating to European policies and the
minister of Macedonia and Thrace, George Paschalides were also
present at the inauguration together with other executives of the
Centre and representatives of Thessaloniki.
Ms Diamantopoulou went on to say that the new Centre in
Thessaloniki is important as it will provide a link in the
exchange of information with neighbouring countries. "Centres such
as this one aim to make citizens understand the importance of
knowing what is going on in the EU and in the world, since these
events will have a direct effect on their lives", Ms
Diamantopoulou said.
Ms Papazoi referred to European policy as the most important
sector of Greek foreign policy, adding that the founding of the
new Centre is important for informing citizens on various subjects
and for the role played by northern Greece as far as this aim is
concerned. "Thessaloniki brings together institutions that can
allow the city to actively participate in the EU", she said.
Mr Paschalides maintained that the creation of the new Centre
coincides with two important events in Greece, its entry into the
euro zone and the initiatives being taken for the reshuffling of
the Balkans. The minister of Macedonia and Thrace went on to say
that these events must be backed up by an information network, to
allow the smooth entry of Greece into the EE and to help Balkan
countries go ahead with changes in their economies and state
administration, with a view to gradually entering the EU.
The President of the Centre's Board of Directors, George
Lisarides, stated that "the Greek citizen, the scientist, the
professional and all services should have access to and accept a
network of constant information in areas relating to their
specific interests and in future developments".
The Centre's General Director, George Sakkoulides, stressed
that it will be connected via Internet to all formal information
sites within the EU.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[25] WORKS BY GREEK ARTISTS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN LONDON
The works of two Greek artists will be exhibited in the
"Peter Constant" art gallery in London starting on October 22. The
paintings by Vasilis Zenetzis and Leon Kalogeropoulos are inspired
by Greece's monuments and sea.
Vasilis Zenetzis' work is formally recognized abroad for the
past 3 years and many of its paintings have been sold in big
auction houses like Sotheby's and Christies'.
Leon Kalogeropoulos is regarded as the only serious artist of
the past 50 years who paints sea themes and the Greek National
Gallery and the Naval Museum in Piraeus, Greece have hosted many
of its paintings.
[26] GREEECE-FYROM SIGN ENVIRONMENTAL MEMO
Greek undersecretary of Land Planning and the Environment,
Ilias Efthimiopoulos signed a memorandum with FYROM Environment
minister, Mr Popofski, calling for Understanding and Cooperation
for Viable Development and the Environment, which reflects the
will of both countries to protect their natural environment using
whatever knowledge and technology they possess.
The memorandum was signed after the two ministers met in Skopje
and is the result of recent cooperation between the ministries of
both countries, aimed at ensuring inter-Balkan cooperation as well
as bilateral cooperation for the protection of the environment and
the promotion of viable development.
"Greece is willing to work towards achieving the points
outlined in the memorandum and will help her neighbouring country
to achieve a higher level of environmental protection and a better
quality of life for its citizens", Mr Efthimiopoulos said after
signing the memorandum.
|
