Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-12
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No. 1038), November 12, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] Greece, Ukraine sign friendship and co-operation agreement
following Kuchma visit
[02] Pangalos, Udovenko meeting
[03] Kuchma contacts with opposition leaders
[04] Official luncheon
[05] Gov't defines terms for bourse's reopening
[06] Gov't spokesman
[07] Inner cabinet to consider economic policy, budget
[08] Dukakis urges a US gov't initiative on the Aegean
[09] Turkish press reports, high-ranking official focus on
Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus
[10] US representative for Cyprus due in Athens today
[11] Armaments to be discussed at KYSEA meeting tomorrow
[12] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates decision that sunken missile boat will
be salvaged
[13] High Court deputy prosecutor reviewing statements by Andreas
Papandreou's private physician
[14] Yiannopoulos promises amendments to law reducing convicted drug
dealers' sentences
[15] Mitsotakis declines to attend ND political council meeting today
[16] Yiannopoulos in Cyprus today
[17] Vartholomeos receives key to the city of Adelaide
[18] Greek rural postmen win odd book title award
[19] Greece backs flexible fiscal Stability Pact
[20] Insurance companies continue efforts to prevent proposed
abolition of tax exemptions
[21] New framework for Thessaloniki, Piraeus ports ready next year
[01] Greece, Ukraine sign friendship and co-operation agreement
following Kuchma visit
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Greece and Ukraine yesterday signed a friendship and
co-operation agreement following talks between Prime Minister
Costas Simitis and visiting Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.
Three accords on the transport, tourism, and cultural sectors
were also signed after talks between Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and his counterpart, Gennady Udovenko.
Mr. Kuchma, who arrived in Athens yesterday on an official
two-day visit, said he had received the fullest support from
Athens on issues that had been discussed, including the region's
problems, Russian-Ukrainian relations, his country's relations
with the European Union and the expected enlargement of NATO. He
said particular emphasis was placed on economic co-operation and
European security issues.
Mr. Kuchma, who earlier met with President Kostis
Stephanopoulos, extended an invitation to Mr. Simitis to visit
the Ukraine. "The multi-dimensional character of Greek foreign
policy and multi-faceted relations being developed with the
countries of eastern Europe was very much in evidence in the
talks with Mr. Kuchma," Mr. Simitis said.
The prime minister confirmed Athens' support for Kiev's efforts
to find its place in the new world emerging and noted the ties
of friendship binding the two peoples and the long and dynamic
presence of Hellenism in the Caucasus.
Mr. Simitis added that the two men had also discussed
Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem, agreeing that
differences between the states should be resolved on the basis
of the principles of international law and respect for
international treaties.
[02] Pangalos, Udovenko meeting
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
In a related development, Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Udovenko signed
three agreements in the transport, tourism and cultural sectors.
Mr. Pangalos said at the end of talks that Greece shares a
number of the Ukraine's ideas related to the organization of the
international community. "We support the validity of the borders
in Europe as they have been defined by international treaties an
d we are opposed to whatever effort to revise them," he said.
Mr. Pangalos said Greece will encourage the strengthening of
relations between the Ukraine and the European Union and its
progressive association with NATO. He further expressed support
for its complete participation in Balkan co-operation.
He said trade between the two countries had developed in leaps,
speaking of considerable Greek investments in Ukraine and adding
that plans exist to create new motorways, such as the one
linking Helsinki with Athens via Kiev.
Mr. Pangalos said this highway should be funded by the EU, by
all countries using it and by a Black Sea Investment Bank to be
created in 1997 and headquartered in Thessaloniki.
On his part, Mr. Udovenko referred to the tens of thousands of
Greeks living in the Ukraine who constitute an important bridge
of friendship between the two countries.
Mr. Udovenko said the signing of a friendship and co-operation
agreement by Mr. Simitis and Mr. Kuchma is an important
foundation stone, announcing that the mayor of Kiev, who is a
member of the Ukrainian delegation, will sign a co-operation
agreement wit h Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos today.
Replying to a question on the problem posed by the Chernobyl
nuclear plant, Mr. Udovenko said the biggest problem does not
concern the two reactors that continue to operate but the one
which exploded in 1986.
Mr. Udovenko said the reactor has been covered with cement and
continues to contain 180 tons of nuclear material in an unknown
condition. He added that ways are being sought with foreign
experts to extract the nuclear material from the reactor, but
added that this will not be possible without economic aid from
the international community.
[03] Kuchma contacts with opposition leaders
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
After meeting with the president and premier, Mr. Kuchma held
separate meetings with main opposition New Democracy party
leader Miltiades Evert, Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
Secretary General Aleka Papariga and ruling PASOK Secretary
Costas Skandalidis .
After his meeting with Mr. Kuchma, Mr. Evert said the two men
discussed the possibility of political and economic co-operation
between the two countries.
[04] Official luncheon
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
During an official luncheon given last night in Mr. Kuchma's
honor by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, the
Greek president stressed the traditional, friendly relations
between the two countries, adding that Greece will contribute to
the one-time Soviet republic's efforts for gaining access to
west European and Atlantic organizations.
In his address, among others, Mr. Stephanopoulos said that it
was Greece's wish to improve relations with the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as soon as possible.
He said, however, that in order to improve relations, FYROM
should show respect to "our history and our cultural heritage."
Referring to Greek-Turkish relations as well as the continued
Turkish occupation of a part of Cyprus, Mr. Stephanopoulos said
that Ankara, by "refusing to respect the international treaties
regulating the status quo in the Aegean has reached the point o
f disputing our sovereign rights, causing tension in the region
and not allowing for the development of harmonious relations and
peaceful co-operation" in the southeastern Mediterranean.
Mr. Stephanopoulos also referred to Greece's initiatives in the
Balkans and opportunities for further development of bilateral
relations between Greece and the Ukraine.
[05] Gov't defines terms for bourse's reopening
Brussels, 12/11/1996 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
The government is resolved to apply the terms and conditions for
the reopening of the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), with which the
Association of the Athens Stock Exchange Members (SMEHA) agreed
on Sunday, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos
Papantoniou said yesterday, commenting on the abstention of
stockbrokers from trading yesterday.
"The government and the supervisory authorities yesterday
(Sunday) agreed in principle with SMEHA's governing board on the
terms and conditions for its (ASE) reopening. This agreement was
overturned by the stockbrokers' general assembly today
(yesterday). I would like to note that as far as the government
and the supervisory authorities are concerned, what was agreed
upon yesterday is valid and will be applied. There will be no
change as regards our positions, because it is clear that the
state budget cannot shoulder the burden of every firm which
breaks the law or faces financial problems," he said.
"This, as in every stock exchange in the world, is the
responsibility of the stock market itself," he added.
Mr. Papantoniou expressed the view that the severe crisis
currently facing the Athens bourse is one of adjustment to a new
legal framework established with laws passed in 1995 and this
year, the latter of which came into effect on Nov. 1.
"It is no coincidence that this crisis broke out following the
expressed instruction for the new legal framework to be applied
most strictly, and for severe sanctions to be applied in the
case of those who violate the rules," he said.
In addition, the national economy and finance minister advised
stock market traders to be more careful in future and to adhere
to all trading rules and procedures meticulously, as the
government and justice would be very strict.
Finally, Mr. Papantoniou expressed the hope that the ASE would
reopen today.
[06] Gov't spokesman
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
In Athens, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated the
government's "unceasing" interest in developments at the ASE,
but stressed that problems faced by the market will be dealt
with by the market and not by the government.
"This is not a problem which has been created or will be solved
by the government," Mr. Reppas said. "It is a problem which the
Athens Stock Exchange has faced within the framework of its
modernization," he added.
The bourse remained closed for a second successive session
yesterday, as members of the Union of Stock Exchange Members
(SMEXA) continued their marathon meeting on whether to abstain
from trading. Reports said that the majority of members appeared
to be in favor of keeping the bourse shut for the next few days.
The ASE suspended trading on Friday for the first time in its
history when SMEXA abstained following the inability of Delta
Securities to cover cash obligations to the titles depository,
which is responsible for clearing transactions.
The brokers had called on the national economy ministry to
ensure the correct operation of the system of clearance of
transactions, claiming that the titles depository owed brokerage
firms money.
National Economy Ministry Secretary General Apostolos Fotiadis
said that the government's main concern is the resumption of
trading on the ASE with the full clearance of transactions.
Mr. Fotiadis added that all investors hit by Delta's inability
to meet its obligations would be reimbursed by the brokerage
firms' joint-surety fund.
Reports later said that the stock exchange would remain closed
for another two days to enable all transactions to be cleared
and allow the bourse a fresh start.
The reports added that a further eight brokerage firms were
involved in the 'Delta affair'.
[07] Inner cabinet to consider economic policy, budget
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
The inner cabinet will hold an informal meeting at the Maximos
Mansion today to pave the way for a discussion on economic
policy and the state budget, according to government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Costas Simitis will chair a meeting of
the ruling PASOK party's executive bureau tomorrow afternoon,
while a cabinet meeting will be held on Thursday morning. A
meeting of the Government Council of Foreign Affairs and Defense
(KYSEA) will also be held concerning the country's armaments
program.
Irish Prime Minister John Bruton will visit Greece on Thursday
afternoon for talks with his Greek counterpart.
[08] Dukakis urges a US gov't initiative on the Aegean
Montreal, 12/11/1996 (ANA/I. Frangoulis)
Former governor of Massachusetts and 1988 US presidential
candidate Michael Dukakis yesterday urged the United States
government to undertake initiatives in the Aegean in order to
prevent unpredictable developments in the region.
"The United States should proceed with initiatives in the Aegean
before an unpredictable 'explosion' breaks out in the region,"
Mr. Dukakis told the Athens News Agency yesterday.
Asked on US President Bill Clinton's policy on Greek-Turkish
relations, Mr. Dukakis said President Clinton "has done more on
the issue than any other US president in the past."
"The problem is that Turkey has been of strategic importance for
the US, at first during the Cold War, then due to the situation
in Iraq and then because of its role as a regulator of Islamic
fanaticism until we found out that this Islamic fanaticism is
urged by Turkey's prime minister himself," Mr. Dukakis said.
"I believe that the Clinton administration is now reviewing its
policy regarding Turkey," he added.
Mr. Dukakis said that the United States should call a
Dayton-type conference with the participation of Ankara and
Athens to examine whether the two sides can enter dialogue. "I
think that the president himself should undertake the initiative
to put an end to the continuing provocations of the Turkish
government (against Greece's sovereign territorial rights) and
then make a serious attempt to solve the Cyprus problem," Mr.
Dukakis said.
Regarding Cyprus, Mr. Dukakis said that the EU-Cyprus accession
as well as Turkey's will to gain full membership in the
Community may lead Turkey to finding a settlement to the issue.
"But the United States will play a leading role in this. This is
certain," Mr. Dukakis said.
Mr. Dukakis added that the Greek lobby in the United States "is
today more powerful than ever."
"We work closely with the president and his associates," Mr.
Dukakis said, adding that "certain Greeks have special influence
on Washington."
"I believe," he said, "that we have to continue being organized
and exert influence in the right direction."
Commenting on Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis's recent
election, Mr. Dukakis said Mr. Simitis is "a very firm and
responsible man," and "can lead Greece to convergence without
problems."
[09] Turkish press reports, high-ranking official focus on
Greek-Turkish relations, Cyprus
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
"Turkey is ready to sit at the negotiating table, but for this
it requires an interlocutor," a high-ranking Turkish official
reportedly told the foreign news editor of the Turkish daily
"Sabah".
The Turkish official said the time is right for Turkey to not
only solve the Cyprus issue, but to also solve its differences
with Greece, saying there must be "an opening in relations
between Ankara and Athens on the threshold of the third
millennium."
Meanwhile, in an interview in the "Miliyet" newspaper,
archaeologist Ekrem Akourgal stressed that a past climate of
friendship between Turkey and Greece must prevail.
"Sensitivities must be abandoned in part and there must be
realism," Mr. Akourgal said, adding: "In particular, Ms Ciller's
attitude must be avoided, namely, exploitation for internal
consumption of our relations with our western neighbor."
Mr. Akourgal concluded that "the most acceptable stance would be
an unconditional dialogue, which Mesut Yilmaz had begun."
Meanwhile, well-known Turkish columnist Mehmet Ali Birant said a
seminar organized in Rome by the US-based Rand Corp. and the
Italian Center of Military Studies (CEMISS), stressed the
dangers of a Greek-Turkish war in Cyprus or in the Aegean.
The columnist noted that "Cyprus, for the first time, has become
a direct scene of conflict..."
Speaking on the Aegean, he noted that "until now, tensions
between Turkey and Greece stemmed from roughly legal concepts,
such as the continental shelf, territorial waters of 12
(nautical) miles, airspace, while recently the disagreement on
the Kardak-Imia islets was converted into a specific territorial
difference."
"It is clear that Turkey did not emerge a winner from the
crisis," he wrote, but noted that for Turkey to be saved from
the difficult position in which it finds itself, it has been
forced to accept the Greek position for recourse to the
International Court at The Hague."
The columnist stressed that the hardening of the Greek position
followed demands for Turkey's one-sided recourse to The Hague.
[10] US representative for Cyprus due in Athens today
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Washington's representative for Cyprus, Carey Cavanaugh, is due
to arrive in Athens today for talks with the Greek government.
After his visit to Athens, Mr. Cavanaugh will continue his
consultations in Ankara and then Nicosia.
Sources said that the US official will have a meeting with Ilias
Klis, the head of the Greek-Turkish relations department at the
foreign ministry.
[11] Armaments to be discussed at KYSEA meeting tomorrow
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis will chair a meeting of the
Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA)
tomorrow on the armed forces' armaments program.
Asked to comment on reports that two missile boats will be
purchased in the place of the missile boat "Kostakos", which
sank last week after colliding with a passenger ferry, National
Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said an overall armaments
programme exists, for which suitable preparation has been made
and which will be discussed by KYSEA, where final decisions will
be taken.
[12] Tsohatzopoulos reiterates decision that sunken missile boat will
be salvaged
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos yesterday
reaffirmed a decision taken by his ministry's civil and military
leadership to have the ill-fated missile boat "Kostakos"
salvaged.
The state-of-the-art warship sank last week after being rammed
by the passenger ferry "Samaina" off the northern shore of the
eastern Aegean island of Samos.
Referring to the way with which the vessel will be salvaged from
a depth of about 190 meters, he said the best possible solution
will be sought.
A search is still underway to locate one of the missiles carried
by the vessel, which became detached after the collision.
According to an announcement by the naval general staff,
continuing searches conducted by the Hellenic Navy in the sea
region off Samos have not uncovered any significant evidence,
while further action is being considered.
At the same time, a committee of experts is continuing its task
of preparing a report on the missile boat's sinking.
Meanwhile, the navy has scheduled a Te Deum service at 2 p.m.
tomorrow in memory of the four sailors lost during the sinking
of the missile boat.
[13] High Court deputy prosecutor reviewing statements by Andreas
Papandreou's private physician
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Ilias Spyropoulos has sent a
letter to the director of the SKAI-TV channel, calling on him to
send provide court officials with a certified transcript of an
interview given by former PASOK deputy and Andreas Papandreou's
private physician, Dimitris Kremastinos - an interview where the
latter refers to the death of the former three-time prime
minister.
Mr. Kremastinos had given a similar interview to "Epsilon" - an
insert of the "Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia" newspaper - claiming
that Papandreou "did not even take an aspirin before consulting
him."
In response to a question on whether Mr. Papandreou was taking
homeopathetic medication, initially reported by the magazine
"Nitro", Mr. Kremastinos replied that if he did take this type
of medication, he (Papandreou) would not have been aware of it
himself.
[14] Yiannopoulos promises amendments to law reducing convicted drug
dealers' sentences
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos told reporters yesterday
that he will amend or abolish recent legal provisions concerning
a reduction in the sentences handed to convicted drug dealers,
after a public outcry erupted when the matter first surfaced
last week.
"For the restoration of lawfulness in the state, such provisions
will be amended or abolished," he said.
Speaking on the drug problem in general, Mr. Yiannopoulos
announced that a meeting of appeals court prosecutors from
around the country has been called in order to discuss the crime
and drug situation in their prefectures.
The findings of the meeting will be sent to the ministries of
public order and education in order to help combat the
trafficking and use of illegal narcotics.
[15] Mitsotakis declines to attend ND political council meeting today
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Honorary New Democracy president and former prime minister
Constantine Mitsotakis yesterday kept a distance from several
main opposition ND party deputies calling for an immediate
resignation of party leader Miltiades Evert, he also said he
would not attend an extraordinary ND political council meeting
today.
Mr. Mitsotakis said he disagreed with Mr. Evert's decision to
convene the political council meeting, which is expected to
discuss the issue of ND's party leadership.
In a reply to Mr. Mitsotakis' statement, ND spokesperson
Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the presence of the political
council's meeting today was not "compulsory," reiterating that
the decision which was taken at the previous session of the
political council was "clear, binding and should be retained by
everyone.
A party announcement said on Sunday that the political council
will hold the special session to examine "the situation created
by the attitude of certain deputies who question, either
directly or indirectly and in fact publicly, both the recent
decision taken by the political council on holding the congress
and clauses contained in the party's charter."
Stating that last week's political council agreed to raise the
issue of party leadership at next year's ND congress, Mr.
Mitsotakis said that today's meeting would not contribute to
efforts for "an honest and representative congress."
"Therefore, I don't think it is useful to attend tomorrow's
(today) political council and I will also not attend the one
which will discuss the substance of the issue at the proposal of
the party's deputy president Ioannis Varvitsiotis," he said.
Mr. Varvitsiotis stated in an interview with the "Kyriakatiki
Eleftherotypia" newspaper that he will submit a proposal this
week on holding the party's congress.
Former minister and ND deputy Stephanos Manos held a distance
from the deputies urging Mr. Evert to resign saying that such
"high tones" were unnecessary at present.
On his part, former ND minister George Souflias, who recently
unsuccessfully contested the leadership from Mr. Evert,
yesterday sniped at the main opposition leader for calling a
second meeting of the party's political council, following the
one last Thursday."
"I believe that it was not necessary to call an extraordinary
meeting of the political council, because it may sharpen the
prevailing situation and may add to problems," he said.
He added he would, nevertheless, attend the meeting, "only to
express his views", adding that everyone should try to avoid
tension in the party and "contribute to an authentic,
democratic, and representative congress (next year), with
political arguments and proposals, in a high sense of
responsibility and without animosities and discriminations of
the type 'them and us.' "
[16] Yiannopoulos in Cyprus today
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Justice Minister Evangelos Yiannopoulos will leave for Cyprus
today to attend events marking the continuing occupation of a
third of the island-republic by Turkish troops. Mr. Yiannopoulos
will be the main speaker at an event marking the anniversary of
the declaration of 'autonomy' of the pseudo-state in the
occupied territories.
The Turkish Cypriot regime in the occupied territories is not
recognized by any country, other than Turkey.
This year's events are dedicated to the memory of Tassos Isaac
and Solomos Solomou, the two young Greek Cypriot men killed by
Turkish occupation forces earlier this year.
Mr. Yiannopoulos will be received by Cyprus President Glafcos
Clerides and will have meetings with president of the Cyprus
Socialist Party Vassos Lyssarides, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives Spyros Kyprianou, as well as with Archbishop
Chrysostomos. Mr. Yiannopoulos is expected back in Athens on
Thursday.
[17] Vartholomeos receives key to the city of Adelaide
Melbourne, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Visiting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos met with South
Australian State Premier Dean Brown yesterday evening, after the
Patriarch arrived in the capital of Adelaide on the second stop
of his Australian tour.
At a ceremony earlier, the Patriarch received the key to the
city.
Today, the Patriarch is due to visit the federal capital of
Canberra for meetings with Prime Minister John Howard and
Australia's Governor-General William Dean.
Meanwhile, the five-member inter-party delegation of the Greek
Parliament visiting Melbourne to attend meetings within the
framework of the "Dimitria" festival were received yesterday by
Bishop Ieezekiel and held meetings with leading figures of the
Greek community of Melbourne.
[18] Greek rural postmen win odd book title award
London, 12/11/1996 (ANA/Reuter)
The British Bookseller's odd title award has gone this year to
"The Greek Rural Postmen and their Cancellation Numbers".
It fought off some tough competition from "God's Chewable
Vitamin C for the Spirit" and "Tractors and the Men Who Love
Them".
"We feel this year's winner will be of lasting worth," Horace
Brent, chairman of the judges, told the London Times after
sifting through the obtuse entries for the magazine award.
Previous winners have ranged from "Oral Sadism and the
Vegetarian Personality" to "Proceedings of the Second
International Workshop on Nude Mice".
[19] Greece backs flexible fiscal Stability Pact
Brussels, 12/11/1996 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)
The European Union Economy and Finance Ministers' Council
(ECOFIN) yesterday discussed the terms and conditions for the
so-called Stability Pact, and the new Exchange Rate Mechanism
(ERM), which concerns the currencies of the member-states which
will not adopt the single currency from the start.
Disagreements emerged during the session, particularly regarding
the pact involving countries which will adopt the single
currency from its inception, and mainly due to the inflexible
stand of the German side, who insisted on the imposition of
strict sanctions against countries which do not achieve the
continuous and steady reduction in fiscal deficits.
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, who
represented Greece, said Athens does not disagree with the
proposal for the imposition of sanctions, but noted that they
must be proportionate with the breadth of the fiscal deficit and
have a ceiling. He added that an account ought to be taken of
"situations of extraordinary and temporary nature", the level of
investment and defense expenditure, which should mitigate the
severity of the sanctions.
He stated that, in general, he was in favor of a flexible
definition regarding the "situations of extraordinary and
temporary nature".
Regarding the new ERM, which will be applied from 1999 for
countries that will not initially participate in the single
currency, Mr. Papantoniou said it would contain significant
margins of fluctuation, possibly in the order of 15 per cent, as
the old E RM.
He added that although participation in the new mechanism will
be formally voluntary, in essence, it will be compulsory for the
countries wishing to participate in the single currency, and
stressed that the drachma will participate in the new mechanism
to the degree that integration in the single currency is a
declared aim of the Greek government.
[20] Insurance companies continue efforts to prevent proposed
abolition of tax exemptions
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Insurance companies are hoping that the government will not
proceed to a complete abolition of tax exemptions for life
insurance premiums, the president of the Union of Insurance
Companies of Greece, Dimitris Palaiologos, and the president of
the Union's Life sector, P. Karalis, said in a press conference
yesterday, stressing that in the opposite case, the private
insurance industry will be dealt a serious blow.
Mr. Palaiologos presented data and relevant tables, showing that
although the numbers of insured vehicles has recently remained
stable, compensations keep rising.
The two insurance industry executives said that after a meeting
with National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou,
they believe the government had understood the role which
private insurance could play in complementing social insurance,
particularly of low and medium-level incomes.
[21] New framework for Thessaloniki, Piraeus ports ready next year
Athens, 12/11/1996 (ANA)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis told reporters
yesterday that the process of changing the institutional
framework governing the operation of the Piraeus and
Thessaloniki ports will be completed within the next year.
The institutional framework needs to be amended in order to
allow for a more sufficient operation of the ports.
Mr. Soumakis ruled out the possibility of the ports'
privatization adding that the process of changing the
institutional framework included proposals by the employees and
administration officials in the two organizations.
He noted that the government was open to any "radical proposals"
regarding the operation of the ports.
Mr. Soumakis also expressed the government's interest in the
development of the Thessaloniki port which he visited on Sunday
and yesterday.
According to figures, the balance of operation in the
Thessaloniki port is positive with a 10 per cent increase in
cargo transportation in the first eight months of the year as
against the same period last year.
Infrastructural works under construction are estimated at four
billion drachmas.
End of English language section.
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