Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 96-11-26
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1050), November 26, 1996
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca
CONTENTS
[01] EU-Turkey Association Council meeting bumped to next year
[02] Pangalos comments on Ciller meetings
[03] Cyprus
[04] New Corinth Isthmus bridge inaugurated
[05] Greek registry's competitiveness discussed by Soumakis,
London-based shipowners
[06] Pangalos visits Uzbekistan today
[07] Duma speaker due in Athens tomorrow
[08] Attempt to convert Byzantine-era cathedral into mosque creates
friction within Turkey
[09] Athens unaware of possible Clinton visit, Reppas says
[10] PASOK youth group delegation ends Belgrade visit
[11] Evert calls on ND bodies to support protests against Gov't
economic policy
[12] Romeos chairs meeting focusing on recent police corruption cases
[13] Mitropoulos international competition gets under way
[14] Italy honors baritone Zachariou
[15] Papantoniou urges restraint on income demands to cut inflation
[16] Complaints about investment climate
[17] Tsohatzopoulos on economic development and defense
[18] Opposition's positions
[19] Deputies' basic salary to reach 844,747 drachmas
[20] Cost of living, adulterated foods top list of consumers'
complaints
[21] Consumers' Institute issues warning on unsafe toys
[22] Papoutsis stresses challenges facing SMEs in light of
globalization
[23] V. Papandreou's speech
[24] 1997 Europartenariat scheduled to be held in Piraeus
[25] Unemployment forecast to fall over the next two years
[26] National Bank branch opens in Tirana
[27] OGA to function as full-fledged insurance fund as of Jan. 1
[28] Ship pilots go on strike
[29] Teachers go on 24-hour strike tomorrow
[01] EU-Turkey Association Council meeting bumped to next year
Brussels, 26/11/1996 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)
Athens' reaction yesterday prevented any changes to a unanimous
July 15 decision by the EU Council of Ministers concerning
Greek-Turkish relations and further advancement of EU-Turkish
ties.
The July 15 decision calls for respect by Turkey of human
rights, adherence to international agreements and resolution of
Greek-Turkish differences. An official reply by Ankara is still
pending.
Additionally, the current Irish European Union presidency
decided not to convene a Dec. 6 EU-Turkey Association Council
meeting, as strenuously requested by Ankara and several EU
member-states.
Both developments became obvious after the end of long
discussions concerning prospects for furthering the 15-member
Union's relations with Turkey and during working dinner by the
Union's 15 foreign ministers.
On its part, the Irish presidency said during the council of
foreign ministers session that "an exchange of views took place
based on the presidency's report", adding that it was decided
that "contacts with Turkey will continue with a view to
preparing the Association Council at the beginning of next year."
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos told a press conference
afterwards that two unofficial documents were at his disposal
which, to the best of his knowledge, have been referred to in
press reports. He said the one is a report and the other a plan
containing conclusions.
Mr. Pangalos said the documents were not discussed during the
dinner and, consequently, no decision was taken on them. He said
a long discussion took place on whether the EU-Turkey
Association Council should convene on the Dec. 6 date.
He said the European Union presidency is of the opinion that
such a thing would be premature and that a longer and more
substantive preparation was necessary to achieve positive
results.
He added it was agreed that in the common position to be
presented at the next Association Council, the document
concerning relations between Greece and Turkey will be the July
15 document.
Mr. Pangalos said that he wanted to say on the occasion that
Greece wishes for Turkey's greater European orientation and
closer co-operation between that country and the EU. However, he
said Ankara must realize that such an orientation cannot be
compatible with a territorial claim against an EU member-state,
and if Turkey wishes to dispute the existing and currently
applied interpretation of international conditions concerning
the situation in the Aegean, it can only do this in a manner
which is generally acceptable between nations, namely, by
resorting to the International Court of Justice in The Hague -
an international judicial body having jurisdiction over such
issues.
He said the threat of force, mobilization of military means and
efforts to impose "hegemonic behavior" over neighboring
countries cannot be accepted by the international community in
modern times.
[02] Pangalos comments on Ciller meetings
Brussels, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Furthermore, Mr. Pangalos noted that Turkish Foreign Minister
Tansu Ciller, despite meeting EU Council of Foreign Ministers
president and Irish Foreign Minister Dick Spring four times
recently, refused to present Ankara's positions on its relations
with Athens, as well as if Turkey intends to resort to the The
Hague over its territorial differences with Greece - as in the
case of the Imia islets for example - or whether in general
Ankara intends to build good neighborliness relations with
Greece based on the principles of international law,
international agreements and practice.
Mr. Pangalos further said a note Ms Ciller sent to the EU
Council stresses that Greek-Turkish relations constitute a
bilateral issue and that the EU should not get involved in them.
He said this Turkish position is unacceptable and cannot be
accepted by the EU, adding that Turkey must realize that it
cannot use the threat of force and put forward claims against an
EU member-state.
Mr. Pangalos also announced that the Irish EU presidency intends
to invite, at its own initiative, Turkish Prime Minister
Necmettin Erbakan to a dinner shortly after the end of the
summit, due to take place in Dublin in mid-December.
In a related issue, when asked by a reporter whether Athens
condemns or praises a dinner invitation extended towards Mr.
Erbakan by Dublin and whether Mr. Simitis will attend the
dinner, the foreign minister said that "the Turkish prime
minister is not being invited by the council, but by the
presidium, as has occurred in the past.
"Consequently, my opinion is of secondary importance. I think
that under the existing situation, it is very difficult for
there to be discussion with the Turkish prime minister on
Greek-Turkish relations, on Turkey's role in seeking a solution
to the Cyprus problem and the human rights situation in Turkey.
"I can not predetermine what my prime minister will decide. It
is an invitation for state leaders and he will decide to what
extent he will participate in the dinner and to what extent the
country will be represented. In any case, we will use this
opportunity to express to the Turkish government the way in
which we see the problems," Mr. Pangalos said.
Replying to a question concerning the council's decision for the
EU-Turkey Association Council not to be convened, Mr. Pangalos
said this was not a "comprehensive refusal", and stressed that
Athens is "very interested in having the greatest success
possible in our efforts to bring Turkey closer to Europe."
"However, Turkey must accept Europe's manner of functioning and
must also accept certain international rules of behavior," he
said.
Brussels, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Replying to another question, he expressed his regret over the
freezing of Malta's entry into the EU, but said "this cannot
concern Cyprus.
"First of all because Cyprus is an independent country and its
application simply co-existed with that of Malta, and secondly,
because we listened with great attention to Malta's foreign
minister today, who told us of a series of mainly economic
reasons for which they do not consider that they should continue
the course of their country's full entry into the EU.
"This does not apply to Cyprus. As you know, Cyprus is a
'Maastricht country', which is to say that at this time, along
with Luxembourg, if we were to implement Maastricht tomorrow
morning, they would be the only two countries which meet the
requirement s, if we read the commitments in a very formal
manner.
"I believe that negotiations with Cyprus will last only a few
months, and will be the easiest entry negotiations the European
Union has conducted," he concluded.
[04] New Corinth Isthmus bridge inaugurated
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday inaugurated the new
Corinth Isthmus bridge and a 14-kilometer auxiliary route
projected to ease traffic in the area.
The premier said the 31-billion-drachmas project was an
"important and critical link in the Patras-Thessaloniki-Evzones
highway axis."
"The inauguration today underlines efforts to complete a number
of modern highways linking the Greek road axis to the European
road axis," Mr. Simitis said, adding that the project was part
of the Inter-European networks.
"This project is firmly linked to the country's social and
economic development," he said.
Mr. Simitis noted that Greece should use all available sources
from both within the country and the European Union to achieve
development, modernization of the economy and social cohesion.
On his part, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works
Minister Costas Laliotis said the project was very important and
contributed to the completion of the road axis network.
[05] Greek registry's competitiveness discussed by Soumakis,
London-based shipowners
London, 26/10/1996 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis met with several Greek
shipowners here yesterday for the first time since assuming his
minister's portfolio. He later described the meeting as "an
amazing and substantial experience."
Mr. Soumakis said he discussed issues of competitiveness,
training and adaptation to decisions taken by international
organizations. The talks, he added, "led to a very good briefing
for me in order for decisions to be taken that will reinforce
Greek shipping."
The main problem broached during discussions was the
competitiveness of Greece's registry, which is now becoming
vulnerable following the open registry policy being followed by
other European Union countries. Mr. Soumakis said he will
discuss the issue with the Panhellenic Maritime Federation upon
his return to Greece.
Members of the presidium of Greek shipowners in London expressed
their satisfaction with the positions taken by the merchant
marine minister, with their president, Ioannis Hatjipateras,
describing the minister as being "willing to listen and discuss
with us the issues and the problems concerning shipping. And
this is what we want, dialogue and understanding."
Mr. Soumakis ends his visit to London today with a scheduled
meeting with his British counterpart and with the International
Maritime Organization's (IMO) secretary general.
[06] Pangalos visits Uzbekistan today
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos begins a two-day official
visit to Uzbekistan today, followed immediately by an official
visit to Japan, it was announced yesterday.
Mr. Pangalos was to leave for Tashkent shortly before midnight
last night from Brussels after attending the Council of EU
Foreign Ministers meeting.
[07] Duma speaker due in Athens tomorrow
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
The speaker of Russia's lower house of Parliament Gennady
Seleznyov is due in Athens tomorrow for a two-day official visit
at the head of a Duma delegation, following an invitation from
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis.
During his stay, Mr. Seleznyov will meet with President Kostis
Stephanopoulos and have talks with Mr. Kaklamanis and Alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
The Duma speaker will also meet with main opposition New
Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert, the leader of the
Communist Party of Greece's Parliamentary Group Orestis Kolozov,
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos,
Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas and
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos.
Mr. Seleznyov will wind up his visit, which returns the visit
paid by Mr. Kaklamanis to Moscow in May, with a joint press
conference in the Parliament building on Thursday afternoon.
[08] Attempt to convert Byzantine-era cathedral into mosque creates
friction within Turkey
Istanbul, 26/11/1996 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)
An attempt by the Turkey's directorate of charitable foundations
to convert the Byzantine cathedral of Agia Sophia in the Black
Sea port city of Trabzon into a mosque is causing the reaction
of the Turkish ministry of culture, press reports noted
yesterday.
The same reports say the ministry is claiming property rights
over the church, after the directorate issued instructions for
its conversion.
The ruling Refah party has made it clear that "does not consider
this initiative necessary."
[09] Athens unaware of possible Clinton visit, Reppas says
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
The government has no knowledge of any development regarding a
visit by US President Bill Clinton to Greece, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday commenting on press
reports that Mr. Clinton would be visiting Athens and Ankara
next June.
"Regarding a visit by President Clinton to Athens, the issue
remains open," Mr. Reppas said, noting that Mr. Clinton had
accepted an invitation to visit Greece extended by President
Kostis Stephanopoulos when the two men met in Washington last
May.
[10] PASOK youth group delegation ends Belgrade visit
Belgrade, 26/11/1996 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)
A delegation of PASOK's youth group ended a five-day visit to
Belgrade yesterday.
The youth delegation, which had accepted an invitation extended
by Socialist Party President Alexander Rastovic, met with youth
members of the Yugoslav ruling party and representatives of the
Serbian political leadership, while also visiting Serbian
municipalities where the Serbian Socialist Party won the recent
elections.
Mr. Rastovic briefed the PASOK youth delegation on the results
of deputy and municipal elections in his country, while
yesterday, the group met with Serbian President Slobodan
Milosevic, who expressed his satisfaction over the successful
co-operation between Greece and Yugoslavia.
Mr. Milosevic asked the delegation to convey his personal
regards to Prime Minister and PASOK party president Costas
Simitis.
[11] Evert calls on ND bodies to support protests against Gov't
economic policy
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert
yesterday called on all party organizations to support the
people in view of protests this week against the government's
economic policy.
Mr. Evert sent a letter to party organizations and members of
the ND political and social councils in view of the 1997
budget's submission to Parliament.
According to Mr. Evert, the low- and middle-income classes will
be "crushed under the impending barrage of taxes, while the
pensioners, small-to-medium sized business owners, farmers and
employees will bear the burden of the new tax measures."
Mr. Evert called on all party organizations to mobilize in order
to force the government to change its economic policy.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated development yesterday, ND
Vice-President Ioannis Varvitsiotis sent a letter to the members
of ND's political council elaborating on his proposal for
enlargement of the electoral base at next year's congress, which
also has the support of Mr. Evert.
The ND leader has told associates that the Varvitsiotis proposal
"was moving in the right direction."
Mr. Evert announced that he will convene a political council
meeting tomorrow and an executive committee meeting on Thursday.
According to sources Mr. Varvitsiotis has proposed that the
electoral base of the congress be enlarged to 3,000 members, up
from the 1,245 which participated in the previous Halkidiki
congress.
The extra members, according to the proposal, will be
prefectural counselors, candidate mayors, trade union members
and the presidents of vocational and scientific fora who are ND
members.
According to the party charter, the congress has quorum with the
participation of 1,900 members.
Meanwhile, deputy Stavros Dimas said he hoped the Varvitsiotis
proposal will form the basis for decisions of the party's
political council.
Stressing that the ND charter gives the ability to deputies to
question Mr. Evert during the upcoming party congress, Mr. Dimas
said that whoever wins the party leadership elections during the
congress will also lead the party to general elections.
[12] Romeos chairs meeting focusing on recent police corruption cases
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
A meeting of high-ranking police officials yesterday chaired by
Public Order Minister George Romeos examined recent cases of
official corruption, particularly the involvement of police
officers in the smuggling of illegal immigrants as well as the
recent shooting death of a gypsy man in Livadia by a traffic
policeman.
Announced measures called for the strengthening of police
patrols in border regions to counter illegal immigration along
with other steps promoted by the foreign ministry.
Mr. Romeos said there would also be stricter controls on police
conduct, adding: "The finding and punishment of the officer who
breaks the law is not enough, prevention and the elimination of
the mentality which promotes the covering up of such cases is
also required."
Referring to the gypsy man's killing, he said efforts should be
made so that there was greater respect for the constitutional
rights of citizens, saying the growth of a racist climate within
police ranks would not be allowed.
In a related issue, special measures were discussed to prevent
the importation of illegal narcotics from Albania, and the
assistance of European Union partners would be sought in that
regard.
[13] Mitropoulos international competition gets under way
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Yesterday saw the start of the first international competition
dedica-ted to the memory of renowned Greek conductor and
composer Dimitris Mitropoulos, marking the 100th anniversary of
his birth.
The five-day competition, which is set to become an annual
event., is open to orchestra conductors of all nationalities up
to the age of 40.
The competition, organized by the Orchestra of Colors in close
collaboration with the Athens Concert Hall and under the aegis
of the ministry of culture, will take place before a jury
comprising distinguished musicians from the international world
of music under the chairmanship of conductor Claudio Scimone.
Out of approximately 300 entries, the jury has selected 32
candidates in a preliminary round to take part in the finals in
a November 28 concert at the Athens Concert Hall that will be
open to the public.
According to Traute Lutz, administrator of the competition,
there has been considerable interest from Britain in the
competition, and a Briton was among the finalists.
Three prizes will be awarded. The first prize is accompanied by
an eight million drachmas (approx. $30,00) cash award, the
second prize five million drachmas ($18,000) and the third prize
three million drachmas ($10,000).
The first prize winner will also be offered paid engagements
with the Orchestra of Colors, founded by the late composer Manos
Hadzidakis, and the Camerata Orchestra of the Friends of Music
for two concerts over the next three years.
Mr. Lutz said that the response to the competition was so great
that by the June 15 deadline for entries about 300 candidates
had applied.
"Selecting 32 finalists was a very difficult task for the jury,
since the overall level of the entrants was extremely high. The
final round promises to be very interesting," Mr. Lutz told the
ANA last week.
[14] Italy honors baritone Zachariou
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Baritone Nikos Zachariou was awarded last night with the medal
"Knight of the Italian Republic" by the Italian ambassador in
Athens.
The singer began his career in 1943 in the Greek National Opera
House and moved to the Scala of Milan in 1953.
Other dignitaries that also received awards included businessmen
Socrates Bourboulis and Armado Montiano.
[15] Papantoniou urges restraint on income demands to cut inflation
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou
yesterday called on all citizens to curb their income demands so
as to contain inflation.
Addressing the annual conference of the Hellenic American
Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Papantoniou said a reduction of
inflation was the "responsibility of not only the government but
also of the entire society, and consequently, businessmen,
workers and re al estate owners should curb their... demands".
Mr. Papantoniou reiterated the government's target of holding
inflation to 4.5 per cent by the end of 1997, a goal which was
stated in the recently drafted 1997 state budget, and called on
the business sector to "display self-restraint so as to
contribute to reducing inflation". Stressing that the "hard
drachma" exchange policy would not change, Mr. Papantoniou said
the target was for Greece to be in a position to seek, before
the year 2000, its full participation in the European Union's
economic and monetary union (EMU), adding that the essential
fiscal streamlining was beginning "today".
He also stressed the need for combating a "clientele state" and
wasteful public sector spending "so as to reduce the deficits
through a coordinated and socially balanced effort, without
placing extortionistic dilemmas upon the working people".
Mr. Papantoniou further said "contained increases" above the
anticipated inflation rate (8 per cent) would be given to the
public sector as of January 1, while announcing acceleration of
privatization in 1997, the year in which he also said a bill
would be tabled in Parliament establishing the complete autonomy
of the Bank of Greece.
The minister also endorsed mergers of banks and enterprises
aimed at "increasing their competitiveness". On his part,
National Economy Under-secretary Christos Baltas provided
assurances that the government was making determined efforts to
overcome existing problems for foreign investors.
Referring especially to US investors, he stressed that the
government aimed, on one hand, to increase the investment fund
flow from the United States, which was admittedly on a downward
trend, while on the other, to promote "triangular" business
venture s in the Balkans and the Black Sea region, based on
Greek-US co-operation.
According to Mr. Baltas' figures, the sum of US capital
investment in Greece, US$1.25 billion, amounted to one-fourth of
the total, with US-based firms employing about 9,000 workers.
Regarding trade, the US market is expected to be displaced by
that of Bulgaria from fifth place in the list of best customers
for Greek exports in 1996.
[16] Complaints about investment climate
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Meanwhile, representatives of foreign multi-nationals expressed
serious complaints regarding the prevailing climate for foreign
investment in Greece, while Greek businessmen were also critical
of what they called the lack of "clear solutions in the
development sector".
Alexandros Andriopoulos, the managing director of Levi Strauss
Hellas, accused the state of not providing effective protection
for industrial and intellectual copyrights, reporting that the
annual turnover of imitation brands and products in Greece
amounted to 50 billion drachmas, seven billion of which was only
for bogus Levi's jeans.
Giorgos Galanakis, the president of Hayatt Regency Hotel and
Tourist A.E., which recently implemented a large casino
investment in Thessaloniki, protested that "at a time when prime
ministers of the country visited America in search of investors,
legislation regarding the sector has been changed three times
and new changes are being prepared."
[17] Tsohatzopoulos on economic development and defense
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Referring to the connection between economic development and
defense, National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said in
his address that the defensive capability was not at odds with
the success of the economy and the course towards development,
but w as a precondition for them.
"The dilemma posed between armaments or development is a false
one," he stressed, adding that defense expenditures in 1997
would reach 4.2 per cent of GDP, and emphasizing that
development, the country's modernization and its prospects in
Europe guaranteed its deterrent force, which in turn guaranteed
the Greek people's prosperity.
"The defensive capability, diplomatic efforts, and the
application of the rules of international law constitute the
main factors of Greece's policy," he added.
He also stressed Athens' resolve to back Cyprus.
"The strengthening of Cyprus - economic and military - and the
apparent significant prospect for a solution of the problem
through Cyprus' accession to the EU present new facts which
Greece must face resolutely in the next three years," he said.
[18] Opposition's positions
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Speaking after Mr. Papantoniou, Main opposition New Democracy
party leader Miltiades Evert accused the government of a "tax
raid", saying that "a tax whirlwind is coming."
He claimed that the government should begin a drastic
restriction of the state and not proceed "down the one-way
street of taxes," adding that most new taxes will lead to
recession and to the reduction of investments when what is
needed is credibility and the existence of a stable taxation
system.
Mr. Evert described taxation measures as being slipshod, saying
the actual income for salaried workers and pensioners will be
reduced.
"No-one knows what the government's economic policy is, what it
(the government) plans or how it will implement it," he said.
The ND president described the current account deficit as a time
bomb.
"The government has not realized that monetary policy can no
longer bear the burden of efforts to reduce inflation," he said,
adding that "it is not possible to destroy the economy's
productive fibers with its exchange policy."
Dimitris Tsovolas, the leader of the Democratic Social Movement
(DHKKI) and a former PASOK finance minister, said there was an
alternative, realistic economic proposal which will lead to
progress.
"It is necessary for the Maastricht criteria to be revised
across Europe," Mr. Tsovolas said, adding that it was also
necessary for there to be a stabilization policy. This policy,
he said, cannot happen with a squeeze on incomes and the
imposition of new taxes, but with an improvement in productivity
and production with new investments and more growth.
The DHKKI leader asked for support for low-income earners to
bolster demand in the market and to reverse the slump, saying
that the Greek economy, in contrast to what is commonly assumed,
is not in debt because the massive informal economy in the gross
domestic product is not calculated.
[19] Deputies' basic salary to reach 844,747 drachmas
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
MP deputies are to receive salary increases worth almost as much
as those of civil servants, under Parliament's new budget, which
was submitted last night.
According to the legislative body's budget, the basic salary for
deputies rises to 844,747 drachmas, compared to 765,652 drachmas
in 1996. This year, 5.727 billion drachmas will be provided for
deputies' salaries and bonuses, which are described as being
"constitutional debts", up from just more than 5.571 billion
drachmas in 1996.
Parliament's total budget for 1997 amounts to just under 21
billion drachmas, in contrast for 18,817 for the previous year -
marking an 11.59 per cent increase.
The budget has a left-over of 600 million drachmas, while 800
million drachmas from the 1996 budget are to be used to commence
work on Parliament's new underground garage. Parliament
estimates it will return more than 3.5 million drachmas to the
state coffers, that were left over from 1996.
Expenses have been cut in the new budget for the purchase of
newspapers, office material, paper and health supplies.
However, 275 million drachmas have been earmarked for the
purchase of computers. The Parliamentary budget is to be voted
on during the next few days.
[20] Cost of living, adulterated foods top list of consumers'
complaints
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
The cost of living and adulterated foodstuffs that are unfit for
consumption top the black list of consumers' complaints for
1996, as compiled by the Consumers' Institute (INKA).
Lower down the list come telephone and electricity bills,
tourism and entertainment services, misleading advertising, the
media, water supply and drainage, insurance, and public services.
A report issued after a meeting of consumers' organizations over
the weekend stated that very few of the measures enacted by the
government have been implemented, while marketing techniques
violating rules of fair competition are being promoted unchecked.
[21] Consumers' Institute issues warning on unsafe toys
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
A Consumers' Institute (INKA) report released in view of the
upcoming holiday season claims that many children's toys do not
fulfill the required safety standards and are dangerous.
The report stresses that although the European Union has
established rules for the manufacturing of safe toys, there is
laxity in regulations' enforcement by national authorities,
which must show greater vigilance not only in withdrawing
dangerous toys , but also in preventing manufacturers from
unduly using the CE label.
INKA urges parents to employ increased care regarding the
quality, packaging, and substances used by toy manufacturers.
[22] Papoutsis stresses challenges facing SMEs in light of
globalization
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
"It is a fact that globalization and internationalization of
small- to medium-sized enterprises is now a sector which needs
careful attention and orientation," EU Commissioner SMEs
Christos Papoutsis said yesterday.
"Enterprises all around Europe will need to revise their
strategies in view of the ever-changing global market," he said,
adding that "despite advantages from globalization, enterprises
will be facing specific problems."
Mr. Papoutsis was speaking at the 23rd "International Conference
on Small- to Medium-Sized Businesses and Globalization (ISBC)",
held yesterday at a downtown Athens hotel.
Stressing that SMEs should have greater support during the first
stages of their activities, especially in the sector of
assessing new markets and face administrative problems, Mr.
Papoutsis added that the banking system should also assist the
globalization of national business activities.
According to the EU Commissioner, the course to Economic and
Monetary Union will have its effects on the globalization of
SMEs.
In order to minimize these effects, Mr. Papoutsis said
governments, institutional organizations and businesses should
plan ahead.
In view of this challenge, Mr. Papoutsis said SMEs should
proceed with restructuring, the cost of which will not be
negligible but will yield great benefits.
He also added that the development of electronic trade was a
significant aspect of the Community's new policy, as this is
expressed in the Union's "Green Paper" on trade, which the
European Commission endorsed last week.
[23] V. Papandreou's speech
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Speaking at the same conference, Development Minister Vasso
Papandreou stressed the need for small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) to adapt to international developments in
order for them to play a significant role in the economy.
The development minister made the statement while opening the
ISBC conference, which focused on the issue of
Internationalization and SMEs.
The conference, in which 610 business representatives from
around the world are attending, is due to end next Tuesday.
"Until now, internationalization was connected to the activities
of multi-national businesses," Ms Papandreou said, adding:
"Today, for a variety of reasons, most important of which is
technological development, our world is being converted into a
unified market of capital, consumer goods and services. In this
new situation, small- and medium-sized enterprises also have a
place."
[24] 1997 Europartenariat scheduled to be held in Piraeus
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
EU Commissioner for Small-to-Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs),
Christos Papoutsis said yesterday that the 1997 Europartenariat
will be held in Piraeus next June.
According to Mr. Papoutsis, the Europartenariat will contribute
to the further globalization of Greek SMEs that comprise the
backbone of the Greek economy.
[25] Unemployment forecast to fall over the next two years
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Unemployment will reach 9.6 per cent in 1997 and drop to 9.2 per
cent in 1998, according to a half-yearly report of the national
economy ministry on current economic developments which was
published yesterday. According to other forecasts for 1997
contained in the report, incomes policy will be restrictive,
monetary policy will continue to be focused on the battle
against inflation, while maintaining the parity of the drachma
but without ruling out small short-term fluctuations in order to
discourage speculatory movements of capital.
Inflation in 1997, the report said, would drop to 4.5 per cent
which would result in a further drop in nominal rates of
interest.
[26] National Bank branch opens in Tirana
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
The National Bank of Greece opened its first branch office in
Tirana yesterday while another branch is expected to soon open
in Bucharest.
The new bank branch will accept deposits in major currencies and
in drachmas, as well as offering import and export financial
services, loans and letters of guarantee, purchase as well as
facilitating exchange and capital movement abroad.
An announcement by the National Bank said the Tirana branch
office will have an advantage of providing security for
important and high-amount transactions and services.
In a similar development, a new National Bank branch office
opened in Stuttgart on Nov. 18. The new branch office, the
fourth in Germany, provides all banking services and is equipped
with the latest banking computerization system.
[27] OGA to function as full-fledged insurance fund as of Jan. 1
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
About 700,000 farmers will join the reorganized Agricultural
Insurance Fund (OGA), which is to function on a fully reciprocal
basis of contributions from January 1, as provided for by a
draft law unveiled by Labor and Social Security Minister
Miltiades Papaioannou yesterday.
The plan calls for seven tiers of insurance, the first providing
for monthly pensions of 51,000 drachmas, and the seventh for
177,330. One-third of the cost will be paid by farmers'
themselves, and two-thirds from the state budget. Farmers will
be eligible for a pension at 65, while the concepts of
disability pension and labor accidents are introduced for the
first time.
The plan is expected to become fully operational by the year
2026, i.e., the first farmers completing 30 years of insurance.
[28] Ship pilots go on strike
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Ships' pilots went on strike yesterday to press their demand for
an additional pay allowance based on length of service to be
paid out of the Seamen's Pension Fund (NAT).
Due to the strike, a large number of vessels remained at anchor
outside the port of Piraeus, others have changed course and
destination, while those already in port are unable to leave.
Merchant Marine Minister Stavros Soumakis said last week that
the behavior of the pilots was of particular concern to him
since they were "out of touch with reality".
The stance of the pilots has already led to a re-examination of
the usefulness of their service in its present form.
Mr. Soumakis noted that pilots' salaries are already very high.
He said that they were "privileged employees who overstress
demands of lesser importance".
He added that the ministry was examining the possibility of
privatizing the pilot service which he described as a "private
relationship safeguarded by the state without any benefit for
the state".
[29] Teachers go on 24-hour strike tomorrow
Athens, 26/11/1996 (ANA)
Secondary school and kindergarten teachers will hold a 24-hour
strike tomorrow to protest a new salary scale and proposed
government spending on education.
At the same time, schoolteachers and university lecturers will
participate in the 24-hour strike called by the Civil Servants'
Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY) for November 28.
The administrative board of the Union of Public Secondary School
Teachers (OLME) told a press conference yesterday that they were
considering organizing further strike action.
It said they would be proposing to local teachers' trade union
organizations a 48-hour strike on December 9-10, a three-day
strike beginning December 16 and a long-term strike beginning in
January.
OLME is demanding a minimum monthly salary of 250,000 drachmas
for teachers appointed for the first time, the immediate
appointment of teachers to schools currently operating with
reduced staff which have been forced to cut syllabuses and a 15
per cent increase in state spending on education.
End of English language section.
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