Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-12-16

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From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1368), December 16, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca

CONTENTS

[01] Athens calls on Ankara to change its approach vis-a-vis EU

[02] EU tries to calm anger of left-out Turkey

[03] ... Other EU reactions

[04] ... Turkish Cypriots

[05] ... US on EU-Turkey relations

[06] Stephanopoulos begins three-day official visit to Ukraine

[07] ... Parliament address

[08] German Social Democrat official in Ankara, Athens

[09] Tsohatzopoulos: Military clash between Greece, Turkey unlikely

[10] Support of Albanian Navy's restructuring

[11] Greek courses in Bucharest

[12] Simitis to brief Karamanlis today

[13] ... ND critical of new budget

[14] Ex-DHKKI cadres harshly criticize Tsovolas

[15] Employment measures top EU labor ministers' agenda

[16] KEDKE presses for funds from Gov't

[17] Serb writer wins first 'Balkanika' literature prize

[18] Hellenic Studies Center in Tirana

[19] Inclement weather hits Greece, one man presumed drowned

[20] Simitis briefs PASOK's political secretariat

[21] OECD report cites strengths, weaknesses of Greek economy

[22] High-ranking Gov't presentation on utility agreements

[23] OTE subsidiary Maritel Maritime to increase share capital

[24] SETE meeting with V. Papandreou

[25] Greek stocks end flat in lackluster trade

[26] Egnatia Highway due to be built by 2000

[27] Black Sea countries want to see oil pipeline built to Greece

[28] Germany's Lahmeyer wins tender to do power plant study

[29] European Union takes six states to court on environment laws

[01] Athens calls on Ankara to change its approach vis-a-vis EU

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

"By making threats, Turkey is leading itself up a dead end and is losing a great deal. Ankara should change its approach," government spokesman Demetris Reppas said.

Turkey failed to be named as candidate for membership due to its poor human rights record, its treatment of its Kurdish minority, relations with Greece and its stance on the Cyprus issue, apart from purely economic reasons.

"Greece is not gloating. It feels neither superior nor inferior. All the threats, including that to annex the occupied sector of Cyprus, are viewed in a negative light by the EU and are a dead-end policy," Mr. Reppas said.

Referring to reports of Turkish military maneuvers near the southern Asia Minor ports of Mersin and Antalya, the Greek spokesman said this had also occurred before the Luxembourg summit.

He expressed the view that the movement was not a problem, nor was the situation out of control.

In response to a question on the experts' committee set up to examine bilateral relations, Mr. Reppas said the process was now "frozen".

The spokesman also announced that Prime Minister Costas Simitis will brief the opposition party leaders today on the results of the European Union summit meeting in Luxembourg, which ended Saturday.

Mr. Simitis is to meet with the party leaders separately, while it was also announced that he would brief President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Thursday after the latter's return from an official visit to Ukraine.

[02] EU tries to calm anger of left-out Turkey

Brussels, 16/12/1997 (Reuters/ANA-M. Spinthourakis/G. Daratos)

The weekend EU summit decided to open membership talks with Cyprus and 10 ex-communist countries in eastern Europe, but not Turkey, which first applied to join the bloc in 1963.

Instead, the Union invited Turkey to a European Conference of current and aspiring EU members next year, something Ankara rejected.

Repercussions from the row were felt immediately on the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash said intercommunal talks with the Greek Cypriot community "have died".

Officials at NATO, to which Turkey and Greece both belong, expressed hope the row would not disrupt a key meeting, beginning today, on admitting former Warsaw Pact states.

Britain and Germany urged Turkey to reconsider its decision to shun the planned European Conference in London scheduled for mid-March, where current and prospective EU members will discuss foreign and security policy, drug-trafficking and other issues.

"I hope that once the initial gunsmoke of disappointment has gone, Turkey will view the matter calmly," German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said.

"We are not going to close the door on Turkey. Turkey belongs within Europe, we want it to be there with us."

British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "I understand Turkish disappointment at being treated in an apparently different way from others.

"But I continue to hope they will come to see the advantages for them of participation in the European Conference as a further step towards eventual membership."

A European Commission spokesman added: "If Turkey does not participate, that would clearly take away the value of that conference." In Ankara, meanwhile, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Necati Utkan said that "unless (the EU's) approach and mentality are changed, one cannot expect our relations to be developed within constructive dialogue."

Ankara's leadership was especially incensed by conditions attached to the conference invitation. The EU summit leaders called on Turkey to improve its human rights record, protect the rights of its Kurdish minority and move to solve long-standing territorial disputes with Greece, including the future of Cyprus.

Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz responded on Sunday by announcing a "freeze" on political ties with the 15-nation bloc.

"Relations with Europe were frozen: Turkey will not talk with the European Union on Cyprus, the Aegean and human rights," the "Sabah" newspaper wrote.

However, Mr. Utkan said the rejection of the invitation did not mean the end of Turkey's long-held dream of EU membership.

"Turkey will maintain its will to integrate with the EU despite the position laid out in the Luxembourg summit," he said.

[03] ... Other EU reactions

In a related development, Luxembourg Prime Minister and president of the EU Council, Jean-Claude Juncker, told reporters yesterday that a deficit of understanding currently exists in relations between the EU and Turkey.

On the question of Cyprus, he said the "15" requested that the Turkish Cypriots participate in the delegation which will negotiate the island republic's EU accession, and that the upcoming British EU presidency will make efforts in this direction.

However, he stressed that it is a direction of a political nature and that from a legal point of view it does not constitute a compulsory condition for a start to the negotiations which, as he said, will get underway on the basis of what has been agreed between the EU and Cyprus.

Mr. Juncker concluded that it would be in Turkey's interests, to the degree that it desires to join the EU eventually, not to prevent the course of Cyprus towards the Union.

On his part, EU Commission President Jacques Santer said:

"The European Commission calls on the Turkish authorities to reconsider their initial negative reaction to the conclusions adopted for it by the European Summit Council on Dec. 13, 1997. A careful analysis of these conclusions shows that they are offering Turkey a series of interesting and substantive overtures in light of a possible accession (of Turkey) to the European Union with precisely the same terms (precisely the same preconditions) which the other candidate countries are obliged to fulfill and a strategy 'tailored to suit Turkey's interests which will help it to prepare its future accession'."

Speaking to a group of reporters, a senior European Commission official said that Turkey is not in the right in reacting negatively to the fact that the Luxembourg summit set political conditions for the strengthening of ties between the EU and Turkey.

Political conditions were also set for Slovakia without there being similar reactions, he said, adding that he reached the conclusion that the Turkish reaction was made "for reasons of domestic political consumption."

[04] ... Turkish Cypriots

Brussels, 16/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

"The European Union has made clear and unequivocal decisions in the past on this issue," Klaus van den Pas, Mr. Santer's press officer, said. "The issue of the starting date for negotiations for Cyprus' entry has been decided and the decision has been taken, confirmed and reconfirmed."

"What we ask," he added, "is that the Turkish Cypriots think twice or three times before they give a definitive answer and that they should realize that our offer is very important before they decide to reject it".

Mr. van den Pas said the offer should be considered in "a calm climate".

[05] ... US on EU-Turkey relations

Washington, 16/12/1997 (ANA/dpa)

US State Department spokesman James Foley said: "The United States wants the fullest possible participation in Europe for Turkey."

Saying that it was a decision for the EU to make, Mr. Foley added: "We believe Turkey's place is in Europe. Over time, Turkey ought to have a place."

US government officials will be discussing the issue with Turkish Prime Minister Yilmaz, who meets US President Bill Clinton on Thursday.

[06] Stephanopoulos begins three-day official visit to Ukraine

Kiev, 16/12/1997 (ANA - N. Megadoukas)

Mr. Stephanopoulos, accompanied by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, held private talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Leonid Kuchma and with the Ukrainian prime minister, as well as meetings with members of the expatriate Greek community in that country.

Talks between Mr. Stephanopoulos and Ukrainian leaders have provided a new impetus for co-operation between Greece and the Ukraine, while common assessments were ascertained on the handling of international problems.

On his part, Mr. Papandreou signed three agreements on consular, agricultural and commercial issues with his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Grisenko last night.

"Our desire for a further improvement in our relations has been confirmed," President Stephanopoulos said in a statement after the signing of the three agreements, adding that economic exchanges between the two countries are not yet at the desired, by both sides, level and there is ground for improvement.

President Stephanopoulos stressed that political relations between Greece and the Ukraine are excellent and that both countries constitute a factor of stability in the Balkan and Black Sea regions.

Mr. Kuchma said Greece is a sure partner of his country in the Balkan and Mediterranean region and expressed his thanks for Greek support for Ukraine's request to join the West European Union (WEU).

On the question of the NATO alliance's enlargement, President Kuchma said that his country sees no enemy in the Atlantic alliance and that NATO knows how to promote correct policies.

However, in the form of a warning, he clarified that Europe must not be divided into two camps.

"We must look upon Europe as a peaceful house," he added.

Additionally, President Stephanopoulos underlined the presence of a large number of Greeks in the Ukraine, saying that this constituted an additional cause for the development of closer relations with this country. He also thanked its leadership for the assistance it provided to Greeks and to the dissemination of the Greek language.

Speaking during the official luncheon given in his honor by President Kuchma at the Mariinski Palace, Mr. Stephanopoulos said his visit to Kiev confirmed the close ties between Greece and Ukraine, adding that the European prospect provided bilateral relations with a new modern content and dynamism.

President Stephanopoulos will address the Ukrainian Parliament today and afterwards he will leave for Odessa.

[07] ... Parliament address

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The visit is the first by a Greek dignitary since November 1994, when then Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias visited the former Soviet republic.

National Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos visited the Ukraine last July to observe the multinational "Partnership for Peace" exercise.

Earlier, Greece and Ukraine signed a friendship and co-operation protocol and three agreements in the sectors of transport, tourism and culture in November 1996, when Mr. Kuchma visited Athens.

A month earlier, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos had signed an agreement on defense co-operation between the two countries, when his Ukrainian counterpart visited Athens.

The Greek president is accompanied by Greek business representatives active in Ukraine, including Delta dairy products' owner Demetris Daskalopoulos and construction magnate Prodromos Emfietzoglou, along with the president of the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board, Yiannis Tzen.

Greek investments already under way or about to begin in Ukraine are valued at US$100 million, with shipbuilding projects at one billion dollars. Greece has also expressed its support of Kiev's intention to join European and Atlantic organizations with

Greece's defense minister saying last month that Athens intended to pursue improved relations between the Western European Union and Russia and Ukraine when it takes over the presidency in January next year.

[08] German Social Democrat official in Ankara, Athens

Bonn, 16/12/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)

According to the party's Parliamentary group spokesman, the social democrat politician's talks will focus on relations between the European Union and Turkey, the Cyprus issue combined with Greek-Turkish relations and the state of human rights in Turkey.

Despite the fact that Mr. Scharping's tour is taking place at an extremely crucial time, immediately after the European Union's Luxembourg summit and new tension in relations between the EU and Turkey, he denied that it constitutes "mediation" or a "fen ce-mending mission".

Mr. Scharping's visits to Ankara and Athens had been scheduled long ago, the spokesman said. This clarification is supported by the fact that the Parliamentary group president will be accompanied by four other deputies, including Leila Onur, who is of Kurdish origin.

[09] Tsohatzopoulos: Military clash between Greece, Turkey unlikely

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

"Turkey does not have the strength to go against the European Union, the international community and international law," he said while addressing a high school gathering near Thessaloniki.

He said the recent increase in violations of Greek airspace by Turkish fighters would be resolved within the framework of the new NATO structure agreed upon in Brussels last week.

The Greek defense minister also said the new NATO would act as a "safety valve" since no aircraft belonging to any member-state would be able to enter Greece's national security area.

In ruling out a potential conflict with Turkey Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said:

"If we avoid provocative actions, showing that we are in control of whatever situation arises, conflict is not the most effective way (to resolve issues) and no reasonable person would ever suggest it." He added, however, that a clash would be unavoidable if Turkey tried to overturn Greece's sovereign rights in the region and violate its national space.

The minister stressed that the Greek armed forces were always in a state of readiness.

Turkey's claims, he added, were being dealt with at a political and diplomatic level within the framework of international organizations.

Greece's "strategic arsenal", he added, included its right under the Law of the Sea to expand its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, although he said that the use of that right would depend on developments in Turkey's relations with the European Union.

The use of this "weapon", he said, would depend on whether Turkey had a chance of joining the EU, which Greece did not object to as long as it fulfilled the conditions laid down.

[10] Support of Albanian Navy's restructuring

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

Additionally, the crew of the vessel "Karavoyiannos" is continuing to repair and service lighthouses in the neighboring country.

Lastly, four Alouette-type helicopters belonging to the Albanian health ministry are being repaired in Greece at the expense of the Hellenic Navy.

[11] Greek courses in Bucharest

Bucharest, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

[12] Simitis to brief Karamanlis today

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

ND spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos yesterday harshly criticized Turkey for its response to the EU summit, saying Ankara had shown its "anti-European orientation" and that "threats and blackmail only serves to isolate it further from the European family".

He said that Ankara had chosen to intensify tension, intransigence and provocativeness.

ND sources said that the government was premature in rejoicing over the outcome of the EU summit, which, they said, was due to mistaken handling by Turkey and economic reasons.

On the negative side, they added, Greece was formally consigned to a 'second speed' in Europe at the summit.

[13] ... ND critical of new budget

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

At a news conference after the meeting, ND deputies castigated the government for its economic policies saying that the country was definitively on the margins of economic and monetary union and that the budget would not satisfy the demands of Greek society.

"The government has failed to achieve the 1997 budget targets and the 1998 budget ... fails to address the daily problems (of Greeks) and will, subsequently, delay the participation of the country in economic and monetary union," Demetris Kostopoulos said.

He added that wage increases of 2.5 percent would reduce real incomes for wage-earners and pensioners and that 13 new taxes would burden on average each Greek family with an extra 270,000 drachmas on their tax bill.

He noted that the budget did not bolster growth or introduce structural changes or modernization to the public sector.

Adam Regouzas said that the primary characteristic of the budget was "indiscriminate taxation, deceptive playing with numbers, social austerity and losses from the non-existent use of Community funds which will exceed 700 billion drachmas."

He said that the move to tax businesses reserves served to restrict capital for investment and said the "accountant's logic in the budget strikes a blow to the heart of development".

[14] Ex-DHKKI cadres harshly criticize Tsovolas

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

In a press release, those who quit or were removed from DHKKI claim that the movement "unfortunately, became a political group of Mr. Tsovolas' relatives and friends" and its only policy is that of "unproductive refusal".

"DHKKI for us was a parenthesis and is now gone like a falling star," the press release stated.

Similar telegrams were sent by DHKKI local organizations from Agrinio, Messolongi and the near-Athens Ilioupoli district.

[15] Employment measures top EU labor ministers' agenda

Brussels, 16/12/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Discussion of issues at the meeting resulted in the following decisions:

- Adoption of guidelines on employment in 1998, as these were approved by the extraordinary European Council in Luxembourg last month. All member-states committed themselves to submit plans for their national employment programs by April 1998.

- Adoption of an agreement/framework on part-time employment. A directive to result from the adoption will be aimed at making employment more flexible, aspiring also to promote equal opportunities for men and women.

- Agreement was reached on action by the Union in the fields of research, analysis and co-operation in the sectors of employment and the job market, an issue which had been pending since 1995.

- A directive was approved on the weight of proof in cases of discrimination on the basis of sex.

A discussion was also held on the follow-up activity to be taken after the 4th international Beijing conference on women in 1995, and especially on measures taken by member-states and the Union in the direction of equality between men and women.

[16] KEDKE presses for funds from Gov't

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

Municipal services were curtailed yesterday after a KEDKE decision, while KEDKE delegates' will meet today with Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis today.

The central government owes 7.5 billion drachmas to local governments and another 2.5 billion drachmas - the direct and indirect tax share of local governments.

[17] Serb writer wins first 'Balkanika' literature prize

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The prize was awarded by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos. Albahari was chosen from among seven candidates representing Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

[18] Hellenic Studies Center in Tirana

Tirana, 16/12/1997 (ANA - P. Haritou)

The language, literature and history two-year program is part of an agreement between the Ioannina and the Tirana universities, based on a protocol signed in 1995.

Prof. Konstantinos Mizis, who is in charge of the program, said that one of his earliest decisions was to start teaching in a coffeehouse next to the university, because of the lack of classroom space.

[19] Inclement weather hits Greece, one man presumed drowned

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

Marinos Panagakis, 48, is presumed to have drowned while a passenger, Konstantina Antonopoulou, 23, managed to escape. The vehicle was retrieved from the water by the fire brigade but there was no sign of the man.

Another four people escaped from their cars unharmed in separate incidents in the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus when their vehicles also fell into the sea.

Meanwhile, bad weather across the country has led to widespread disruption of transport services, with Olympic Airways flights to the islands of Karpathos, Kythera, Santorini and to the northern town of Kozani canceled and others delayed.

The delays were exacerbated by a work-to-rule strike by OA stewards demanding permanent status for 210 seasonal workers.

In addition, heavy snowfalls in northern Greece have cut off several villages. Chains are required for vehicles traveling on the Ioannina-Trikala highway and on a section of the Ioannina-Kozani road.

The Preveza-Igoumenitsa road has been blocked by waters from the Aherontas River, which broke its banks yesterday. Traffic is being diverted onto the old highway.

[20] Simitis briefs PASOK's political secretariat

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

After the four-hour meeting, which was attended by party cadres and government ministers, Press Minister and government spokesman Demetris Reppas said that the PM briefed participants on the outcome of the EU Luxembourg summit, held last Saturday and Friday.

According to Mr. Reppas, decisions taken during the summit were seen as positive as far as Greece was concerned, while proposals were made on the policy to be followed in the coming period in relation to Cyprus' EU admission course and possible provocations on the part of Turkey.

[21] OECD report cites strengths, weaknesses of Greek economy

Brussels, 16/12/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Generally speaking, the OECD's report could be termed "less optimistic" than corresponding European Union reports. However, national economy ministry sources said this is due to the fact that, as the OECD's report concedes, certain measures contained in the 1997 state budget have not been taken into consideration and nor has the content of the 1998 budget.

Referring to the main indicators of the Greek economy, the report points out that inflation in Greece is at the lowest point in the past 25 years, adding that its convergence with the level of inflation required by the EU's Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) might be slow.

On the question of the fiscal deficit, it concedes that it has decreased considerably, but adds that if measures are not taken in 1998 then it will present incremental trends in the next year, as well as the deficit in the balance of payments.

The report stresses that progress has been achieved concerning a crackdown on tax evasion in Greece, but added that in 1997 public revenues were slightly less than expected and expenditures slightly higher.

Referring to growth rates in the Greek economy, the report considers them to be strong but expresses fears that a slight retardation might take place in 1999.

Lastly, it said that the number of registered unemployed people is increasing, which is primarily due to modernization and the restructuring of many enterprises.

[22] High-ranking Gov't presentation on utility agreements

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

These are some of the direct repercussions from promoting the institution of programming agreements, according to a presentation of the issue yesterday by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Development Minister Vasso Papandreou and Transport Minister Tassos Mantelis, and with the participation of Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Iason Stratos and General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos.

The agreements which have already been promoted with Greek industry total 131. They concern investments amounting to 1.3 trillion drachmas.

"The programming agreements constitute a process of awarding procurements which have been systematically used in most European countries to safeguard the interests of public bodies and to strengthen production," Ms Papandreou said.

[23] OTE subsidiary Maritel Maritime to increase share capital

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The company's share capital will amount to 1.45 billion drachmas after the increase. The highest percentage of participation of private bodies will be 30 per cent (20 per cent for shipowners and 10 per cent for Alcatel and Global One), while the price o f the share will be 10,000 drachmas and the amount of each shipowner's participation will be one to 7.25 million drachmas.

[24] SETE meeting with V. Papandreou

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

SETE, during a meeting with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou, called for the co-operation of the public and private sectors in forming a company modeled after the French "Maison de France".

SETE representatives noted that both the public and private sectors should "put the hand in their pocket" in support of the proposal.

The federation proposed that a percentage of tourist duties, which local governments collect, should go toward an advertising campaign.

Town planning matters regarding tourist accommodations were also discussed.

[25] Greek stocks end flat in lackluster trade

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The general index closed 0.40 percent higher at 1,523.32 points, off the day's highs.

Trading was thin with turnover at 10.7 billion drachmas.

Sector indices were mixed. Banks rose 0.51 percent, Insurance eased 0.38 percent, Leasing increased 1.47 percent, Investment fell 0.22 percent, Construction rose 1.25 percent, Industrials edged 0.26 percent higher, Miscellaneous dropped 0.86 percent and Holding fell 0.04 percent.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 1.01 percent while the FTSE/ASE index ended 0.70 percent higher at 872.53 points.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 136 to 80 with another 24 issues unchanged.

Pavlides, Remek, Galis and Babyland scored the biggest percentage gains at the upper 8.0 percent volatility limit, while Eltrak, Mochlos, Bank of Athens and Intertyp suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 26,145 drachmas, Ergobank at 15,295, Alpha Credit Bank at 16,800, Delta Dairy at 3,350, Titan Cement at 13,150, Intracom at 13,900 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization at 6,085.

[26] Egnatia Highway due to be built by 2000

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Laliotis said that the project was absorbing European Union funds more rapidly. Funds absorbed in 1997 were 45 billion drachmas compared to 42 billion drachmas in 1994-1996.

He said 427 km of Egnatia were currently under construction out of the project's total 687 km.

Greece has secured 460 billion drachmas in EU funds to finance 424 km.

Construction of the remaining sections would need a combination of co-funding from state and private funds, Mr. Laliotis said.

Egnatia is the backbone for transportation in northern Greece, the Balkans and southeastern Europe, he said.

Its main road axis will be complemented with nine vertical roads, five ports and eight airports linking Greece, other Balkan states and central and east European countries.

Mr. Laliotis underlined that seven percent of the project's budget was earmarked for environmental and archaeological protection works.

[27] Black Sea countries want to see oil pipeline built to Greece

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

Closing a meeting in Moldova yesterday, the Parliamentary Assembly of Black Sea Economic Co-operation (PABSEC) urged the parliaments to back the scheme involving Russian oil and other energy projects in the region named in a European Union memorandum.

The vote to support the memorandum, which was signed in November by the European Union's Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis and 13 regional energy ministers, was proposed by Greek deputy Theodoros Kassimis.

The oil pipeline project, repeatedly stalled by political uncertainty and disputes over the terms of the deal involving three governments, involves construction of a pipeline linking Burgas in Bulgaria to Alexandroupolis in northeastern Greece.

Also endorsed was a resolution put forward by the Greek delegation, led by deputy Maria Arseni, to transform Black Sea Economic Co-operation (BSEC) into an international organization.

Members of BSEC include countries in the Black Sea region and southeastern Europe.

[28] Germany's Lahmeyer wins tender to do power plant study

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The government ordered the study after complaints from political parties, including its own, that the price agreed for the project was exorbitant.

National Investment Bank for Industrial Development handled the tender, which drew bids from 23 firms, shortlisted to four.

Construction of the 330 MW lignite-powered electricity plant, agreed by the Greek and Russian governments several years ago, was to be carried out under a turnkey arrangement.

The project has been frozen until the study and recommendations by Lahmeyer International has been completed in around two months.

[29] European Union takes six states to court on environment laws

Athens, 16/12/1997 (ANA)

The Commission has decided to send letters of formal notice to all the above member states except Italy, to whom a reasoned opinion will be sent.

In the case of Greece, the Commission decided to issue a letter of formal notice concerning a judgment on 26 June 1997 for Greece's failure to adopt and communicate to the Commission legislation to empower a directive on the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna.

End of English language section.

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