Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-11-21

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece to contribute a battalion to European armed forces

[02] Yugoslav FM Goran Svilanovic to visit Athens for talks with Greek counterpart

[03] EU foreign ministers agree to plan of conclusions at extraordinary Zagreb summit

[04] Socialist leader Nano invites Simitis to visit Albania for high-level talks

[05] Joint economic and business ventures in the Balkans to top agenda of Papantoniou's talks in Berlin

[06] EU Council of Foreign Ministers postpones discussion on EU-Turkey partnership relation for December 4

[07] Greek Eurodeputy attends Joint Turkey-European Parliament Committee meeting

[08] Pangalos says his dismissal 'unjustified', during ministry handover ceremony

[09] Karamanlis calls for parliament briefing on Cyprus issue

[10] Interior minister chairs first meeting of National Administrative Reform Council

[11] Constantopoulos says Coalition is concerned about climate change, BSE, GMOs

[12] Labor minister presents labor bill ahead of tabling to Parliament

[13] Greek stocks plunge to 19-month lows

[14] Council of State rejects French company's request for restraining order concerning Olympic Village project

[15] Mytilineos confirms interest in Skaramanga Shipyards

[16] Public Power Corporation files application for wireless license

[17] Gov't gets 7 applications for wireless phone licenses

[18] Detrop 2001 trade fair to be held in March

[19] Anomeritis presents Greek positions on combatting BSE prior to EU ministers' meeting

[20] Stephanopoulos declared honorary citizen of Athens suburb

[21] Athens 2004 on the right track, IOC leadership says

[22] European Socialist Party delegation visits Cyprus

[23] Hasikos attends EU Defense Ministers meeting

[01] Greece to contribute a battalion to European armed forces

BRUSSELS, 21/11/2000 (ANA M. Spinthourakis)

Following a meeting of the European Union member-state defense ministers, Tsohatzopoulos, who represented Greece at the meeting, said that Greece is within the nucleus of European policy regarding defense and security issues.

He added that the European armed forces would be composed of 60,000 men ready to respond immediately and stay in the field for at least a year. Based on decisions of the Helsinki Union Summit this military force should be ready by 2003.

The Greek minister said that the offers of member-states to participate in the force exceeded demand, as the tally of offers tabled amounted to 100,000 troops, adding that all member-states would have to exert effort to respond to their obligations.

He said that many member-states would have to increase defense spending, while Greece would not have to do so, as it already spends more than any other Union member in relation to its GDP.

Tsohatzopoulos also noted that the French presidency of the Union made clear on Monday that only the full member-states of the Union would have a say in the defense and security matter of the Union.

This decision came in light of Turkish reactions, which wanted to have a say in the Union's defense and security issues on an equal footing with the full members.

He concluded noting that Union member-states did not refuse coordinated efforts between their force and forces of countries belonging to NATO and are not members of the Union, stressing, however, that the Union would have to retain its autonomy on defense policy issues.

[02] Yugoslav FM Goran Svilanovic to visit Athens for talks with Greek counterpart

BELGRADE, 21/11/2000 (ANA - M. Mouratidis)

Talks will focus on current political developments in Yugoslavia, focusing on efforts by the country's new political leadership to achieve its return to international economic and political organizations, as well as Greece's assistance in this respect. Svilanovic has said that one of the countries, which had helped Yugoslavias accession to the UN, was Greece.

The continuation of cooperation at bilateral level will also be discussed, as well as issues regarding the situation in former Yugoslavia and Kosovo.

In initial statements he had made in his capacity as foreign minister, Svilanovic had said Yugoslavia has excellent relations with Greece which should be strengthened even further because Greece's relations with all Balkan countries are very important for stability in the region and this, as he said, is an additional reason for Belgrade to have open cooperation with Athens.

[03] EU foreign ministers agree to plan of conclusions at extraordinary Zagreb summit

BRUSSELS, 21/11/2000 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The Zagreb summit will be attended by the EU's heads of state and government and their counterparts from Yugoslavia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania, while Slovenia will be represented by its foreign minister. The issue of Montenegrin President Milo Jukanovic's presence has not yet been settled.

The Council, mentioning the political change in Yugoslavia with the election of Vojislav Kostunica as president, referred to the need to shape a "special relation" with each of these countries.

An association agreement will be signed with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Wednesday, while negotiations are expected to start with Croatia at the Zagreb summit.

On the question of Albania, the European Commission will process a timetable on "preparation for an association agreement" next year.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou hailed the French EU Presidency's initiative for the convening of the Zagreb summit, terming it a "positive message" for the European course of these Balkan countries, which Greece supports.

Regarding the Intergovernmental Conference on the EU's institutional reform in light of enlargement, discussed at the Council on Sunday night, Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs Elizabeth Papazoi, who participated, said "great progress has not been achieved", adding that the discussion will be continued on December 3.

[04] Socialist leader Nano invites Simitis to visit Albania for high-level talks

GJIROKASTER, 21/11/2000 (ANA - M. Barkas)

In his letter to Simitis, Nano said that Greece remains "a long-term strategic partner of Albania" and expressed optimism that the visit would give a new impetus in the relations between the two parties, which are governing the two countries.

Nano also said that PASOK and the Greek government, under the leadership of Simitis, would play an important role for the support of Albania's accession course in the "European Structures".

[05] Joint economic and business ventures in the Balkans to top agenda of Papantoniou's talks in Berlin

BERLIN, 21/11/2000 (ANA - P. Stangos)

SPD General Secretary Franz Muentefering proposed the greater cooperation between SPD and PASOK to Papantoniou during their meeting, noting that the problems of the two parties, which both hold the governments in their countries, are common.

Muentefering noted that the "common factor" of the two parties was the need for modernization of their functions and structures, so as to become more compatible with society and their governmental obligations.

Papantoniou said that he would relay the message for cooperation between the two parties to Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis, adding that the guarantee for the success of this cooperation was based on both Simitis' in depth knowledge of German affairs and the common problems both parties face at this time.

On Tuesday, Papantoniou will meet with his German counterparts Finance Minister Hans Eichel and Economy Minister Werner Mueller, whom he will brief on conditions in the Balkans, based on his recent tour of Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

The two men will discuss the specifics of joint business and economic action in the Balkans and the Black Sea region.

"We will make it clear, that Greece is Germany's ideal partner in the Balkans," Papantoniou said, adding that although there were no precedents for such a cooperation "German construction firms are looking for Greek firms aiming at joint ventures in undertaking infrastructure projects".

At the end of his contacts, Papantoniou will address a one-day conference on the "Greek-German Business Cooperation", part of the "Greek Days of Berlin" events taking place this week in the German capital.

[06] EU Council of Foreign Ministers postpones discussion on EU-Turkey partnership relation for December 4

BRUSSELS, 21/11/2000 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

The postponement of the debate took place at the French EU Presidency's initiative, while Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou made it clear that a peaceful solution to Greek-Turkish differences and to the Cyprus issue, in the spirit of decisions taken at the EU Helsinki summit, should constitute a priority in the EU-Turkey partnership relation.

The European Commission's proposal includes Turkey's commitment to contribute to efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue in the framework of the UN, in 2001 (short-term targets), while Turkey's commitment for a peaceful solution to Greek-Turkish differences in the next five years (medium-term targets) has been included in the French Presidency's proposals, during the latest meeting of the EU's permanent representatives (COREPER) on Thursday, in the framework of political dialogue.

Diplomatic sources said Turkey had every reason to pursue a postponement since it had been confronted with "tough" terms by the EU lately, both in the European Parliament and in the partnership relation's text.

Papandreou was categorical that Greece, regardless of the date on which the text of the EU-Turkey partnership relation will be ratified, insists on its positions, letting it be understood that it will accept nothing less than what has been included in proposals which would have been discussed at the Council on Monday.

[07] Greek Eurodeputy attends Joint Turkey-European Parliament Committee meeting

ISTANBUL, 21/11/2000 (ANA - A Kourkoulas)

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem is scheduled to take part in the two-day meeting.

The meeting is focusing on Turkey's partnership relation with the EU and the steps Turkey must take to fulfill the criteria for its EU accession.

[08] Pangalos says his dismissal 'unjustified', during ministry handover ceremony

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

Simitis' unexpected decision was triggered by a front-page interview Pangalos gave to the Athens daily "Ethnos" that was published on Sunday, in which he criticized the government's policies on rapprochement with Turkey and on contentious labor market reforms.

This is the second time that Pangalos has been fired by Simitis from a top government post. The veteran west Attica deputy was asked to resign as foreign minister less than two years ago in the aftermath of the Abdullah Ocalan affair.

Shortly after being sworn-in, Venizelos arrived at the ministry and was greeted by Pangalos, before chairing a meeting with other ministry officials and employees.

Venizelos is no stranger to the post, having occupied it immediately before Pangalos under the previous PASOK government. He has also served as development, transportation and justice minister, as well as government spokesman.

During a brief ceremony, Pangalos referred extensively to Simitis' decision to fire him, saying that it was not justified by his interview with the "Ethnos" daily - which he described as "moderate and careful."

"I do not consider my interview with 'Ethnos' to be a significant political event. I brought up issues that I had raised before and was obliged to mention. I have served at the foreign ministry and have 14 years experience in foreign policy issues and I have never been asked to participate in committees on foreign policy issues. I am also responsible for the PASOK trade union committee and am, therefore, involved in labor issues," he said.

"If this was a presidential government," he continued, "I would not have the option to express criticism. In Greece, however, deputies that are also ministers represent the people and their party and do not have the option to stay silent."

He also pointed out that similar positions to those that got him sacked had been supported by his replacement Venizelos in Sunday's "Eleftheros Typos" with regards to foreign policy.

Taking over, Venizelos said he would place particular emphasis on cooperation with the education ministry and briefly outlined his plans for the ministry.

The Thessaloniki-area deputy is taking over the culture portfolio at a crucial time, as a high-profile International Olympic Committee delegation arrives in Greece this week to gauge progress for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Gov't spokesman: In comments on Monday, the government spokesman repeated one of Simitis' reasons for firing Pangalos, namely, that ministers must maneuver within the framework of policies as decided by the government.

"... expressed critical views that deal with a policy that has already been decided on cannot be accepted," spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.

In reply to a question regarding Venizelos' criticism of the government's foreign policy approach, expressed in an interview with another Athens daily on the same day that Pangalos' statements were published, Reppas said the overwhelming difference is that the fired minister was part of the decision-making process, whereas Venizelos wasn't a member of the government.

Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Istanbul also noted that several Turkish dailies also remarked on Pangalos' ouster, all with negative remarks for the former Greek foreign minister.

[09] Karamanlis calls for parliament briefing on Cyprus issue

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

He proposed to Simitis to undertake the initiative to brief parliament on the matter.

In his text to the prime minister, Karamanlis said that nearly one year since the EU summit in Helsinki in December last year, "the Cyprus issue seems to be heading towards a dangerous impasse". Karamanlis said that the UN-led proximity talks on the Cyprus issue are "backtracking" and that although in principle a solution is supported by UN resolutions based on a federation, in essence a confederal solution will be adopted.

The main opposition leader accused the government of lacking the strength to react, something which would increase pressure on the Greek Cypriots.

Karamanlis also referred to reservations and indirect objections by certain EU partners on whether Cyprus should join the EU prior to a political settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Greek and Cypriot European Affairs Committees propose campaign on Cyprus' EU accession: The members of the Greek Parliament's European Affairs Committee and the Cypriot House of Representatives Foreign and European Affairs Committee, which held a joint meeting at the Greek Parliament, expressed support on Monday for an organized campaign at European Parliaments over the issue of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

All the speakers said the conditions for Cyprus' accession course to the EU might be going well. However, the dangers are "outside our doors."

They said difficulties on the political stage will be more the nearer the achievement of the target gets and agreed that a message should be sent in all directions that if Cyprus is not in the first wave of accession it will be extremely difficult for the Greek Parliament to ratify the agreement on the EU's enlargement.

[10] Interior minister chairs first meeting of National Administrative Reform Council

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

ADEDY is protesting a report by professor Alekos Sideridis, president of the ministry's action group, mentioning graft on the part of civil servants.

Addressing the meeting, Papandreou conceded that a considerable lag exists in the country in shaping an effective public administration capable of meeting the citizens' needs.

The National Council's first meeting is attended by representatives of all parties, as well as of social and economic bodies, who expressed their views and proposals on public administration.

[11] Constantopoulos says Coalition is concerned about climate change, BSE, GMOs

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

Constantopoulos said he was concerned over the planet's changing climate, BSE and the introduction of genetically modified products on the market without first ensuring that consumer's would be safe. With regard to potentially hazardous foodstuffs, in particular, Constantopoulos said that the Coalition was awaiting the European Union's decisions with interest but also reservations.

On climate change, meanwhile, he noted that Greece's voice in international organizations would be considerably more influential and powerful when demanding that industrially developed nations limit emissions if it had met its own commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases under the Kyoto agreement.

[12] Labor minister presents labor bill ahead of tabling to Parliament

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

The process will be concluded by Wednesday, when the bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament.

The bill prescribes funding for workers' pensions in the event that they completed 35 years of employment or have recorded contributions to the social security fund of 10,500 insurance stamps and are at least 55 years old.

The bill also allows for the retirement at the age of 53 for those workers employed in hazardous occupations.

Once voted into law it will allow employers to demand of workers to work overtime for regular pay for up to 138 hours a year and compensate the time with extra leave on non-pick times, it prescribes for lower employer contributions to the social pension fund, noting that the state budget will pick up the difference.

It also prescribes measures for the support of the unemployed in subsidizing their return to employment and changes to policies regarding unqualified sacking, giving the right to businesses of 20 to 200 persons to fire 4 persons per month.

[13] Greek stocks plunge to 19-month lows

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

Blue chip stocks were particularly hit as institutional investors sought to liquidate positions, a trend leading to predictions of further significant falls in the market. A total of 110 share prices fell to year-lows on Monday.

The general index ended 2.16 percent lower at 3,338.02 points, off the day's lows of 3,324.30. Turnover was a low 50.41 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 1.92 percent off at 1,903.32 points, and the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 2.60 percent to 403.38 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 6,891.15 -2.13% Leasing: 509.52 -3.98% Insurance: 1,581.65 -1.36% Investment: 1,201.05 -1.76% Construction: 1,316.08 -4.42% Industrials: 2,062.75 -2.16% Miscellaneous: 3,093.68 -2.40% Holding: 4,047.91 -3.02%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended 2.24 percent off at 352.72 points.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 306 to 31 with another 17 issues unchanged.

Hellenic Telecoms, M&A Karatzis, Viohalco, National Bank, Alpha Bank and Eurobank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in Drs): National Bank: 12,590 Alpha Bank: 12,290 Commercial Bank: 16,840 Eurobank: 9,000 Piraeus Bank: 5,200 Lambrakis Press: 6,125 Heracles Cement: 4,610 Titan Cement (c): 13,755 Hellenic Telecoms: 5,840 Panafon: 2,895 Hellenic Petroleum: 3,550 Attica Enterprises: 2,850 Intracom: 9,675 Minoan Lines: 1,800 Hellenic Bottling: 5,070

Equity futures down, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Monday, in line with the bourse indices on which they are based.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 1.92 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 2.60 percent lower.

Turnover was 18.25 billion drachmas.

A total of 3,951 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 15.3 billion drachmas.

On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 1,777 contracts changed hands on turnover of 2.9 billion drachmas.

Secondary bond prices nose up: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished higher in light trade focusing on 15- and 20-year securities.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.851 percent. The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 68 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 42 billion drachmas. Buy orders accounted for around 32 billion drachmas of trade.

Drachma down vs. euro, dollar: The drachma on Monday ended lower against the euro and the US dollar in the domestic foreign exchange market.

At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 340.210 drachmas.

Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 400.520 drachmas.

[14] Council of State rejects French company's request for restraining order concerning Olympic Village project

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

The request for the restraining order was rejected on grounds that civil courts are responsible for resolving the dispute and not administrative ones.

Among others, the French company had claimed that studies for the Olympic Village's construction are not being prepared by services of the OEK (which has undertaken to fund the project in its entirety and to prepare necessary studies) but by private study bureaus.

[15] Mytilineos confirms interest in Skaramanga Shipyards

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

It confirmed the accuracy of a media report that claimed the company was considering bidding in a tender for a 51 percent stake in the shipyard.

Whether Mytilineos finally bid or not, alone or in a consortium, would depend on the terms set by the government and the shipyards' workers, who own a 49 percent stake, the letter said.

[16] Public Power Corporation files application for wireless license

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

The application was submitted by a joint venture between PPC, National Bank, Alpha Bank and General Bank, with stakes of 9.9 percent, 30.1 percent, 30.0 percent and 30.0 percent, respectively.

[17] Gov't gets 7 applications for wireless phone licenses

Athens, 21/11/2000 (ANA)

The highest bidders will be announced on December 8 after a tender is held.

Under the terms of the tender, the winners are committed to providing services for at least 20 percent of the population within two years from award of the license.

On January 1, 2001, state Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, which is a heavily traded stock on the Athens bourse, loses its monopoly in the fixed-line telephone market in line with European Union directives.

The applications were received on the closing day of the offer from the following companies and consortiums: Panafon, Europrom-Prometheus Gas,