Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't to spend up to Dr 650 bln on jobs in 2001

[02] Greek, Danish FMs discuss EU expansion, Cyprus

[03] Greek Premier to meet with visiting Pontiff next month

[04] Greek ruling socialist PASOK party secretary visits FYROM

[05] PM to outline government views on social security reforms after Inner Cabinet meeting on Thursday

[06] Government spokesman says with its policy Turkey is neither helping itself nor Turkish Cypriots

[07] Greek main opposition leader calls for EU maritime safety HQ to be based in Piraeus

[08] Four new ambassadors assume posts in Athens

[09] Prime Minister receives delegation of farmers

[10] Gov’t unveils draft bill on business and environment in Attica

[11] Gov't orders crackdown on VAT dodgers

[12] Lamda Development, Athina SA to bid to national road projects

[13] Ergo Investments' net profits 1.13 bln drachmas in 1st qtr

[14] Court due to announce ruling on TVX Gold in early May

[15] Minoan Lines to take delivery of new ultramodern ferry

[16] Greek EU commissioner signs ratification decision for 'Health and Welfare' program

[17] Analyst sees $4.8 bln in net inflows to Athens bourse soon

[18] Greek stocks soar 4.10 percent on ASE

[19] Foundation of repatriating Greeks approves 1,100 home loans

[20] Greek travel firms welcome plan for Athens conference center

[21] 11,000 Bulgarians visit Greece following lifting of visa requirement

[22] Russian doctors to receive homeopathy training in Greece

[23] Restored Hollywood classics in Athens this week

[24] Greeks honored for contributing to salvation of persecuted Jews during WW2

[25] Pakistani fighter jet makes emergency landing in Crete

[26] President Clerides meets Patriarch Petros in Cairo

[27] House to meet Thursday for last time before May elections

[01] Gov't to spend up to Dr 650 bln on jobs in 2001

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Labor and Social Security Minister Tassos Giannitsis told reporters that more than 100,000 unemployed would benefit from the cash allocation, either through job creation or through training schemes.

Under last year's employment plan, spending of 500 billion drachmas contributed decisively to an increase in the employment level to 55.9 percent of the working population from 55.4 percent in 1999, Giannitsis said.

The employment plan endorsed for 2001 is a working document and will be given to the social partners and to parliament for debate. The final text will then go to the European Union's executive Commission at the end of April.

The plan contains four directions: improving the ability of the working population to obtain work; providing incentives to business activity; encouraging adaptability by companies and their employees; and supporting equal opportunities for men and women in the labor market.

Deputy Labor Minister Christos Protopappas, who is responsible for monitoring implementation of the national action plan on employment, told reporters that the government was still aiming for a rate of increase in the percentage of employment among the working population to total 64.5 percent in 2010, which was the target set for Greece at the EU's Lisbon and Stockholm summits.

[02] Greek, Danish FMs discuss EU expansion, Cyprus

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

Danish FM Mogens Lykketoft later told reporters that Copenhagen was in favor of including as many candidate countries as possible in the Union's upcoming expansion, while noting that Denmark is keenly following Greece's efforts to bring Turkey closer to the principles laid out during the EU summit of Helsinki.

On his part, Greek FM George Papandreou added that Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue were discussed in the talks, as Denmark will precede Greece in assuming the rotating, six-month EU presidency during the latter half of 2002.

Regarding Cyprus, Lykketoft reiterated Copenhagen's support for a political solution, while including the island republic as among the first batch of countries eligible for EU expansion.

In an unrelated development, Papandreou mentioned that he would visit the United States twice in the upcoming period to meet, among others, US Secretary of State Colin Powell, UN chief Kofi Annan and IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

[03] Greek Premier to meet with visiting Pontiff next month

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

A government spokesman made the statement during a regular press briefing, where he added that John Paul II's itinerary is being set in consultation with the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece.

According to an unofficial itinerary released by the Vatican's representatives in Greece on Tuesday, the Polish-born Pope will arrive in Athens on the morning of May 4 aboard an Alitalia flight, with a small welcoming ceremony to be held at the airport.

Afterwards, he will be officially received at the presidential mansion before arriving at the Athens Archdiocese. Several other events are scheduled as well, including a pilgrimage to a spot beneath the Acropolis where the Apostle Paul preached to the ancient Athenians and a service at an indoor Athens stadium for the country's tiny Roman Catholic community.

The Pope was invited to the predominately Greek Orthodox country by President Kostis Stephanopoulos, and after the Vatican had publicly aired the pontiff's long-standing desire to visit Athens as part of a retracing of the Apostle Paul's journeys in Europe.

John Paul II's two-day trip will be the first by a Roman Catholic leader to the Modern Greek state. The Orthodox and Catholic churches split in 1056 after centuries of often-contentious relations.

[04] Greek ruling socialist PASOK party secretary visits FYROM

SKOPJE, 19/04/2001 (ANA - S. Tzimas)

Skandalidis met with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Boris Trajkovski, the country's Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski, FYROM's Social-Democratic Union party leader Branco Crvenkovski and the country's Albanian minority leader Arben Tzaferi.

He stressed the Greek government's position that stability and peace should be promoted in the region, while the Greek-FYROM relations should be strengthened.

Skandalidis was briefed by Tzaferi on the positions of the Albanian minority in regards to the crisis in the small Balkan country.

During discussions with FYROM's leadership, Skandalidis reiterated Greece's steadfast stance on bilateral problems. Trajkovski, Georgievski, Crvenkovski and Tzaferi called Skandalidis' visit very important, expressing their satisfaction over the fact that Greece is very active in investing in their country, while they underlined the importance of Greece's stabilizing role in the region.

Earlier in the day, Skandalidis visited a military camp at the FYROM-Kosovo border manned by Greek peacekeeping troops, who are part of the United Nations Kosovo Forces.

On Friday, Skandalidis will visit Syria and Lebanon.

[05] PM to outline government views on social security reforms after Inner Cabinet meeting on Thursday

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The announcement was made Wednesday by national economy and finance minister Yannos Papantoniou after a meeting chaired by Simitis that also included labor and social security minister Tassos Giannitsis, social security deputy minister Nikos Farmakis and the premier's advisor Gikas Hardouvelis.

Papantoniou told reporters after the meeting that he and his colleagues had briefed the premier on a report by British experts and their conclusions, as well as on the alternative thoughts and proposals, "so that tomorrow's discussion (at the Inner Cabinet session) will be fruitful".

The Inner Cabinet is to hold a joint meeting with the ruling PASOK Executive Bureau on Thursday morning at the Maximos Mansion.

Labor ministry's proposal on changes in insurance system to be examined by inner cabinet on Thursday: The proposal by the Labor and Social Insurances Ministry on changes in the insurance system will be examined and decided on during an inner cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The insurance system, according to ascertainments made by British researchers, will have four main changes.

The present pensioning age limits, following a transitional period of about five years, will apply to all insured people, even to those who are not subject to them now, with certain necessary changes.

The method of evaluating a pension will change and an increased minimum pension will be provided for wage earners with social criteria, while the structure of the insurance system will also change.

The points in the system, which will not change, are the general age limits, contributions, state funding, the system's public character and pensioning preconditions for minimum pensioning limits.

[06] Government spokesman says with its policy Turkey is neither helping itself nor Turkish Cypriots

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

Reppas was referring to statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem in the Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus.

Cem, speaking at a press conference with Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash at the end of his talks in Turkish-occupied territory, threatened that immediately after Cyprus' EU accession "unfavorable situations will follow for both sides."

Cem reiterated the Turkish position in favor of a solution to the Cyprus issue based on a confederation and the sovereign equality of both sides.

"The policy we are applying is producing results and it is a policy of supremacy. Turkey, with its policy, is neither helping itself nor the Turkish Cypriots," Reppas said.

[07] Greek main opposition leader calls for EU maritime safety HQ to be based in Piraeus

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

In his letter Karamanlis calls on the fact that the Greek owned shipping is the largest in the European Union, as well as the increasing commercial and economic importance of Piraeus, which he called the largest port of the Eastern Mediterranean.

[08] Four new ambassadors assume posts in Athens

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

During a brief ceremony, Stephanopoulos received the new Algerian ambassador, Abdehlamid Semichi; Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ambassador Dusan Batakovic; Ukrainian ambassador Victor Kalnyk and Estonian ambassador Andres Unga.

[09] Prime Minister receives delegation of farmers

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The presidium handed Simitis a document with their demands, which included a request that Greece takes a tougher stance during the next round of talks between the European Union and the World Trade Organization regarding Mediterranean products.

They also requested that the government supports the country's agricultural sector through a national plan aiming at securing the country's food supply and developing rural areas, while increasing the ability of Greek farmers to be competitive.

They also discussed subsidy and loan issues as they relate to the European Union third community support framework fund.

Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis participated in the meeting.

[10] Gov’t unveils draft bill on business and environment in Attica

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The new legislation replaces an existing law that prohibits the set-up, expansion or modernization of manufacturing businesses in Attica. Christodoulakis said the time is ripe for its replacement for three reasons: because it did not protect the environment, and allowed illegal creation and expansion of businesses and because of changes in a technology to reduce pollution and energy consumption.

Laliotis stressed that the new legislation incorporated all necessary measures to combine economic growth with environment protection and said that it aim was to ensure a production restructuring with ecological orientation.

He announced the creation of industrial areas and parks, covering more than 40,000 stremmata (one stremma=1,000 square meters) in Attica to host relocating companies.

The draft bill also envisages the obligatory use of natural gas, implementing environmental management programs, a systematic monitoring of environment performance of industrial units by state authorities and state relocation subsidies.

[11] Gov't orders crackdown on VAT dodgers

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

Violators will have to fill out a supplementary tax return and pay the VAT owed within four days of notification that payment is due, the circular reportedly said.

Taxpayers failing to comply will be subjected to extensive checks into their working and tax background, it added.

[12] Lamda Development, Athina SA to bid to national road projects

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

A Lamda Development announcement said that an international group of companies would bid for the survey, financing, construction and maintenance of parts of a national road network linking western Greece with the Athens-Thessaloniki national road.

[13] Ergo Investments' net profits 1.13 bln drachmas in 1st qtr

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The investment company said it had already completed a dividend payment worth 13.3 billion drachmas to shareholders, while its net assets totalled 133.8 billion drachmas in March 31, 2001, down 7.17 percent over the January-March period, against a 10.1 percent decline in the general index over the same period.

Ergo Investments said it had already placed 58.2 billion drachmas on stocks included in a reviewed MSCI-Greece index.

Its share price was trading at a discount of 15.7 percent on the Athens Stock Exchange.

[14] Court due to announce ruling on TVX Gold in early May

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

On Tuesday, workers at TVX Hellas had blockaded rural roads in the northern Halkidiki prefecture where the company is based to protest what they heard unofficially was the court ruling, which was a freeze on operations.

Late last week the ruling, which has not yet been officially announced, reportedly invalidated plans allowing the installation and operation of plant by TVX Hellas, a subsidiary of listed Canadian miner TVX Gold.

Seven suits had been tabled with the Council of State by local residents and authorities demanding cancellation of the approval of an environmental study, the blueprints for the plant, a presidential decree allowing the installation of plant, and the opening of access roads, claiming that the project would damage surrounding woodland, the environment and archaeological sites in the area.

[15] Minoan Lines to take delivery of new ultramodern ferry

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The Phaestos Palace is the third of eight new buildings ordered by the company.

The first ferry and sister vessel of the Phaestos Palace, the "Knossos Palace", was launched in November 2000 on the Piraeus-Iraklion (Crete) route, while the second vessel, the "Prometheus", was recently launched on the company's Adriatic Sea routes in replacement of the "Phaedra", which was rerouted to the Aegean itineraries.

The sister ships Knossos Palace and Phaestos Palace are among the most luxurious passenger shipping vessels in the world.

[16] Greek EU commissioner signs ratification decision for 'Health and Welfare' program

BRUSSELS, 19/04/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The EU's participation amounts to 131.2 billion drachmas (385 million euro) and nears 1.7 percent of the structural funds' total participation in the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Greece.

"With the operational program 'Health and Welfare', Greece will strengthen its national effort to improve the quality and effectiveness of health and welfare services and promote equal opportunities for all, facilitating marginal groups of the population to achieve their social and economic integration," Diamantopoulou said.

The operational program is part of the CSF's fifth priority axis named "Quality of Life."

[17] Analyst sees $4.8 bln in net inflows to Athens bourse soon

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The bank said in a market report for customers that the rise in investment would occur gradually, but gave no estimated timescale.

The net total was attained after taking out of the calculation outflows of 2.2 billion dollars that institutionals abroad are estimated to have invested in the Athens bourse through the MSCI index for emerging markets, a status that the market is about to shed.

According to the report, the MSCI Greece index will receive a 0.50 percent weighting in the MSCI Europe index.

Finally, UBS Warburg said in the report that it expected CosmOTE, one of the country's three mobile phone operators, to emerge as the market leader in the third quarter of 2001 in terms of its customer base, with Panafon and Stet Hellas taking second and third places. Cosmote currently has a 38-39 percent market share.

[18] Greek stocks soar 4.10 percent on ASE

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

Traders said activity, by domestic and foreign institutional investors, focused on blue chip stocks included in the MSCI Greece index ahead of an official decision to upgrade the Athens Stock Exchange into a mature market in May.

The telecoms index led the rally with Panafon (8.52%), Hellenic Telecoms (4.39%) and Cosmote (3.84%) scoring the biggest gains, followed by banks (Piraeus Bank +4.37%, Alpha Bank +4.03%, Commercial Bank +4.02% and National Bank +3.46%).

The general index ended at 3,316.17 points, up 4.10 percent, with turnover an improved 284.78 million euros, or 97.04 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 4.14 percent higher at 1,947.46 points, and the FTSE/ASE 20 index rose 2.85 percent to end at 381.39 points.

Sector indices ended as follows: Banks: 7,209.37

+3.48% Telecoms: 1,110.12 +5.30% Insurance: 1,494.93 +1.73% Investment: 1,194.01 +2.81% Construction: 1,502.71 +3.88% Industrials: 1,983.73 +4.28% Holding: 3,751.33 +3.94% Base metals: 1,012.08 +2.49% Minerals: 1,094.57 +5.67% Publishing: 1,017.51 +2.57% Textiles: 1,191.47 +2.31% Retailing: 1,179.07 +3.51% IT: 1,088.29 +2.35% IT solutions: 1,019.04 +1.86% Wholesale: 973.29 +3.33% Food and Beverage: 935.00 +4.82%

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 330.88 points, up 2.16 percent.

Broadly, advancers overwhelmingly led decliners by 316 to 29 with another 16 issues unchanged.

Despec (right) and Mesohoritis (right) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day, up 50 and 26.92 percent respectively, followed by Kekrops, Douros, Athina, Daring, Titan Cement, Electra and ANEK Lines.

Xifias, VIS, Mouzakis, Hellenic Sugar, Barba Stathis, Eskimo, Attica Publications, Elbisco and Plias suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank, Alpha Bank, Hellenic Telecoms, Panafon and Commercial Bank were the most heavily traded stocks.

Leading shares' closing prices (in euros): National Bank: 44.28 Alpha Bank: 32.52 Commercial Bank: 56.94 Egnatia Bank: 5.84 Eurobank: 18.42 Piraeus Bank: 15.30 Lambrakis Press: 14.12 Altec: 7.14 Intrasoft: 12.00 Technodomiki: 7.30 Titan Cement (c): 43.32 Hellenic Telecoms: 16.16 Panafon: 7.64 Hellenic Petroleum: 9.94 Attica Enterprises: 8.86 Intracom: 21.86 Mytilineos: 8.50 Minoan Lines: 4.90 Viohalco: 11.18 Coca Cola HBC: 17.08

Equity futures end up, tracking Athens bourse: Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished higher on Wednesday, in line with the bourse indices on which they are based, traders said.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 4.14 percent up, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 2.85 percent higher.

Traded were 12,136 contracts on turnover of 87.7 million euros.

Bond prices drop in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in heavy trade, in line with a slump in most European markets.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.48 percent from 5.40 percent a day earlier.

The yield spread over German bunds was 52 basis points from 54 basis points in the session before.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.1 billion euros (395 billion drachmas) from 555 million euros (189.0 billion drachmas) a trading day earlier.

Sell orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[19] Foundation of repatriating Greeks approves 1,100 home loans

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

According to foundation president Theodoros Papadopoulos the loans can be used for the purchase of homes or for building new homes on land allocated for free by the foundation.

He added that the foundation is also planning to requested funding from the European Union third community support framework fund to build infrastructures worth 6 billion drachmas in the Ektenopol community near the city of Komotini prefecture, northeastern Greece.

[20] Greek travel firms welcome plan for Athens conference center

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

In a letter to Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, HATTA asked for extension of the deadline in a tender the government has called for the project.

The letter said the conference center’s location on the site of the old Hellenikon airport, which closed at the end of March, was suitable, although the building should also be designed to house events including trade fairs and arts performances.

[21] 11,000 Bulgarians visit Greece following lifting of visa requirement

SOFIA, 19/04/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Conversely, 320 Bulgarian citizens were denied entrance, as computer checks revealed various past offences recorded in Schengen states.

Others blocked from entering Greece included minors who did not have the written approval of both parents to travel abroad, as required by provisions, as well as individuals that authorities deemed as "likely to engage in illegal employment" within Greece or another Schengen Pact member.

"The free passage of Bulgarian citizens without visas in no way translates into a right to work in Schengen Pact states," an embassy release noted in response to several local press reports.

"The exercise of artistic or business activities, seasonal employment and international transports (TIR) still necessitate the approval of relevant Greek authorities and the granting of visas by Greek consulates," the embassy release further emphasized.

[22] Russian doctors to receive homeopathy training in Greece

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The two Russian officials held talks with Academy director and modern homeopathy pioneer Prof. George Vythoulkas, who in 1996 received the Right Livelihood Award, or "Alternative Nobel", for alternative medicine.

The visit was in the framework of cooperation between the Academy and the Russian ministry of health that was launched one year ago.

[23] Restored Hollywood classics in Athens this week

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The festival is jointly organized by the Greek Film Archive and the embassy of the United States in Athens, in cooperation with the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

The president of the Greek Film Archive, well-known Cypriot-born director Michael Cacoyiannis, and US ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns will inaugurate the festival, set to run at the "Apollon-Renault Film center 2000" movie theatre.

The festival kicks-off on Friday with the seminal pre-war Greek silent film "Daphnis and Chloe", following the same evening with the incomparable silver-screen gem "Casablanca".

Other films include "Chinatown", "The Philadelphia Story", the pre-war Disney milestones "Steamboat Willie" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Some Like It Hot", "Raging Bull", "The Band Wagon", the Warner Bros. feature-length cartoon "What's Opera, Doc?", "Dr. Strangelove: or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb", "Carmen Jones", "The Searchers", "Sunrise", "Shane" and "On the Waterfront".

[24] Greeks honored for contributing to salvation of persecuted Jews during WW2

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The ceremony was held at the residence of Israeli ambassador to Athens Ran Curiel.

The awards are part of events marking Thursday's Holocaust victims' memory day taking place all over the world.

In his address, Curiel thanked the honored persons and acknowledged the help offered by the Greeks to the Jewish people.

"The perpetuation of the memory of the Holocaust will shield humanity from similar phenomena which are reappearing menacingly, such as racism and xenophobia," he said.

[25] Pakistani fighter jet makes emergency landing in Crete

Athens, 19/04/2001 (ANA)

The French made "Mirage 3" fighter jet was on its way from France to Pakistan and while over Crete the pilot requested permission for emergency landing at the civilian airport.

Along with the fighter jet, a second aircraft with a team of engineers, also landed.

Both planes departed once the engine was repaired.

[26] President Clerides meets Patriarch Petros in Cairo

CAIRO,19/04/2001 (CNA/ANA)

During their meeting the president announced a 25,000 pound (around 45,000 US dollars) donation from the Republic of Cyprus to the Patriarchate and an additional 7,000 pounds to cover needs of the Seminary in Kenya.

Patriarch Petros referred to the history of the Patriarchate, which dates back to the 7th century and added the Patriarchy is in the process of reconstructing its churches and monasteries.

On his part President Clerides noted the support of Cyprus to the Patriarchate's efforts to maintain the Orthodox Christian faith in the African continent.

Thursday afternoon President Clerides, who is accompanied by his First Lady Irini, is scheduled to meet with Egypt's Foreign Minister Amr Moussa.

[27] House to meet Thursday for last time before May elections

NICOSIA,19/04/2001 (CNA/ANA)

There are 90 bills pending before the House, which is not expected to go through all of them.

"Some are expected to be postponed and others to go through," Acting House President Nicos Anastasiades said here on Wednesday.

House President and current Acting President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou will address the plenum in the afternoon for the last time in this capacity.

Elections for the 56-seat parliament are set for 27 May. Elections for the representatives of the three religious groups (Maronites, Armenians and Latins) will also take place on the same day. The three elected representatives have only a consultative role in the House.

Chief Returning Officer George Theodorou has said there are 438,169 registered voters, according to existing records, which will be updated.

He said a total of 30,686 new voters registered by the 2 April deadline for May's elections. Those who are or will be 18 years old or over have the right to vote. Voting is compulsory in Cyprus.

It is estimated that some 1200 polling stations will operate on Election Day as opposed to 880 in the 1996 parliamentary elections.

Votes will be counted at district centers in the capital Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and the government-controlled areas in Famagusta district.

Refugees from the Turkish occupied areas of the Republic vote for candidates in the constituency they come from and not the place of residence. Greek Cypriots, living in the occupied areas, can vote in special polling stations in the government-controlled part of the island.

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