Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-05-31

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

CONTENTS

[01] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

[02] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

[03] DM says scientific research should abide by international law

[04] New Democracy reaction

[05] Greek foreign minister comments on "Piri Reis" press reports

[06] PM to maintain policy of economic and social stability

[07] Papantoniou urges steady economic progress

[08] ND leader says Greece unprepared for euro

[09] Industry union says government lacks bold initiatives

[10] 'Long road' of talks between Gov't, unions timidly begins over social security reform

[11] Gov't, PASOK commitments

[12] Greek Defense minister meets US envoy in Athens

[13] Greece calls for condemnation of extremist Albanian claims against Greece

[14] Laliotis parries ND accusations of poor performance on public works

[15] Interior minister chairs open meeting on foreigners' Documentation process

[16] Communist leader urges resistance to new world order

[17] Constantopoulos meets Swedish envoy over Turkish prisons issue

[18] Extension of bidding deadline in OA sale tender

[19] European Commission adopts draft directive to ban tobacco advertising

[20] OTE shows rise in profit, revenue in first quarter

[21] Datamedia reports 27 percent increase in first quarter

[22] State trade fair organizer destined for Athens bourse

[23] Agricultural Bank of Greece shows Q1 profit rise

[24] Probe on whether company's sale harms investors

[25] Petrol prices slashed, diesel up

[26] Greece to spend 681.1 billion drachmas on employment programs

[27] Cyprus telecom awards deal to European Dynamics

[28] Hellenic Stock Markets shows Dr 2.4 bln profit in first quarter

[29] Hellenic Petroleum shows profit decline in first quarter

[30] OECD report on Greece's public sector unveiled

[31] Europolis informational campaign at Zappion

[32] European Commission adopts directive regulating stock exchanges

[33] Greek stocks continue moving lower, market disappointed

[34] Equity futures end lower

[35] Bond prices drop in light trade

[36] Amnesty International publicizes annual report

[37] PM says computer, informatics training paramount to upgrading education system

[38] European support extra measures to aid the handicapped

[39] Bulgarian national killed during fire on Thessaloniki farm

[40] Missing group of 17 tourists turn up safe and well after getting lost

[41] Suspected migrant smuggling vessel shadowed by coast guard

[42] Smugglers arrested on charges of transporting undocumented immigrants

[43] Attica traffic police announce measures for Pentecost long weekend

[44] Government responds to Turkey's NSC decisions on Cyprus

[45] US reiterates support for UN efforts

[46] President Clerides to attend Gothenburg EU Summit

[01] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

The story had appeared in the Athens daily 'KATHMERINI,' which claimed that a crisis was developing in Greek-Turkish relations after Ankara informed Athens that the Turkish oceanographic vessel "Piri Reis" would be carrying out research in the Aegean on June 4. The article also said that the Piri Reis' exploration would coincide with a Turkish air and sea maneuver in international waters in the Aegean, and that the government was trying to settle the issue through diplomatic consultations between Foreign Minister George Papandreou and his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the Turkish side had clarified that the ship, which belongs to Izmir University's Oceanographic Institute, would be carrying out research on the surface of the sea only and not on the sea bed - in accordance with international maritime law, which allows studies of the sea bed in a country's territorial waters but not in international waters.

According to Reppas, the issue had created an opportunity for talks with Ankara, which said that the "Piri Reis" research program in no way compromised Greek territorial rights in the Aegean, nor did it affect the way that the continental shelf between Greece and Turkey might be delineated.

The spokesman added, however, that Greece was not afraid of a "hot incident" with Turkey and must remain alert to defend the interests of the country.

According to an ANA report from Istanbul, meanwhile, Turkish authorities have dismissed the Greek press reports as "absolutely inaccurate" and claim that the "Piri Reis" is not equipped to search for oil.

They stressed that the ship had been carrying out research on the surface of the sea related to marine pollution and fishing.

According to the Turkish side, the vessels research program had been discussed by the diplomatic services of the two countries during the customary general briefing process and not through an official announcement of the Turkish military to Greek authorities, as reports had claimed.

[02] Government denies crisis over 'Piri Reis' survey in Aegean

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Academic circles in Istanbul told ANA that since the "Piri Reis" is not a military vessel but belonged to Izmir University, its movements were not decided by the Turkish military general staff. The vessel lacks the equipment required to carry out serious exploration for undersea oil deposits or serious seismic-related studies, according to professors at the Turkish foundation for scientific research.

If the "Piri Reis" planned to carry out research outside Turkish territorial waters, the international scientific committee based in Paris would have been informed, and such is not the case, according to several of the foundation's professors, who are members of the international committee.

Commenting on the issue from Budapest, where he is attending a NATO foreign ministers meeting, Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis denied that a crisis was developing in Greek-Turkish relations over the "Piri Reis".

Beglitis said that information had recently reached the foreign ministry that the research vessel "Koca Piri Reis" would carry out studies in the wider sea region of the eastern Mediterranean.

He said that the "issue was clarified" following contact between Greek and Turkish ministry officials, adding that "after this positive outcome, the references to a developing crisis in Greek-Turkish relations are totally inaccurate".

According to Beglitis, Athens had asked Ankara for information on the "Piri Reis" research program after receiving a signal from the Greek Navy, which was tracking the ship's movements.

The Turkish foreign ministry initially denied all knowledge and later reported that the ship was carrying out sea and under-sea research on behalf of Izmir University in collaboration with Canadian universities.

Beglitis said Athens expressed intense concern over the scientific nature of the research in the particular region (south of Rhodes and Kastellorizo and just outside Cyprus waters), which was conveyed by Papandreou to his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem during a meeting on Tuesday.

Cem apparently gave assurances that the research in question would not be carried out at those specific coordinates between June 4 and 28.

According to Beglitis, Greece considers that the meeting confirmed the good climate in bilateral relations with Turkey since the further escalation of tension was avoided.

He also clarified that Greece is not opposed to seismological research in the Aegean in principle and had signed a special memorandum with Turkey last year for cooperation in dealing with natural disasters.

Speaking in Turkey, meanwhile, Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hussein Dirioz said that Greek and Turkish authorities were working together so that the Izmir University Oceanographic Institute could carry out its scientific research.

"The situation has been clarified during contacts between Greece and Turkey," he said, adding that the vessel's research mission was being organized for September 9.

[03] DM says scientific research should abide by international law

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Tsohatzopoulos said the Turkish side notified that it is a question of marine scientific observations of a superficial nature. He clarified that cooperation on earthquakes and seismic observations is one thing and seismographic research concerning the seabed and having a different aim is another. He further said the agreement exists for earthquakes and not the subsoil.

Tsohatzopoulos reiterated that research in the area of the continental shelf, and indeed of a seismic nature, cannot possibly be conducted. He revealed that the region announced lies in principle in Turkey's territorial waters and in international space. Replying to a questioner on whether or not the "Piri Reis" will emerge, Tsohatzopoulos said "this does not concern us. We have the responsibility and obligation to watch what is happening because acts which would possibly not be in accordance with international law or would not be part of existing practice for scientific research in the region should be avoided because they will cause a reaction."

[04] New Democracy reaction

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Responding to questions, ND leader Costas Karamanlis said his party had long since pointed out that a policy of one-sided concessions and appeasement leads nowhere and that his party would ask to be officially briefed on the issue.

Foreign affairs section-head Dora Bakoyianni said she would ask to be briefed on the issue by the defense and foreign ministers, while noting that Turkey followed a policy of exacerbating tensions in order to create obstacles to Cyprus' EU accession.

[05] Greek foreign minister comments on "Piri Reis" press reports

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Press reports indicated that the Turkish ship "Piri Reis" - formerly used for oil exploration at sea - would be carrying out irregular seismological research in the Aegean.

Turkish authorities, however, have dismissed the Greek press reports as "absolutely inaccurate" and claim that the "Piri Reis" is not equipped to search for oil.

Commenting on the issue, Papandreou said "I believe that this latest incident provides us with a useful experience and we can extract an important conclusion, that the two countries, Greece and Turkey, may have important issues to resolve - such as the Cyprus problem - meanwhile, however, through dialogue, through systematic contact, the establishment of channels of cooperation and information exchange we can clarify issues immediately and avert - where necessary- tension, escalation and conflict".

"This is exactly what happened, we received an immediate clarification for this incident, so as something that in the past could have created escalation and tension ... now is - I believe - proof of a serious effort by both sides to avoid tension. I hope that we will continue in this manner," he added.

"I would like to stress that we do all this while securing our national interests, our territorial integrity, the sovereign rights of our country. All the while, we do this with special coolness and I believe that this is also an important conclusion - coolness and sobriety along with decisiveness is the best way to confront any incident," Papandreou said.

"For these reasons I believe that to become hostages of our own panic or insecurity would be a mistake. I believe that the well documented, decisive and prudent, as well as sober confrontation (of the issue) always yields the best fruit," he concluded.

[06] PM to maintain policy of economic and social stability

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

"We want the results of growth to be diffused through all the layers of society," Simitis told the annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industries.

"The social state is the cornerstone of our policy. Our vision is that of a Greece with greater social equity, with no social exclusion or discrimination," the prime minister said.

The government aims to boost employment, continuously upgrade the quality of health and education services, and, overall, improve services for the public, including a network of assistance for the elderly and needy, he told industrialists at the meeting.

"For us, there is no contradiction between growth and social justice. The tripartite goal of competitiveness, employment and social protection at which we are aiming not only contains the component of social equity, but is also financially effective," Simitis said.

Social justice also increased productive synergies in the economy, in turn leading to higher rates of growth. Conversely, the retention and diffusion of inequality in the economy and in society served to undermine the foundations of the growth process, he added.

In addition, Greece's euro-zone entry on January 1, 2001 had placed Greece on the same track as some of the most powerful economies in the world, but work was still needed to ensure economic and social alignment, accompanied by prosperity, security and justice.

The stabilization of the economy that Greece had achieved meant that the economy's downward trend had been reversed, creating a base for future growth, Simitis said.

According to the World Economic Forum, Greece had risen to 36th place from 48th place in the last three years. In addition, the Institute of Management Development has ranked Greece 30th from 40th a few years ago, overtaking other European Union countries including Italy and Portugal, he added.

[07] Papantoniou urges steady economic progress

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

"As we won the convergence bet, bucking forecasts to the contrary, we will also win the growth bet," Papantoniou told the annual general assembly of the Association of Greek Industries.

Despite adverse international developments, the Greek economy continued to show dynamism in investments and growth, coupled with stability.

In 2001, Greece would show growth of more than 4.5 percent although the global economy was caught in a slowdown. The country was also the only member of the European Union this year to post an acceleration in growth, the minister said.

In addition, 2001 was the sixth consecutive year in which Greece's rate of growth was higher than the eurozone average, he added.

Inflation was running at the lowest levels in 35 years, despite pressure from oil prices. At the end of the year, it was forecast to be lower than that of a number of other European countries, nearing the eurozone average, Papantoniou said.

Finally, the budget showed a surplus for the first time in 35 years while the remaining eurozone countries, on average, were showing a deficit. The rate of increase of investments was nearly 12 percent, due to the EU's Third Community Framework package of funds, and mainly to private investment, Papantoniou said.

[08] ND leader says Greece unprepared for euro

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Addressing an annual meeting of the Greek Industries' Union (SEB), Karamanlis said he opposed the imposition of new taxes and stressed that his party would win the government "tomorrow".

"A permanent solution to the social security problem lies in speeding up growth, higher employment, higher number of insured people, combating "black" labor market and implementing a strong policy to deal with the country's demographic problem," Karamanlis said.

He urged for a full implementation of a social security reform, agreed in 1990-92, an operational and management restructuring of agencies, a gradual integration of relative pension funds, a more efficient use of assets, a restructuring of the country's healthcare system, combating contribution-evasion and the use of new technology in social security funds. Karamanlis said the state should ensure the public nature of social security, a tripartite funding and respecting worker's pension age.

He urged for a re-establishment of the country's civil service, through combating corruption and bureaucracy, promoting transparency and strengthening local authorities' powers.

ND party's main priorities were education, research and technology, breaking-up monopolies in higher education and linking education with the country's labor market.

Karamanlis noted that the Greek economy needed immediately a positive transformation shock therapy with the use of a generous tax reform, simplifying a system on reducing tax scales to strengthen competitiveness, production and growth rates. He said that a new-era challenge facing Greece was the concept "competition".

"We need measures to cut production costs, implement structural reforms with a new privatization policy, ending state monopolies, opening of new markets to competition, ending state interventions and creating healthy competition conditions," Karamanlis stressed.

He urged for a transparent and efficient use of EU funds, a serious preparation for the Olympic Games, a new hostile agriculture policy, integrated regional interventions and creating regional development organizations in the country.

He attacked the government's fiscal policy saying that a few months before the introduction of the euro currency the budget's main forecasts have been disputed.

Karamanlis said the government faced a fiscal dead-end, a stagnant Stock Exchange and a widespread black economy, a development he attributed to a complex tax system and to public services' corruption.

"New Democracy wants not only the success of the business community but also the social acknowledgement of its work," Karamanlis said.

[09] Industry union says government lacks bold initiatives

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Kyriakopoulos, speaking at SEB's open annual assembly meeting attended by President Kostis Stephanopoulos on Wednesday, also said that the EMU creates favorable conditions providing the country with the possibility to make many necessary structural changes, which it could not do in the past.

"However, with growth rates only exceeding the average growth rate of European Union countries by 2 percent, and if we manage to maintain all these rates after the Olympic Games and the 3rd Community Support Framework, real convergence will be accomplished in 20 years," he said.

Kyriakopoulos said that, despite announcements and efforts to modernize public administration, it does not yet appear adequate to achieve the transition to the market economy with the effectiveness necessitated by the Greek economy's entry to the global economy.

He further said that delays in the privatization of Olympic Airways and the Skaramangas Shipyards alone have continued to burden the state budget with at least 100 billion drachmas over the past 12 months.

On his part, SEB President Lefteris Antonakopoulos said the tax system should be reformed and the burden of businesses and working people should be decreased, parallel to the enlargement of the tax base.

He added that the state and public administration should be reorganized to have obstacles which aggravate the development of enterprise, burden competitiveness and primarily prevent foreign investments lifted.

Antonakopoulos said the government made considerable positive settlements. However, there were interventions which SEB considers to be negative. There was a lack of clear and bold initiatives.

The result of these omissions was a worsening of the climate in past months which contrasts with the course of the economy which remains healthy.

Antonakopoulos went on to say that if the climate is not reversed in time, there is a great possibility of it starting to have a negative effect on the real economy as well with serious repercussions for long-term growth prospects.

He added that what is necessary is the implementation of an economic policy which will convince that the Greek economy is entering the path of real convergence.

[10] 'Long road' of talks between Gov't, unions timidly begins over social security reform

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

The government was represented by Labor Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, who met with a General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE) delegation that was headed by its president Christos Polyzogopoulos.

The labor leader told reporters that GSEE presented its demands regarding social security reform, while stressing that "the conditions for the start of a structured social dialogue, even after the last government clarifications, aren't ripe."

On his part, the labor minister referred to a "long road" of negotiations. He also emphasized that the government has not set a deadline for talks with the unions.

"The government guarantees additional resources, the levels of the lowest pensions, the social nature of the system and that farmers, as well as other groups, won't be affected," Yiannitsis said.

The minister added that a joint experts' group would outline differences by each side as well as the social security system's economic parameters.

"When this procedure is completed there will be another round of meetings, where we can attempt to confer on another level," he added.

Meanwhile, the GSEE president added that there was no agreement on the issue of establishing a joint committee of experts to delineate the extent of the social security system's long-term solvency problems, as the "ministry is responsible for overseeing the system."

However, he added that GSEE's experts are at the ministry's disposal for offer any clarification over a study commissioned by the labor unions as well as their relevant positions on social security reform.

Wide-spread and heated opposition by trade unions, the opposition parties and even many PASOK deputies last month led to the quick "freezing" of a set of controversial labor ministry's measures to reform the country's bloated social security and pensions sector.

[11] Gov't, PASOK commitments

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

The final decisions taken during that meeting, mostly outlined by Simitis that evening, were officially presented in a report a day later by PASOK Secretary Costas Skandalidis.

Among others, guarantees were offered for minimum pension levels for all wage-earners, while the report constitutes the framework for dialogue, set to take place at a PASOK central committee meeting on Friday and Saturday.

According to the Executive Bureau report, the system's public and social character and its "tripartite funding" will be safeguarded, while the state should secure necessary additional funds to fund the system.

Moreover, funds to be used to finance the social security system will be derived from a crackdown on the "black economy" and "undocumented labor", social security contributions from migrants and a decrease in unemployment.

Asked whether the finance ministry agrees with these positions, Skandalidis said PM Simitis attended Monday's Executive Bureau meeting as both PASOK leader and prime minister. It is evident, he added, "that positions resulting from discussions held in party and government bodies are government positions."

Papazoi discusses bilateral trade, investment relations in Uzbekistan

TASHKENT 31/05/2001 (ANA - D. Constantakopoulos)

During her visit, which took her to Tashkent and Buhara, Papazoi discussed prospects for the development of bilateral trade, economic and investment relations, while the Uzbek side expressed strong interest in more efficient advancement of its relations with the European Union.

Papazoi affirmed Greece's desire to support Uzbekistan's cooperation with the European Union, which commenced with the signing of a Partnership Relation protocol in June 1999. She also stressed the crucial role played by Uzbekistan for stability and peace in central Asia.

The Greek official further expressed appreciation for Uzbekistan's position on the Cyprus issue, noting that any further improvement in Greek-Turkish and

The two sides also agreed to advance, in the framework of the EU, joint initiatives to combat organized crime, drug trafficking, smuggling, and the destabilizing activity of extremist elements.

Uzbekishtan also expressed strong interest in the development of bilateral cultural and tourist cooperation.

[12] Greek Defense minister meets US envoy in Athens

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

The meeting was scheduled to prepare for next week's meeting of defense ministers from Southeast European Multinational Brigade member-states in Thessaloniki, on the sidelines of which there will be a meeting between the Tsohatzopoulos and his US counterpart.

According to sources, Tsohatzopoulos and the US envoy discussed bilateral issues and relations between Greece and Turkey, including recent press reports on the Turkish oceanographic vessel "Piri Reis" and its research expedition in the southeast Aegean.

The issue was resolved after the Greek foreign ministry asked for clarifications from Turkey on the nature of the research.

FM supports Bulgaria's accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions

SOFIA 31/05/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

Papandreou was speaking to Bulgarian State Television (BNT) on the sidelines of the NATO and candidate countries' foreign ministers' summit in Budapest, Hungary.

Papandreou said that in talks with his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell and other American officials, during his recent visit to the United States, he had the opportunity of reiterating Greece's active support for accelerating the accession to the alliance of Bulgaria and other candidate Balkan countries.

[13] Greece calls for condemnation of extremist Albanian claims against Greece

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

According to press reports, earlier in the day a self-styled representative introduced an Albanian terrorist organization he called "Tsamouria Liberation Army", announcing its establishment and activation in northwestern Greece.

The man who identified himself as "Mehmeti", while speaking on a radio broadcast aired in Australia said that he was representing the so-called "Liberation Army" active in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Beglitis stressed that "the sick imagination of certain terrorist elements, who attempt to present non-existent issues, seems to have no bounds. Reaction against them by the international community should be equally without bounds".

"The forces of UCK with their terrorist activities in FYROM and Kosovo, continue to be a destabilizing factor in the Balkans. For this reason they should be condemned and isolated by all countries," Beglitis concluded.

The Tsami Albanians allied with the fascist Italian and German forces during World War II. Following the liberation of Greece from the Axis forces in 1944 this small group of Albanians were drawn out of the country

[14] Laliotis parries ND accusations of poor performance on public works

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Environment Minister Costas Laliotis responded by blaming delays and other problems on bad initial planning when New Democracy was in power in 1990-1993 or to Council of State rulings and local opposition that blocked necessary works.

Specifically, he said that delays in completing the Egnatia Highway - which his ministry had initially hoped to complete within 2000 - were due to constant cases being brought before the CoS by ecological groups, while he also blamed poor preparatory work by New Democracy which prevented the project getting off to a good start in 1994.

He similarly blamed ND for delays in building the Rio-Antirrio bridge, saying it had not carried out any environmental impact studies, and said the project would be completed by 2004.

He also blamed ND's last government for a series of faults in other public works projects around Greece, and the Athens municipality and CoS for the lack of parking lots serving the Athens Metro.

Delays in a Tripoli-Kalamata highway, finally, were blamed by the minister on landslides.

ND parliamentary deputy Vassilis Korkolopoulos had slammed the minister for delays in building a Patras-Thessaloniki highway, overspending by the Land Registry project, failure to provide parking space in Athens and the slow progress of the Thessaloniki Metro.

[15] Interior minister chairs open meeting on foreigners' Documentation process

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Representatives of foreigners who reside in Greece, consular authorities of several countries, non-governmental organizations and representatives of Greece's municipal authorities participated in the meeting that took place in a downtown Athens hotel. Papandreou stressed that the government's motive was to provide undocumented foreign workers in Greece with the necessary legal status, equal rights and obligations with Greek citizens and to reconstitute the balance between foreign and Greek workers, so as to avoid phenomena of racism and xenophobia in the future.

She clarified that none of the foreigners now residing in Greece would be deported before the first phase of the law's implementation is complete, which practically means that no one would be deported before if they have acquired the temporary permit, with which they could also travel abroad and legally return to Greece.

Papandreou also said that those who do not apply or are not granted the temporary permit would indeed by deported, once the first phase has been concluded. Interior Ministry Secretary General P. Vassiliou called on participants in the meeting to convince their fellow countrymen to apply for legal status in accordance with the law. According to data announced during the meeting there are foreigners in Greece from 120 countries, but their majority stems from neighboring countries. Vassiliou defended the 50,000-drachma application fee to be paid to municipal authorities, as they have undertaken to process the papers of all foreign nationals in Greece, adding that municipalities around the country have set up 1,133 offices to accept applications for legal immigration around the country.

Relation between Greek expatriates and Greek Parliament examined

MONTREAL, 31/05/2001 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

[16] Communist leader urges resistance to new world order

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Papariga was outlining her party's positions on foreign policy at an event organized by the Panteios University's International Relations Institute.

She said Greek foreign policy at present actively supports the policy of the so-called new world order, which KKE considers to be an imperialist policy.

Papariga further said that Greece does not play a decisive leading role in international relations, but assists decisively in whatever negative is currently occurring in the region from the Balkans to the Euphrates.

Referring to Greek-Turkish relations, Papariga said the fact that rapprochement with Turkey is unwieldy, at a time when the basic nucleus of the problem is not being touched, is evident by certain events such as concern over the Turkish oceanographic vessel Piri Reis, the interception of Greek aircraft participating in NATO exercises and the publication of documents on an incident in Cyprus and the Aegean in light of the island republic's European Union accession.

[17] Constantopoulos meets Swedish envoy over Turkish prisons issue

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)

Sweden currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

In statements afterward, Constantopoulos said that Europe was not just about markets and a common currency but the historic conquests of democracy and civilization, rights, freedoms and the protection of minorities and citizens.

In its course toward Europe, Constantopoulos added, Turkey ought to realize that there were no margins for such flagrant, brutal provocations in issues of culture, democracy and freedom.

Simeon-led coalition in Bulgaria comments on relations with Athens

SOFIA, 31/05/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

"It's difficult to say that 'this Balkan country is closer to us in comparison with another', but if we take into consideration our basic priorities in foreign policy, it's natural that Greece and Turkey are the object of our maximum attention.

"... Because it's well known that Turkey is a significant factor in NATO, and furthermore, it has enacted a law committing the Turkish government to support Bulgaria and Romania's NATO accession.

"Greece, on the other hand, is judged as a very significant ally within the North Atlantic alliance and, concurrently, it is also the only European Union member-state in our region," the coalition's election chairman, Sax Koburgota, said.

The twin goals of Bulgaria's accession into the European Union and NATO were repeatedly touted as driving force for the country's future course.

Simeon, the first former monarch in post-communist eastern Europe to enter politics in his homeland, is not personally running in the June 17 election. Instead, his list of candidates includes TV stars, bankers and lawyers, but no mainstream politicians.

He was exiled from Bulgaria as a child after a rigged referendum abolished the monarchy in 1946, launching his "National Movement for Simeon II" in April and leading opinion polls ahead of the ruling Union of Democratic Forces (UDF) and the opposition Socialists.

[18] Extension of bidding deadline in OA sale tender

Athens, 31/05/2001 (ANA)