Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Fitch upgrades Greek long-term debt

[02] Belgium's Albert II meets with Greek leadership

[03] Greek deputy FM meets with Russian envoy on Cyprus

[04] Eurodeputies criticize Turkey over delays in reforms

[05] Turkey-EU dialogue to be based on Helsinki summit decisions, Commission says

[06] Resolution in US Congress in favor of Cyprus' EU accession

[07] FM Papandreou calls for solidarity towards refugees the world over

[08] PASOK puts 'brave face' on MRB poll result

[09] ND leader slams government over the state of the civil service

[10] Election court ruling changes five Parliament MPs

[11] Swedish embassy issues statement over Tuesday's Goteborg-related protest

[12] Greek ambassador expresses get well wishes to former Cyprus President Kyprianou

[13] Albanian nationalism the biggest Balkan problem, former premier says

[14] Greek economic growth to exceed 4.5 percent in 2001, Papantoniou says

[15] Christodoulakis calls for raising competitiveness at SBBE assembly

[16] Olympic Airways to get 6.6 billion drachmas in state compensation

[17] Kathimerini SA announces international electronic publishing deal

[18] Greece's passenger shipping sector enters a new era

[19] Lambrakis, Flash and Pegasus to embark on e-commerce

[20] European employment Commissioner announces action plan for job quality improvement

[21] Consumers happy with energy supply, despite high prices

[22] Greek stocks plunge to their lowest levels since January 1999

[23] International book exhibition in Frankfurt showcases Greek literature

[24] Nine out of 10 immigrants say new immigration law good

[25] Former U.S. President George Bush arrives in Agios Nikolaos, Crete

[26] Lesperoglou gets seven months on forged documents charges

[27] Groundbreaking ceremony for Olympic village

[28] International Olympic Academy assembly begins in Athens

[29] EU Commission delegation begins discussions

[30] Joint statement for EU-Turkey Association Council adopted

[31] Remains of Greek soldiers given to Greek army representatives

[01] Fitch upgrades Greek long-term debt

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The credit rating company said the country's short-term debt remained unchanged at F1, while Greece's outlook status was "stable".

In a report, Fitch said Greece "has showed remarkable performance in its efforts to achieve EMU entry criteria and was continuing at the same rapid speed in 2001."

Fitch noted that "although Greece still has the lowest per capita gross domestic product in European Union) around 68 percent of the EU average), the gap was closing as the country's real growth rate continued to exceed the EU's average by far and investments have risen considerably."

[02] Belgium's Albert II meets with Greek leadership

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Afterwards, the prime minister hosted a luncheon in honor of the Belgian monarch.

Earlier, Albert was awarded to Golden Key to the City of Athens by Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, while he also met separately with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) secretary general Aleka Papariga. Finally, Albert and his wife, Queen Paola, also toured the Athens Archaeological Museum before the Belgian king laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of Greece's Parliament building.

Room seen for closer economic ties between Greece, Belgium: Greece and Belgium should work to expand economic links, according to speakers at a seminar held on Wednesday by the Association of Greek Industries (SEB).

The event on business ties between the two euro-zone members was timed to coincide with a visit to Athens by King Albert II of Belgium.

The speakers also said that there were business opportunities for Belgian firms in Greek projects being tendered for the Olympic Games to be hosted by Athens in 2004.

There are currently 35 Belgian companies operating in Greece.

[03] Greek deputy FM meets with Russian envoy on Cyprus

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The Russian envoy reiterated his country's position, which is in support of a bicommunal, bizonal federation, based on the resolutions of the United Nations and expressed the wish that proximity talks will resume soon.

On his part, Niotis expressed his satisfaction for the steadfast and decisive stance maintained by Russia on the Cyprus issue for many years now, which has been expressed repeatedly in the UN Security Council from its institutional position as a permanent member.

Niotis also expressed the great interest of the political and state leadership of Greece and the Greek people regarding the December visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Greece.

[04] Eurodeputies criticize Turkey over delays in reforms

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Eurodeputies addressing Wednesday's session of the European Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee made it clear that interventions in Turkey's political and social life by the Military Council are incompatible with European principles, as well as extortion over Cyprus to speed up its own EU accession.

Dutch Christian Democrat Ari Ostlander warned Turkey that "if it is trying to use Cyprus as an object of extortion to speed up its own accession to the EU, it should be aware that it is even jeopardizing its own candidacy."

French "Green" Eurodeputy Daniel Cohn-Bendit said that for as long as martial law exists in the country there can be no rapprochement with Europe, adding that "if all of us speaking here today were in Turkey we would be in prison."

Socialist former Luxembourg foreign minister Jacques Poos complained because Turkish representatives considered him "not objective" when he ascertained a deficit in democracy in the country, saying that "if this is so then all the EU's bodies and international organizations reaching the same conclusions should be accused of lacking objectivity."

PASOK Eurodeputy Yiannis Souladakis presented Yilmaz with specific questions but received no reply.

On his part, Yilmaz referred primarily to the economic crisis in Turkey and to the need of combining democratization with the economic program.

"On the question of Cyprus, I shall reply just as Galileo did about the earth which is moving. The Turkish Cypriot state exists, whether it is recognized or not. Speaking of a just solution I can see that we are reaching the causes of the problem and we are disagreeing on the causes," he said.

[05] Turkey-EU dialogue to be based on Helsinki summit decisions, Commission says

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The Eurodeputy noted in a press release that Turkey's positions regarding the Cyprus issue based on "the sovereign equality of the two sides and the realities on the island" and of "the resolution of bilateral problems with Greece through dialogue", without any mention to the International Court, were in contrast to the Helsinki summit decisions and against the EU-Turkish partnership relation.

In response to the documented question, the Commission noted that "the position of the Union on the Cyprus issue and the peaceful resolution of the border differences are based on the conclusions of the European Council of Helsinki".

"The same conclusions show that these issues are part of a political dialogue. This position was strengthened with the Partnership Relation with Turkey as was adopted by the Council on March 8, 2001," the Commission stressed.

[06] Resolution in US Congress in favor of Cyprus' EU accession

WASHINGTON, 21/06/2001 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The two stated that the interests of the U.S. are compatible with the creation and preservation of a strong and unified Cyprus, which will contribute to stability in the eastern Mediterranean.

They added that the island republic's accession to the EU is the best development for the achievement of this target and, invoking the decision taken at the EU's Helsinki summit, pointed out that a solution to the political problem is not a precondition.

In addition, they said the accession of Cyprus provides considerable economic, political and social benefits for all Cypriots, both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots, and expressed the hope it will function as a catalyst for a viable solution to the problem which will be based on UN Security Council resolutions.

[07] FM Papandreou calls for solidarity towards refugees the world over

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

"This day should be a day of solidarity for the millions of our fellow humans around the world that are living under very difficult conditions ... persecuted by authoritarian regimes, but also by poverty and underdevelopment; people seeking a more humane life for themselves and their families."

Papandreou cited what he called a "democratic obligation" by all to contribute to a large-scale movement that will struggle for the protection of human rights, democratic institutions and the abolition of political and economic reasons that continue to create waves of refugees in the modern day.

PASOK Eurodeputy calls attention to worldwide refugee problem: PASOK Eurodeputy Anna Karamanou stated on Wednesday that continuing violent conflicts and wars in many parts of the planet, but particularly in the Balkans and Middle East, have led millions of people to becoming refugees and seeking asylum.

Karamanou made her statement on the occasion of World Refugee Day and in her capacity as a member of the Committee of Citizens' Freedoms and Rights.

"At European level, the shaping of a common European policy on asylum has been pending since October, 1999, when the European Council decided in Tampere, Finland, to schedule a series of measures to enable the creation of common criteria and procedures for all member-states concerning the granting of asylum to people coming from third countries who are in need of protection," she said.

Karamanou further said that "the issue of refugees is one of the hot issues which European politicians rather avoid to discuss, while many support the 'European fortress' policy. However, Europe might be resisting the idea that it is a continent receiving immigrants and refugees, but the development and prosperity of its peoples pass through the acceptance of its role as an open, democratic and multicultural continent."

[08] PASOK puts 'brave face' on MRB poll result

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The MRB poll published on Tuesday was also the first in which Prime Minister Costas Simitis slipped behind ND leader Costas Karamanlis on the question of who would make the most suitable premier, while ND came first in both voter preference and as the party considered most likely to win an election.

Emerging from a meeting with the prime minister on Wednesday morning, National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said that policy ought to be adapted to the results of opinion polls but that the conclusive opinion poll was the result of the nationwide ballot.

When the time to vote came, he added, the Greek people would make a positive assessment of the great efforts made by the country and the government to create a strong economy.

Asked if any changes would be made in the leadership of the economy ministry, he answered only that "we should not raise political issues where there are none."

The results of the poll were also commented on later on Wednesday by government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who said they were worth studying. The party and the government, he added, were part of Greek society and had to correctly assess the positions of that society.

The spokesman noted that the government had three years ahead in which to complete its work, while the results of the poll reflect public opinion at a given moment.

Regarding the opinion poll result that put Karamanlis ahead of Simitis as most suitable for prime minister, the spokesman said only that Simitis was the elected prime minister of the country, who had received the people's mandate to rule until the end of the four-year term and carry out his program.

Transport Minister Christos Verelis said that the negative climate for the governing party was largely due to "repeated statements and leaks" and "insinuations" by certain of its own members.

Verelis accused them of making "throwaway statements" to boost their own popularity, and said they should now realize that these could harm the "great democratic faction that took decades to congeal and bring results".

Macedonia-Thrace Minister George Paschalidis, meanwhile, noted that opinion polls were tools for analysis and not election results.

"We must focus on the present and chiefly turn our gaze to the future," he said.

"There is time, the situation is reversible and I believe that implementing the government's program comes first," he concluded.

ND leader Costas Karamanlis, meanwhile, was subdued in his response to the very good results for his party in the MRB poll, saying only that ND's main concern "was to daily become better".

ND headquarters also expressed satisfaction with the good results of the poll but warned its members to avoid both triumphant statements and complacency.

[09] ND leader slams government over the state of the civil service

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

After a meeting with the head of the 'Citizens Advocate' or ombudsman's office Nikiforos Diamantouros, Karamanlis described the Greek state as 'ailing' and said that it daily confounded citizens with faceless bureaucracy, delays, party political attitudes and arrogance, which in turn gave rise to corruption and graft.

He also accused the government of inactivity and of ignoring ND's proposals on this issue.

[10] Election court ruling changes five Parliament MPs

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

A recent decision by the court accepted motions by five candidates regarding the April 2000 elections. Specifically, one-time PASOK minister Yiannis Kapsis returns to Parliament from Piraeus district 2. High-profile attorney Petros Mandouvalos (New Democracy) enters Parliament from Piraeus district 1, along with Athanasios Bouras (Attica prefecture, ND); Elias Vlahopoulos (Kozani, PASOK) and N. Stratilatis (Kavala, PASOK).

The rulings do not affect the parties' Parliament strength.

Those left out of Parliament include V. Barbayiannis (ND), one-time PASOK merchant marine minister Stavros Soumakis (PASOK), P. Fotiadis (PASOK), V. Vizas (ND) and K. Tsimas (PASOK).

[11] Swedish embassy issues statement over Tuesday's Goteborg-related protest

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Members of the "Genoa 2001" Initiative and the organization "Youth Against Racism" held a protest rally at the Athens Panathenian stadium on Tuesday before heading to the Swedish embassy in the late afternoon.

In a statement faxed to the ANA, the Swedish ambassador to Athens Bjorn Elmer referred to the alleged refusal and a statement by former deputy and long-time political activist Manolis Glezos.

"The embassy's office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If Mr. Glezos or anyone else wishes to meet with me or other embassy staff, he can do so during that time, preferably by prior appointment.

"I understand the manifestation outside the embassy took place at around 7 p.m. last night (Tuesday). Obviously, no was here to either receive or to refuse to receive the protesters.

"Let me add that I would welcome an opportunity to meet with Mr. Glezos or with other representatives of the demonstrators in order to discuss the content of their statement of protest," the ambassador's letter ends.

The reaction comes after news stories quoted Glezos, a legendary WWII resistance figure, as saying he went to the embassy to deliver a protest resolution over the Goteborg events but was denied an audience with Swedish officials.

[12] Greek ambassador expresses get well wishes to former Cyprus President Kyprianou

NICOSIA, 21/06/2001 (ANA-G. Leonidas)

According to an official announcement, Panagopoulos also conveyed the Greek government's solidarity for the ordeal Kyprianou is currently experiencing due to the state of his health.

[13] Albanian nationalism the biggest Balkan problem, former premier says

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

If Albania raises an issue of borders in Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), then Greece should demand the same in southern Albania, where an important Greek minority lives, Mitsotakis said in an interview with the national television NET.

He also strongly criticized the government on political, economic and social issues.

[14] Greek economic growth to exceed 4.5 percent in 2001, Papantoniou says

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis to discuss the course of the economy, Papantoniou said he remained optimistic over this year's performance despite significant problems facing the global and the European economies.

He said that the investment rate remained high, at 12.0 percent in real prices, with the private sector and consumer spending thriving with the help of a significant fall in interest rates.

"The satisfactory course of the economy should not lead us to complacency, we must be cautious and adhere to spending limits," Papantoniou said.

[15] Christodoulakis calls for raising competitiveness at SBBE assembly

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The basis for competitiveness is economic growth, he added, and the meaning of this had been understood in Greece as in other European countries, providing the foundation on which the government's policies in coming years were based.

He particularly stressed the role of business and production in increasing the country's international competitiveness ranking, emphasizing the importance of good and guaranteed quality.

He said that it was a good thing that small-scale contract work had shifted to Greece's neighbors, since "Greece will never win the battle of cheap production."

"Greece can win one battle and that is the battle for quality," he added.

He also referred to developments in the energy sector in Greece, particularly the domestic natural gas network inaugurated for the Kalamaria municipality earlier in the day.

[16] Olympic Airways to get 6.6 billion drachmas in state compensation

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

A ministry statement said the payment was not a state subsidy but an agreed compensation.

The two parties had agreed in 1998 to hire a consultant in 1999 to evaluate the national carrier's assets. The Greek state has paid a total of 40.268 billion drachmas to OA.

[17] Kathimerini SA announces international electronic publishing deal

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Aristides Alafouzos, the group's chairman, addressing an annual general shareholders' meeting, said that Kathimerini signed a partnership agreement last week in Paris with International Herald Tribune, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany), Corriere della Sera (Italia), El Pais (Spain), Le Figaro (France), Haaretz (Israel) and Yioang Ilbo (South Korea) for the creation of an electronic publishing service.

The alliance will create a joint database, in English, to be offered to the eight newspapers' readers. All partners will cooperate in the commercial management of the service and will have access to the information, printed or in electronic form, in English or national languages.

Alafouzos said the agreement paved the way for the newspaper's international expansion.

The shareholders' meeting approved the alteration of the company's initial investment program on the grounds of a severe global crisis in new technologies and electronic media markets.

Alafouzos said the company invested 10.8 billion drachmas, from a share capital increase scheme, in the shipping sector and noted that the investment was expected to offer net pre-tax profits totalling one billion drachmas by June 30, and pre-tax profits of 3.2 billion drachmas this year.

He reassured shareholders that the board "did not intend to transform the company into a shipping company".

The meeting also approved a plan to pay a 50-drachma per share dividend to shareholders.

[18] Greece's passenger shipping sector enters a new era

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Papoutsis urged ship owners, investors and local authorities to seek opportunities offered from the new bill in the country's passenger shipping sector.

Commenting on criticism by the Union of Passenger Shipping Owners on the provisions of the new bill, Papoutsis said ship owners should not forget that their activities were not in their private area but in the sea and the country's harbors. "They should also acknowledge their responsibility towards the society and the state," he noted.

Papoutsis said the new bill was based on the standards set by the European Union and envisages an absolute balance between the private activity and social interests.

He also dismissed as "warning shots" threats made by ship owners over procedures with the European Union against the Greek state and massive outflow from the Greek shipping register.

[19] Lambrakis, Flash and Pegasus to embark on e-commerce

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The new firm will also provide allied services for third parties, the three firms said in a statement.

Each of the three groups has an internet portal, which will be used to aid the new company, whose start-up capital is 3.0 million euros, the statement added.

[20] European employment Commissioner announces action plan for job quality improvement

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2001 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

This action plan aims to improve the quality of jobs and the living standards of European citizens and it is the result of decisions arrived at during the Nice summit, where the leaders of the European Union concluded that long term investment in the Union's human resources was necessary.

This change means an about face to a decades-long policy of "passive social spending" to active planning and investment, such as training and education.

"Quality is a focal, unifying aim of the European Union - at the epicenter of our understanding for Europe and the European social model. Quality reflects our common aim, not only in defense of the minimal acceptable levels in the work place and beyond, but in actively promoting the upgrade of models and thus secure a more just distribution of progress," she said.

[21] Consumers happy with energy supply, despite high prices

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

At the same time, the majority of households said they would change their energy source for heating if they had the means to do so, the survey said.

Among industries, the most satisfied were consumers of liquefied gas.

The survey was conducted in January 2001 among 250 manufacturing industries and 500 households in the country's five largest urban centers.

ICAP concluded that the energy sector has entered a dynamic phase of growth, with total turnover for allied industries forecast to total more than five trillion drachmas in 2001, representing about 12 percent of gross domestic product.

Finally, growth in consumption is expected to rise steadily over the next 20 years to total an equivalent of 40.5 million tones of oil, up 41 percent from 2000. The growth rate is higher than of the European Union's other member states, except for Ireland, the survey said.

[22] Greek stocks plunge to their lowest levels since January 1999

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Traders said the general index finally fell below the 2,820 support level following several attempts to break the level in recent sessions.

Blue chip stocks were particularly hit, with National Bank falling 2.13% and Commercial Bank easing 2.70%, while telecom stocks showed resistance (Cosmote +1.17%, Hellenic Telecoms -0.32%, Panafon -0.63%).

A total of 22 shares plunged to their lowest levels this year, including Alpha Bank, Commercial Bank, Hellenic Petroleum and Titan Cement, while the banks and investment indices fell to year record-lows.

The general index fell 0.93 percent to 2,806.65 points, with turnover at 127.50 million euros, or 43.45 billion drachmas.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended at 1,626.98 points, off 1.09 percent, the FTSE/ASE 40 index dropped 1.02 percent to 321.61 points, and the FTSE/ASE SMALLCAP 80 index ended at 892.87 points, off 1.68 percent.

The parallel market index for smaller capitalization stocks ended at 267.72 points, off 1.52 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 286 to 45 with another 25 issues unchanged.

Alysida, Keranis Holdings, MLS Informatics, Varvaressos, Kotsovolos, Ridenco, ELBE, Vardas, GEKE, Hellenic Acquaculture scored the biggest percentage gains, while Athenian Holdings, Stabilton, Agrinio Metalplastics, Hellatex, Korfil, Terna, CPI, Druckfarben, PC Systems and Kreka suffered the heaviest losses.

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

Bond prices up in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in moderate trade with players focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.44 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 46 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 850 million euros (289.6 billion drachmas).

Buy orders accounted for over half of turnover.

[23] International book exhibition in Frankfurt showcases Greek literature

FRANKFURT, 21/06/2001 (ANA - S. Aravopoulou)

Frankfurt 2001 Organizing Committee President George Romeos and renowned Greek writer Vassilis Vassilikos were also present, during a press conference in the Frankfurt Library, where Venizelos presented the theme of the exhibition that focuses on Greek literature.

Cavafy's poem Ithaca was used by the organizing committee to introduce the visitor to the Greek section of the exhibition, where works by Greek literary giants, such as Seferis, Kazantzakis, Solomos, Elytis and Ritsos, were showcased.

Venizelos focused his comments on the unique conditions of Cyprus' Greek language literature, saying that it is an integral part of the total of Greek language literary production.

He added that "the special position occupied by the Greek, Turkish and English language in the (Cyprus) University - as all three are official languages in Cyprus - allow it to become a very interesting linguistic laboratory".

"We would be politically very happy if the Turkish Cypriot community was free to do the same (as the Greek) to its own Turkish language. But the political conditions, under which the Turkish Cypriots live, unfortunately, do not allow it," he said.

[24] Nine out of 10 immigrants say new immigration law good

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Moreover, 80.6 percent believe life will become better for them, 6.5 percent that it will worsen and 11.7 do not expect any change.

Out of the immigrants participating in the poll, 58.4 percent are from Albania, 10.3 percent from Russia, Ukraine and Georgia, 7 percent from Romania and 4.4 percent from Bulgaria.

The report also shows that 50 percent of illegal immigrants have been living in Greece over four years, 63 percent live with their families, 72 percent wish to live in Greece over five years and 50 percent wish to settle permanently.

Meanwhile, 85,000 applications had been made by Wednesday for the granting of temporary residence permits to immigrants. According to information from the interior ministry, applications have been increasing gradually in past days, while over 280,000 have requested information so far by dialing the citizens service number "1464."

[25] Former U.S. President George Bush arrives in Agios Nikolaos, Crete

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Bush then boarded a speedboat taking him from the yacht to the resort of Elounda and he later had a swim and did his daily jogging at the location of Kolokytha.

Agios Nikolaos Mayor Antonis Zervos said in a statement "the presence of the former president for a vacation in Greece and the region is particularly important and honoring, because in this way it shows his love for the country and confirms the fact that the region and the country are a safe tourist destination."

[26] Lesperoglou gets seven months on forged documents charges

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The charges concerned a false passport and forged stamps for state services found on him when he was arrested at Athens airport in December 1999, after 17 years on the run.

The court cleared Lesperoglou of the additional charge of illegal entry into Greece.

He is now serving a jail sentence of three and half years imposed by a court martial for evading army service.

On March 27, an appeals court overturned a 17-year sentence imposed on Lesperoglou for the attempted murder of a police officer during a 1982 burglary attempt after doubts arose as to whether he had taken part in it. But he remained in custody to face charges linked to his alleged involvement in a left-wing terrorist group called Anti-State Struggle, which has been blamed for the killings of a public prosecutor, three police officers and two security guards and a supermarket robbery that involved a murder.

His trial for these cases at a primary criminal court has been set for October 10.

Lesperoglou is one of a handful of suspects who have been arrested in the Greek police's frustrating battle against terrorists and arson gangs, which operate mainly in Athens.

[27] Groundbreaking ceremony for Olympic village

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

The village, which is being built in Lekanes, Aharnon, will contain 2,290 dwellings to house 17,000 athletes. The homes will be used as subsidized housing for workers after the Olympics.

Giannitsis said that the project’s budget of around 100 billion drachmas would be adhered to, along with a completion deadline of November 30, 2003.

Also to be built on the site are a center for the arts and entertainment, a religious center, an Olympic museum, and a shopping precinct.

"The design is original, and modern in conception and specifications. Its budget is sensible," said Deputy Labor Minister Christos Protopappas, who also attended the ceremony.

The village, whose contractor is the Labor Housing Organization, is the largest project in the 2004 Olympics.

[28] International Olympic Academy assembly begins in Athens

Athens, 21/06/2001 (ANA)

Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos, Sports Deputy Minister George Floridis, Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Greek Olympic Committee President Lambis Nicolaou and IOA President Nikos Filaretos were present at this 41st IOA assembly.

Visibly moved, Samaranch once again expressed his conviction that the Athens 2004 Olympic Games will be a success and said "Greece is preparing to give us the opportunity to share all the aspects of its rich culture at international level until the Athens Olympic Games are held."

"The Greek government, headed by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the 'Athens 2004' Organizing Committee, whose President is Ms. Angelopoulos, are making every effort possible for the success of this international event which links this country directly to its history," he added.

Samaranch, referring to volunteerism, also said "2001 is the international year of volunteers. Volunteerism constitutes the foundation of the Olympic movement. This is the reason why we are all activating ourselves to pay tribute to volunteers all over the world."

[29] EU Commission delegation begins discussions

NICOSIA, 21/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

Cyprus Chief Negotiator for the accession of Cyprus to the EU George Vassiliou said after the meeting that the delegation of the EC would not only discuss those chapters, but "will also look on the progress, implementation and enforcement of the chapters that we provisionally closed."

On his part Maurer said Cyprus was one of the most advanced countries in the negotiations and the EC delegation had to monitor the progress made in Cyprus negotiations, expressing hope that "final questions could be clarified during our stay here."

Asked about the purpose of his visit Thursday to the British Bases here in Cyprus, Maurer said the British Bases were excluded from the EU Treaty and therefore after Cyprus accession to the EU they would become an "outside border".

"We have to clarify how the system works to adopt it to the future when Cyprus will become a member, so it is completely technical what we are discussing," Maurer added.

Maurer also met Chairman of the Parliamentary European Affairs Committee Tassos Papadopoulos.

Britain retains since Cyprus independence in 1960 two sovereign bases on the island.

Cyprus started negotiations with the EU as a candidate state in 1998 and has provisionally closed 22 of the 29 chapters under negotiation with applicant countries.

The chapters still under negotiation for Cyprus are competition policy, agriculture, taxation, regional policy/structural instruments, environment, cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs, Financial and Budgetary Provisions.

[30] Joint statement for EU-Turkey Association Council adopted

BRUSSELS, 21/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

According to EU sources the statement notes that the decisions taken during the EU Helsinki Summit brought Turkey closer to the European Union and opened up prospects for its European aspirations, while referring to the Cyprus question the 15 Permanent Representatives point out that a solution of the problem should be based on the relevant UN resolutions.

The Representatives call on the Turkish government to encourage the Turkish Cypriot side to return to the UN-led proximity talks, while pointing out that Turkey, as well as the other sides involved, could play an important role in the efforts to resume the talks.

After five rounds of UN-led proximity talks that started in December 1999, the Turkish side said it would no longer participate unless the illegal regime in the area of Cyprus occupied by Turkey since 1974 is recognized and there is a change in the procedure followed. Talks have not been held since last November.

[31] Remains of Greek soldiers given to Greek army representatives

NICOSIA, 21/06/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The remains of Asimakis Burekas, a soldier who had served in the Greek Force in Cyprus and whose name was on the missing persons list and of Alexis Christopoulos who was killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion will be taken to Greece and be given to their families for burial.

Speaking at the ceremony Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said the remains were covered with the flags of Greece and Cyprus "something that indicates the common struggles of Greece and Cyprus".

On Thursday a Greek C-130 will transfer the remains to Greece.

Cypriot authorities have been conducting since 1999 tests on remains in marked and unmarked graves at the two cemeteries in Nicosia and so far about 108 remains have been identified, through the DNA method, 26 of which relate to cases of missing persons, 76 to military personnel known to have been killed and six to civilians killed.

The work has been undertaken by a team from the Nobel peace prize winner organization Physicians for Human Rights, led by William Haglund, and a team of scientists at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, led by Marios Kariolou.

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