Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 01-12-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens: Respect of Nice decisions paramount for 'Euro-force'

[02] Protopappas: latest developments permit hope for Cyprus solution

[03] Putin arrives in Athens on Thursday

[04] PM announces clampdown on illegal immigration, new measures

[05] Public order ministers from SE Europe discuss cooperation

[06] Land registry dominates Simitis - V. Papandreou meeting

[07] Defense minister announces restructuring of Armed Forces

[08] Greek Armed Forces to reorganize, aiming to meet new challenges

[09] Parliament ratifies amendments to its operation regulations

[10] Alternate FM addresses "dialogue of cultures" issue

[11] ECB head Duisenberg receives ND leader

[12] Institutional investors buy into PPC's stock offer

[13] National, Alpha Bank merger to cost 220 million euros

[14] European Commission on health in Greece

[15] Reppas: new pension system will still favor women more than men

[16] EU adopts Greek proposal on digital tech for smaller firms

[17] Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact Parliamentary Assembly

[18] Gov't statistics service to assist in Russian census

[19] Parliament committee ratifies 2002 state budget

[20] Gov't counters ND charges over OA sale

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise after blue chip buying spree

[22] ATHOC awards Red Cross for volunteerism

[23] Event held in Piraeus for volunteer work for Athens Olympiad

[24] Actress Irene Papas elected "Woman of Europe"

[25] Exhibition by Russian artists at Benaki Museum

[26] Award given to Greek-American foundation in Boston

[27] Athens mayor lights up Syntagma Square Christmas tree

[28] First visit of Cyprus President to Turkish occupied areas in 27 years

[01] Athens: Respect of Nice decisions paramount for 'Euro-force'

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

In addition, Greece’s critical stance at the upcoming General Affairs Council in Brussels next Monday also dominated talks at the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and attended by the foreign and defense ministers, George Papandreou and Yiannos Papantoniou, respectively, as well as Alternate FM Tassos Giannitsis.

Afterwards, Papantoniou focused on a highly publicized US-British formula that apparently smoothes over NATO-European Union differences related to the creation of a “European rapid deployment force” in 2003, reiterating that as far as Athens is concerned this agreement is “unofficial and under negotiation”.

In clarifying Greek positions, he said Athens would accept the compromise on two conditions:

Firstly, that it is compatible with Nice summit decisions while at the same time respecting the autonomy of EU decisions for Common European Security and Defense, and secondly, that it doesn't infringe on Greece's sovereign rights.

"...Our country will not accept interventions or a restriction of its sovereign rights," he stressed, a direct reference to repeated Turkish threats warning against "Euro-force" operational responsibility in the Aegean and Cyprus.

Regarding to the same issue, FM Papandreou emphasized that discussions on the Union's security and defense structure are ongoing, whereas there are "certain unofficial proposals" by various sides.

The Greek FM added that Athens will table its proposals at the General Affairs Council, while expressing his conviction that these "proposals will be heard and taken under consideration".

Question on veto: Asked about the possibility of a Greek veto, Papandreou declined to confirm such a prospect, merely noting that various means are at Greece's disposal and "used when this is deemed necessary".

Echoing Papantoniou's statements, he said the Greek government is willing to accept a compromise based on Nice summit decisions and guaranteeing Greece's sovereign rights.

"We know of pressure, especially on issues dealing with national interests, but we deal with them calmly," he added.

Cyprus: Regarding Cyprus, Papandreou again expressed the government's support and confidence towards President Clerides' handling, stressing that yesterday's face-to-face meeting between the two communities' leaders under United Nations auspices was a "positive step".

He added that Clerides' expected arrival in occupied Nicosia Wednesday evening to attend a dinner at Rauf Denktash's residence includes an "added symbolism, because it shows that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots can co-exist peacefully".

Papandreou praised the latest developments and expressed a hope that this nascent process will touch the substance of the 27-year problem on the divided island republic.

According to wire reports on Tuesday, Denktash proposed that negotiations for Cyprus settlement, starting in mid-January 2002, should continue without uninterrupted and aim for a settlement by June.

Speaking in the Turkish-occupied areas after his first face-to-face meeting in four years with Clerides, Denktash was quoted as saying that it would be unwise to put a time limit on the talks, although they should not drag on for years.

"We should start the meetings and continue without break. It could not be done with just one meeting a month," he said, adding they should aim to reach a solution by June and before Cyprus completes accession talks with the EU.

Turkey's demand for EU army role has not been adopted, Athens says: An initiative by the United States and Britain to overcome Turkey's objections to the use of NATO infrastructure by a planned European Union military force had not adopted Turkish demands for participation in decision-making for the EU force, government spokesman Christos Protopappas said on Wednesday.

"There is an initiative by the British and American side, with which Turkey appears to agree. I must stress, however, that this initiative and the text given to EU member-states for consideration did not adopt the main position of the Turkish side, which included the possibility of participating in the decision-making process of the EU and the right to veto when EU infrastructure was being used," he said.

The Greek government intended to negotiate the issue, which was still in the processing stage, he added.

He ruled out discussion on the deal with Turkey at a NATO foreign ministers' meeting on Thursday, saying that creating the EU force was a matter that concerned the EU.

According to an ANA dispatch from Ankara, however, US Secretary of State Colin Powell had expressed optimism that the NATO foreign ministers would discuss the issue during their Thursday meeting.

During a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem in Ankara on Wednesday, Powell said that the issue had not yet been finalized and stressed that he had discussed it with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

At the same press conference, Powell had expressed satisfaction over the results of a meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash on Tuesday, describing it as the first step in a long process for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Athens also welcomed developments in the Cyprus issue on Wednesday, with Protopappas saying that they permitted hope that a solution might finally be achieved though a lot of work still remained to be done.

The spokesman said that a second meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash under UN auspices in mid January indicated that Turkish intransigence was beginning to soften.

He stressed, however, that this was only a single step along the long road toward a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem that was in accord with UN resolutions.

Protopappas said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis was fully briefed on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and believed that things were moving in the right direction, though a lot of work still had to be done.

[02] Protopappas: latest developments permit hope for Cyprus solution

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The spokesman said that a second meeting between Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash under UN auspices in mid January indicated that Turkish intransigence was beginning to soften.

He stressed, however, that this was only a single step along the long road toward a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem that was in accord with UN resolutions.

Protopappas said that Prime Minister Costas Simitis was fully briefed on the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.

[03] Putin arrives in Athens on Thursday

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The Russian leader arrives on Thursday for a three-day official visit, following an invitation by his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos.

Additionally, he will also meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and sign several bilateral agreements.

In published press statements here on Wednesday, Putin was quoted saying he considers Greece a "bridge for Russia's approach to the European Union."

In an interview published by the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia", the Russian president also noted that "many things unite the two countries, even when they belonged to different ideological camps".

Russian embassy hosts exhibition of rare Greek manuscripts: Rare Greek manuscripts of the 10th and 11th centuries will be exhibited on Thursday and Friday at the Russian embassy in Athens, in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin's three-day visit to Greece, beginning on Thursday.

The manuscripts have been provided by courtesy of the Scientific Library of the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University and the exhibition was organized by the Charity Foundation for the preservation of cultural values, Interfax Information Agency and the Russian Bank of Foreign Trade.

The exhibition entitled "The sources of spiritual culture", will be open to the general public on both days.

[04] PM announces clampdown on illegal immigration, new measures

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

"We will not allow Greece to become open to all comers," the prime minister stressed, while announcing a series of tougher measures and policies for immigration on a European Union level and legislative changes to speed up the processing of applications for naturalization, asylum and citizenship.

Among the measures announced by Simitis were inter-state cooperation to guard the borders using a special border force, an agreement for returning illegal immigrants to their country of origin that provided a funding mechanism to pay for the cost of their extradition, joint action by armed forces and police along the borders and additional reinforcements for border guards.

He also announced that regional general secretaries would be given overall responsibility for coordinating operations involving illegal immigrants on their territory, without going through central government.

Simitis presented figures showing that, based on the current arrest rates of illegal immigrants attempting to enter Greece over its land borders to the north, up to 150,000 illegal aliens will be arrested by the end of the year. If one added illegal immigrants arrested in the interior, he said, that number increased to 250,000.

The premier said the interior ministry would henceforth be in charge of coordinating action on illegal immigration.

Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister also received Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis, who briefed him about the new wave of illegal immigrants arriving daily on Greek shores by crossing the Aegean.

Chrysohoidis also outlined the progress of a program to register and legalize economic migrants and the problems associated with it.

[05] Public order ministers from SE Europe discuss cooperation

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

A joint statement was signed during the meeting which will seal cooperation between countries in southeastern Europe in combatting organized illegal activities such as organized crime, terrorism and the trafficking of drugs and people.

Other issues discussed were the exchange of information between the police forces of neighboring countries, the joint organization of operations against locations where illegal immigrants and young girls are housed, the disbanding of drug traffickers' networks, etc.

[06] Land registry dominates Simitis - V. Papandreou meeting

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Papandreou later told reporters she will meet with EU Com-mission Michel Barnier on the sidelines of the ministers' council to discuss the troubled land registry project, days before the Commission decides on the amount of money Greece must return from second Community Support Framework (CSF) funds originally earmarked for the project.

Barnier said last month that drafting for the land registry project was the subject of a Commission probe, while adding that when relevant services complete their examination they will propose future action on the issue.

Following his meeting in early November with then public works, town planning and environment Costas Laliotis, Barnier had called for the return of 100 million euros in Community funds because of various delays and irregularities plaguing Greece's much-needed land registry project.

He had also ruled out any more funding from Brussels to complete the current land registry phase and cited what he called a "lack of transparency" in implementing the massive project, something that has caused intense scrutiny by the Commission over the past few months.

According to the Commission, only one-fourth of the initial estimate to register land in Greece has been met -- namely, 8,440 sq. kilometers instead of 35,000 sq. kilometers - a target cited in the 1994-99 environment program.

Barnier, the EU Commissioner responsible for regional policy, also squarely pointed to the cost for registering the 8,440 square kilometers, saying it reached the 276-million-euro mark from an initial estimate of 130 million euros.

In precluding more EU funding to register the 8,440 sq. kilometers recorded so far, Barnier said additional money will have to come from national coffers, as the "continuation of the land registry project is a strategic challenge for town planning and the management of land in Greece."

Greece is one of the very few countries in Europe without an operation land registry.

[07] Defense minister announces restructuring of Armed Forces

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Papantoniou stressed that within the next five years the Armed Forces will hire 25,000 men that are required to reduce the tour of duty of conscripts to 12 months by 2003, while at the same time increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces.

The restructuring also involves changes in the technical infrastructure of the bases and logistics, the minister said, adding that Greek soldiers will not have to deal with preparing their food or cleaning their installations, as private contractors will undertake those tasks allowing the troops to concentrate on their training and combat readiness.

The changes will be funded by the development and exploitation of property owned by the Armed Forces.

The bills for the restructuring will be discussed in Parliament in January and February.

[08] Greek Armed Forces to reorganize, aiming to meet new challenges

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The minister stressed that the bill promotes all-branch cooperation in the framework of the Defense Strategy Review, which is aimed at confronting the Turkish threat that calls for strengthening the forces deployed in the Evros River region and the eastern Aegean islands.

The bill also aims at confronting problems of instability in the northern border region of Greece and especially that of illegal immigration, while the bill places emphasis on measures to combat terrorism, Papantoniou said.

He concluded that the Defense Strategy Review will be fully implemented over the next four to five years.

[09] Parliament ratifies amendments to its operation regulations

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Parliament ratified the changes as proposed by its President Apostolos Kaklamanis. Those changes regard 50 of the 175 articles of the Constitution, some of them introducing radical changes in the way Parliament conducts its business.

[10] Alternate FM addresses "dialogue of cultures" issue

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis addressed the event, noting that civilization stands in opposition to religious or ethnic fanaticism, violence and intolerance, conditions that often played a dominant role in historical developments.

"Europe, having had lived half a century in peace and development, today has to deal with the effort to peacefully unify a very wide space with many and different societies, cultures, religions, economies and values," the minister said.

In his conclusion the minister said that the dialogue between cultures is the key factor for stability and prosperity.

[11] ECB head Duisenberg receives ND leader

FRANKFURT, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Karamanlis arrived in Germany at the head of a high-ranking ND delegation.

"We had a very interesting discussion with the president of the European Central Bank today. This is a very significant moment for the European Union, the introduction of the common currency, the euro. In a few weeks it will be a reality for all of Europe's citizens, at least in the 'euro-zone'," Karamanlis said, while adding:

"The new common currency opens new significant opportunities for the European economy, and by extension, the Greek economy ... The important wager for Greece is how to make its economy more competitive, in order words, to achieve true convergence. That is what's at stake," he stressed.

[12] Institutional investors buy into PPC's stock offer

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The stake set aside in the IPO for institutionals has been covered and the sale appears to have been oversubscribed by at least once on the first day of the IPO that began on Tuesday and ends on Friday, the sources said.

The price to emerge from book building was slightly above the low end of an indicative range of 12.30 euros to 14.70 euros, they added.

Domestic retail investors made 2,000 requests for stocks on the first day of the sale, the sources said.

For privatization is about 15 percent of the company's stock after a share capital rise that is to be sold through the domestic IPO, a private placement to staff, and in the form of Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) on the London bourse.

Roadshows are being held to present the company to institutional investors that end on Friday when the sale ends.

The final price and number of shares for sale is likely to be finalized on December 10, based on demand in the two offers.

The decision to take the company to London's international market was taken after consultations between National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and senior executives of the PPC.

About 10 percent of the PPC's total stock for sale is in the form of existing shares belonging to the state, with roughly five percent to emerge from a share capital increase, and one percent to act as a 'green shoe' price stabilizer.

On offer are 12,000,000 new common shares from the share capital rise and 23,000,000 existing stocks, of which 3,700,000 are destined for private placement.

The state has an option of offering up to 2,320,000 existing shares for underwriters to help stabilize the stock price; and up to 4,680,000 existing shares to cover surplus demand.

Domestic retail investors have been offered a discount on the share price set for retail and institutional investors of up to three percent; plus one free share for every ten held for at least six months, with the ceiling on free shares set at 200.

Staff have a discount of 10 percent on the share price, plus one free share for each ten held for at least 12 months, again with a ceiling of 200 free shares.

The government had long ago declared its intention of arranging a partial flotation for the PPC, but a weak stock market and preparations for the sale delayed the move.

[13] National, Alpha Bank merger to cost 220 million euros

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Benefits from the merger will center on a rise in revenue by 85 million euros accompanied by a decline in operating costs by 200 million euros, each to be attained by 2005, the officials said.

The two banks' branch networks will operate in parallel until the end of 2002, with restructuring into a single network and establishment of a corporate identity due for completion by the middle of 2003.

A new organizational structure would be announced in about a month, which would reflect the strategic goals of the new bank to emerge, the officials said.

Among areas that will lower costs are information technology, through a unification of systems; the distribution network, through a rearrangement of the two existing networks; and credit policy, through centralized procedures in financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, consumers and mortgages, they added.

The new bank will have a presence in 18 countries with 374 units and 6,730 employees. The combined group will have a staff of 31,996 with a retail clientele of 6,200,000 and business clients totalling 83,000.

Combined assets are to total 79,635 million euros; loans, 33,734 million euros; deposits 65,578 million euros; and shareholders equity 5,281 million euros.

[14] European Commission on health in Greece

BRUSSELS, 06/12/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

This is stated in a European Commission document publicized here on Wednesday.

Expenditures for health in Greece amount to 8.4 percent of GDP. The highest expenditures for health appear in Germany with 10.3 percent of GDP, followed by France with 9.3 percent, while the lowest appear in Luxembourg with 6.1 percent and Britain with 6.9.

In Greece, public sector expenditures for health are the lowest in the EU with 56.3 percent of total health expenditures, while those of the private sector are the highest with 43.7 percent. Luxembourg comes first with 92.9 percent in public sector expenditures in health, followed by Britain with 83.3 percent, while Greece is followed in private expenditures by Portugal with 33.1 percent and the Netherlands with 31.5.

[15] Reppas: new pension system will still favor women more than men

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The minister did not clarify, however, whether future pension terms for women would be more or less favorable than the present system.

At the same time, he indirectly backed statements made by Deputy Labor Minister Rovertos Spyropoulos during an Athens seminar a few days ago, who had claimed that positive discrimination favoring women in the system was contrary to the principles of sexual equality.

Reppas also criticized those rushing to go into retirement before the government's pension reforms were instituted, saying that those who had done so had harmed their own interests.

"We do not intend to take anyone by surprise, we will discuss things at the right time and aim for mature and realistic changes. Our goal in social insurance will be to become fairer and more effective," he said.

[16] EU adopts Greek proposal on digital tech for smaller firms

BRUSSELS, 06/12/2001 (ANA / Y. Zitouniati)

Made at a meeting of the ministers in the Belgian capital, the proposal was included in the text of their decisions.

Tsohatzopoulos also told reporters after the session that the Greek government would send a bill to parliament early next year on a guarantees mechanism for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The minister also proposed the adoption of a network for the implementation of rules on competition in order to decentralize the execution of Community policy in the sector.

[17] Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact Parliamentary Assembly

SOFIA, 06/12/2001 (ANA - B. Borisov)

"Being a member of the European Union, NATO, the Council of Europe and a series of other international organizations, as well as a European, Balkan and Black Sea country, Greece is playing a leading role in the effort for the creation of a climate of stability, development and cooperation in our wider region. It will also do the same at the session of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact's Parliamentary Assembly," she said.

Addressing the parliamentary representatives of the 11 Economic Cooperation Pact member-states attending the 18th Parliamentary Assembly here, Arseni noted that stability is the keyword for this part of the world and underlined the particular importance of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact for the creation of a climate of security and stability for the effective handling of problems in the wider region before they turn into dangerous flashpoints.

The main issues dominating the two-day forum in the Bulgarian capital are the challenges resulting for the wider region by globalization and the responsibilities of Black Sea countries in combatting international terrorism.

[18] Gov't statistics service to assist in Russian census

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

A team of NSS officials will visit Moscow every three months until October 2002, when the census will be held, in order to prepare the project.

[19] Parliament committee ratifies 2002 state budget

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The main opposition continued to criticize the budget as "insincere" and the product of "creative accounting" and refused an invitation by Deputy Finance Minister Apostolos Fotiadis to vote in favor.

[20] Gov't counters ND charges over OA sale

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

"What does the main opposition want? For the tender not to have been called?" government spokesman Christos Protopappas asked at his regular press briefing.

He added the government is evaluating a second offer for OA following the closure of small, Athens-based Axon Airlines last week -- a one-time frontrunner to buy-out a majority stake in the state-run airline.

ND leader Costas Karamanlis charged on Tuesday that "OA's deplorable state today was molded in the government's image. OA's state comprises a reflection of the government ... In its weakness to promote necessary structural changes it falls back on improvisations later paid by the Greek economy, employees and taxpayers."

[21] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise after blue chip buying spree

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.76 percent to end at 2,703.08 points. Turnover was 152.38 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.81 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 0.97 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities 0.72 percent up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 239 to 73 with 48 issues remaining unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares were Piraeus Bank in a transfer of stock to Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) for the purchase of OTE Leasing, Coca Cola, OTE, Intracom, and Panafon.

Bond Market Close: Prices rise in moderate trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished higher in moderate trade again focusing on ten-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.03 percent, and the yield spread over German bunds was 42 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 1.9 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

Derivatives Market Close: Equity futures rise in low turnover: Equity futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Wednesday rose in lively trade after hitting a record low turnover in the previous session.

Changing hands were 4,971 contracts on turnover of 31.3 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.81 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.97 percent.

[22] ATHOC awards Red Cross for volunteerism

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Having Red Cross we feel safer. You are the most appropriate audience with which I can discuss volunteerism. To you, for something to be ready on time, means life while for us, for all to be ready on time, means prestige," Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said. On his part Red Cross Greek Chapter President Andreas Martinis said "you can count on our 'special forces'. We do not want to be sponsors. We do not want titles and medals. We are interested only in the success of the Olympic Games".

[23] Event held in Piraeus for volunteer work for Athens Olympiad

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Addressing the event, Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki said that "we should show the world who we are and what we can all do together." She noted that volunteer work was a basic element for the success of the Games, adding that "without Piraeus there can be no Olympic celebration."

PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Laliotis on his part said that "we want to show that the children of Piraeus are in the front line. We have only one possibility, to succeed."

The event was also addressed by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party Central Committee Secretary Evangelos Meimarakis.

[24] Actress Irene Papas elected "Woman of Europe"

BRUSSELS, 06/12/2001 (ANA - B. Demiris)

Papas was elected for her contribution in promoting European civilization throughout her artistic career and her initiatives for communication and cooperation of European artists and the promotion of the European cultural heritage.

Cypriot psychologist Stella Kyriakides and Spanish medical doctor Carmen Maroto came second and third respectively, among a total of 10 candidates.

Niki Goulandris was the last Greek to win the title in 1990.

Culture minister on Papas' award: The award presented to Greek actress Irene Papas by the Inter-national Association for the promotion of the rights of women in Europe is not an honor for Greek women alone, but for modern Greek civilization, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said on Wednesday.

"It is important for a person that denotes the meaning of Greek-ness to be promoted," Venizelos said, in a written statement to the press.

[25] Exhibition by Russian artists at Benaki Museum

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

"For 70 years Russian artists were unable to preoccupy themselves with Russian religious paintings and icons because artists did not function ecclesiastically. Now this cycle is opening again and it is being supported by the church," Russian Ambassador to Athens Mikhail Bocharnikov said on Wednesday.

"You shall see Orthodoxy with the eyes of the Byzantium," he said, adding that the exhibition "expresses in a very successful way the spiritual and cultural relation between the Russian and Greek people."

[26] Award given to Greek-American foundation in Boston

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

Philoxenia House is a foundation and hostel founded in 1986 by Metropolitan Methodios. Its installations provide board and lodging for patients and their escorts from Greece, Cyprus and other countries who are in the U.S. for health reasons.

It is supported financially by the church, the aid funds for the poor and Greek expatriates of Massachusetts, while a group of expatriates provide their personal work for its organization and functioning.

The award was delivered by former deputy minister George Lianis in the presence of Press Minister Christos Protopappas and Greek government and ERT officials.

[27] Athens mayor lights up Syntagma Square Christmas tree

Athens, 06/12/2001 (ANA)

The Christmas tree is 40 meters high, it is decorated with 100,000 lights and has ecological fir tree branches which are imitations of real ones.

Festive events started at Syntagma Square on Wednesday afternoon with Christmas carols by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.

Meanwhile, Athens municipality workers have placed over 4,000 decorative stars and lights at 60 main motorways and squares in Athens.

[28] First visit of Cyprus President to Turkish occupied areas in 27 years

NICOSIA, 06/12/2001 (CNA/ANA)

The president arrived at Denktash's house, situated right next to the so-called "presidential palace" of the self-styled regime in the

Turkish-occupied north, at eight o'clock sharp. Denktash was waiting for him on the steps, where the two leaders shook hands and posed for photographs. President Clerides was riding in a black Audi, not his usual presidential vehicle, escorted by his personal guard, and without the Republic of Cyprus emblem.

At the Ledra Palace checkpoint, from where the president entered the Turkish-occupied areas, Turkish Cypriot women involved in bicommunal activities were standing holding candles, while others raised banners reading "Peace for a common homeland".

As the president's car was driven through the checkpoint, the Turkish Cypriot women released doves.

On his arrival at Denktash's home, President Clerides was met at his car by the Turkish Cypriot leader's adviser, Ergun Olgun, under about 200 pairs of eyes belonging to Greek Cypriot, Turkish Cypriot, Turkish and other foreign reporters.

The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, had already arrived for the dinner.

A common personal friend of Clerides and Denktash, Necati Munir Erpegun, was also invited.

No statements were made after the dinner which ended about two-and-a-half hours later.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Clerides and Denktash had their first face-to-face meeting in four years on Tuesday in Nicosia, after which de Soto, who attended the meeting, announced direct talks scheduled for mid-January in Cyprus, with no preconditions, all issues on the table, negotiations until a comprehensive settlement is achieved and no agreement until everything is agreed.

Government pleased with National Council deliberations: Earlier in the day, a two-hour meeting was held of the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the Cyprus issue.

After the Council meeting, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou told reporters he would not go into detail on the discussion about the dinner which Denktash was to host.

"I will not go into the details of the discussion and the views expressed by the parties but I have no difficulty in expressing the government's satisfaction about the atmosphere that prevailed at the meeting and the way it was conducted." Papapetrou said.

The spokesman said some party leaders did suggest that the president should not attend the dinner in Turkish-occupied Nicosia, at Denktash's invitation who was hosting the dinner at his residence in honor of de Soto.

At the Council session on Wednesday the president briefed party leaders about Tuesday's meeting with Denktash. Council members exchanged views, outlined their positions and will meet again on 18 and 19 of the month, the spokesman said.

Responding to criticism that Tuesday's agreement for direct talks does not secure the UN framework for these talks, Papapetrou reiterated the government's view that this issue has been dealt with in the joint statement, issued after Tuesday's meeting, and stressed that the peace process continues to take place within the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General, as this is defined by UN resolutions. Questioned on Wednesday morning's meeting between the president and de Soto, the spokesman said they exchanged views about preparations for the start of direct talks early next year.

He described as "positive" Denktash's remarks that talks should be continuous and conclude by June 2002, adding that the government agrees with that approach.

EU welcomes direct talks, but says it is too early to be euphoric: The EU welcomes and encourages Tuesday's decision by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to proceed with direct talks on the Cyprus question starting mid-January, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belgium Annemie Neyts said in Nicosia on Wednesday but added that this development does not necessarily guarantee success.

"It is much too young still to be euphoric, we can only say that the meeting is a courageous step for both gentlemen and the decision to proceed is a very brave decision but that does not guarantee success", Neyts told the press after a meeting here with Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides.

Invited to say whether the EU will consider postponing Cyprus' accession to the EU if the talks go well, the Belgian official said the EU sticks by the Helsinki conclusions and the conclusions of the latest report by the Commission on the stage of the negotiations.

Asked whether, after this development, the EU will upgrade Turkey's EU candidacy, she said several developments are encouraging and that might lead to a more positive approach towards Turkey's candidacy.

During their meeting, Kasoulides and Neyts had the opportunity to discuss Cyprus' progress in its accession course, as well as the stage of preparation for the declaration on the future of Europe and the role that Cyprus will be called upon to play in this preparation.

Neyts is currently visiting candidate countries to brief them on behalf of the EU presidency on enlargement issues, as well as the debate on the future of Europe.

Cyprus opened accession negotiations with the EU in April 1998 and has so far provisionally closed 23 out of 29 chapters under negotiation. It is considered to be the front-runner among the 12 candidate countries.

Britain welcomes agreement for direct talks:

Britain has welcomed Tuesday's agreement between Clerides and Denktash to begin direct talks early next year, under UN aegis, with a view to finding a comprehensive settlement.

"We welcome the outcome of this first meeting between the two leaders and the decision for direct negotiations without preconditions," Jonathan Allen, spokesman for the British High Commission in Nicosia told CNA, invited to comment on the agreement.

He said "we will continue to give our full support to the UN Secretary General and all those working for a just, viable and lasting solution."

The agreement was welcomed by the UN, the European Union, the US and others, expressing hope it could lead to an overall settlement before Cyprus' anticipated accession to the EU.

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