Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-05-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU makes final decision on fate & status of 13 Palestinians

[02] Euro-Med forum begins on holiday isle; FM welcomes delegations

[03] Spanish FM expresses certainty on Euroarmy solution

[04] PM to meet Cyprus president, party leaders this week

[05] Foreign minister to visit United States this week

[06] Premier focuses on reforms in administration in meeting of reform council

[07] ND slams gov't for bad handling of foreign policy; gov't spokesman reacts

[08] Deputy FM Loverdos meets Russian Deputy Development Minister Borisov

[09] President Stephanopoulos visits outlying islands north of Corfu

[10] Parliament president meets Slovenian, Bosnian counterparts

[11] Former king 'hypocritical' about wanting to visit Greece, gov't spokesman says

[12] Culture minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart

[13] Deputy FM, Christodoulos discuss aid to Palestinian areas

[14] Adriatic-Ionian parliament presidents hold conference in Athens

[15] EU sports ministers hold informal summit in Spain

[16] Adriatic and Ionian Initiative to hold ministerial meeting

[17] Greece pledges to help draft integrated plan for SE Europe development

[18] Regional cooperation is the key to establish stability, SBBE says

[19] Development minister meets Chinese government delegation

[20] Greece shows rise in productivity, EU says

[21] Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling to seek NYSE listing

[22] ASE ends above 2,400 level on Monday

[23] ATHOC president to discuss Olympiad with PM on Tuesday

[24] Gov't promises suburban rail line ready by 2004 Games

[25] Athens ring-road to be completed for 2004 Olympics

[26] Greek, Serb, Romanian, Bulgarian Orthodox hold joint Te Deum in Vienna

[27] Culture Minister Venizelos inaugurates 25th Book Fair in Athens

[28] News radio programs in 12 languages by Greek state radio

[29] President to have wide-ranging discussions in Athens

[30] Government: we keep different issues separately

[31] Competition chapter basically closed, Vassiliou announces

[01] EU makes final decision on fate & status of 13 Palestinians

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The announcement was made by Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique from the Aegean island of Mykonos, on the sidelines of a Euro-Mediterranean forum which commenced on Monday.

Pique said that the permanent representatives of the EU member-states agreed on Monday evening in Brussels on practical and legal issues concerning the transfer of the Palestinians from Cyprus to EU countries.

Pique said that a Spanish military airplane was expected to arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday to transport 12 of the 13 Palestinians. On its way from Cyprus the plane will make a stop-over in Athens to leave two of them. The plane will then continue to Italy where it will leave three, before arriving in Madrid which will host three Palestinians. From there on, two of them will head for Ireland, one to Portugal and one to Belgium.

The Spanish foreign minister and current EU president underlined the ''flexible'' role of Greece and the important role of Cyprus in this issue.

On his part, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou stressed that it was a very important political decision by the EU and was the result of close cooperation by the EU presidency with Greece and Cyprus.

[02] Euro-Med forum begins on holiday isle; FM welcomes delegations

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Following a tour of the unique archaeological sites on the tiny island of Delos, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou welcomed the 11 national delegations.

He noted the symbolic significance of the visit to Delos, a veritable outdoor museum only a short boat trip from cosmopolitan Mykonos that is inhabited year-round only archaeologists, by stressing the principle of respect for “open societies”, diversity and multi-cultural societies.

“Here, at the brightest spot in the Medi-terranean, as archaeologists tell us, ancient Greek tradition became the product by which Hellenism communicated with other civilizations through exchanges and open horizons,” the Greek FM said.

Turning to the domestic front, Papandreou denied reports citing differences within the government itself over foreign policy issues, while adding that policy decisions are taken collectively, with “complete coordination and in close cooperation with the prime minister”.

Moreover, he emphasized that the thorny “Euro-Army” issue remains open as far as Greece is concerned, and that negotiations are continuing.

Finally, Papandreou declined to answer questions regarding various scenarios concerning a possible leadership change in neighboring Turkey due to Turkish Prime Minister’s Bulent Ecevit’s recent illness. He simply wished the Turkish premier a speedy recovery, while merely noting that what Athens wants is Greek-Turkish relations based on the principles of International Law.

[03] Spanish FM expresses certainty on Euroarmy solution

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The ministers were speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Euro-Mediterranean forum being held on the Aegean island of Mykonos.

Pique expressed certainty that a solution will be found to the European army issue and expressed ''understanding'' for the Greek government's concerns to which, as he said, ''we shall try to give some answers.''

He avoided any comment on possible changes to the Ankara text.

On his part, Papandreou referred to the issue of the ''EU-NATO Contact Code'', saying that it is an idea under discussion and processing.

''We have many ideas. We are discussing them and I wish to thank my colleague Josep and the Spanish Presidency for all it is doing to help. It is a difficult problem. We shall find solutions which shall take into consideration Greek as well as wider European interests,'' Papandreou said.

Papandreou said there will be no announcements until results are achieved.

[04] PM to meet Cyprus president, party leaders this week

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

On Tuesday at 10:30 the prime minister will start the day by meeting Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, followed by a noon meeting with the head of the Athens Olympics organizing team, Yianna Angelopoulos.

Since Tuesday is the premier's name day, he will be receiving the public at his offices between 19:00 and 21:30.

On Wednesday, apart from his regular briefing of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Simitis will start the day by chairing a government meeting to prepare for his visit to the Greek prefectures of Fthiotida and Evrytania, while at 11:00 he will chair a meeting of PASOK's Parliamentary Group.

On Wednesday evening Simitis will have a meeting with Foreign Minister George Papandreou, while immediately afterwards at 19:30 he will receive visiting Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides.

Thursday's meeting of the cabinet, chaired by the premier, will focus on sustainable development, the Kyoto agreement and preparations for the summer months, while in the evening Simitis will discuss the implementation of the 3rd Community Support Framework with the leadership of the finance ministry.

Successive meetings for Simitis with the leaders of the opposition parties, during which the prime minister will brief them on major foreign policy issues, have been arranged for Friday morning.

Simitis will begin by meeting main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis at 10:30, Communist Party of Greece General Secretary Aleka Papariga at 11:15 and Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos at noon.

At the weekend, the prime minister will embark on a tour of Fthiotida and Evrytania, where he will deliver a speech at Lamia on Saturday and at Karpennisi on Sunday morning.

Gov't spokesman comments on PM's planned meetings with party leaders: Commenting on the meetings between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the heads of the political parties planned for later this week, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Monday that these would focus on major foreign policy issues that were currently at a critical phase.

''We have reached a time at which decisions have to be made on major issues such as the Cyprus problem and the European force...It is natural that the prime minister should want to meet with the leaders of the political parties and discuss the developments with them, so as to create the necessary unity and point out the need for the parties to take action to defend Greece's interests,'' he said.

[05] Foreign minister to visit United States this week

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

On Wednesday, meanwhile, the foreign minister is to meet visiting Cypriot politician Yiannakis Omirou, head of the island republic's KISOS party, while he and Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis will both be present during a meeting between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides later the same day.

On the day after his arrival in Boston, Papandreou is to travel to Washington, where he will meet US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and high-ranking officials at the US State Department, the National Security Council and the Pentagon.

The Greek minister will not be meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell or White House National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice during his visit, since they will both be accompanying US President George Bush on a trip to Moscow.

Beglitis said that Papandreou's talks in Washington would focus on developments in the Middle East, the Cyprus issue, issues pertaining to relations between the European Union and NATO, European security and defense policy, the Greek EU presidency and Iraq.

After visiting the US, the Greek foreign minister will travel to Rome to accompany the Greek prime minister at the emergency NATO-Russia summit.

[06] Premier focuses on reforms in administration in meeting of reform council

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

''Now municipalities and prefectures have the ability to become places of creative intervention and effective management,'' he said, to the event that took place in Zappeion Hall in Athens, with the participation of Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, representatives of political parties and of the public administration.

Simitis focused on changes that took place in the restructuring of the local administrations and outlined the future policies of the government in that sector, stressing the changes that should be made to establish transparency.

''The funds that are paid by Greek taxpayers, as well as the taxes collected by the local governments themselves from local communities should be spent with strict regulations of transparency. The era of waste, of taking care of our own, as well as the era of the disgusting and unacceptable 'bureaucratic speed-stamp' should end once and for all,'' the premier stressed.

The newly amended constitution mandates the controls and checks of spending by the local governments, which now is done by the Council of Controllers and it has been decided to extend the controls on origin of assets owned by the officials and personnel of the local governments, the premier said.

He stressed that the inadequacies of the functions of local governments have caused Greece to pay fines to the European Union, concerning bad management or deficiencies in handling of cases that are the responsibility of the local governments.

The premier also focused on the processes of new hires by the public sector, which were amended recently causing a row on the part of the opposition.

He said that the issue was connected with misinformation that argued that the Supreme Council for Personnel Recruitment (ASEP) would be abolished, stressing that the opposite was taking place.

''We insist in supporting ASEP. A system, however, that exists for some time needs adjustments. A state service can not wait for two, three or five years to hire new employees, since the aim we have in introducing this system is then negated, a system that has to be competitive, fast, effective and one that controls the abilities of the candidates,'' he said.

Interior minister outlines reforms in public administration: The establishment of an administration with aims and the steps that were taken or are underway, were outlined by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis, during his address, on Monday, to the National Council of Administrative Reform (ESDM).

Speaking to the event that took place in Zappeion Hall in Athens, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and with the participation of representatives of political parties and of the public administration, Skandalidis stressed the objectives of his policies.

He noted that decentralization of responsibilities to the country's regions, the establishment of new regional organizations, the completion of the state employee registry, as well as the completion of the state one-point service offices were the main points of the reform.

One his part, Prefecture Administrations Association President Theodoros Katrivanos stressed that he disagreed in part, with the criticism against the local authorities and blamed the indecisiveness of the government in the way it views the local governments.

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) representative Manolis Antonopoulos spoke of multiplicity of laws concerning the issue of corruption, saying that there are eight laws for this problem and now a ninth is coming to be added to those.

Supreme Civil Servants’ Administrative Council (ADEDY) representative Spyros Papaspyros noted that, since 1974, 40 different laws were enacted aiming to modernize the state, but none dealt with the human resources.

[07] ND slams gov't for bad handling of foreign policy; gov't spokesman reacts

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The meeting focused on an invitation from Prime Minister Costas Simitis to Karamanlis and other political party leaders to meet on Friday and discuss developments in issues such as the Cyprus problem or the planned European force.

On this last issue, in particular, Karamanlis accused the government of displaying inertia, which had led to the 'Ankara document' and the problems associated with this.

Turkey has blocked the sharing of military assets between the EU and NATO on the grounds that the force might be used against its interests in the Aegean and on Cyprus.

He described Simitis' invitation to meet as a change of stance and said he had accepted it because ND believed in maintaining a united front on major foreign policy issues.

''However, a responsible prime minister does not become aware of the need for national unity and understanding only after his wrong handling has led to dangerous and irreversible situations for the security and territorial rights of the country,'' he added.

He identified the Cyprus issue and the island's EU accession, as well as Greek-Turkish relations as other problem areas where the government's policies had not had the desired effect.

Responding to Karamanlis, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the main opposition leader's statements ran counter to a spirit of national unity.

''So shortly before important decisions on major issues for the nation must be made, we shall not follow him. The interests of the country come first,'' the spokesman stressed.

[08] Deputy FM Loverdos meets Russian Deputy Development Minister Borisov

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

It was agreed that the next meeting of the Greece-Russia Fourth Joint Interministerial Committee will be held in Moscow in November.

A basic prerequisite of this meeting is the finalization by a group of experts from the two sides by July of a list of Greek products and services which will enter Russia in implementation of the offset benefit agreement of 1988 concerning natural gas.

[09] President Stephanopoulos visits outlying islands north of Corfu

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The president congratulated them on their decision to stick it out and stay on the islands, describing them as 'guardians' of the outlying territories, and said the state was making efforts to support the continued residence of people on such islands.

[10] Parliament president meets Slovenian, Bosnian counterparts

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The discussion with Slovenian Parliament President Borat Pachor focused on European Union enlargement. Kaklamanis said Greece supports Slovenia's accession, as well as that of all candidate countries, which will have completed accession negotiations successfully.

However, Kaklamanis said the Greek Parliament will not ratify the accession of countries to the EU unless the first group includes Cyprus which, as already acknowledged, has all the necessary preconditions.

Talks with the presidents of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Upper and Lower Houses Nikola Spiric and Mariozil Lubic centered on the course of the country's development and accession to international organizations.

Kaklamanis accepted an official invitation by the two presidents to visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, saying that Greece is the best ambassador of southeastern European countries both in the EU and NATO.

[11] Former king 'hypocritical' about wanting to visit Greece, gov't spokesman says

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

According to the spokesman, all that was now at stake for Constantine was the money since the Greek state's ownership of the land and property of the former royal estate in Tatoi had been recognized.

''It must be made clear that the former king is interested in the money and we would like to believe that the decision of the European Court that is still outstanding will accord with the positions presented by Greece,'' he said.

Regarding Constantine's desire to visit Greece, Protopapas pointed out that he could come during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as a member of the International Olympic family (Constantine is an Olympic-medal winner), or at any other time if he traveled under the passport of a European country.

Otherwise, the former royal would have to initiate a process to apply for a surname, he concluded.

[12] Culture minister holds talks with Chinese counterpart

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Venizelos, who termed cultural cooperation between Greece and China as excellent, said that a new educational exchanges protocol will be signed between the two countries in the coming days.

He thanked Jiazheng for the Chinese government's stance on the issue of the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece.

The Greek minister also referred to China's participation in the Cultural Olympiad and to its hosting of the Olympic Games in 2008.

[13] Deputy FM, Christodoulos discuss aid to Palestinian areas

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Afterwards, outside Christodoulos’ office, the deputy FM said both the Greek government and the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece are cooperating as best they can on such initiatives.

Moreover, Loverdos said the government is eyeing an initial figure of US$ 568,000 in aid, along with a “separate initiative by the Church”.

[14] Adriatic-Ionian parliament presidents hold conference in Athens

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

This was the second conference of its kind and took place in the Greek Parliament with the participation of the parliament presidents of Greece, Albania, Bosnia, Croatia, Italy, Slovenia and Yugoslavia and was entitled ''Regional cooperation and the Future of Europe''.

Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis spoke of the strong role parliaments can play and the powerful benefits that can be derived for the participating countries in a period of ''drastic change'' in the international, European and regional environment.

[15] EU sports ministers hold informal summit in Spain

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

By virtue of a proposal submitted by Exarchos at the previous sports ministers' summit in Brussels in March 2002, Europe succeeded in being entitled to five additional seats at the World Association's board (3 seats will belong to member-states and two to non-members).

The three EU member-states, following an agreement reached at the informal summit, will be represented by the troika countries (the former, current and next presiding EU country).

Consequently, Greece will have representatives at the World Anti-Doping Association's board from July 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003.

Meanwhile the secretary general made a request, which was unanimously accepted, that Greece's representative be allowed to stay at the WADA until the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

On the question of education year, Exarchos made a briefing on Greece's programs and actions on Olympic education in light of 2004.

Moreover, Greece gave a positive opinion on the introduction of a special article on sports in the EU's treaty.

[16] Adriatic and Ionian Initiative to hold ministerial meeting

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis will be presiding over the Initiative's meeting in which seven countries are participating (Greece, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Italy and Slovenia, while the EU's Commission will also be attending).

The initiative, launched two years ago, focuses on the sectors of democratic institutions and regional economic cooperation while, among others, it also examines issues concerning environmental energy, tourism, public order and culture.

[17] Greece pledges to help draft integrated plan for SE Europe development

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Addressing the opening of the two-day 9th Thessaloniki Forum in the northern Greek capital, Greece's national economy and finance minister Nikos Christodoulakis said that the goal of the above initiative was to bring before the international organizations a specific proposal containing prioritized and cost-budgeted actions that would contribute to ''transferring interest to developmental matters''.

The Plan, he added, ''should incorporate the priorities of each country and seek fields of cooperation and mutual benefit''.

Christodoulakis said such an integrated plan would be instrumental in tackling the main cause of the region's delayed development, which he attributed to the region's break-up into relatively small economies, which not enabling the operation of an extensive regional trade and investments, nor allowed the development of scale economies in production, thus discouraging foreign investments.

SE Europe needed to advance cross-border trade and regional cooperation, the minister said, adding that the European Union could substantially assist the cause of Balkan development given that the people's of the region shared future EU accession as their common vision and target.

Christodoulakis said that the EU should immediately open up its markets to imports from the Balkans, and this liberalization should also include the industrial products subject to certain non-tax-related obstacles, while it should also assist the Balkan countries in adapting their production to the demanding technical and hygiene requirements of the EU.

Addressing the same conference, Macedonia-Thrace minister George Paschalidis noted that although the reconstruction of the SE European countries had begun, there was still a long road ahead and greater funding generosity was required, while the process of those countries' EU accession needed to be speeded up.

Paschalidis warned that a possible reduction of interest in the region's reconstruction, particularly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the US and the ''bloody April 2002 in the Middle East'', would be an ''unforgivable mistake''.

''If we give in to the 'half-finished syndrome', the hot spots will be rekindled, resulting in our (the region's) entering once again the vicious circle of instability,'' he warned.

Commenting on the slow course of Reconstruction to date, he said that ''the picture of the past three years obliges us to think of ways to 'reconstruct the Reconstruction'''.

He said that the many sides involved in the Reconstruction had differing ideas and definitions in their minds when speaking of Reconstruction, thus resulting in the deficiency of resources, the unequal ratio between public and private sector, the inconsistency among the various actions, and the time-consuming decision-taking process.

ND leader voices criticism against gov't on Balkan reconstruction plan: ''Every year the famous Greek plan was announced, only to make every word about the Greek economic aid a cold Balkan joke,'' main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis said on Monday, addressing the 9th Thessaloniki Forum organized by the Union of Northern Greece's Industries (SBBE) and the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce.

He criticized the government's Balkan policy, saying that it could not be convincing about Greece's vision, it could not move in open horizons, it could not show effectiveness, it could not respond to the tempos demanded by the new era and even more so by the new reality in this region.

Karamanlis also spoke of the ''inability'' of government officials to cooperate, ''which resulted in delays'', adding that consequently there were complaints from neighboring countries.

''We lost time, credibility, we missed opportunities during a critical period for the future of the Balkans,'' he said, forecasting that Greece would not be ready to pay out funds in June, as was announced.

Concerning the European Union's actions in the region, Karamanlis said that it has the obligation to support more actively the efforts of peoples in the region for development, progress and democracy, to help so that there may be immediate and solid results.

''The strategy and the aid of the EU should aim unwaveringly at supporting cooperation between all the states of the region,'' he stressed, adding that the states of southeastern Europe need to respond faster, with more boldness and flexibility to the challenges before them.

Greece a model for its Balkan neighbors, U.S. ambassador says: ''Greece is the model for its neighbors,'' U.S. Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller said on Monday at the 9th Thessaloniki Forum, organized by the Union of Northern Greece's Industries (SBBE) and the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce.

He called Greece the engine of the Balkans and welcomed the Greek initiative for the restructuring of the Balkans, also lauding the agreement signed between Greece and Turkey regarding the illegal trafficking of people.

He also stressed the need for the continuation of efforts in the battle against organized crime in the region.

The Ambassadors of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Ljupco Arsovski and of Romania Caius Traian Dragomir, as well as Bulgaria's Deputy Finance Minister M. Kerementzev spoke of their countries' economies and presented positive indexes of development, while adding that their governments were ready to present specific programs for funding by the Greek Balkan reconstruction plan.

On his part, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressed that the Olympic Games were an occasion for the modernization of infrastructures in Greece, adding that the budget for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games stood at 4.5 billion euros, of which 50 per cent was to be spent in interventions outside Athens.

[18] Regional cooperation is the key to establish stability, SBBE says

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Addressing a 9th Thessaloniki Forum, organized by SBBE and the Hellenic-American Chamber, Mr. Symeonides said that ''the most significant progress made in the region last year was establishing democracy in most countries, although the region still had a long way to go to achieve the levels of democratic stability and social-economic development of EU member-states.''

He noted that although most economic indices in the region were moving towards the right direction, none of the region economies could be characterized as healthy or fully stable. Symeonides said that trade was steadily growing, although not equally distributed among all regions, and with intra-regional trade remaining at very low levels, accounting for 7.0 percent total regional trade.

Per capita gross domestic product also varied widely, ranging from 1,300 euros in Albania to 4,500 euros in Croatia.

Symeonides noted that all economies were facing a series of unstable factors, such as excessive informal economy, corruption and organized crime, limited tax income, insufficient legal and administrative environment to attract foreign investments.

SBBE's chairman, however, expressed his optimism that EU's plans to seek closer interconnection with Southeast European markets in energy, transport and telecommunications would give a more positive prospect to the region.

Stephanos Costopoulos, chairman of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, said that ''despite even some spectacular progresses made in the region, we still are far from feeling satisfied. We must, however, remain optimistic and not forget that we are talking about a market of 11 countries with a population of 136 million people, more than one third of the EU's total.''

[19] Development minister meets Chinese government delegation

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The two sides agreed on the creation of a new cultural and development cooperation committee which will oversee a series of bilateral issues such as the development of culture, tourism, training, research, cooperation for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and energy networks.

At the same time, decision was also reached for the renewal of the operation of the two existing cooperation committees (economic-commercial-industrial and research-technology).

The Chinese side announced to the Greek side that Greece is a chosen destination for Chinese tourists which means that there will be an increase of tourists to Greece in the coming years.

Tsohatzopoulos accepted an invitation by Lanqing to visit China soon.

Also included in the Chinese delegation were Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng, Deputy Education Minister Yuan Guiren and Deputy Science and Technology Minister Deng Nan.

Following their meeting with Tsohatzopoulos, the Chinese delegation was received by Prime Minister Costas Simitis and later visited the National Technology Network and the Athens Town Hall.

On Tuesday afternoon the Chinese officials will visit President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis. In the morning they were be given a tour of Corinth, Epidauros and Nafplion.

[20] Greece shows rise in productivity, EU says

BRUSSELS, 21/05/2002 (ANA - G. Daratos)

Set for official release on Wednesday, the report sounds a warning to European companies that productivity, overall, is showing a lower rate of growth, posing a threat to competitiveness of the EU's economy, especially versus the US.

"Not all EU countries have shown the same drop at the same time in productivity rates, and countries such as Greece, Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Portugal and Sweden have raised their productivity in recent years, matching and often overtaking the US' performance," the report said.

Productivity levels in Greece, Austria and Ireland showed a rise throughout 2001, the report added.

[21] Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling to seek NYSE listing

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling said its net results turned from a pro-forma loss of 122 million euros in 1999 to a profit of 1.6 million euros in 2001.

The company also said that it has been cleared from seven out of a total of nine accusations charged by the competition commission and that an original penalty of one billion drachmas imposed by the commission was reduced to 500 million drachmas.

Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling's shareholders approved a share capital increase plan raising its nominal share value to 0.31 euros and approved payment of a 0.18 euros per share dividend to shareholders.

[22] ASE ends above 2,400 level on Monday

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The index rose 0.53 percent to end at 2,402.07 points, surpassing the 2,400 level for the first time since March 11 (2,436 points).

The Greek bourse easily absorbed some profit taking with the help of an improved turnover, which totalled 127.4 million euros.

The Construction, Holding and Insurance sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.79 percent, 2.43 percent and 1.50 percent, respectively), while Food-Beverage, Cement and Textile sectors suffered losses (0.26 percent, 0.25 percent and 0.08 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.55 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.85 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index increased 0.88 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 205 to 110 with another 47 issues unchanged.

Among the most heavily traded shares in value were Public Power Corporation, National Bank of Greece, Alfa Alfa, Klonatex and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange on Monday ended mixed with paper based on the high capitalization index showing a discount of around 0.80 percent and on the medium cap index a premium of 0.5-1.0 percent, traders said.

Turnover was 64.9 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.55 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks rose 0.85 percent.

Bond prices rise in heavy trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Monday finished higher in heavy trade focusing on five-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.52 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 2.5 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of trade.

[23] ATHOC president to discuss Olympiad with PM on Tuesday

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Daskalaki will brief Simitis on her visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Executive Committee and the Union of National Olympic Committees will be jointly convening.

On his part, Simitis will inform her of his decisions regarding projects in the Athens district of Goudi, since the prime minister is due to chair a meeting on Monday night, with the participation of Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou and other government officials, to examine problems facing the project, as well as its increased budget.

As has already been announced, Badminton facilities will be created on land belonging to the defense ministry at Goudi, while the modern pentathlon will also be hosted on the premises.

In another development, Daskalaki appeared to be annoyed over an initiative by Deputy Education Minister Eleni Kourkoula to present the emblem of the Olympic Education Program without informing ATHOC, as she should have and according to an announcement by ATHOC.

[24] Gov't promises suburban rail line ready by 2004 Games

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

At a press conference in downtown Athens, Transport Minister Christos Verelis, however, noted that an all-important rolling stock deal with the Skaramanga Shipyards is overdue, before blaming the delay on an ownership change at the previously wholly state-owned enterprise in west Attica.

In case of further delays in terms of rolling stock, Verelis said the government’s contingency plan is to lease engines and cabs during the Games’ holding in August 2004, a prospect he said has been presented to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

[25] Athens ring-road to be completed for 2004 Olympics

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

Sections of the ring road are being opened to traffic as they are built, a process that will continue until the final stretch is ready, Papandreou told reporters.

The minister was leading an all-party delegation of deputies on a tour of the ring road, which is to total about 70 kilometers in length and link 30 municipalities outside the city.

[26] Greek, Serb, Romanian, Bulgarian Orthodox hold joint Te Deum in Vienna

VIENNA, 21/05/2002 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Austria and Exarch of Hungary and Mideurope Michail officiated the doxology, with the participation of Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Central Europe Konstantin, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of Central Europe Seraphim and Bulgarian Orthodox Metropolitan of Western and Central Europe Simeon.

Representatives from the Jerusalem Patriarchate and that of Antioch, along with the Greek Ambassador in Austria Christos Alexandris and members of the Greek community in Vienna were present also.

In their common declaration the four churches noted that they would work together to promote the Ecumenical Dialogue and to continue their cooperation.

[27] Culture Minister Venizelos inaugurates 25th Book Fair in Athens

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The minister also announced two new institutions underway in Thessaloniki, an international exhibition at HELLEXPO with the participation of countries from southeastern Europe, and a Balkan translation center which will translate Greek books into Balkan languages and vice versa.

Venizelos also announced that Greece will be the theme country in 2004 at the book exhibition in Turin, the city which will host the next Winter Olympic Games.

Exhibited at the book fair are 40,000 book titles by 300 publishers.

The fair was attended by political party representatives and foreign ambassadors, while Prime Minister Costas Simitis sent a message of greetings.

[28] News radio programs in 12 languages by Greek state radio

Athens, 21/05/2002 (ANA)

The daily program broadcasting on AM 1386 is entitled new radio 'Philia' (Friendship) and it is the full blown version of a pilot program that began two years ago and was realized by ERA 5 the ''Voice of Greece''.

The new program aims to serve the one million immigrants from 121 countries from around the world that live in Greece.

The program also includes weekend broadcasts of ethnic music and live briefings from non-governmental organizations, such as the Doctors of the World and the Doctors Without Borders that provide medical advice.

Press and Media Minister Christos Protopapas on Monday inaugurated these new programs.

[29] President to have wide-ranging discussions in Athens

NICOSIA, 21/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

''At the meeting all parameters and all aspects of the Cyprus question will be covered. We shall discuss various scenarios that we may have to deal with in the future,'' government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Monday.

This is the first time the president is going to Athens for talks with Simitis since the start of direct talks in mid January in Nicosia.

In the Greek capital, Clerides will meet his Greek counterpart Kostis Stephanopoulos and have talks in the evening with Simitis before sitting at a working dinner hosted by the Greek premier.

The president will visit Archbishop Chrysostomos, head of the Cyprus church, who is in hospital in Athens recuperating from injuries he sustained from a fall last month.

Papapetrou said that the president may also have other meetings with the Greek political leadership.

Clerides, who will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and other aides, returns home Thursday.

[30] Government: we keep different issues separately

NICOSIA, 21/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

He also said that at this stage the Greek Cypriot side focuses its attention on working until the end of June to conclude an agreement on the core issues (governance, security, territory and property).

''The government neither wishes nor associates different issues. What we have before us at present is hard work until the end of June to reach an agreement on the core issues that make up the Cyprus problem, (governance, security, territory and property)'' Papapetrou said at his daily press briefing.

He said the government considers that ''a political settlement and Cyprus' accession to the EU are two things that are not linked together'', as this is outlined in the EU decision in Helsinki, that says a solution would facilitate accession but it is not a precondition.

On Cyprus' involvement in the creation of an EU rapid deployment force, he said this was a separate issue. Greece and Turkey are at odds on this matter, following an Anglo-American document backed by Ankara saying that the Aegean and Cyprus should be exempt from any future deployment of this force.

Asked if there are attempts to see some issues mature towards the end of this year at a time when decisions on Cyprus' accession are expected to be taken, the spokesman replied ''there is an obvious attempt to act in this direction, but surely not from us.''

Various interested parties seem to favor an extension of the UN-led direct talks until autumn or even December when the EU is due to invite those candidate countries it considers ready to join the Union. Cyprus has closed 27 out of 30 chapters it is negotiating with the EU.

Replying to questions on the peace talks, he said Kofi Annan called on both sides to put aside issues of their status at the talks (which Turkish Cypriot leader insists on) and move decisively with discussions on the core issues with a view at reaching an agreement on them by the end of June.

[31] Competition chapter basically closed, Vassiliou announces

NICOSIA, 21/05/2002 (CNA/ANA)

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