Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-12-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cyprus settlement before EU summit preferred, but not a condition for accession

[02] Athens: All possibilities for Cyprus solution must be exhausted

[03] Papandreou: No EU state wants Cyprus' accession linked to political problem

[04] FM says Cyprus' EU accession a given fact

[05] UN Secretary General responds to Clerides'-Denktash's proposals

[06] PM to depart for Copenhagen on Wednesday

[07] Visiting Europarliament president Cox discusses Cyprus, Turkey with Karamanlis

[08] Greek Commissioner: EU will have the final word on any Cyprus solution

[09] Washington Post editorial calls this one ''Turkey's Week''

[10] Athens reiterates that it will support UN resolutions on Iraq

[11] Coalition announcement on occasion of World Human Rights Day

[12] Turkish F-16 fighter jets harass Greek C-130 cargo plane over Aegean

[13] Parliamentarians obliged to suspend professional activity

[14] Development minister speaks on Greece's upgraded role in the Balkans

[15] Greece welcomes EU's open skies pact

[16] Greek, Italian ministers discuss priorities in telecommunications sector

[17] Serbian minister pushes privatization plan during Athens visit

[18] Greece, Germany have similar views on employment

[19] Greece backs European tourism policy

[20] EU seen asking Olympic Airways to return illegal subsidy

[21] Greeks abroad seek closer ties with domestic firms

[22] Athens bourse to install trading system in Montenegro

[23] Stocks rise after late buying

[24] Athens mayor seeks extra funds to prepare for Olympics

[25] Importance of Olympic Games for Greece's development stressed at conference

[26] EU environment ministers agree on exhaust fumes draft plan

[27] Culture minister announces UNICEF-Cultural Olympiad vaccination program

[28] Transport experts unveil proposals on Athens' traffic problems

[29] Seminar in Athens on human trafficking, sex trade

[30] Campaign against sexual exploitation of children

[31] European Watch concerned over increase in gypsies' poverty

[32] PM and president receive special medals at university

[33] Variety' International Film Guide with special report on Greece

[34] National Council discusses Annan's revised plan

[35] UN has no objection to dealing with a Denktash representative

[36] UN envoy: It's up to the parties to decide on revised text

[37] Clerides will sign solution if it serves public interest, says spokesman

[01] Cyprus settlement before EU summit preferred, but not a condition for accession

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

Rasmussen met Tuesday with premier Costas Simitis of Greece, which will assume the EU presidency for the first half of 2003 at the end of the Danish presidency, ahead of the Copenhagen summit slated to begin on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Simitis reiterated the Greek position that the Helsinki decisions must be enforced and Cyprus' EU accession proceed without difficulties.

He also reaffirmed Greece's support for setting an early date for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Turkey, ''possibly within 2004'' so that, provided Turkey fulfilled the EU's criteria, the accession negotiations could begin. It is recalled that France and Germany have jointly proposed that the EU open entry talks in July 2005 if Turkey meets the accession criteria by a review in December 2004.

Simitis also referred to problems still outstanding for the completion of accession negotiations with some of the candidate countries, and praised the Danish EU presidency of having done a very good job in this area, adding his conviction that final decisions will be taken in Copenhagen "if last-minute problems do not arise".

Simitis further thanked the Danish premier for the "very good job accomplished overall by the Danish presidency, thus preparing in the best possible way the Greek presidency that follows".

Rasmussen said that the Copenhagen summit would be one of the most important summits in the EU's history, expressing hope that the entry negotiations with the 10 candidate countries would be completed, and called on each and every candidate to accept the individual specialized proposals worked out by the Danish EU presidency.

On Cyprus, Rasmussen appealed to the leaders of the two communities to reach agreement on the solution of the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, noting that the entry of a reunified Cyprus was clearly preferred by the EU.

Rasmussen pointed out that Cyprus fulfilled all the entry criteria, and expressed hope that it would accept the "package proposal" prepared by the Danish presidency for it, clarifying, in reply to press questions, that the "package proposal" concerned fiscal issues related to accession. He added that, according to reliable information, Cyprus intended to accept the "package".

On the same issue, Simitis reminded that due to Cyprus' very high economic performance, it might possibly be called on to contribute to the EU budget immediately after its accession, and underlined Greece's position that none of the new members should be required to contribute to the EU coffers during the initial transition period.

Rasmussen reiterated his call for the two sides on Cyprus to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, but stressed that if that were not possible, Cyprus would accede the Union, in accordance with the Helsinki summit decisions, which he said stipulated that the resolution of the political problem was desirable, but did not constitute a condition for Cyprus accession. "Our decision will be taken keeping in mind all the contingent factors," he added.

Replying to questions, Rasmussen said there was no "direct link" between setting a date for beginning accession talks with Turkey and a solution to the Cyprus issue, stressing that all the candidate countries must fulfill the EU's political criteria to begin entry negotiations.

Based on the European perspective but also the Turkish perspective "it would not be fair to link the date with a Cyprus resolution," Rasmussen said.

[02] Athens: All possibilities for Cyprus solution must be exhausted

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

Asked if the revised Annan plan will bring all sides concerned closer to a solution of Cyprus’ political problem, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the “first word” belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, while also urging restraint.

“We want to be optimistic and we believe that, despite the tight deadlines in place, there are opportunities that must be exhausted … but I cannot predetermine anything before the national council of Cyprus convenes”.

Moreover, asked about the possibility of this week’s landmark EU Summit in Copenhagen being extended past Friday, Protopapas said no member-state wants to depart from a crucial summit when the Union has not finalized its policy vis-a-vis significant issues – enlargement, Turkey’s EU prospects and a political solution for Cyprus.

“The Greek delegation must be ready for whatever is needed,” he added.

The spokesman said Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will hold a series of contacts with other EU delegations in Copenhagen on Thursday morning, with Cyprus, the island republic’s pending accession and even Turkey’s EU prospects expected to dominate his pre-Summit discussions.

Finally, in regard to Ankara’s standing demand for a fixed date to begin negotiations with the Union leading to future accession, Protopapas said he believes an answer on the part of EU leaders is possible during the Summit’s sessions in Copenhagen, “without knowing, of course, what the decision will be”.

[03] Papandreou: No EU state wants Cyprus' accession linked to political problem

BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

Most EU countries appeared to be leaning toward the German-French proposal of a date in 2005 for the start of accession negotiations with Turkey, he added after the Monday night dinner.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller had also received the council's agreement to a request that Cyprus' accession should not be linked to the date for Turkey's accession talks, Papandreou said.

According to sources, the German-French proposal is considered satisfactory in Ankara, being an improvement on the best Turkey could have hoped for a few months ago.

Other sources claim, meanwhile, that a satisfactory outcome for Turkey at the Copenhagen Summit could lead to a final solution of the Euroforce issue and the end of Turkey's objections to the use of NATO infrastructure by the nascent European military force.

[04] FM says Cyprus' EU accession a given fact

BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

Speaking at a press conference at the end of the foreign ministers' meeting here, Papandreou avoided making predictions on a possible agreement on a solution to the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, stressing that it is up to the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate the UN secretary general's revised plan.

However, he left open the possibility, in every case, of ground for negotiating after the Copenhagen summit as well.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, who also attended the General Affairs Council, spoke to reporters of the pending issues of EU enlargement being referred to the Copenhagen summit and primarily concerning its fiscal repercussions.

''Certain concessions were rightly given to some countries because winners and losers should not appear but there is no other ground, as all admit, since we are marginally approaching Berlin's fiscal ceiling,'' Yiannitsis said.

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides also held a meeting ''in a cordial climate'' with his Dutch counterpart here on Tuesday. Kasoulides briefed him on efforts being made to resolve the Cyprus issue, stressing the importance of Cyprus' clean-cut accession to the EU with the purpose of facilitating a solution to its political problem.

[05] UN Secretary General responds to Clerides'-Denktash's proposals

NEW YORK 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The letters were delivered by UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, the spokesman said, adding ''with these letters he (Annan) conveyed a revision of his proposed Basis for Agreement on a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, which had been conveyed to the two sides on Nov. 11''.

''The document was revised following intensive consultations with the two sides participating in the negotiation. These consultations were stepped up in the past few days following receipt last week of the two sides' comments, suggestions and requests, with de Soto and his colleagues shuttling between the two leaders and their colleagues with a view to improving the text,'' the spokesman said.

''In his letter, the Secretary -General asks the two leaders to give the revision the most urgent consideration with a view to reaching a decisive conclusion this week, so that a reunited Cyprus may accede to the European Union. The Secretary General has asked the two sides to be available in Copenhagen later this week should that prove necessary,'' he added.

''Cyprus has a rendez-vous with history,'' Annan said, according to the Spokesman, ''it should not be missed''.

ND ascertains marginal changes in revised UN Cyprus plan: The main opposition New Democracy party has been examining as of Tuesday afternoon new arrangements contained in UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's revised plan on Cyprus and has ascertained marginal changes, while on certain issues concerning refugees and settlers, party high ranking officials believe that there are provisions which are worse than in the previous plan, press reports said.

Apart from the ultimatum nature of Annan's letter, which calls for an agreement by the end of the EU's Copenhagen summit at the latest, ND cadres believe that the solution is continuing to be linked to Cyprus' accession to the EU due to the single question anticipated for the referendum and that problems continue to exist in the workability and compatibility of arrangements included in the solution with the acquis communautaire.

The same reports added that for the time being, ND is observing a wait-and-see policy since it is waiting for decisions to be taken by the National Council of Cyprus and an official reaction by the party is not expected on Tuesday night, but without a statement by ND leader Costas Karamanlis being ruled out before his departure for Copenhagen and the European People's Party summit on Wednesday.

[06] PM to depart for Copenhagen on Wednesday

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

He said the prime minister would depart for the Danish capital on Wednesday evening, though no meetings had yet been arranged.

Simitis would begin the day on Wednesday by meeting Public Order Mihalis Chrysohoidis at 10:30, followed by a meeting with the leadership of the foreign ministry and the press ministry at 13:00 for last-minute preparations for the summit.

[07] Visiting Europarliament president Cox discusses Cyprus, Turkey with Karamanlis

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The sources opined that the most likely prospect regarding Turkey was that the EU summit in Copenhagen would, provided that Turkey showed good intentions, endorse the French-German proposal for the commencement of accession talks with Turkey in 2005.

On the issue of Cyprus' EU accession, the sources said that both sides shared the view that the Republic of Cyprus would be approved for accession by the EU summit in Copenhagen ''without footnotes or asterisks'' (conditions), independent of a solution to the island republic's political problem, which is also the official view of the European People's Party (PPE) grouping of the Europarliament, to which Cox and the ND Eurodeputies belong.

Cox meets with Kaklamanis & Tsovolas: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Tuesday received European Parliament President Pat Cox in his office in Athens and thanked him for the clear and fully positive stance of the Europarliament in support of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

The two men also discussed issues concerning the national parliaments and the Europarliament and decided to work towards strengthening both. As their first move they decided to transform the Euro-Mediterranean forum of March in Lasithi, Crete into a Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Parliaments of the people of Europe and of the other side of the sea.

Cox also met with Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas and discussed the agenda of the upcoming EU Summit in Copenhagen, focusing on Cyprus' accession, the Cyprus issue and the EU's relations with Turkey.

[08] Greek Commissioner: EU will have the final word on any Cyprus solution

BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

''It is common knowledge that any solution of the Cyprus problem has to correspond with European laws and directives and these have limits,'' she stressed.

While the EU did tolerate certain exceptions, it was impossible for it to tolerate permanent exceptions, she added.

The new state would have to express itself with a single voice and have a central government that could guarantee the implementation of EU legislation, in order to avoid repercussions to the institutions of the Community, she pointed out.

The European Commission was already processing the legal aspects of the plan presented by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and at the end of the negotiations when the settlement had been agreed, the EU would have the final say.

The EU's decision to begin and complete accession negotiations with Cyprus was one of the most important political steps taken by the Community, Diamantopoulou added.

''Europe made a political choice to intervene in a very difficult region. It would have been simple for the EU to cite the political problem as a reason to avoid involvement and taking the problem on board. Instead, the exact opposite happened,'' she said.

Talking about her brief within the Commission, the youngest EU Commissioner said it was often controversial since it involved her in all economic decisions and with all social groups and organizations. Her first year as Commissioner had been the hardest, until she had time to adjust, but overall her three years in the Commission had been ''the most exciting chapter of my life,'' Diamantopoulou said.

One of the most important milestones of her term, she added, would be the Greek EU presidency that coincided with EU enlargement.

''Historically, enlargement is the most important moment after the creation of the EU,'' she stressed.

Attention was focused on the EU presidency, which on March 19 would give directions for policies concerning economic and labor market reforms. The Greek presidency would also be presenting tables that summarized the state of all the EU-member and candidate states in more than just economic indices, such as inflation or debt, but also in terms of employment, energy deregulation, Internet access and others, she said.

After outlining the Commission's work on pensions, increasing employment and to combat discrimination, Diamantopoulou noted that Greece appeared to be Europe's ''weakest link'' when it came to reducing joblessness.

''In Greece we do not have an increase in employment and a reduction of unemployment that corresponds to the rates of growth in the country, which are the highest in the EU,'' she pointed out.

Changes in the state employment services and labor market reforms were essential and urgent, she added.

She also dismissed arguments that immigration and reduced jobs in agriculture were an adequate ''explanation'' for high unemployment rates, given that the same phenomena in other countries did not have corresponding repercussions.

The fact that unemployment in Greece was 17 per cent for women and 6 per cent for men indicated that the Greek labor market had a special problem in absorbing women that required specific policies to be dealt with,'' she noted.

[09] Washington Post editorial calls this one ''Turkey's Week''

WASHINGTON 11/12/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

''This is shaping up to a historic week for Turkey and the West. On Thursday the European Union is to decide whether to open negotiations with Ankara on membership, a step that could fully integrate a Muslim nation of 80 million people into the community over the next decade or so,'' the editorial noted.

''Between now and the summit, U.N. negotiators are hoping to achieve a breakthrough in the 30-year-old conflict in Cyprus, a feat that will require Turkey's new government to deliver crucial concessions by the Turkish administration in the northern half of the divided island,'' it added.

''Meanwhile, Turkey's new leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is spending today in Washington, where he will be pressed by President Bush to accept the stationing of both American warplanes and American troops in Turkey in the event of war with Iraq. By the week's end the bonds between Turkey and the West could have been decisively strengthened -- or critically weakened,'' the newspaper argued.

The editorial stressed that ''the point (of Turkey's EU membership) is not just to ensure Turkey's economic stability; the real benefit of EU membership, or even negotiations for it, will be the requirement that Turkey fully liberalize its political system and end its discrimination against minorities and abuses of human rights''.

''While the Bush administration is right to cheer on this process, it must prove itself willing to shoulder some of the burden of the country's modernization. U.S. aid should be directed at projects that help build democratic institutions as well as military bases,'' it noted.

''Even as he advocates for Turkey with Brussels, Mr. Bush should press Mr. Erdogan to follow through on his political promises and accept the U.N. settlement on Cyprus. Finally, the Pentagon's zeal to nail down bases in Turkey should not lead the administration to promising Ankara undue influence over postwar Iraq,'' the newspaper concluded.

[10] Athens reiterates that it will support UN resolutions on Iraq

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

During his daily press briefing in Athens, spokesman Christos Protopapas also stressed that Athens was ready to offer the UN assistance on the basis of its resolutions.

[11] Coalition announcement on occasion of World Human Rights Day

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The announcement added that most of the planet is continuing to witness suppression of all forms of rights, executions, torture, famine and violation of freedom of speech and of the press.

In the sector of human rights in Greece, the Coalition said that immediate priority should be given to the legalization of immigrants through modern legislation on immigration, respect of minorities and the struggle against racism.

[12] Turkish F-16 fighter jets harass Greek C-130 cargo plane over Aegean

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

According to the same sources, the harassment took place a few minutes after 3 p.m. in airspace controlled by the Athens Civil Aviation Authority, seven nautical miles east of Naxos and at an altitude of 20,000 feet.

As the two Turkish jets flew past the Greek cargo plane, at a distance of about 500 feet, Greek fighter jets intercepted them.

In an unrelated development, ten formations of Turkish fighter jets infringed on the Athens' Flight Information Region (FIR), which in some cases developed into violations of Greek airspace in the Northern and Central Aegean.

In all instances Greek jets intercepted the Turkish warplanes.

This was the first incursion of Turkish jets in five days. The renewed activity comes on the heels of the end of the Ramadan.

[13] Parliamentarians obliged to suspend professional activity

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

At a meeting of the Institutions Committee on Tuesday, ministers participating unanimously accepted a proposition by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on the issue.

''The government honors the country's revised constitution which prohibits a deputy from exercising whatever profession. The relevant bill will be tabled in Parliament by this coming Monday which will determine activities which are compatible with their Parliamentary status, as well as the return to the profession after the loss of their Parliamentary status,'' he said.

[14] Development minister speaks on Greece's upgraded role in the Balkans

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The minister noted that Greece was at the centre of developments, with the other Balkan countries observing the manner and model of development in Greece.

He said that despite the recession in Europe, Greece aimed at a 3.6-3.8 per cent increase in the Gross Domestic Product for this year and 2003.

On his part, U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller noted the important efforts made by Greece in the economy. He referred in particular to bilateral economic relations between the two countries which he termed as very significant.

[15] Greece welcomes EU's open skies pact

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis told reporters that the pact would help to reduce flight delays and improve safety.

The agreement is to take effect by December 31, 2004.

Greek proposals were accepted on ensuring sovereign airspace rights for member-states at their own responsibility; maintaining the current status of operational and military activity in the Aegean; and the right of veto, the minister said.

[16] Greek, Italian ministers discuss priorities in telecommunications sector

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

Taking part in the meeting were Greek-American Nicholas Negroponte, officials of the two ministries and representatives of telecommunications agencies.

Emphasis was given on the issue of security of networks and information, the establishment of a common model for the electromagnetic radiation, with the use of research programs of the World Health Organization (WHO), on digital television and the development of euro-zone network access for all.

They also agreed for emphasis to be given on the harmonization of the national legislations with the EU law.

[17] Serbian minister pushes privatization plan during Athens visit

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

Minister Aleksandar Vlahovic, speaking at a press conference at the Yugoslav embassy in Athens, said some 300 million euros in revenue has so far been accumulated from the privatizations since the program began in 2001, before stressing that he would like to see heightened Greek interest in the country materialize into "real action" in 2003.

Among others, he cited interest by a handful of Greece-based companies in the country's second largest petrol station chain, Serbia's important tobacco concerns and the country's second largest Aluminium roll plant.

In general terms, he said Greek investments in Serbia are among the "top five" in terms of country ranking, whereas he cited the Athens-bourse listed Titan cement producer and the Delta dairy maker as currently recording the biggest Greek investments in Yugoslavia.

Vlahovic said around 75 large companies and more than 1,000 small-to-medium-sized enterprises are now available for privatization, with the latter also offered via an "option privatization" scheme -- a sector he said is tailor-made for interested Greek firms.

In terms of banking, he mentioned activities of National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Commercial Bank, EFG Eurobank in the country.

In reply to a question regarding the telecommunications sector, Vlahovic said the state will only consider a possible third GSM license after it has sold off its majority share in one of two mobile phone providers active in the country.

Regarding the Telecom Serbia telephony utility, he merely noted, "everyone is losing money ... we need to improve the quality of fixed and mobile lines ... we need investment and strategic partners." The Serbian minister clarified that Telecom Serbia falls under the portfolio of the transport minister and that all three owners -- the state, Greece's telecoms utility OTE and Telecom Italia -- must agree on the company's course.

In citing what he called a stabilized macro-economic environment, Vlahovic said he estimated that Yugoslavia's inflation rate would hover around the 16-percent mark for 2002, with a 9-percent figure hoped for in 2003. He also said the country's budget deficit was 4 percent, while real GDP growth for 2002 would total around 4 percent as well, noting that the increase was based on heightened industrial output.

The Serbian republic minister said his government expects GDP growth of between 4.5 to 5 percent in 2003.

Finally, asked if his government had a timetable vis-a-vis relations with the European Union, Vlahovic said Belgrade hopes to submit its application for accession in 2004 -- which he said would coincide with the Serbian nation's first uprising against Ottoman rule in 1804 -- with membership achieved by the end of the decade.

Vlahovic's visit here includes two addresses before business groups and entrepreneurs.

[18] Greece, Germany have similar views on employment

BERLIN 11/12/2002 (ANA/P.Stangos)

Reppas was speaking after talks with his German counterpart on the aims of Greece's rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003.

[19] Greece backs European tourism policy

BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA/B.Demiris)

Addressing a tourism forum in the Belgian capital, the minister said that the Greek rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003 was planning to hold a conference on tourism in conjunction with the transport sector, and another on culture-linked tourism.

[20] EU seen asking Olympic Airways to return illegal subsidy

BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA/B.Demiris)

The Commission is meeting on Wednesday to determine the exact amount of the monies for return, sources in the Belgian capital said on Tuesday.

[21] Greeks abroad seek closer ties with domestic firms

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The group's president, Andrew Athens, said the goal included joint operations in Greece and in southeastern Europe.

The new business and investment plan's top priority was creation of a database on companies owned or run by ethnic Greeks so that domestic firms could gain access to the information, Athens said.

[22] Athens bourse to install trading system in Montenegro

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The two exchanges signed a memorandum of understanding on the arrangement in Belgrade on Tuesday on the sidelines of a conference held in the Yugoslav capital.

The Greek trading system has already been installed in the Belgrade market.

[23] Stocks rise after late buying

Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

The general share index gained 0.68 percent to end at 1,815.52 points. Turnover was 82.7 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.42 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.08 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished 0.93 percent up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 235 to 84 with 39 issues remaining unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Panafon, Informatics, National Bank of Greece, and Public Power Corporation.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 57.7 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: