Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-01-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM says Greek presidency targets viable Europe

[02] Greek gov't's economic staff ready for EU presidency

[03] Athens will move within UN framework on Iraq, gov't says

[04] PES president speaks out against unilateral action in Iraq

[05] PM in series of meetings related to Greek EU presidency

[06] Belgian newspaper dedicates page on Greece's EU presidency

[07] FM Papandreou: Political maturity will prevail in Cyprus

[08] DM meets with German ambassador

[09] ND leader Karamanlis calls for parliamentary debate on functioning of the State

[10] Anastasopoulos withdraws candidacy for European Ombudsman post

[11] Bill extends responsibilities of Ombudsman to children's rights

[12] FM expresses condolences over Lord Jenkins' demise

[13] Filon & Rontos sworn in as ambassadors

[14] Trial for PKK leader's illegal entry begins on Wednesday

[15] European Commission says 2.5 million new jobs created in

[16] Greek banks' prospects better than other European Report

[17] Greek economic sentiment index falls 0.5 pct in December

[18] Bank employees welcome plan for "popular" state bills

[19] Greek competition authorities say "has limited powers"

[20] Anomeritis meets with ESP Eurodeputies

[21] Greek mutual funds market's losses mount in 2002

[22] Taxi sector reform aimed to improve services to passengers

[23] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

[24] Coalition leader visits Korydallos following triple drug death scandal

[25] Driver injured due to subsidence near Halandri metro worksite

[26] Zappeion Hall turned over to Greek EU presidency

[27] 'November 17' trial date set for March 3

[28] Council of Europe to contribute to Cyprus reconciliation

[29] Technical committees meet under UN chairmanship

[01] FM says Greek presidency targets viable Europe

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou, who was addressing members of the European Socialist Party's (ESP) Parliamentary group convening in Athens, said treaties will be signed in Athens with the EU's 10 new member-states and stressed that democracy is a real challenge for Europe and the rest of the world.

The foreign minister also said Euroscepticism should be handled through initiatives which will highlight Europe having a humane image.

He further said the Mediterranean is one of the focal points of the Greek presidency's efforts, as well as the Balkans and the wider region.

On the question of the Middle East, he said problems remain and extreme trends are being shaped adding that Europe has a very important role to play regarding Iraq.

Focusing on the Balkans, Papandreou said the Balkan countries belong to Europe and noted that a meeting with Balkan countries will be held in the northern city of Thessaloniki during the Greek presidency.

The meeting will centre on providing an impetus for the process of these countries' rapprochement with the EU, handling organized crime, transparency, confronting corruption, the process of solving conflicts and economic growth.

Papandreou said a date was given to Turkey at the EU's Copenhagen summit and added that it was a considerable offer for Turkey and there will be positive repercussions for Greek-Turkish relations if the neighboring country complies with criteria set in Copenhagen (human rights, democracy, etc) and develops better relations with its neighbors, not only with Greece, but with Cyprus, Bulgaria and Romania as well.

He went on to say that official positions expressed by both the leader of Turkey's ruling party Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Abdullah Gul are encouraging.

Papandreou further said there is no progress in the Middle East, but rather steps backwards.

He also referred to issues concerning terrorism and extremism, stressing that they are returning again in relation to observance of democratic principles, while matters regarding inequality are not dissociated from security issues in general.

Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis referred to practical issues concerning the Greek presidency, adding that its priorities include EU enlargement, Iraq, the Middle East and dialogue with the United States.

Yiannitsis said he believes the EU is proceeding towards its political unification all the more and, if the element of economic unification prevailed in the past, developments at present are leading the EU to becoming more of a political union.

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said European defense should be strengthened substantively and noted that expenditures in the United States are two times greater for the defense industry compared to Europe.

He added that the United States is spending funds for defense technology that are four times higher than the EU (meaning the ratio in this respect is 4 to 1).

Papantoniou further said this relation is one-sided and in four or five years it will be almost impossible to bridge the gap separating the EU and the United States in the defense industry and defense technology sector.

The defense minister also said an effort should be made to enable the European defense industry to increase its expenditures, meaning that there should be an increase in defense expenditures for some countries to cover both security requirements and issues arising in relation to international terrorism in unstable regions.

[02] Greek gov't's economic staff ready for EU presidency

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Papandreou's statement came after a meeting he held with National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas.

He stressed that the Greek presidency's point of reference will be to win peace, in the case of Iraq, and to achieve a diplomatic solution.

On his part, Christodoulakis said that the Greek presidency began with great demands and difficulties, adding that Greece has to utilize policies on all levels and that European citizens have great expectations from the Greek presidency.

Tsohatzopoulos said that the problems of everyday life are not confronted with wishes, rather with the implementation of development strategies.

Reppas noted that emphasis will be placed on the employment sector, which is a basic component of prosperity.

[03] Athens will move within UN framework on Iraq, gov't says

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

All facilitations that Athens had already provided to the Americans were obligations that arose through bilateral treaties between Greece and the United States, the spokesman added.

Protopapas underlined that the Greek government did not desire a war and urged the international community to handle the issue of Iraq with exceptional care, noting that war was not always the answer.

[04] PES president speaks out against unilateral action in Iraq

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

At the same time he spoke out against unilateral action in Iraq, saying it was not the right solution for getting rid of the Iraqi dictator, and that a war in Iraq would be a problem for the entire world.

Crespo is visiting Greece at the head of a 30-member PES delegation for talks on a range of issues with the Greek government, which has recently taken over the rotating EU presidency. The talks are part of preparations for a conference to discuss the priorities of the Greek presidency, in which views on all issues will be exchanged.

In a joint press conference with Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis and the head of PASOK MEPs George Katiforis, Crespo said the Greek EU presidency was taking over at a crucial time for Iraq and the Middle East crisis, two issues in which the European Parliament has a very lively interest.

Other crucial issues the Greek presidency would be called on to handle were the EU enlargement process, including any progress that might be made in the Cyprus issue within the framework of the UN and Turkey's accession prospects, he added.

The PES president also referred to his talks with Greek Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis on naval shipping safety, focusing on the prevention of accidents such as that of the single-hull oil tanker ''Prestige''.

He said the Greek presidency had prepared a paragraph on this issue before the accident had taken place and noted that Greece had extensive experience in this area.

In addition, he announced plans for a European Parliament investigative team to look into such accidents.

Another issue that dominated the PES delegation's meetings on Tuesday morning was the Greek presidency's proposals for combatting illegal immigration, which Crespo described as very creative and constructive. He also expressed support for sharing out the cost of the effort to police borders on a European level.

In meetings on Tuesday afternoon, the PES delegates will discuss foreign policy issues, enlargement and the future of Europe. They will be addressed by Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Yiannitsis, and National Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou, while at 19:00 they will meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Yiannitsis stressed the importance of cooperation with the European Parliament and its support during the Greek presidency, which would be called to handle very important issues such as enlargement, employment strategies, competitiveness and sustainable development and major issues involving third countries in the Mediterranean, Asia and Africa that generated a global climate of uncertainty.

[05] PM in series of meetings related to Greek EU presidency

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Simitis on Wednesday will meet with National Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Bank of Greece Governor Nikos Garganas. Later on the day, the prime minister will meet with ruling PASOK party Secretary Costas Laliotis and immediately after that, he will chair the meeting of his communications experts team.

The prime minister on Thursday will chair the meeting of his cabinet that will focus on preparations for the meetings that the Greek government will hold here on Friday with the leadership of the European Commission. On Thursday evening, Simitis will attend a special ceremony at the Athens Concert Hall to inaugurate the Greek EU presidency and later in the evening he will host an official reception for the members of the European Commission.

The entire European Commission headed by EU Commission President Romano Prodi arrives in Athens on Thursday for a visit within the framework of the Greek EU Presidency.

The members of the Greek government on Friday will hold successive bilateral meetings with the visiting EU Commissioners. The prime minister at 10.00 a.m. on Friday will hold a meeting with EU Commission President Romano Prodi, to be followed by a joint press conference at 13.00 p.m.

Simitis on Wednesday, 15 January, is scheduled to fly to Strasbourg to present the priorities of the Greek EU presidency to the Plenary Session of the European Parliament.

On Monday next week, the prime minister is scheduled to chair a meeting of the government committee for the Olympic Games at noon, while later he will meet Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis and Transport Minister Christos Verelis. On Monday evening he is to meet IOC presidency Jacques Rogge and ATHOC head Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

[06] Belgian newspaper dedicates page on Greece's EU presidency

BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA/G. Zitouniati)

The article, comprised of four parts, concerned the procedure of Greece's modernization, the shaping and historic development of the Greek state and the country's relations with the Union, under the title ''The trust of the Greeks in the EU increased with Copenhagen (summit)''.

It also included a portrait of ''the new-style prime minister'', Costas Simitis, as well as of Foreign Minister George Papandreou ''who represents the radical choice of his country in support of the EU and the efforts for rapprochement with Turkey.''

A columnist noted that over the past decade Greece was changing continuously and is becoming a more modern state, resulting in it no longer being ''the difficult member'' of the EU.

''Greece has more confidence in itself than it had 10 years ago and this also has to do with the stabilization of the Balkans, in whose incorporation in the EU, Greece wants to play a protagonist role,'' the columnist said, adding that ''this modernized Greece will project itself on the international scene on the occasion of the holding of the 2004 Olympic Games.''

[07] FM Papandreou: Political maturity will prevail in Cyprus

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

He was replying to questions on whether the domestic developments in Cyprus influenced the process for resolution of the Cyprus issue put forward by journalists after a meeting with agriculture minister George Drys on Greek EU presidency issues.

Replying to similar questions during a press briefing later, foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said that the domestic political developments in Cyprus in no instance put a brake on the decisions taken at the EU summit in Copenhagen on Cyprus EU accession, nor did they put a brake on momentum of the procedure for resolving the Cyprus problem, which he said was being maintained.

"Cyprus is an independent, sovereign country and has the maturity, the institutions and the forces for continuing its course, with the responsibility demanded by the developments," he said.

In response to other questions, Beglitis strongly denied a Cypriot press report alleging intervention by Athens in the political developments in Cyprus, stressing that at no stage in all the contacts that preceded had the Greek side made any recommendations on the domestic political developments in Nicosia.

Beglitis further said that Papandreou was planning a visit to Ankara, as chairman of the EU Council of Ministers, on January 31.

[08] DM meets with German ambassador

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

According to sources the two men also discussed bilateral military cooperation.

[09] ND leader Karamanlis calls for parliamentary debate on functioning of the State

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Karamanlis in his letter referred to the ''enormous dimension of problems'', which, he, said, are being created at the expense of the economy, growth, society and the essence of the quality of democracy in the country by ''the present wasteful, ineffective and eroded state.''

The ND leader also stressed the need for a substantive ''refounding'' of the state so that the country will be able ''to proceed with the pace needed in the new era of globalization, of the new Europe and of great challenges.''

[10] Anastasopoulos withdraws candidacy for European Ombudsman post

BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

In a press release, Anastasopoulos justified his action, saying that despite wide support he felt that he had to withdraw, due to a behind the scenes agreement between the British and the Germans for the support of the British candidate for the post.

He also said that with his withdrawal he increased the chances of the other Greek candidate Nikiforos Diamantouros to win election for the post.

[11] Bill extends responsibilities of Ombudsman to children's rights

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

The bill was approved by the plenum, with the exception of the Greek Communist Party which turned down the bill as a ''fake effort to give the impression that there is a social state which is supported by this institution''.

[12] FM expresses condolences over Lord Jenkins' demise

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

''Lord Roy Jenkins was a very important personality in Europe. He worked tirelessly for the promotion of European ideas and contributed decisively to the course of the European Community,'' Papandreou said in a press release he issued as the European Union presiding foreign minister.

''We express our warmest condolences to his family,'' the press release concluded.

[13] Filon & Rontos sworn in as ambassadors

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

[14] Trial for PKK leader's illegal entry begins on Wednesday

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

A total of 12 people have been charged in the case, including Ocalan himself, his two women associates Yakar Chedkiz and Kaya Aifer, as well as retired Navy officer Antonis Naxakis.

Writer Voula Damianakou and her daughter Eleni Vassilopoulou are also involved in the case and are being charged with providing housing for an alien entering the country illegally, since they had given the PKK leader hospitality.

[15] European Commission says 2.5 million new jobs created in

EU BRUSSELS 08/01/2003 (ANA - V. Demiris)

It also assessed that the EU's GDP was 1.8 percent or 164.5 billion euros higher than it would have been without the operation of the domestic market.

The Commission evaluated that continuing increases in GDP over the past 10 years created an increase in prosperity in the EU, estimated at 877 billion euros or 5,700 euros for each EU household.

The domestic market also increased the possibility of EU businesses to compete on the international scene. EU exports to third countries increased from 6.9 per cent, as a percentage of EU GDP in 1992, to 11.2 per cent in 2001.

Moreover, the Commission estimated that the domestic market's operation secured a greater choice of high quality products and services for European consumers.

It also stressed that with the domestic market a decrease in commodity prices occurred in many cases, due primarily to the opening of markets and the increase in competition.

[16] Greek banks' prospects better than other European Report

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

In an interview with an Alpha Bank's bulletin, professor Provopoulos stressed that Greek banks' margins in loans were expected to be stable or slightly improve in the next few years due to a restructuring in loan portfolios.

Alpha Bank's top financial consultant also said he expected all banks' basic operations to maintain satisfactory growth rates over the same period, supported by high economic growth rates in Greece and in Southeastern Europe, where Greek banks were currently expanding strongly.

He stressed it was significant that Greek banks' current profits were based on organic growth and reflected mainly revenues from interest and fees. Mr Provopoulos said it was also important that Greek banks have begun efforts to improve their competitiveness and contain operating spending.

Mr Provopoulos said he expected Alpha Bank to continue improving its organic results in the medium- and long-term.

[17] Greek economic sentiment index falls 0.5 pct in December

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

The index rose 0.6 percent in France, 0.3 percent in Germany and 0.1 percent in Portugal in December, while it fell in nine member-states and remained unchanged in Austria and Sweden.

Belgium (-0.8 percent) and the UK (-0.6 percent) recorded the biggest monthly declines, while Denmark and Spain the smallest declines (-0.1 percent each).

The economic sentiment index fell 0.2 percent in the EU, while it rose 0.1 percent in the eurozone in December.

[18] Bank employees welcome plan for "popular" state bills

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

OTOE said that the issuance of so-called "popular" state bills, however, would be of limited scale and that it remained uncertain if they could meet market demand.

The bank employees' union noted that commercial banks have so far not reacted positively to the government's decision and that they adhered to their policy of zero interest rates on savings.

OTOE urged the government to take more initiatives aimed to improve conditions in the domestic banking market.

[19] Greek competition authorities say "has limited powers"

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Mr Tzouganatos stressed that the current legal framework did not allow for clear determination of either harmonized practices or abuse in the market, and noted that there doubts over the impact of so-called "gentlemen agreements" over competition in the market.

"Protecting competition is a problem throughout the European Union and all competition authorities were focusing on pre-emptive inspections as a means to combat infringement of market rules," Mr Tzouganatos said.

He stressed that the Greek commission was currently working on several such cases but declined to offer more details.

[20] Anomeritis meets with ESP Eurodeputies

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Anomeritis said that attempts at illegal entry decreased by 45 percent in 2002 compared to 2001, noting that some 3,945 illegal immigrants entered the country in 2002 as opposed to 6,864 in 2001.

[21] Greek mutual funds market's losses mount in 2002

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Investors are reporting significant losses and seem frustrated by the fact that Greek banks are not offering any alternative investment solutions following a drop in savings rates to almost zero levels. Investors, who invested in mutual funds in the period 2000-2001 and liquidated their positions last year, are reporting the heaviest losses.

The Union of Institutional Investors, in its annual report for 2002, said that: -the average return of domestic bond mutual funds was 4.89 percent in 2002 from 4.11 percent the previous year, with Alpha Bond recording the highest return (7.99%). -Foreign and International bond mutual funds reported average returns of 0.45 percent and 0.75 percent last year, respectively, compared with average returns of 4.85 percent and 5.48 percent in 2001. Alpha European State Bonds and Interamerican F&C Euro State Bonds topped the list of returns (8.34% and 6.34%, respectively).

Domestic money market funds' average return was 2.40 percent, with Interamerican recording the highest return (3.38 percent), while foreign and international money market funds' average returns were 3.28 percent and 2.84 percent, respectively. Interamerican Profit and Interamerican MM topped the list of returns in both sectors.

Domestic equity mutual funds' average return was -27.24 percent last year, with Egnatia Athina recording the best performance (-8.13%). From the 72 mutual funds in the category, 59 funds recorded better returns (although negative) compared with the general index of the Athens Stock Exchange (-32.52 percent).

Foreign equity mutual funds' average return was -29.39 percent in 2002, with Alpha Trust Emerging Europe showing the best performance (+5.58%), while International equity funds' return was -30.41 percent with ETBA P&K Capital Pan European Growth returning -1.06% for the year.

Combined mutual funds' average return was -13.40 percent last year, with Eurobank Rock the best performer (+3.02%). Foreign combined funds returned -20.27 percent (SOGEN Europe Balance the best performer -19.31%), while International combined return -11.95 percent (Delos Pet OTE the best performer -3.38%).

A total of 28 mutual funds management companies operated in the Greek market last year, up from 26 in 2001, while the number of mutual funds offered in the market fell to 260 from 269 over the same period, of which 40 were money market funds, 63 were bond funds, 121 were equity funds and 36 were combined funds.

The market's total asset value fell by 1.41 billion euros, or 5.26 percent, last year to 25.38 billion euros from 26.79 billion euros in 2001.

The fall reflected a 626 million euros decline in domestic bond funds' assets, a 1.68 billion euros fall in domestic equity funds' assets and a 213 million euros fall in domestic combined funds' assets. On the other hand, the domestic money market funds sector recorded an inflow of 1.07 billion euros (up 11.11 percent) last year.

[22] Taxi sector reform aimed to improve services to passengers

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

Speaking in parliament, in a debate over a government-sponsored draft bill to reform taxi services, Mr Verelis said that the taxi car owners did not have to accept the draft bill and that the government's intention was to defend passengers.

The Greek minister noted that that according to international media Greece ranked in the bottom of Europe's league in tax services quality.

Mr Verelis said that the draft bill offered the opportunity to "those taxi owners to set up companies", doubled the number of taxis in tourist areas during the tourist season and effectively combat pirate taxis.

The Greek minister left the door open for minor amendments to the draft bill saying several proposals, made by deputies, were "correct".

Taxi strike on Wednesday in Athens, Piraeus: Taxis will be on strike on Wednesday and Thursday in the greater Athens area, by decision of the union of taxi owners, as the Parliament will be discussing the new legislation for taxicabs.

Taxi owners in the Attica prefecture are demanding changes in the bill tabled in Parliament and access to the bus lanes, in which only buses are presently allowed

[23] Greek stocks end lower on Tuesday

Athens, 08/01/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.39 percent down at 1,769.18 points, with turnover a low 70.3 million euros.

The Insurance, IT Solution and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.36 percent, 1.83 percent and 1.71 percent, respectively), while the Publication (2.97 percent), Telecommunications (1.37 percent) and IT (0.12 percent) sectors scored the biggest gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks eased 0.42 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 1.01 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index dropped 1.74 percent. The wider FTSE/ASE 140 index fell 0.66 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 259 to 56 with another 37 issues unchanged.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 46.7 mln euros Tuesday

Equity Index Futures: