Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-02-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis briefs Europarliament; praised by MEPs for Monday summit

[02] Simitis meets with leadership of EU's '13' acceding & candidate member-states

[03] EU summit conclusions on Iraq Athens,

[04] Gov't expresses satisfaction with Monday EU summit's results

[05] Corriere dela Sera on Monday summit: ''Greece squares the circle''

[06] Simitis, Clerides meet on emergency EU summit's sidelines

[07] U.S. congratulates Cyprus' President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos

[08] DM says Europe bridged differences between EU members

[09] DM meets with Prodi, discusses EU defense framework

[10] FM requested to brief foreign affairs Parliament Committee on Iraq, Cyprus

[11] Minor opposition parties react to EU's common position on Iraq

[12] Parliament president Kaklamanis' talks in India

[13] PM to brief Stephanopoulos on Wed; Giscard d'Estaing visit this week

[14] Karamanlis briefed by French, German envoys on stance vis-a-vis Iraq

[15] Assistance for Palestinians meeting underway at Greek EU presidency initiative

[16] No need to amend EU economic governance, EU presidency says

[17] Greek Chambers Union urges gov’t intervention against higher lending rates

[18] Greek proposal to protect EU airlines from unfair competition

[19] Forum to promote business links between Greece, Turkey

[20] Greek stocks move higher on Tuesday

[21] ATHOC's top leadership streamlined ahead of Games

[22] Gov't, local authorities, ATHOC pledge joint work on Athens 'Olympic' facelift

[23] Public works minister blames heavy rain for subsidence, landslides

[24] Publisher Mihalopoulos testifies in blackmail case

[25] UN to announce this week resumption of direct talks, says Papadopoulos

[26] Clerides says time is not enough to find a Cyprus solution

[27] Cox still hopes for a single Cyprus to enter the

[28] British envoy says Papadopoulos' statements are positive

[01] Simitis briefs Europarliament; praised by MEPs for Monday summit

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA – G. Zitouniati)

On his part, Europarliament President Pat Cox congratulated Simitis on what he called the summit’s success, which he said had enabled the Union to present a coherent position. Cox said the summit entailed a clear political risk, but its successful outcome had confounded the critics.

''We decided to go ahead because the European Union must be present on the international stage and must overcome its differences'', Simitis said, adding that Saturday's global demonstrations in favor of peace were a reflection of deep anxiety and that it would have been paradoxical for EU leaders not to respond to them.

The Greek premier also outlined the main points of Monday's joint statement by the “15” Union leaders, who agreed that all means of achieving peace must be fully exhausted, while the UN must continue to play a central role in managing the crisis.

Referring to the high-profile statement in support of US policy by “8” European nations earlier in the month, Simitis said differences of opinion over UN weapons inspectors’ results did exist, although there were also common points within the EU that emerged to the surface during Monday’s summit.

Moreover, he stressed that a common view revolves around the notion that war is a last resort, and in the event that no alternative exists. At the same time, he emphasized that Iraq must fully cooperate with the UN, with pressure applied to Saddam Hussein by the international community.

On behalf of the Socialists’ group, Enrique Baron Crespo noted that the European Council's statement included the essentials of the European Parliament’s Jan. 30 resolution. He also argued that European and world public opinion had acquired the dimensions of a ''new superpower''.

Regarding the issue of candidate-countries’ stance, three of which had signed the recent letter of the ''8'' in support of Washington, he stressed that European solidarity was not expressed purely through the agricultural policy or structural funds, but was also based on common values.

On behalf of the EPP grouping, Hans-Gert Poettering called for European states to avoid adopting unilateral, bilateral or multilateral positions that ignore the decision-making processes of the Union.

He also stressed that the Union should not be seen as the anti-thesis of the United States but that the two entities should be partners. Poettering reminded the meeting’s participants that the problem was not the United States but the regime of Saddam Hussein, who needed to understand that this was his last chance.

ELDR (Liberals) grouping president Graham Watson said the European Council's position represented considerable progress and placed the UN back at the heart of the process. Moreover, Watson said he believed that if rapid progress was not made on cooperation by the Iraqi authorities, a new resolution with a deadline should be envisaged. Watson also criticized comments by French President Jacques Chirac aimed at candidate-states.

Representing the EUL/NGL grouping, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann stressed that the way in which the international community resolved the Iraqi crisis would have consequences for decades. The “15”, she said, were in flagrant contradiction with European and public opinion when they kept open the option of using force, even as a last resort.

Finally, European Left and Greens representative Monica Frassoni argued that when the question of a deadline for the inspections came up, the EU must reach a clear position on this too. Meanwhile it could seek to play a constructive role once more.

Winding up the deliberations, when asked why the candidate-countries had not been present at the European Council on Monday, Simitis said they had been invited to a briefing the next day (Tuesday) and would take part as observers in forthcoming European Councils after April 16, when they had signed the Accession Treaty, and as fully-fledged members from May 2004.

[02] Simitis meets with leadership of EU's '13' acceding & candidate member-states

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA – M. Spinthourakis)

President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and Secretary-General/CFSP High Representative, Javier Solana also participated in the meeting that concluded with the acceptance of the European Union's stance toward the crisis.

''The European Union and the ‘13’ reiterate their determination to ensure a common stance, to avoid new dividing lines and to promote stability and prosperity within and beyond the borders of the new Union. They will continue to work together in their joint endeavor to accomplish these goals,'' a common statement issued after the meeting said.

The leaders of the 13 countries also met with the President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox.

''The input of the ‘13’ has been and will continue to be an invaluable contribution to our common will to resolve the Iraqi crisis and support the Middle East Peace Process. The Presidency will cooperate closely with all to coordinate our steps concerning further developments,'' the statement added.

''The Heads of State or Government of the 13 acceding countries and candidates countries aligned themselves with the content of the conclusions adopted by the European Council on Iraq in its extraordinary meeting of 17 February,'' it added.

''They also reaffirmed their alignment with the conclusions of the GAERC of 27 January and the terms of the public demarche of 4 February 2003 to Iraq which remain valid,'' the statement noted.

''The message for the Greek Presidency, following the historic decisions taken at Copenhagen last December, is ‘Our Europe’. Europe’s strength lies in its set of common values. Our common wish is to make Europe the family of democracy, dialogue, tolerance, freedom, peace and progress. It is 'Our Europe' that can have a strong and united voice on the world scene and that can best contribute to the international community’s efforts to tackle effectively the major challenges of our times. It is ‘Our Europe’ that cherishes its strong partnership with the US. It is for this Europe that the input of the acceding countries and candidate states will be of fundamental importance.

''The European Union and the “13” reiterate their determination to ensure a common stance, to avoid new dividing lines and to promote stability and prosperity within and beyond the borders of the new Union. They will continue to work together in their joint endeavor to accomplish these goals,'' the statement concluded.

After the meeting, Simitis held a press conference where he expressed his satisfaction over the ''joint signing'' of the aforementioned decisions of the EU, concerning Iraq, stressing that this action constitutes ''the reaffirmation of the political will of all European countries for more unity''.

''The strength of Europe is it's common will for more peace, democracy and progress,'' Simitis stressed, adding that with Tuesday's consent of the acceding countries and the candidate countries with the position of the ''15'' on Iraq, a new momentum is being created in united Europe.

''Even the forefathers of Europe often disagreed among themselves. This, however did not obstruct them from moving on with European integration,'' Simitis underlined.

Commenting on French President Jacques Chirac's scolding of acceding countries' alignment with the United States, he recommended to those countries to learn little by little the processes of political expression that are in force within the EU.

''It is not something significant,'' Simitis said responding to a question concerning the letter sent by British Premier Tony Blair to the candidate countries on the subject of the EU's position on Iraq.

He reiterated that the use of force will be the last resort, which was however legitimized in some cases by the UN Charter as well, noting that the EU's statement did not included a note concerning the necessity for a second UN resolution on Iraq. Simitis stressed it was still very early for such a move and that the EU will take a position ''when the time comes''.

As for EU aid to Turkey, due to the war economic fallout, he said that such a request was made, adding that the subject will be examined if there is cause, as would the request of any other country.

[03] EU summit conclusions on Iraq Athens,

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

In an agreed statement, announced immediately after the end of the summit, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, current European Council president who also chaired the summit, the ''15'' stressed that the intention of the EU was to attain that goal with peaceful means, given the clear desire of the European people.

In their statement, the 15 leaders concluded that war was not inevitable and that the use of force was the last resort in the effort to disarm Iraq, also noting that it was up to the Baghdad regime to end the crisis by complying with UN demands.

The conclusions also noted that the United Nations were the centre of international order and that the primary responsibility for Iraq's disarmament lay with the Security Council. Moreover, the ''15'' expressed their full support for the Security Council, as well as for the work of the UN weapons inspectors, stressing that they should be given the time and resources that the Security Council believed they needed. However, they also stressed that the inspection process could not continue indefinitely in the absence of Iraqi authorities' full cooperation.

The Council conclusions also noted that the Iraqi regime would be responsible for any repercussions in the event it continued to ignore the will of the international community and failed to utilize this opportunity.

The ''15'' also stressed that they would cooperate with Arab countries and the Arab League in a common effort to make clear to Saddam Hussein the danger entailed in a possibly erroneous assessment of the situation on his part and the necessity for Iraq's full compliance with UNSCR 1441.

The EU leaders expressed their conviction on the need to reinvigorate the peace process in the Middle East and settle the dispute between Israelis and Palestinians, also noting that the EU supported the implementation of the ''road map'' set out by the Mideast Quartet (US, Russia, EU, United Nations).

''Terrorism and violence must come to an end, the reforms of the Palestinian Authority will have to pick up speed and within this framework, the decision of Yasser Arafat on appointing a prime minister is welcomed'', the ''15'' noted.

Finally, they said that the unity of the international community was a decisive factor with regard to the management of similar problems, adding that they were making a commitment to cooperate with all partners, especially with the US, toward the disarmament of Iraq, as well as for peace and stability in the region.

[04] Gov't expresses satisfaction with Monday EU summit's results

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The Monday summit was called by the Greek presidency in a bid to bridge differences within the Union over the Iraq crisis and confirm a common EU position on Iraq's disarmament.

Hytiris underlined that Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, current European Council president, had been vindicated for insisting that the summit take place.

The spokesman stressed that on Monday the EU had spoken with a single voice and that this was very important when seen in the context of what had gone before. He said the EU decision was moderate and logical and provided an opportunity for peace.

According to the spokesman, Simitis' EU counterparts had congratulated the prime minister for the initiative and the results of the summit.

Hytiris said the EU decision contained an appeal to Saddam Hussein to accept disarmament and was clearly in favor of extending the term of United Nations weapons inspectors, while it described the use of violence as a course to be avoided.

EU Commission praises Greek presidency for Monday summit's results: The European Commission on Tuesday praised the Greek presidency of the European Union for the convergence and results achieved at a special EU summit held in Brussels to discuss the Iraq crisis the previous day.

''We hail the courage that was so necessary for the Greek presidency to call the summit but chiefly the results that this initiative brought,'' Chief Commission spokesman Jonathan Faull said when asked to comment on the summit's conclusions.

The spokesman also stressed that the agreement achieved between EU leaders at the Monday summit showed that the EU was truly united in a difficult international crisis.

[05] Corriere dela Sera on Monday summit: ''Greece squares the circle''

ROME 19/02/2003 (ANA - L. Hatzikyriakos)

The newspaper said the joint text that arose from Monday's 'special' summit had succeeded in securing the minimum level of agreement needed to avert the collapse of the EU's common foreign policy.

It stressed, meanwhile, that the success of the endeavor had been by no means certain on the eve of the summit, especially after French President Jacques Chirac, whose country holds a veto on the Security Council, had clearly stated that he would not support a second United Nations resolution for war against Iraq and looked set to clash head-on with ''hawks'' Britain and Spain.

The Greek premier's strategic coup, according to the Italian paper, lay in inviting UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the meeting and thus underlining that the question of war or peace was a matter for the Security Council and not the EU.

It also noted the careful wording of the final resolution signed by the EU leaders, which shifted responsibility for the outcome to Baghdad if it failed to heed UN demands to disarm, which according to the paper essentially changed nothing but allowed all the EU leaders to sign.

Overall, the paper concluded, the summit was neither a monumental success nor a failure but it questioned whether its results had made any difference to the prospects of war in Iraq.

[06] Simitis, Clerides meet on emergency EU summit's sidelines

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - A. Simatos)

Simitis, currently the European Union Council President, told Clerides that his efforts for the EU accession of Cyprus were acknowledged, as is his handling of negotiations over a Cyprus settlement issue.

Clerides told the Greek prime minister that the accession of Cyprus to the EU and the momentum in activities for a solution to the long-standing issue also benefited from the Greek side's assistance support.

Clerides, after serving two five-year terms as Cyprus president, lost last Sunday's presidential elections to lawyer Tassos Papadopoulos.

[07] U.S. congratulates Cyprus' President-elect Tassos Papadopoulos

WASHINGTON 19/02/2003 (ANA - T. Ellis)

At the same time, the United States expressed hope that the two communities on the island will seize what it called the historic opportunity being presented with the initiative by the UN for a solution to be achieved.

The Bush administration's official stance will be revealed on Wednesday since Washington has been blockaded by unfavorable weather conditions, resulting in most state services coming to a standstill, except for the White House.

However, an authorized State Department official made the following statement, whose spirit will be followed publicly on Wednesday by the State Department's spokesman, if he is asked in this respect during his regular press briefing:

''We congratulate Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos on his election as the Fifth President of the Republic of Cyprus. We thank outgoing President Mr. Clerides for his considerable contribution to the purpose of peace on the island. The United States have a strong relation with Cyprus and the two countries have benefited from our joint cooperation in the war against terrorism and in other vital issues.

''We look forward to the further building of the relation on this base. Mr. Papadopoulos is assuming his duties at a historic moment for Cyprus. The initiative by the UN secretary general, which has our strong support, provides the opportunity for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to achieve a just and overall solution to the problem of Cyprus. We encourage both sides to seize this unique opportunity. A solution will allow all Cypriots to benefit from the accession of united Cyprus to the EU and will constitute a continuous contribution to regional security.''

[08] DM says Europe bridged differences between EU members

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

Papantoniou was addressing a joint meeting of NATO's Parliamentary Assembly with the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee and the corresponding committees of EU member-states' national Parliaments, which convened here under his chairmanship. The meeting focused on ''turbulence'' in relations between the United States and the EU and the crucial developments regarding the possible war in Iraq.

Replying to questions by Eurodeputies on the repercussions of the standoff between the U.S. and the EU, the Greek defense minister said the positive effects, which could be summed up in the intensification of efforts to shape a common EU foreign affairs and defense policy, could probably offset the negative aspects of the ongoing crisis which, as he said, he hopes will be overcome.

Papantoniou pointed out that the European defense is not a competitor but a supplement of NATO, without this depriving Europe of the possibility of having, in parallel, its own principles and values.

He placed emphasis on Europe's international role, which focuses on primarily utilizing political and not military means and made special reference to the recent address at the UN by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, which was enthusiastically applauded.

Outlining the Greek presidency's priorities (lasting for 12 months in this sector due to Denmark exempting itself as it is not participating in European defense), he referred to the securing of the EU's operational capacity, in accordance with the general military target on forming the European rapid reaction force which will be in a position to undertake humanitarian and peacekeeping missions (known as the Petersburg type).

Papantoniou said building a strong European defense is a strategic challenge which also concerns the industrial sector to a considerable degree.

He added that a common conception and a common European culture on security should be established, which is essential for the substantive development and strengthening of the European security and defense policy.

[09] DM meets with Prodi, discusses EU defense framework

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Tuesday expressed his satisfaction over the response of the European Commission to the request of the Greek EU presidency for earlier initiatives toward a more closer knit and effective framework of cooperation in the defense sector.

During his meeting with European Commission President Romano Prodi in Brussels, Papantoniou proposed the establishment of a new line in the budget for the funding of the defense research and development and requested that the issue be included in the agenda of the March EU Summit.

Papantoniou also met with the President of the Convention for the Future of Europe Giscard d' Estaing and Commissioner Michel Barnier.

[10] FM requested to brief foreign affairs Parliament Committee on Iraq, Cyprus

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

During discussion of a bill establishing the National Council of Foreign Policy (ESEP) the deputies composing the committee requested for the briefing, and committee president Carolos Papoulias responded that the minister had already planned to do so upon his return to Athens.

Main opposition New Democracy deputy Michalis Liapis and Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) deputy Maria Damanaki assessed that the contribution of the Greek EU presidency was positive toward the adoption of a common EU stance to the Iraqi crisis.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) deputy Liana Kanelli, however, said that the government should have distributed the official text of the ''15'' before expressing its position.

As for the bill establishing the National Council of Foreign Policy (ESEP) ruling PASOK and ND voted in favor, Synaspismos abstained in favor of discussion in the plenum and KKE voted against.

[11] Minor opposition parties react to EU's common position on Iraq

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The KKE political bureau's press release also claimed that the EU did not undertake it's responsibilities, by taking a stance against war with clarity and passed on the issue to the United Nations.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) also in a press release called the EU's position a compromise ''to secure a generally common European position and not a clear contribution in the direction of averting the war''.

It also noted that the European citizens demanded from their leaders to oppose the war and to contribute to the peaceful resolution of the crisis.

[12] Parliament president Kaklamanis' talks in India

NEW DELHI 19/02/2003 (ANA - M. Vichou)

Referring to the outcome of Monday's emergency EU summit held in Brussels on initiative of the Greek EU presidency, Kaklamanis said that the desire of the European peoples for the consolidation of peace and averting war -- as manifested in mass demonstrations over the weekend in the largest cities of the European continent -- had been respected.

Heptulla said her country fully agreed with a peaceful resolution of all problems, and noted the ''wisdom of the European leaders who, with their resolution, acted within the framework of the UN resolutions.

She described the present period as ''critical'' for the reinforcement of the UN ''so that it may be able to confront different situations and not allow individual countries to proceed alone on matters that have substantial repercussions on the entire world''.

The two parliamentary leaders expressed concern over the war clouds that were threatening the region but also the entire world, and Kaklamanis pointed out the repercussions that a war on Iraq would have on the European and global economy.

He also stressed the importance of absolute respect of the role of the UN and the UN Security Council for ensuring peace, and in that framework spoke of the need for restructuring the Security Council, abolishing the veto and establishing a ''more representative'' composition, noting that it was ''unfathomable'' that India was not a member of the Security Council.

Heptulla expressed her country's appreciation for Greece's support for India's bid to become a permanent member of the Security Council, and stressed the need for democratization of the international organization in order to render it more efficient with respect to the modern-day needs.

She further said that the Security Council resolutions should be more representative and reflect the general composition of the UN General Assembly.

On the issue of Pakistan, Heptulla said India had, for the past 10 years, been facing an ''underground war'' from Pakistan, adding that the world unfortunately had not realized that India was facing a terrorism problem, despite the country's efforts to focus international attention on that problem.

Kaklamanis in turn expressed Greece's appreciation for India's efforts to tackle the Kashmir problem with peaceful means.

Turning to other matters, Heptulla called for the establishment of an Indian Studies seat at a Greek university reciprocally for a Hellenic Studies seat already set up at Delhi University, which was currently lacking a professor. She said that culture was one are in which countries could cooperate without borders and without the risk of invasion.

Kaklamanis discusses bilateral issues with Indian president and FM: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis held talks with Indian President Abdul Kalam and Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday and expressed satisfaction over praise by Indian government and Parliamentary officials regarding Greece's role, as the country currently holding the EU presidency, in the decision taken on Iraq at the EU's special summit in Brussels on Monday.

Kaklamanis said his Indian interlocutors expressed hope that relations between the two countries can improve even further and agreements in the trade and cultural sectors can bear fruit.

The Parliament president invited the Indian president to visit Greece and his invitation was accepted by President Kalam, who stressed his satisfaction that the divided Europe of the first half of the 20th century is being led to ever-increasing convergence through the European Union, adding that war always brings war and wishing that Greece and India will always struggle for peace in the world.

Sinha also expressed satisfaction over the EU's decision and expressed his conviction that Iraq will succeed in convincing the international community that it does not possess weapons of mass destruction.

He also expressed concern that if the UN Security Council is sidestepped and the United States goes ahead with an attack on Iraq, together with certain countries, in essence the UN will be rendered useless.

[13] PM to brief Stephanopoulos on Wed; Giscard d'Estaing visit this week

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

Earlier, Simitis will meet with Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Alternate FM Tassos Yiannitsis on the issue of Europe’s Convention.

Simitis will host a luncheon for French statesman Valery Giscard d’Estaing, the current chairman of the European Convention.

Contacts are scheduled with other ministers as well, while on Friday the Greek premier will receive his Croatian counterpart Ivica Racan.

Finally, a regular inter-ministerial meeting focusing on preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games, chaired by Simitis, is scheduled for Monday.

Alternate Press Minister Telemahos Hytiris announced the premier’s itinerary.

[14] Karamanlis briefed by French, German envoys on stance vis-a-vis Iraq

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

No statements were made after either of Karamanlis' meetings with French ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert and German ambassador Dr. Albert Spiegel.

[15] Assistance for Palestinians meeting underway at Greek EU presidency initiative

LONDON 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The Greek EU presidency is represented by Overseas Hellenism Secretary General Dimitris Dollis who, in opening the sessions, stressed that the promotion of the peace process in the Middle East is one of the Greek EU presidency's main priorities.

Dollis said that the inhabitants of the Palestinian territories not only need financial aid but also need to be given a political vision, a political prospect for the building of a modern, independent and viable state by 2006.

He hailed the decision of the president of the Palestinian Authority to appoint a prime minister in the Palestinian territories and to start the procedures for the creation of a constitution in the Palestinian territories.

The representatives of the Quartet for the Peace Process in the Middle East (EU, UN, USA, Russia) are due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Wednesday afternoon.

[16] No need to amend EU economic governance, EU presidency says

BRUSSELS 19/02/2003 (ANA –B. Demiris)

In statement after the meeting, Christodoulakis said that expected from ECOFIN's contribution to the Convention on the Future of Europe was the promotion of recognized, viable and credible economic policies in terms of global markets, without sacrificing effectiveness achieved in the eurogroup.

With regard to the energy tax, the Union’s 15 ministers agreed to postpone discussion until the March 7 ECOFIN meeting, with Christodoulakis stressing that it was important to arrive at an agreement before the completion of EU enlargement, i.e. at the EU Council on March 21.

Referring to EU-Switzerland negotiations on savings taxation, Christodoulakis said representatives from both sides met on Tuesday morning in an effort to conclude negotiations, adding that “never before were we closer to an agreement.”

[17] Greek Chambers Union urges gov’t intervention against higher lending rates

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The union's chairman, George Kasimatis, noted it was inconceivable that at a time when interest rates were expected to fall further in the eurozone and the inflation rate continuing its decline, the phenomenon of higher lending interest rates emerging in the domestic market.

Higher interest rates, Mr Kasimatis said, would result to a worsening of a crisis situation in the domestic market, further burdening households and consumers with increased bank debt. The crisis would also affect small- and medium-sized enter-prises, he noted.

Mr. Kasimatis described the banks' policy as catastrophic and hitting the country's economy and the fabric of its society. He urged Greek banks to realize that lending rates were more than five times more than the current inflation rate, leading thousands of companies to bankruptcy.

"It is obvious that certain parties in the banking system do not wish to see their dominant position trimmed, nor an increase in competition in the domestic market," Mr Kasimatis said.

[18] Greek proposal to protect EU airlines from unfair competition

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

Under the Greek proposal, EU airlines were treated unfairly compared with other third countries' airlines that could receive state subsidies, under various forms, while European airline companies are barred from state subsidies.

Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Tuesday that the Greek proposal would aim to protecting European airlines from unfair competition from third countries' airlines and to allow the Community to take measures against foreign airlines receiving state subsidies, or adopting unfair ticket fares practices.

[19] Forum to promote business links between Greece, Turkey

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The forum will include a seminar and opportunities for executives of businesses to meet in preparation for this year's Partenariat, which is to be held in Istanbul in May.

The event has been arranged by the Association of Northern Greek Industry, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Trade and Industry, and Greece's consulate in Istanbul.

[20] Greek stocks move higher on Tuesday

Athens, 19/02/2003 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.48 percent higher at 1,693.78 points, with turnover a low 52.8 million euros.

The Insurance, Cement and Construction sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.40 percent, 1.93 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively), while the Retail and Textile sectors suffered losses (0.84 percent and 0.64 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.52 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.47 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.40 percent higher. The FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 0.47 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 188 to 101 with another 65 issues unchanged.

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