Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis presents account of EU Presidency to Europarliament

[02] PM and European Parliament president address press conference

[03] Gov't on PM's initiatives, main opposition call for early elections

[04] Gov't rejects proposal to 'open' MPs stock market codes

[05] ND leader meets Greek businessmen and university professors in London

[06] Greece annoyed by bilateral U.S.-FYROM agreement with use of name 'Macedonia'

[07] Sixteen Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate Greek airspace

[08] Gov't meeting reviews measures for upcoming heat wave

[09] PPC says power outages due to third parties, not over-consumption

[10] No extension to deadline for 'green card' applications, ministry insists

[11] Church warns against modification of law on legal brothels

[12] Greek gov’t unveils new development law

[13] Budget completely off target, main opposition claims

[14] Greek gov’t sticks to 3.8 pct growth rate in 2003

[15] Greece, Cyprus sign merchant marine cooperation agreement

[16] Greek stocks end 1.28 pct lower on Tuesday

[17] Entry permit to be granted to political refugees who settled in FYROM

[18] N17 trial continues with more defense witnesses

[19] Three concerts on the Mediterranean to be held in northern Greece from July 3-6

[20] US want talks with some prospect for success, says Cyprus

[21] Denktash must be removed, says

[01] Simitis presents account of EU Presidency to Europarliament

STRASBOURG 02/07/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

''I feel that this past semester Europe went through a period of transformation,'' Simitis told the EP plenary session, adding ''the events that took place during that time allowed the Union to take a look at its weaknesses, but also at its strong points; they made it more mature in the political arena, more decisive in taking action, at the same time clearly revealing a need for decision-making for the future of Europe.''

Premier Simitis recalled the five priorities of the Greek Presidency set out in December 2002, including EU enlargement, renewing the Lisbon process, managing the Convention on the future of Europe, taking new initiatives on illegal immigration and strengthening Europe's common foreign and security policy.

He said the Accession Treaty signed between the Union and the ten new members on April 15 in Athens, including the Cyprus Republic, constituted one of the most significant events in the course of the EU and sealed the reunification of Europe.

''It was a peak point in the presidency,'' he said.

Turning to the Lisbon process, the Prime Minister welcomed a series of agreements including agreement on the broad economic policy guidelines, tax evasion, the European patent, increasing the amount of money spent on research, the Charter for Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the liberalization of the energy market, trans-European transport and energy networks, renewable energy sources, the removal of single hull tankers following the ‘Prestige’ disaster, and environmental liability.

On the draft EU Constitution, prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe and presented to the heads of state and government at the EU Thessaloniki Council, June 19-20, the Greek premier stated that the draft text was a ''very satisfactory basis'' for the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference (opening in October) and that a final agreement should be reached by June 2004 at the latest, that is, before the European elections.

With regard to EU immigration policy, Simitis stated that failure to properly implement the Tampere and Seville agreements was primarily the result of a lack in financing, clearly underlining the need for a common European approach to asylum policy.

He went on by listing a series of achievements including the recent decisions on agriculture reform and stressed that more money would now be earmarked on food safety and the environment.

Turning to external relations, he stressed the importance of the agreement on the Western Balkans, with agreement on increased financial assistance to the region and a long-term plan for EU accession.

On Iraq, the Prime Minister focused on the reconstruction aspects and the role of the United Nations, and welcomed the publication of the ''road map'' for peace in the Middle East.

In conclusion, the Greek prime minister thanked the European Parliament for its cooperation and wished Italy success in its six-month Presidency.

The EP Presidium thanked and congratulated the Greek prime minister, while President Pat Cox said he was grateful for the high level of cooperation and thanked Simitis for the assistance provided by the Greek Presidency in a number of areas, a ''positive contribution to the course of Europe.''

On his part, Commission President Romano Prodi paid tribute to the work of the Greek Presidency in not only completing the enlargement process but also in overseeing the work of the Convention, and congratulated Simitis and his associates for the ''efficient coordinating role that the presidency played.

''During his six-month mandate, the Greek presidency was steady at the wheel, even during the most difficult times, exhibiting the skills and sensitivity that we have been seeing in the Greek people since the birth of our civilization,'' Prodi said.

Chairman of the EP Christian Democrat group Hans-Gert Pottering spoke about the ''success of the Greek presidency'' which he said was ''bright'' in spite of the Iraq crisis, and thanked the Greek prime minister for his initiative to invite the heads of the EP's political groups at the recent EU Council in Thessaloniki.

In his address, PES Leader Enrique Baron Crespo noted that ''the Greek presidency had exhibited ability and determination at the helm of Europe'', while Liberal Graham Watson stated that the Greek Presidency, on the whole, should be seen in very positive terms.

Euro-deputies Johannes Voggenhuber and Neil MacCormick, on behalf of the Group of the Greens, praised the work of the Greek presidency and said it had proved that ''a small country is capable of leading the Union.''

Finally, Socialist deputy Carlos Lage, Portugal, said the ''Greek prime minister had handled the issue of Turkey with fairness, which was very important for Europe,'' adding that a solution had also been reached on the Common Agriculture Policy during Greece's tenure at the presidency.

''The Greek presidency was inspired by Plato and Aristotle, proving that politics cannot be separated from philosophy,'' the Portuguese euro-deputy said.

''The Greek presidency should be used as a point of reference by future presidencies,'' he concluded.

[02] PM and European Parliament president address press conference

STRASBOURG 02/07/2003 (ANA - C. Poulidou)

Cox referred in particular to the Presidency's cooperation on the agreement on determining the status of political parties and the status of Eurodeputies.

He also pointed out that the object of the Intergovernmental Conference must be determined ''correctly'', while underlining ''the great calmness of the Greek Presidency'' in managing the crisis in Iraq.

Simitis said that events that took place during the Greek EU Presidency ''greatly changed the concept on common defense and foreign policy,'' as well as on the need to intensify policies regarding ''the joint managing of economic problems'' due to the conjuncture of economic recession and immigration pressures.

The prime minister also defended the Convention's proposal for the replacement of the rotating Presidency, saying that ''we probably wanted a different formation.''

He added that what is necessary is ''for us to see the process which took place creatively and to continue to see it in this way in order to enable us to be led to a mutually acceptable target, observing a tight timetable.''

Replying to a questioner, Simitis said that ''the Italian Presidency will also be a very good Presidency,'' adding that from the experience he gained ''a continuous effort must be made for an understanding with all partners.''

[03] Gov't on PM's initiatives, main opposition call for early elections

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Simitis has announced that he will take a series of measures to dispel widespread malaise with the ruling PASOK party after the end of the Greek EU presidency, which officially ended on Monday.

Protopapas warned that the rumors about these measures were completely baseless, while he refused to comment on whether the planned initiatives would include changes to electoral law, changes within the party or a reshuffle.

He took the opportunity to comment on the repeated calls made by main opposition New Democracy for early elections, however, and an announcement that the party was thinking of tabling a motion of no-confidence in the government.

The spokesman noted that ND Central Committee Secretary Vaggelis Meimarakis had made the announcement while former ND president Miltiades Evert had discounted this course as 'pointless and luckless' and that similar disparities could be seen in the statements made by ND leader Costas Karamanlis and other members of his party about holding early elections.

He accused ND of being 'incredibly slapdash' regarding its stance on these two very important issues, while stressing that elections would be held at the end of the government's four-year term as scheduled, whatever the main opposition finally decided.

[04] Gov't rejects proposal to 'open' MPs stock market codes

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

He said the proposal clashed with existing laws and the rules of the market and that the government intended to seek other ways to make the 'statement of means' declaration submitted by MPs a more effective control.

He announced that Prime Minister Costas Simitis was examining initiatives that will increase transparency and that among the measures that the prime minister is expected to announce on Wednesday will be some that seek greater transparency.

[05] ND leader meets Greek businessmen and university professors in London

LONDON 02/07/2003 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

The guests were Greek businessmen, university professors and members of known financial organizations.

Karamanlis said in a brief address that their role in Britain is serious and very important.

''I must tell you that all of us in New Democracy acknowledge how good ambassadors of Greece and Hellenism you are in this country. You are distinguishing yourselves in the academic society, in businesses and in shipping where your performance makes us all proud and you deserve our support in practice and not only with words,'' he said.

Karamanlis said Greece has been a European Union member for a quarter of a century and is forging ahead with the other European countries and this is the framework it has steadfastly chosen.

He further said that on major and national issues all must pro-mote what unites and leave points of disagreement and competition for the domestic political scene.

Karamanlis was due to make an address at City University in London on Tuesday night on the theme ''Greece on the new scene of Europe''.

[06] Greece annoyed by bilateral U.S.-FYROM agreement with use of name 'Macedonia'

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis said on Tuesday that Foreign Minister George Papandreou has already taken necessary actions, raising the issue with U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller and addressing a letter to his U.S. counterpart Colin Powell.

Beglitis said the use of the term ''Macedonia'' in a bilateral agreement ''in no way constitutes a test for the final solution to the issue of the name'' which, as he stressed, will be found through negotiations taking place in the framework of the UN.

The foreign ministry spokesman reminded that the internationally recognized current name of the landlock former Yugoslav republic is ''Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.''

[07] Sixteen Turkish warplanes infringe Athens FIR, violate Greek airspace

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

According to press reports, six formations, 16 aircraft, of Turkish warplanes made an equal number of infringements of air traffic regulations in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) on Tuesday which developed into 42 violations of national airspace in the southern Aegean.

In all cases, the 16 Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by Greek warplanes, while in three cases the interception developed into an engagement.

It is recalled that until last year the two-month moratorium on the holding of exercises and activities in the summer season was respected, on the basis of the Papoulias-Yilmaz memorandum.

[08] Gov't meeting reviews measures for upcoming heat wave

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Skandalidis said the meeting had shown that there was adequate power and that all necessary safety measures had been taken. He said a power plant in Florina would be recruited to add to the capital's power supply.

As of Wednesday, he added, there would be power cuts in state-run factories and the public would be asked to reduce consumption.

The minister noted that all hospitals were on standby and all possessed air conditioning.

Employees in the public and private sector with long-term health problems will be allowed to abstain from their duties during the hottest hours of the day with the permission of their superiors, he added.

The entire fleet of OOSA public transport buses in Athens is equipped with air-conditioning, while no special measures have been ordered to restrict the movement of private cars - though the minister noted that measures might be enforced as necessary. He urged the public to restrict their movements during the heat wave as far as possible and said the environment ministry was monitoring pollution levels and was on standby with respect to ozone levels.

[09] PPC says power outages due to third parties, not over-consumption

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Greece is in the midst of a mini heat wave since last weekend, with the prolific use of air conditioners stretching the PPC’s power production to the extreme.

However, the bourse-listed utility’s management stressed on Tuesday that there was no danger of a general blackout, as production capacity was satisfactory and that inter-connected power grids in Europe guaranteed supply.

PPC also said power outages were not the utility’s fault, but caused by third parties (construction of a new tram network, water works etc).

[10] No extension to deadline for 'green card' applications, ministry insists

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

The new circular aimed to clear up confusion regarding Mon-day's circular on the same issue, stressing that no extension will be given.

The ministry said that the dossiers of foreign nationals that had submitted their papers within the deadline and received a priority slip giving a date over the next few days will have been processed by July 4.

Applications given a priority slip naming a date for the examination of their case within the next few months - mainly in Attica and the Athens municipality - would be processed sometime within July, Deputy Foreign Minister Loukas Papadimas said.

Papadimas held a meeting on Tuesday with the Athens and Piraeus prefects and the Athens municipality general secretary, after which he announced that the ministry would hire 30-35 additional staff to process the applications and provide funds to cover the operation of an additional Service Centre.

According to figures given by Papadimas, 64,011 applications for work permits had been submitted to the Athens Prefecture since the beginning of the year. So far, 52,265 permits had been issued and 17.746 were still pending.

[11] Church warns against modification of law on legal brothels

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Speculation has been rife in the Greek capital over the past few days on whether such an eyebrow-raising development will come before next year’s 2004 Olympic Games.

Following a same-day briefing of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece’s Holy Synod by Athens’ deputy mayor, Metropolitan Ierotheos again noted the Church’s “heightened concern” over the issue, and warned that if such a decision is passed, then the Church would reconsider its support for the hosting of the Olympics in Athens.

Ierotheos, who is also the Holy Synod’s press spokesman, said deputy Athens mayor Hera Valsamaki will brief the Church in writing regarding the issue, following her address on Tuesday.

Finally, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos denied press reports claiming a “fall-out” with Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni over the matter.

[12] Greek gov’t unveils new development law

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

Presenting the draft law, Mr Christodoulakis stressed that the new legislation was introducing the tax contract status, offering foreign investments tax stability for 10 years with reduced tax factors determined as a percentage of invested capital or turnover and profits.

The Greek minister left the door open to introduce this status also for large Greek investments.

The new development law, whose drafting is expected to be completed in July and to be submitted to parliament, raises subsidies for job creation, offering tax incentives to businesses making fixed investments and counter-incentives for the relocation of Greek businesses in the Balkans.

"We say yes to activities in the Balkans, but no to business migration," Mr Christodoulakis stressed.

The Greek government is adopting the Irish model in its effort to attract foreign investments in the country.

The draft law also envisages abolishing any discrimination between old and new enterprises, offering the opportunity of creation special tax-exempt reserve funds, raising subsidies to 50,000 per job position and remove all commitments for the creation of new job positions in high-technology investments.

More analytically, the draft legislation envisages:

1. Improving incentives for large investments and investments by companies with international activities,

2. Raising subsidies for new job creation,

3. Higher financial support of investments in the tourism sector,

4. Flexible subsidies to investments in the high-technology sector,

5. Simplified intermediate procedures, and

6. Forcing enterprises relocating to neighboring countries to maintain their job positions in Greece.

[13] Budget completely off target, main opposition claims

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

He said this was the result of an "orgy of state wastefulness and great shortfalls in public revenue."

According to Alogoskoufis, the government was "obviously incapable" of controlling public finances and things could only get worse as the pre-election period unfolded.

"The present government has run its course. The country needs a new policy and a new government as soon as possible," he concluded

[14] Greek gov’t sticks to 3.8 pct growth rate in 2003

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

In its six-month report on economic outlook, the ministry said it expected next year's growth to accelerate to 4.1 percent.

The ministry also maintained its target for a deficit of 0.9 percent of Gross Domestic Product this year, excluding spending to repairing damages caused by severe weather conditions early in the year that could lead to exceeding the annual deficit target.

Greek unemployment is forecast to fall to 9.1 percent of the workforce in 2003 and to 8.3 percent in 2004, while inflation would remain double the eurozone average rate both this year and in 2004, the report said.

[15] Greece, Cyprus sign merchant marine cooperation agreement

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

The agreement was signed by Greek Merchant Marine Minister George Anomeritis and Cyprus Transport and Works Minister Kikis Kazamias.

The agreement envisages the equal treatment of ships by both countries in each other's harbors, offering of harbor services and the mutual acceptance of ship and seamen certificates.

The deal also envisages measures to reducing delays of ships in both countries' harbors and simpler procedures and cooperation in offering emergency help in cases of naval accidents.

Mr Anomeritis also met with the President of Cyprus Republic, Mr Tassos Papadopoulos

[16] Greek stocks end 1.28 pct lower on Tuesday

Athens, 02/07/2003 (ANA)

The general index fell 1.28 percent to end at 1,867.79 points, mainly reflecting a 7.38 percent drop in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization’s share price (the company's shares were traded ex-dividend).

Turnover was a moderate 100.8 million euros.

The Telecommunications, Publications and Metal sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (3.98 percent, 2.93 percent and 2.17 percent, respectively), while the IT Solution (3.68 percent), Textile (2.34 percent) and Wholesale (2.07 percent) sectors scored the biggest percentage gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 1.72 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.47 per-cent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.42 percent higher and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index fell 1.18 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 176 to 142 with another 35 issues unchanged.

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