Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM tells new cabinet he will brook no delays in government's work

[02] DMs of Greece and Serbia-Montenegro examine military cooperation possibilities

[03] Athens condemns twin suicide bombings in Moscow

[04] Economy ministry to take control of Post Savings Bank

[05] Greek exports showed signs of recovery in 1st quarter

[06] Greek producer price index rises 0.2 pct in May, yr/yr

[07] Survey: Hotels industry shows falling profits, rising labor costs

[08] Greek exporters' union to participate in intl trade fairs

[09] Larco ferronickel in consortium to take over northern gold project

[10] Greek car market down 4.3 percent in 1st half

[11] Communist party criticizes employee dismissals in many municipalities in country

[12] Athens, Cyprus bourses work for tighter links

[13] ASE ends above 2,000 mark on Monday

[14] Deputy FM outlines foreign ministry's Olympic Games policy

[15] Former public order minister Chrysohoidis honored by Fire Brigade

[16] Deputy FM briefs expatriate journalists on foreign policy issues

[17] Schwimmer to discuss CoE role in Cyprus solution with Annan

[18] Euro-Med youth seminar for finding common ground opens

[19] Pope hopes for new push in Cyprus question

[01] PM tells new cabinet he will brook no delays in government's work

Addressing the new cabinet during its first meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Costas Simitis told ministers that he would brook no delays or lost time in carrying out the government program and would not hesitate to make further changes ''to make things run faster.''

Relaying the prime minister's speech during the meeting, which was held immediately after Monday's swearing-in ceremony, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said Simitis had asked ministers for ''a fast pace'' in carrying out their work, noting that the government had nine months in which to meet the commitments it had undertaken before the Greek electorate.

''The present government composition is the result of a real need to push ahead with the government's work, for more effectiveness and continued intensive efforts,'' the premier said.

Apart from producing results, Simitis also emphasized the need to address problems that had a negative impact on the public's everyday life, such as long queues at public services, and new forms of exploitation and unethical business practices, such as banks issuing credit cards without any application via phone book listings.

''Such practices are unacceptable and must be dealt with, as must exploitative behavior toward immigrants,'' he said.

The prime minister also stressed the ''Greece 2004'' program, which outlines targets in each area of policy, saying he intended to work closely with his government to overcome present difficulties in its implementation and stressing that the pace would have to be accelerated.

''I will be in constant contact with all of you and whenever you wish you can come into contact with me. I am available and you will have my support but you must know that any form of procrastination, delay or postponement will be judged by the Greek people. There can be no loss of time,'' Simitis underlined.

He urged his government to show the same zeal in this as it had shown for Greece's successful EU presidency, and particularly stressed the need to promote the government's views.

''There must be continual mobilization; there must be answers from the government side for all issues that are raised. The government cannot react by considering its answers self-evident, because then the self-evident will cease to exist,'' he told ministers.

He also called on the new cabinet to increase the frequency of its visits to the regions, Attica and the Thessaloniki area, urging them to coordinate their visits in July and August with the Minister of State.

For his own part, Simitis said he would be more closely monitoring the progress of preparations for the Olympic Games in 2004, starting with a meeting of the Interministerial Committee for Coordinating Olympic Games Preparations (DESOP) later in the week, and the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF), where he would continue monthly meetings with the ministers involved in view of a mid-term review of the 3rd CSF in July.

In addition, the premier said he will be having weekly meetings with the new PASOK Central Committee Secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

He made it clear that there would be no need for a government 'directorate' since there would be regular meetings of both the full cabinet and Inner Cabinet, starting with a further 'working' meeting of the cabinet later in the week.

Finally, Simitis said that he intended to present the government's strategy for a 'Convergence Charter' outlining achievements in economic and social sectors before the Thessaloniki International Fair in September.

He instructed all ministers to present an outline with the program proposals for their respective ministries by the end of August, so that public debate might begin.

''We must send out a message of a strong economy and a strong social state. The citizens want a climate of confidence and well-defined prospects. If we guarantee society more prospects and safety, it will walk with us...but the imperfect tense is not appealing. We must send all the citizens a strong message of trust, optimism and confidence,'' Simitis concluded.

Incoming cabinet members assume new offices on Monday :

The newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers on Monday assumed their offices from their outgoing colleagues after the swearing-in and a first meeting of the new Cabinet members earlier in the day, following Friday's mini-reshuffle.

The new Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis, transferred from his post at the head of Macedonia-Thrace ministry, said that life and boat safety, as well as the quality of services and environmental protection would be the focus of his new ministry.

Incoming Deputy Development Minister Kimon Koulouris assumed his new duties vowing an uncompromising battle against illicit profiteering, while Finance Minister Christos Christodoulakis in his welcoming speech for newcomer deputy Finance Minister Nikos Pharmacies ruled ''irrational fiscal policy excesses'' as election political stunts.

At the education ministry, incoming Deputy Education Minister George Thomas took over from outgoing Eleni Kourkoula, who vowed to continue ''the battle for the success of the government work'', while the new Deputy Welfare Minister Vasilis Kontogiannopoulos was introduced to the ministry staff by Health Minister Costas Stephanis.

Newcomer Public Order Minister George Floridis took over from Michalis Chrysohoidis who was on Friday elected to head the Executive Committee of ruling PASOK party.

DHKKI leader slams gov't reshuffle, invites PASOK supporters to join his party:

Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas on Monday slammed the government for its recent ''mini reshuffling'' and called on the ''pure fighters'' of ruling PASOK to join his party.

Tsovolas, himself a former PASOK deputy and cabinet minister in the 80's, said the ''government's highly publicized reshuffle was a low comedy that disappointed even the staunchest of PASOK supporters'', and called on his former colleagues to ''rid themselves of their sentimentalism'' and ''join him in building a new, pure and democratic front''.

The leader of DHKKI said his party will claim a strong Parliament representation at the next national elections, which he forecast to take place shortly before the government announces its new budget plan (around mid-September).

[02] DMs of Greece and Serbia-Montenegro examine military cooperation possibilities

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou held talks on Monday with his counterpart from Serbia-Montenegro Boris Tadic on possibilities of military cooperation between the two countries, while Papantoniou reiterated Greece's support for Serbia-Montenegro's claim for accession to Euro-Atlantic structures.

The Greek defense minister said the presence of a Greek officer in Belgrade was agreed to help efforts to modernize the armed forces of Serbia-Montenegro.

Also agreed were exchanges of visits by members of the two countries' armed forces, the training of Serbs and Montenegrins at Greek armed forces academies and the creation of an experts committee of the two ministries' General Armaments Department to probe the possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in the defense industry sector.

Papantoniou said that at a diplomatic level Greece supports the accession of the republic to SEDM, the initiative for cooperation between the countries of southeastern Europe, as well as to Partnership for Peace operations which constitutes the antechamber for its accession to NATO.

In addition, Greece will support the claim of Serbia-Montenegro for observer status at NATO's ministerial sessions.

Papantoniou also reminded of efforts being made by the Greek government at bilateral and EU level to enable the western Balkans to be helped economically to meet criteria for their accession to the EU.

Tadic said the Republic of Serbia and Montenegro attributes great importance to Greece's support for its claims for accession to Euro-Atlantic structures and always examines in good faith the indications of our country for the effort to modernize Serbia-Montenegro.

He invited Papantoniou to visit Belgrade at a time to be determined through diplomatic channels.

Tadic was also received on Monday night by President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[03] Athens condemns twin suicide bombings in Moscow

Foreign Ministry spokesman Panos Beglitis on Monday expressed the Greek government's opposition to all forms of violence, responding to the twin suicide bombings in Moscow over the weekend.

''Greece strongly condemns the latest terrorist attack in Moscow, which caused the deaths of several innocent victims,'' he said.

The Greek government also expressed its sincerest condolences and deepest sympathy for the Russian government and reiterated its opposition to all forms of violence, which it said could in no way be justified.

''It is clear that such actions undermine efforts to normalize the situation and find a political solution, which Greece continues to support without reservations,'' the spokesman added.

Thirteen people died and dozens were injured in double suicide bomber hits at an open-air concert in Moscow over the weekend, carried out by two women believed to be linked to rebel Chechen separatists.

[04] Economy ministry to take control of Post Savings Bank

The Post Savings Bank should be transferred under the full control of the Greek economy ministry after completion of a procedure to fully transform the Post Savings Bank into a financial company, Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis said on Monday.

In his recommendation to the Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the government's economic team, Mr Verelis said that both the bank's management and staff were showing extremely high adaptation rates to a new law, recently voted in parliament and gradually implemented, and stressed that an independent auditor was beginning a valuation survey of the company.

According to government sources, the government plans to list the Post Savings Bank with the Athens Stock Exchange, either as an independent company or in some kind of cooperation with another financial institution.

The Post Savings Bank has made significant restructuring steps in the last few years and is currently operating as a modern financial institution.

[05] Greek exports showed signs of recovery in 1st quarter

Greek exports showed signs of recovery in the first three months of 2003, both in euro or in US dollar terms, the Panhellenic Exporters' Union said on Monday.

A report on export performance in the January-March period, based on National Statistics Service data, showed that the value of Greek exports in the first quarter totalled 2.908 billion euros, or 3.119 billion US dollars, from 2.730 billion euros or 2.393 billion dollars, an increase of 6.5 percent and 30.4 percent, respectively.

The Union stressed, however, that imports' growth exceeded export growth rate (21 percent and 41 percent, respectively) over the same period.

The Union noted that a 6.5 percent rise in exports, in euro currency, was a significant development for the country's exports as it was measured on a strong currency.

[06] Greek producer price index rises 0.2 pct in May, yr/yr

Greek manufacturing companies are slashing their export prices to boost their competitiveness in international markets, but continue to raise their domestic prices moderately, official figures showed on Monday.

The National Statistics Service said that the Greek producer price index rose 1.4 percent in May, compared with the same month last year, while the price index for international markets fell 3.1 percent over the same period.

The composite producer price index rose 0.2 percent in May from the same month in 2002, for a decline of 0.4 percent from the previous month. Greek retail sales' value up 8.6 pctin Jan-April Athens 8/07/2003 Greek retail sales' value rose 8.6 percent in the first four months of 2003 compared with the same period last year, although the January-April figure was slightly slower compared with the January-March period (9.1 percent), the National Statistics Service said on Monday.

In its monthly report, NSS said that sales in the book-office paper products-gift product sector recorded the biggest growth rate in the first four months of 2003 (14.9 percent), followed by supermarkets (12.5 percent), medicines-cosmetics (11.8 percent), department stores (9.0 percent) and the furniture-electric appliances sector (8.0 percent).

The food-beverage-tobacco and the clothing-footwear sectors' turnover rose by 3.7 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively, both below the annual inflation rate in the country.

NSS said that the value of retail sales in April rose 7.2 percent compared with the same month last year.

Intracom completes supply project with Agricultural Bank Athens 8/07/2003 Intracom Group on Monday announced the completion of a supply, transfer, installation and operation of 1,280 Olivetti's passbook printers to Agricultural Bank's branches around the country.

Intracom took over the project after winning an international tender.

[07] Survey: Hotels industry shows falling profits, rising labor costs

The domestic hotels industry showed a decline in earnings and increase in labor costs in 2002, the provisional findings of a survey released on Monday showed.

Commissioned by the SETE trade group and Travel Daily News, Hotel Study 2003 said that expenditure on marketing and management had also dropped, while gross operating profit fell an average four percentage points to 20-30 percent.

Worst hit were A and resort class hotels, which showed a slump in gross operation profit of 5-10 percent.

The report added that the decline in gross operating profit was especially disquieting as it had occurred despite a rise in revenue.

[08] Greek exporters' union to participate in intl trade fairs

The Exporters' Union of Northern Greece (SEBE) on Monday announced plans for new business missions to Turkey, Poland and Romania in September and November this year, as part of SEBE's "Expoassistance" service aimed to support Greek business activity abroad.

SEBE will participate in the CeBIT Bilisim Eurasia annual trade fair to be held in Istanbul, September 2-7, Polagra, the biggest food and beverage trade fair in Eastern Europe to be held in Poznan, Poland, September 16-19, and Indagra, an annual food and beverage trade fair in Bucarest, Romania, to be held November 5-9.

[09] Larco ferronickel in consortium to take over northern gold project

A consortium including Larco SA, a state-owned ferronickel engineering contractors, local authorities and foreign investors are to take over a gold mining operation in the north.

TVX Hellas Mines and Gold Industry SA, which had declared bankruptcy in May, said in a statement on Monday that the Greek government had informed Kinross, its multinational owner, that the move to find investors had borne fruit.

Deputy Finance Minister Christos Pachtas had finalized composition of the consortium that was to continue operation of the mines, the statement said.

In coming days, a memorandum of agreement would be signed by the Greek government, Kinross and the consortium setting terms for the transfer of ownership, TVX added.

[10] Greek car market down 4.3 percent in 1st half

The Greek car market shrank in the first half of 2003, although it managed to reduce its earlier heavy losses, official figures showed on Monday.

A monthly report by the Federation of Car Importers-Dealers, said that the Greek car market shrank by 4.3 percent in the first six months of the year, with sales totalling 141.220 units, down from 147,543 units in the same period last year.

The domestic car market had dropped by as much as 32 percent in the January-February period.

The Iraqi crisis and a slowdown in consumer demand, also hitting other sectors of the economy, were the main factors behind the disappointing first half figures, the report said. It noted, however, that a combination of favorable financial programs and more flexible marketing moves by companies, managed to stabilize the market in the last two months.

Toyota topped the list of the most successful car company in Greece in the first half of 2003, with 13,510 sales, followed by Hyundai (11,987) and Opel (11,257).

Ford jumped from the 11th position last year to fourth with 9,951 sales, while Volkswagen reported sales of 9.267 units in the January-June period.

The Federation said it expected the domestic car market to end 2003 around last year's levels.

[11] Communist party criticizes employee dismissals in many municipalities in country

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said in an announcement on Monday the mass dismissals of employees in dozens of municipalities in the country confirm that local administration is a lever for the implementation of ant popular policy and the abolition of labor rights.

The announcement added that thousands of extra employees hired through the ''Help at Home'' program remain unpaid, school guards lack social security and all these employees are being led to unemployment or have to stay with part-time work.

KKE called on working people, extra employees and those dismissed to draw the necessary political conclusions and give their reply with their votes in the elections.

Greek and Bulgarian labor unions launch common action Athens 8/07/2003 Labor unions from the northern Greek regions of eastern Macedonia and Thrace and their counterparts from southern Bulgaria on Monday agreed to launch common action, while top labor union officials from both regions submitted a joint application to the European Community Initiative Interreg III.

The initiative includes common action in a number of projects, including retraining of Bulgarian trade unionists, labor market surveys, exchange of information and teleconferences, and the development of an information network and the establishment of information offices in both regions.

[12] Athens, Cyprus bourses work for tighter links

Senior officials of the Athens and Cyprus stock exchanges met on Monday to discuss tightening links between the two bourses.

On the agenda for future talks is the possibility of establishing cross membership, beyond cooperation already agreed.

[13] ASE ends above 2,000 mark on Monday

Greek stocks soared to new highs for the year in the Athens Stock Exchange on Monday supported by strong buying interest and a positive trend in other European markets.

The general index soared 3.54 percent to end above the 2,000 level for the first time in months, at 2,015.66 points, with turnover an improved 199.5 million euros.

The Publication, Insurance, Bank, Holding, Construction and Investment sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (11.25 percent, 7.86 percent, 4.91 percent, 4.84 percent, 4.83 percent and 4.44 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks jumped 3.65 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 3.90 percent, the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index soared 4.37 percent and the wider FTSE/ASE 140 index ended 3.77 percent up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 337 to 17 with another 13 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Alpha Bank, Football Pools Organization, Lambrakis Press Organization, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 114.0 mln euros Monday

Equity Index Futures: