Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-09-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis receives Hungarian President Madl; EU issues discussed

[02] Dialogue on election law begins with just one opposition party attending

[03] FM to submit draft resolution to UN for 'best possible world' through sport

[04] European Parliament ratifies report on European constitution

[05] Juvenile offenders bill discussed by Parliament committee

[06] Papantoniou signs Anna Lindh book of condolences in Sweden

[07] Simitis-Chrysohoidis meeting on Wed. 24

[08] Main opposition leader visits State Audit Council, criticizes gov't

[09] PAME labor group presents information on situation in Palestinian territory

[10] Greek tourism completes promotion campaign in US market

[11] UK tour operators-GNTO discuss tourism matters

[12] Farm minister says EU policy to aid sector amid global competition

[13] Transport Minister: Gov't will not back down on receipts for taxis

[14] Greek consumers to seek class action suit against PPC

[15] Crete, Cyprus to debate ports and EU transport networks

[16] Shipping welcomes inclusion in government alignment charter

[17] National Bank says to acquire Banca Romaneasca

[18] Capital Markets' Commission announces penalties

[19] Greek businesses need more funding to adopt new technologies, report

[20] Lebanese business delegation visits Athens

[21] GSEE seeks legislation to prevent strikes being counted as leave

[22] Greek stocks rise for second consecutive session

[23] Top leadership restructuring announced by ATHOC chief

[24] Deputy sports minister meets with visiting Hungarian counterpart

[25] Olympic image of Athens presented at Berlin photo exhibition

[26] MP Fassoulas to address UN Security Council on Olympic Truce

[27] Ecumenical Patriarch received by Georgian president

[28] Attorney in N17 case expresses doubts over Sotiropoulou's guilt

[29] One death reported in border guard incident

[30] WWF Hellas slams gov't measures for illegal building, forests

[31] EU Commission publishes lists of chemicals, illnesses in workplace

[32] Merchant marine minister issues message in light of Merchant Marine Day

[33] World cultural heritage conference begins in Rhodes

[34] President Papadopoulos meets US diplomat on Cyprus

[35] Cyprus Spokesman says wanted changes to Annan Plan within its framework

[36] EU highly unlikely to send observers to monitor 'elections'

[37] Cyprus government welcomes Berlusconi's statement

[01] Simitis receives Hungarian President Madl; EU issues discussed

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The meeting at the premier’s office came a day after Greek President Kostis Stephano-poulos received Madl.

Simitis stressed that Athens wants to aid in Hungary’s adjustment to the new European Union reality, as well as increasing coordination amongst all EU member-states in light of ongoing work over a new European Constitution. Finally, he noted that Hungary hosted many ethnic Greeks in the aftermath of a civil war in the country (1946-49)

On his part, Madl expressed his satisfaction over Athens’ contribution so far to his country EU accession process, noting that bilateral and economic relations have been very healthy for some time.

Additionally, he referred to the VII European (road) corridor as one area where the two countries can cooperate even more within the Union framework.

In reference to the timely issue of Europe’s future, Madl said Budapest backs the notion of a strong Europe in terms of security and foreign policy.

“The moment of truth will come at the Intergovernmental Conference. Europe will be called on to prove whether it is able to express its view over its own future. I am, however, certain that until then whatever outstanding issues remaining will have been resolved,” he said.

The Hungarian head of state earlier visited the offices of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), where he called the Hungarian economy “attractive” for Greek and other foreign investors.

According to EBEA figures, some 110 Greek firms are active in the Hungarian market, mostly involved with tourism, commerce, telecoms, transports and other service-related sectors.

Total Greek investment in the country is estimated at US$180 million, while Greek exports to the Visegrad country include farm produce, tobacco, plastics and metals. Conversely, Greece mostly imports industrial goods from Hungary, mainly electrical products and automobiles.

ND leader meets with visiting Hungarian president: Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday met with visiting Hungarian President Ferenc Madl and discussed bilateral issues, as well as ways to further improve bilateral relations.

They focused on the role Greece and Hungary, as medium size countries, can play in the European Union, in light of the Intergovernmental Conference of Rome.

Madl also met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

[02] Dialogue on election law begins with just one opposition party attending

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga sent a letter announcing that her party would not participate in the process due to fundamental disagreement with the government proposals, while a similar letter was sent on Tuesday by Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas.

Both KKE and DHKKI have called for the introduction of simple proportional representation.

Main opposition New Democracy has ruled out its participation in dialogue on reforming election law from the start, claiming that Greece had entered an extended pre-election period and accusing the government of breaking an unofficial pact between the parties to not tamper with election law in the run-up to elections.

After the meeting, Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis expressed satisfaction over the ''interesting and substantial talks'' with the Coalition and said that the government will proceed to complete dialogue within the ruling party and make its final decisions, after which the cross-party committee would be reconvened to discuss a specific draft bill that would then be tabled in Parliament.

Commenting on ND's refusal to take part in dialogue, Skandalidis said it was a ''brutal offence to the constitutional and institutional matters of the country because these are issues of major importance concerning democracy and the course of the political system that have no pre-electoral motives and do not affect the next elections''.

Coalition representative Stergios Pitsiorlas criticized the other parties of the Left for not attending but slammed the proposed law as "unfair and ineffective", noting that the government had gone back on promises to establish simple proportional representation.

[03] FM to submit draft resolution to UN for 'best possible world' through sport

NEW YORK, 25/09/2003 (ANA/P.Panagiotou)

The specific proposal for the Olympic Truce, which foresees the creation of a ''window of opportunity'' for the peaceful settlement of international conflicts during the course of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, but also the general promotion of sport as a means for achieving world solidarity, is expected to be adopted in early November 2003 and will be tabled for immediate ratification by all the UN member-states.

Following the submission of the proposal, a special ceremony will be held at the UN headquarters, in the presence of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, General Assembly President Julian Robert Hunte, foreign minister Papandreou, and the director of the Olympic Truce International Centre, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis. Many politicians and diplomats will attend the ceremony, including Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos.

It is noteworthy to point out that following the founding by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (in close cooperation with Greece) of international non-governmental organizations ''Olympic Truce International Foundation'' and the ''Olympic Truce International Center'', more than 350 personalities from all over the world expressed their support to the specific initiative which continues to gather momentum.

[04] European Parliament ratifies report on European constitution

STRASBOURG, 25/09/2003 (ANA - O. Tsipira)

With this ratification the European Parliament calls on the Intergovernmental Conference to approve the Constitutional Assembly's draft constitution without considerable changes.

Tsatsos, expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the vote, told reporters it signaled a victory of politics against bureaucracy.

He referred to the ''historic'' nature of Wednesday's European Parliament session, stressing that ''with this text we are passing into another quality of arrangements, from technical arrangements to political arrangements.''

''History means development,'' Tsatsos said during the presentation of his report before the plenum and added ''for this reason and with the Assembly's work the constitutional history of the European Union is beginning to roll.''

[05] Juvenile offenders bill discussed by Parliament committee

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Responding to their concerns, Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos said a bill was being prepared for the construction of care units for juvenile prisoners. He also announced plans to hire 157 extra staff to meet the requirements of the bill, which was to deal with juvenile delinquency through prevention and social reintegration measures and to limit their incarceration in prisons.

[06] Papantoniou signs Anna Lindh book of condolences in Sweden

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

[07] Simitis-Chrysohoidis meeting on Wed. 24

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

In brief statements afterwards, Chrysohoidis -- who until recently was the public order minister -- appeared optimistic over ruling PASOK’s prospects in the next general elections, while he referred to the “democratic faction’s endurance” to continue after 2004.

[08] Main opposition leader visits State Audit Council, criticizes gov't

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

In statements outside ND party headquarters later in the day, Karamanlis criticized the government, saying it lacked the will to enforce legality and transparency, and that a series of laws it had passed instituted protection for corruption.

He said his party was in favor of upgrading the role of the state Audit Council, while noting the government's rejection of ND's proposals on this issue during the revision of the Constitution.

[09] PAME labor group presents information on situation in Palestinian territory

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Information collected by the Palestinian Authority's National Information Centre over the 35-month period concerning the second Intifada was presented at the press conference.

According to this information, there were 2,700 dead, including 490 children and 180 women, in 20,588 air strikes. Moreover, 66 PLO members were killed, while there were also 55 dead at the barricades.

In addition, there were 36,723 injured, including 4,140 pupils and children struck on their way to school, 10,000 workers were injured and 7,389 Palestinians are in 22 prisons and concentration camps.

George Mavrikos noted that ''PAME, according to a decision taken by its Central Council, will participate in any mobilization or protest held in support of the Palestinians, their independence and the Intifada.''

[10] Greek tourism completes promotion campaign in US market

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The promotion campaign included a series of exhibitions, presentations and events for newly-wed couples in some of the biggest department stores in Madison Avenue, Manhattan.

Greek tourism authorities organized a gala at Sherry Hotel in New York, titled "Eros-Hero-Athlos".

The gala included 470 newly wed couples, with one couple winning an award offered by GNTO through a contest organized with Conde Nast Bridal Group and the producers of the box-office hit film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" which attracted around 11,000 couples in the US.

[11] UK tour operators-GNTO discuss tourism matters

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Mr. Patellis stressed the need to avoid similar cases in the future and Greece's commitment to protecting its quality tourist product.

The representatives of UK's tour operators pledged to begin a series of initiatives, such as organizing journalists' visits to Greece to promote the country's tourist product.

The meeting also discussed general developments in international tourism, particularly a phenomenon of late-minute reservations, that grew strong because of the war in Iraq this year.

Mr. Cooper and McGregor said that Greece was expected to maintain its tourist arrival numbers at last year's levels in 2003, something they called a success.

[12] Farm minister says EU policy to aid sector amid global competition

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Drys was addressing the start of an annual European meeting of the Confederation of European Agriculture and the continent's COPA and COGECA farming and cooperative organizations, hosted by Greece's PASEGES cooperative group.

The meeting ends on Friday.

[13] Transport Minister: Gov't will not back down on receipts for taxis

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

He noted that taxi drivers were the only sector for which there was no monitoring mechanism for tax purposes and that bus lanes were intended to facilitate the movement of those using public transport.

Verelis said the development of public transport would also transform taxis from the current 'mini-buses' taking multiple fares to a specialized form of transport with higher fares.

[14] Greek consumers to seek class action suit against PPC

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Greek consumers are demanding more detailed information over the duration of such a decision, burdening their monthly electricity bills, since Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos has said that PPC would not collect the fee in the future and that consumers would finally get a refund of their money.

[15] Crete, Cyprus to debate ports and EU transport networks

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Due to Cyprus' membership of the European Union, the EU network will stretch to the island republic via Crete.

[16] Shipping welcomes inclusion in government alignment charter

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The ship-owners, who also welcomed cooperation with the government on attaining quality in shipping, met earlier in the day with Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalides.

[17] National Bank says to acquire Banca Romaneasca

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with the governor of central bank of Romania in Dubai in the sidelines of annual meetings by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Mr. Tamvakakis said that agreement was expected to be completed in the next fortnight.

Banca Romaneasca operates a network of 25 branches in Romania and National Bank of Greece plans to open another 15 branches in the country.

The Greek bank also plans to expand in the Russian market with its governor Theodore Karatzas and vice-governor Apostolos Tamvakakis scheduled to visit Moscow early October.

Mr. Tamvakakis stressed that National Bank was not interested in Russia's retail banking sector but for corporate finance and capital market services.

National Bank has the biggest international presence from any other Greek bank, with activities in 18 countries.

[18] Capital Markets' Commission announces penalties

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

More analytically, the Commission imposed a 10,000-euro penalty on Omega Securities, a 80,000-euro penalty on Halyvdo-fylla SA and a 30,000-euro penalty to Bank of Cyprus Ltd and UBS AG.

[19] Greek businesses need more funding to adopt new technologies, report

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The survey also stressed that companies were also suffering from the fact that Greek banks were reluctant to fund new technology projects leaving companies in search of self-funding schemes.

The situation, in adopting new technologies, is even worse in other regions of the country, such as Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Western Macedonia, Epirus and the Peloponnese, the survey said.

The survey was presented by professor Theodosios Palaskas, head of research at the Institute of Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE). The survey was based on a sample of 40 companies, 20 consultants and 14 support agencies in the period May-August 2003.

The number of workers in innovative businesses, as a percentage of total workforce in the country, is 2.2 percent, compared with a 7.6 percent rate in the European Union, although the rate for Attica was 3.4 percent.

The survey showed that 86 percent of companies believed that it was relying on their workforce to improve their competitiveness and to successfully adopt new technologies.

[20] Lebanese business delegation visits Athens

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The Lebanese delegation included businessmen from the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, medical equipment, chemicals, steel, financial and tourism sectors.

Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, president of the Greek Industries' Union, commenting on bilateral trade and financial relations said they were limited, reflecting the consequences of a civil war that had a negative impact on the economy of Lebanon, and the uncertainty over geopolitical developments in the Middle East.

Mr. Kyriakopoulos stressed that although Greece was reporting a surplus in its trade balance with Lebanon, Greek exports accounted to 1-2 percent of total imports in the country.

The two sides agreed there were prospects of further expanding Greek business activities in Lebanon, particularly in the construction sector and in trade transactions.

The Lebanese delegation said that their country could be used as a platform for access to neighboring markets, because it offered some great advantages such as an association agreement with the European Union, updated legislation to attracting foreign capital, a modern banking system and lack of foreign exchange limitations.

The Lebanese government aims to privatize the country's telecommunications, electricity production and distribution, water networks, harbors and tourism sectors.

[21] GSEE seeks legislation to prevent strikes being counted as leave

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

[22] Greek stocks rise for second consecutive session

Athens, 25/09/2003 (ANA)

The general index rose 0.94 percent to end at 2,045.55 points, with turnover a moderate 110.9 million euros.

All sector indices ended higher, with the Construction (2.98 percent), Holding (2.01 percent) and Insurance (1.96 percent) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.78 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 1.18 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.0 percent higher.

Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 112.0 mln euros Wednesday

Equity Index Futures: