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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-11-20Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>November 20, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Weston concerned over impact by Erdogan’s visit in occupied CyprusAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)US State Department Special Coordinator for Cyprus Thomas Weston expressed concerns that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's illegal visit to Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus could be exploited by various parties in the occupied areas to prevent the resumption of the UN-led talks to reunify the island.Speaking after a meeting in Athens on Wednesday with Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Weston noted however, ''there's reason to believe that the visit could have a positive impact in terms of moving back to talks''. Weston arrived in Athens on Wednesday from Ankara, where he had talks on the Cyprus issue with the Turkish government, and was due to hold consultations with the Cyprus government on Thursday in Nicosia. Papandreou said the coming months will be critical and important for the national issue of Cyprus. ''The coming months will be crucial because Cyprus accedes the European Union and Turkey will be assessed on the stance it will maintain on the Cyprus problem but also a series of other issues,'' Papandreou said, reminding that Greece has repeatedly stated its support for Turkey's European vocation as it believed that long-standing problems may be confronted within the EU framework. Weston said he was ''enthused'' by the identity of views he ascertained in his talks with Papandreou, noting the regular contacts between the two sides reinforced ''our cooperation for a Cyprus settlement and Turkey's European vocation''. Asked if he was optimistic for a speedy resumption of talks for a Cyprus settlement following Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's recent visit to the Turkish-occupied sector of Cyprus, Weston said ''I think there's reason to believe that the visit could have a positive impact in terms of moving back to talks''. ''My concern is whether it could be used by someone in northern Cyprus to prevent the recommencement of the talks'', Weston added, noting that he will see how Erdogan's visit is used by the various parties in Northern Cyprus. ND leader holds talks with US State Department special coordinator for Cyprus: Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis held talks on Wednesday with the US State Department's special coordinator for Cyprus Ambassador Thomas Weston. Weston briefed Karamanlis on his recent contacts in Ankara, while prospects of resolving the Cyprus issue were also discussed. Karamanlis stressed that the solution sought must be just, viable and workable on the basis of UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire. [02] PM and visiting Croatian president discuss inter-Balkan cooperationAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis and visiting Croatian President Stjepan Mesic expressed support for enhanced cooperation between Balkan states during their meeting in Athens on Wednesday, while clarifying that this in no way implied an intention for Yugoslavia's reunification.Mesic stressed that his country was determined to leave the past behind and progress toward the European Union, adopting the necessary laws and European standards. In efforts to achieve this, Croatia had adopted a new model of privatizations, was undergoing legislative reforms, restructuring its army and police, building infrastructure, cooperating with the International Court at The Hague and working to restore relations with the countries in the area, he said. Replying to Simitis' call for an organization of inter-Balkan Cooperation that would further evolve the current loose association, Mesic underlined that Croatia wanted cooperation with the countries of the former Yugoslavia but was in no way prepared to "relive something that has twice ended in blood." The two men also discussed the construction of the Ionian Route that will join western Greece, the Adriatic Coast and western Europe, stressing the importance of the project, while Simitis said the Greek section will be completed using funds from the 3rd Community Support Framework by 2007. The Greek premier also hailed Croatia's progress in its European course and pledged that the Greek government will continue to support Croatia's efforts. Croatian president meets with Greek opposition party leaders: Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday met with main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis in Athens and discussed bilateral relations and the contribution of the two countries to the stability of Southeastern Europe. Karamanlis took a clear stance in favor of Croatia's European prospect. The two men also stressed the necessity of development of initiatives on a bilateral, regional and European level, especially on infrastructure issues. Later in the day, Mesic also met with Coalition of the Left, Ecology and Movements (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos. Following the meeting Constantopoulos underlined that ''Greece and Croatia have common interests and should be interested in developing a common course for stability and democracy in the Balkans, for peace and security in all the Mediterranean''. Visiting Croatian president Mesic signs Olympic Truce declaration: Visiting Croatian president Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday added his signature to those of the other prominent international personalities who have signed the Olympic Truce declaration at a special event held at the Greek foreign ministry. Mesic, on an official visit to Greece, thanked Greece for its support to the effort for European integration, and said he was impressed by Greek history, the idea of the Olympic Ekecheiria (Truce) and its revival. Foreign minister George Papandreou spoke of Croatia's ''significant prospects'' in the EU, which he described as ''one of the biggest structures of peace''. After signing the declaration, Mesic began a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis. [03] Greek rep addresses UN committee on human rights situation in occupied CyprusNEW YORK 20/11/2003 (ANA-P. Panagiotou)Greece's interim permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Michael Daratzikis, on Tuesday addressed The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) of the UN General Assembly on the human rights situation in the Turkish-occupied north of Cyprus.Daratzikis stressed Turkey's non-compliance with the European Court of Human Rights' rulings, the violation of the status quo in Strovilia, the acts of systematic and purposeful destruction of the island republic's cultural monuments in the occupied sector, the colonist policy and changes to the region's demographic balance aimed at altering the political will of the Turkish Cypriots, and in general the uncooperative stance of the Turkish Cypriot leadership on the issue of the missing persons from the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, as well as the conduction of "trials" by military courts for civilian affairs in the occupied sector. Daratzikis underlined the desire of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots alike to live in a united Europe, as well as the auspicious opportunity provided by Cyprus' accession to the EU for a "viable and functional settlement on the basis of the UN resolutions and the acquis communautaire". [04] EU' s Verheugen blames Denktash for situation in occupied CyprusSTRASBOURG, 20/11/2003 (ANA)European Commission Enlargement Commissioner, Gunter Verheugen on Wednesday firmly blamed Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash for the situation in the Turkish occupied north of Cyprus and the problems faced by Turkey in its accession course, a Cyprus News Agency (CNA) dispatch said.Speaking to reporters after meeting Turkish Cypriot political leaders Mustafa Akinci, Eli Erel and Mehmet ali Talat who are in Strasbourg at the invitation of the European Parliament, Verheugen resolutely said the accession of Cyprus will take place at 1st of May whether there is a solution or not, adding the EU prefers a solution because it is in the interests of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. Verheugen also warned the EU is aware of the ''Cypriot making'' in the north by Denktash, ahead of the so called parliamentary elections of December. The Turkish Cypriots said they had a fruitful meeting with the Commissioner, who gave them an insight of the benefits of accession. In his remarks, Verheugen said he welcomed the initiative of the European Parliament to invite the leaders to ''get information directly from the ground, how the situation in the Turkish community is, and what is going to happen before the elections, on election day and after the elections''. He reminded that the EU, its members, and the UN do not recognize the Turkish community as a state, ''therefore we do not recognize the parliament''. However he said ''these elections have particular political importance and we have an interest and it is important that the elections are democratic and fair''. Verheugen said he is aware that there are already a ''long list of complaints'', adding ''I want to make the authorities and the Turkish community aware that we know these complaints and we are very, very concerned''. The Commissioner said that during his meeting with the Turkish government, it was made very clear ''that the Turkish government does not want to see any shadows over the elections in northern Cyprus''. However he added, ''I am afraid to say that these shadows are already there. The authorities of Mr. Denktash are now Cypriot makers, they are producing Cypriots and nothing else in order to manipulate the voters' list and this is a matter of very serious concern''. Verheugen said they discussed the impact of the EU's confidence building measures, the good will package, and ''we agreed that this is a good package, and we agree also that it is regrettable that the trade measures have not produced the results we wanted''. He called on ''the authorities to guarantee the smooth functioning of trade facilitation that we have seen. I think it is very much in the interests of TC, basically our markets are open for the products of northern Cyprus and it is much better than a customs union with Turkey that will not work in practice''. On the political environment, he said he explained the political situation to the Turkish Cypriot politicians. ''Firstly, it is our policy and strategy to support the UN good offices and to find a solution of the Cyprus problem before the 1st of May 2004. This is in the interests of TC because after the 1st of May we will have a completely different situation in Europe'', Verheugen said, noting that it has already changed after the conclusion of the negotiations with Cyprus last year in Copenhagen. ''Since then, the Turkish position is already very, very weak, but after the accession of Cyprus it will be even weaker. Everybody must be aware that we will have Greece and Cyprus in the European Council. In my view it is an illusion to believe that the terms of a settlement will be better for TC after the 1st of May'', he remarked. Verheugen said ''it is the present Commission that has to present the final report on Turkey and the recommendation whether to start negotiations with Turkey or not. So it's me, whether Turkey likes it or not''. Verheugen said ''it is important for Turkey to understand that it must meet all the conditions which we have presented in the accession partnership, and politically Turkey must be aware that the absence of a settlement, as the Commission, has already said, would create an obstacle. But you cannot say a settlement would replace the requirement to meet the criteria. There is no way to negotiate this, the Commission will never do this'', he added. At this point, he said ''Mr. Denktash is completely wrong in saying, as he was always wrong since I have known him in his predictions and strategies, that his positions are stronger because the EU needs a settlement of the Cyprus problem''. He explained that two years ago, it was said that if Cyprus was accepted into the EU without a settlement that would create a crisis with Turkey and tensions on the island. ''Nobody sees such situation today. Our relations with Turkey and I am happy to say are better than ever, and on the island the situation is also better and I do not believe it is possible to change the situation again and to try to close the demarcation line. It is impossible; there will be rebellion if Denktash would try that'', the Commissioner remarked. ''So there is no need for us to say for security reasons. The accession of Cyprus will take place at 1st of May whether there is a solution or not. We prefer a solution because it is in the interests of Turkish Cypriots and it is in the interests of Turkey'', he said. Verheugen further stressed that ''everybody in Turkey must be aware that now Denktash is not only a problem for the Turkish Cypriots. He is the man who is responsible for the fact that there is a clear danger the TC will not enjoy the benefits of EU membership, will not participate in the internal market, will not get the solidarity funds that will come from the EU, and are already earmarked for Cyprus. He is responsible for the fact that the economic situation in the northern part of Cyprus will continue to be very weak and is also responsible for the problem Turkey has in its own European aspirations. He is a very big obstacle not for us, but for TC and for Turkey''. Invited by CNA to comment on statements made by Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in Cyprus during his illegal visit to the island where he aligned himself with Denktash, Verheugen said ''if we analyze his remarks, I must say I have heard voices in Turkey which have been much more difficult than this one''. In his remarks, Talat said the interest is quite high about the situation in Cyprus. ''We are campaigning to prepare the ground for a solution in Cyprus because we know that the main obstacle for a solution in Cyprus is the efforts to preserve the status quo in the northern part'' something which does not allow for a breakthrough in this sense. He expressed hope the people in the north ''will know what to do'' during the elections and will ''support us, a solution to Cyprus problem, and reunification with the EU, and get rid of the isolation''. On his part, Erel said the meeting was ''very fruitful'', noting they heard the realities from Verheugen about the enlargement. ''I agree that mostly Mr. Denktash is costing a lot for Turkish Cypriots, as well as his cost to Turkey is great, so I think this fact has been realized by the government in Turkey and are looking into ways to by pass Mr. Denktash''. He said the ''elections'' will facilitate the Turkish government's change of mentality about Denktash. ''With Mr. Denktash is not possible to reach any kind of settlement in Cyprus but with a new 'government and parliament' we will have the chance to sit back and finish for the first time and go for a referendum and reach all our goals before 1st May 2004''. Akinci said ''the EU is the place for consensus and to create the conditions for everybody to win. I believe we still have the chance to create those conditions for a win-win situation until 1st May 2004 so a united Cyprus can become a member of the EU, so when the time comes, on the condition that Turkey fulfils and implements the Copenhagen criteria and helps solve the Cyprus problem before May 2004, Turkey also receives a date she is asking for''. He further said that ''we need a pro-solution European government for this therefore we need democratic 'elections'''. [05] Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos to make official visit to Greece this monthAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos will make an official visit to Greece on November 25-27, at the invitation of President Kostis Stephanopoulos. President Papadopoulos will be accompanied by his wife during his visit.[06] Deputy DM signs military cooperation protocol with Bulgarian counterpartAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Deputy Defense Minister Lazaros Lotidis signed a military cooperation protocol between Greece and Bulgaria with his Bulgarian counterpart Ilko Dimitrov in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Wednesday.The agreement anticipates the training of Greek officers at military academies in Bulgaria and of Bulgarian colleagues of theirs in Greece. Lotidis said after the signing ceremony, the agreement includes a total of 29 points of cooperation in sectors of mutual interest. It also anticipates exchanges of experts and other measures concerning the widening of relations in the defense sector. The Greek deputy defense minister said the agreement is proof of very good relations existing between the two countries both in the military and all sectors as well. He added that new prospects are being opened in this direction by Bulgaria's speedy steps towards accession to Euro-Atlantic institutions with its expected official accession to NATO at the alliance's upcoming conference in Istanbul and with its accession to the European Union in a few years. [07] Athens sees contradictory reactions from Tirana over Himare electionsAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday said the reactions from Tirana to Greek complaints about irregularities and incidents during repeat elections in the southern Albanian district of Himare were contradictory.Protopapas pointed to clarifications given on Tuesday by the Albanian Ambassador in Greece to Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis on the one hand and statements on the same issue made by a top-ranking official in Albania's Socialist Party. ''Greece will continue to exert pressure with the goal of restoring legality,'' Protopapas said. [08] FM Papandreou denies 'change of leadership' rumorsAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Foreign minister George Papandreou on Wednesday vigorously denied press reports of moves inside the ruling PASOK party aiming at a change of leadership."I have proven that I fully respect the institutions. In supported, support and will continue to support the decisions of prime minister and PASOK president Costas Simitis," said Papandreou, referring to newspaper speculations that prominent PASOK officials were pressuring Simitis to step down and turn over the helm of the party to Papandreou, son of the late former premier and PASOK founder Andreas Papandreou. "I have not authorized anyone to express my views, which I express myself," Papandreou said, and called for an "end to the scenario-mongering, because we have a crucial battle ahead of us, which will be a victorious one," referring to the general elections slated for the spring. [09] Poll shows 6-point ND lead in Thessaloniki 1st election districtAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leads ruling PASOK by six percentage points in Thessaloniki’s first election district, according to a recent opinion poll released on Wednesday by the Aristotelian University in the northern Greek port city.ND garnered 32.6 percent of respondents’ preferences, followed by PASOK with 26.6 percent; the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) received 5.9 percent and the Coalition of the Left 3.4. The newly formed out-of-Parliament LA.OS party, meanwhile, received 3 percent of respondents’ preference, a figure that if extrapolated nationwide would mean, just barely, its entry into Parliament. Finally, the Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) received 1.8 percent. Those that declared “undecided” totaled 19.7 of respondents. Conversely, ND’s lead six months ago was at seven percentage points, one less than the current poll. The university’s opinion poll, conducted every six months, queried 620 people from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31. [10] Gov't spokesman conveys dep. minister's apologies over TV incidentAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)The government spokesman on Wednesday conveyed the apologies of Deputy Development Minister Kimon Koulouris over what he called the latter’s verbal “misbehavior” during a morning news and variety program.“It was a bad moment, a moment of exasperation,” spokesman Christos Protopapas said of the incident, hours after the outspoken Koulouris hurriedly departed a private television studio in a huff. Protopapas also noted that the deputy minister also conveyed his apologies to main opposition New Democracy deputy Katerina Papakosta, who appeared on the program along with Koulouris. [11] Vartholomeos cites ''difference of attitudes'' in problems with Greek ChurchISTANBUL 20/11/2003 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Wednesday noted a ''difference of attitudes, philosophy, theoretical understanding of the world and understanding of issues,'' calling attention to the reasons for ''the existence of the problem'' that recently arose between the Patriarchate and the Church of Greece.''While the historic circumstance provides a new theological hope for better days, with the providence of God, for all of us (alluding to the process of Turkey's accession to the EU) some people from the other side do not confront issues based on the eternal interest of the salvation of the whole world, which is secured and offered by the wide acceptance of the Orthodox liturgical theology, but they think and act motivated by limited in scope and personal motives,'' the Patriarch said, during a speech at a farewell event held here for the departing Greek Consul Panos Kalogeropoulos. [12] US envoy says US will support any Athens-Skopje deal on name issueSKOPJE 20/11/2003 (ANA - N. Fragopoulos)United States Ambassador to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Lawrence Butler on Wednesday said that Washington would support any agreement reached by Athens and Skopje regarding the outstanding issue of the republic's name.Speaking during an interview with FYROM state television, Butler said the United States fully supported the process underway at the United Nations to find a jointly acceptable solution and the efforts of UN special representative Matthew Nimetz. He underlined that FYROM was a partner of the U.S. and had proved this many times, while Greece was a member-state of NATO and a long-term friend of the U.S. He stressed that his country would not proceed to any action that would be contrary to the common interests of Greece and FYROM. [13] Parliament president on vote for state budgetAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Wednesday dismissed heightened press speculation this week that the government will face any type of problem in getting the 2004 state budget passed through the 300-deputy legislature.His answer to relevant press questions comes on the heels of announcements by several ruling PASOK deputies that they will not run for re-election in next year’s general elections. A couple of well-known Thessaloniki-area MPs, in fact, Stelios Papathemelis and Kyriakos Spyriounis, this week announced their decision to leave the ruling party and vote as independents. The 2004 state budget was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, with a vote expected in mid December. [14] Gov't denies friction between Papandreou and SimitisAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)The government on Wednesday denied press reports claiming there was friction between Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Foreign Minister George Papandreou and speculating about the succession within ruling PASOK, referring reporters to Papandreou's own statements on the issue."This is just unacceptable tripe and petty politics," Protopapas said and stressed that there had never been any problem in relations between Simitis and Papandreou "which are always excellent and very close". The spokesman also underlined that Papandreou's own position has always been clear-cut and that he systematically did his job and had always made a significant contribution to PASOK's activities. He noted that Papandreou was due to speak at the northern Greek town of Kastoria over the weekend. [15] Latest news from Turkey on Loizidou case not encouraging, gov't saysAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Government spokesman Christos Protopapas on Wednesday noted that the latest news from Turkey regarding the compensation awarded by the European Court of Human Rights to Greek-Cypriot Titina Loizidou was not encouraging."Turkey continues to apply a negative and mistaken policy," Protopapas said. Loizidou was awarded 640,000 dollars compensation by the ECHR in 1998 in her case versus Turkey as compensation for being forced to abandon her home in Kyrenia due to the Turkish invasion of the north of Cyprus in 1974 and the continued occupation since that time by Turkish troops supporting an illegal Turkish-Cypriot regime. [16] PM discusses election tickets with PASOK Central Committee secretaryAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis held talks with his PASOK party's Central Committee secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis on Wednesday night, focusing on the preparation of the party's election tickets.Also present at the meeting were party cadre Paraskevas Avgerinos and Socrates Kosmidis, director of the premier's political office. No statements were made to reporters after the meeting by any of the participants. The next general election in the country is normally due in April next year. [17] ND leader appeals to voters of other parties during visit to KaisarianiAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis, speaking in the Athens district of Kaisariani on Wednesday, appealed to the voters of other parties and said democracy is currently facing new dangers which are underground transactions between economic and political power.Karamanlis criticized the government of having ''regime attitudes'' and of attempting to ''fanaticize people and create a climate of intolerance and polarization''. The ND leader also said his party has no commitments except to citizens and has no dependencies, while adding that ND ''does not intend to change party flags'' in the public sector and will come to implement its program and provide solutions for the country's major problems and for day-to-day problems. Karamanlis referred to problems in education and criticized the government for its policy and for its handling of the traffic issue and promised that the charter of day-to-day life ND is preparing will provide solutions aimed at individual prosperity in an environment of collective economic growth. Focusing on the question of the cost of living, Karamanlis said ''while rents are increasing the real income of the Athenian has been frozen. This is another dimension of the problem of the high cost of living which is not being handled by the communication raids of government members on street markets and department stores.'' [18] PASOK MPs Gouskos, Arseni opt against re-electionAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Another two PASOK deputies on Wednesday announced their intention not to seek re-election during the upcoming general poll, a development that comes in the wake of Prime Minister and PASOK leader Costas Simitis’ written request that the ruling party’s deputies inform him of their political intentions.PASOK deputies Dionysis Gouskos and Maria Arseni, representing Zakynthos and Pieria prefectures, respectively, informed Simitis of their intentions not to vie for re-election. Both deputies praised Simitis in their letters, with Gouskos adding that new candidates for office should be found from Zakynthos through democratic processes. Arseni, meanwhile, noted that she informed the premier of her decision in a timely manner in order to avoid any surprises for compiling the party’s election ballots. She also said she will remain an active member of PASOK. Asked about the issue of departing deputies ahead of the next general elections, scheduled for some time in the late spring, newly appointed PASOK party spokeswoman Chryssa Arapoglu said any departure of a party cadre is never a welcome development, while adding that PASOK respects and honors those of its members that choose to leave Parliament, but not from politics. [19] Parliament president says Greece target of those making 'business' of terrorismAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said on Wednesday Greece is the target of all those making ''business'' out of terrorism.Speaking during a briefing on Parliament's activities, Kaklamanis said Greece is not the target of terrorism, on the occasion of the Olympic Games, but of all those making business, political, economic and other, out of terrorism. Kaklamanis further said there are some ''guests here in our country, ambassadors and other persons, who constantly stress the danger of terrorism audaciously to poison international public opinion.'' [20] EKO opens petrol station in BulgariaAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)EKO, a subsidiary of Hellenic Petroleum Group, on Wednesday launched its new petrol station unit in Bulgaria, signaling the start of an ambitious investment program in the country.The new petrol station, located at the 25th km of the Sofia-Plovdiv national road, is the first of the 10 units expected to be in operation by the end of the year, according to EKO's investment plan. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Hellenic Petroleum's chairman and chief executive, George Moraitis and Athanasios Karahalios, respectively, EKO's chief executive S.Papadopoulos, and Bulgarian government and municipal authorities. EKO's investment program envisages the operation of a petrol station unit network of around 100 units in the next five years. [21] Intracom in 6.6-mln-euro contract with Saudi TelecomAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Intracom on Wednesday announced the signing of a contract, worth 6.6 million US dollars with Saudi Telecommunications Company (STC) for the supply of a signaling management and analysis system CCS No.7 (SS7-MAS) for the Saudi telecommunications' PSTN and GSM networks.Under the contract, Intracom will supply all necessary equipment, software platform and installation, support and training services. The signaling management and analysis system is based on the acceSS7 solution by Agilent Technologies. Similar systems are used by more than 140 telecommunications organizations around the world, such as France Telecom, Orange, Telecom Italia, Vodafone, KPN, Sprint, AT&T, Bell South, NTT and Telstra. [22] Balkan & Black Sea Partnership 2003 end in ThessalonikiAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)A total of 2,020 business meetings were held during the Balkan & Black Sea Partnership 2003, a partenariat held in Thessaloniki and organized by the Northern Greece Exporters' Union (SEBE), the Inter-Balkan and Black Sea Business Center and funded by the Foreign Affairs ministry.A statement issued at the end of the partenariat, said that 1,579 business meetings had been pre-arranged while another 421 meetings were scheduled during the event. SEBE said that according to international experience, around one-third of these meetings ended, directly or in the long-term, in partnerships. A total of 126 businesses, from Albania, Bulgaria, FYROM, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Turkey, Ukraine and Georgia, participated as exhibitors at the Balkan and Black Sea Partnership 2003. These companies were mainly building material and construction (36 percent), food-beverage (21 percent), clothing (10 percent), Machinery equipment and tools (12 percent) and services (5.0 percent). [23] Greek dairy product market has significant growth prospectsAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)The Greek dairy products market has significant growth prospects, a survey by ICAP said on Wednesday.The survey said that high-quality and value added products, such as high pasteurized milk, fresh pasteurized milk, European type yoghurt, milk desserts and enriched condensed milk, presented the best growth prospects. ICAP said it expected the milk, butter, fresh milk cream and milk-based drinks to remain largely unchanged, while consumption of evaporated and sugar-added condensed milk was expected to decline. The survey said it expected increased cooperation between companies in the sector to expand their range of products and distribution networks. High-pasteurized milk recorded the highest growth rates, with consumption of the product more than doubling in the 1998-2002 period, while consumption of fresh pasteurized milk raised an average annual 3.0 percent in the 1994-2002 period, the survey said. Consumption of yoghurt raised an average annual 5.0 percent over the same period, with the European type yoghurt accounting for the biggest part of consumption in the country. The dairy products sector includes a significant number of production units, with large-scale companies accounting a significant part of the total market, while small production units usually covering local markets. Domestically made products accounted for the total of fresh pasteurized milk consumption, traditional yoghurt and European type yoghurt, the survey said. Greek products also hold significant market shares in total consumption of high pasteurized milk and fresh milk cream. [24] Greek-Italian Chamber of Commerce presentation held at Greek embassy in RomeROME 20/11/2003 (ANA)The official presentation of the Greek-Italian Chamber of Commerce took place at the Greek embassy here on Wednesday, in the presence of Greek and Italian reporters, representatives of the two countries' business sector and commercial attaches of foreign countries.The event was addressed by Greek Ambassador to Rome Constantine Gerokostopoulos, the commercial attache Ambassador Ioannis Tzen, press adviser Nikos Papadopoulos and the President of the Greek-Italian Chamber of Commerce S. Campanale. The Chamber was founded recently in Rome and appeals to Greek and Italian businessmen who are interested in promoting Greek-Italian economic and commercial interests. Representatives of the Chamber will be signing a cooperation agreement on December 6 with the corresponding joint Chamber based in Athens. [25] Radio, TV journalists to stage strikes next weekAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Journalists of state ERT radio and TV along with private radio and TV stations are to stage strikes on separate days next week in protest at a failure by employers to sign collective wage agreements, the Athens Union of Journalists said on Tuesday."All leeway for patience and flexibility has been exhausted," the union said in a statement. [26] Greek stocks end off lows on WednesdayAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks eased slightly on Wednesday as a wave of technical buying, particularly in blue chip stocks, in the last hour of trading helped prices recovery from their day's lows in the Athens Stock Exchange.The general index ended 0.04 percent lower at 2,130.53 points, after hitting an intra-day low of 2,104.73 points, early in the session. Turnover was a heavy 138.6 million euros. The Textile and Retail sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (2.28 percent and 1.50 percent, respectively), while the Holding and Cement sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (0.44 percent and 0.35 percent, respectively). The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.01 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.50 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.40 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 220 to 91 with another 47 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover 112.8 mln euros on Wednesday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers lag sellers on Wednesday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of November 19 2003 Parities in euro For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,200 1,173 [27] ND MP claims 1 billion euros in cost overruns for Games; gov't denies figureAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)A main opposition New Democracy (ND) deputy on Wednesday charged that the government is responsible for one billion euros in cost overruns for 2004 Olympics-related projects, following the tabling in Parliament a day earlier of the state budget for next year.ND deputy Fani Palli-Petralia, the main opposition’s sector head for the Olympic Games, said National Economy Minister Nikos Christodoulakis allocated 1.8 billion euros for Olympic preparations in the 2004 draft budget, a month after Deputy Minister Christos Pachtas publicly cited a figure of 1.4 billion euros, as she claimed. In a later announcement, however, the national ministry stood by its figure of 1.4 billion euros for Olympics preparations via the public investments program. In its press release, the ministry said the figure is listed on pages 28-29 of the tabled draft budget. In reeling off state budget figures from 2001 until 2004, Palli-Petralia cited 700 million euros, 1.3 billion, 1.8 billion and 1.8 billion for those years in consecutive order. [28] UK borough adopts motion supporting Olympic TruceAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)In view of the forthcoming 2004 Athens Games and the second conference of a ''European Network of Elected Greeks in Local Authorities Abroad'' this month in Thessaloniki, Councilor Andreas Tambourides, a founding member of the organization, proposed a motion at Barnet's full Council meeting on Nov. 18 on the Olympic Truce which was adopted unanimously.The motion calls on the three local MPs of Parliament to ask the British government to support and extend the concept of the Olympic Truce for worldwide peace before and after the Games. "This Council, mindful of the forthcoming Olympic Games to be held in Athens in 2004, fully supports the idea of a worldwide truce for all conflicts, external and internal. Expressing the feelings of our Greek and Greek Cypriot residents and others, this Council urges the Borough's three Members of Parliament to ask HM Government to take appropriate action by supporting and extending the concept of the Olympic Truce,'' the motion stated. [29] Fire breaks out on board ferry 'Knossos Palace', passengers safeAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)All 1040 passengers on board the car/passenger ferry ''Knossos Palace'' were safely evacuated after a fire broke out in a third-level garage within the vessel early on Wednesday morning.The passengers were taken off the ship at the port of Iraklion on Crete and are in good health, merchant marine ministry officials told the ANA. According to initial reports, the fire broke out in a truck-trailer loaded with household cleaning supplies that was to be picked up in Iraklion port, creating acrid fumes that filled the vessel and damaged the garage ceiling cables. Even though the blaze was quickly put out by the ferry's automatic smoke detection/sprinkler system, the resulting short-circuit disabled the vessel's hatchway and created problems when the ferry arrived in Iraklion, since the door had to be opened manually before the passengers could disembark. The authorities eventually opted to take the passengers off the ship using special ladders and fire-brigade cranes, a process that took about four hours since it was hampered by the lack of such equipment at the port. When the hatchway was finally opened, meanwhile, passengers were able to drive their cars off the vessel as well. Authorities announced on Wednesday that a full-scale investigation would be conducted to determine the exact causes of the fire and also into emergency procedures and safety facilities at Iraklion port, where a number of problems arose in its handling of the crisis. Most notable was the lack of a special ladder that would enable the passengers, several of whom were elderly, to disembark in safety. Emergency ladders from the fire brigade and mobile stairs belonging to national carrier Olympic Airways were eventually brought in from Iraklion airport. At a press conference about the fire, Merchant Marine Minister George Paschalidis stressed that there had been an immediate response by the ministry and coast guard to ensure the safety of those on board the ferry, and that the ship had arrived in port at 6:20 a.m. accompanied by two other passenger vessels. He stressed that life-saving equipment on the "Knossos Palace", such as lifeboats and slides, could not be used on land since this would endanger the safety of the passengers. Regarding the lack of exits or ramps on the side of the boat, meanwhile, Paschalidis only noted that it had been built in accordance with the international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The fire started at dawn as the ferry was sailing 40 nautical miles northwest of Heraklion. Three elderly passengers were taken to Iraklion hospital for precautionary reasons after experiencing some difficulty in breathing, but were said to be well in health. Commenting on the incident, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said that the coast guard and the merchant marine ministry had immediately mobilized to deal with the crisis and that an investigation would be carried out into the cause of the blaze and the problems at Iraklion port. According to main opposition New Democracy MP for Kilkis Savvas Tsitouridis, in charge of the town planning and public works sector for ND, the ''images of shame'' at Iraklion port did credit to no one but the assignment of blame should not stop at a low, local level, since the slapdash attitude seen at Iraklion was common throughout the country. [30] Justice Minister comments on jailed hunger stickersAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos on Wednesday commented on the issue of the jailed hunger stickers that were arrested in June in Thessaloniki, during the EU Summit there, saying that they were transferred from Thessaloniki to Athens, since the Korydallos prison has clinical facilities to properly take care of them.''These jailed persons were transported from Thessaloniki to Athens, so as to have the capabilities of the Korydallos hospital's medical aid and that there may be no danger for their health,'' Petsalnikos said. The minister said all that was legally possible was done to assure a speedy conclusion of their affair, including a request placed with the judicial system to expedite their case. The minister denied reports that the jailed protestors were brutalized, noting that such claims do not reflect the truth, also adding that the Greek prison code which was amended only four years ago is one of the most modern in the world. He also noted that the jailed persons were allowed visits, not only by relatives as the prison code mandates, but also of friends, since the council of the Thessaloniki prison allowed them to receive such visitors. [31] Crete to get new international airportAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)The government announced on Wednesday that a new international airport would be built for Iraklion, Crete at a cost of 813 million euros.Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis told a news conference in the Cretan city that the airport would be located at Kasteli and built to handle capacity until 2020, when an extension could be added. Construction is to begin in 2005 and end in 2009. Expansion of the existing Nikos Kazantzakis airport would have cost 420 million euros, the minister added. [32] Ecumenical Patriarchate's lawsuit for Budapest Cathedral to reach court in MayVIENNA 20/11/2003 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)The lawsuit of the Ecumenical Patriarchate against the Moscow Patriarchate filled in a court in Budapest for the return of the city's Orthodox Cathedral of the 18th century will reach court on May 18, as the trial date was once again postponed.During the Communist Era the government of Hungary had given the cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos to the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow, which now is claiming that all the faithful went to the Moscow church of their own free will along with their church's property. [33] One-day conference on America's view of Europe organized in BostonBOSTON 20/11/2003 (ANA)The one-day conference ''Mirrored Images: America and Europe in each other's media'', organized by the press offices of the Greek, French and Swiss consulates and the Goethe Institute of Boston, overviewed the differences of understanding between Europe and the US on international issues.Four journalists from Europe and three from Boston examined the different attitudes about war and peace. Also the lack of interest for foreign news in the United States was stressed, while the European average citizen's stereotyped perception of the United States was underlined. Athens News Agency Managing Editor Nicolas Voulelis, French newspaper La Tribune journalist Philippe Le Corre, German newspaper Die Zeit journalist Gunter Hofmann and Swiss newspaper L' Agefi journalist Fabrice Delaye represented Europe on the panel, while Boston Globe journalist Richard Chacon, WBUR public radio journalist Bill Delaney and The Christian Science Monitor journalist Margaret Henry represented Boston on the panel. Coordinator of the panel was Emerson Journalism Department Prof. Manolis Paraschos. During the discussion session that followed it was underlined that it was logical for America not to be interested in the world affairs, since it believes itself to be the center of the world, while it considers Europe to be in the periphery. [34] Truck carrying 30 illegals intercepted near Turkish borderAthens, 20/11/2003 (ANA)Police on Wednesday arrested a 60-year-old truck driver near the Greek-Turkish border for carrying 30 illegal immigrants hidden in a specially built compartment in his vehicle.The illegals, all from Third World countries, were also arrested. According to reports, each of the would-be migrants -- Pakistanis, Iraqis, Iranians, Egyptians, Sri Lankans and Somalis -- was to pay US$2,000 upon arrival in Athens. The group, all men, told authorities they entered Greek territory by illegally crossing the Evros River that separates EU member-state Greece from Turkey. [35] CoE to prepare a document on sanctions to TurkeySTRASBOURG 20/11/2003 (CNA/ANA)The Secretariat of the Council of Europe has been given instructions to go ahead with the preparation of a document which will include sanctions against Turkey, if the latter fails to pay unconditionally the damages the European Court of Human Rights has ordered in the case of Greek Cypriot Titina Loizidou.Diplomatic sources told CNA that during Wednesday's discussion at the Committee of Ministers, a weeklong postponement was decided and instructions given to the Secretariat to prepare the document. The same sources said with this development, the first step in the implementation of the fourth interim resolution took place. The fourth interim resolution approved last Wednesday stressed anew that the obligation to comply with the Court's judgments is unconditional and strongly ''urges Turkey to reconsider its position and to pay without any conditions whatsoever the just satisfaction awarded to the applicant by the Court, within one week at the latest.'' It also declared its resolve to ''take all adequate measures against Turkey if Turkey fails once more to pay the just satisfaction awarded by the Court to the applicant'', the resolution added. In 1998, the Court ordered Turkey to pay some 900.000 dollars in compensation to Loizidou for loss of use of her property, occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, and told Ankara to allow Greek Cypriot Loizidou access to her property for peaceful enjoyment. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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