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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 04-06-02Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>June 2, 2004CONTENTS
[01] Greece urges continuation of high EU inflows to boost employmentAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Labor Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos on Tuesday urged a continuation of current high-level inflows of EU funds to Greece with the aim to combat unemployment and to boost employment in the country.Addressing an EU Labor Ministers' Council in Luxembourg, Panayiotopoulos said the Greek government and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis himself have set the reduction of unemployment and an effective boost in employment as the country's top policy priority. The Greek minister stressed that funds received from a European Social Fund were the most powerful tool in this effort. Panayiotopoulos noted that EU member-states' efforts to boost economic competitiveness could be linked with policies to improve social and labor rights, and not through cutbacks. [02] Cabinet discusses Euro-elections, information society program, policy for agricultureAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Tuesday's meeting of the inner cabinet discussed preparations for the European parliamentary elections mid-month, policy for the agricultural sector and issues concerning the Information Society, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.Emerging from the meeting, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said his ministry had completed all preparations for the Euro-elections by May 28 and once more appealed to voters to promptly find out at which voting station they are registered to vote, either through local authorities or the ministry's internet site www.ypes.gr. Pavlopoulos stressed that there will be no special voting stations for non-local voters during the European elections and that these will simply vote at the voting station nearest their home. He also announced the cabinet's decision to set up a coordinating committee for developing information and communications by increasing the absorption of funds from the EU's information society program. Agricultural Development Minister Savvas Tsitouridis, meanwhile, told reporters that he had presented his ministry's timeframe for implementing ruling New Democracy's program for agriculture, saying that the emphasis was on parallel development of the viability of agricultural concerns and the rural economy. Tsitouridis stressed, however, that the foremost priority was a radical overhaul of the ministry's administrative structure, since this was currently inadequate for the needs arising from the revision of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and policies being planned to keep the countryside 'alive'. [03] Televised debate by political leaders on Euro-elections on June 8Athens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)The televised debate between the political party leaders, ahead of the June 13 European parliamentary elections, will take place on Tuesday, June 8.The relevant decision was taken on Tuesday by the representatives of the parties who met in Parliament. As announced by Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos, the televised debate will take place on Tuesday, June 8 at 9 p.m. on state-run ERT television station, without restrictions on topics and without any specific journalists proposed. Roussopoulos noted that the only request by the parties to the journalists is for them to restrict their questions in the direction of European matters. The debate of the political party leaders is expected to last 90 minutes. Taking part will be six journalists of six television stations (one from the state television and five from an equal number of private television stations). According to the minister, "each television media will appoint the journalist it wants to take part in the debate and the six journalists will arrange between themselves who will be the coordinator of the debate." [04] PM to travel to Vienna on SaturdayAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is due in Vienna on Saturday as the guest of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel to address a European forum on the new enlarged Community of 25 members, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos announced on Tuesday.He said the premier is scheduled to attend the annual conference of Greek tourist enterprises on Wednesday evening and the 80th anniversary party of the newspaper Naftemporiki on Thursday. [05] PM Karamanlis to be main speaker at 'Wachau European Forum' in AustriaVIENNA 2/6/2004 (ANA/D. Dimitrakoudis)Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will be the main speaker at this year's internationally prestigious 10th "Wachau European Forum" in southern Austria on Sunday.The prime minister will speak at noon on Sunday at the main event of this European dialogue on the theme "Europe is the Future", addressing an audience which will include major personalities of the political, economic and cultural sphere from countries of central and eastern Europe. Karamanlis will be introduced to the international audience by Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel. The "Wachau European Forum", held every June, was founded in 1995. This year's forum, being held this Saturday and Sunday, has at its theme "Europe of the 25 - new prospects for regional development". [06] Gov't spokesman on NATO assistance, Olympic costsAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Government spokesman Theodoris Roussopoulos on Tuesday reiterated that the government has asked for NATO's assistance in the technological field ahead of the 2004 Athens Games.Meanwhile, in response to press questions over costs for the closely watched Games, he merely noted that the "cost for the Olympic Games has been given in the past". [07] Bakoyiannis promotes Athens in the USAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Mayor of Athens Dora Bakoyiannis will travel to the US on Thursday to brief US media and foreign correspondents on Athens' preparations for the Olympic Games.At 9 a.m. on Thursday, Bakoyiannis will attend a special event organized by New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg during which the 140 torchbearers carrying the Olympic flame in New York will be announced. On Friday morning, the Athens mayor will meet with Archbishop of America Dimitrios and will later hold a press conference for US journalists and foreign correspondents at the Onassis Foundation Building. On Monday, June 7, the Athens mayor will speak at an event organized by the Western Policy Center in Washington DC on the topic of: "The countdown to the Athens Olympic Games." Later in the same day, Bakoyiannis will meet with the US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Armitage. During her stay in the US, Bakoyiannis will be giving roughly 30 interviews to US TV and radio stations, as well as newspapers. [08] Foreign ministry spokesman says exploratory contacts taking place for over two years on Greek-Turkish relationsAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos, commenting on Tuesday on statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the good course of Greek-Turkish relations and developments on the issue of the Aegean continental shelf, said exploratory contacts have been taking place on this issue between the two countries for over two years."As you are aware, exploratory contacts between the two countries on this, at a service official level, have been taking place for over two years. The 24th round of these contacts took place in Ankara recently (21/4/2004). The will of both sides to improve and smooth out Greek-Turkish relations has been ascertained. We hope there will be positive developments in this spirit and framework," he said. [09] Turkish PM sees progress in Aegean continental shelf issueISTANBUL 2/6/2004 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that some positive progress had also been noted on the issue of the Aegean continental shelf during efforts to explore common ground in relations between Greece and Turkey."I think we will overcome the difficulties, if there is mutual good will on both sides and the political will to demonstrate this good will," he said on the sidelines of the 57th conference of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) taking place in Istanbul. "I hope our relations will make positive all that was negative in the past between Greece and Turkey," Erdogan added, stressing agreements that had already been signed for the avoidance of double taxation, the rise in air corridors above the Aegean from two to 11 and a bilateral agreement for natural gas, with another agreement on tourism now in the works. [10] Appeal filed over DIKKI party's exclusion from Euro-Parliament electionsAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)A tiny political grouping reportedly affiliated with the now almost defunct DIKKI party is apparently the last hope for the latter to participate in the upcoming June 13 Euro-elections, following a Supreme Court ruling this week excluding it from the poll.The Court ruled that only the party's central political committee could legally submit a list of candidates for the election, something that never materialized after DIKKI founder and president Dimitris Tsovolas decided to disband the party in the wake of its poor showing in the March 7 general elections. Since then, several DIKKI cadres have publicly clashed with Tsovolas, a one-time PASOK minister, and his followers over whether the party should continue to exist. On Tuesday, the mostly unknown Movement for a Democratic Alternative, which was affiliated with DIKKI, filed a motion claiming that it had agreed to participate in the Euro-elections on a common ballot with DIKKI. [11] Proliferation Security Initiative Conference held in PolandAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Participants of the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) conference, held in Krakow, Poland on Tuesday, stressed the need for international cooperation in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which they consider to be the greatest threat to global security.Deputy Defense Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos, who represented Greece at the conference, reiterated Greece's firm support of PSI's efforts and said that an exercise within the PSI framework would be held in Greece. On the sidelines of the conference, Mihaloliakos met with US Undersecretary of State John R. Bolton, who expressed his country's willingness to contribute to the exercise. The Greek deputy defense minister also met with other defense officials from the US and Canada, as well as with Poland's Deputy Defense Minister. [12] FinMin urges for improved competitivenessAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Business activity leads to wealth creation, new jobs and resolves social problems, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Tuesday.Addressing a National Council on Competitiveness and Development, held at Zappeion Mansion, Alogoskoufis reiterated the government's commitment to consult with all social partners and urged for the activation of both businessmen and workers in an effort to boost economic growth. "We will respond to the challenge of competitiveness, creating the necessary conditions for a speedier self-supplied and balanced development for the benefit of all Greeks," the Greek minister said. Alogoskoufis stressed that the Olympic Games, the EU's expansion and changes around the world were creating both big challenges and risks for the country. He urged for more efforts to highlight the capabilities of Greek businesses and workers. He underlined that the government's goal was to fully exploit the capabilities of all economic sectors (manufacturing, energy, shipping, transportation, tourism, information technology and financial service). To achieve this goal the state should play a different role, Alogoskoufis said. He added that the government was currently drafting a new tax system to ensure stability, simplicity, transparency and credibility. The Greek minister urged all participants in the National Council of Competitiveness and Development to submit their proposals on improving Greek economic competitiveness. [13] Eurogroup, ECOFIN meetings in LuxembourgAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)A regular Eurogroup meeting on Tuesday will discuss recent fiscal developments in Eurozone member-states, including procedures against excessive fiscal deficits by some countries.The Eurogroup meeting, including economy and finance ministers from the 12 Eurozone member-states, will be held in Luxembourg. Greece will be represented by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis. Eurogroup meeting will be followed by an ECOFIN meeting on Wednesday, including all EU member-states' finance ministers, to discuss updated general economic policy directions and the European Commission's report on financial services. The council's agenda also includes a review of recent developments in EU-US relations on financial markets' regulatory framework, international accounting standards and a Commission's decision to launch procedures against Holland for excessive fiscal deficit. [14] OA and Cyprus Airlines cooperate to offer extra flights between Greece, CyprusAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)In an agreement signed on Tuesday, Olympic Airlines (OA) and Cyprus Airlines set the seal on their cooperation to offer nine daily flights between Athens, Thessaloniki and Cyprus, starting on June 21. In addition, Olympic Airlines will cooperate with Hellas Jet, a subsidiary of Cyprus Airlines, to offer flights to Manchester.Under the deal, Cyprus Airlines passengers will be able to travel to all 75 destinations offered by Olympic Airlines in Greece and abroad. In a press conference announcing the deal, OA chairman Petros Papageorgiou denied rumors that OA was being shut down and predicted that the company will be ready for privatization by October. [15] New taxi rates in effect on TuesdayAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)New rates on taxi fares went into effect Tuesday, in accordance with an agreement that had been reached between the previous government and the association of taxi owners.Under the new rates, the normal per-kilometer charge increases from 26 euro-cents to 28 euro-cents, and the overnight charge increases from 50 euro-cents to 53 euro-cents, while the waiting rate (taxi in neutral fear while meter is running) increases from 7.10 euro to 7.50 euro per hour. The extra fee for transport to and from Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos international airport increases from 2 euro to 3 euro, while the extra fee for transport to and from OSE inter-city railway stations, KTEL inter-city bus stations and ports increases from 70 euro-cents to 80 euro-cents. The extra fee for transport to and from Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport increases from 2 euro to 2.50 euro. The minimum fare in Athens increases from 1.50 euro to 1.60 euro. For radio-taxis, the fee for a simple call increases from 1.30 euro to 1.50 euro, and for an appointment from 2.20 euro to 2.50 euro. The flag rate (rate at which the meter starts) remains the same. [16] Gov't to scrap state-owned telecoms company ETHDI SA in bid to cut spendingAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Transport and Telecommunications Minister Mihalis Liapis on Tuesday announced that the government planned to scrap the state-owned company Alternative Telecommunications Networks (ETHDI SA) in a bid to cut public spending.According to Liapis, since its foundation in 2001 the company appears to have accomplished no work and almost all its capital of 1.5 million euros has been spent on consultancy fees and operating costs. ETHDI was originally set up to lease telecoms circuits for use by public-sector bodies and organizations. The minister said he will be calling an emergency meeting of ETHDI's general assembly on Wednesday to liquidate the company and promised that he would be investigating the usefulness of a series of similar companies, which would meet a similar fate if they proved to be simply "decorative" burdens to the taxpayer's pocket. [17] Marked increase in Greek exports to United Arab EmiratesAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)There is a marked increase in Greek exports to the United Arab Emirates. In 2003 alone, the bulk of Greek exports to the region touched 98 million dollars, registering a 30 percent increase in comparison to 2002.Furs take first place (with 20 million dollars in 2003), which in continuation are re-exported to the Russian market, as the UAE operate as a transit centre. After furs are building material, furniture, chemicals and software products, while there is also significant interest in pharmaceuticals and jewellery. Imports to Greece from the UAE in 2003 more than doubled and touched 60 million dollars. The above was announced at an event organized on Tuesday evening by the Federation of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEBE) which presented its new service "MiddlEastGate". [18] Stocks slump after high cap indicator dropsAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Stocks finished lower on the bourse, while the overall image of the market was positive, traders said.The Athens general share index closed at 2,402.38 points, showing a 0.88 per cent decrease. Turnover was 126.8 million euros. The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 1.54 per cent down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 1.40 per cent up; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 2.84 per cent higher. Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 251 to 74 with 38 remaining unchanged. [19] Olympic ticket program in final stretchAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)The final phase of the 2004 Olympic ticketing program began on Tuesday and will last until the very last day of the Athens Olympic Games (Aug. 29).Tickets for specific seats remain for numerous venues and sports, according to Athens organizers (ATHOC). The goal is ticket revenue to exceed 183 million euros, as foreseen in the Olympic budget. In other news, organizers said 1.833, 919 tickets had been sold as of April 16, 2004. Some 64 percent of tickets cost less than 20 euros, while 43 percent of tickets cost between 10 and 15 euros. The average ticket prices for sports events are 35 euros, or 34 percent cheaper than the corresponding price at the previous Sydney Games. More importantly, organizers said more tickets have been made available for the popular Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Specifically, a small number of tickets are now available for the Opening Ceremony, with A level seats costing 950 euros per person; 750 euros for B level and 350 euros for C level. A handful of tickets are also available for the men's basketball finals -- 300 euros for A level and 150 euros for B level. [20] Communications Team for the Olympic Games meets for the first time TuesdayAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)The Communications Team for the Olympic Games, with Minister of State and Government Spokesman Theodore Roussopoulos as its President, met for the first time on Tuesday. The team's objective is to deal from a communications perspective with all issues that arise which may be damaging to the country's image."Although the role of many of the [group's] participants is distinct - for example, Athens 2004, the Public Order Ministry, the Municipality of Athens, the government all have different roles - however, we deemed it necessary that we meet, discuss and make decisions every time a problem arises," Roussopoulos said after the meeting. "For the team to work together more effectively, much work needs to be done," he said, adding that "in two weeks' time what we call the communications team will be completely organized," and will operate on a 24-hour basis. Roussopoulos also emphasized that the day-to-day problems which arise must be dealt with and not underestimated. "Small problems can become huge in the international press," he said. [21] New South Wales premier Carr urges Australians to support Athens OlympicsMELBOURNE 2/6/2004 (ANA/S. Hatzimanolis)New South Wales premier John Carr on Monday urged Australians to support the Athens 2004 Olympic Games with all their power.Speaking in the state parliament, Carr noted that there wasn't a more difficult organization of a peaceful nature than the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "The 2004 Games in Athens will be different from ours," Carr said, adding that the result, however, would be "the same": "An incredible organization that will be an honor to Greece and the Greeks who are organizing them". Carr, premier of Australia's largest state, said that the Greek people, the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC), and the thousands of Games volunteers shouldn't have the slightest doubt that Australia backs the Games with all its power. "As prime minister of the (Australian) state that organized the best Olympics of all times (Sydney 2000 Games), nothing would give me greater pleasure than Athens organizing even better and safer Olympics and Paralympics," Carr said, and noted several records already achieved by the Greek capital. "And for those who speak of problems and deficiencies on the part of Athens, I would like to recall what they were saying about Sydney four years ago," Carr said, adding: "Just as they were wrong then, so they will be wrong now, also". "It's time they stop defaming Athens and stand at its side," Carr said. [22] M. Yacoub head of the Olympic health services team in Ancient OlympiaAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)The famous heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub volunteered his services to Athens 2004 as of Tuesday and until the end of the Athens Olympic Games, following his meeting with Athens 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki on Tuesday.Yacoub, who is a Health Services Volunteer for the 2004 Olympic Games, will be leading the Health Services Team in the competition venue of Ancient Olympia. [23] Antwerp plans celebrations for the arrival of the Olympic flameBRUSSELS 2/6/2004 (ANA/G.Zitouniati)Antwerp is planning a celebratory reception for the Olympic flame when it arrives in the Belgian city on June 21.The event's organizers who presented the program at Antwerp's City Hall on Tuesday, promised an "unforgettable" event with lots of Greek color and references from both ancient and contemporary Greece. The celebration will kick off at 1:15 p.m. when the Olympic flame arrives at Antwerp's Olympic Stadium. After that the Olympic torch will travel through the city's suburbs (48 km) and will finish at the city's historical square for a "Greek celebration." Members of the Greek community in Antwerp were among the main organizers of the event. The city to receive the Olympic Torch after Antwerp will be Brussels. [24] Illegal immigrant killed, another injured in minefield after breaking through well-marked enclosureAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)A 27-year-old illegal immigrant from Moldova was killed and his 21-year-old compatriot was seriously injured after breaking through a well-marked fence into a landmine on the Evros border region while trying to sneak into Greece from Turkey, police said on Tuesday.The incident occurred shortly before midnight Sunday, when the two men attempted to sneak into Greece in the Ferres area of Evros. The two men apparently cut through the enclosure -- a double-wire fence 1.5 meters high, which is marked by fluorescent warning signs, in accordance with international requirements -- and strayed into the minefield, causing an explosion. Authorities believe the two disregarded the fluorescent signs, believing the fence marked the borderline between Turkey and Greece, given the late-night darkness. A team from the landmine neutralizing squad rescued the injured immigrant and recovered the body of his compatriot. The injured man was taken to the General State Hospital in nearby Alexandroupolis. [25] Border police in northeastern Greece report rash of fake documentsAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Border police in northeastern Greece on Tuesday said they were seeing a "rash" of fake passports and other official documents in recent weeks, with the latest instance being that of two Turks caught at the Greek-Bulgarian border using passports bearing fake French and Portuguese stamps.Under interrogation, the two men said they had acquired the fake passports for the price of 4,800 euros from a ring operating in Bulgaria. This arrest follows that of two Somali women at the border crossing in Kozani carrying fake residence permits for Greece, which they had bought for 2,000 euros each in Istanbul. [26] Almost all Greek beaches absolutely clean, European Commission report saysBRUSSELS 2/6/2004 (ANA)Almost all Greek beaches are absolutely clean, according to a report on the state of swimming waters in European Union member-states publicized here on Tuesday by the European Commission.In the case of Greece, the report says 99.9 percent of Greek beaches fully meet cleanliness criteria set by the EU. It also says the situation is satisfactory in lakes and rivers in the country which, in general, are considered absolutely clean. As regards Europe, the situation is also considered satisfactory since 98.6 percent of swimming waters are considered clean according to EU standards. The report stresses that the only problem existing concerns the practice of certain EU member-states not to make any efforts to clean waters considered problematic, but to resort to banning swimming in such areas. [27] Queen Sonja of Norway to open exhibition of sculpture in AthensAthens, 2/6/2004 (ANA)Queen Sonja of Norway will inaugurate on Tuesday, June 8 the exhibition ""The past in the future: The sculpture of Nicolaus Wilderberg", which will be held at the Arts Centre of the Athens Municipality.Taking part in the inauguration, other than Queen Sonja, will also be King Harald V of Denmark who with his wife will be paying an official visit to Greece. The exhibition, which will last until June 30, is organized by the Embassy of Norway and the Cultural Organization of Athens Municipality and the inauguration will take place at 6 p.m. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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