Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-02-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece seeks to amend stability and growth plan

[02] Greek president continues official visit to Belgium

[03] Gov't announces follow-up meeting with journalists' unions on Thursday week

[04] Main opposition leader accuses gov't of seeking public sector recruitments along party lines

[05] Inter-state DICA agreement between Greece and the U.S.

[06] Coalition (Synaspismos) party to seek meeting with PM over European Constitution

[07] Greek Ambassador to Sofia says Bulgaria's EU accession opens new era in bilateral relations

[08] Alexandria Patriarch and SAE deputy president discuss Greek education program

[09] Turkish warplanes violate Greece's national air space

[10] ND Honorary President comments on conflict of interest in the media, judicial corruption and presidential elections

[11] Dialogue on pension system to begin this year

[12] "Step forward" in reforming banking sector's pension system

[13] Government launches drive to spur competitiveness

[14] Olympic Airlines' sale "one-way road", Minister says

[15] SEB and FEB issue joint declaration regarding Lisbon Strategy

[16] Eurobarometer: Europeans glum about economic, social situation

[17] Majority of Greeks pessimistic about the future of pensions

[18] Brisk absorption rate for EU-funded farm programs, minister says

[19] HELECO opens its gates on Thursday

[20] Major conference to promote investments, business with Serbia-Montenegro in Athens next week

[21] Euro-Mediterranean business forum to be held on February 3-5

[22] Greek tourism ad campaign successful abroad, minister says

[23] Stocks drop below 2,900 pts

[24] PM inaugurates new burn unit in west Attica industrial district

[25] Macedonia-Thrace Ministry aims at becoming headquarters for development of northern Greece and the broader region

[26] Danger to public health from hazardous medical waste stressed in seminar

[27] European Commission holds EU-wide contest among school children to raise environmental awareness

[28] Magistrate applies to abstain in Kokkalis vs Russian National Sports Foundation case

[29] Warrant for the arrest of Archimandrite Yiossakis issued

[30] Suspect linked to Djindjic murder extradited to Serbia

[31] National Council begins debate on Cyprus question

[32] Socialist MEPs to visit Cyprus

[33] Greek Chief of Staff to visit Cyprus

[01] Greece seeks to amend stability and growth plan

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

In a letter to the EU Commission, Alogoskoufis said the government wanted procedures underway to tackle the country's excessive fiscal deficit to be taken into account, with the finance ministry seeking to update its existing stability and growth pact after final data was collected on implementation of the 2004 budget.

At the same time, the 2005 budget would not change, the minister told reporters on Wednesday.

The Commission had also received a detailed explanation of statistics that it had queried after the government endeavored to collect all available data on defense spending in 1997-2003. As reliable figures expressed in terms of deliveries had failed to emerge, the data was given in the form of payments, Alogoskoufis said.

"The finance ministry is committed to improving the existing data collection mechanism for armaments deliveries. As part of this drive, a working group has been set up of representatives from the defense and finance ministries," he noted.

In addition, the Greek National Statistics Service was conducting a new enquiry into revenue and spending for social insurance funds and state hospitals that covered the entirety of the two sectors in 2002-2003. Data that had not been submitted to the government by August 2004 would be collected and sent to EU authorities in May 2005, the minister said.

Finally, he reported that the finance ministry would form a committee headed by eurodeputy Yiannis Marinos to make recommendations on minor structural changes in the economy.

Main opposition slams gov't over economic policy

The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) on Wednesday sharply criticized the government for seeking postponement in the European Union of debate of Greece's growth and stability program in order to forge an amended version.

"The government is continuing to display its lack of credibility. It gave the EU its program in November...Nothing seems to have changed in two months," PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said in a statement.

[02] Greek president continues official visit to Belgium

BRUSSELS 3/2/2005 (ANA - C. Poulidou)

Stephanopoulos next visited Namur's University Library and was then received by the Belgian royal couple, King Albert II and Queen Paola, at the Wallonia Regional government building, where Greek and Belgian folkloric societies had organized an outdoor event.

The Greek president returned to Brussels early on Wednesday afternoon to attend a service at an Orthodox church in the city, before a meeting with the Belgian Greek community that is scheduled to take place at the Greek ambassador's residence in the Belgian capital, to be followed by a dinner in honor of the Belgian royal family.

[03] Gov't announces follow-up meeting with journalists' unions on Thursday week

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Commenting on a decision by the Athens Union of Journalists (ESHEA) to publish a list of journalists employed in the public sector provided by the government, Roussopoulos stressed that he had been obliged to respond to the union's request and send all the data in his possession on the basis of the presidential decree now in force.

At the same time, he differentiated his position from that of the union, saying that he was against "lumping everyone together" indiscriminately. Responding to questions, Roussopoulos reiterated his view that publishing the names or the salaries of journalists contravened protection of personal data rules, noting that the list had been requested by ESHEA's board during one of the three meetings he had had with them.

He also stressed in his opening remarks concerning the list that he had carried out everything he had made a commitment to do, which was to initiate public dialogue on the issue, make specific proposals and to proceed jointly with the political parties and journalists union in determining what should be deemed incompatible in the professional relations of journalists and the state sector, as well as to send lists of journalists employed by the state sector to their unions.

Roussopoulos further clarified that he had requested lists from public-sector bodies that did not supply them in previous years, considering that they did not come under the auspices of the specific law. He said that these bodies would henceforth provide such lists, for the first time after many years, and that these would also be sent to ESHEA.

In addition, he said that the Communications Secretariat will continue until March 31 to collect data concerning employment records in 2004 and would send these to ESHEA by April 5.

The minister stressed that he was in favor of transparency but also in favor of the proper use of this data.

"If one, five or a hundred journalists are violating the code of ethics or the statutes of the journalists' union, then it is only for these that the Union has a right and obligation to impose whatever penalties it decides," he said.

Roussopoulos also announced that measures regulating relations between journalists and the public sector will soon be made that will help dispel the "cloud that certain parties were trying to cast on both the just and unjust".

Meanwhile, in a letter sent to ESHEA and the independent Personal Data Protection Authority on Wednesday, journalists working with the state broadcasting organization ERT underlined their "surprise and indignation" at the decision to publish the entire list of names, saying it was tantamount to "criminalizing" the act of working.

According to the letter, the publication of the list acted to discredit professional journalists that had been hired to work for state radio and television through legal processes, since it coincided with the debate concerning journalists "on the take" and gave rise to "unacceptable associations" in eyes of public opinion.

"We believe that ESHEA should have first investigated if and which journalists are violating the Union's code of ethics and then made public the names of the offenders," the letter concludes.

A question on the issue was also tabled in Parliament on Wednesday by independent MP Stephanos Manos, who said that the laws obliging state-sector organizations to provide lists of those providing press and public relations services and laws forbidding individuals from occupying more than one public-sector job were being "implemented selectively".

[04] Main opposition leader accuses gov't of seeking public sector recruitments along party lines

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

The visit was carried out in view of Thursday's debate in Parliament concerning a bill for public-sector recruitment, which introduces the use of personal interviews in the selection of candidates.

Emerging from his meeting with ASEP's director Prof. George Beis, Papandreou said personal interviews were the "Trojan Horse that abolished meritocracy in the public sector" and pledged to strongly contest the measure.

The ASEP was set up by previous PASOK governments in an attempt to discourage nepotism and the use of party-political criteria in public-sector hiring, in a complex system involving examinations and a point-system based on social criteria.

Minister of the interior responds to opposition's criticism on public sector hiring: Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Prokopis Pavlopoulos responded in harsh language to the criticism expressed by main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou on Wednesday that the government is trying to "politicize" the public sector by proposing a bill that would make personal interviews part of the hiring process. Papandreou said that such a development would be a "Trojan Horse" that threatens meritocracy.

"Everyone knows that PASOK governments were for years the 'Trojan Horse' of partisanship and of a lack of meritocracy in the state sector. And George Papandreou always had a prominent position within this 'Trojan Horse', who as a member of PASOK governments certainly participated in all that they did!", Pavlopoulos said.

The minister emphasized that the New Democracy government is fighting for meritocracy and can prove it. "Mr. Papandreou can have the answer to what PASOK did during its time in office and what the present government is doing to reinstate meritocracy tomorrow in Parliament. I hope he will be in Parliament so that he can say what he has to say, hear the answers and then everyone will be able to judge," Pavlopoulos concluded.

On Thursday, Parliament will discuss the new bill regarding the public sector.

[05] Inter-state DICA agreement between Greece and the U.S.

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

The defense ministry assesses that the activation without cost of the control services of the U.S. will constitute a significant factor in restricting U.S. companies from seeking greater profits.

[06] Coalition (Synaspismos) party to seek meeting with PM over European Constitution

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

He also noted that party MPs belonging to the Leftist group SYRIZA will be lodging a complaint over the issue with Parliament's presidency.

Stressing that ratification of the European Constitution will "determine the country's course for decades to come", the spokesman said the party was against its "overnight ratification by Parliament, without any information and without dialogue on the different views that exist."

[07] Greek Ambassador to Sofia says Bulgaria's EU accession opens new era in bilateral relations

SOFIA 3/2/2005 (ANA/B. Borisov)

"In two years, when Bulgaria will become a member of the European Union (EU), our bonds will acquire a completely new form. Because relations between the countries of the EU are not only based on principles and contracts, but is an issue of common culture, common life," the Greek ambassador said in an answer to a question by Sofia's newspaper.

Mantzouranis noted "the excellent cooperation of the border guards and of other relevant authorities between the two countries in the confrontation of illegal immigration and in the joint effort for the combatting of organized crime."

[08] Alexandria Patriarch and SAE deputy president discuss Greek education program

ALEXANDRIA 3/2/2005 (ANA - E. Peloriadou)

The program began at the beginning of this year with funds from the Onassis Foundation, which has given 100,000 dollars only for this year and is coordinated on behalf of the SAE by Tamvakis.

Patriarch Theodoros expressed great satisfaction with the program and said that it will be of great assistance in the Orthodox Church's missionary work in Africa.

[09] Turkish warplanes violate Greece's national air space

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

According to press reports, 11 formations of Turkish warplanes entered the Aegean and in 10 cases violated the national air space in the region of the central, northern and southern Aegean.

In all cases, the 28 Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by corresponding Greek fighter jets, while in three instances the interception evolved into mock dog-fighting.

It was reported that four of the planes were armed.

[10] ND Honorary President comments on conflict of interest in the media, judicial corruption and presidential elections

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Asked about the list of journalists' names made public on Tuesday, Mitsotakis said: "Journalists too are civil servants if they work in the public sector. Therefore, they need to abide by the same rules. I personally think that these lists should always be available to the public." However, he added that the situation was not handled properly, since the list does not distinguish between journalists who are engaged in unethical practices and those who simply are employed in the public sector.

Mitsotakis also commented on the current issues surrounding the judicial system and recent developments whereby a number of judges and lawyers helped crime suspects. He said that he approved of the measures Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras announced earlier in the week. The measures "are a step in the right direction, but in my opinion, insufficient," he said, adding that the justice minister should proceed more decisively. "We can't possibly govern properly, if we insist on pleasing everyone," he said.

On the issue of the upcoming presidential election, Mitsotakis said, "I am glad that Karolos Papoulias will be President of the Hellenic Republic."

[11] Dialogue on pension system to begin this year

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

The Greek minister stressed that, according to EU officials, a new development law was compatible with community legislation, but that the government was awaiting for an official approval before putting the law into effect. He said that the ministry would seek cooperation between the state's real estate enterprises with the aim to make a more efficient use of real estate assets and announced an ambitious package of privatizations, including the flotation of Post Savings Bank and the Athens International Airport, of total worth 1.6 billion euros in 2005.

Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas announced 15 measures aimed to create a "competitiveness umbrella" over the country's public and private sectors, including a new licensing system to set up new enterprises, deregulation of markets, supporting healthy competition, including the commerce sector in the Third Community Support Framework and seeking transparency in a public procurement system.

Sioufas said that the ministry would publish a survey on achieving the so-called Lisbon economic goals, while an annual report on Greek economic competitiveness would be published by the end of the month.

Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis underlined the importance given by the government to economic diplomacy saying that the ministry has drastically restructured its services and that it was cooperating with other ministries while it was open to cooperation with the private sector.

Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that public administration was bureaucratic and that it was "putting a brake" on growth. He announced a series of measures aimed to combat bureaucracy and strengthen regional growth.

[12] "Step forward" in reforming banking sector's pension system

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, OTOE's president Dimitris Tsoukalas said he was "cautiously optimistic" over the future of talks and stressed that the government would participate as a coordinator in a dialogue between employees and employers.

"We are talking about creating a single supplementary pension fund for all bank employees," Tsoukalas said, adding that until now bankers wished to resolve the issue on their own terms but OTOE's intervention managed to bring the issue on a negotiating table.

OTOE unionists said that the meeting with Economy minister was a step forward in resolving the pension issue in the banking sector. Alogoskoufis is expected to meet with banks' boards on Thursday.

[13] Government launches drive to spur competitiveness

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Among moves was a law to encourage joint ventures involving the state and private sector; simpler procedures to accelerate absorption of European Union funds; reform of real estate legislation; and fiscal revitalization through the budget, Alogoskoufis told an event to mark 2005 as Competitiveness Year.

In addition, the government was working to increase regional growth through its development legislation, privatize companies to bring state coffers 1.6 billion euros, and promote exports, the minister said.

In a statement on Competitiveness Year, the Federation of Greek Industry welcomed the government's launch of national policies and action in the sector.

Needed was the removal of obstacles to doing business through a simple, clear-cut, lean and stable regulatory framework, the trade group said in a statement.

[14] Olympic Airlines' sale "one-way road", Minister says

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Liapis urged for calm reactions and stressed that Greece should maintain a positive climate ahead of completion of a tender on February 11, according to a timetable set by the European Union.

The Greek minister said that an EU Court of Justice's Advocate General's opinion, asking for an immediate repayment of illegal state aid to Olympic Airways in the past, was expected.

Former Transport minister and PASOK deputy Christos Verelis strong criticized the government's handling of the case with the European Court of Justice.

[15] SEB and FEB issue joint declaration regarding Lisbon Strategy

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

"The two Federations are convinced that the aim of the Lisbon Strategy to make Europe the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010 remains the project for the future of our continent. They [the federations] think that economic growth, higher levels of employment and an increase in productivity are essential conditions for achieving progress towards social cohesion and environmental protection," SEV and FEB-VBO wrote in their declaration.

SEV Vice President Athanassios Lavidas, presenting the common positions of the two business communities, emphasized that the commitment to support entrepreneurship must be strengthened throughout the continent and specific actions must be taken that will substantially boost competitiveness.

Furthermore, Lavidas urged Belgian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Greek economy's new dynamism following the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. According to Lavidas, the modern infrastructure, the new development law, the new framework of tax incentives, the modern financial services system and the new generation of specialized employees are guarantees for the development of bilateral economic relations.

[16] Eurobarometer: Europeans glum about economic, social situation

BRUSSELS 3/2/2005 (ANA/M Spinthourakis)

Three out of four citizens say that the employment situation in their country is "bad" compared with only 22% who take the opposite view. However, as far as the European economy is concerned, 49% of the respondents consider that the situation is good.

At the same time, the study also shows that the European public opinion is ready for solutions in order to foster growth and address crucial issues like unemployment or the future of pensions.

The poll was conducted between October 27 and November 29 2004 among a sample of nearly 25,000 persons.

Five years after its launch, numerous objectives of the Lisbon Strategy have still to be achieved; and European Union citizens are aware of this, the survey showed.

Among findings for Greece are the following:

Greeks appear to be more pessimistic about their economy than other Europeans with 78% saying the current economic situation was bad against a European average of 62%

Concerning employment, 91% of Greeks see the current situation as adverse against an EU average of 76%

Seventy five percent of Greeks believe that their social insurance system is in bad shape versus an EU average of 53%

Of Greeks polled, 60% were satisfied with their quality of life against an EU average of 73%

Sixty three percent of Greeks view the state of the environment in their country as negative against an EU average of 51%

[17] Majority of Greeks pessimistic about the future of pensions

BRUSSELS 3/2/2005 (ANA/V.Demiris)

At the same time, they claim that the solution they most prefer for the safeguarding of the pension schemes in the future is the maintenance of the age limit for retirement with an increase of social contributions.

A Eurobarometer opinion poll made public on Wednesday showed that 26 per cent of Greeks were optimistic about the future of pensions (23% in the "25") while 70 per cent said they were pessimistic (70% in the "25").

To a question on what they viewed as the best solution for the safeguarding of the financing of the pension schemes, 39 per cent of Greeks (34% in the "25") said the most acceptable solution is the maintenance of the age limit for retirement and the increase in social contributions. Nine per cent (13% in the "25") supported the maintenance of the age limit for retirement with a reduction of pensions which they receive, seven per cent (17% in the "25") say they are prepared to work for more years and pay more social contributions, seven per cent (8% in the "25") chose a combination of these three solutions, while thirty-three per cent (22% in the "25") reject all of these alternative solutions.

[18] Brisk absorption rate for EU-funded farm programs, minister says

Athens, 3/2/2005 (ANA)

Basiakos told a news conference that at the end of December 2004, absorption rates for the ministry's four operational programs under the CSF were as follows: