Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-02-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] IMF praises growth in Greek economy over recent years, gov't fiscal audit; cites concerns over public finances, future prospects

[02] Papoulias all but assured of presidential chair during Tuesday vote in Parliament

[03] FM Molyviatis meets with UN Special Rep in Kosovo

[04] Government on US Secretary of State's visit to Turkey

[05] Karamanlis meets with Macedonia-Thrace minister

[06] Government on corruption problems within the Church

[07] PASOK president meets with EU Commissioner for the Environment

[08] Main opposition leader addresses party gathering marking his first year as PASOK president

[09] SYN calls for referendum on EU constitution

[10] Austrian EU Commissioner reminds the prerequisites for start of Turkey's accession talks with the EU

[11] Courtesy visits to transport minister by US, UK ambassadors

[12] PM extends thanks to Greek citizens for their support in family's grief

[13] Turkish warplanes violate Greece's national air space, infringe Athens FIR

[14] Sioufas presents development ministry's report on Lisbon Strategy

[15] European Commission approves of Greek development law

[16] DZ Bank buys 10% share of local bank set up by 14 cooperatives banks

[17] Alogoskoufis visits General Secretariat of Information Systems

[18] Tourism minister meets with country's prefects regarding development of Greek tourism

[19] The City of Athens to establish a Tourism and Economic Development Agency

[20] Serbian President B. Tadic to participate in Greek-Serbian investments conference in Athens

[21] 84.9 mobile telephony subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Greece in 2002

[22] Greek stocks advance towards 3,000-level in Monday trading

[23] Second 'ELA' terrorism trial begins with six defendants

[24] Court reportedly rules in favor of release for MS-suffering 'N17' terrorist

[25] Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly inaugurated in Nafplio

[26] Two concerts at the Athens Concert Hall dedicated to Theodorakis

[27] Hungary supports Cyprus' efforts to reunify the island

[28] Commissioner says all members involved in Turkey's EU talks

[01] IMF praises growth in Greek economy over recent years, gov't fiscal audit; cites concerns over public finances, future prospects

Washington, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

However, a press release from the executive board meeting, held over the weekend, noted that "widening economic imbalances threaten future growth prospects. The public finances have deteriorated sharply - only in part because of the Olympics - and the high debt-GDP ratio has fallen very little, with recent data revisions revealing that the fiscal position is much worse than earlier thought," a reference to the recent fiscal audit completed by the government.

Concerning the controversial fiscal audit undertaken by the Karamanlis government and sharply attacked by the main opposition PASOK party, the IMF stressed that "Directors welcomed the initiative by the new government to launch a fiscal audit immediately upon taking office," while adding that the IMF "regretted the significant past understatements of the deficit and public debt."

The Washington D.C.-based international organization warned that lack of accurate fiscal data "has hindered surveillance…" but supported "the ongoing efforts of the authorities, working with Eurostat, to improve reporting, and the decision to compile financing-side fiscal data beginning in 2005."

Among others, the IMF executive directors said the key priorities for Greek officials are a strong and sustained fiscal consolidation effort "along with further improvements in fiscal transparency, and structural reforms to put in place the conditions for sustained increases in output and living standards."

[02] Papoulias all but assured of presidential chair during Tuesday vote in Parliament

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis nominated Papoulias, a one-time top cadre with the PASOK party, late last year, while main opposition leader and PASOK president George Papandreou immediately voiced his support for the pick.

The maximum number of votes by deputies from ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK that Papoulias can receive is 282, more than enough to send him to the presidential mansion as the successor to Kostis Stephanopoulos. Any tally of more than 269 - the number received by Stephanopoulos on Feb. 8, 2000 out of 298 MPs present - will be a record.

Stephanopoulos' second five-year term concludes on March 11, 2005.

Conversely, Parliament's two smaller parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), are expected to propose another candidate. Nonetheless, deputies of those two parties are unlikely to vote for Papoulias. Two hundred roll call votes during a first round are necessary to elect a president of the republic.

If successful, Papoulias will be the sixth president of the republic since the restoration of democracy in 1974, having been preceded by Mihalis Stasinopoulos, Constantinos Tsatsos, Constantine Karamanlis, Christos Sartzetakis and Stephanopoulos.

[03] FM Molyviatis meets with UN Special Rep in Kosovo

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, Molyviatis expressed Greece's strong interest in Kosovo's future, which constitutes a serious pending issue according to the minister, and emphasized that Greece will continue to work for peace and stability in the region as well as its integration in European structures.

On his part, Peterssen said that he takes into account Greece's contribution to help put Kosovo on the EU agenda, and also referred to the role Athens could play as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during the next two years.

Petersen predicted that 2005 would be an interesting year regarding the regime that will be established in Kosovo and stressed the importance of reinstating normal living conditions for the minorities in the region. He said that all sides - including Serbs from Kosovo as well as from Belgrade - must participate in the dialogue and expressed hope that a solution could be reached during the latter half of 2005.

Papandreou receives UN special rep for Kosovo Jessen-Peterssen: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Monday met with the UN's Representative for Kosovo and head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Soeren Jessen-Peterssen.

Afterwards, the Danish-born Jessen-Peterssen told reporters he discussed all of the latest developments affecting the region with Papandreou, Greece's former foreign minister.

[04] Government on US Secretary of State's visit to Turkey

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

He was responding to questions on why Rice's tour had not included a stop in Greece.

He also noted that Greece's positions will be presented at an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers that will take place in Brussels on Wednesday.

Concerning a statement by Rice that an end to the isolation of Turkish-Cypriots was "under consideration", Antonaros said that the Greek government was in favor of "adhering to international legality on Cyprus".

[05] Karamanlis meets with Macedonia-Thrace minister

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

According to Tsiartsionis, the ministry's new role is to strategically coordinate all the actions for intra-state and inter-state development in the region.

Moreover, the minister expressed his confidence that neighboring Bulgaria will enter the European Union in 2007, something he said has translated into a challenge for properly exploiting the development.

[06] Government on corruption problems within the Church

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

"Phenomena that damage the institutions of society must be wiped out using transparent processes, so that the Greek public watching the events in surprise has a sense of justice and can regain confidence in the institutions," he said.

He said the government had not yet received the Church's proposals for legislative reforms to clean up the Church, decided on by the Permanent Holy Synod last week, but reiterated that the government would examine these and reply once it received them.

Commenting on a series of measures announced last week by Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras, Antonaros stressed that these were directed mainly at transparency within the justice system and did not concern issues related to the Church.

[07] PASOK president meets with EU Commissioner for the Environment

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Dimas called the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, which begins on February 16, "a most important development."

Asked how national law relates to EU law, on occasion of the 'primary shareholder' law that was recently passed, Dimas replied: "Every nation applies its national constitution, which is the ultimate national law, but if a case is referred to the European Court of Justice then that court will apply European law. The new law has not yet been called into question, perhaps this will happen in the near future."

Asked to comment on recent developments in the Greek Church and the Greek justice system, Dimas said that as a Greek citizen he is saddened by all that has been going on, but expressed hope that the problems plaguing the two institutions will soon be weeded out permanently.

[08] Main opposition leader addresses party gathering marking his first year as PASOK president

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

In his speech, Papandreou attacked the government on all fronts, economic, foreign policy, fight against corruption, saying that ''despite all pre-election promises, when they came to power the masks have fallen and nothing has changed.''

Referring to the Cyprus issue, the PASOK leader said that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis ''in order to avoid political costs has avoided the issue itself. But the problem remains under harder conditions for Greece."

He charged that Greece's international position has weakened, the prestige of the country in the international and European arenas has decreased, the national interests were at stake in a climate of introversion and absence of strategy, while ruling New Democracy party ''after Cyprus' EU accession takes out of the European framework all our national issues, bringing them on a bilateral level''.

[09] SYN calls for referendum on EU constitution

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Speaking at a press conference, in the capacity of President of SYRIZA's (Coalition of the Radical Left) Parliamentary Group, Alavanos strongly criticized main opposition PASOK and ruling New Democracy, reiterating his party's demand that a referendum for the ratification of the European constitution be held.

"We cannot accept ultimatums. In other words, [we cannot accept] that in March 2005 Parliament will announce its approval, when other member-states have until the end of 2006 to decide whether they will accept or reject the referendum, when the UK has decided to hold a referendum in the summer of 2006. Why [is the decision in Greece to be made] so rushed, on the sly, without the participation of society and the country's citizens," he said.

Speaking earlier in the day, on the issue of Tuesday's presidential elections, Alavanos reiterated that SYN would not vote for Karolos Papoulias as President of the Hellenic Republic. He referred to a related decision made by his party's Central Committee and said that "we will refuse our vote to the candidate jointly nominated by New Democracy and PASOK. We refuse, as we did on the election law, as we're doing here, as we do in basic political choices to legitimize bipartisanship and allow the Left to be the political 'tail-end.'"

[10] Austrian EU Commissioner reminds the prerequisites for start of Turkey's accession talks with the EU

Vienna, 8/2/2005 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

She made the statements during a recent meeting in Vienna with representatives of the Austrian press at which a review was made of the first 100 days since the assumption of the new term of the European Commission.

As a further prerequisite for the start of these negotiations, Ferrero-Waldner stressed the need for the strengthening of democracy in Turkey and the protection of human rights, at the same time noting that if these prerequisites are not met, the procedure for the start of accession talks with Turkey could stop at any moment.

During the same meeting with the representatives of the Austrian mass media, the Austrian Commissioner particularly praised Greek Commissioner Stavros Dimas for the immediate activation on his part of all the EU protection policy mechanisms following the catastrophic earthquake which struck Southeast Asia on December 26.

Ferrero-Waldner is currently on a visit to the Middle East.

[11] Courtesy visits to transport minister by US, UK ambassadors

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

No statements were made afterwards.

[12] PM extends thanks to Greek citizens for their support in family's grief

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

[13] Turkish warplanes violate Greece's national air space, infringe Athens FIR

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

According to press reports, eleven formations of Turkish warplanes made an equal number of infringements of the air traffic regulations of the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) which developed into ten violations of Greece's national air space in various regions of the Aegean.

In all cases the 32 Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by corresponding Greek fighter jets while in two cases the procedure of interception developed into a mock dog-fight.

It was reported that four of the Turkish aircraft were armed while two were photographic Phantoms.

[14] Sioufas presents development ministry's report on Lisbon Strategy

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Sioufas emphasized that "the time has come to move from theory to practice," indicating that the basic tools with which to boost Greek competitiveness will be the new tax and development laws, as well as the new system for granting commercial licenses. He also said that meeting the Lisbon Strategy goals is an economic and social necessity and that efforts to meet these goals would be continuous.

The Lisbon Strategy was formulated during the EU Summit meeting in Portugal in 2000 and aimed at making the EU economy the most competitive by 2010. However, an interim evaluation which was carried out by former Dutch Minister and Chairman of the High Level Group for the Lisbon Strategy Wim Kok in 2004, revealed that achieving this goal would prove difficult for the EU. For Greece, matters are more difficult, since the country lags behind in all areas.

The report which Sioufas presented on Monday includes proposals for structural reform, such as: liberalization of energy, transport and telecommunications markets; implementation of healthy fiscal policies; reinforcing the regions; promoting research, technology, innovation; reinforcing entrepreneurship; etc.

The report also points out that Greece's competitiveness is not only low, but is also on a steady decline. According to a study conducted by the International Institute for Management Development, Greece ranked 31 in the world in 2001, 42nd in 2003, and 44th in 2004. Additionally, compared with other EU member-states, Greece has the poorest performance in competitive terms from 1996-2003.

The 2004 Kok Report stressed that the main shortcomings of the Greek economy were high debt, long-standing unemployment, unemployment among women, delays in pension reform, lack of competitiveness in the energy market and delays in adopting EU directives.

The Lisbon Strategy will be re-examined during the upcoming EU Summit meeting which will be held in March. Greece plans on formulating a National Action Plan, for which the Prime Minister's economic office will be responsible for coordinating its implementation.

In other related news, Sioufas met with Swedish Ambassador to Greece Marten Grunditz and President of Ericsson Hellas Bill Zikou. Zikou briefed the minister on his company's activities which include human resources training, research and technology, transfer of know-how, providing support to software manufacturers, and absorption of EU funds in the IT sector.

[15] European Commission approves of Greek development law

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Following the go-ahead by the Commission, the ministry will be issuing a series of decisions so that submission of investment plans can begin and the development law can start being implemented.

Finally, the ministry also pointed out that the law was approved by the European Commission in less than two months.

[16] DZ Bank buys 10% share of local bank set up by 14 cooperatives banks

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Although the sale price was not announced at a press conference in Athens on Monday, top officials from the Greek bank noted that Panellinia's share capital was raised by 8.5 million euros after the deal. Panellinia operates 18 branches in Greece.

[17] Alogoskoufis visits General Secretariat of Information Systems

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

"The Economy Ministry has set as its primary aim the upgrading of the General Secretariat of Information systems. A very significant job has already started in order to make up for the delays which have existed in the past. An upgrading of all the systems is already being made," Alogoskoufis said.

The Economy Minister added:" Our aim is to proceed even further in the utilization of all the information data, for more cross-checks of data to be made and more objective checks, so that we can have a more fair taxation system, to broaden the taxation basis and to confront tax evasion. The programs of the General Secretariat of Information Systems, which have the full support of the leadership of the Economy and Finance Ministry, aim for there to be better contact between the state and the taxpayer, but also a more fair and objective taxation system."

[18] Tourism minister meets with country's prefects regarding development of Greek tourism

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

Specifically, tourism development programs in the regions, advertising, communication strategy and cooperation between the regions and the ministry were the main issues discussed during the meeting. The meeting was the first to be held since the establishment of a special committee, which comprises the ministry's leadership and the leadership of the National Tourism Organization (EOT), as well as board members of the Union of Prefectures of Greece (ENAE) and the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE).

Avramopoulos stressed tourism's importance in the balanced development of the regions and emphasized that "a prerequisite for the successful implementation of the new strategy in tourism on a national level is the joint effort between central and local government." He added that in the past "there had never been a concerted and coordinated policy for tourism; rather improvisation and sloppiness prevailed."

[19] The City of Athens to establish a Tourism and Economic Development Agency

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

According to a press release, the non-profit Athens Tourism and Economic Development Agency will comprise the City of Athens, the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Hellenic Hoteliers Chamber, the Association of Greek Tourism Enterprises, the Hellenic Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies, and the Hellenic Retailers Association.

The municipality considers support and promotion of Athens' tourism industry vital as the sector has the potential to stimulate the city's wider economic development.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Bakoyannis presented the plans which account for the state of tourism in Athens, the policies and achievements of other European cities and Olympic host cities, as well as international tourism trends.

The agency, which is in its formative stages, will act as a platform of cooperation between all relevant agencies and organizations in the Attica region, whose aims will be jointly promoted.

Of a total 350,000 euros in start-up capital, the municipality has contributed 300,000 euros.

"Athens' tourism industry has remained static for a long period of time. This is impacting negatively on the city's economy, considering the important role tourism plays in business development and the competitiveness of the economy," Mayor Bakoyannis told the City Council.

"The Olympic Games brought Athens to the forefront of international attention, offering the city a unique promotional opportunity and the potential to boost development. The city's new infrastructure and its successful hosting of the Games conveyed to the world the impression that Athens is a capital of world-class standards. Now that Athens is equipped with modern facilities and services, there is great scope for development in the post-Olympic period.

"We believe that these prospects could become reality through the planning and implementation of a development policy focused on supporting and promoting the city's tourism sector," she added.

[20] Serbian President B. Tadic to participate in Greek-Serbian investments conference in Athens

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

The conference, which is held under the auspices of the governments of both the countries, is being held with the participation, apart from the president of Serbia, of four Serbian ministers and five deputy ministers (from the Greek side Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis, Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis and other deputy ministers) as well as with the participation of many economic agencies and organizations from both sides.

It is expected that during the conference a protocol of cooperation will be signed between the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

[21] 84.9 mobile telephony subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Greece in 2002

BRUSSELS, 8/2/2005 (ANA/V.Demiris)

Over the past years the development of mobile telephony in Greece, but also in the other European Union member-states, is spectacular given that in 1995 the subscriptions of mobile telephony in Greece was just 2.6 per 100 inhabitants.

The information comes from a report released in Brussels on Monday by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Commission, on mobile telephony in the EU of the "25".

In 2003, the highest numbers of mobile phone subscriptions per inhabitant were in Luxembourg, Sweden and Italy.

Luxembourg (120 per 100 inhabitants), Sweden (98), Italy (96) and the Czech Republic (95) recorded the highest numbers of mobile phone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2003. The lowest numbers of mobile phone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants were recorded in Poland (46), Latvia (52) and Lithuania (62).

There is no data on Greece for 2003.

In the "25", the subscriptions of mobile telephony per 100 inhabitants came to 79.9 in 2003, marking an 8.6 per cent increase compared to 2002. In 1995, these subscriptions were just 4,9 per 100 inhabitants.

[22] Greek stocks advance towards 3,000-level in Monday trading

Athens, 8/2/2005 (ANA)

The index rose 1.04 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.89 percent; the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index jumped 0.69 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 1.81 percent up.

Only foods & beverages and Investments sectors suffered minor losses (0.16 percent and 0.12 percent, respectively), while the Textiles sector scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.22 percent), followed by Base Metals - Cement, with a 2.9-percent increase.

Turnover was a brisk 213.4 million euros.

In the broader market advancers led decliners by 234 to 71 with another 49 issues unchanged.

Equity Index Futures: