Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-08-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis: Greek stance on EU-Turkey ties unchanged; commitments though must be fulfilled

[02] FM and SYN leader discuss Turkey's EU prospects, Cyprus issue

[03] Cypriot politician seeks Greece's support ahead of EU meetings on Turkey

[04] Greek and Chinese defense ministers hold talks in Beijing

[05] PASOK criticizes gov't over use of Olympic venues, facilities

[06] Watchdog: Unleaded fuel hike adds 15 euros to monthly consumer budget

[07] Finmin sees economic progress

[08] PM to chair gov't meeting focusing on tourism policy on Tues.

[09] Minister: More than 150,000 Finns visit Greece annually

[10] Minister says government 'will solve passenger shipping problem'

[11] Gov't approves long-term investment schemes

[12] EU funding for upgrading of Athens-Thessaloniki railway approved

[13] Unions set priority on abolition of overtime law

[14] PM, PASOK leader congratulate Greek duo for winning gold medal in the Women's European Beach Volley Championship

[15] Separate chapter focusing on Pontian history to be included in 12th grade curriculum

[16] Greek films and documentaries to be screened at Montreal's Museum of Fine Arts

[17] Cyprus FM:EU to decide on Turkey's EU course in Brussels and Newport

[18] Papadopoulos reiterates decision to fully investigate air crash

[19] Report on air crash set to be ready in six months, says investigator

[20] China and Cyprus discuss cooperation on health matters

[01] Karamanlis: Greek stance on EU-Turkey ties unchanged; commitments though must be fulfilled

PRAGUE, 30/8/2005 (ANA - S. Goutzanis)

Karamanlis emphasized that Athens' strategic decision to back Turkey's European prospects is unchanged, although Greek leadership is taking into account all of the latest developments and information.

In echoing the most recent statements by several top Greek foreign ministry officials, Karamanlis reminded that Ankara must fulfill all the criteria governing Turkey's course towards the EU. He added that an appendix tacked on by Turkey to its extension of a customs protocol with all 10 new EU members -- whereby the EU hopeful reminded that it continues to not recognize EU member-state Cyprus -- merely created more problems "that must be dealt with within the EU framework".

The Greek prime minister also stressed that Ankara should desist from creating "ambiguities" as far as the substance and meaning of its signature on the document extending the customs protocol was concerned. He said Ankara was now called upon to implement the protocol with all of the EU member-states.

FYROM

Regarding FYROM, the Greek Prime Minister tersely noted that the land-locked neighboring country's leadership failed to react positively to an initiative by the UN Secretary General for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the "name issue" and, moreover, showed no cooperation in the matter.

"This is a parameter that must be calculated, and one that weighs on the examination of that country's (FYROM) European prospects," Karamanlis said.

Along those lines, the Greek PM made it clear that as far as Athens is concerned, "there is no prospect of discussions regarding FYROM's accession talks to proceed."

Greek-Czech relations

Meanwhile, Karamanlis told reporters that talks with Czech PM Paroubek were extremely productive, with discussions focusing on the future of European integration and ratification of the draft EU Constitution.

"We examined the issue of fiscal prospects, namely, the size of the (EU) budget and Community funds that will be allocated to members between 2007-2013," Karamanlis said, adding that both Athens and Prague have successfully cooperated on the specific issue as part of a group of 17 EU member-states that actively support the decades-old policy of vigorous cohesion.

On his part, Paroubek noted that the Union's fiscal prospects for 2007-2013 were discussed, while noting that his government has clearly expressed its opinion regarding accession negotiations with candidate-states. Additionally, he said the Czech Republic and Greece have a similar view vis-a-vis the Union and its social as well as political character.

"We agreed that this cooperation should continue so that we can jointly promote our positions. In every instance, it is important that negotiations conclude quickly with an agreement that ensures the significance of the policy of cohesion, the just allocation of the costs of expansion and one that deals with the challenges and problems arising from the different level of development amongst the 25 EU member-states," Karamanlis stressed.

EU-Turkey relations were also on the agenda of discussions, as Karamanlis briefed his Czech counterpart on Athens' positions, especially ahead of a pair of crucial meetings at the EU level in the coming week regarding Ankara's European prospects and the customs union extension protocol problem.

Finally, Karamanlis invited Paroubek to officially visit Greece.

EU-Turkey relations

EU-Turkey relations amid the prism of Greek-Turkish ties and the ongoing Cyprus issue dominated much of the alternate government spokesman's press briefing on Monday, especially in light of a recent series of comments regarding Ankara's prospects by European leaders.

"The Greek government, as you know, has repeatedly called on Turkey to clarify its position on Cyprus. The prime minister, in fact, referred to this issue last Friday during a (ruling) New Democracy central committee meeting ... whatever we have said still stands," Antonaros said in reference to a recent high-profile statement by French President Jacques Chirac calling on Ankara to clarify its position.

Asked by reporters if EU hopeful Turkey should begin accession negotiations without first recognizing EU member-state Cyprus, Antonaros stressed:

"Discussions going on these days within the European Union are at a very crucial, sensitive and significant point. Turkey has assumed specific commitments vis-a-vis the 25 EU member-states, ones that it is now called on to implement and respect. This is what we, as the Greek government, are waiting (for Turkey) to do."

Additionally, Antonaros confirmed that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has received a letter from German opposition conservative leader Angela Merkel regarding EU-Turkey relations, noting that the latter's positions were being closely examined "within the framework of Greek foreign policy's parameters, which aim at promoting national interests."

In response to other related questions, the spokesman reiterated Athens' standing position, namely, that "Turkey has assumed certain commitments within the framework of a path it chose towards moving closer to Europe. Greece backs Turkey's European orientation because it believes a Europeanized Turkey will contribute so that differences between the two countries are blunted..."

Finally, the spokesman said Karamanlis' schedule while attending the UN's General Assembly meeting has not been finalized, in response to a question on whether the premier will meet with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Recep Erdogan in New York.

[02] FM and SYN leader discuss Turkey's EU prospects, Cyprus issue

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, Alavanos noted that for the first time, major countries are putting the pressure on Turkey, a situation "which we must capitalize on," he said.

Alavanos also referred to "the opportunity we have to set a specific timeframe for resolving the Cyprus issue based on the changes to the [UN Secretary General Kofi] Annan plan that the Republic of Cyprus has requested and with the major involvement of the EU in order to find a genuine solution to the Cyprus issue, quickly."

[03] Cypriot politician seeks Greece's support ahead of EU meetings on Turkey

Cyprus' Green Party leader George Perdikis has requested Greece's support ahead of European Union meetings that will deal with commencement of Turkey's EU accession negotiations in a letter he sent to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Monday.

In his letter, Perdikis calls Turkey's declaration that it does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, which it signed along with the protocol extending its customs union agreement to include the 10 new EU member states, including Cyprus, as "a legal oxymoron and politically unacceptable."

According to Perdikis, accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU - scheduled to begin on October 3 - should be suspended unless Turkey withdraws its declaration of non-recognition.

He has requested Greece's support should Turkey appear intransigent.

[04] Greek and Chinese defense ministers hold talks in Beijing

Beijing, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

The two defense ministers agreed that the United Nations constitutes the supreme forum for securing world peace and security.

The Greek side briefed the Chinese side on the situation in Kosovo, the Balkans and on Greece's participation in peace missions under the auspices of the UN, while it thanked the Chinese government for its stance in the Cyprus issue, within the framework of the United Nations.

The Chinese side referred to the problems with Japan and Taiwan, to the issue of the European Union embargo, for the lifting of which a decision of the "25" is pending following the adoption of the "Code of Conduct", as well as the joint military exercises with Russia.

On the issue of the security of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Greek side reiterated its willingness to offer its experience to the relevant Chinese authorities.

On a bilateral level, prospects were examined for cooperation in the defense industry sector. It is recalled that between Greece and China there is a protocol of cooperation in the defense-technical sector.

[05] PASOK criticizes gov't over use of Olympic venues, facilities

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

Among others, current PASOK state deputy and former Coalition of the Left leader Maria Damanaki accused the government of lacking any plan for exploiting the Olympic facilities.

Ex-minister Andreas Loverdos, on his part, echoed PASOK president George Papandreou in calling for Premier Costas Karamanlis to give up his culture ministry portfolio.

In a later reply, Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia charged that PASOK's pending "Black Paper" criticizing the culture ministry has "developed into a poorly written novel, one that simply tries to replace a deficit in the main opposition's policy and ideology."

[06] Watchdog: Unleaded fuel hike adds 15 euros to monthly consumer budget

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

The price of unleaded gas is currently around 0.96 euro per liter, leading to a roughly 14.6 euro rise from the same month of 2004, the centre said in a statement.

[07] Finmin sees economic progress

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

GDP growth was 3.5% in the first half of the year, which would be maintained in the second half, the minister told reporters.

He was speaking after separate meetings with the Association of Northern Greek Exporters and the General Confederation of Employees of Greece in consultations on the 2006 budget, which the government is currently drafting.

The government's policy so far had brought a decline in unemployment, a rise in exports and tourism, and a fiscal deficit that was being contained, Alogoskoufis said.

The minister also met Greece's European Union commissioner, Stavros Dimas, for talks on developments in Europe.

[08] PM to chair gov't meeting focusing on tourism policy on Tues.

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros added that Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos will initially brief the inner Cabinet's members on ongoing developments in the sector.

Meanwhile, in response to reporters' questions regarding the state of the Greek economy, especially in light of a recent increase in the public debt, the spokesman noted that "a country's obligations are not born from one day to the next, efforts to overturn situations that arose over the past 10 to 20 years are continuous" -- a direct reference by Antonaros to previous PASOK governments.

He also said the government has been consistent in meeting its pre-election promises so far, "despite a poor economic climate due to the rise in the price of oil".

[09] Minister: More than 150,000 Finns visit Greece annually

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

Afterwards Avramopoulos noted that more than 150,000 Finnish tourists visit Greece every year, making the east Mediterranean country one of the top foreign destinations for Finns, a fact confirmed by Pekkarinen. The latter noted that last year's successful holding of the 2004 Olympics boosted the country's image among Finnish holiday-makers.

[10] Minister says government 'will solve passenger shipping problem'

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

In a press conference he gave in Rhodes at the end of the Aegean Regatta 2005 international sailing event, the minister said:" The government of (Prime Minister Costas) Karamanlis will solve the passenger shipping problem."

He referred to the issues of shipping and to the linking of passenger shipping to the islands and committed himself that "a solution will be found to the problems which were observed this year."

[11] Gov't approves long-term investment schemes

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

The projects worth a total of 76.6 million euros will receive 28.9 million euros in state grants, the ministry said in a statement.

Remaining projects out of a total of 26 submitted under the same program will be examined, the statement said.

[12] EU funding for upgrading of Athens-Thessaloniki railway approved

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

Specifically, the ERDF will provide 50% of the funding for two projects. The first entails the construction of a 54 km., double, high-speed track between Tithorea and Lianokladi with a budget of ¬ 565.5 million.

The second project, with a budget of ¬ 274 million, involves upgrading of the existing Athens-Thessaloniki railway in order to achieve higher speeds.

The Public Investments Program will fund the other 50% of the projects.

ERGOSE, a subsidiary of the Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), is responsible for the planning and execution of the projects.

[13] Unions set priority on abolition of overtime law

Athens, 30/8/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos also indicated that unions would seek an additional sum on 2005 wages to help offset a sharp rise in global oil prices that led to a decline in purchasing power.

The GSEE is to release a report on the economy on September 8.

Stocks drop in oil-price woes

Stocks finished lower in glum trade after a new rise in global oil prices dampened sentiment, traders said.

The Athens general share index closed at 3,186.35 points, marking a decline of 1.10%. Turnover was 122.9 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 1.02% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 2.47% lower; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 2.07% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 261 to 35 with 32 remaining unchanged.

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