Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] U.S. ambassador speaks of strategic cooperation, increased investments and improvement of image of Greece and the U.S. among American and Greek public opinion

[02] Ecstatic Greeks celebrate national team's gold in European basketball championship

[03] Cypriot leadership congratulates Greece over Eurobasket victory

[04] Deputy FM Skandalakis visits Tbilisi

[05] Athens mayor making official visit to Beijing

[06] Greece contributes to UN Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus,

[07] Health minister unveils new services for handicapped people

[08] PASOK preparing "alternative path" for local government, main opposition leader says

[09] President Karolos Papoulias to visit Ioannina on Wednesday

[10] Government spokesman refers to assassination of Parliamentary Deputy Pavlos Bakoyiannis

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch addresses inter-religious symposium in Hatay, Turkey

[12] Greek fiscal deficit at 6.6 pct of GDP in 2004, Eurostat

[13] Finance minister visits New York Stock Exchange

[14] PM discusses changes in view of 4th CSF with Pavlopoulos, US visit with Sioufas

[15] Athens-Corinth suburban railway line launched by transport minister Liapis

[16] Greece seeks to promote sea, sports tourism

[17] Merchant marine minister sends message for World Maritime Day as sailors march in Piraeus

[18] Record Greek business delegation in Russia Sept 27-30

[19] Tourists visiting Greece this year expected to increase by 8 percent

[20] PASOK party delegation holds talks with labor union directorate

[21] Program to support women in work presented in Thessaloniki

[22] Greek exporters to take part in Johannesburg trade fair

[23] Travel firms want to see free competition in Greek air transport

[24] Coalition party leader opposes OPAP privatization, urges support of amateur sport

[25] Greek cargo shipping shows steady H1 growth

[26] Development minister to USA for technology forum

[27] Greek stocks jump 1.47 pct on Monday

[28] Culture ministry says Santorini accident caused by 'mistaken technical choices'

[29] Events marking 'Days of Greco-Russian Friendship' continuing on Limnos

[30] Italian ambassador hosts reception for producer Zeffirelli following premiere of 'I Pagliacci' at Herod Atticus Theatre

[31] Social Policy Institute presents book on 'Social Portrait of Greece'

[32] We are experiencing deep humanitarian crisis, Greek UNICEF Committee president says

[33] Albanian immigrant smugglers apprehended in Thessaloniki

[34] First division football results, standings

[35] Barrot: Turkey's EU talks cannot end if free transport of goods not resolved

[36] Violation of Turkey's obligations concerns EU, says Cypriot spokesman

[37] President of European Parliament to visit Cyprus

[01] U.S. ambassador speaks of strategic cooperation, increased investments and improvement of image of Greece and the U.S. among American and Greek public opinion

WASHINGTON, 27/9/2005 (ANA - T. Ellis)

Ries praised Greece's position regarding Turkey's course towards the European Union and termed 2006 a "historic year" for the Balkans. The ambassador added that in the case of Greece and the U.S. strategic cooperation means that increased requirements now exist.

Ries went on to underline the success in hosting the Olympic Games, stressing that Greece received an excellent "grade 10", apart from promoting a positive image of Greece abroad, strengthened the self-confidence of the Greeks and their ability to achieve great targets.

He reiterated Washington's satisfaction over the arrest and conviction of "a considerable part" of the "N17" organization and said Greece's role in the Security Council is very constructive and underlined the contribution of the Greek EU presidency in the spring of 2003 when relations between the U.S. and the European Union were going through a crisis.

Referring to Iraq, he said that despite the universal opposition of the Greek people to the war, Greece was the first country to contribute financially, while providing facilities for the transfer of weaponry. He also stressed the presence and operation of a Greek medical unit in Afghanistan.

The U.S. ambassador further spoke of the positive and effective stance adopted by Greek diplomacy in the handling of the issue of the beginning of accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey since, as he said, Athens has reached, the correct in Washington's view, conclusion that the European course of Ankara strengthens prospects of a solution to the issue of Cyprus.

Despite the fact that 70 percent of the Greek people are extremely skeptical over the prospect of Turkey's accession to the EU, both the government of the PASOK party and that of the New Democracy party see the strategic benefits for Greece and support it strongly.

The ambassador said that Washington was pleased to hear the announcement by Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis on the creation of a Training Centre for security issues, through which Greece will convey the great experience it obtained during preparations to host the Olympic Games. He also stressed the importance of Greece's participation in control operations in the Mediterranean in the framework of which a special marine operations centre will be created in Crete.

Ries placed emphasis on the progress of the Greek economy, underlining the positive impact created by reforms being attempted and assessed that they will attract investing interest. In the framework of commercial, as well as defense cooperation, he expressed satisfaction over the decision recently taken by Athens to strengthen the Greek air force with F-16 fighter planes.

After admitting that for many years Greece was considered a difficult environment for investments, he noted that this picture is changing now. He termed Greece "our natural partner" in southeastern Europe and added that Greece is developing into an investments corridor towards the Balkans.

He described 2006 as a "historic year" for the Balkans, since the final status for Kosovo is expected to be decided, while regarding the difference between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the latter's name, he reiterated Washington's support for mediation by Matthew Nimetz, stressing that the U.S. will implement whatever solution is jointly decided by the two sides.

Following an eight-month period of service in Athens, the American diplomat assessed that the problematic picture created of the U.S. among Greek public opinion, and vice versa of Greece in the U.S., has started to change recently for the benefit of both.

Lastly, Ries thanked Greece for aid it offered for the relief of victims of the hurricane Katrina which struck the United States recently.

[02] Ecstatic Greeks celebrate national team's gold in European basketball championship

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Messages of congratulations poured in throughout the night from the country's state and political leadership, as Greeks throughout the country, in Cyprus, and in Greek communities abroad paraded through the streets honking car horns, waving Greek flags and setting off fireworks, celebrating the repeat of the men's national basketball team's 1987 triumph. Greece also reached the final in 1989.

Team coach Panayotis Yiannakis, who was a star player in the 1987 national team that put Greek basketball at the top of Europe for the first time in its history, told ANA immediately after the final that he couldn't believe what was happening, that he felt as if he were dreaming.

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias sent his warmest congratulations to the national basketball team for its conquest of the European championship, "which filled all of Greece with joy and pride".

Prime minister and culture minister Costas Karamanlis, in his message, said that one year after the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and the Greek national soccer team's clinching of the European soccer championship, the national basketball team "which 18 years ago made all the Greeks proud, has once again reached the highest peak of Europe".

Sports have once again proven itself to be a great national capital which was everyone's duty to safeguard and reinforce even more, the prime minister said.

Parliament president Anna Psarouda-Benaki sent warm congratulations for the team's "triumph that fills us with enthusiasm and emotion".

"You deservedly attained the European top and gave our country another great international sport distinction, making the Greeks proud. We celebrate your great success with you," she said.

Alternate culture minister Fani Palli-Petralia congratulated the team and their coach, saying that "the Greek spirit has spoken once again".

She said the team players had "faith, determination and cool-headedness", and thus "the dream became reality".

Deputy culture minister for sports George Orfanos, who flew to Belgrade on Sunday to cheer on the Greek team at the final, said that "Greece's children have lifted us into the sky", and congratulated the players, their coach, the Greek sports federation and all those who helped the team reach the top.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou sent his heartfelt congratulations, noting that when Greece displays confidence in its strength, believes in its dream, is founded on principles and values and the collective effort of individual talents, and has the backing of the people, it always succeeds.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alekos Alavanos congratulated the players and the team's technical leadership for their excellent effort, adding that it was the obligation of the State to take advantage of this success in order to develop a mass sports movement and not allow the further commercialization and hooliganism that kill sport.

FIBA Europe president George Vassilakopoulos, former long-time president of the Greek Basketball Federation, said that Sunday night's triumph was "the biggest moment in my athletic career".

"As the Greek president of FIBA Europe I had the honor of presenting the cup to the Greek team. It was a good beginning for this team, but we will not stop there. These boys can repeat this feat and do even better," he said in a statement to ANA.

[03] Cypriot leadership congratulates Greece over Eurobasket victory

NICOSIA, 27/9/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides expressed the hope that the victories will continue adding that this was a "period of continued victories for Greek teams at various levels".

Cyprus House President Demetris Christofias sent congratulatory messages to Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Anna Psarouda Benakis for the Greek victory.

In his message, he said "I convey you my warm congratulations for the national team's achievement in winning the European Basketball championship. The team's great victory was based on the authentic talent of the Greek basketball players and the team spirit they had exhibited throughout the championship and due to the excellent instruction of the team's technical leadership led by Panagiotis Yiannakis".

Christofias said that Greece's victories in basketball, football and other sports show the talent and depth of Greek sports and promote the country internationally, making all Greeks proud. "This great victory has brought Greece again to the top of European basketball and made all Greeks proud", he added.

Cypriot politicians have sent congratulatory messages to Greek leaders and politicians.

[04] Deputy FM Skandalakis visits Tbilisi

TBILISI, 27/9/2005 (ANA/G. Milionis)

Skandalakis said that the special purpose of his visit here is to be briefed and to have an on-the-spot evaluation of the situation prevailing for ethnic Greeks in the region of Calka.

Earlier, Skandalakis signed the renewal of the contract amounting to 35,000 euros for the dean of the University of Tbilisi's Institute of Classic, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Rismag Gorteziani, while the contract was also signed by Greece's Ambassador to Georgia Konstantina Mavroskelidou. As a result of the contract, the Greek language is taught at 17 schools in 12 different regions in Georgia where infrastructures exist.

Greek minister briefed on ethnic Greek issues during visit to Georgia: Deputy Foreign Minister for expatriate affairs Panagiotis Skandalakis, who is currently on a two-day visit to Georgia, was briefed on issues affecting Georgia's ethnic Greek communities by his Georgian counterpart Konstantine Kavtaradze on Monday. They also discussed affairs concerning repatriated Greeks from Georgia and Georgia's prospects of joining the EU and NATO.

After the meeting, Skandalakis stressed Athens' support for Georgia's territorial integrity and said that the only way to resolve the problems was through dialogue, not through violence.

He said they had also discussed the situation of ethnic Greeks in Calka, and underlined the need for cooperation to ensure that their presence in Georgia was both safer and more constructive.

"The Greeks of Calka are moving away and have to be supported to remain in their homes," he added.

The Greek communities in Calka had been the target of racist violence earlier in the year, which had resulted in at least one death.

[05] Athens mayor making official visit to Beijing

BEIJING, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

The common elements of the two peoples, culture and history on the one hand and the Olympic Games on the other, were discussed during the meeting, while Wang requested information on the heritage left for Athens and Greece by what he termed an Olympiad reminiscent of a dream.

"We are the two most ancient civilizations in the world and we are linked by a great deal. The Chinese look upon us with great love and friendship and they will support us in every effort," Bakoyiannis said.

The mayor of Beijing, referring to difficulties facing his city in light of the Olympic Games to be held there in 2008, focused on its ever-increasing population and to the continuous differentiation of its structure.

On Tuesday, Bakoyiannis will be meeting China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and will be visiting the city's Olympic Games installations.

[06] Greece contributes to UN Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus,

NICOSIA, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Greece will donate 80,000 euros (50,000 Cyprus pounds) to the effort at the initial stage.

The government's response to the appeal for reinforcement of the Committee on the Missing Persons in Cyprus was mandated by the expressed volition of the country to actively support the task of seeking the missing persons, which was an outstanding humanitarian task on which Greece was naturally greatly sensitive to, a foreign ministry announcement said.

It added that this effort should have the support of all the sides involved, in a spirit of good will and cooperation.

It was also necessary that the investigations taking place, in the framework of the Committee, be accompanied by parallel actions and measures by the Turkish government, which should be taken in the direction of Turkey's compliance with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the Cyprus Republic's fourth inter-state recourse vis-a-vis Turkey, the announcement added.

[07] Health minister unveils new services for handicapped people

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Kaklamanis introduced a new system of evaluating and registering handicapped people in the country. The new system, to be introduced from 2006, was approved by the World Health Organization and ensures that non-eligible people will not be able to receive state help.

The Greek minister said the government was not seeking to unfairly treat those really in need of state care and help, although he stressed that the ministry could no longer accept to pay around 100,000 non-eligible people with state financial help.

Kaklamanis said the ministry has a number of "black lists" with regions showing unusually high numbers of handicapped people, such as Piraeus, Aetoloakarnania and the Dodecanese.

Health Deputy Minister George Konstantopoulos said the new system would give more emphasis on improving living conditions for handicapped people and not on the causes of the patient's health problem. He also said the system would be far more time-saving and easier for citizens.

[08] PASOK preparing "alternative path" for local government, main opposition leader says

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

"Our goal is to provide a new proposal for local government," he said, while stressing that there was also an "alternative path" for PASOK, one of radical change that showed respect for people and valued citizens.

Papandreou said that the candidates for municipal and prefecture elections would be chosen for ability and integrity, through a process of consultation with society and procedures that were fully democratic and transparent.

He also stressed that an effort would be made to choose young people that would be able to cope with the rapid changes that will be involved.

The party's elections committee will decide on the procedures by which PASOK will assess and choose candidates, while PASOK's National Council will convene on Friday and Saturday to decide the political framework for local government.

[09] President Karolos Papoulias to visit Ioannina on Wednesday

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

According to the program, the Greek flag will be delivered to President Papoulias who will in turn give it to the commander of the 8th division, while the hoisting of the flag and the reading of the order of the day will follow.

On Friday, President Papoulias will visit Paramythia and attend a memorial service at Saint Donatos Cathedral for 49 people executed by the German occupation forces.

He will also be proclaimed an honorary citizen of the town during a ceremony to be held in the town hall.

[10] Government spokesman refers to assassination of Parliamentary Deputy Pavlos Bakoyiannis

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Roussopoulos said that the assassination of Bakoyiannis showed that "terrorism, instead of silencing responsible and bold voices multiplies their intensity and appeal" and so "democracy becomes stronger despite the cowardly attacks against it", adding that we have already proceeded along the path of national unity which "as Bakoyiannis proclaimed is an achievement of all the Greeks, of all the political forces."

In a related development, the name of Pavlos Bakoyiannis will be given to the main hall of ceremonies at the public order ministry.

Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis took the decision in honor of Bakoyiannis' "great political deposit and as a minimum token of honor for his sacrifice", according to a relevant announcement by the minister.

[11] Ecumenical Patriarch addresses inter-religious symposium in Hatay, Turkey

ISTANBUL, 27/9/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

"In dialogue with our Muslim and Jewish brothers, we try to create common values by highlighting the elements in common rather than our differences," the Patriarch said in his speech. He also underlined that religions should on no account be behind terrorist actions.

"We continue our activities without any doubts regarding all we do on this issue," he added.

The symposium was also addressed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who rejected theories about a "clash of civilizations" and said that all cultures rallied around common ideals.

"We must say no to conflict but yes to the alliance of cultures," he added.

The symposium will continue over the next five days, with 10 successive meetings.

[12] Greek fiscal deficit at 6.6 pct of GDP in 2004, Eurostat

BRUSSELS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

The EU executive's statistics agency said Hungary (-5.4%), Malta (-5.1%), and Cyprus (-4.1%), followed with the highest fiscal deficits, while another eight member states recorded a government deficit over or equal to 3% of GDP: Poland (-3.9%), Germany (-3.7%), France (-3.6%), Italy (-3.2%), Slovakia (-3.1%), the United Kingdom (-3.1%), the Czech Republic (-3.0%) and Portugal (-3.0%). Six member states continued to register a government surplus in 2004: Denmark (+2.3%), Finland (+2.1%), Estonia (+1.7%), Sweden (+1.6%), Ireland (+1.4%) and Belgium (+0.0%). In all, sixteen member states recorded an improved public balance relative to GDP, while eight registered a worsening.

In 2004, the lowest ratios of government debt to GDP were recorded in Estonia (5.5%), Luxembourg (6.6%), Latvia (14.7%) and Lithuania (19.6%). Eight Member States had a government debt ratio higher than 60% of GDP in 2004, the same as in 2003: Greece (109.3%), Italy (106.5%), Belgium (95.7%), Malta (75.9%), Cyprus (72.0%), Germany (66.4%), France (65.1%) and Austria (64.3%).

In 2004, government expenditure in the euro-zone was equivalent to 48.1% of GDP, and government revenue to 45.4%. The figures for the EU25 were 47.6% and 45.0% respectively. Between 2003 and 2004 both government expenditure and government revenue decreased relative to GDP in the euro-zone and EU25.

However, Eurostat said it has reservations on the quality of the data for the Czech Republic, Greece and Portugal and that a clarification of these issues allowing Eurostat to withdraw these reservations is being actively sought in a dialogue with the national statistical authorities.

More generally, Eurostat intends, as soon as possible, to clarify for all Member States the rules on securitization operations in the ESA 95 Manual on government deficit and debt. This is due to the fact that problems of interpretation of existing rules have recently appeared, especially as regards the provision of guarantees and the transfer of risk and benefits by government. Rulings may lead to a change in the data for some Member States in the March 2006 notification.

Greek fiscal data not final, Commission says: The European Commission is not ready yet to offer a final evaluation of Greece's fiscal deficit in 2004, an EU spokeswoman said on Monday.

Amelia Torres, a spokeswoman for EU Monetary Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, speaking to reporters, acknowledged Greek authorities' initiatives to review the country's fiscal figures and to establish a fiscal discipline and stressed that the Commission's figures were not final since more details needed to be clarified over the new few weeks or even months, a development that could lead to either an upgrading or downgrading of the country's fiscal condition.

Main opposition sees economic austerity ahead: The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement on Monday forecast that the public would experience government-ordained economic austerity in coming years.

"A surge in the 2004 deficit coupled with an inability to implement the 2005 budget unfortunately points to very tough days for the public in coming years," the party said in a statement.

PASOK was responding to data released earlier in the day by Eurostat showing an upward revision of Greece's fiscal deficit and public debt for 2004.

"Eurostat's figures on (ruling) New Democracy's fiscal management are revealing. Despite nine months of negotiation by the finance minister, the 2004 deficit is 6.6% of GDP against 6.1% stated by the government, and a new revision cannot be ruled out," the statement said.

[13] Finance minister visits New York Stock Exchange

NEW YORK, 27/9/2005 (ANA /P. Panagiotou)

Welcoming Alogoskoufis, Thain expressed the hope that there will be more Greek companies whose shares will be negotiated in Wall Street's daily transactions.

On his part, Alogoskoufis referred to the "successful privatization" of the National Bank of Greece and of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE), two businesses which are participating in the NYSE's transactions.

On Tuesday, Alogoskoufis will be giving an interview to the American "Bloomberg" television network, while in the afternoon he will be addressing Yale University's Greek Studies Program.

[14] PM discusses changes in view of 4th CSF with Pavlopoulos, US visit with Sioufas

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos said the 13 existing regional authorities would not be affected by the change, while the detailed plan will be unveiled for public discussion in about a fortnight. He also noted that local government should have a greater role in the management of EU funds.

The premier then met Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas to prepare for the minister's trip to the United States on Tuesday.

Both ministers also congratulated the Greek men's basketball team on their victory in the European basketball championship on Sunday, with Sioufas saying that Greece "deserved to win," while Pavlopoulos stressed that it was an example that great things are achieved through collective effort.

[15] Athens-Corinth suburban railway line launched by transport minister Liapis

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Beginning Tuesday, and for the duration of a week, commuting on the new line will be free of charge, so as to enable the public to get to know "this new, modern, comfortable, speedy and safe means of transportation", Liapis announced.

The minister said that the plans were to complete the entire suburban railway network from Halkis running all the way to Kiato within the next two years, noting that, in addition to providing better transport, the suburban railway would also contribute to the economic and tourism development of the region.

The route from terminal to terminal takes approximately one hour.

The Athens-Corinth line will run every hour, with the first train departing Corinth for Athens at 8:13 a.m. and for Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport at 7:08 a.m. The last train will depart for Athens at 8:13 p.m., and for the airport at 5:08 p.m.

Conversely, the first train from Athens for Corinth will depart at 6:06 a.m., and the last one at 6:06 p.m., while the first train from the airport for Corinth will depart at 7:05 a.m. and the last one at 7:05 p.m.

The tickets for the Athens-Corinth and Corinth-Athens routes will cost six (6) euros, while for the route Corinth-Airport and Airport-Corinth they will cost eight (8) euros.

The intermediate stops along the route, at the initial stage, are Nea Peramos, Megara, Kineta, and Aghioi Theodoroi, while stations at Ano Liossia, Thriassio, Magoula and Zephyri will be added on towards the end of 2006.

Also, a passenger boarding the suburban railway at Corinth may transfer, at the Neratziotissa station, to the ISAP train line or the Athens Metro.

The new Corinth-Athens route covers a total distance of 88 kilometers, with a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour.

Construction of the line cost 475 million euros, and was carried out by the OSE (Hellenic Railways Organization) subsidiary ERGOSE.

[16] Greece seeks to promote sea, sports tourism

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis, Avramopoulos said his ministry was promoting a series of measures aimed to promote sea tourism such as sea cruises and a more efficient use of marinas around the country. The Greek minister said sea tourism was a new, very significant, chapter for Greek tourism.

Kefaloyiannis stressed that plans to expand the country's network of marinas was supported by 3.0 billion euros financial protocol recently signed between the Greek government and the European Investment Bank.

Meanwhile, Tourism Deputy Minister Anastasios Liaskos, addressing the 17th Pan-European Sports Conference in Athens, said the Greek government was promoting measures aimed to boost sports tourism in the country.

Greece successfully held the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Its national soccer team won the European Championship in Portugal last year, while its national basketball team won the European Championship in Belgrade on Sunday.

[17] Merchant marine minister sends message for World Maritime Day as sailors march in Piraeus

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Kefaloyiannis said that the theme of the holiday for this year, which focused on international shipping and its role in world trade, paid homage to shipping's valuable role in the global economy where it provided the most effective, environmentally-friendly and safe means of transporting cargo.

He stressed that 90 per cent of global trade was conducted via the seas, with Greek shipping accounting for a proportionately massive 25 per cent share through some 3,800 Greek-owned ships that had a total 160 million dwt.

Kefaloyiannis underlined the valuable contribution of Greek seamen and assured them of the ministry's support in their "difficult work" through constant cooperation and contact. He also stressed Greece's support for the efforts of the International Maritime Organization to make world shipping "safe, of high quality and friendly toward the environment".

Meanwhile, seamen organized by the PAME trade union movement affiliated to the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) held a rally in Piraeus on Monday and then marched to the offices of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS), where the boards of the UGS and the London-based "Committee" - representing Greek shipowners based in London - were in a meeting.

The protestors shouted messages against ship-owners and the government, while their representatives presented the resolutions of the rally to UGS president Nikos Efthymiou and Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee president Epaminondas Empirikos.

[18] Record Greek business delegation in Russia Sept 27-30

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

""This demonstrates the strong will of the Greek government to rekindle its ties with Russia, making use of very good relations between the two countries' governments, and a very good cultural link between the two peoples," Stylianidis, head of the delegation, said in a statement.

The purpose of the trip to Russia is to boost exports, spur the creation of joint ventures, attract Russian investors, and sign a political protocol to implement targets set by Karamanlis and Russian President Vladimir Putin in increasingly frequent meetings. A ministerial committee from the two countries is due to meet in Moscow.

A senior official handling economic ties between Greece and Russia, Spyros Georgiles, has said that a key issue for Athens is the avoidance of double taxation. If Moscow signs an agreement, it will pave the way for a shipping pact. Other major sectors to be promoted are energy - especially natural gas - tourism, transport and agriculture.

Playing a key role in the delegation, whose visit ends on September 30, will be northern Greek company representatives.

Among officials accompanying Stylianidis will be Agricultural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos and Deputy Finance Minister Christos Folias. Other members of the delegation are parliamentary deputies, senior officials from eight ministries, and the heads of major trade groups.

Invested Greek capital in Russia totals $69.2 million, according to the foreign ministry.

[19] Tourists visiting Greece this year expected to increase by 8 percent

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

According to an announcement by the Tourist Research and Predictions Institute (ITEP), data concerning Crete (Iraklio airport) are "amazing" since the increase exceeds 60 percent compared to the corresponding period in 2004. Precise data for Rhodes are not available, but the increase is in the region of the two-digit margin.

ITEP praises the current tourist campaign by the Tourist Development ministry, stressing that the "We're Staying in Greece" program was greatly successful among Greeks, preventing a considerable number of potential tourists from seeking recreation abroad.

ITEP adds that strong promotion and advertising produces positive results, at least in the short term. However, in the medium and long term this will only be possible with a parallel upgrading of the quality and variety of services provided.

[20] PASOK party delegation holds talks with labor union directorate

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

According to an announcement by GSEE "particular attention was paid to the problem being created in Greek society and the economy as a result of the country's deindustrialization, the emigration of businesses and the mass dismissals of working people. A phenomenon requiring immediate and integrated handling by all of the political forces of the country."

[21] Program to support women in work presented in Thessaloniki

THESSALONIKI, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Thessaloniki Professional Chamber vice-president Stivi Siozopoulou also announced a new service that will begin on October 5 in collaboration with the Ergani Centre to provide information on professional issues to female members of the chamber, which will operate every Wednesday.

Ergani Centre vice-president Popi Sourmaidou outlined the work of the project "Women Dynamics", which aims to provide career advice to 941 unemployed and working women in the central Macedonia region, saying that 400 women had participated in the first phase and would soon start entering the job market.

Siozopoulou also spoke about the poor representation of women in the Greek labor force generally, pointing out that women only accounted for 13 per cent of employers in Greece and 34.7 per cent of the employees, while 64 per cent of women were unemployed.

She stressed the very low representation of women in the higher echelons of trade union organizations, which was restricted to about 5 per cent.

[22] Greek exporters to take part in Johannesburg trade fair

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

The Association of Northern Greek Exporters is handling participation by domestic firms.

The trade fair aims to promote investment by arranging contact between firms in South Africa and the rest of the world.

[23] Travel firms want to see free competition in Greek air transport

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

"The country needs finally to be freed from residual notions of a globally outmoded state interventionism," the trade group said in a statement.

"Olympic Airlines, beyond the staggering amounts that it has cost the country, has brought even greater damage as it has poisoned free competition, systematically undermining any private initiative, also employing illegitimate means to do so," the statement said.

[24] Coalition party leader opposes OPAP privatization, urges support of amateur sport

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Alavanos was speaking after a meeting with the presidency of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) that focused on the state of Greek football and the national men's basketball team victory in the European Championship.

SYN's leader described OPAP as "the goose that lays the golden eggs" and could offer a great deal of revenue to Greek sport, saying it was a shame for it to be privatized.

[25] Greek cargo shipping shows steady H1 growth

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

The heads of the Union of Greek Shipowners and Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee in London said at a meeting held in Piraeus that Greek shipping had been at the forefront of the global and European Union scene for more than two decades.

As a leading player, Greek shipping had played a key role in shaping healthy conditions for the operation of maritime transportation, and, as the strongest sector in national output, it had supported the economy with net inflows. Highs posted in 2004 were anticipated to hold in 2005, the two trade groups said.

Matters that needed tackling in the sector were a lack of competitiveness of the Greek flag; and vocational training, which may be aided by an upcoming government bill, they said.

[26] Development minister to USA for technology forum

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

Accompanying Sioufas to the conference arranged by the World Council of Hellenes Abroad is a ministry delegation including the ministry's secretary general for development, Nikos Stefanou.

[27] Greek stocks jump 1.47 pct on Monday

ATHENS, 27/9/2005 (ANA)

The composite index in the Athens Stock Exchange ended at 3,298.82 points, up 1.47 percent, with turnover an improved 257 million euros, reflecting increased interest in blue chip stocks.

Most sector indices ended higher, with the Insurance (4.67 pct), Banks (2.48 pct), Telecommunications (2.30 pct), Textiles (1.66 pct) and IT (1.52 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day. The Food-Beverage (1.05 pct), Constructions (0.78 pct) and Mineral-Cement (0.42 pct) sectors suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 1.82 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 1.15 percent up and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.54 percent.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 177 to 101 with another 58 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures: