Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-09-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] National Council for Foreign Policy ends with agreement on goals but not tactics

[02] 'Full compliance with the criteria, full membership in the EU', foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakios sums up Greek position on Turkey's EU course

[03] COREPER fails to adopt negotiating framework for Turkey

[04] Greece hopes Israeli withdrawal a first step towards peace, FM spokesman says

[05] President Karolos Papoulias attends event in memory of 49 dignitaries executed by Nazi occupation troops

[06] Cyprus announces official visit by Greek president on Oct. 16-19

[07] Greece will always support Cyprus, Minister of Aegean says

[08] Greek Aegean Minister briefs Cyprus President over ''Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus'' program

[09] Croatia optimistic of EU 'thumbs up' for accession talks, envoy in Athens stresses

[10] Deputy FM Panayiotis Skandalakis receives South Korean candidate for post of OECD secretary general

[11] ND secretary comments on Polyzos case, stresses ruling party's 'good overall image'

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch receives Romanian president, US undersecretary of state

[13] Thessaloniki prefect meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul

[14] Interior ministry accuses PASOK party of "absolutely lacking proposals"

[15] Education minister chairs Black Sea Economic Cooperation conference of education ministers

[16] Greek consul in Nis proclaimed honorary member of the city's community

[17] Deputy finance minister holds talks with business and banking circles in New York

[18] Foreign direct investment in Greece more than double in 2004 vs 2003

[19] Greek delegation achieves promotion of cooperation in political sector and in bilateral economic relations in Moscow visit

[20] PM confers with public administration minister on local elections law, public sector working hours

[21] Opposition parties react to new working hours for civil service

[22] Main opposition presses gov't on OTE voluntary retirement scheme

[23] Opposition asks gov't to cancel Olympic Airlines sale pact

[24] Public opinion supports civil servants' positions, survey

[25] Gov't sends bill allowing creation of European Company to parliament

[26] National Bank of Greece reports H1 earnings rise

[27] Greek gov't to introduce new pricing policy for pharmaceutical products

[28] Intracom signs 1.14 mln euro contract with PTK Kosovo

[29] Money owed state nearly double the Greek deficit, gov't notes

[30] Greek stocks end at 57-month highs

[31] Partial solar eclipse will be visible from Crete on Monday

[32] Italian Archaeological School unearths two statues on Crete

[33] International Puppet and Pantomime Festival in Kilkis on Oct. 1-10

[34] Hellenic Culture Organization acquires new offices in Vienna

[35] Hellenic Foundation of Culture combines Greek, Arabic culture

[36] Turkish health minister visits Onassis Cardio surgical Centre

[37] Municipality of Athens launches e-newsletter

[38] Top SYN cadres become organ donors

[39] Greece search-and-rescue team to participate in earthquake-response exercise in Edirne

[40] The Athens dailies at a glance

[41] Cyprus President reiterates commitment to bizonal, bicommunal solution

[42] Cyprus Government: Europarliament sent clear messages to Turkey

[01] National Council for Foreign Policy ends with agreement on goals but not tactics

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis said the meeting had focused primarily on Turkey's European prospects, in view of the start of accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU on October 3, as well as the recent United Nations General Assembly and the situation in the Balkans.

According to the minister, passions had run higher than usual during Thursday's meeting of the National Council and voices had been raised for the first time, while adding that this was "not in the spirit that meeting of the Council usually take place".

He stressed, however, that there had been a useful exchange of views that confirmed that the National Council was a useful institution and a place for detailed, confidential and useful mutual exchange of information and a free exchange of views.

According to Christos Papoutsis, who is in charge of foreign policy, security and defense issues on main opposition PASOK's Political Council, the main opposition was not prepared to back policies of "surrendering arms, lowered expectations for the country and Hellenism and lost opportunities".

He said PASOK continued to support Turkey's European accession but stressed that the negotiating framework for Turkey's accession currently contained no deadlines and no fail-safes for issues in which Greece had an interest.

Nikos Constantopoulos, who represented the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party, noted that Europe was currently undergoing a period of "fluidity" and a "poor climate" in Greek domestic affairs, while stressing that neither of these factors should be allowed to affect foreign policy issues.

He also noted his party's backing for Turkey's EU accession in principle, on condition of Turkey's democratization and that it respected European law and Community practices.

[02] 'Full compliance with the criteria, full membership in the EU', foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakios sums up Greek position on Turkey's EU course

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

He was replying to questions, during a regular press briefing, regarding the negotiations mandate setting out the framework within which the Turkey-EU accession talks -- which are slated to begin on Monday -- would be conducted. Koumoutsakos added that its content, with respect to Greece and Cyprus, was considered "locked-in".

Koumoutsakos explained that the fact that the committee of permanent representatives (COREPER) of the 25 EU member countries had yet to reach agreement (on the negotiations mandate) was due to the desire of a specific member country for the text to explicitly state that the end of the negotiation must lead to a 'Privileged Partnership' (as an alternative to membership). He was referring to Austria's demand that Turkey be offered an explicit alternative to full membership.

The draft negotiations mandate acknowledges that the shared objective was Turkish entry into the EU, but states that the negotiations are an open-ended process, the outcome of which cannot be guaranteed beforehand.

The draft EU political declaration, or negotiations mandate, is due to be presented by the EU's British presidency to Turkey on October 3 (Monday), at the formal commencement of the Turkey-EU accession talks.

Koumoutsakos said that this was the basic point of disagreement, adding that, in the event COREPER failed to reach agreement, the British presidency has tentatively called an emergency meeting of the EU Council of Foreign Ministers-General Affairs for Sunday night in Luxembourg.

For the Greek side, he said, the target remains that, provided Turkey proves -- during the course of negotiations -- that it fulfills all the criteria, it should become a full member.

Koumoutsakos warned, however, that the process could not continue if all the 'chapters' of the negotiations were not closed along the course of negotiations. Under EU regulations, membership negotiations are divided into 35 sections or policy areas, known as chapters, which Turkey must implement into national law before it is considered ready for membership. Each of the chapters requires unanimity from all 25 member states to be declared 'closed' (fulfilled).

Replying to other questions, Koumoutsakos said that Paragraph 8 of the draft negotiations mandate explicitly stated that Turkey, as a candidate country for EU membership, must align itself with the acquis communautaire, and clarified that under sub-paragraph 5 of the same text, it is stated that this provision included everything concerning the acquis communautaire, in other words, the common actions, resolutions and the statements that have been adopted by the EU.

Asked to comment on the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Wednesday, Koumoutsakos said it was a decision taken by the majority of Eurodeputies and comprised an indication of how the EU's institutional organ approached the EU-Turkey relations.

The Europarliament adopted a non-binding resolution on Wednesday demanding that Turkey recognise the killing of Armenians in 1915 before it can join the EU, and also postponed a vote that had been due on Wednesday to approve the Ankara Protocol -- Turkey's extended customs union with the EU to include the 10 new members, including Cyprus -- in a bid to pressure Ankara to open its ports and airports to ships and planes from EU member Cyprus.

On July 29, Ankara signed the Association Agreement Protocol, by virtue of which Turkey extended its Customs Union agreement with the EU to the 10 new member states, including Cyprus. In tandem, Ankara also submitted a separate, unilateral declaration stating that it refused to recognize the Cyprus Republic and that its ports and airports would remain closed to Cypriot ships and planes.

In its resolution Wednesday, the European Parliament demanded a commitment that when the Turkish parliament ratifies the protocol extending the customs union to new EU member states, it would not attach the Ankara government declaration refusing to recognize the Republic of Cyprus.

The European Parliament resolution endorsed the start of accession negotiations on Monday as scheduled, but included a series of criticisms of Turkey's record on human rights, religious freedom, and minorities, reflecting skeptical public opinion in Europe.

Koumoutsakos declined comment on press information that Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul would possibly not attend the October 3 session. The topics on the agenda for the Council of Ministers meeting included the situation in Iran, the western Balkans, EU-Russia relations, Uzbekistan and Myanmar. The EU-Turkey accession dialogue would officially commence either during the Council's luncheon or dinner, both of which will be working sessions.

According to the programme, the EU presidency was due to make the formal commencement statement, followed by a statement by the Turkish foreign minister.

Koumoutsakos also said that foreign minister Petros Molyviatis will brief President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on current affairs on Friday morning, followed by a meeting with US ambassador in Athens Charles Ries.

Molyviatis is scheduled to leave Saturday for Tunis, to take part in the Euro-Med Forum.

[03] COREPER fails to adopt negotiating framework for Turkey

BRUSSELS, 30/9/2005(CNA/ANA/M.Spinthourakis)

The EU foreign ministers will convene one day before the Turkey-EU talks are due to start, as Austria, according to informed sources, insisted that the text provides for a special partnership with Ankara in case there is no conclusion of the accession negotiations.

A presidency representative said that it was not possible to reach an agreement on Thursday but efforts will continue. Prior to the EU foreign ministers meeting bilateral talks will take place between Austria and the presidency.

The beginning of accession talks is not possible without the approval of the negotiating framework.

[04] Greece hopes Israeli withdrawal a first step towards peace, FM spokesman says

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

He added that he hopes the withdrawal will bring Israel and Palestine closer in achieving peaceful co-existence of their peoples and the creation of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state.

Koumoutsakos' comments were made in reference to the United Nations Security Council meeting of September 23, during which UN Envoy to the Middle East Alvaro de Soto briefed the council on recent developments in the region.

Koumoutsakos said that Greece welcomed Israel's departure from Gaza and congratulated the Israeli government on carrying out its plan decisively despite internal political pressure.

[05] President Karolos Papoulias attends event in memory of 49 dignitaries executed by Nazi occupation troops

PARAMYTHIA, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Arriving in the town, President Papoulias attended a memorial service for the executed dignitaries at Agios Donatos Cathedral, officiated by Metropolitan Titos. A similar service was also held afterwards at the monument erected for those who died where President Papoulias laid a wreath.

The president said in a brief address that "there are aspects of the past for which when following there tracks we stand speechless before the magnitude of their tragedy".

Also speaking at the ceremony during which he was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Paramythia, President Papoulias said "I have a historical duty to distinguish Hitlerite Germany, which was responsible for all these barbaric acts, from today's democratic Germany which also feels regret together with us and is unable to answer the question 'why' was there such barbarism and 'why' were there such inhuman and paranoiac crimes."

[06] Cyprus announces official visit by Greek president on Oct. 16-19

NICOSIA, 30/9/2005 (ANA - A. Viketos)

Asked if Papoulias will be observing the military exercise Nikiforos during his visit, Cyprus government spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said he did not have any information on this but noted that the Greek president would be free to observe the exercise if he wished.

[07] Greece will always support Cyprus, Minister of Aegean says

NICOSIA, 30/9/2005 (ANA/A.Viketos)

Pavlidis, who is in Cyprus within the context of pursuing a closer cooperation regarding the Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus programme, will be meeting with the Cypriot foreign and finance ministers.

The meetings, according to Pavlidis will concentrate on "the two sides cooperating within a European framework, since we have joint possibilities for development and capitalizing on programmes related to the islands."

Greek Ambassador to Cyprus Dimitris Rallis received Pavlidis at the airport.

[08] Greek Aegean Minister briefs Cyprus President over ''Thrace-Aegean-Cyprus'' program

NICOSIA, 30/9/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after his meeting with President Papadopoulos, Pavlidis said that President Papadopoulos and Premier Costas Karamanlis have given their full support to the effort so that the context of the programme becomes more meaningful.

He added that he briefed President Papadopoulos over the program, which is coordinated by his ministry in the framework of the cooperation of the two sides and was pleased to hear the president stating that he fully supports this effort.

On Friday, Pavlides will outline to Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou and Finance Minister Michalis Sarris his views as regards the ''Thrace- Aegean-Cyprus'' program so as to conclude on ''how to move forward''.

[09] Croatia optimistic of EU 'thumbs up' for accession talks, envoy in Athens stresses

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Ambassador Neven Madey emphasized that Zagreb has done everything possible to overcome the last remaining obstacle to the start of EU-Croatia accession talks, namely, the high-profile flight of one-time Croatian general Ante Gotovina, who is wanted on war crimes charges by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

Madey's comments come one day before ICTY chief prosecutor Carla Del Ponte arrives in Zagreb on Friday, and only days before EU foreign ministers convene in Brussels for a closely watched meeting linked directly to the beginning of controversial EU-Turkey accession negotiations. A favorable ruling by the task force on Croatia could translate into an accelerated start of membership talks or lead to at least a specific date for their commencement, a goal the Croatian ambassador termed as a "top priority".

"We have absolutely cooperated with the tribunal. A lot has been done to trace the network that supports Mr. Gotovina; action has been taken," he said, pointing to international cooperation, in fact, that led to the arrest of a Croatian war crimes fugitive, Hrvoje Petrac, in extreme northwest Greece on Aug. 31.

Madey also reiterated his country's determination to resolve the Gotovina case regardless of whether accession talks begin or not.

Commenting on the major Union-related story of the day, namely, Austria's steadfast insistence that EU hopeful Turkey be offered an explicit alternative to full EU membership -- in tandem with Vienna's less-publicized but very energetic support for the immediate start of accession talks with nearby Croatia -- Madey echoed Zagreb's position that "every country should be judged individually on its achievements and its performance regarding the criteria".

Moreover, he dismissed any link between Croatia's EU prospects with concerns over possible delays in Bulgaria and Romania's accession course, as both Balkan countries have set Jan. 1, 2007 as their goal for full membership.

"We believe we should be given a date to start negotiations. We're a small country that will not bring along with it problems," the envoy noted, while adding that the 25-member bloc will most likely enforce a much stricter monitoring regime for current candidates than it did for the 10 most recent EU member-states.

Asked about the effects that potential EU membership will have on a wider region (the former Yugoslavia) plagued by ethnic violence and instability over much of the last decade, Madey stressed that regional cooperation is a requirement for member-states.

More to the point, the Croatian ambassador reminded that Zagreb has already signed a memorandum of cooperation with both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia-Montenegro to facilitate mutual assistance vis-a-vis EU enlargement and harmonization with the Union's acquis communautaire.

"Borders will be easier to cross; there will be improved trade, communications, infrastructure, energy cooperation and transports..." Madey said in summing up the potential that EU membership will entail for the previously strife-ridden western Balkans.

Finally, the ambassador echoed Zagreb's praise for the Greek government's standing and active support of Croatian EU membership.

[10] Deputy FM Panayiotis Skandalakis receives South Korean candidate for post of OECD secretary general

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

The deputy foreign minister in turn informed Seung-soo that Greece will reach its decision on the candidacies in the near future and wished him all the best in his effort.

There are six candidates for the post of OECD secretary general, who will present themselves in Paris in October where they will be outlining their positions on the OECD and the reasons why they wish to seek the post.

[11] ND secretary comments on Polyzos case, stresses ruling party's 'good overall image'

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Emerging from a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, he also announced that progress was being made on changes to the system for local government elections.

Pressed further concerning a spate of generalised and non-specific allegations hinting at corruption within government circles, which culminated in the removal of Polyzos for what was essentially an unfortunately-worded reaction, Meimarakis stressed the premier had made it clear he would show zero tolerance for phenomena of corruption.

At the same time, the party secretary described the expulsion of Polyzos as a "stern" response that had "raised the bar" and created high expectations, while noting that it was impossible to remove an official every time they made a badly-phrased statement.

"Neither [main opposition] PASOK nor the media will dictate when and if someone should be removed," he added.

Polyzos was expelled from ND's parliamentary group after saying that there were "bad and good people in every party" when asked to comment on a purported statement by ND farmer trade unionist Thanassis Kokkinoulis that certain aides of ministers were guilty of accepting bribes. Kokkinoulis later denied making the statements attributed to him, while Polyzos publicly said that his own statement was general and did not refer to any specific instance.

Asked to clarify Meimarakis' statements later in the day, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said they had been general and that "high expectations were created in people by the need for a change in attitude and behavior".

On Meimarakis' statement concerning the media, Roussopoulos stressed that the government respected the media, journalists and their function.

"Every government in a democracy knows that it will be subjected to criticism. This is not the place to analyze what is acceptable criticism this should be, criticism is welcome as long as it is made in good faith," he said.

[12] Ecumenical Patriarch receives Romanian president, US undersecretary of state

ISTANBUL, 30/9/2005 (ANA/A.Kourkoulas)

During his meeting with Basescu, who is in Turkey on an official visit following the invitation of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, Vartholomeos discussed issues related to Orthodoxy in Europe.

The Romanian president said that the Orthodox Church could help his country make significant progress towards joining the EU.

Vartholomeos and Basescu also discussed various religions' roles in world affairs.

According to Basescu, Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Islam and Buddhism can all play a significant role in achieving peace around the world, since the Church as an institution is considered more trustworthy than politicians.

The Romanian president visited the Church of Agia Sofia after his meeting with the patriarch.

US Undersecretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen P. Hughes, serving as envoy of US President George W. Bush, said it was a great honor to meet with the Patriarch.

During their meeting, Vartholomeos and Hughes discussed the importance of religious freedom and the important role the re-opening of the Theological School of Halki has to play in the future of the Church.

[13] Thessaloniki prefect meets Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, 30/9/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

In an exclusive statement to the ANA, Psomiadis said the delegation's visit had been unanimously decided by the Prefecture Council and stressed that the Patriarch had the prefecture's support "in his heavy and difficult work" at all times.

The Patriarch thanked Psomiadis for his kindness and said that he was always moved and strengthened by the fact that Greek politicians, regardless of their political beliefs or which political party they belonged to, invariably felt and expressed the same feelings and honors toward "the centre of the Orthodox faith, the Ecumenical Patriarchate".

"This is a source from which we draw strength and courage to continue our difficult struggle, not just to survive but to continue our history, our traditions, our heritage and the Christian presence and testimony in the city of our fathers," Bartholomew said.

[14] Interior ministry accuses PASOK party of "absolutely lacking proposals"

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Referring to the issue of dialogue, the ministry mentions that the Karamanlis government has proved and is proving that it respects public dialogue and supports many important decisions on it, in contrast to the governments of PASOK, and the Simitis governments in particular, which avoided dialogue systematically and took decisions "secretly."

On the question of the election of mayors and prefects on the first Sunday of elections with 42 percent, and without runoff elections being necessary on the second Sunday, the interior ministry "reminds" PASOK that "the Karamanlis government is fulfilling in full its government programme which was approved by the Greek people."

It further said that "of course, it is difficult for PASOK to realize what political consistency is since, when it was in government, it spent its time 'explaining' why it never fulfilled its election commitments in full."

[15] Education minister chairs Black Sea Economic Cooperation conference of education ministers

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

Speaking after the conference, Yiannakou said the issue of higher education was discussed, adding that "many of these countries, not to say all of them, seeing the European scene of higher education, also wish to join it and to involve themselves with this topic because they are greatly interested in the common rules, the evaluation systems and the possibility of their citizens to travel to other countries."

She further said that Greece is at the disposal of the Organization's member-states and "we think that it will be acceptable for it to coordinate these countries for two years on higher education issues."

The minister also referred to Greek schools operating in these countries, saying that in many of them "we also have expatriate teachers and professors for teaching the mother tongue".

[16] Greek consul in Nis proclaimed honorary member of the city's community

BELGRADE, 30/9/2005 (ANA/N. Pelpas)

The relevant decision was delivered to Xenitellis by the Mayor of Nis Smilko Kostic during an official ceremony held at the town hall in the presence of former Serb Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, the Bishop Irineos and Greece's Ambassador in Serbia-Montenegro Christos Panagopoulos.

Xenitellis assumed hus duties as Greek consul in Nis in August 2001 and his term will come to an end in October and he will be returning to Athens to head the Balkan Countries Department's Serbia-Montenegro sector of the Greek foreign ministry.

Athanasios Anastopoulos will be the new consul in the city of Nis.

[17] Deputy finance minister holds talks with business and banking circles in New York

NEW YORK, 30/9/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

Doukas accompanied Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis at the annual session of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington, as well as at many meetings with American dignitaries, corporation officials and the executive director of the New York Stock Exchange.

He also had the opportunity of carrying out meetings with institutional investors and senior bank officials during his presence in New York.

"We had a very wide cycle of contacts with institutional investors and big banks, American, German, British and Asian ones, to which we conveyed the message that things are going well in our country and we have quite a few successes which must make them think and place their portfolios in bonds of ours and in the debt, as well as in direct and immediate investments of all kinds," he said.

[18] Foreign direct investment in Greece more than double in 2004 vs 2003

ATHENS, 30/9/2005 (ANA)

According to the UN trade and development organization's World Investment Report, FDI inflows into Greece were 1,351 million US dollars, the second best performance since 1990, against 661 million dollars in 2003 and 50 million in 2002. Greenfield investments in 2004 totalled 56 investment plans from abroad, up from 42 in 2003 and 26 in 2002.

FDI outflows from Greece, or funds for investment in other countries, in 2004 totalled 607 million dollars against 47 million dollars in 2003 and 655 million in 2002.

In 2004, FDI stocks entering Greece were 27,213 million dollars from 14,114 million in 2000 and 5,681million in 1990; and Greek stocks leaving the country totalled 13,056 million dollars versus 6,094 million in 2000 and 2,882 million in 1990, the report said.

Other Greek FDI data for 2004 included the following: