Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-10-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Terms for EU-Turkey talks a major step forward for Greece and Cyprus, government says

[02] Foreign ministry spokesman on EU-Turkey accession talks

[03] PM seeks debate in Parliament on the start of EU-Turkey accession talks

[04] PASOK party spokesman repeats criticism of government handling in EU-Turkey accession negotiations issue

[05] Santer: EU-Turkey talks will surely last 15, 20 years

[06] PM meets with Luxembourg counterpart

[07] President Papoulias sends message to FYROM: Adopt attitude of good neighborhood and cooperation

[08] Papandreou urges Serbia-Montenegro to seize opportunity for EU membership

[09] DM meets with Armenian political leaders

[10] Parliament President on official visit to Romania

[11] PM and Alternate culture minister discuss fate of 2004 Olympics infrastructure

[12] Government reacts to Amnesty International report about conditions on Greek borders

[13] Government spokesman expresses regret over closure of Flash radio station

[14] Government denies blocking broadcast of terrorist's interview

[15] Austrian Parliament president visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

[16] Christodoulos on Church-state relations, cremation issue

[17] Parliament VP calls for invitation to UNODC chief to speak on drug production in Afghanistan

[18] EU sees progress in Greek debt-cutting drive

[19] FinMin defends policies to reduce fiscal deficit

[20] Finmin says Greece lagging in EU's Lisbon targets

[21] Improbable that European Commission will reject conversion of debts into titles, finance ministry source says

[22] PM, Tourism minister discuss tourism policy

[23] ECB to hold board meeting in Athens on Thursday

[24] Helexpo announces POLIS fair in Thessaloniki, Nov 24-27

[25] Greek mutual funds market's assets fell 0.7 pct in September

[26] Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport receives new international distinction

[27] Greek stocks continue moving lower

[28] Great interest shown in Greek Culture Promotion Organisation's participation in international conference in Spain

[29] Greece shares Olympics experience with Bulgarian officials

[30] Parole board rejects Xiros' appeal for release as 'unacceptable'

[31] President Papoulias attends military academy graduation

[32] Greek and Albanian police cooperate in the fight against crime

[33] Coalition party leader holds talks with teachers' federations

[34] Felony blackmail charge filed against publisher Kouris

[35] Ano Liossia landfill site to reopen after nine-day strike

[36] Development minister inaugurates 'Greek collections of scientific instruments' exhibition

[37] Exhibition of Titanic's relics inaugurated at Zappion Mansion

[38] Greece guest country at 23rd Liber Book Fair

[39] Justice Minister opens exhibition of inmates' handicraft

[40] Athens journalists union ESHEA declares UK writer David Irving 'undesirable'

[41] Cyprus says Turkey's obligations not up to interpretations

[42] Cyprus FM satisfied with result of EU agreement on Turkey

[43] EP President holds meetings in Cyprus' occupied areas

[01] Terms for EU-Turkey talks a major step forward for Greece and Cyprus, government says

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

He stressed that after long, extremely complex and grueling negotiations, the government had managed to include Greece's goals in legally binding EU documents and that the process now before Turkey demanded that it conform to a set of terms, rules and conditions.

The spokesman underlined that, for the first time, the EU was explicitly demanding that Turkey improve bilateral relations with Greece as an obligation and a condition.

"Also for the first time, conditions clearly being created for the de facto and the de jure recognition of the Cyprus Republic by Turkey, immediately after the start of accession negotiations," he added.

The spokesman noted that Turkey will therefore be under pressure to contribute to a solution of the Cyprus issue, while EU texts also referred to Turkey's obligation to deal with issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the ethnic Greek minority that still remains on Turkey's shores.

Undisputed confirmation of the success of Greece's strategy and Athens' handling of the issues were the EU's counter-statement to Turkey on September 21 - in response to Turkey's statement that it did not recognize the Cyprus Republic despite its signature of an agreement extending customs union with the new EU member-states - and the framework for EU-Turkey accession negotiations, Roussopoulos said.

The spokesman further pointed out that Turkey will be monitored extremely closely by the 25 EU member-states, including Greece and Cyprus, throughout the negotiations for every one of the 35 chapters, which can only close by unanimous vote.

"This is the reality and a historic turning point, this is the starting point for a future of stability and peace, as the Greek people desire," Roussopoulos stressed.

He also slammed opposition criticism of the government's handling of Turkey's EU course "miserly and groundless petty party-politics".

Dismissing criticism concerning the last-minute addition of extra paragraphs to the text for the negotiations framework with Turkey, Roussopoulos stressed that the additions - which changed the crucial for Greek interests paragraph 5 into paragraph 7 - essentially changed nothing.

Concerning an accompanying statement by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw of the British EU presidency, the spokesman pointed out that Straw had only stated the obvious - namely that every international organization had its own terms and rules and that no other international organization could interfere with these.

He also underlined that Straw's statement - that the contents of paragraph 7 did not concern and could not prevent the independence of international organization in taking decisions - was not "legally binding".

Asked if Turkey would continue to have the right to veto Cyprus' membership of NATO, the spokesman simply reiterated that "every international organization has its own rules".

Concerning the continued presence of Turkish occupation troops on Cyprus, Roussopoulos said that efforts had been made and were continuing to resolve this problem. "At no time did anyone lower the flag and I believe that the effort is continuing with the agreement of all the Greek parties, since the major goal is to resolve the problem," he added.

In response to other questions, Roussopoulos stressed that a reference in the text to Turkey's obligation to maintain good-neighborly relations was not a recommendation but a commitment, while pointing out that the negotiating framework placed an unprecedented number of conditions that must be met by Turkey in its accession course, including a clause concerning the relocation of Turkish nationals even after accession that was a departure from ordinary EU practice.

Assessing the impact of the Luxembourg agreement overall, meanwhile, the spokesman said that the start of EU accession negotiations with Turkey under the terms agreed was "a success of Greek foreign policy" and that "a better process than this could not have been achieved".

"We have passed from the time when we did not set conditions to a time when we set conditions, a great many conditions, that Turkey is obliged to accept," he concluded.

[02] Foreign ministry spokesman on EU-Turkey accession talks

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos added that although the phrase "good neighborly relations" is a general term, it was nevertheless included in a Community text for the first time -- and more importantly, a text involving Turkey's European prospects.

Additionally, regarding the prospect of Turkey vetoing the membership of EU candidate-state Cyprus into other international organizations and fora - another political "thorn" affecting Ankara's EU prospects - the spokesman stressed that "if Turkey exhibits a behavior that does not abide by the EU's policy, then the 25 member-states, which include Greece and Cyprus, will judge it; and we will be very strict critics".

Along those lines, he also reminded that unanimity is necessary for EU-Turkey talks to proceed.

Meanwhile, Koumoutsakos said the issue of removing Turkish occupation forces from Cyprus was not a condition of the negotiating framework because conclusions of the 2002 Copenhagen summit "defined, with absolute clarity, what exactly would be evaluated in December 2004, when a date for beginning accession talks with Turkey was given."

He said the question of whether or not Turkey fulfilled the political criteria set at the Copenhagen summit defined the Union's stance in the subsequent period. However, he stressed that the current negotiating framework will be a "strict roadmap in a 10-year mechanism of very stringent monitoring, one that began on Oct. 3."

Referring to paragraph 7 of the negotiating framework, Koumoutsakos said that Turkey "as a candidate country is obliged to align its policies with those of the EU, including its stance regarding a possible participation of member-states in international organizations. This does not dictate to Turkey what it can or cannot do, as it is an independent state".

Effectively, paragraph 7 clearly gives the EU the right to say "this behavior will be judged. It will shape the 25 member-states' opinion as they evaluate the actions of a candidate country," Koumoutsakos added.

[03] PM seeks debate in Parliament on the start of EU-Turkey accession talks

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

In a letter to Parliament speaker Anna Psarouda-Benaki, Karamanlis noted that the EU's decision was an "important development for Europe itself, for Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and the wider region, in general".

The premier noted that he had announced the government's intention to discuss the situation in the EU and the prospects this raised in Parliament immediately after the last EU summit in June and the problems that had arisen there for both the Community and Greece.

The EU's decision to begin accession a negotiation with Turkey was yet another of the developments concerning Europe and Greece, he added.

[04] PASOK party spokesman repeats criticism of government handling in EU-Turkey accession negotiations issue

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Athanasakis said that "what happened in Luxembourg was that the Greek voice, the voice of the Greek government was non-existent, just like it was in Lucerne, just like it was in December 2004, meaning in crucial negotiations."

The PASOK party spokesman noted that "to say that we received what we requested, merely confirms that we did not request what we should have."

[05] Santer: EU-Turkey talks will surely last 15, 20 years

CRETE, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Regarding the most visible EU-related issue of the year, namely, Turkey's commencement of accession talks two days ago, Santer was queried by reporters on whether the neighboring country will be able to follow the Union's growth rate, and especially regional development.

The former Commission head first stressed that he cannot predict the future, although he did emphasize that negotiations between the Union and Ankara will "surely" last more than 15 to 20 years.

"Therefore, a new generation will decide in 15 to 20 years on what will happen. Today it is premature to make any prediction," he said.

Santer was scheduled to meet with several local and regional officials, while he will also inaugurate a conference by the group "Friends of Luxembourg in Crete".

[06] PM meets with Luxembourg counterpart

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

The two premiers also exchanged views on the latest EU developments, following the beginning of Turkey's EU accession negotiations.

The greater part of the discussion, which took place in a friendly atmosphere, was devoted to the challenges that lie ahead for Europe as well as providing incentives to the Union's citizens.

In essence, the two leaders touched on subjects that will be discussed at the upcoming, informal summit meeting to be held in Surrey at the end of October.

Juncker, who is also Luxembourg's Finance Minister, is in Athens to attend the European Central Bank's meeting that will be held on Thursday since he is a member of the ECB's executive board.

[07] President Papoulias sends message to FYROM: Adopt attitude of good neighborhood and cooperation

THESSALONIKI, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Presenting swords to 127 graduates of the Military Officers' Schools in Thessaloniki, Papoulias said in his address at the reception that followed, that the fact that the President of the Republic found himself today in the heart of Macedonia was of exceptional significance.

"And I cannot but think of the verbal attacks this land and the citizens of Macedonia are facing from those who are attempting to forge the history of Macedonia," the President said.

"We are here to stress that Macedonia was always Greek, remains Greek, and will remain Greek," Papoulias said, adding that the FYROM officials must "adopt a different attitude...an attitude of good neighborhood and cooperation".

"This would be for their own good and for the mutual good," he said.

[08] Papandreou urges Serbia-Montenegro to seize opportunity for EU membership

BELGRADE, 6/10/2005 (ANA/N. Pelpas)

Addressing the conference, Papandreou spoke of Serbia-Montenegro's European prospect, and conveyed the message: "You now have the opportunity to become a member of the European family. Don't let it go to waste".

Papandreou said that the region must have confidence in Europe, and urged Serbia-Montenegro to advance reforms so that it could soon join the European family.

Noting the support extended by the Greek government in the 1990s to the democratic forces of Serbia, he pledged that Greece would continue to back Serbia-Montenegro in its course towards European integration.

Turning to the Balkans in general, Papandreou stressed the need for all the countries of the region to access the EU, as this would comprise a guarantee for stability and peace in the region.

Papandreou further welcomed the EU's recent decision to give the green light for the commencement of accession talks with Turkey and Croatia as a "positive development".

On Turkey in particular, Papandreou said: "We welcome the Turkey-EU rapprochement and hope that Ankara will take advantage of the opportunity and make progress in human rights, minority rights, and on the Cyprus issue".

After his address, Papandreou had a 45-minute meeting with Serbian president Boris Tadic and Serbia-Montenegro foreign minister Vuk Draskovic.

Papandreou is also slated to meet with Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in the afternoon, before returning to Athens.

PASOK party leader George Papandreou meets Prime Minister of Serbia Kostunica: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, who visited Belgrade on Wednesday to participate in a conference on the fifth anniversary of the downfall of the Milosevic regime, met in the afternoon with the Prime Minister of Serbia Vojslav Kostunica.

The prime minister of Serbia briefed PASOK's leader on preparations being done by the country's government to enable negotiations with the European Union, on the association and stabilization agreement, to come to a successful conclusion as soon as possible.

Papandreou informed Kostunica of Europe's position that Serbia is welcome, provided that it promotes the reforms that are required at political and administrative level.

Before meeting Kostunica, Papandreou gave a luncheon for the directors of the biggest newspapers and television stations who requested a meeting with him.

Addressing the conference on the 5th anniversary of the downfall of the Milosevic regime in the morning, Papandreou expressed the need for all Balkan countries to join the European Union soon so that stability and peace can be consolidated in the region.

The PASOK leader also held private meetings with the President of Serbia Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic in the framework of the conference.

[09] DM meets with Armenian political leaders

YEREVAN, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Spiliotopoulos met separately with Armenian President Robert Kocharian, Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan and Armenian Defense Minister Serzh Sargsyan.

The Greek minister reiterated Greece's support regarding Armenia's aspirations to join NATO, while on a bilateral level, both sides agreed to strengthen existing military cooperation.

A committee was created which will investigate how this can be achieved.

Spiliotopoulos announced that Greece will provide defense materiel to Armenia's Peace Corps, while a Greek C-130 military plane will transport Armenian soldiers who will replace peace-keeping forces currently in Kosovo.

The defense minister also met with Patriarch of Armenia Garegin and visited the Tsitsernakaberd Monument where he laid a wreath and planted a tree in memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide.

Armenian President Robert Kocharian is expected to visit Athens in November.

[10] Parliament President on official visit to Romania

BUCUREST, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

President of the Romanian Senate Nicolae Vacaroiu expressed hope that Greece would help Romania in its pre-accession course now that the plan for the accession process has been ratified.

He also praised Geek entrepreneurs' and banks' active role in his country.

Benaki was also received by Ion Pantzarou, Dean of the University of Bucharest, who referred to the long presence of Greeks in Romania and noted that the University acquired a Modern Greek Studies Department several years ago.

During her meeting with Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu and President of the Social Democratic Party Mircea Geoana, Benaki discussed Romania's EU aspirations as well as domestic political matters.

Finally, Benaki also visited the Romania's Hellenic Union and was named honorary member.

[11] PM and Alternate culture minister discuss fate of 2004 Olympics infrastructure

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Petralia said that she had briefed the premier on the progress of tenders for Olympic facilities and noted that a great deal of interest had been expressed by investors up to this time. She said the premier had given orders for faster and fully transparent progress in order to protect the public interest.

The minister also noted that tenders for a Greek Olympic Games Museum and a Museum of Classical Athletics had been underway for the past 20 days, with plans submitted for funding by the 3rd Community Support Framework (CSF).

She said the deadline for submitting bids ended in November.

[12] Government reacts to Amnesty International report about conditions on Greek borders

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

The report painted a black picture of conditions on Greek borders, claiming numerous violations of the human rights of people coming into Greece or living in Greece.

Roussopoulos said that protection of human rights was a policy espoused by the government and all the parties in Parliament.

"If phenomena are being observed that depart from this principle, then as a State we must protect the people being wronged. When such complaints were made, the authorities in charge have intervened," he added.

[13] Government spokesman expresses regret over closure of Flash radio station

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

"When a media closes down our democracy becomes poorer," the spokesman said and added that he himself communicated with the employment ministry.

The station's owner announced on Tuesday that he intended to shut down Flash 960, paying nevertheless compensations to employees.

Labor deputy minister Gerassimos Yakoumatos had made an open appeal to the station's employees for consultations, so that Flash's employees can be backed with suitable programs.

On Wednesday, Roussopoulos communicated with National Radio and TV Council President, who has called a plenary Council session to which the radio station's owner has been invited to attend.

Roussopoulos also indicated that the frequency is the property of the Hellenic state and in the event the radio station closes the frequency returns to the state and remains vacant until new licensing for radio stations is proclaimed.

[14] Government denies blocking broadcast of terrorist's interview

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

"The government was in no way involved and the attributing of responsibility to the government for the non-transmission of ERT's program is absolutely false," he said.

[15] Austrian Parliament president visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

ISTANBUL, 6/10/2005 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Kohl also said "I look forward to the moment when all the Christian communities in the European Union will have the same rights, the same freedoms and the same joy of existence."

The Austrian Parliament president thanked the Ecumenical Patriarch for receiving him and said that "I feel great joy because his holiness told us that in discussions with the Roman Catholic Church there have been positive developments."

Kohl is the first EU dignitary to visit Turkey following the "historic", as it was termed by all sides, beginning of accession negotiations between Turkey and the EU.

Vartholomeos expressed his "great joy and satisfaction over the visit by his Excellency the President of the Austrian Parliament", adding that he considers his invitation to Vienna to address a conference organized by the Austrian government on the issue of "Islam in a changing multicultural world" a considerable initiative by the Austrian government.

Austria will assume the presidency of the EU as of January 1 and the Vienna conference is part of the Austrian presidency's preparations.

[16] Christodoulos on Church-state relations, cremation issue

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos cited what he called a "systematic effort" to gradually "alienate" the state from the Orthodox Church. Moreover, he referred to a "parallel and crafty (effort at) influencing the people so they liberally and passively accept the uprooting of the country's Christian heritage through the abolition of every official link between the state and Church, along the lines of the French model."

Regarding the controversial issue of cremation -- a practice technically against the law in Greece -- Christodoulos reiterated the Church's position of condoning burial as the only proper method of religious interment. He added, nevertheless, that civil funerals do not involve the Church's faithful, "but only unbelievers, and as such, the Church has no say in this".

Archimandrite Kosmas Papachristou, who served in the Aetoloakarnania bishopric, was elected as its Metropolitan (bishop) by garnering 47 out of the 76 Holy Synod members in attendance on Wednesday.

[17] Parliament VP calls for invitation to UNODC chief to speak on drug production in Afghanistan

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

In the letter, Sourlas noted that Costa had recently visited Afghanistan, where he stated that the reduction in the production of opium had been minimal, and that 4,100 tons of opium had been produced in 2005 against 4,200 tons in 2004, marking a decline of just 2.4 percent.

Sourlas said that Costa needed to explain why the powerful leaders of the world could not intervene for the uprooting of the opium-producing poppies, and why the UN was reacting strongly against the proposals by the Paris-based European research institute on drugs SENLIS, regarding its use for medical purposes.

Sourlas is chairman of the Front Against Narcotics.

[18] EU sees progress in Greek debt-cutting drive

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

"Through recommendations, the aim is to lower the deficit and ensure the viability of the Greek economy," Joaquín Almunia, the European Union's commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, told reporters "So far, progress is good."

Speaking after a meeting with Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, the commissioner noted that Greece would send the EU a report on performance of the national economy in 2005 and the outlook for 2006.

"The report will be evaluated and we will reach our own conclusions. I cannot pre-empt the outcome of talks between the finance ministry and European Union," Almunia said. "I hope that things will go well in 2006, and that the public debt will be below 3.0% at the end of that year."

The commissioner also reported that cooperation had been close with the finance ministry over the last 18 months, and cooperation with the minister himself had been very good.

Alogoskoufis added that the government would give the EU two reports by the end of October - one on the growth and stability plan and another on economic reform.

Almunia advocates European social model: The minister said later that Almunia had impeccably wedded the needs of the growth and stability pact for tight fiscal policy to protection of the European social model.

Introducing Almunia before a speech the commissioner was due to make, Alogoskoufis also described him as a progressive, who was interested in social developments and creation of a just and viable social model aiming at growth and social solidarity.

"We will also continue to work very well together in the future," he said.

"In a difficult set of circumstances, we have lowered the fiscal deficit in Greece by three percentage points of gross domestic product to 3.6% this year from 6.6% in 2004," the minister added.

Greece needs sustainable public finances, commissioner says: The main challenge for Greece is to ensure the sustainability of public finances, which means addressing fiscal imbalances and pursuing further reform of the social security system, Joaquín Almunia, the European Union's commissioner for economic and monetary affairs, said in a speech in Athens on Wednesday.

Early retirement should be curbed and incentives should be created to get older workers to participate in the labor market, accompanied by an overall reassessment of the pension system, Almunia said.

A second challenge was the labor market, where action was necessary to address low employment and high structural unemployment, and to strengthen education and vocational training. This would require eliminating rigidity, promoting part-time work, and pursuing active labor market policies. Education and training systems must be more responsive to the real needs of the labor market, the commissioner noted.

A third key challenge was improving competition and the business environment. Recent measures to reduce the administrative burden on corporate start-ups and to simplify regulation and taxation systems were in the right direction, but further progress in liberalizing network industries and transposing EU internal market directives would be welcome.

Finally, increased investment in R&D and education were also crucial to improve productivity performance.

"The recent story of the Greek economy is one of remarkable success in terms of real convergence. Over the last five years, real GDP has been growing at around 3½% per year, significantly more than the euro-area. But, at around 75%, the ratio of GDP per capita in Greece still remains well below the area's average," the commissioner noted.

"A number of imbalances and risks have emerged or worsened. The current account deficit has increased substantially, up to around 7-8% of GDP. The situation of public finances is still worrying and the insufficient reforms are exposing the country to the growing risks arising from ageing and globalization," he said. "This cannot be sustained for ever."

Decisive steps were needed combining fiscal consolidation and comprehensive structural reform. The latest figure for the 2004 general government deficit is 6.6% of GDP, and the debt ratio is 110% of GDP, the highest in the eurozone. "Surveillance of the Greek situation needs to remain high, given the size of the imbalances," Almunia said.

It was now evident that Greece, like most other EU members, needed to implement important reforms in coming years.

"Let's be frank: there is no alternative, if we want a dynamic and sustainable social model," the commissioner noted.

"I believe that the benefits brought by the necessary reforms and fiscal discipline will clearly outlay the costs. For this reason, we stand ready to support and stimulate the reforms while making sure, through close vigilance and peer pressure, that all the advantages coming from macroeconomic stability and sound public finances can be soon reaped by all," he concluded.

PM to meet European Commissioner Almunia on Thursday: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is scheduled to meet European Commissioner for EU economic and monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia, who is currently in Athens on an official visit, on Thursday at 13:00. Earlier the same day, the premier will be meeting Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis at 9:30, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos announced.

[19] FinMin defends policies to reduce fiscal deficit

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

He was replying to reporters' questions asking whether the EU Commissioner has made any recommendations over government plans to securitize debt and next year's budget. "Mr Almunia said he would rather see permanent measures but we all understand that such measures could have larger negative effects on growth rates and social cohesion," Alogoskoufis said.

The Greek minister noted the government has made a specific policy choice, compatible with Eurostat rules. "We believe that this policy will be approved by the European Commission," he said.

[20] Finmin says Greece lagging in EU's Lisbon targets

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

The greatest deviation was in the information society, where performance was 31.45% lower than the EU average, the minister told a seminar arranged by the Economic and Social Committee of Greece on the Lisbon Strategy as a choice or a necessity.

[21] Improbable that European Commission will reject conversion of debts into titles, finance ministry source says

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis held talks in his office on Wednesday afternoon with the President of Germany's Central Bank (Bundesbank) Axel Webber.

In another development, main opposition PASOK party spokesman Nikos Athanasakis said that even if revenues are converted into titles the budget for 2006, as it was presented, will again be "up in the air."

Athanasakis added that the budget for 2006 is up in the air because basic admissions and crucial preconditions it contains "are either arbitrary or, in any case, are not foregone conclusions", such as the growth rate it predicts, interest rates and their course, oil prices and the conversion of revenues into titles.

[22] PM, Tourism minister discuss tourism policy

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Avramopoulos said he presented to the Prime Minister his strategic plans for Greek tourism in 2006 and the next decade. "We steadily move forward. It was a good year but we do not relax our efforts. On the contrary we feel more responsibilities in forming a credible and efficient tourism policy," the Greek minister said.

Avramopoulos underlined that Greece was dynamically entering the world tourism market with a series of scheduled tourist assignments in conferences, exhibitors and forum around the world, with the aim to creating an attractive climate both for tourist visitors and investments.

Commenting on reporters' questions over plans to build a Formula One race track in Greece, Avramopoulos said the ministry was drafting a draft bill over the legal and institutional preconditions needed for the plan and said developments were expected in the next few months. "We work with plan and systematically to reach our goal," he said.

[23] ECB to hold board meeting in Athens on Thursday

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

It is the first time that ECB holds its board meeting in Athens. Speaking to reporters, the Greek central banker said the meeting will examine monetary policy in the Eurozone.

Garganas said an ECB policy to hold board meetings outside Frankfurt offered the opportunity to national central banks to inform their citizens over the significant role and operations of Eurosystem. The central banker said the Eurosystem was a "federal" system enjoying the full cooperation of its members which maintain their independence.

[24] Helexpo announces POLIS fair in Thessaloniki, Nov 24-27

THESSALONIKI, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting of Balkan cities' network BALCINET in Kraiova, Romania, Kartsiotis said Balkan municipalities showed increased interest in the fair, since they would have to the opportunity to be informed over the latest technological developments in urban management.

This year's POLIS fair will include a series of conferences over urban planning, securing new funds and communication between municipal authorities with citizens.

Helexpo also organizes an Expopartenariat program with scheduled meetings between exhibitors and trade visitors.

[25] Greek mutual funds market's assets fell 0.7 pct in September

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

A monthly report by the Association of Institutional Investors said Foreign Bond funds recorded a 41.8 percent increase in assets, reflecting the inclusion of Eurobank Plus Foreign Money Market Fund, followed by Equity Funds of Funds (+45.9 pct) and Combined Funds of Funds (36 pct). On the other hand, Foreign Money Market Funds recorded a 47.6 percent decline, followed by Domestic Money Market Funds (-17.4 pct).

The Greek mutual funds market recorded outflows totalling 378.5 million euros in September, mainly in the Foreign Bond Funds (2.361 bln euros). The Foreign Combined Funds category recorded inflows totalling 23.9 million euros in the month.

Average return of Domestic Equity Funds this year totalled 19.39 percent at the end of September, compared with a 21.38 percent increase in the Athens Stock Exchange's composite index over the same period. Average return of Foreign Equity Funds totalled 16.53 percent.

[26] Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport receives new international distinction

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

During the 11th International Airlines Development Conference "Routes", which is the biggest international annual conference of airports and airline companies,, held in Copenhagen this year, Athens airport was proclaimed the best airport in the world in its category (10-25 million passengers) and was honored by the international airline community for the support program for airline companies and the airport's contribution to the development of new routes.

The conference was attended by 1,700 representatives of 600 airports and 300 airline companies from all over the world who gave first place in the world to Athens international airport with their votes.

Larissa military airport to begin

civil aviation operations

Greek Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis on Wednesday gave the "green light" to plans to begin civil aviation flights from Larissa airport, in parallel with an existing military air force base, and stressed that Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos agreed with the plan.

Speaking to reporters, Liapis a feasibility study for the airport's operation was expected to be announced this month, covering cargo flights initially and charter flights in a later stage.

The prefectures of Larissa, Karditsa, Trikala and Pieria have long asked for the use of Larissa military airport for civil aviation flights.

The Greek minister also announced projects, worth 24 million euros, for the improvement of a railway line crossing the city of Larissa. Liapis said plans to upgrade railway services in Greece did not only improved transport services but living standards as well.

[27] Greek stocks continue moving lower

ATHENS, 6/10/2005 (ANA)

Turnover was a moderate 179.9 million euros.

Sector indices ended mixed with the Textiles (3.39 pct), IT Solutions (1.64 pct), Publications (0.60 pct) and IT (0.38 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Investments (0.83 pct), Industrials (0.71 pct), Retail (0.65 pct) and Insurance (0.27 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.06 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.28 pct and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.90 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 132 to 128 with another 72 issues.