Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-10-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Treaty establishing SE Europe Energy Community signed in Athens - Last-minute refusal by Turkey to sign

[02] Greece-Italy natural gas pipeline to be signed Nov. 4

[03] EU Commission hails signing of Southeast Europe Energy Community Treaty

[04] European Federation of Public Service Unions' reaction

[05] Government hails signing of Energy Community treaty

[06] Coalition party official questions signing of SE Europe Energy Community treaty

[07] Gov't calls on PASOK leader to table specific proposals on combating corruption

[08] PM to depart for EU summit in London on Wednesday

[09] Deputy FM attending informal development cooperation ministers council

[10] Athens mayor, on visit to U.S., says Greek gov't will continue its reforms

[11] Ruling ND and main opposition PASOK share common foreign policy, Athens mayor says

[12] President Papoulias arrives in Thessaloniki ahead of religious and national holidays

[13] PM and PASOK leader to attend Aghios Dimitrios church service in Thesssaloniki

[14] FM briefs President Papoulias on foreign policy issues

[15] PM confers with justice minister Papaligouras

[16] MP Mantouvalos expelled from New Democracy

[17] President Papoulias to meet with Albanian counterpart next Tuesday

[18] Greek govt unveils "Digital Strategy" plan

[19] Basiakos attends two-day meeting in Luxembourg of EU agriculture ministers

[20] Greece says EU Court's ruling on feta cheese 'historic'

[21] EU Commissioner refers to revision of Common Market Organisation for sugar

[22] Greece, Australia sign memo of understanding regarding retirement rights transfer issue

[23] Finance ministry will solve problem created with Christodoulakis law on tax-free reserve

[24] Greek trade deficit down 1.2 pct in Jan-Aug, yr/yr

[25] Economist's 4th automotive summit opens in Athens on Nov. 5

[26] Greek enterprises seek listing in Bulgarian Stock Exchange

[27] Karamanlis Institute holds event on consumer protection

[28] Greek stocks ease slightly on Tuesday

[29] 'Abduction of Europa' sculpture unveiled at entrance to European Parliament

[30] More deaths, fewer births in Greece, study shows

[31] UN campaign to raise awareness over HIV-infected youth, 'AIDS orphans' held in Athens

[32] BBC's Greek service to close

[33] HOC convenes, selects high priestess for 2006 Winter Olympic Games

[34] Cyprus and Britain sign memorandum for structured dialogue

[35] Meeting between U.S. secretary of state and Turkish Cypriot leader aimed at promoting solution to Cyprus issue, State Department spokesman says

[36] Austrian official: Austria will not change its views on Turkey

[37] Cyprus missing persons relatives set up a World Federation

[01] Treaty establishing SE Europe Energy Community signed in Athens - Last-minute refusal by Turkey to sign

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

EU-member Greece's prime minister Costas Karamanlis called the treaty a landmark in the course of the peoples of the region and a harbinger of new relations, as well as the springboard for wider economic cooperation, while EU Stability Pact special coordinator Erhard Busek said that 12.5 billion euros would be required in the coming years for investments in electricity production units in the region, and another 8 billion euros for power transport and distribution networks.

EU Commissioner for energy Andris Piebalgs said the treaty would lead to improvement of the safety of energy supply for the region as well as the EU, and crea-ted a common and firm environment for investments in energy production units and transport networks.

Greece's development minister Dimitris Sioufas hailed the treaty as a catalyst for improvement of the safety and adequacy of energy, the attraction of large-scale investments, reinforce-ment of the European prospects of the countries of the region, and improvement of the standard-of-living of the region's peoples.

The treaty was signed by British trade and industry minister Alan Johnson on behalf of the EU, whose rotating presidency Britain currently holds, and ministers from Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Romania, and Serbia-Montenegro, while a UN representative signed on behalf of Kosovo. Turkey, which as also slated to sign the treaty, did not sign the accord, although its minister of energy and natural resources Hilmi Mehmet Guler was present at the signing ceremony.

Sioufas signed on behalf of Greece, which is one of the five EU member-states participating in the pact, along with Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy.

The treaty establishing the Energy Community of Southeastern Europe aims to establish a single regulatory framework for trading power in the region and to ensure that countries in the region adopt EU single market regulations in energy and begin liberalising the market under those rules by 2008. None of the Balkan signatories are EU member states, although Bulgaria and Romania are slated to join in 2007.

The accord is an effort to create a stable regulatory environ-ment that will boost energy investment in the region, while a series of planned natural gas pipelines connecting the entire region are also expected to help boost investment in the energy sector.

The Energy Community's regulatory and electricity board will be based in Athens, while its technical and information center will be based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Its secretariat will be headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Meetings on natural gas development issues were initially planned to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, prior to Ankara's refusal on Tuesday to sign the pact.

The agreement is a follow-up to the Athens Memoranda signed in 2002 and 2003, which gave political backing for the idea to open the region's electricity and gas markets. Within this framework, SE European governments should adopt EU energy directives and environmental standars. It particularly obliges governments to create electricity regulators and transmission system operators and to open up the power and gas markets for commercial customers.

The Athens process, according to Commission sources, is consistent with the SE Europe countries' objective of joining the EU as soon as possible and presents them with the opportunity to become part of the EU single market in the area of electricity and gas as a first step towards that goal.

It is noted that the present-day 25-nation European Union sprang out of the energy agreement for the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) that was signed in 1951 by six European countries.

Statements: Greece's prime minister Costas Karamanlis called the treaty a landmark in the course of the peoples of the region and a harbinger of new relations, as well as the springboard for wider economic cooperation.

He said that the unified energy market wold have multiple benefits for all the peoples of the region and would lead to improvement of competitiveness and quality of life.

He further noted that the treaty was another step of rapprochement between the countries of the region and the EU, as well as towards deepening cooperation among those countries themselves.

EU Stability Pact special coordinator Erhard Busek said that 12.5 billion euros would be required in the coming years for investments in electricity production units in the region, and another 8 billion euros for power transport and distribution networks.

EU Commissioner for energy Andris Piebalgs said the treaty would lead to improvement of the safety of energy supply for the region as well as the EU, and created a common and firm environment for investments in energy production units and transport networks.

British trade and industry minister Alan Johnson, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency and who signed the treay on behalf of the EU, said the agreement creates a free energy market stretching from Portugal to Romania and from Finland to Greece, and restored Greece's link with the European energy market.

Greece's development minister Dimitris Sioufas hailed the treaty as a catalyst for improvement of the safety and adequacy of energy, the attraction of large-scale investments, reinforcement of the European prospects of the countries of the region, and improvement of the standard-of-living of the region's peoples.

Sioufas further said that the idea for the creation of an energy community first arose when Christos Papoutsis was the EU Commissioner for energy in the period 1996-1997 (under the preceding PASOK governments).

A Greek foreign ministry announcement on Monday said that the founding of the Energy Community concerns the creation of a unifiied electric energy and natural gas market, among the countries of the Balkan region and the wider region of southeastern Europe, with the ultimate purpose of its incorporation in the European Union's internal energy market.

The implementation of the Treaty will contribute decisively to close cooperation between the countries of southeastern Europe and the EU and to support for the Stability Pact for southeastern Europe which aims at the consolidation of peace, stability and the development of the region, it said.

This is also the aim of Greece, particularly now that it has the presidency of the Cooperation Process of the member-states of southeastern Europe, the foreign ministry statement added.

Turkey does not sign agreement: Tukey did not sign the treaty establishing the SE Europe Energy Community on Tuesday, although its minister of energy and natural resources Hilmi Mehmet Guler was present at the signing ceremony at the Saroglion Mansion in Athens.

According to sources, Turkey disagrees with specific terms of the treaty related to environmental issues.

Greek government sources said that the issue was between Turkey and the European Commission.

Until Turkey does sign the treaty, it will not be a member of the Energy Community, but diplomatic sources expressed the view that Ankara will have signed the accord by June.

By prior agreement, Istanbul was initially designated to be the headquarters for ministerial meetings on natural gas development issues, before Ankara's refusal on Tuesday to sign the pact, and consequently the ministers of the signatory member-countries will decide a different venue for the meetings until Turkey joins the Energy Community.

Commissioner Piebalgs later confirmed, during a press conference, that there were outstanding issues concerning the environment, and that this was the reason that Turkey did not sign the treaty on Tuesday.

He added that the Turkish government had participated in the preparation of and had worked hard for the treaty.

[02] Greece-Italy natural gas pipeline to be signed Nov. 4

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Greece and Italy signed in June a protocol of intent between the two governments to promote the construction of an undersea natural gas pipeline between the two countries, the operation of which was expected to make make Greece and Italy a major energy conduit for natural gas from the Caspian Sea to the larger European markets.

[03] EU Commission hails signing of Southeast Europe Energy Community Treaty

BRUSSELS, 26/10/2005 (ANA/M. Spinthourakis)

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso hailed the treaty as "a major achievement for peace and stability in Europe," while the European Commission described it as "historic" since it is the first time the countries involved have signed a treaty, a "milestone in reconciliation" after the wars that erupted in the 90s.

The treaty concerns the 25-nation bloc and the countries of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, FYROM, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria and UNMIK on behalf of Kosovo.

"As a result of the Energy Community Treaty, the Internal Market for Energy will be extended into the Balkan Peninsula as a whole. This means that the relevant acquis communautaire on energy, environment and competition will be implemented there," the Commission said in a statement.

According to the Commission, firstly, the treaty creates "an agreed policy framework for the World Bank and the EBRD to support infrastructure investments, which are estimated at $30 billion in the electricity sector to reach EU standards by 2015 - and, secondly, the expansion of the natural gas system to create an intermediate gas market between the Caspian Sea and the European Union."

The Commission also says that "the treaty will address the very local and specific energy and environment concerns of southeast Europe, such as increased mortality rates from winter cold and environmental degradation from emissions in old power stations, the use of wood for domestic heating that results in deforestation and the unsustainable development of wetlands and watercourses for hydroelectric power."

Furthermore, investments within the treaty's framework will be considered on the basis of region rather than country, an approach that is more cost-effective.

"Significant new investments in the mining and metallurgy sectors are expected as short term results from this initiative, but in the longer term, the stabilisation of the energy sector will considerably assist the macroeconomic regeneration of the region, contributing to lower emigration rates, economic growth and peace," the Commission said.

[04] European Federation of Public Service Unions' reaction

26/10/2005 (ANA)

"Liberalisation is foisted on these countries without any social pillar despite the fact that the Commission and UK Presidency know full well the internal market will destroy jobs, drive prices up and make the southeast European energy companies prey to transnational capital," EPSU Deputy General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan said.

"What could have been a moment of glory for the European model of cooperation, promoting peace, stability and social progress, is turned into a travesty and demonstrates all that is wrong with the European Union: not only ignoring the people and the need to promote jobs and cohesion in this still fragile region, but ignoring the mistakes of the EU's own energy liberalisation experiences (namely 300,000 jobs lost and rising)," EPSU said in a statement.

[05] Government hails signing of Energy Community treaty

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

"It is the starting point of the unified energy market in southeastern Europe in a spirit of cooperation, peace and solidarity," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said and clarified that the European Commission is signing a binding treaty on energy with third countries "for the first time."

The spokesman further said that "a new era is beginning for the progress, development and prosperity of all the countries in the region. The establishment of the Energy Community concerns the creation of a unified electric power and natural gas market of the region with the ultimate target of incorporating it in the EU's internal energy market."

[06] Coalition party official questions signing of SE Europe Energy Community treaty

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Lafazanis, who is responsible for the party's economic and social policy, also expressed "his grave concern over the great risks of the further downgrading of the Public Power Corporation (DEH) and the Hellenic Petroleum and Gas Company (DEPA), as well as of necessary energy investments in our country."

He pointed out that "such risks can result in the name of the importation, particularly by big local energy-consuming enterprises or big local suppliers, of cheap energy from Balkan countries."

[07] Gov't calls on PASOK leader to table specific proposals on combating corruption

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos picked up on an earlier statement by Papandreou, namely, that an eight-point proposal tabled by PASOK months ago was being "processed" and made more specific.

"It took them 10 months to understand (that the proposal was vague) … When they (PASOK) finish processing it (proposal) we will be waiting to hear specific, I trust, proposals," the spokesman said.

"As for a cover-up and a belief in a system of favouritism, they are practises identified with PASOK's 20 years in power," he said, countering charges by Papandreou that the government was attempting to cover-up such instances.

Papandreou: In earlier statements, Papandreou had touched on the long-standing issue of corruption and attempts to fight the scourge in the country's public sector, an issue that again shot to the forefront of the national limelight over the past week following a series of related media reports, mostly TV investigative exposes.

Papandreou first attacked the government and ruling New Democracy party, saying the former has the primary responsibility for implementing the "rules and laws that must be applied to all".

Additionally, the PASOK leader again cited what he called his eight-point programme to fight corruption, adding that he was awaiting a positive response by the government, although he said the government so far has not responded to this initiative.

"PASOK is determined to give this battle (against corruption)," the former foreign minister in successive Simitis governments said.

Papandreou said he also discussed foreign and domestic issues, including the corruption, with former president Kostis Stephanopoulos on Monday, in reply to a question on whether he proposed that the latter head up a possible council to take up the issue.

The PASOK leader made the comments following a meeting with members of a high-profile group -- the Greek Union for Human and Citizens' Rights -- vigorously promoting a complete separation between the state and Church.

Regarding the latter meeting, Papandreou said he favours "distinct and clear roles of institutions", while adding that he found the group's proposal for Church-state relations respon-sible and covering all related issues.

Additionally, he said PASOK considers that discussion over abolishing certain "anachronistic provisions" has "matured".

KKE: On its part, the Communist Party of Greece's (KKE) called on supporters "not to fall into the trap of disinformation being laid over real scandals and corruption".

The party again reiterated its standing position of an unfair distribution of wealth in the country, saying that although GDP reached 165.2 billion euros in 2004 from 79.9 billion in 1995, "only new privileges, tax breaks and incentives are being handed to big capital, whereas pension rights are again under fire as education and healthcare are being commercialised."

Finally, KKE said scandals, a lack of transparency and corruption are endemic to the capitalist system.

[08] PM to depart for EU summit in London on Wednesday

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Karamanlis will travel to Thessaloniki on Tuesday afternoon in order to attend the mass for the city's patron saint and a ceremony celebrating the city's liberation at 11:00 on Wednesday, departing for London a hour later.

The EU summit is due to end at 19:00 on Thursday evening, when Karamanlis will return to Athens.

[09] Deputy FM attending informal development cooperation ministers council

LONDON, 26/10/2005 (ANA/L. Tsirigotakis)

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, representing Greece, referred to Greek aid given to Pakistan until now, which is in the form of humanitarian aid (amounting to 800,000 euros), and announced that a second stage of Greek aid to Pakistan will follow, totalling one million euros which will be provided through Greek non-governmental organisations.

The deputy minister, participating in the discussion on aid policy to poor and medium-income countries, requested that both these categories of poor countries remain the same target of international aid.

The Greek position on this issue is for countries with a medium-level income bordering Greece to be given assistance and through this development cooperation Greece will have the possibility of developing its political relations as well.

Stylianidis also showed his colleagues the special brochure issued which gives a detailed account of Greek aid to 46 countries.

[10] Athens mayor, on visit to U.S., says Greek gov't will continue its reforms

NEW YORK, 26/10/2005 (ANA/P. Panagiotou)

In an interview with the Greek community's daily newspaper "Ethnikos Kirykas", Bakoyiannis said that "what is important is for the government to proceed, unswayed," noting that "there could have been even better handlings."

To a question if she was one of those who believe that the time has come for a government reshuffle to take palce, Bakoyiannis said that "in politics, what is important is not the individuals but the policies."

The mayor of Athens said that "the government must complete its programme, for which it was elected by the people. In any case, this is an issue of the exclusive competency of the prime minister."

Bakoyiannis said that she was moved by the founding of a Greek Studies Faculty at Stanford University which will be named "Constantine Mitsotakis".

Athens Mayor Bakoyiannis was in Chicago on Monday where she laid the foundation stone for the building of the Greek Museum and of the Cultural Centre.

She has been in Washington since Monday night for a series on contacts with American officials and members of Congress.

On Wednesday, Bakoyiannis will go to California to attend the ceremony of the inauguration of the "Constantine Mitsotakis" faculty.

[11] Ruling ND and main opposition PASOK share common foreign policy, Athens mayor says

WASHINGTON, 26/10/2005 (ANA/A. Ellis)

Bakoyannis noted that the two parties' strategic choices are the same, only tactical moves seem to differ, citing the support of both Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and former PASOK Prime Minister Costas Simitis for Turkey's EU accession.

The Athens mayor said that Greece has strongly supported Turkey's EU candidacy over recent years, but expressed regret that Ankara has failed to change its provocative behaviour in the Aegean and its stance towards the Cyprus issue.

She also noted that Turkey's government continues to create problems for the Greek community in Istanbul and violates the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Within this context, Bakoyannis said, Athens demands that Turkey make a substantial about-face on these issues as accession negotiations with the EU progress.

Referring to the dispute over the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name, Bakoyannis said that while others may view the Greek position as 'irrational', Greece does not have any territorial claims towards FYROM.

She said that FYROM must add something to its name that will distinguish it from Greek Macedonia, adding that Greece is ready for such a compromise.

[12] President Papoulias arrives in Thessaloniki ahead of religious and national holidays

THESSALONIKI, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Greeted at the airport by Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, Papoulias said: "I fully believe that you [Thessaloniki] have the strength and the inspiration to open your wings - and you do - in order to play a leading role as an economic and cultural centre in the broader region."

Papoulias added that while the region has witnessed the consequences of nationalism, it is now time "to experience a new era of economic and social development that can only be based on respect for history and on common principles within the framework of the European family."

Papageorgopoulos welcomed Papoulias to Thessaloniki.

"Your concise, sincere and daring speech, whether in reference to our rights concerning Macedonia, the 'wall' in Nicosia, or the Holocaust in Chortiati, speaks straight to the heart of all Greeks and your voice becomes our voice," Papageorgopoulos said.

Minister of Macedonia-Thrace Nikos Tsiartsionis, Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis and other officials were also present at Macedonia airport in order to greet Papoulias.

Later on Tuesday evening, Papoulias was named Honourary President of the Association of Graduates of Greek Orphanages at a ceremony held at Thessaloniki's Centre of History.

Papoulias congratulated the association on its work and said that he supported their efforts.

Papoulias to attend Oct. 28 celebrations: The president's schedule of engagements in the city include attending the official mass at the Church of St. Demetrius on Wednesday morning, an official dinner given in his honour by the Macedonia-Thrace Minister on Wednesday afternoon, attending an event at Thessaloniki's Aristotelian University at 18:30 and a reception given in his honour by Thessaloniki's mayor late on Wednesday evening. On Thursday he is due to speak at a dinner held in the 3rd Army Corps officers club.

Papoulias will attends Friday's military parade on Alexander the Great Avenue on the coast, along with Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos, after depositing a wreath at the 3rd Army Corps war heroes monument in the morning.

[13] PM and PASOK leader to attend Aghios Dimitrios church service in Thesssaloniki

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Premier Karamanlis arrived in Thessaloniki on Tuesday afternoon while PASOK leader Papandreou will arrive at the city on Wednesday morning.

At noon on Wednesday, Karamanlis and Papandreou will depart for London.

[14] FM briefs President Papoulias on foreign policy issues

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

The matters discussed included developments in the FYROM name issue and Turkey's EU accession course.

Questioned by reporters after the meeting on the prospect of a visit by prime minister Costas Karamanlis to Turkey, Molyviatis said that it was a planned visit, which would take place soon, but added that the date had not yet been set.

[15] PM confers with justice minister Papaligouras

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Papaligouras made no statements after the meeting.

[16] MP Mantouvalos expelled from New Democracy

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Mantouvalos, who has decided to keep his seat in Parliament as an independent MP, was informed of the decision during a meeting with Meimarakis, who stressed that the manner of his resignation was unorthodox and that he automatically waived all rights to party functions and privileges arising from office as a result.

ND's party secretary also underlined during the meeting that "no one is given a carte blanche" and that Mantouvalos had been elected with votes given to New Democracy.

Commenting on the party's decision, Mantouvalos stressed that he did not intend to resign his seat in Parliament while again claiming that he was being targeted without being at fault.

"I am being tortured and abused without being at fault in absolutely any way. It is certain that I am a target, and one of organised interests acting in a specific way," he told reporters.

He also expressed bitterness at the announcements made by Meimarakis, while claiming that voters in Piraeus were asking him to stay. He strenuously denied that the immunity from prosecution granted MPs motivated his decision to keep his seat in Parliament, stressing that he would be "present" if there was any reason to lift his immunity.

Mantouvalos announced his resignation to the press on Monday, claiming that recent press reports that targeted the MP were linked to "merciless" internal party clashes on a local level. He also claimed that there was an unseemly partisan attitude towards himself and stressed that he was not at fault in any way.

[17] President Papoulias to meet with Albanian counterpart next Tuesday

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

This is the second meeting between the two heads of state, after a recent meeting in Ioannina, north western Greece, a few months ago.

[18] Greek govt unveils "Digital Strategy" plan

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Presenting the government's "Digital Strategy for 2006-2013", Alogoskoufis stressed the plan included a specific road plan of actions. "We need a synthesis of actions to achieve our goals," the Greek minister said, adding that a "Digital Leap" meant promoting broadband connections to 7.0 percent by 2008 from 0.7 pct currently.

The plan envisaged 65 practices and actions, currently under public debate by the end of November. Alogoskoufis said the government has secured funding for the "Digital Strategy" plan. A government-sponsored programme on Information Society was in a bad condition 18 months ago, with inclusion projects at 20 percent compared with 90 percent currently, the minister said. Alogoskoufis said the absorption of EU funds was 11 percent in March 2004, from 50 percent currently. "We leave behind the Information Society Programme and we move on to the digital strategy," he noted.

The Economy and Finance ministry has set six goals to ensure success of the plan: -promoting the use of information technologies by enterprises to improve productivity, -expanding the use of new technology by the public sector, -supporting business activity in sectors mainly using technology, -coordinating efforts to develop new technologies in Greece, -upgrading living quality through the use of new technologies by citizens and, -developing digital services to combat bureaucracy.

A main precondition to achieving all these goals was interconnection, Alogoskoufis said.

The Greek minister also unveild policy priorities to support the plan, including an ambitious information campaign in the period 2006-2008.

"With our strategy for a digital Greece we strengthen our participation in an evolution in new technologies, ensuring growth for the economy, sciences, and more opportunities for the next generation," Alogoskoufis said.

[19] Basiakos attends two-day meeting in Luxembourg of EU agriculture ministers

LUXEMBOURG, 26/10/2005 (ANA/V. Demiris)

In the context of the Council, Greek Agricultural Developments and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos had consultations with 10 of his counterparts (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Slovenia) who oppose the European Commission's proposal on the status of the sugar market and maintain a common front against it.

The 11 ministers, who with their votes constitute a strong minority, signed a common letter to Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel asking for the readjustment of the proposal.

Basiakos termed the European Commission's proposal as unacceptable and asked of the Council to enact higher prices for sugar.

On the other hand, with the support of the representatives of Italy, Spain, Slovenia and Cyprus, Basiakos asked of the European Commission not to proceed to the imposition of measures for the import of olive oil from third countries into the domestic EU market.

Basiakos further notified the Council regarding Greece's firm decision to forbid the trade for two years of genetically modified hybrid maize in Greece. It concerns in particular the GA21 and MON863. The minister presented to the Council the serious problems existing in Greece for the enactment of rules of co-existence between genetically modified, conventional and biological cultivations, which are due to the structure of Greek agriculture (small expanse of agricultural exploitation, dispersed cultivations in mountanous and underdeveloped regions and in small islands), a fact which imposed the prohibition of the circulation at present of genetically modified material.

[20] Greece says EU Court's ruling on feta cheese 'historic'

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters after hearing the court's decision, the Greek minister said that "after years of struggle, the Greek government's coordinated and systematic handling of the case ended successfully. The European Court, with its historic decision, decisively ruled that the name 'feta' was not common and that it was exclusively Greek, annulling the cases brought by Denmark, Germany, France and the UK".

"Starting today, Greek feta producers can exclusively sell their product in the European market. Their exclusiveness is related with the quality and Greek cultural traditions," Basiakos noted.

The European court ruled that the name "feta" is recognised as a protected designation of origin (PDO) for white cheese soaked in brine traditionally produced in Greece, from ewes' milk or a mixture of ewes' milk and goats' milk.

The milk used for the manufacture of "feta" must come exclusively from the Greek regions of Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus, Thessaly, central Greece, the Peloponnese and the prefecture of Lesvos.

The geographical area thus defined for the production of feta covers only mainland Greece and Lesvos, an island in the eastern Aegean. It does not include the island of Crete or certain other island chains in the Greek archipelagos, namely the Sporades, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese Islands and the Ionian Islands. The court rejected the applicants' submission that the quality and characteristics of feta were not essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment.

[21] EU Commissioner refers to revision of Common Market Organisation for sugar

BRUSSELS, 26/10/2005 (ANA/M. Aroni)

According to an announcement issued by the Eurodeputy, the Committee mentions that the reform proposed will bring about an unclarified decrease in the income of Greek sugarbeet producers.

Boel initially mentions in her reply that the reform of Common Market Organisation in the sugar sector is aimed at improving competitiveness in the sugar sector, it aims at aligning it with the reform process of Common Agricultural Policy and to secure for it a longterm policy framework.

She then said that the Committee is fully aware of possible risks that might be created by competition in the sugar sector. The European sugar industry will be facing increasing competition from preferred imports, particularly due to free access to the market by less developed countries.

[22] Greece, Australia sign memo of understanding regarding retirement rights transfer issue

MELBOURNE, 26/10/2005 (ANA - S. Hatzimanolis)

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Greece's Labour and Social Securities Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos and his Australian counterpart Kay Patterson.

On his part, the Greek minister urged patience, saying a final agreement will require more negotiations and time, although he said Tuesday's memorandum lays down a general framework of principles for both sides to follow and negotiate.

"The former residents of Australia who return to Greece after the commencement date of the proposed agreement will be able to receive an Australian pension, which will be based on the social security laws of Australia, while the pension amount they would be entitled to if they resided in Australia will be proportionate to the duration of their residency and work in Australia based on a denominator of 300 months (25 years)," Panayiotopoulos said afterwards.

He also stressed that any future agreement will not harm the interests of current pensioners, whereas cooperation and the exchange of data relates to social security organisations and not between the two governments.

The long-time issue of a bilateral pension rights agreement is one of the primary issues on the Greek minister's agenda during his stay in Australia.

Panayiotopoulos is visiting Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne, as meetings with expatriate Greek community representatives are scheduled in tandem with his official contacts.

[23] Finance ministry will solve problem created with Christodoulakis law on tax-free reserve

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

It is reminded that by a European Commission decision the clause on the Christodoulakis law on the tax-free reserve was declared illegal and the return, with interest, of all amounts created by businesses as a tax-free reserve for the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years was requested.

Replying to a relevant question, Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis said that the ministry will try to oppose the European Commission's decision. He reminded that the implementation of this clause will be abolished by a ministerial decision, but added that abolition by law is also necessary and that this clause is not being applied now.

Lastly, Alogoskoufis said that this clause had been applied in 2003 and 2004 and the ministry believes that it is unfair for businesses to be obliged to return money retroactively and that the issue will be handled with the European Commission.

[24] Greek trade deficit down 1.2 pct in Jan-Aug, yr/yr

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

NSS, in its regular report on the country's trade balance, said the value of export-deliveries totalled 8.678 billion euros in the first eight months of 2005 from 7.897 billion euros last year, for an increase of 9.9 percent. Excluding oil products, the value of exports rose by 7.0 percent of 515 million euros over the same period.

Greece's trade deficit fell by 1.2 percent in the January-August period to 18.245 billion euros, from 18.462 billion euros in the corresponding period in 2004, while excluding oil products the deficit fell by 8.7 percent.

[25] Economist's 4th automotive summit opens in Athens on Nov. 5

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Speakers will include Graeme Maxton, head of the Economist Intelligence Unit in Hong Kong and international analyst on the automotive industry; Carl Hahn, honourary president of Volkswagen AG; and Cheng Dayan, representative of the embassy of the People's Republic of China, who for the first time will discuss the presence of the Chinese car industry in Europe.

Other speakers will include Deputy Development Minister George Salagoudis, Secretary General for Commerce Manoussos Voloudakis and main opposition PASOK MP Rodoula Zisi, among others.

[26] Greek enterprises seek listing in Bulgarian Stock Exchange

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

EuroCapital Finance will act as underwriter to the listing. In comments to ANA, EuroCapital Finance's chairman and chief executive Christos Mouroutis, said a total of six Greek companies were currently listed in the Bulgarian Stock Exchange: "Bitex", Interlogic", Pangea", Promota Bulgaria AD, Euroterra and Dominant Finance.

With the exception of Bitex, which is listed in Sofia's main market, all other Greek enterprises are listed in the parallel market of Bulgaria.

[27] Karamanlis Institute holds event on consumer protection

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Speaking at an event organised by the "Constantine Karamanlis" Democracy Institute on the issue of "Rights and protection of the consumer in Greece and the EU", the deputy minister underlined, "as an example of the government's successful intervention policy", fines imposed by the development ministry on big private and state-run banks, making an in-depth probe of reports made by citizens.

He added that other examples of successful state intervention were checks made in the insurance market, for animal and plant products in their entirety, fines imposed on big automobile representatives and the activation of prefectures to prevent double pricing.

Consumer Secretary General Thanassis Skordas sent a message to the business community, saying that "short-sighted practices, hiding the garbage under the rug, in an era in which there are no bulkheads in communication, is a recipe of failure and of a firm's shrinking. It is a recipe of undermining the development effort of the sector and the national economy as a whole and as such it must be condemned."

Skordas added that in an extremely composite and in a very competitive environment, the business community in Greece itself must promote and implement rules of ethics and self-arrangement.

Lastly, he said that the continuation and strengthening of interventions for the consumer's benefit, apart from being a basic government option, is a leading claim by public opinion and by the great majority of businessmen who realise the challenges of the 21st century.

[28] Greek stocks ease slightly on Tuesday

ATHENS, 26/10/2005 (ANA)

Sector indices ended mixed with the Textiles (1.98 pct), IT (1.39 pct), Retail (1.14 pct) and Refineries (0.67 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day. The Publications (4.49 pct), Wholesale (1.29 pct), Metals (1.02 pct) and Insurance (0.76 pct) scored gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks was unchanged, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.78 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index fell 0.01 pct.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 135 to 126 with another 69 issues unchanged.

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