Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-03-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey should live up to its obligations, FM tells AP

[02] PM confers with foreign minister in view of U.S. trip

[03] Foreign ministry on Bakoyannis' visits to US, Cyprus

[04] FM and Cyprus House of Representatives speaker discuss Cyprus issue

[05] Bakoyannis meets U.S. Ambassador, candidate for UN S-G

[06] US Secretary of State Rice 'looks forward' to meeting Bakoyannis

[07] Athens comments on resurfaced 'casus belli' issue with Turkey

[08] Defense minister underlines Greek support for Bulgaria's EU entry

[09] Greek and Romanian DMs confirm excellent bilateral relations in military and defense sector

[10] Inner Cabinet approves of revised civil servants' code

[11] Papandreou cites citizens' 'insecurity, uncertainty'

[12] Roussopoulos 'distorts' PASOK leader's statements, spokesman says

[13] Latest poll gives ND a 1-point lead over PASOK

[14] Athens queried over ICTY's operation

[15] Minister of Macedonia and Thrace stresses need for closer cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries

[16] Greece, Albania team up against bird flu

[17] PM to meet Cyprus House Speaker on Wednesday

[18] Interior minister, Archbishop Christodoulos issue messages on Day against Racism

[19] Businessman Yiannis Boutaris to run for mayor in Thessaloniki

[20] Greece sets priority on tourism for growth

[21] Labor minister addresses BHCC event

[22] Hellenic Leadership Conference to be held in Athens in May

[23] Athens airport, Piraeus port sign cooperation agreement

[24] OTESAT meets Chinese shippers

[25] Greek current accounts deficit up 19 pct in January, yr/yr

[26] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop on smaller cap buying

[27] Government announces first digital TV broadcast by ERT

[28] Officials say first exhibition halls at new Acropolis museum to open in 2007

[29] Greece participates in 26th Int'l Book Fair in Paris

[30] EU writes-off E.L.A. from list of terrorist organizations

[31] SAE President Athens to meet U.S. Congress members, gov't officials

[32] Honorary event to be held in Thessaloniki for Cypriot heroes Tassos Isaak and Solomos Solomou

[33] Eclipse of the sun to occur on March 29

[34] EYDAP says it has a record of water reserves in its deposits

[35] Cyprus says Turkey provoking EU

[36] Cyprus says Turkey confirming expansionist policy

[37] Cyprus says EU aid for Turkish Cypriots through legal channels only

[38] European Commission ready to discuss aid implementation

[39] Cypriot Speaker: Erdogan's statements are part of Turkish dogma

[40] Nicosia Mayor: CLRAE decision on T/C participation should be respected

[41] France thanks Cyprus for contributing in maritime safety

[01] Turkey should live up to its obligations, FM tells AP

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Bakoyannis also said that Turkey's Islamic government should allow the re-opening of a theological seminary that is important for the survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul where the spiritual leader of the world's 250 million Orthodox Christians has his headquarters.

"The final European course of Turkey will be judged by Turkey itself. Turkey has assumed some obligations and these obligations must be implemented," she told the AP.

"All countries adjusted their laws, accepted the European standards so that they could join the EU. Turkey must also do this. There is no Europe a la carte for any country, and not for Turkey," she said.

According to the AP, Bakoyannis said Greece's relations with Turkey, the Turkish occupation of the northern part of the island of Cyprus, and the volatile western Balkans would be key issues she would discuss with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a meeting in Washington on Thursday.

Bakoyannis leaves for her first official visit to the US on Wednesday.

She said that a media report that Turkey would declare war if Greece extended its territorial waters from six to 12 nautical miles from the coast was an "anachronism".

Turkey's leading Hurriyet newspaper reported Monday that a classified Turkish foreign policy document it obtained said Greece cannot increase its waters to 12 nautical miles, and that Turkey must maintain its deterrence in the face of such a threat. The report could not be independently verified, according to the AP.

"I think this is an anachronism," Bakoyannis said. "Turkey at times is reported in the media as bringing back this position. This position is against the law of the sea and it is an issue that concerns the European Union. I have many times said that these types of declarations don't help Turkey come closer to Europe, which it has said is its main goal."

Relations thawed in 1999 and Greece became Turkey's leading EU sponsor. Turkey also has until the end of the year to open its ports and airports to trade from Cyprus.

"It was not an easy decision to promote and support the European course of Turkey," Bakoyannis said.

She said some progress had been made on restarting talks to unify Cyprus after the rejection by Greek Cypriots two years ago in a referendum of an UN-sponsored peace plan. She said recent talks between Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan "again put forward discussions for the promotion of a viable solution on Cyprus."

One of Turkey's more important obligations, Bakoyannis added, was to respect human rights and religious freedom. She said it could start by re-opening the Halki seminary located on a Turkish island off Istanbul which has for generations trained the Patriarchate's priests, AP notes.

"The issue of the Patriarchate has to do with religious freedom inside Turkey. The existence of the Patriarchate in the long run is dependent on the function of the theological school at Halki," she told the AP. "It is not by chance that all countries in Europe and the United States urge Turkey to change its policies on the theological school of Halki and let it function like it did before 1971."

Turkey has been under pressure from the United States and the EU to re-open Halki, closed in 1971 under a law that put religious education under state control.

Although Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos - a Turkish citizen and ethnic Greek - is considered to be the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox, Turkey has long refused to accept any international role for him. It rejects his use of the title 'ecumenical' or universal, and argues the patriarch is merely spiritual leader of Istanbul's dwindling Greek community.

"I believe that if Turkey opens the Halki School it will send a very important, symbolic message to the entire world. That an Islamic government like that of Mr. Erdogan respects human and religious freedoms," Bakoyannis told the AP. "I have said this many times to my Turkish interlocutors and I admit I am very saddened that no action has been taken in this direction."

[02] PM confers with foreign minister in view of U.S. trip

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Exiting the meeting, Bakoyannis referred to the statements made by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan concerning the implementation of the EU customs union agreement with Cyprus, saying that they did not bring Turkey closer to the EU.

"Turkey has undertaken specific commitments, which it must uphold in 2006," Bakoyannis stressed.

Regarding her trip to the U.S., the foreign minister noted that relations between the two countries are traditionally good and that contacts are always useful.

[03] Foreign ministry on Bakoyannis' visits to US, Cyprus

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Outlining contacts during her U.S. trip, meanwhile, the spokesman said that this would include participating in an event to celebrate Greek Independence Day that would be attended by U.S. President George Bush.

The Greek foreign minister is also scheduled to meet U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, one of the U.S. president's aides for domestic security issues to discuss visas for Greek visits to the U.S., Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns and Senator Paul Sarbanes.

Other engagements will include attending a mass for the Greek national holiday at the Aghia Triada Cathedral in New York. While in the city, she will take part in a discussion at the U.N. Security Council on Haiti and there is a high probability that she will meet with U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The spokesman ruled out any discussion of the illegal phone-tapping affair between Rice and Bakoyannis, noting that it was a first visit by the foreign minister to the U.S. that had a specific character and framework and aimed to promote Greek interests and positions.

Regarding the foreign minister's trip to Cyprus, Koumoutsakos said she was going at the invitation of her Cypriot counterpart George Iacovou and would also be meeting Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and House of Representatives Speaker Dimitris Christofias.

[04] FM and Cyprus House of Representatives speaker discuss Cyprus issue

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Christofias spoke of favorable developments for Greece and Cyprus, giving as an example the recent ratification by the European Union of the funding regulation for the Turkish Cypriots, the positions of Nicosia for the joint management of the city of Famagusta, under the auspices of the EU, and the meeting between UN secretary general Kofi Annan and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos in Paris late February.

Christofias termed the Paris meeting positive, adding that it will have prospects "provided Turkey accepts the establishment of technical committees on issues concerning the withdrawal of troops, the population census and the committee to deal with the rift in views between Turkey and Cyprus on a solution to the issue of Cyprus."

He added that "it is in the interests of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots that the committees be established for the discussion on the aspects mentioned to begin."

Commenting on Bakoyannis' talks in the U.S., Christofias said that "Mrs. Bakoyannis will have important discussions. I hope the U.S. will show understanding for positions that are reasonable and can reach the deadlocks and create conditions for a solution to the issue of Cyprus."

Asked to comment on the latest statements by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey will not open its ports and airports for Cypriot ships and aircraft until the "isolation of the Turkish Cypriots" is lifted, he said that regardless of terms set by Erdogan "Turkey must satisfy obligations emanating from its accession course. Mr. Erdogan wants to be a step ahead. He must realize that he cannot threaten the Union and the Union must show self-respect", adding that "it is in the interests of all for Turkey to revise its position."

[05] Bakoyannis meets U.S. Ambassador, candidate for UN S-G

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Earlier, the Greek minister met Sri Lanka's candidate for the post of U.N. Secretary General Jayantha Danaphalla.

A ministry announcement said that the Sri Lankan official also had talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis on issues concerning the role of the U.N. that interest the Greek side. These included developments in the Cyprus problem, the UN's role in realizing the Millenium Targets, the importance of security for protecting fuel pipeline networks in the coming years and a restructuring of the organization.

[06] US Secretary of State Rice 'looks forward' to meeting Bakoyannis

WASHINGTON, 22/3/2006 (ANA-MPA/T. Ellis)

Speaking to reporters at the State Department, Burns noted that "all those of us who work with Greece believe that our relations at this moment are stronger than at any other time."

Burns added that "we have respect for Prime Minister (Costas) Karamanlis, as well as for Foreign Minister Bakoyannis, and I believe that given the fact the cooperation that Greece has shown in Afghanistan and in Kosovo, it concerns a particularly exceptional relation."

[07] Athens comments on resurfaced 'casus belli' issue with Turkey

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos merely noted that an Oct. 3, 2005 decision leading the way for EU accession talks with Turkey "opens prospects for a future of peace and stability, as well as a new era in Greek-Turkish relations".

He also reminded that the unprecedented casus belli issue has already been cited by the European Commission in its November report regarding Turkey, while pointing to recent statements by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, namely, that threats of war are absolutely not a friendly stance between neighboring countries.

"Such reasoning has no place in a united Europe. Turkey will realize this if it wants to become part of Europe..."

Finally, the Greek spokesman confirmed that Athens retains every right to extend its territorial waters based on international law.

Main opposition accuses gov't of 'inertia' regarding Turkey: The main opposition PASOK party on Tuesday accused the government of 'inertia' regarding Turkey following the neighboring country's refusal to implement the EU customs union agreement with Cyprus and related statements made by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

"Turkey's refusal to respect its obligations towards the European Union is confirmed on a daily basis; an event which has been facilitated due to the distancing from the Helsinki decisions and the New Democracy government's inertia in foreign policy," Christos Papoutsis, head of the Foreign Policy, Security and Defense Dept. of PASOK's Political Council said.

Commenting on Bakoyannis' statements earlier in the day, Papoutsis said: "Mrs. Bakoyannis should, instead of adopting a policy of inertia and limiting herself to general statements, bring the issue before the (EU) Council of Ministers and clarify whether the government will consent to the opening of Turkey's first chapters in its EU accession talks during the Austrian EU presidency which requires member states' unanimous consent or not."

Papoutsis referred to former PASOK governments' efforts in Greek-Turkish relations, saying that "PASOK governments worked with determination towards improving Greek-Turkish relations, towards achieving peace, security and stability in the broader region, towards Turkey's EU prospects - a course that became associated with commitments, obligations, timeframes and respect for the acquis communautaire. Turkey's obligation to implement the extended customs union agreement with the 10 new EU member states, as well as to cultivate relations of good neighborliness with all EU member states is part of the acquis communautaire."

Earlier on Tuesday, Bakoyannis after meeting with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, referred to the statements made by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan concerning the implementation of the EU customs union agreement with Cyprus, saying that they did not bring Turkey closer to the EU.

"Turkey has undertaken specific commitments, which it must uphold in 2006," Bakoyannis stressed.

[08] Defense minister underlines Greek support for Bulgaria's EU entry

SOFIA, 22/3/2006 (ANA/MPA)

Meimarakis has been in Bulgaria since Monday for talks with his Bulgarian counterpart Vesselin Bliznakov, followed by meetings with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev.

The minister also stressed the excellent bilateral relations of "mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation" between Greece and Bulgaria, saying that this was a very important positive factor for the two countries and also the entire region.

Noting that development that would lead to investment and new jobs required a calm and secure environment without uncertainty, Meimarakis said that Bulgaria's accession to the EU could bring only positive results "for all of us".

"We in Greece consider ourselves vindicated for our fervent support of Bulgaria's entry into NATO, because this created a sense of security in the entire region," he said.

In response to questions, Meimarakis said his talks with Bulgaria's president and prime minister had taken place in a friendly, warm climate. The Greek minister said this was a sign but also confirmation that both sides wanted to develop bilateral ties. He said a similar climate had dominated his meetings with his Bulgarian counterpart, with whom he had discussed extending defense cooperation.

According to a government announcement, the Bulgarian premier said that the Greek minister's visit had given a new boost to the development of friendly, good neighborly ties with Greece. He also expressed gratitude for Greece's support of Bulgaria's NATO entry and ratification of Bulgaria's EU Accession Treaty by the Greek Parliament.

Stanishev underlined his satisfaction with the dynamic political dialogue and rising economic cooperation between the two countries and expressed conviction that, with Greece's support, experience and defense industry, it would be possible to speed up infrastructure development plans coordinated with NATO but also to modernize the Armed Forces.

In the meeting with Stanishev, Meimarakis conveyed the regards of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and noted that "building bridges of dialogue, mutual understanding and friendship to benefit the future of the peoples," was a "strategic choice" made by Karamanlis.

Clarifying his statements on Monday regarding the future of Kosovo, Meimarakis said that history had shown that people tended not to accept solutions that were imposed on them and in many cases reacted.

Greece's standing position was that issues and difference must be resolved through dialogue and negotiations, he added, while noting that solutions that were imposed might create new sources of unrest.

"With great caution and with the interests of the wider region always in mind we must create conditions that rule out the emergence of such sources of unrest," he underlined.

He also referred to the role of European defense activities in relation to NATO, saying that European defense and security must both maintain its autonomy and act in a supplementary way to NATO, because Europe hoped to focus more on economic and social directions at this time.

A Greek MP who accompanying Meimarakis on his trip, meanwhile, noted the "warm atmosphere and fruitful dialogue with the Bulgarian Parliament's committee for defense during a meeting with a delegation from the Greek defense ministry and the Greek Parliament's National Defense and External Affairs Committee.

Committee Chairman Panos Kammenos said that this confirmed that bilateral relations in these important sectors were developing.

He also noted that the minister's decision to take part in the visit and in future trips by Parliament's defense committee indicated that the government wanted to actively participate in Parliamentary processes.

[09] Greek and Romanian DMs confirm excellent bilateral relations in military and defense sector

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Meimarakis, placing particular importance on the Greek language faculty operating at Romania's National Defense University, said that "we are willing to help its improvement in the framework of our capabilities."

Also discussed during their talks were issues concerning the security situation in the Balkans and the Black Sea and peace operations in the framework of NATO and the European Union.

Referring to the issue of Kosovo, Meimarakis said the phase in which the process for determining the region's status quo has entered is very sensitive and observed that "for there to be a viable and permanent result, consultations must proceed with wisdom and without excessive haste. The future status quo of Kosovo must result from dialogue and negotiations and must not be imposed on any of the parties involved."

In parallel, he reiterated Greece's support for the efforts of Balkan countries to join Euroatlantic structures. He also reiterated that Greece supports the accession of Bosnia-Herzegovina and of Serbia-Montenegro to the Cooperation of Defense Ministries of Southeastern Europe (SEDM), when these countries will fulfill the criteria that have been set.

Lastly, the two ministers agreed to examine the possibility of their joint visit to Afghanistan within the first half of April, 2006, to attend the delivery of Kabul airport's management from Greek to Romanian management.

On Wednesday, Meimarakis will be meeting Foreign Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu, received by Romanian President Trajan Basescu and completing his official visit with a meeting with the president of Romania's Parliamentary Defense, Public Order and National Security Committee Mihai Stanisoara.

[10] Inner Cabinet approves of revised civil servants' code

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The Inner Cabinet meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

In comments afterwards, Pavlopoulos said the draft bill includes 35 innovations, including an upgraded process for evaluations and promotions, better clarification of reasons for disciplinary action as well as ensuring that citizens' requests for information are met. Another foreseen provision allows for voluntary transfers and a transparent system for transfers of civil servants from one ministry to another.

Pavlopoulos said the only difference between the government and the civil servants' union (ADEDY) was the latter's demand that the new code be implemented immediately, which in essence would mean new evaluations for directors and general directors through the public sector. The minister said that June 2007, when the terms of most directors and general directors will expire, will therefore mean the first implementation of the new code for the higher echelons of state bureaucracy.

Main opposition slams gov't over new civil servants' code, gov't responds: Main opposition PASOK Coordinator Miltiadis Papaioannou accused the government of "violating not only the principles of continuity and meritocracy but legality itself" referring to the revised civil servants' code the interior minister announced on Tuesday.

He also accused the government of trying to "re-establish the state of the right-wing party," adding that the code does not contain any 'innovations' as Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Prokopis Pavlopoulos claims.

The inner cabinet unanimously approved the revised code earlier on Tuesday.

Interior Ministry responds: In response, the Interior Ministry said that PASOK "will be remembered as the main enforcers of partisanship in the public sector," adding that PASOK's statements regarding the government's work "are a mix of lies and myths."

The ministry also notes that Papaioannou has no comment to make on the content of the code "proving that PASOK does not possess any other views nor can it have any objections."

As for innovation, the ministry notes that "anyone can see that the new code has a series of innovative clauses that were completely absent from PASOK's code."

[11] Papandreou cites citizens' 'insecurity, uncertainty'

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Papandreou told his party's deputies that he ascertained a "increased insecurity and uncertainty by citizens" during his recent tour of the provinces, while he said this feeling was particularly heightened in Athens, a reference to what he termed as an increase in crime.

In referring to the government's priority of reforms in the public sector and a handful of large state-run enterprises, he said such "so-called reforms" were creating disarray amongst ministers.

Finally, he said PASOK will in the near future concentrate on problems facing the provinces, people in the provinces and farmers

Gov't reaction: In a later reaction to Papandreou's comments, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos charged that the PASOK leader's latest comments belie a "weakness to express productive criticism, arguments or even serious and realistic proposals."

"Mr. Papandreou's only specific proposal refers to the uninsured (exemption from social security contributions) work of young people ... The president of PASOK merely attempted to deceive Greek citizens when a only a few weeks ago in Parliament he declared that his proposal included the payment of contributions by the state," Roussopoulos said, adding, however, that Papandreou's pre-election proposal did not mention that point.

Finally, the spokesman again criticized Papandreou's recent statement calling on the country's young people to become "rebels with a cause".

[12] Roussopoulos 'distorts' PASOK leader's statements, spokesman says

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Athanassakis said that "populism, distortion and lies are synonymous with New Democracy, whether an opposition or ruling party."

Earlier on Tuesday, Papandreou spoke of "citizens' insecurity" during an address to his party's Parliament group coordinating body.

Roussopoulos responded, charging that Papandreou's comments belie a "weakness to express productive criticism, arguments or even serious and realistic proposals."

[13] Latest poll gives ND a 1-point lead over PASOK

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

In terms of smaller parties, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) earned 6.5 percent of respondents' preferences, followed by the out-of-Parliament Popular Orthodox Rally (LA.OS) with 5.2 percent and the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) party with 3.2 percent. Two percent of respondents said they would vote for another party; 3.7 percent cast a blank or invalid choice while, more importantly, 10.5 percent of respondents declared themselves undecided.

In the ubiquitous for Greek opinion polls question, namely, of who is more qualified for the post of prime minister, Premier Costas Karamanlis was picked by 47.8 percent of respondents to PASOK leader George Papandreou's 35.7 percent.

Specifically, 55.5 percent of respondents expressed a positive opinion of Karamanlis, with Papandreou garnering 46 percent. In terms of respondents that identified themselves as PASOK supporters, Karamanlis earned a 26.35-percent positive rating; 44.1 percent of KKE supporters, and roughly one-third of those identified as Synaspismos supporters.

The opinion poll was conducted by the firm GPO and presented on a private Athens TV station Monday evening.

Government reaction: In a later comment regarding the opinion poll results, both the one commissioned by the television station and one by the General Confederation of Greek Workers (GSEE), government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos emphasized that numerous problems plague citizens on a day-to-day basis, "one that we are called on to solve...

"We inherited numerous problems, primarily because of the economic conditions left behind by PASOK, and our efforts are constant..." Roussopoulos said in answer to a relevant press question during his regular briefing.

[14] Athens queried over ICTY's operation

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Spokesman George Koumoutsakos was asked about the court and especially over recent deaths of defendants being tried there, particularly Slobodan Milosevic, as well as on whether Athens considers that the court assists in the rapprochement of peoples in the western Balkans.

[15] Minister of Macedonia and Thrace stresses need for closer cooperation and coordination with neighboring countries

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

"The money given every year for compensation and restoration in Evros is a great deal. For once, at last, it must be provided for necessary projects, which will finally solve the problem of floods, in cooperation with third countries, so that funds are used for the development of the prefecture," Kalantzis said.

The minister also expressed satisfaction over the high level of European fund absorption presented by the region in question. He appeared certain that both Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, as well as the remaining two regions in northern Greece, will successfully complete projects scheduled in the 3rd Community Support Framework.

The issues of Greek-Bulgarian cooperation and Evros will also be discussed in the framework of the meeting to be organized by INTERREG's managing authority in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, on March 27, in which Kalantzis expressed his interest to participate.

[16] Greece, Albania team up against bird flu

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The visit was the initiative of Ioannina Prefect Alexandros Karchimanis accompanied by an invitation from Gjirokaster's regional director Spyros Xeras.

Veterinary Agency supervisor and head of the delegation Stathoula Sarigiannidi referred to the initiatives the Ioannina prefecture has taken to date, stressing that efforts must be continuous if poultry markets and public health are to be protected.

She added that Ioannina's prefectural authorities are willing to contribute to Albanian authorities' efforts towards the same goal.

During the meeting, both sides also agreed to hold meetings regularly as long as the bird flu virus remains a threat.

[17] PM to meet Cyprus House Speaker on Wednesday

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

[18] Interior minister, Archbishop Christodoulos issue messages on Day against Racism

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Pavlopoulos said in his message that the eradication of phenomena of racism and xenophobia, as well as the prevention of discrimination based on race, gender, nationality, religion or other individual particularities determine the quality of our democracy and constitute inseparable elements of a state of law.

"The demand for strengthening and respecting all kinds of rights of minorities living and working in our country is emerging even more intensely today given that Greece has changed, in past years, from a country sending immigrants to a country receiving immigrants and it is gradually becoming an open and multicultural society. There is no place in this society for racist attitudes which are being encountered in other countries recently, even in European Union member-states," he said.

Archbishop Christodoulos said in his message that "the Church is participating in today's international day against racism and racial discrimination, reminding of the steadfast Christian principle of 'love each other'."

The Archbishop further said "categorically opposed to every form of racial discrimination, apart from walls of hesitation, we shake the hand of the 'closely' and the 'faraway' and we pray for everything good and happy."

[19] Businessman Yiannis Boutaris to run for mayor in Thessaloniki

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Boutaris said he hoped to be backed by main opposition PASOK but said he would reconsider if the party chose to back another, "more glamorous" candidate than himself because his main goal was to ensure a change of guard in the Thessaloniki mayor's office, which has been dominated by New Democracy-backed candidates in the last 20 years.

[20] Greece sets priority on tourism for growth

VIENNA, 22/3/2006 (ANA/D Dimitrakoudis)

Speaking to reporters after a two-day informal EU tourism ministers meeting, Palli-Petralia said the Vienna session was key as it demonstrated that the new Europe with its new members laid great emphasis on the tourism economy.

Earlier, the minister proposed to her counterparts a joint strategy to enable the EU to meet its targets for tourism policy and the sector's economy.

"A common strategy and coordination will help to make Europe a major tourism destination on a global level," the minister noted.

Areas that required coordination were cohesion, investment under the Community Support Framework, work with the bloc's new members, tackling bird flu, and publicizing new venues, she said.

Palli-Petralia invited her counterparts from the EU, the bloc's applicants and the European Free Trade Zone who took part in the Vienna session to visit Greece in October and take part in a major conference on education and training in tourism.

[21] Labor minister addresses BHCC event

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Regarding labor market flexibility, Tsitouridis said that the government has completed any related legislation and does not intend any further changes in this sector.

He also referred to social security reform, noting that there is no more time to waste.

The government's intentions during the next two years in office, is to implement the (PASOK's government) Reppas law, to promote the 'cleaning up' of insurance funds, and to proceed with the necessary actuarial studies that will lead to "a better diagnosis of the problem."

He said that reform of the social security system will be the greatest to be carried out during the beginning of the century.

[22] Hellenic Leadership Conference to be held in Athens in May

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

Also addressing the conference will be two distinguished Greek leaders from businesses that are active abroad. Professor Takis Athanasopoulos, executive vice-president of Toyota Motor Europe and Dimitris Katsahnias, partner and strategic director of the Air Paris and Garden&Partners companies, will be presenting their personal experience with case studies.

The Hellenic Leadership Conference is the paramount forum of concern, dialogue and information for business leaders in the country. Many issues concerning businesses are discussed and analyzed every year by internationally distinguished thinkers and "gurus" of management and business, political and social leaders.

[23] Athens airport, Piraeus port sign cooperation agreement

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The cooperation deal, to be put into effect April 1st, aims to create a new "sea-air" cargo transportation line through fast and simplified procedures to offer a competitive product in international markets.

Speaking to reporters, representatives from the two companies said they expected the cooperation to attract more transit cargo and to support cargo activity, thus promoting the Athens International Airport as a transit hub in Southeastern Europe. A private transportation company, funded by the Athens International Airport for the first year, will handle the transportation of goods between the airport and the port of Piraeus. The new service will operate on the results of a survey drafted by the Piraeus University.

[24] OTESAT meets Chinese shippers

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The company, a subsidiary of Athens-quoted Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, said in a statement on Tuesday that it held a presentation emphasizing the quality and range of its Value Added Services, as well as its integrated solutions (terminal equipment, software, airtime, commercial and technical support).

The representatives that participated in the meeting expressed interest in tailor-made solutions for data, software and VPN-MPDS provided by OTESAT-Maritel, the statement said.

OTESAT-Maritel has a presence in Great Britain, Germany, Cyprus, China and the Far East.

[25] Greek current accounts deficit up 19 pct in January, yr/yr

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The central bank, in its report, attributed this development to a sharp rise in international oil prices and increased spending in interest payments to service the country's public debt. Greek enterprises' direct investments abroad totaled 123 million euros in January, while foreign investments to Greece totaled 257 million euros over the same period.

The Bank of Greece said the widening of the current accounts deficit reflected mainly an 18.6 pct rise in the trade deficit, a result of a 15 percent increase in imports and a 60 percent jump in fuel imports.

The country's service sector surplus fell by 179 million euros in January, reflecting an 88 million euros decline in transport services, while the travel services balance showed a slight deficit in January, after a small surplus in January 2005.

The incomes' shortfall rose in January reflecting higher interest payment on state loans and bonds. The current transfer surplus rose significantly in January because of higher EU net transfers to the general government.

The portfolio investment category reported a net outflow of 993 million euros in January, reflecting the purchase of non-resident bonds. The other investments category reported a net inflow of 3.192 billion euros, reflecting non-residents' purchase of Greek repos.

[26] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks drop on smaller cap buying

ATHENS, 22/3/2006 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.32% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.38% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.21% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 137 to 133 with 52 remaining unchanged.

The stocks with the highest turnover were Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank, OPAP, OTE, and National Bank of Greece.

Derivatives Market Close: Intracom top in stock futures trade

Equity Index Futures: