Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-10-19

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin presents National Reform Program report for 2006

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch received by top Greek leadership

[03] Insurance Companies Union holds event in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch

[04] President Papoulias presents Alexander S. Onassis 2006 Awards

[05] PM due in Finland for EU summit on Thursday

[06] FM to meet with Rehn on Thursday

[07] Government: agreement on all teachers' demands, except pay

[08] Teachers protest in central Athens, insist on demands

[09] Karamanlis meets former foreign minister Molyviatis

[10] FM Bakoyannis to meet Turkey's Babacan

[11] FM briefs envoys of African countries

[12] N. Kaklamanis meets with Chicago mayor

[13] Commission announces heavy fines against Greece for illegal state aid to OA

[14] Trade deficit widens to 19.5 bln euros in Jan-July, yr/yr

[15] Greece launches energy crops in 2007

[16] Greek presence in 'Tehnoma 2006' exhibition in FYROM

[17] Tourist cooperation agreement signed with Moldova

[18] Greek-Chinese chamber welcomes finmin's trip to Beijing

[19] Eurobank, EIB to co-fund infrastructure projects by municipal authorities

[20] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[21] State of emergency in Crete, Leros, due to storms

[22] Tripartite meeting focuses on Evros River flooding

[23] Greek delegation visits Cairo for the 64th anniversary of El Alamein

[24] Greek Days cultural events in Saint Petersburg

[25] Major concert by Greek state broadcaster (ERT) orchestra at UN

[26] Greek donation for repairs to Bulgarian university

[27] British tourist missing in Hania, Crete

[28] Turkish-flag motorship issues distress signal off Kythira

[29] Olympiakos loses 1-0 to AS Roma in Champions League match

[30] Austrian FM Ursula Plassnik issues warning to Turkey

[31] Spokesman: Government awaits the Finnish proposal to be finalized

[32] US support ongoing efforts to solve Cyprus problem

[01] FinMin presents National Reform Program report for 2006

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Presenting the program's implementation report for 2006, the Greek minister said that government priorities remained restoring fiscal balance, boosting productivity, investing in human resources, improving the business climate, opening up of domestic markets and strengthening employment and vocational training.

The implementation report, based on reports by various government ministries, regional authorities, employers' and workers' unions, focused on an improvement of Greek economic competitiveness, the positive results of introducing a new investment law, a 22 percent jump in Greek exports in the first six months of 2006 and actions taken to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, promoting a new digital strategy, etc.

Alogoskoufis said the program also sought to link a Third and a Fourth Community Support Framework programs with the Lisbon Strategy and emphasized on the need to promote a dialogue with social partners to implement a National Reform Program and offering better information to citizens over the program's aims.

The 2006 implementation report, submitted to the European Commission on Monday, noted the progress made in restoring fiscal balance and ensuring a long-term viability of public finances, boosting productivity, improving a business climate and raising employment in the country.

The program achieved fiscal balance targets set for 2006, while it stressed an increase in a special fuel tax in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. "The government is determined to continue with its fiscal restructuring efforts in the coming years with the aim to achieve a long-term goal of a balanced budget," the report said. The report also noted progress in real estate taxation, combating tax-evasion, the operations of a secretariat on promoting joint projects between public and private sectors, and implementing a new law on restructuring public sector enterprises.

It also stressed actions taken to promoting the upgrading and expansion of industrial and business regions around the country and underlined that a privatization program was successfully implemented despite uncertainties and high volatility in international markets. The privatization program includes the sale of another stake in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and the listing of DEPA in the Athens Stock Exchange.

The report said that Greece remained lagged behind other EU member-states in timely integrating community directives into national legislation, although a significant improvement was recorded in September 2006. The report said the government's general secretariat in cooperation with the country’s permanent representation office in Brussels was working to improve the country's performance.

A new investment law, introduced in 2004, significantly contributed to promoting regional cohesion, while infrastructure projects -covering all the country- were under-way, the report said. Efforts focused on upgrading the country's main railway network.

Premier confers with FinMin on reforms program, EU funds: Prime minister Costas Karamanlis was briefed on the national program of reforms and its implementation in 2006 by national economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis during a meeting at the government headquarters at the Maximos Mansion on Wednesday morning.

The discussion also encompassed the ministry's legislative initiatives concerning taxation reform, including revision of the taxation scales and reduction of the taxation rates, simplification of the Code of Books and Records, as well as measures for combating tax evasion, Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting.

Alogoskoufis said they further discussed planning for the new framework concerning exploitation of the EU financing to Greece in the period 2007-2013, and the new chart of reinforcements to the periphery, as well as the tabling of the budget.

Opposition parties criticize statements by finance minister: Opposition parties on Wednesday criticized statements by Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis on the progress of the National Reform Program.

A press release by the main opposition PASOK party said that the presentation of the Progress Report was nothing more "than a generalized repetition of priorities set when the Program was submitted."

PASOK added that "once again, the government attempted to beautify the situation and refer to the future. However, the country cannot forge ahead this way. Problems remain and are worsening: unemployment, inadequate funding and the downgrading of education, research and technology, the standard of health services offered, bureaucracy that is continuing to be a stumbling block for entrepreneurship, failure to supervise the market and oligopolies cannot be handled without a specific plan of action that, as was proved again today, the government does not have."

On her part, Vasso Papandreou, head of the party's economy sector, charged that the "major reforms, according to the (ruling) New Democracy, were those benefiting capital and the few against the majority."

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) Political Bureau member Panayiotis Lafazanis said on his part that "Mr. Alogoskoufis, following his meeting with the prime minister and completely ignoring the message of dissatisfaction towards government policy, expressed in the municipal and prefectural elections, is insisting on the path of extreme neo-liberal options and anti-social reforms, promising the continuation, indefinitely, of one-sided austerity in the name of fiscal stabilization and balanced budgets."

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch received by top Greek leadership

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

"I wage a daily struggle," the Ecumenical Patriarch told the prime minister during their half-hour meeting, which was also attended by Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis. Earlier, Vartholomeos had a half-hour meeting with Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Yiannakou. No statements were made afterwards.

Following his meeting with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, the latter stressed that "I have publicly and emphatically stressed the ecumenical nature of the Patriarchate and issues affecting its smooth operation to both the Turkish government and at international fora," Bakoyannis said, while citing her satisfaction with the fact that a large number of Turkish press reports of late have vigorously pointed out that its ecumenical nature is an advantage and not a disadvantage for the host country.

She also repeatedly referred to the "international standing and stature" of Vartholomeos, as well as the latter's wholehearted support for inter-faith dialogue.

"Your position against fanaticism, prejudice and hate inspires us all," Bakoyannis said, adding: "Dialogue with our neighboring Islam is a clear example of how you view your ecumenical role".

On his part, Vartholomeos noted:

"We love the country (Turkey) where we live and where the Patriarchate is based; we love Greece, and we love the environment ... we love our non-Orthodox Christian brothers, Muslims and Jews, with whom we hold a systematic dialogue; we are trying to create a more humane environment, a better one for future generations".

[03] Insurance Companies Union holds event in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Speaking during the event, organized by the Insurance Companies Union (EAEE), the Ecumenical Patriarch said that Orthodoxy has great responsibilities during the difficult times being experienced by humanity and this constitutes a great responsibility for himself as well.

The EAEE president said on his part that the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch at an event of the country's insurance companies, that employ 50,000 people, is an honor, adding that private insurance contains elements of love for fellow man.

[04] President Papoulias presents Alexander S. Onassis 2006 Awards

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Also present at the ceremony were Cabinet members, Church representatives, Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios, many entrepreneurs and representatives of Arts and Letters.

The honorees were: the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Studies in Venice; the Centre for Hellenic Studies at Harvard; the National Centre for Hellenic Studies & Research at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia, as well as noted Texas A&M professor of physics Dimitris Nanopoulos, the head of the Astroparticle Physics Group at the Houston Advanced Research Centre in Texas.

[05] PM due in Finland for EU summit on Thursday

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

At 14:00 on Thursday, the premier will open a conference in Athens organized by the European Investment Bank on development in southeastern Europe.

Earlier the same day at 10:00, Karamanlis is scheduled to meet Greek composer Evanthia Reboutsika, winner of the Ghent Film Festival's international award for "Discovery of the Year", accompanied by Culture Minister George Voulgarakis.

Reboutsika won the prize, awarded each year to newly emergent composers throughout the world, for the music to the film "My father, my son" among another 3,500 entries.

The premier's other engagements on Thursday include a meeting at 11:00 with the president of the Greek community of Beirut.

[06] FM to meet with Rehn on Thursday

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Statements to the press are expected afterwards.

[07] Government: agreement on all teachers' demands, except pay

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

According to an announcement issued by the education ministry and also cited by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, the government had agreed to a series of issues raised by teacher unions regarding the running of schools but was completely unable to satisfy a demand that the base starting pay for teachers be increased to €1,400 net a month.

Among demands agreed to by the ministry was that of establishing one year of mandatory pre-school from the next academic year and harmonizing the work hours of primary school teachers in single-position schools with the rest of the sector, after collaboration with the ministry of economy and finance.

The government has also pledged to consider further reduction in class sizes after studying the implications. It pointed out, however, that maximum class sizes had already been reduced in 2006 for the first time in 25 years, to a maximum of 25 children per class in primary schools and 30 in senior schools, as opposed to 30 and 35, respectively, the previous year.

The ministry additionally promised to work with the finance ministry on finding ways to increase the rates of teachers paid by the hour at both primary- and senior-school levels, using funds from European programs.

Regarding demands for additional training and retraining of teachers, union representatives were told that the issue had already been included in funds made available from the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF), which would come to some €4.0 billion in total, the ministry said.

It said that various types of teacher retraining programs will be developed in collaboration with the teachers themselves.

Questioned about the retraining programs, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that this would include €20,000 scholarships for 2,000 teachers, who would be given an additional six months after the academic year to present their work.

On the other hand, the ministry ruled out any possibility of meeting teacher demands for higher pay, apart from the offer already given for the gradual start of payment of €105 benefit.

It stressed that the government was unable to meet the demand to increase pay to €1,400 because it was beyond the scope of the budget and incomes policy and not comparable with salaries in the rest of the public sector.

Commenting on the results of a meeting between Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou and teacher unions on Tuesday, which again ended in deadlock, the government spokesman ruled out a civil mobilization to force teachers back into classrooms after five straight weeks of strike action.

He also stressed that the government "respected the struggle and demands of teachers".

Regarding the take-overs of several schools by high-school students, Roussopoulos said that there were take-overs in about 600 of a total of 17,000 primary and senior schools throughout the country. He called on the students to consider that they should have the same right to access to education as their counterparts in the schools that were operating normally.

"The students that cannot attend classes lag behind, possibly at a crucial time in their lives, since this year they may be sitting exams for university entrance," he said.

[08] Teachers protest in central Athens, insist on demands

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Though their numbers were greatly reduced in comparison with previous rallies, the protestors decided to continue striking to press their demands.

In a meeting lasting late into Wednesday afternoon, the leadership of the primary school teachers federation DOE decided to recommend a three-day strike from October 24-26 to the general meetings of local union presidents that will take place on Thursday and Friday.

Strike action on the same days was also decided by the leadership of the high-school teachers union federation OLME, while the sector is planning yet another rally next week on October 25.

Among their demands is a rise in net base pay for newly-appointed teachers to €1,400 a month (from €950 at present), immediate payment in full of a monthly €105 benefit and a rise in spending on education to 5 percent of GDP, as promised by the government prior to the 2004 elections.

[09] Karamanlis meets former foreign minister Molyviatis

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Molyviatis stated after the meeting that he and the premier continue to talk about different issues as they did for many years.

[10] FM Bakoyannis to meet Turkey's Babacan

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

[11] FM briefs envoys of African countries

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Bakoyannis also referred to the political initiatives Athens has assumed within the framework of the EU and United Nations during its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

She also briefed envoys on the foreign ministry's Hellenic Aid programs.

[12] N. Kaklamanis meets with Chicago mayor

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Kaklamanis and Daley agreed to have a close cooperation in the future on cultural and new technology issues.

"Today's meeting is the beginning of a series of meetings with other mayors, mainly of European capitals, until my swearing in (January 2007)", Kaklamanis told the press.

On his part, Daley termed Athens as a "city with compact history and civilization that gives it an advantage and a dynamism for the future over other cities."

Daley also referred to Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympic Games and underlined his city's close bonds with Athens due to the strong Greek community living there.

[13] Commission announces heavy fines against Greece for illegal state aid to OA

19/10/2006 (ANA)

The failure of Greece to comply with the decision had already been confirmed by a judgment of the Court on May 12, 2005.

In December 2002 the Commission found that Greece had granted illegal restructuring aid to Olympic Airways between 1998 and 2002 and ordered its recovery. On May 12, 2005 the EU Court of Justice confirmed that Greek authorities had failed to recover from the airline financial aid estimated at least 161 million euros. This concerns 41 million euros of illegal restructuring aid and another estimated 120 million euros of operational aid, i.e. non-payment of various sums the company owes to the Greek state, such as VAT on fuel and airport charges.

Due to the seriousness and duration of the infringement, Wednesday's decision requests the Court impose on Greece a lump sum payment of 10,512 euros for each day since the 2005 ruling until the effective implementation of the 2002 decision. If nevertheless the decision is not fully implemented when the Court issues its second ruling, then the Court may also impose on Greece, from the day of the latter ruling, a periodic penalty payment of 53,611 euros per day until effective implementation of the 2002 decision is carried out.

In 1994 the Commission allowed a restructuring plan, with two additional positive decisions allowing for amendments to that first plan, in 1998 and 2000. The implementation of that plan, however, did not respect the commitments taken by the Greek authorities between 1994 and 2000, which led to the negative 2002 decision.

The case does not relate to state financing of public service obligations, such as servicing remote areas or isolated islands. Such financing is allowed under EU rules, provided that it is transparent and non discriminatory, something that has been over the past few years been authorized by the Commission in the case of Olympic.

Commenting on the European Commission's decision, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said no decision could automatically lead to the bankruptcy of Olympic Airways.

Political reaction: The first reaction by a political party was expressed by the Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos), which severely criticized the ruling, while at the same time blaming the country's two major parties, PASOK and New Democracy, for what it called OA's depreciation.

Finally, the leftist party called for a national strategy in the air transports sector that will emphasize a viable and state-controlled OA.

[14] Trade deficit widens to 19.5 bln euros in Jan-July, yr/yr

BRUSSELS, 19/10/2006 (ANA-MPA)

The EU executive's statistics agency, in a report, said Greek exports totaled 9.5 billion euros on the January-July period while imports totaled 29 billion euros over the same period. Greek exports jumped 22 percent, while imports were up 17 percent in the seven-month period.

Eurostat said Germany reported the highest trade surplus (89.1 billion euros), followed by Holland (20.9 billion) and Ireland (19.4 billion). The UK reported the biggest trade deficit (62.6 billion euros) followed by Spain (49.4 bln), Greece (19.5 bln) and France (19.1 bln).

Eurozone's trade deficit totaled 5.8 billion euros in the January-July period, while the trade deficit in the EU-25 totaled 21.5 billion euros.

[15] Greece launches energy crops in 2007

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

The spring and winter crops will receive funding from the European Union, the ministry said in a statement.

The move was decided at a meeting between Deputy Agriculture and Foodstuffs Minister Alexandros Kontos and representatives of sector trade groups.

"The government is studying ways of reinforcing alternative crops in order to ensure a reasonable income for farmers and a new outlook for growth in Greek agriculture," Kontos noted.

The crop will be absorbed through contractual farming among agricultural cooperatives' unions and biodiesel producers, coordinated by the ministry.

A working group will be set up to study the outcome of pilot schemes carried out in a number of areas in order to choose where the new crops will be planted.

The group's findings will be given to the ministry by the end of November, the statement added.

[16] Greek presence in 'Tehnoma 2006' exhibition in FYROM

SKOPJE, 19/10/2006 (ANA/MPA)

About 30 Greek companies will be displaying their products at the Greek pavilion, covering an area of 500 square meters, until October 21. The participations come primarily from the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Small Industries, while there are also isolated participations from Serres and Larissa.

Greece's participation in the exhibition is being organized by the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) S.A. and, according to assessments made, it is the best Greek presence since 2001 when Greek businesses have been participating in it.

The head of the Greek Liaison office in FYROM, ambassador Theodora Grosomanidou, said that with such exhibitions bilateral relations are upgraded and good business cooperation is strengthened.

The "Tehnoma" exhibition attracts an average of 60,000 visitors.

[17] Tourist cooperation agreement signed with Moldova

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

The agreement signed in Athens aims to increase the tourist flow from Moldova to Greece and the other way around, while, at the same time, boosting bilateral cooperation in the sectors of education and investments.

On his part, the Moldovan minister stressed that the agreement will have a positive effect on his country’s tourist sector and its economy in general. He also thanked Greece for its support, especially to Moldova’s efforts to join European structures.

[18] Greek-Chinese chamber welcomes finmin's trip to Beijing

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

Members of the chamber will take part in the visit scheduled for October 22-28 and arranged by HEPO, the national exports board, the bilateral trade group's president, Constantine Yiannidis, said in a statement.

[19] Eurobank, EIB to co-fund infrastructure projects by municipal authorities

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

The loans aims to ensure capital to be used to finance infrastructure project, such as road works transport, social, sports and tourism infrastructure, water and drainage, car parking facilities, administration facilities, environmental interventions, urban development, etc.

The agreement with EIB is part of Eurobank's strategy to expand activities with local authorities.

[20] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

ATHENS, 19/10/2006 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.92% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 0.83% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.61% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 166 to 92 with 68 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: