Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-08-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bakoyannis outlines foreign policy to Greek ambassadors

[02] Stylianidis, Alogoskoufis address ambassadors' seminar

[03] Environment Commissioner hails Karamanlis-Sarkozy initiative for fires

[04] Financial aid announced in support of inhabitants affected by forest fires in the Peloponnese

[05] Environment minister on compensation for fire victims, Parnitha reforestation

[06] PASOK leader slams government reaction to fires, phone tapping

[07] PASOK proposes economic relief for those affected by the forest fires

[08] Interior minister criticises PASOK statements on forest fires

[09] Public order minister receives Italian envoy

[10] Draft law on opinion polls passed in Parliament

[11] Environment minister presents national spatial planning bill

[12] Greece ranks 14th in EU for average wage, 7th for minimum wage

[13] Alogoskoufis-Magginas meeting

[14] Bank loans to double in next five years, Bank of Piraeus chairman says

[15] PPC sells Tellas' 50 pct equity stake to Sawiris for 175 mln euros

[16] Aegean Airlines says passenger traffic up 19 pct in H1

[17] Hotel star classification system adopted in Greece

[18] ASE stocks rebound strongly

[19] Greek bond market closing report

[20] ADEX closing report

[21] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[22] Fires continue to burn across Greece

[23] Romanian President, PM pay tribute to deceased Patriarch Theoktistos

[24] Archbishop of Athens and All Greece on Romanian Patriarch's death

[25] Ecumenical Patriarch to attend funeral of Romanian Patriarch

[26] Education minister visits Archbishop Christodoulos

[27] The Ways of the Sea exhibition opens in Chania on August 4

[28] International seminar on the Greek language and history in Thessaloniki

[29] Health ministry signs cooperation memorandum with 'The Child's Smile' association

[30] Illegal immigrants and traffickers arrested in northern Greece

[31] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

[32] Foreign Minister assures main priority to serve Cyprus' best interests

[33] UNFICYP welcomes contract to complete de-mining in Cyprus

[34] Cyprus President to pay a private visit to Athens Politics

[01] Bakoyannis outlines foreign policy to Greek ambassadors

"The policy of mutuality is based on promoting the mutual interests of Greece and its international interlocutors," she said, adding that the ministry now looked beyond Greece's national role to its position in the international environment as a force with high prestige - a regional force of power and influence.

Despite its small population, Greece was a key factor for stability in its surrounding region and was treated as a serious, reliable and dynamic country - a conclusion that arose and was confirmed during contacts within the European Union, in the United Nations, in the Balkans, in the Middle East but also elsewhere, she said.

At the close of her presentation, she urged ambassadors to view their role as "creatively as possible" and to seek areas of action and influence in individual societies, promoting not just traditional diplomacy but also economic and public diplomacy that promoted Greek positions and foreign policy to a wider audience than the diplomatic community.

"Don't fall into the trap of seeing yourselves as simple, if senior, civil servants. Your ideas, your analysis, your opinion and your viewpoint count," the minister stressed.

Relations between Greece and Turkey

Greece's relations with Turkey dominated her address, with Bakoyannis stressing that Greece, but also the rest of its EU partners, wanted a stable and strong Turkish government with a broad democratic legitimization that remained committed to the European idea.

She underlined that Turkey's European course remained the linchpin of Greece's overall policy for Greek-Turkish relations. The minister also pointed to Athens' clear strategic choice in favour of a European course for the entire Balkan region, as a catalyst for peace, stability and economic prosperity.

Noting that the process of adapting to European standards was long and difficult for every country and that Turkey still had a long road ahead, Bakoyannis said that Athens and its EU partners required calmness, continuity and consistency.

"We must remain faithful to our strategic target: full adaptation will equal full accession," she stressed.

She expressed hope that the new Turkish government would once again pick up reforms that would bring Turkey closer to Europe and made it clear that these would also have to include its democratic institutions and human rights laws.

The minister particularly stressed the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was a spiritual leader for 300 million Orthodox Christians throughout the world, to freely exercise its religious function.

On a purely bilateral level, Bakoyannis underlined that Greece was steadfastly oriented toward improving its relations with Turkey while fully protecting its national interests.

"Greece and Turkey are doomed to coexist and live together. The dividend of peace, stability and development that will be earned by our peoples from a full normalization of our bilateral relations is especially important. It is my deepest conviction that we have an obligation to the generations that follow to rid our countries of this burden. But this requires more than good intentions, surmised or not. It requires strong political will. It requires plain speaking and clean solutions. Our position is clear: We extend a hand of friendship. It is time for Turkey to respond," Bakoyannis underlined.

Policy on Cyprus issue

Greece is continuing to fight for a "just, viable and functional" solution to the Cyprus problem and its cooperation with the Cyprus government was ongoing and fully harmonious, Bakoyannis said.

"It is of course a fact that the Cyprus Republic, now also our partner in the European Union, is a sovereign country. Unfortunately, in spite of the continual and earnest efforts of President [Tassos] Papadopoulos and the Cyprus government, the agreement of July 8 has not yet yielded the expected results," she told ambassadors.

Accusing the Turkish-Cypriot side of employing delaying tactics with encouragement from Ankara, Bakoyannis stressed that these policies led nowhere, since apart pushing a solution further away they also alienated the Talat from the Turkish Cypriot community.

Greece, as it had done before on a multilateral, European and bilateral level, will encourage and actively assist every effort by Cyprus for progress on the Cyprus issue, she added.

FYROM and 'Macedonia' name issue

Regarding the dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) over the latter's adopted constitutional name "Republic of Macedonia" to which Greece objects, the minister stressed that Greek foreign policy was based on defending the country's interests, not creating impressions at home.

She said that Greece had actively proved its desire to contribute to finding a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the name to be used by FYROM and that it was now up to the neighbouring country to "cover the corresponding distance" in order to arrive at a mutually acceptable name, given that the name FYROM was temporary.

She called on FYROM to "abandon actions and practices of irredentist propaganda and to actively show that it is following a policy of good neighbourliness."

Bakoyannis stressed that the provisions of the Interim Agreement had to be followed to the letter and in spirit, since this was the only way to arrive at the common goal, which was fully normalized and stronger bilateral relations, establishing regional cooperation and stability and FYROM's unobstructed course in efforts to join the EU and NATO.

According to the minister, Greece was keeping all options open except one on this score:

"There is absolutely no chance of the neighbouring country's accession to NATO with the so-called constitutional name 'Republic of Macedonia'. But it must also be clear that there is also no room for a selective reading of the individual articles of the Interim Agreement," she stressed.

Balkans and Kosovo

Regarding the EU candidacies of Croatia, FYROM and Albania, Bakoyannis said a decision was likely within 2008 and pointed out that each case was different, with Croatia currently ahead of the other two.

With respect to Kosovo, and the process currently underway to determine its future status, Bakoyannis stressed that unilateral actions would not contribute to ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.

She described Kosovo as "an international problem requiring an international solution" that required a decision by the UN Security Council.

Bakoyannis also expressed Athens' disagreement with a tight deadline and said that Pristina and Belgrade should be given another chance to achieve a solution that was based on consensus as far as possible, which both sides could live with.

"Greek policy is moving steadily and actively in this direction, because we believe that such a development will be for the benefit of regional stability and security. We are fully aware that this is an exceptionally difficult task, given that Pristina and Belgrade have entirely different starting points and completely different aims. In any case, it is necessary to find a solution compatible with European principles and values and that moves in the framework of the region's European prospects," she said.

According to Bakoyannis, Serbia's entry into NATO's Partnership for Peace programme and the start of a process for stability and association between Serbia and the EU, both of which Greece had actively supported, were a factor that restored balance in an uncertain environment.

[02] Stylianidis, Alogoskoufis address ambassadors' seminar

The deputy foreign minister termed 2004 a "landmark year" referring to a "new reality which imposed the readjustment of the way in which foreign policy is exercised."

Reviewing the sercice of the 'Hellenic Aid' in 2006, Stylianidis said the programme implemented actions in the sectors of development cooperation, humanitarian and food aid, cooparetion with international bodies and the offering of grants, underlining that Greece's presence has been registered, through these programmes, in 90 developing countries in four continents.

Referring to energy diplomacy, the deputy foreign minister said that among the immediate priorities of Greek policy is to transform the country into an energy hub, to transform it from a consumer country into an energy producer (alternative sources of energy) country and the securing of continuous supply of energy, through the securing of more than one supplier.

On his part, National Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said that "extroversion of the economy" was one of the main axes of the new model of growth for the country and a basic condition for survival.

"We are promoting important reforms for reinforcing the economy's extroversion, while the economy and finance ministry is closely cooperating with the foreign ministry in the sectors of their respective competencies," Alogoskoufis said. He also referred to the role of the Hellenic Centre of Investments (ELKE) as a basic factor for the country's growth and which gives particular emphasis on extroversion and cooperation with Greek embassies abroad.

"Our ambassadors can greatly facilitate the projection of Greece. And as it has been proved by some recent entrepre-neurial developments, investments in Greece can come about not only from European countries or America but from North African countries, countries of the Middle East or of eastern Europe," Alogoskoufis noted.

[03] Environment Commissioner hails Karamanlis-Sarkozy initiative for fires

European Commissioner for the environment Stavros Dimas on Tuesday said that the Commission hailed an initiative announced by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and French President Nicholas Sarkozy during their meeting in Paris the previous day for a force to jointly tackle fires on a European level.

According to Dimas, it was "very encouraging" that Karamanlis and Sarkozy had both called for the creation of a special rapid response force for fighting fires.

The Commissioner also noted that the reality of the recent catastrophic fires, which burned millions of hectares of forest, showed that the idea was a necessary step for the EU member-states, since they could only be tackled through the cooperation of the EU partners.

[04] Financial aid announced in support of inhabitants affected by forest fires in the Peloponnese

It was announced at the meeting that Achaia prefecture and the municipalities will receive the total sum of 1,800,000 euros, instead of 1,300,000 which was initially announced by Western Greece Region head Spyros Spyridon last Saturday.

Specifically, Achaia prefecture will be strengthened with a further 200,000 euros, Diakoptos municipality with 200,000 euros and Kalavryta municipality with 100,000 euros.

It was also announced at the meeting that as of Wednesday an economic programme totaling 10 million euros will go into effect for the protection of those affected by the forest fires.

[05] Environment minister on compensation for fire victims, Parnitha reforestation

He had been asked whether he considered the compensation awarded those who suffered losses to their homes and property during the fires around Egio to be satisfactory.

Souflias pointed out that the compensation for damage to buildings and household goods in such disasters was a fixed sum, while the amount left to the discretion of the ministers was the initial sum given for emergency relief, which had been set at a level the economy could withstand.

Regarding the reforestation on Parnitha and in other areas, Souflias pointed out that the current scientific view was that no reforestation should be carried out up to an altitude of 800 metres and that nature should be left to recover on its own. Above 800 metres where fir forests were burnt down, scientists had proposed planting acacias and pine trees in order to create shade that would allow the firs to grow.

He said an organised reforestation plan must be in agreement with scientific facts and the government was going ahead with reforestation based on the advice and the reports of scientists.

[06] PASOK leader slams government reaction to fires, phone tapping

"We pledge not only to fully compensate for the damages but to apply a special developmental plan that will give a new air of growth to these areas," he said.

PASOK's leader questioned the sincerity of the government's apology to the victims of the fires and said its past track record on handing out compensation was poor, as proved by the case of fire-ravaged Halkidiki, in spite of personal assurances to the opposite by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

Accusing the prime minister of being "absent" during a time of difficulty, he also claimed the existence of a "political gap" in civil protection planning, that the fire brigade was riddled by party politics and lacked meritocracy and that fire-fighting services were underfunded.

Referring to his proposal for a meeting of the political party leaders chaired by President Karolos Papoulias, which was rejected by the government, Papandreou said that such a meeting would have helped inspire a sense of security, self-confidence and development in the Greek people. Agreement on the eight points of the proposal, meanwhile, would send a strong message to those hoping to gain as a result of the fires as well as positive messages to society and those fighting fires.

Regarding the Vodafone phone-tapping issue, PASOK's leader that it was a "matter of principle and democracy" and that PASOK would not allow a cover-up but would ensure that the truth came to light.

[07] PASOK proposes economic relief for those affected by the forest fires

The spokesman said the main opposition party "confronts the fires as a matter of national trial and sees it only from the aspect of national understanding."

Vangelis Argyris, head of the Agricultural Development Department of the party's Parliamentary Council, said that the measures taken by the government were "half measures" and criticised it of "negligence and incompetence."

He proposed immediate economic aid to every family which has a housing problem, as well as to every stockbreeder whose animal fodder was destroyed, an assessment of the destruction to plantations, immediate compensation, the financing of prefectural local government, an evaluation of the loss of income and a submission of an unemployment subsidy for those who lost their jobs due to the fires.

Andreas Loverdos, head of the Environment Department, stressed that "the Greek state with a New Democracy (ND) party government does not inspire confidence."

[08] Interior minister criticises PASOK statements on forest fires

"The statements by (PASOK Spokesman Petros) Efthymiou, (Andreas) Loverdos and (Vangelis) Argyris about the fires show yet again the irresponsibility of PASOK but also its embarrassment, both because it completely lacks positions and ideas, but also because the government is immediately reacting effectively to the problems."

Pavlopoulos added that "the 'measures' by PASOK are superseded by the measures which the government announced yesterday (Monday) and today (Tuesday) in Corinth and Achaia. Especially with regard the restoration of those affected and the strengthening of local government in general."

[09] Public order minister receives Italian envoy

The Italian envoy conveyed to Polydoras the "special greetings" of Italian Interior Minister Giuliano Amato and of Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, it added.

Ambassador Scarante referred more particularly to the difficult conditions prevailing this summer, forcing Greece and Italy, even northern Italy, to handle a tremendous number of fires. He also noted that his country "handled with difficulties the problem of fires both in the northern and the southern parts of the country, underlining at the same time that Greece overcame quite satisfactorily the unprecedented weather conditions and the many fronts (of fires)."

Regarding the issue of illegal immigration, Minister Polydoras praised the "efforts and initiatives of European Commission Vice-President Franco Frattini for the promotion of a common line of prevention on the axis Greece-Bulgaria-Romania-Cyprus-Egypt," the press release added.

[10] Draft law on opinion polls passed in Parliament

This is foreseen by the change made by Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos on the draft law for opinion polls, the debate and voting of which was concluded in Parliament on Tuesday evening, thus approving the request of main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) rapporteur Anna Diamantopoulou.

Roussopoulos also accepted the prohibition of political opinion polls 15 days before the elections.

The draft law was voted by the ruling New Democracy (ND) party and PASOK. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) voted against it.

The Minister of State stressed that the objective of the new institutional framework is the safeguarding of the credibility and transparency of opinion polls.

Financial News

[11] Environment minister presents national spatial planning bill

"It is a great reform that will contribute decisively to the integrated and sustainable development of Greece's domain. From now on, everyone will know what they can do and where and all activities will obey rules that are known beforehand," he said.

Among changes proposed in the draft bill is a reduction of the number of regions and elected local authorities, such as prefectures and municipalities, and the creation of metropolitan local governments in large urban centres like Athens and Thessaloniki.

It also proposed the gradual replacement of building outside town plan limits with appropriate planning measures in critical regions outside cities, such as suburbs, islands, coastal regions and tourist areas.

For the widespread incidence of illegal building without planning permission, the bill seeks to redesign, simplify and codify existing spatial planning legislation and combine this with strict control and immediate demolition of unauthorised buildings. He also called for the immediate inclusion in a town plan of areas where demand is high, such as those near cities, resorts and tourist areas, and the drawing up of forest maps.

Souflias said that the aim of the National Spatial Planning Framework was to define strategic directions for integrated spatial development and sustainable organisation of the national domain for the next 15 years. Among its goals was to create a spatial development model that promoted competitiveness, social and economic cohesion while protecting and preserving the country's natural and cultural heritage.

Noting the difficulties of the endeavour - given a lack of experience by both the planners and the administration on these issues - Souflias said the final proposal was expected to "decisively contribute to using opportunities and potential, while at the same time dealing with weaknesses and the dangers that arise through the development process for the environment and for development itself".

[12] Greece ranks 14th in EU for average wage, 7th for minimum wage

Quoting EU figures for the year 2006, Almunia said the minimum monthly wage in Greece was 7th largest at 668 euros. At the top of the scale were Luxembourg (1,503 euros), Ireland (1,293 euros) and the Netherlands (1,273 euros). The lowest monthly minimum wages were in Latvia (129 euros), Romania (114 euros) and Bulgaria (92 euros). Several EU countries have no minimum wage.

In terms of average earnings not including social insurance contributions, Greeks employees take home 19,764 euros a year and Greece ranks 14th overall. Average annual salaries are highest in Luxembourg (43,399 euros), Denmark (40,088 euros) and Ireland (35,949 euros) while the lowest are in Lithuania (6,132 euros), Latvia (6,126 euros) and Bulgaria (2,493 euros).

[13] Alogoskoufis-Magginas meeting

[14] Bank loans to double in next five years, Bank of Piraeus chairman says

Presenting the bank's results and goals ahead of a share capital increase plan, worth 1.35 billion euros, to Greek institutional investors, the Greek banker said domestic banks will gain much from their investments in foreign markets along with their growth outlook in their domestic operations.

The value of bank loans accounted for around 80 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product, low compared with an 124 percent figures in the Eurozone, Sallas said adding that following a 25 percent upward revision of the Greek GDP and based on a strong demand for loans in the domestic market, "we conclude that bank loans will double in the next five years".

This development, he noted, is the result of Greek economic convergence with other developed economies in the European Union and a result of an adjustment by Greek enterprises and households to the European model. "Convergence is an one-way road covering all levels: consumer habits and behavior, incomes and bank borrowing," he said.

Commenting on the Bank of Piraeus's goals, Sallas said the bank will achieve its business plan's goals of doubling its figures and profits by 2010 at an earlier date.

[15] PPC sells Tellas' 50 pct equity stake to Sawiris for 175 mln euros

A PPC statement said the board also agreed to continue a contract of leasing PPC's network to Tellas and offering telecommunications services from Tellas to the country's electricity utility.

Sawiris owned the remaining 50 pct stake in Tellas and recently acquired TIM Hellas.

[16] Aegean Airlines says passenger traffic up 19 pct in H1

The airline said it carried 2,338,583 passengers in 25,628 flights in the January-June period and announced an improvement in the passenger per flight rate to 91 from 89 in the corresponding period last year.

Aegean Airlines said it carried 1,557,253 passengers in its domestic flight schedule in the first half of 2007, from 1,388,356 last year, an increase of 12 percent, while its foreign route services carried 781,330 passengers, up 35 percent from last year.

Aegean Airlines launched new daily direct flights from Athens to Munich and Frankfurt in the first six months of 2007, sharing the same code with Lufthansa, its regional partner in Greece.

[17] Hotel star classification system adopted in Greece

The star rating of Greek hotels will be based on internationally recognized criteria, filling a noticeable void that has prevented the growth of Greek tourism, commented the minister.

The decision signed amends Presidential Decree 43/2002, while the techniques and mostly the operational specifications taken under consideration in the star classification system are being readjusted with an emphasis on the quality of hotel services and facilities.

The decision also puts into effect a special regulation concerning the sector of Spa Tourism.

All Greek hotels will be rated based on the star classification system, while a 10-million-euro international tender is in progress to determine the agencies that will undertake to perform the classification.

[18] ASE stocks rebound strongly

Sector indices moved higher with the exception of Utilities which fell by 1.21 pct and the Oil index which dropped 0.27 pct. Commerce (3.85 pct), Healthcare (2.93 pct) and Raw Materials (2.67 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The Big Cap index jumped 1.62 pct higher, the Mid Cap index rose 2.06 pct and the Small cap index ended 1.23 pct up.

Ilida (9.02 pct), Byte Computer (8.89 pct) and Space Hellas (8.59 pct) were top gainers, while Ikona-Ihos (5.88 pct), Euroholdings (5.77 pct) and General Commerce-Industry (5.70 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 234 to 40 with another 29 issues unchanged.

[19] Greek bond market closing report

The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 130 million euros. The Greek bond yielded 4.68 pct.

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.10 pct, the two-day rate 4.07 pct, the one-week rate 4.07 pct, the one-month rate 4.10 pct, the three-month rate 4.25 pct, the six-month rate 4.37 pct and the 12-month rate 4.53 pct.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.75%

Industrials: +1.16%

Commercial: +3.85.%

Construction: +0.54%

Media: +0.23%

Oil & Gas: -0.27%

Personal & Household: +2.25%

Raw Materials: +2.67%

Travel & Leisure: +1.39%

Technology: +1.37%

Telecoms: +2.18%

Banks: +1.91%

Food & Beverages: +0.40%

Health: +2.93%

Utilities: -1.21%

Chemicals: +2.60%

Financial Services: +2.10%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OTE, Alpha Bank and Bank of Piaeus.

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 25.00

ATEbank: 3.88

Public Power Corp (PPC): 22.08

HBC Coca Cola: 33.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 10.78

Emporiki Bank: 20.80

National Bank of Greece: 43.40

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 26.40

Intralot: 25.90

Cosmote: 22.12

OPAP: 25.38

OTE: 22.20

Titan Cement Company: 37.82

[20] ADEX closing report

The September contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 0.96 pct while the August contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 0.31 percent.

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 6,331 contracts worth 82.108 million euros, with 39,952 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 558 contracts worth 18.204 million euros, with 1,591 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 7,866 contracts worth 15.320 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Intracom's contracts (1,215), followed by Eurobank (671), PPC (331), OPAP (739), Piraeus (367), National Bank (544), Alpha Bank (1,136), ATEbank (742) and Marfin Popular Bank (328).

[21] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.381

Pound sterling 0.679

Danish kroner 7.500

Swedish kroner 9.263

Japanese yen 164.9

Swiss franc 1.665

Norwegian kroner 8.023

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.465

Australian dollar 1.607

General News

[22] Fires continue to burn across Greece

A minor fire that broke out at dawn in a shantytown located behind a Health Clinic in the municipality of Thermi, Thessaloniki, was quickly put out by 25 firemen operating 10 fire engines.

Meanwhile the firefighting efforts continue in central and western Macedonia, northern Greece.

The fire in Assiros, Thessaloniki was extinguished but firemen with three fire engines remain in the region for precautionary reasons.

Forty three firemen with 16 fire engines and 40 firefighters on foot continued to battle the flames in Fteri, Pieria Prefecture.

Wildfires in Kozani Prefecture were still burning out of control. A total of 29 firemen with 14 fire engines and 2 water wagons participated in the firefighting efforts in Katafygi, Velventos municipality. The fire in the region of Imeri, Servia municipality, is not threatening residential areas and is being watched over by 2 firemen operating 1 fire engine.

In the prefecture of Kastoria, firefighting efforts continued in the region of the community of Arrenon and in the Old Kotyli, Nestorio municipality, hampered by the rugged terrain and the existence of minefields.

In the prefecture of Florina, firefighting efforts are in progress in the region of Varba-Sfika, Prespes municipality, and in Smardesi in the municipality of Krystallopigi.

On Crete, the fire that broke out on Monday morning in the region of Skafi, Eastern Selino municipality in the prefecture of Chania, appeared to be subsiding. Firefighting efforts continued overnight while two firefighting aircraft were operating in remote regions since early on Tuesday morning. According to initial estimates, roughly 600 hectares of forests, farmland and grassland have been destroyed as well as olive trees and a large number of beehives.

[23] Romanian President, PM pay tribute to deceased Patriarch Theoktistos

Thousands of Romanians, including President Traian Basescu, flocked on Monday night to light a candle in the Patriarch's memory at the Patriarchate building, where Theoktistos was lying in state.

Despite an optimistic prognosis after the prostate operation, the prelate of the Romanian Orthodox Church for more than 20 years suffered a fatal heart attack.

A revered leader, one of the highlights of his term was Pope John Paul II's visit to Romania in 1999, the first visit by a Pope to an Orthodox country since the Schism of the two churches.

In a recent interview, Theoktistos had said that he regretted that he did not have time to achieve all that he wanted to.

The funeral service will be held at Bucharest's Patriarchal Cathedral on Friday, declared a day of national mourning by Romanian Prime Minister Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, who expressed sadness over "this great loss".

A Vatican delegation will attend the funeral and a statement issued by the Roman Catholic Church refers, among others, to the late Patriarch's contribution to the ecumenical dialogue and to the historic visit of Pope John Paul II.

According to the Ecclesiastical Law, Theoktistos' successor will be elected in a secret vote, in 41 days, by the Holy Synod.

[24] Archbishop of Athens and All Greece on Romanian Patriarch's death

"The Church of Greece also mourns the loss, honouring in the face of the departed Patriarch the prelate who in difficult times, with coolheadedness, wisdom and prudence secured for his Church unity, stability and delicate balances," Christodoulos said.

"The close ties linking the two Churches justify the interest of our Church that the Orthodox Church of Romania should have a worthy successor," Christodoulos added.

The Patriarch of Romania and Archbishop of Bucharest, Theoktistos, died on Monday evening at the age of 92 after suffering a heart attack following prostate surgery at Fundeni hospital in Bucharest.

[25] Ecumenical Patriarch to attend funeral of Romanian Patriarch

The Patriarch will travel from Istanbul to Bucharest on the same day.

A delegation of the Church of Greece, comprising metropo-litans and bishops, will also attend the funeral.

The Patriarch of Romania and Archbishop of Bucharest, Theoktistos, died on Monday evening at the age of 92 after suffering a heart attack following prostate surgery at Fundeni hospital in Bucharest.

[26] Education minister visits Archbishop Christodoulos

After meeting Archbishop Christodoulos, the education minister told reporters, "he's just fine. We also had a general discussion on matters related to the ministry, but we also discussed his (forthcoming) visit (to the United States), the prospects, which are very good. Everything will turn out well."

Dionysis Voros, who examined Christodoulos on Tuesday, stated that he was "satisfied with the progress of his health."

Christodoulos will undergo a liver transplant in the U.S. in the near future.

[27] The Ways of the Sea exhibition opens in Chania on August 4

The endeavor, described as a voyage into the history of the Mediterranean region, was first launched in Palermo, Italy in 2005 on the occasion of a European programme aimed at protecting and promoting marine cultural heritage in the Mediterranean region.

Exhibits from a total of 65 museums are on display in the exhibition, to be hosted by 10 Mediterranean museums with first stop Sicily, Italy followed by Greece, which occupies the second place in terms of number and quality of exhibits.

The exhibition has already been seen at the Maritime Museum in Piraeus on July 19-30 and following Chania, it will travel to Slovenia, Italy, the Iberian Peninsula and Marseille.

The website www.meseidelmare.org <http://www.meseidelmare.org>, established by the network to serve a continuous dialogue among the participating institutes, features a web discussion group, and information on Mediterranean marine museums. It also includes a presentation of the traveling exhibition The Ways of the Sea which reconstructs the history of the Mediterranean (geological, archaeological, folklore, financial) with the help of objects and the use of modern technologies and multimedia.

Greece participates in the website with 32 digital images of objects from the Benaki Museum collection, while also notable is the participation of the Aegean Maritime Museum on Mykonos, the Maritime and Folklore Museum on Symi, Dodecannese Islands and the Maritime Tradition and Sponge Fishing Museum in Nea Koutali on the island of Limnos.

[28] International seminar on the Greek language and history in Thessaloniki

The month-long programme held annually by the Institute for Balkan Studies aims at promoting Modern Greek studies worldwide through Greek language and culture seminars.

Participants have the opportunity to attend Greek language seminars as well as courses on the Balkans and the wider European region, Byzantine Era Thessaloniki, the city monuments, and the folklore tradition of the regions of Macedonia, Thrace and Epirus in northern Greece.

Delegates will also visit major archaeological sites in northern Greece, the monastic community of Mount Athos, Western Macedonia and certain urban centers in eastern Macedonia.

[29] Health ministry signs cooperation memorandum with 'The Child's Smile' association

The main pillar of the cooperation foresees the granting of ambulances to the association.

The memorandum also foresees the signing of a cooperation programme between the National Centre of Social Solidarity of "The Child's Smile" association and the Health Ministry on the level of hosting children who are in social need.

[30] Illegal immigrants and traffickers arrested in northern Greece

The illegal immigrants were transported on a truck driven by a 19-year-old foreign trafficker, who, during the pursuit, abandoned the veicle while it was still in motion. The truck finally struck the metal fences of the highway and came to a halt.

The border guards arrested a 58-year-old accomplice of the trafficker who was driving in front of the truck so as to brief in the event of police checks.

The illegal immigrants entered Greece through Evros River in a dinghy, with the assistance of two foreigners, who drove them to the predetermined point of disembarkation and then returned to Turkey.

In the event that they managed to arrive in Athens, each illegal immigrant would have had to pay 6,000 US dollars to the traffickers.

Weather Forecast

[31] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[32] Foreign Minister assures main priority to serve Cyprus' best interests

Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou-Markoulli assures in a written statement that her main priority was always to serve the best interests of Cyprus and that her appointment to the post of Minister appears to have troubled certain persons.

Markoulli, the first woman appointed to the post, points out that it was disheartening that those annoyed by her appointment had resorted to conveying rumours which were far from the truth.

''I have faithfully served four Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus as a diplomat, including current President Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos,'' she says, adding that with all four Presidents she enjoyed excellent cooperation, deriving from the respect and appreciation to her person.

She adds that she has also served under the instructions of five Ministers of Foreign Affairs, with whom she had excellent cooperation.

Regarding the Annan plan, Markoulli notes that what was important was its rejection by the overwhelming majority of the Greek Cypriot community and for this reason she contributed with all her might and diplomatic experience to the overall effort to block the aims of Turkey and other international circles to harm the Greek Cypriot side after it voted against the Annan plan.

Markoulli says today what should be rejected is the staying of foreign troops in Cyprus, the staying of Turkish settlers, whose presence is a war crime, the violation of human rights, the guarantees that provide intervention rights, the complex settlements that would make the federal state incapable of deciding in the EU framework.

''However, we will always say yes to the true reunification of our homeland, yes to cohabitation with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots, yes to the adoption of strict guarantees under Chapter VII of the UN Charter for the implementation of a settlement, yes to the full implementation of UN resolutions, international law and international human rights conventions, yes to a solution that will safeguard the interests of the Cypriots and not the outsiders,'' she concludes.

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. In April 2004, the Greek Cypriot community rejected a solution plan presented by the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan as it did not address its main concerns.

[33] UNFICYP welcomes contract to complete de-mining in Cyprus

The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) welcomes Monday's announcement by the European Commission concerning the signing of a 4 million Euro contract with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), in order to complete the remaining mine clearance activity inside the UN-patrolled buffer zone in Cyprus.

UNFICYP remains committed to providing its full support in efforts to complete the work in the buffer zone.

According to an UNFICYP press release, the de-mining project implemented by UNDP and Partnership for the Future, Mine Action Centre (PFF MAC), has so far released over 2,200,000 square metres of land and removed 2,810 mines from Cyprus.

On 22 November 2006, two years after the launch of mine clearing activity inside the buffer zone, PFF MAC completed its clearance operations in Nicosia, declaring the region completely mine-free, it adds.

UNFICYP commends the ongoing financial support provided by the European Commission to continue the important task of rendering the buffer zone free of all mines and ultimately returning the land to civilian use.

''We remain committed to providing our full support to UNDP-PFF in its effort to complete this important work in the buffer zone,'' it concludes.

[34] Cyprus President to pay a private visit to Athens

Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos leaves Wednesday for Athens on a private visit.

Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas told CNA that Papadopoulos will return to Cyprus in about a week and will stay in Nicosia for a few days.

Later this month he will leave for his holiday house at the south-eastern resort of Paralimni where he will stay until the end of his vacation.

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