Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 07-10-03

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] PM chairs Inner Cabinet meeting focusing on legislative priorities

[02] Government spokesman

[03] Government spokesman outlines measures taken for fire victims

[04] Saakashvili honored by City of Athens

[05] Georgian president visits Mount Athos

[06] Greek interior minister attends EU ministers' council on terrorism

[07] Foreign ministry outlines Greek positions on international affairs

[08] Greek UN ambassador calls for end to human rights violations in Myanmar

[09] Security Initiative Conference on weapons of mass destruction

[10] UNHCR Greece head calls for Samos detention facility's closure

[11] PASOK leader meets 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner

[12] Gov't aims to simplify property taxes, FinMin underlines

[13] Government on measures against fuel tax fraud

[14] Gov't calls opposition to long-awaited dialogue over social security reforms

[15] PASOK to participate in dialogue on pension system

[16] KKE refuses to take part in dialogue on reforming pension system

[17] Alavanos rules out participation in dialogue over social security reform

[18] FinMin opens EFQM Forum 2007 in Athens

[19] Farm minister holds talks with EU agriculture, environment commissioners

[20] OA's future dominates meeting between Barrot, new Greek transport minister

[21] EU Commissioner on EU funding for Athens metropolitan park

[22] NBG chairman says bank to further expand in Serbia

[23] PPC to announce strategic plan on Nov. 21

[24] Hellenic Sugar reports bigger losses in July 2006-June 2007

[25] Alapis sets up subsidiary in Slovenia

[26] Greek stocks post new 7-1/2 highs on Tues.

[27] ADEX closing report

[28] Greek bond market closing report

[29] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

[30] Athens mayor proposes EU-wide 'eco-initiative' along the lines of Cultural Capital model

[31] NY Mayor honours Archbishop Demetrios on his 40th anniversary of Hierarchical Ministry

[32] Broadband connection in Greece expected to reach EU average in 3 years

[33] Education minister meets TEI presidents

[34] Conference on 'Teaching of Greek language' in Brussels from Oct. 5-7

[35] 23rd session of EuroGeoSurveys presidents to be held in Athens

[36] Council of Arab Ambassadors on wildfires issue

[37] New weather observing stations in Pieria Prefecture

[38] Foreign national arrested for drug trafficking

[39] Nine foreign nationals with fake documents arrested in Larissa

[40] Police launch manhunt for homicide suspect

[41] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

[42] British representative expresses need for new opportunity in Cyprus Politics

[01] PM chairs Inner Cabinet meeting focusing on legislative priorities

Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis stressed afterwards that a top priority is to bring back to parliament all draft laws tabled during the summer recess sessions concerning retirement/pension issues, measures against tax evasion, the establishment of the National Social Cohesion Fund and the new management framework for the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF) funds.

All pledges made by the government will be met within the framework of the new state budget, stated Alogoskoufis, responding to a question by a member of the press.

On her part, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis stressed that all government priorities were put on the table, mainly draft laws that need to be brought to parliament as soon as possible allowing for the speedier implementation of the governmental work in line with the commitments undertaken.

[02] Government spokesman

The first three bills will go to Parliament on Thursday, in accordance with government pledges before the elections, Roussopoulos stressed.

Among these a bill on combatting tax evasion that included new measures leading to tax deductions (with discounts for receipts for services), another increasing public-sector pensions for 2007 and one for the management, control and implementation of 4th Community Support Framework (CSF) projects, also known as the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF).

Other draft bills due to be tabled in short order are a finance ministry bill for the foundation of the National Social Cohesion Fund, an interior ministry bill regulating issues related to independent authorities and a general inspector for public administration, as well as a public administration inspectors' corps, Roussopoulos added.

Also pending are a national defence ministry bill on invalids of war and personnel issues, a legislative framework for research and technology being prepared by the development ministry, and an environment ministry draft bill ratifying the construction contract for the Elefsina-Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos-Tsakonas national highway, a National Spatial Planning bill and individual special spatial planning bills, an employment ministry bill on creating an e-government company for social insurance, a bill on protecting cultural goods and a bill on the rights and obligations of passengers and owners of shipping companies to safety in ships, ports and port facilities.

At the end of the press briefing, the spokesman read out a message from Employment Minister Vassilis Magginas inviting the leaders of the political parties to take part in dialogue on reforming the pension system.

[03] Government spokesman outlines measures taken for fire victims

Listing the measures taken for businesses damaged by fires, the spokesman stressed that the government had succeeded in overcoming customary bureaucratic hold-ups in order to give each such business a cash benefit of 5,000 euros to cover their immediate needs, arranged a six-month suspension of VAT payments and income tax installments but also payment of outstanding debts and obligations towards banks, while increasing the percentage of the guarantee fund from 70 to 80 percent and ensuring that interest subsidies covered all interest payments.

For other business in fire-stricken areas, it had frozen any debts due for payment until the end of August and given new loans with a 28-month period of grace and the first installment due on December 31, 2007, while the rest of the loan would be paid back in equal six-monthly installments over 10 years. It also provided for government subsidies for capital loans from banks.

Outling work done by the culture ministry, Roussopoulos report that it had inspected archaeological sites and listed the damage, while cleaning at the sites had begun and would be completed by the end of December. It was also gradually hiring staff and creating fire-protection zones, taking aerial photographs of the sites and replacing destroyed fencing. A study on replacing the greenery around the sites was now being carried out, with planting due to begin on November 15 and work already underway on repairing the lawn in the ancient stadium, he added.

Regarding the contribution of the health ministry, Roussopoulos said it had sent 21 ambulances and a mobile unit to 19 fire-stricken villages, while ministry teams had carried out tests on food and drinking water, carried out 65,000 visits and distributed 10,000 portions of food and 100 tonnes of water.

Measures taken in fire-stricken areas by the employment ministry included a six-month suspension of social insurance contributions, the payment of an additional one month's pension, payment of three emergency cash benefits to registered unemployed, jobs for 6,000 unemployed for one year in the reforestation programme for the area, involvement in immediate reforestation, the payment of 10 million euros into the special fund for fire victims and one million euros to the Worker Housing Organisation (OEK), and payment of a full pension to one member of families that had lost a family-member in the fires.

The spokesman also handed out pamphlets of information being distributed by the agriculture and defence ministries to farmers and stock breeders, that contained advice on how to restock their farms and return their lives to normal.

[04] Saakashvili honored by City of Athens

"Today it is no easy task to find two nations, like the Greeks and Georgians, who share such long, historic ties. Greek-Georgian relations date back to the Mycenaean period, when Greeks first reached the Black Sea. This period is reflected in the myth of the Argonaut expedition to Colchis and the dramatic love affair between Jason and Medea," Kaklamanis said in greeting the Georgian head of state.

[05] Georgian president visits Mount Athos

Accompanied by Greek Ambassador to Tiblis, Lefteris Angelopoulos, he visited Mount Athos' Karyes by helicopter.

The president of Georgia was given a tour of the church of Protato and later to the building of the Holy Community.

He later went to Ivira Monastery where the monks gave him a warm welcome and in continuation attended a service.

He then returned to Thessaloniki, central Macedonia, via Karyes and was due to depart for Tiblis late at night.

[06] Greek interior minister attends EU ministers' council on terrorism

During his address, Pavlopoulos stressed that the roots of modern terrorism were extremely complex and, as a phenonomenon that could harm society as a whole and even democracy, it could not be dealt with in a superficial and piece-meal fashion.

"Stamping out terrorism demands collectivity, an overall approach as well as long-term and consistent planning and programming," the minister underlined.

He also underlined that the fight against terrorism could not lead, in democracy, to curtailing human rights and freedoms.

"Democracy cannot be gripped by phobic syndromes. It answers its enemies - and, among these, especially terrorists and terrorism, with freedom as its spearhead," Pavlopoulos underlined.

The minister also noted that, apart from the part played by globalisation and new technologies, terrorism had its roots in certain "social conditions that we must study and deal with in depth and in the long-term if we really want to look the truth in the face and deal effectively with terrorism".

According to Pavlopoulos, a useful role in the effort against terrorism might be played by neighbourhood police stations and patrols on foot.

On the part of Greece, meanwhile, he hailed the initiative of the current Portuguese presidency of the European Union in "setting the priorities and promoting discussion on the use of modern technological systems on the external borders, with full respect for every form of human rights".

He said this initiative will also help curb phenomena like illegal immigration and human trafficking, stressing that the latter was not just an issue of security but one of the human rights and especially those of the victims of traffickers.

[07] Foreign ministry outlines Greek positions on international affairs

He was addressing the 2nd EuroMediterranean Conference for Young Journalists organised by the Greek Association for Atlantic and European Cooperation (GAAEC).

Regarding Turkey, Koumoutsakos emphasised that the Greek government actively supported Turkey's European prospects but that this support was not a "blank cheque".

"Greece is not among those who support a special relationship between Turkey and the EU, nor does it believe that Europe must be a 'Christian Club'. Our position is clear: 'full compliance - with its commitments toward the EU, including that for good neighbour relations - full accession'," Koumoutsakos said.

He also pointed out that a condition for normalising relations between Greece and Turkey was a just and viable solution of the Cyprus issue, which in turn required a well-prepared process of negotiations within the framework of the United Nations.

At this point, he pointed out the necessity to implement the July 8 agreement between the two sides on the island as quickly as possible.

With respect to FYROM, Koumoutsakos underlined that Greece's objections to the name were not just a bilateral issue but a question of regional stability and cooperation.

He underlined that the purpose of the decisions taken by the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, as well as the interim agreement of 1995, was to find a mutually acceptable solution and not to drag out this outstanding issue.

Other issues referred to by Koumoutsakos were Greece's contribution during the crisis in Lebanon, where he stressed the need to find a solution to the Middle East problem and underlined that the key to solving this would be the Palestinian issue.

He also described efforts to upgrade and modernise the Greek foreign ministry, especially in modern branches of diplomacy like economic diplomacy.

[08] Greek UN ambassador calls for end to human rights violations in Myanmar

Greece's permanent representative at the United Nations Organisation, Ambassador Frangiskos Verros, called for an immediate end to human rights violations in Myanmar during a special session of the Human Rights Council here on Tuesday.

Verros said that the explicit condemnation of the infringement of democratic freedoms and the rights of the people of this country constitutes an obligation for all.

He also called for the immediate starting of a dialogue between the country's military regime and the leadership of the opposition with the aim of restoring democracy in the country as soon as possible.

[09] Security Initiative Conference on weapons of mass destruction

He also held talks with staff members of the 95 ADTE and visited an outpost in the region of Kremasti.

The conference is being attended by 178 experts from 80 countries and its sessions will last until October 4.

[10] UNHCR Greece head calls for Samos detention facility's closure

UNHCR Greece head George Tsarbopoulos said conditions at the facility were deplorable in practically every facet and, in fact, constitute a blatant violation of human rights.

Tsarbopoulos spoke after a tour of the Samos facility, which now hosts 391 illegal immigrants - including women and children -- detained on Samos or in the waters off the verdant island - which lies very close to the Turkish coast in the eastern Aegean. According to reports, the facility can accommodate up to 120 people.

Greek authorities have reported a surge in the number of people attempting to illegally enter the country via the opposite Turkish coast between January and September 2007, with 3,549 would-be immigrants detained in and around Samos alone (1,580 in 2006).

[11] PASOK leader meets 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner

Muhammad Yunus is a former economics professor and the founder of the Gramin Bank, known worldwide as "the Bank of the Poor".

Financial News

[12] Gov't aims to simplify property taxes, FinMin underlines

In an interview, the minister said the aim was for citizens pay a small duty for their real estate holdings (excluding the first home), similar to the regime in most other developed countries around the the world.

"We want to simplify property taxation by abolishing a series of taxes that create problems, such as the inheritance tax, but we also want to deal with wide-scale tax-evasion in the real estate sector. A great deal more property owners will pay under this new system," he noted.

Alogoskoufis underlined that municipal taxes and duties were not going to be affected, while the government will maintain a Value Added Tax on new building constructions.

"We will present our proposals for a single property tax and we will hear all the views of interest parties on the issue. New legislation will be introduced as of next year," Alogoskoufis said.

Commenting on a high-profile plan to harmonise fuel taxes on heating and diesel oil, part of a plan to combat massive sector-wide tax-evasion, Alogoskoufis said all citizens buying heating oil will get a tax refund through banks.

[13] Government on measures against fuel tax fraud

"Dealing with tax evasion in fuels is a central policy for the government in the framework of dealing with tax evasion," he said, stressing that the tax lost through fuel scams was lost to both the budget and for carrying out social policy.

The spokesman noted that the current budget predicted an increase in revenues from fighting fuel-linked tax fraud and that announcements on a political level had to be backed up by legislation that brought results in order to have value.

Asked whether the government measure that places the onus on households to seek a rebate for the extra tax on fuel will lead to a new "black market" in fake receipts, Roussopoulos said it was simpler for the government to trust citizens and have good mechanisms for checking transactions afterwards than to make life difficult for the general public.

He added that the government was now looking into ways to make the procedure simpler and to cut down on inconvenience and red tape in claiming the rebates, including using the same model for payments as that used to pay out emergency aid to fire victims in Ilia.

According to the spokesman, most apartment buildings had money set aside for their fuel needs and would get their rebates right away, while the additional financial burden for individual houses would only last a few hours or days and would be more than offset by the benefits from fighting tax evasion.

In response to other questions, Roussopoulos denied any planned increase in VAT rates during 2008 and repeated that the tax reforms introduced by the government relieved the tax burden for lower incomes. He also denied that the draft bills to be tabled in Parliament on Friday contained a measures giving favourable settlements to employers that owed money to social insurance funds.

[14] Gov't calls opposition to long-awaited dialogue over social security reforms

In the letter, relevant Employment and Social Insurances Minister Vassilis Magginas underlines that "distortions, injustices and excesses" of the current social security system must be addressed through a "sincere, wide-ranging and systematic dialogue" by both the political world and social partners.

The agenda of talks will revolve around the entire system's financing, unification of dozens of pension funds, tax-evasion measures, re-evaluation of the heavy and hazardous occupations' classification system and better exploitation of funds' assets, among others.

Magginas also repeated the premier's pledges regarding no changes in retirement ages, contributions and pension rates.

[15] PASOK to participate in dialogue on pension system

"PASOK tabled its views on the social security issue in the summer of 2005, and in its (election) programme. It is self evident that, with these positions and proposals, it will participate in the meetings of the standing Parliament committees within the context of its parliamentary obligations, as it always does," party spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis said.

He added that a "credible dialogue pre-supposes the existence of clear positions on the part of all those taking part. The government has until today avoided taking a position on the issue in an official and valid manner."

[16] KKE refuses to take part in dialogue on reforming pension system

It also dismissed the dialogue as a "ruse" and said that the ruling New Democracy party had essentially decided on the measures in advance in accordance with "EU guidelines and the demands of plutocracy".

[17] Alavanos rules out participation in dialogue over social security reform

Alavanos, moreover, warned of demonstrations on the streets instead of dialogue over the issue, speaking on the same day as a letter was sent out by the relevant employment and social insurances minister to opposition parties calling on them to send representatives to such a dialogue.

"Workers, pensioners, the young people who will be primarily hurt (by prospective social security reforms), will answer in the same manner in which they replied to the call for dialogue by Mr. (Tassos) Yiannitsis and Mr. (Costas) Simitis," Alavanos said, referring to an ill-fated attempt by a former PASOK employment minister and the one-time prime minister, respectively.

[18] FinMin opens EFQM Forum 2007 in Athens

Alogoskoufis opened the EFQM Forum 2007 "Building High Performing Organizations in Europe" taking place in Athens on October 1-3, stressing that current conditions have improved thanks to the policies implemented.

The reform program in effect liberates the country's development dynamics, improves the business environment, increases the employment and production rates and boosts investments, he added, addressing the forum participants. As main development tools he mentioned privatization, competitiveness, public and private sector partnerships, the investment law adopted and digital strategy.

Referring to the important role played by the private sector, he stressed that many Greek enterprises have successfully expanded their businesses abroad through notable investments. Alogoskoufis also pointed out that cooperation between the Greek State and private firms is the key to safeguarding the future of society.

EFQM, a not-for-profit membership foundation, is the primary source for organizations in Europe looking to excel in their market and in their business. Founded in 1989 by the CEOs of prominent European businesses, EFQM is now the hub of excellent, globally minded organizations of all sizes and sectors, and both private and public.

[19] Farm minister holds talks with EU agriculture, environment commissioners

Agricultural Development and Food Minister Alexandros Kontos stressed the need for the immediate tackling of problems in wildfire-stricken regions in the country in talks he held here on Tuesday with Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

During his talks with Boel, the Greek minister called for the taking of measures by the European Union to support the income of producers and stockbreeders in wildfire-stricken regions.

On his part, Boel assured Kontos that he will contribute to the handling of problems facing Greek agriculture and stockbreeding.

Lastly, the talks between Kontos and Dimas focused on possibilities of reconstruction and reformation of the forest and agricultural environment in the wildfire-stricken regions of Greece.

[20] OA's future dominates meeting between Barrot, new Greek transport minister

The Greek government will do everything possible, legally and politically, to ensure the viability of Olympic Airlines, Greek Transport and Communications Minister Costis Hatzidakis said here on Tuesday.

In a written statement issued after a meeting with EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot in Luxembourg, the Greek minister and former veteran Euro-MP noted that the meeting was the first of series of meetings with the European Commission aimed at overcoming legal barriers undermining the privatisation of the Greek national carrier.

Hatzidakis stressed it was a complex legal issue and that there were no "magic solutions" available, although he underlined that the government will work systematically and in a low-key manner towards finding the best possible solution within a reasonable period of time.

A spokesman for the EU Commissioner said the meeting between the two men was constructive, without offering any details over the talks.

[21] EU Commissioner on EU funding for Athens metropolitan park

She was replying to a question put by Coalition of the Left (SYN) MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis on whether the park was eligible for NSRF funding and whether a request for EU funding has been made by the Greek government.

A proposal for the creation of a metropolitan park could be selected in principle as a candidate for EU co-funding within the framework of the 2007-2013 NSRF operational programmes, said Hubner, and co-funding could be as high as 75-85 percent of the project's budget. However, the construction of a metropolitan park in Athens is not on the indicative list of major projects for the period 2007-2013, she added.

In light of the Commissioner's positive reply to the prospect of EU funding for creating the park, Papadimoulis noted that the government was stripped of the arguments it had used to justify a plans to fund the park's development by giving about 100 hectares within its grounds to private construction contractors as payment.

[22] NBG chairman says bank to further expand in Serbia

Addressing an audience of more than 600 people in Novisad, the Greek banker praised the performance of the Serbian economy, emphasising its high growth rate, a dropping inflation rate and major growth prospects for the banking sector.

Arapoglou said National Bank has established operations in eight countries in southeastern Europe, with 1,500 branches and 33,700 employees offering services to 12 million customers in area with a population of 125 million people.

In Albania, National Bank operates a branch network of 14 units with 185 staff members; in Bulgaria it operates a network of 188 branches with 2,494 employees; in FYROM National Bank runs a branch network of 56 units with 1,071 staff members; in Romania 88 branches and 1,307 employees; in Serbia a network of 204 branches with 2,872 employees and in Turkey NBG operates a network of 352 branches with 9,191 employees.

In Cyprus, National Bank operates a network of 17 branches with 272 staff members.

In terms of Greece, Arapoglou reminded that National Bank operates a massive branch network of more than 560 units with 14,145 employees.

[23] PPC to announce strategic plan on Nov. 21

The corporation said that the possibility will be given until the specific date for all the interested parties to conclude the constructive dialogue which is in progress.

[24] Hellenic Sugar reports bigger losses in July 2006-June 2007

Parent sales fell 32.65 percent to 205.1 million euros, reflecting a drop in sales abroad by 85 million euros. After-tax results showed a loss of 15.7 million euros, up from a loss of 14.7 million euros in the previous 12-month period.

Financial results could have been worse if the company had not withdrawn 50.1 pct of the national sugar quota, receiving 43.1 million euros from EU funds.

Developments in the European sugar industry has led many sugar industries to similar moves, with a total of 1.15 million tons of sugar withdrawn from the market.

Hellenic Sugar said forecasts remained gloomy for the current period, saying the current production period was one of the most difficult in the history of sugar industry.

Hellenic Sugar, moreover, announced that it was examining a plan to transform two of its sugar production units into ethanol units. A tender is currently underway, with the deadline for submitting interest ending on Nov. 16.

[25] Alapis sets up subsidiary in Slovenia

[26] Greek stocks post new 7-1/2 highs on Tues.

The index ended at 5,140.30 points, up 0.11 percent, with turnover a heavy 513.47 million euros.

Most sectors ended higher with the Chemicals (1.25 pct), Personal/Home Products (1.02 pct) and Raw Materials (0.96 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Telecoms (1.61 pct), Utilities (1.22 pct) and Food/Beverage (0.38 pct) suffered losses.

The Big Cap index rose 0.02 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.77 pct higher and the Small Cap index rose 0.55 pct. Petzetakis (17.17 pct), Kreka (11.69 pct) and ANEK (9.88 pct) were top gainers, while Ideal (9.94 pct) and Lanacam (6.28 pct) were top losers.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 131 to 130 with another 38 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +0.16%

Industrials: +0.35%

Commercial: -0.21%

Construction: +0.27%

Media: -0.30%

Oil & Gas: +0.63%

Personal & Household: +1.02%

Raw Materials: +0.96%

Travel & Leisure: -0.37%

Technology: -0.35%

Telecoms: -1.61%

Banks: +0.57%

Food & Beverages: -0.38%

Health: +0.27%

Utilities: -1.22%

Chemicals: +1.25%

Financial Services: +0.02%

The stocks with the highest turnover were Cosmote, National Bank, Alpha Bank and Marfin Investment Group.

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

Alpha Bank: 24.88

ATEbank: 4.14

Public Power Corp (PPC): 27.50

HBC Coca Cola: 40.10

Hellenic Petroleum: 11.24

Emporiki Bank: 20.54

National Bank of Greece: 44.64

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 24.76

Intralot: 28.36

Cosmote: 24.50

OPAP: 27.02

OTE: 25.60

Titan Cement Company: 35.90

[27] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the FTSE 20 index totaled 6,830 contracts worth 92.177 million euros, with 30,984 open positions in the market, while on the FTSE 40 index volume was 599 contracts worth 20.240 million euros, with 1,401 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 14,835 contracts worth 20.606 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Popular Bank's contracts (4,114), followed by Marfin Investment Group (3,642), Hellenic Telecoms (927), PPC (1,009), National Bank (367), Intracom (619), Mytilineos (378) and ATEbank (441).

[28] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate rose to 4.05 pct from 3.90 pct on Monday, the two-day rate rose to 4.10 pct from 3.95 pct, the one-month rate eased to 4.36 pct from 4.40 pct and the 12-month rate fell to 4.71 pct from 4.75 pct.

[29] Foreign Exchange Rates - Wednesday

by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.427

Pound sterling 0.699

Danish kroner 7.514

Swedish kroner 9.29

Japanese yen 165.23

Swiss franc 1.677

Norwegian kroner 7.758

Cyprus pound 0.588

Canadian dollar 1.423

Australian dollar 1.61

General News

[30] Athens mayor proposes EU-wide 'eco-initiative' along the lines of Cultural Capital model

Based on the European Cultural Capital model, the institution would act as an additional motive for the clarification of environmental terms and further development of environmental awareness among the citizens of Europe, according to Kaklamanis, a former health minister.

He also said the European Eco-friendly Capital institution would act as an incentive for greater environmental awareness.

"... This proposal will assist in the fight against complacency, ensure that the environment is a key priority in our policy choices and the minds of citizens, improve intra-city mobility, better manage waste, provide more alternative energy sources and increase green spaces," the mayor of the Greek capital underlined.

[31] NY Mayor honours Archbishop Demetrios on his 40th anniversary of Hierarchical Ministry

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg paid honour to Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America, on the occasion of Demetrios' 40 years of Hierarchical Ministry, during a reception hosted by Bloomberg at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York.

Mayor Bloomberg congratulated the Archbishop for his great pastoral sensitivity to the people of New York during the 9/11 tragedy and applauded the Archbishop's expression of love and concern for the victims of the recent fires in Greece, stressing that "we stand in solidarity with the fire-stricken".

He further thanked the Archbishop for his "moral support" in the period immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attackthat razed the twin towers of the World Trade Centre to the ground, noting that the Archdiocese and the NY authorities were in the final stretch in finalising the arrangements for the rebuilding of the Aghios Nikolaos Church at Ground Zero.

Mayor Bloomberg also commented on his warm and neighborly relationship with the Archbishop as he resides directly across the street from the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He noted that the Archbishop, beyond being a dear friend, is also a moral compass for him and the people of New York.

Archbishop Demetrios responded by thanking the Mayor for the generous reception in acknowledgement of his 40-year anniversary as a Bishop, and particularly his eight years as Archbishop of America, and gave thanks to God for all that has been given to him.

Also present at the reception were former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins, Consul General of Greece Katerina Boura, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus Andreas Panayiotou, Vice-Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Jaharis, National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas, President of AHEPA Ike Gulas, Archons and Leadership 100 members, representatives from Greek American organizations and federations, and representatives from the Mayor's office.

[32] Broadband connection in Greece expected to reach EU average in 3 years

Addressing the 9th Infocom Telecommunications Conference in Athens, Christodoulou said all indexes of the "Information Society" sector were moving upwards, with the sector accounting for 3.8 percent of Greek GDP in 2006, down from a 6-8 percent average in the European Union.

He forecast that Greece could reach the EU average in the period 2007-2008. The sector's turnover reached 19.5 billion euros last year, up 10 percent from 2005.

The business expectations index in the sector also rose significantly to 105.1 points in the first half of 2007, up from 85 points in the same period last year, with exports growing strongly during the same period.

Broadband access totaled 7.5 percent in August 2007, with around one million users in Greece projected to have broadband access by the end of the year.

The Observatory said it expected 1.4 million households to have broadband connection in the next two-and-a-half years; 700,000 households to use the Internet for more than one hour weekly, and 235,000 households to conduct electronic transactions over the same period.

[33] Education minister meets TEI presidents

During the meeting, the presidents of the institutes raised all the problems concerning them.

TEI Committee president Errikos Mouratidis raised institutional, economic and practical problems for the implementation of the new law, while also submitted was the request for the upgrading of TEI and their confrontation with the legislation of universities.

On Wedneday, Stylianidis will meet with the rectors of universities.

[34] Conference on 'Teaching of Greek language' in Brussels from Oct. 5-7

The conference, titled "The teaching of the Greek language in countries of western Europe", is being held under the auspices of Greece's National Education and Religious Affairs Ministry in cooperation with the Neo-Hellenic Studies Faculty of the Brussels Open University.

[35] 23rd session of EuroGeoSurveys presidents to be held in Athens

According to a statement by IGME President and former EGS president professor Ch. Tsoutrelis, the main issue on the session's agenda will be assuming initiatives for activities of the 7th Framework Programme of the EU on Research and Technological Development, that primarily concern natural mineral resources and the existing prospects for their utilisation.

The session will be organised by the Institute of Geological and Mineral Research (IGME).

The Federation was founded 20 years ago and is headquartered in Brussels. Its goals include the development of communication with the EU's relevant general departments in the sector of geosciences.

[36] Council of Arab Ambassadors on wildfires issue

The president of the Messinia Chamber, George Karambatos, received the amount which he will be providing for the creation of an educational Centre on the Chamber's premises that will preoccupy itself with environmental studies and their continuous promotion under the Chamber's supervision.

It will function as a research Centre for the taking of measures to tackle damage and the prevention of new disasters by wildfires and will be open to all Arabs to enable them to benefit from it, while the Chamber's president added that the Centre's official inauguration will take place in the presence of Arab ambassadors and an honourary plaque will be placed at the entrance to the Centre that will list the names of donors from Arab embassies and the Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce.

[37] New weather observing stations in Pieria Prefecture

The scientific data collected through the monitoring of atmospheric conditions will be relayed in real time to a central calculating system operated by Thessaloniki's Aristotle University and Pieria Prefecture. Moreover, scientists are preparing new methods to be applied in the management of water resources and the prediction of drought situations.

[38] Foreign national arrested for drug trafficking

The man was arrested while attempting to sell 566 grams of heroin and 52 grams of cocaine to a plainclothes officer for the sum of 8,500 euros.

[39] Nine foreign nationals with fake documents arrested in Larissa

All 9 Iraqis, who had fake travel documents in their possession supplied to them by Turkish traffickers, are currently in police custody in Larissa after being apprehended by Gonni Border Station officers at the Moschochorio toll post.

Six of them are illegal immigrants and had paid 6,000 USD each to two Turkish smugglers to help them cross over to Greece from Turkey, while the remaining 3 are involved in human trafficking.

According to police, other three foreign nationals are wanted in relation to the case.

[40] Police launch manhunt for homicide suspect

Weather Forecast

[41] Mostly sunny on Wednesday

Cyprus Affairs

[42] British representative expresses need for new opportunity in Cyprus

Britain's Special Representative for Cyprus Joan Ryan said on Tuesday that ''we must all seek to find this new opportunity'' regarding the Cyprus problem ''that will arise throughout the coming year, to grasp it with both hands and I think the prospects are bleak if we do not do that.''

House of Representatives President Demetris Christofias, whom Ryan met in Nicosia, expressed hope that the British official would work towards creating the preconditions for the implementation of a UN-brokered agreement in July last year the soonest possible.

Ryan said ''there will come an opportunity after the elections in Cyprus for everybody to really focus on this matter'' and that ''it is an opportunity that no one wishes to miss.''

''I do not think that means that we have to sit from now till that point in time and do nothing,'' she pointed out, adding that if an agreement was reached ''in the next couple of months that will be very welcome indeed.''

She noted that ''we have all to keep working and we urge all political leaders in Cyprus to work together on the basis of the Gambari agreement to find that solution as soon as possible.''

''I am here to listen and to learn. I am here to meet major interlocutors, political and community leaders. But most of all I am here to do what I can to support the UN process," she noted.

Ryan said that ''the longer the situation goes, on the more intractable it becomes,'' adding that ''during this visit therefore I want to explore what progress can be made.''

''I want to discuss with grassroots groups what ordinary Cypriots can do and to promote increased dialogue, to build mutual understanding, to build communication and bizonal communal communication,'' she said.

She noted that, according to her experience, ''that kind of dialogue, that kind of mutual understanding is crucial in shaping the political solution,'' adding that her appointment by the Prime Minister ''is a signal of how seriously he and the British government take the responsibilities as a guarantor power.''

''And we are very serious indeed about working with the UN with Cypriots with all those who seek the reunification of this island and making this reunification a reality,'' Ryan added.

Ryan noted that she was ''particularly keen to explore the role that British Cypriots can play in helping to heal the wounds of their homeland about which they care very deeply indeed.''

Replying to questions, she expressed the view that ''the way forward is on the basis of the Gambari agreement'' of last July but pointed out that ''it is not for me to impose a solution.''

''I did not arrive here with a blueprint in my bag and it is for Cypriots to find a way forward and their political leaders in particular and to work together to do that but very much based on the 8 July 2006 Gambari agreement,'' she added.

Christofias expressed certainty that Ryan would ''work with us to create the preconditions for the implementation of the 8 July 2006 agreement the soonest possible, in order to finally reach a solution based on the UN principles and resolutions, the high level agreements, an agreement that will satisfy both communities.''

He added that Ryan will have ''all our support'' and expressed hope that ''we will soon have a positive outcome that will satisfy the Cypriots above all.''

Cyprus, which joined the EU in May 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of UN official Ibrahim Gambari, to begin a process of bicommunal discussions on issues that affect the day-to-day life of the people and concurrently those that concern substantive issues, both contributing to a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE * TEL: 64.00.560-63 * FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana-mpa.gr * e-mail: anabul@ana gr * GENERAL DIRECTOR: GEORGE TAMBAKOPOULOS

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