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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-01

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

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

Friday, 1 February 2008 Issue No: 2809

CONTENTS

  • [01] Archbishop Christodoulos laid to rest
  • [02] Spain's Royal Couple, foreign minister send messages of condolences
  • [03] Koukodimos opts to become independent; reiterates support for gov't
  • [04] PASOK to table proposal on fact finding committee
  • [05] Ankara denies report that Halki Seminary reopening imminent
  • [06] PPC says natural gas activities a strategic priority
  • [07] Greece: 9th largest investor in Romania in 2007
  • [08] Greek company in winning consortium for operation of thermoelectric plant in Albania
  • [09] Bank executive: Franchising offers great potential in Greece
  • [10] EU action against Greece over employment discrimination
  • [11] European Parliament ratifies deregulation of post office services
  • [12] Hellenic Telecoms owns 98.592 percent of Cosmote's equity capital
  • [13] Greek stocks end 2.77% down
  • [14] ADEX closing report
  • [15] Greek bond market closing report
  • [16] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday
  • [17] Commission action against Greece over environmental protection
  • [18] Commission refers Greece to ECJ over violations of animal by-products laws
  • [19] Ton of hashish found in truck at border post
  • [20] Cloudy on Friday
  • [21] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance
  • [22] Cypriot FM: Turkey refuses to implement July agreement
  • [23] Cyprus rejects EU Commissioner's position on occupied ports Politics

  • [01] Archbishop Christodoulos laid to rest

    Greece's beloved and charismatic Archbishop Christodoulos was laid to rest on Thursday at Athens' First Cemetery with the full head of state honors, following a funeral ceremony officiated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholemew I (Vartholomeos).

    The funeral was attended by representatives of all the Orthodox Churches around the world, President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Greek political party leaders and Ambassadors to Greece.

    The Ecumenical Patriarch also delivered the eulogy for the late Christodoulos, who passed away at dawn on Monday at his home in Psychico, following a seven-month battle with cancer.

    The funeral ceremony commenced at 10 a.m., following the arrival of President Papoulias, who was preceded by the prime minister and almost the entire Greek government, representatives of the political parties and parliament, delegates of the foreign embassies, Church of Greece bishops, and representatives of other Christian denominations and faiths, while thousands of people packed the roads and squares near Cathedral, where they followed the service from loudspeakers.

    Eulogies were also delivered by Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki, representing the Church of Greece, Education and Religious Affairs Minister Evripides Stylianidis, who represented the government, Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas and Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis.

    Vartholomeos paid tribute to the late Archbishop's spiritual qualities, his word and his work in bringing the Church closer to the people, and he stressed the Ecumenical Patriarchate's respect for Christodoulos, putting behind the tension that arose in relations between the two men in the spring of 2004.

    Metropolitan Anthimos called that time "a minor interval of bitterness that will pass forever into oblivion", and conveyed to the Ecumenical Patriarch the "heartfelt love and respect" that Christodoulos felt for him.

    Stylianidis spoke of the multi-faceted "shepherd" with the effusive and straightforward word and firmness of action, who brought the Church closer to the faithful, and particularly the younger generations.

    "He was open and welcomed challenges of the times. He believed in the younger generation, with which he always sought to be in contact, using its own language. His concern was to bring youth closer to the Church, and he succeeded," the minister said.

    Sioufas paid tribute to "the spiritual leader who placed his rare gifts and strength of soul into the religious word, the Church, the obligation to society", expressing grief over the early demise of the Archbishop on behalf of the representatives of the political parties, as expressed during a special session of Parliament held in Christodoulos' memory.

    "He inspired and guided a spiritual work that went beyond the frontiers of Greece. He left us early, but left behind him a flourishing work that is in full development," Sioufas added.

    Kaklamanis expressed hope that the late Archbishop's work and vision will find worthy successors. "As a formidable captain of the ship called the Church, he led it away from its traditional introversion and margins," Kaklamanis said.

    "You were impulsive, dynamic, fiery," the Athens mayor concluded.

    After the funeral service, the late Archbishop's casket was carried by gun-carriage to Athens' First Cemetery, accompanied by military honour guards, while a 21-gun salute was fired from artillery pieces atop Lycabettus Hill as the casket emerged from Athens' Metropolitan Cathedral. Alongside the gun-carriage walked most of the metropolitans (bishops) of the Orthodox Church, four of them carrying the blue-and-white ribbons, the colors of the Greek flag.

    Mourners also flocked to the cemetery where the Archbishop was laid to rest shortly after 1:30 p.m., where a service was again officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch, to lay flowers at the Archbishop's grave in a final farewell to the spiritual leader.

    Walking before the casket were clerics of the Athens Archdiocese and military honor guards, while archmandrites carried Christodoulos' medals and other honorary distinctions awarded the late Archbishop. Behind the casket walked the prime minister and his wife, party leaders, the military and religious leadership and representatives of other denominations and Churches, close associates and close relatives of the late Christodoulos.

    As the procession passed Mitropoleos Street, Syntagma Square, Vassilisis Amalias Avenue, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athanassios Diakos St. and Anapafseos St. toward the cemetery, crowds cast flowers over the casket as it went by and many ordinary people appeared visibly moved as the Archbishop's body was taken to its final resting place.

    [02] Spain's Royal Couple, foreign minister send messages of condolences

    The King and Queen of Spain and the Spanish foreign minister sent messages of condolences to the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece over the passing away of Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

    King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia sent their "genune condolences, on behalf of ourselves and the entire Royal Family, to the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and to the Archbishopric of Athens".

    Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, on behalf of the government of Spain, also sent a message of sincere condolences to the entire Greek Orthodox community over the death of their spiritual leader.

    [03] Koukodimos opts to become independent; reiterates support for gov't

    Embattled New Democracy (ND) deputy Costas Koukodimos on Thursday announced that he was leaving the party's Parliamentary group and will become an independent in the 300-MP legislature, while stressing, however, that he continues to back the ruling party.

    Koukodimos is the latest high-profile individual to come under scrutiny as a result of extended political fall-out from the ongoing Zachopoulos affair. Specifically, Koukodimos, a former long-jump champion, was called by an investigating magistrate this week to answer questions on whether he acted as a "go between" or attempted any mediation between a well-known newspaper publisher and TV journalist (Makis Triantafyllopoulos) and the head of the financial crimes unit, the former SDOE.

    Koukodimos has adamantly stated that he did nothing wrong.

    "For several days now a determined, harsh and unfair attack has been underway against my person, an attack that has been extended to my political party, to which I proudly belong," the Pieria prefecture MP said.

    "Until this painful, for me, situation ends for good, I feel the need to become an independent so that whatever is said against me does not reflect on my party, whose political policies I will continue to unreservedly support," his letter to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas read.

    ND secretary Tragakis

    Ruling New Democracy (ND) party Parliamentary Group Secretary General Yiannis Tragakis said on Thursday that the party's Parliamentary Group is "strong because it is solid and it is based on the Greeks' verdict".

    Tragakis was referring to the statement by ND Deputy Costas Koukodimos earlier in the day, who declared himself an independent deputy but who continued to support the ruling party.

    "Mr. Koukodimos communicated with me before submitting his letter to the Parliament President and informed me of his intention. I wish for the full confirmation of the assurances that the deputy is providing once again. The Parliamentary Group of New Democracy is strong because it is solid and it is based on the Greeks' verdict," Tragakis said in his statement.

    Government spokesman Roussopoulos, parties

    Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said on Thursday evening, referring to ruling New Democracy party Parliamentary Deputy Costas Koukodimos declaring himself an independent earlier in the day, that the latter "has taken his decision."

    "Deputy Costas Koukodimos has taken his decision. The Government is proceeding unshakeably with the implementation of its work, for which it received a strong popular mandate recently," Roussopoulos said in his statement.

    New Democracy Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis said that "according to the party's charter, all the party capacities and activities emanating from his post are lifted by right."

    Referring to the same issue, main opposition PASOK party spokesman Yiannis Ragoussis said that "the theatrical performance is continuing. The independence of Koukodimos is what the 'journalistic confidentiality' of (Prime Minister Costas Karamnlis' press office chief Yiannis) Adrianos was. The Greek people are indignant. Enough is enough."

    An announcement by the Coalition (Synaspismos) said that "the government of Mr. Karamanlis has now lost all moral support to continue the governance of the country. It is important that the trend which can lead to a new majority is strengthened, so that the country can emerge from the deep crisis in which it has become involved."

    KKE leader

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga, referring to ruling New Democracy party Parliamentary Deputy Costas Koukodimos declaring himself an independent, said during her tour of the seaside resort of Rafina on Thursday that "this issue is a tangle. This is his affair, however it remains above all a problem of ND assuming its political responsibilities. We have the feeling that it has not assumed them."

    Commenting on a question concerning the Siemens issue, Papariga said "kickbacks, kickbacks, kickbacks in the pockets of politicians to buy systems that monitor our every step. In the workplace, in the street, in personal life. A double scandal even bigger than those we are aware of."

    [04] PASOK to table proposal on fact finding committee

    Main opposition PASOK party on Friday morning will submit a proposal for the setting up of a Fact Find Committee in order to probe the Siemens case.

    PASOK deputies in their proposal said "our country is going through this past period, with the government's responsibility, a general crisis of values, the distain of institutions and persons, corruption, arbitrariness of power and abuse of public wealth."

    [05] Ankara denies report that Halki Seminary reopening imminent

    ANKARA (ANA-MPA/A. Abatzis)

    A Turkish foreign ministry spokesman here on Thursday denied a recent local press report claiming that Ankara has promised to allow the reopening of the Halki School of Theology, the Ecumenical Patriarchate's official seminary, which remains closed after being shut down by a Turkish government in 1971.

    According to a report in the Turkish mass daily "Hurriyet" last Tuesday, the Turkish government made the promise to the reopen the seminary to visiting Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis last week, noting that a relevant document had been conveyed to Turkey's military leaders.

    The spokesman on Thursday merely noted that "it is well known that minorities in the two countries are amongst the major issues on the agenda (of talks) between Greece and Turkey".

    He added that the "prospects" for allowing the reopening of the seminary are being "examined" by Turkey's higher education council and the education ministry, "but at present there has been no decision".

    Financial News

    [06] PPC says natural gas activities a strategic priority

    Public Power Corp., Greece's state-run power utility, on Thursday categorically dismissed press reports that it was examining a plan to contribute its option to buy 30 percent of natural gas utility DEPA in a joint venture with Germany's RWE.

    In a statement to the press, PPC said it has publicised its decision to begin activities in the natural gas sector as it was the largest natural gas consumer in the country. As part of a strategic plan, PPC said it has decided to acquire 30 percent of shares in DEPA and underlined that the utility would examine alternative plans only if the transaction was not carried out.

    PPC also said a memorandum of cooperation signed with RWE envisages, among others, examining ways to promote cooperation in the natural gas sector as the German enterprise is heavily involved in both electricity production and natural gas energy production.

    [07] Greece: 9th largest investor in Romania in 2007

    BUCHAREST (ANA-MPA/I. Radu)

    Greece is the 9th largest investor in Romania with over 4,000 firms active on the local market and an invested capital that exceeds 580 million euros, according to figures released by the country's BNR central bank for the period of the first 10 months in 2007. During last year, approximately 400 Greek companies launched businesses in the country.

    In the first ten months of 2006, Greece ranked 10th with 3,608 firms and an invested capital of 552 million euros.

    The list of foreign investors in Romania is topped by Holland with 3,049 companies and over 3 billion euros in invested capital, followed by Austria (4,781 firms - 2.2 billion euros), France (5,279 firms - 1.7 billion euros), Germany, Italy, USA, Cyprus and Britain.

    According to BNR, the inflow of Direct Foreign Investments in the first nine months of 2007 reached 6.5 billion euros, down 20.8 percent compared to 9 billion euros in the same period in 2006.

    [08] Greek company in winning consortium for operation of thermoelectric plant in Albania

    The joint venture "Atermon SA (Greek construction company) - Roder & Blackwell Consulting" has won a concession tender to operate a thermoelectric power plant in the city of Fier, southwestern Albania.

    According to an Albanian economy, commerce and enegry ministry spokesperson ,this was the only consortium participating in the tender, which was issued on September 5, 2007 and, according to the business plan, the capital invested in the plant's updating, to be conducted in accordance with environmentally friendly standards, will reach roughly 100 million euros.

    [09] Bank executive: Franchising offers great potential in Greece

    The franchising business in Greece has heightened growth potential, as the penetration of the specific business model in the country totals a mere 4.0 percent, compared with a 30-percent rate in the UK, Ch.Goudas, a SME specialist for Alpha Bank said on Thursday.

    Goudas said the attractiveness of franchising was great, since enterprises in the sector presented increased viability rates, compared with enterprises opting for an independent presence.

    The reason behind this is that franchises minimise business risks and boost brand names in domestic markets. He noted that around 500 franchising models were currently operating in Greece, with an average investment cost of 120,000 euros, plus 12,500 euros in entry fees. At the same time, a franchisee pays around 5.0 pct of turnover to the franchisor, plus 3.0 pct of its turnover on advertising.

    A survey by the International Franchise Association showed that more than nine in 10 franchisees (94 pct) around the world said their investments were successful, while 75 pct of them said they would repeat their move choosing the same franchisor.

    [10] EU action against Greece over employment discrimination

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA - V. Demiris)

    The European Commission on Thursday decided to send reasoned opinions to Greece and another 10 member-states of the European Union for not fully applying EU rules that forbid employment discrimination for reasons of religion, beliefs, age, disability or sexual orientation.

    The 11 countries will be given two months in which to reply to the Commission's observations.

    In the case of Greece, the Commission's observation focus on what it deems a mistaken definition of harassment and for the exclusion of the firemen's services from the equal opportunities directive issued in 2000.

    The deadline for incorporating the directive into national law ended in December 2003.

    [11] European Parliament ratifies deregulation of post office services

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni)

    The European Parliament ratified on Thursday the full deregulation of post office services as of December 31, 2010, with the possibility of a two-year extension until December 31, 2012, for Greece and Cyprus.

    The ratification concludes the legislative process and the green light is finally given for the opening of the post office market. The development was hailed by both European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and the Commissioner responsible for internal market issues, Charlie McCreevy.

    The time limit for the opening of the market was set at December 31, 2010, meaning two years later compared to the Commission's proposal. This allows countries which are lagging behind the deregulation process to have more time at their disposal to adjust themselves.

    [12] Hellenic Telecoms owns 98.592 percent of Cosmote's equity capital

    Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation on Thursday said it owned 98.592 percent of Cosmote's equity capital and voting rights, or 331,228,491 shares, following completion of a public offer procedure which began in December 4, 2007 and ended January 29, 2008.

    An OTE statement said a total of 5,044 shareholders of Cosmote accepted the public offer, offering 27,503,293 shares or 8.187 percent of the company's equity capital and voting rights. OTE acquired the remaining stake in Cosmote through the Athens Stock Exchange.

    Under market regulations, OTE has the right to demand the transfer of all remaining outstanding equity of Cosmote under its ownership. Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation said it will pay the same price for the remaining stake, 26.25 euros per share.

    [13] Greek stocks end 2.77% down

    Greek stocks ended sharply lower on Thursday hit by a negative climate in other international markets. The composite index of the Athens Stock Exchange fell 2.77 pct to end at 4,362.79 points, with turnover a moderate 403.8 million euros, of which 17.4 million euros were block trades.

    Most sectors ended lower with the Food/Beverage (4.81 pct), Technology (3.46 pct), Constructions (3.36 pct), Banks (3.36 pct) and Telecommunications (3.07 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Financial Services (0.52 pct) and Insurance (0.04 pct) scored gains.

    The Big Cap index dropped 3.0 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 1.33 pct lower and the Small Cap index fell 0.85 pct. Viosol (16.28 pct) and Nikas (9.48 pct) were top gainers, while Vell Group (9.09 pct), SingularLogic (7.01 pct) and Rokas (6.41 pct) were top losers. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 186 to 64 with another 35 issues unchanged.

    Sector indices ended as follows:

    Insurance: +0.04%

    Industrials: -0.16%

    Commercial: -1.34%

    Construction: -3.36%

    Media: -0.83%

    Oil & Gas: -0.40%

    Personal & Household: -2.53%

    Raw Materials: -2.51%

    Travel & Leisure: -1.86%

    Technology: -3.46%

    Telecoms: -3.07%

    Banks: -3.36%

    Food & Beverages: -4.81%

    Health: -0.79%

    Utilities: -0.43%

    Chemicals: -1.83%

    Financial Services: +0.52%

    The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, Eurobank and Piraeus Bank.

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

    Alpha Bank: 21.98

    ATEbank: 3.62

    Public Power Corp (PPC): 31.10

    HBC Coca Cola: 28.00

    Hellenic Petroleum: 10.02

    National Bank of Greece: 40.20

    EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 18.70

    Intralot: 11.16

    OPAP: 23.30

    OTE: 20.66

    Titan Cement Company: 30.40

    [14] ADEX closing report

    Greek futures contract prices ended Thursday's session with a discount in the Athens Derivatives Exchange, with turnover rising to 207.189 million euros. The March contract on the FTSE 20 index was traded at a discount of 0.68 percent and the February contract on the FTSE 40 index at a discount of 2.63 percent.

    Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 14.851 contracts worth 171.978 million euros, with 26,265 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 338 contracts worth 8.871 million euros with 512 open positions.

    Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 11,339 contracts worth 16.629 million euros, with investment interest focusing on Marfin Investment Group's contracts (2,190), followed by Eurobank (750), Piraeus Bank (318), National Bank (1,451), Alpha Bank (1,141), Intracom (772), Marfin Popular Bank (821), Mytilineos (464) and Postal Savings Bank (643).

    [15] Greek bond market closing report

    Turnover in the Greek electronic secondary bond market totaled 2.767 billion euros on Thursday, of which 1.489 billion were buy orders and the remaining 1.278 billion euros sell orders. The 10-year benchmark bond (July 20, 2017) was the most heavily traded security with a turnover of 667 million euros, followed by the 10-year bond (July 20, 2016) with 350 million euros. The yield spread between the 10-year Greek and German bonds was 0.40 pct with the Greek bond yielding 4.30 percent and the German Bund 3.90 percent.

    In the domestic interbank market, short-term interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate rose to 4.23 pct from 4.15 pct on Wednesday, the two-day rate eased to 4.13 pct from 4.20 pct, the one-month rate was 4.21 pct and the 12-month rate eased to 4.33 pct from 4.37 pct.

    [16] Foreign Exchange Rates - Friday

    Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

    U.S. dollar 1.498

    Pound sterling 0.753

    Danish kroner 7.512

    Swedish kroner 9.548

    Japanese yen 159.19

    Swiss franc 1.617

    Norwegian kroner 8.140

    Canadian dollar 1.496

    Australian dollar 1.681

    General News

    [17] Commission action against Greece over environmental protection

    BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA)

    The European Commission on Thursday said it will take legal action against Greece in two cases where EU rules to protect the environment are being allegedly violated.

    The cases concern hazardous waste management and bird conservation. The Commission is taking Greece to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over its failure to adopt and implement appropriate legislation for hazardous waste treatment, and over a separate failure to fully transpose EU legislation for the protection of wild birds into Greek law. A separate case regarding sewage sludge treatment is being closed.

    According to the Commission, one of the cases concerns hazardous waste management, and claims that Greece has not adopted an adequate management plan for hazardous waste and tolerates the uncontrolled disposal of the majority of the hazardous waste produced, violating several key requirements of the Waste Framework Directive.

    A final warning was sent in December 2005.

    In a case concerning the treatment of the sewage sludge produced by the Psyttalia waste water treatment plant, begun in 2002, and following the entry into operation of a new sewage sludge drying unit to address the issue the Commission has decided to close the infringement proceedings.

    According to the Commission, some 800 tons of swage sludge were produced on a daily basis in Psyttalia, and were temporarily stored on site, while in the past they were shipped to the Ano Liossia landfill.

    The temporary storage of sewage sludge entailed risks for public health and the environment and is contrary to EC legislation, the Commission said.

    [18] Commission refers Greece to ECJ over violations of animal by-products laws

    BRUSSELS(ANA-MPA)

    The European Commission on Thursday said it will refer Greece to the European Court of Justice over violations of animal by-products (ABPs) legislation.

    Such by-products are not directly consumed by consumers, instead they are used as raw materials in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry and in other applications (tannery etc).

    [19] Ton of hashish found in truck at border post

    TIRANA (ANA-MPA/I. Paco)

    Police at the border station of Kakavia on the Greek-Albanian frontier confiscated a ton of hashish in a tractor-trailer truck waiting to enter Greece. The narcotics were found hidden under a false deck built into the truck.

    The truck had reportedly originated from the Albanian town of Berat, carrying livestock to Greece. The Albanian driver was arrested and an investigation is underway to determine if more people are involved.

    Weather Forecast

    [20] Cloudy on Friday

    Cloudy weather is forecast in most parts of the country on Friday, with mist in parts of continental Greece in the morning and with wind velocity reaching 3-6 beaufort. Temperatures in Athens ranging from 2C to 15C, and in Thessaloniki from 0C to 11C.

    [21] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

    Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos' funeral on Thursday and the thousands of people who flocked to the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral to pay their last respects, the procedures for the succession, and alleged implication of ruling New Democracy MP Costas Koukodimos in the Zachopoulos affair, ND and main opposition PASOK party contradictions over the Siemens case dominated the headlines on Thursday in Athens' newspapers.

    ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Government continues to cover up current affairs - What crime did Koukodimos commit?".

    APOGEVMATINI: "Farewell Holy Father".

    AVGHI: "Government blocks investigation on kickbacks - Siemens graft scandal casts shadow over New Democracy, PASOK members".

    AVRIANI: "PASOK leader Papandreou makes desperate proposal - He asked for an examining committee to investigate Siemens case in order to block the judicial investigation that would bring to limelight PASOK cadres' involvement in the case".

    CHORA: "Elections (early general) 'baking' in Siemens' oven - Who are trying to topple Karamanlis".

    ELEFTHEROS: "Tsunami of reactions by ND parliament members - They call for Koukodimos' immediately expulsion".

    ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Christodoulos' spiritual will - Assessment of his achievements and messages on Hellenism, the youth, and the modern-day world".

    ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Maximos Mansion (goverment headquarters) pruning- Defence Minister Vangelis Meimarakis puts the blame on PM for second time over handling in Koukodimos case".

    ESTIA: "Resounding slap for New Democracy, PASOK - Citizens turn their backs on both parties".

    ETHNOS: "New Democracy's real reserve!- 'Looting' of parliamentary seat from LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally party)".

    KATHIMERINI: "SIEMENS causes political turbulence - PASOK will ask for setting up of parliamentary fact-finding commission - Judicial investigation underway".

    LOGOS: "All possibilities remain open - Koukodimos in a difficult position".

    NIKI: "Four scandals in the limelight - PASOK's counterattack in parliament".

    RIZOSPASTIS: "Industrialists provoke- GSEE (General Confederation of Workers of Greece) wants working class consensus".

    TA NEA: "French blockade on 1.136 million euros on Swiss borders".

    TO VIMA: "Blockade in Geneva- Police confiscated 1.136 million euros in cheques belonging to Themos Anastasiadis (PROTO THEMA newspaper co-publisher)".

    VRADYNI: "Final farewell - The funeral service and burial of Archbishop Christodoulos ith Head of State Honours".

    Cyprus Affairs

    [22] Cypriot FM: Turkey refuses to implement July agreement

    NICOSIA (CNA/ANA-MPA)

    Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, currently in Finland on a working visit, said Thursday that Turkey refuses to fully implement a UN-brokered agreement, signed in 2006 by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities.

    Marcoullis, who met in Helsinki representatives of Finnish media, noted Turkey's refusal to implement the July agreement despite the fact that the UN Security Council and the December 2007 European Council's Conclusions explicitly support the implementation of the Agreement.

    Answering questions, Marcoullis said that the Greek Cypriot side would welcome any new initiative in 2008 that would lead to the implementation of the agreement and underlined the Greek Cypriot side's readiness to immediately begin procedures that would lead to its full implementation.

    She noted, though, that no progress has been achieved so far due to the Turkish side's stance.

    Turkey, Marcoullis said, has strengthened its intransigent stance and refers publicly to a new policy based on two separate states as well as to a new process of solving the Cyprus issue which deviates from the July 8th agreement.

    The Cypriot FM talked about Greek Cypriot properties in the Turkish occupied areas, the presence of Turkish troops as well as Turkey's policy to bring Turkish settlers to the island, moves which violate international law and human rights.

    On Turkey's European course, she said Cyprus favors Turkey's EU bid provided that Ankara fulfills its EU obligations, including the ones which refer to Cyprus.

    Regarding the rejection of a UN solution plan by the Greek Cypriot community, Marcoullis noted that the particular plan was the result of arbitration and did not constitute an agreement between both sides.

    Asked about Kosovo and whether Cyprus' stance on the matter has changed, Marcoullis said that Nicosia supports a solution based on international legality and international principles. Secession, she said, constitutes violation of international law.

    Marcoullis added that the EU respects Cyprus' stance on Kosovo and noted that other EU countries share Nicosia's views on the matter.

    The Cypriot FM referred to the excellent relations between Cyprus and Finland on bilateral and European level and made special reference to the Finnish participation in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

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

    President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat agreed on 8 July 2006, during a meeting in Nicosia in the presence of then UN Undersecretary for Political Affairs 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.

    [23] Cyprus rejects EU Commissioner's position on occupied ports

    NICOSIA (CNA/ANA-MPA)

    The government disagrees with the view of the Enlargement European Commissioner that Cyprus' Turkish occupied ports and airports can be used by ships and aircraft of third countries, even though Nicosia has declared them illegal ports of entry.

    "The position of the government on the issue of the occupied ports is completely different than that which EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn has," Government Spokesman Vassilis Palmas has said.

    Palmas noted that the position of the European Council is also completely different to that expressed by Rehn.

    He recalled that the European Commission was in favour of direct trade between the EU and the Turkish Cypriot community, through close ports in occupied Cyprus.

    Palmas said that there is variation in the position of the European instruments and pointed out that final decisions will be taken by the European Council.

    Rehn has been quoted by Cypriot MEP Marios Matsakis as saying that the Commission believes that, according to the general principles of international law, entry and exit of ships from the closed ports of Cyprus is not prohibited.

    Following the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus, points of entry in the northern occupied areas have been declared by the government of the Republic as illegal ports of entry into the Republic.

    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


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