Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-02-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Environment minister signs Greek emissions trading plan

[02] PM congratulates new Cyprus President on election

[03] New Cyprus President to visit Athens next week

[04] KKE congratulates AKEL on Christofias' victory

[05] FM Bakoyannis ends Morocco one-day visit

[06] Government declines comment on name issue

[07] PASOK slams government's 'limited ability'

[08] Kassimis meets Greek expats in Stuttgart, Germany

[09] PM Karamanlis meets with parliament president Sioufas

[10] Parliament president visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

[11] Greek, Bulgarian interior ministers discuss cooperation against organised crime

[12] DM Meimarakis visits Fleet Headquarters

[13] PASOK's Ragoussis on party internal election

[14] KKE's Papariga on OA, pension reforms

[15] SYRIZA leader Alavanos tours Iraklio prefecture

[16] Suspect in Zachopoulos case testifies

[17] Gov't to announce incomes policy for 2008 next month

[18] Greek PM, Merchant Marine minister discuss port privatisation tender

[19] Govt to scrap stamp on insurance premiums from 2009

[20] Greek trade deficit up 13.3 pct in 2007

[21] European Commission report: Poverty in Greece

[22] Greece expects increased number of Italian tourists this year

[23] Greek design for euro's 10th anniversary coin

[24] EU awards for innovative regional plans

[25] Employment minister holds talks with GENOP-DEH directorate

[26] Labor Confederation decides new 24-hour nationwide strike

[27] AEGEK signs 40.5-mln-euro road contract in Albania

[28] Sprider Stores reports improved 2007 results

[29] Greek stocks end 0.62 pct higher

[30] ADEX closing report

[31] Greek bond market closing report

[32] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

[33] City of Athens carnival programme begins on Thursday

[34] New Babiniotis Greek dictionary published

[35] Partly cloudy on Tuesday

[36] President-elect to travel overseas on official visits

[37] Miliband says election result generates hope for Cyprus

[38] Christofias invited to Britain for talks

[39] Preparations underway for affirmation ceremony

[01] Environment minister signs Greek emissions trading plan

"We had initially proposed an 8.9 percent reduction, but after consultation with the European Commission and given that the EU has decided to reduce emissions by 20 percent by the year 2020, we decided to increase this percentage," the environment minister said.

With the plan approved on Monday and other measures taken by the government, Greece would more than cover its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, he added.

The industrial complexes included in the emissions trading plan included 33 power plants, 24 other furnace-type installations, four refineries, a smelting plant, five iron and steel plants, eight cement plants, 18 lime production plants, one glass factory, 44 ceramics factories and 14 paper factories.

The total emission rights to be allocated in 2008-2012 were finally calculated at 345,606,165 tonnes of carbon dioxide, all of which are allocated free of charge. About 4.8 percent of the total emission rights allocated have also been set aside for new plants in 2008-2012, amounting to 16,740,701 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

"In our effort to deal with climate change, apart from finalizing the National Allocation Plan, we have increased the scientific staff at the Bureau for Monitoring Emission Rights at the environment ministry and begun to cooperate with the Chemical Engineers School at the National Technical University of Athens," Souflias said.

He also cited measures additional taken by the government, such as introducing optimal available techniques in industry, increasing the frequency of inspections, promoting the use of renewable energy sources and creating a special spatial plan for this sector, as well as measures for dealing with urban pollution, ensuring the rapid distribution of natural gas, promoting energy conservation in the home and tertiary sector and extending the Athens metro.

[02] PM congratulates new Cyprus President on election

The congratulations of Greece's state and political leadership and the Greek people were also conveyed to Christofias by Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus Dimitris Rallis, who paid a visit to the new president in Nicosia on Monday.

After the meeting, Rallis said Christofias would be visiting Greece as soon as possible and that he had conveyed the support of the Greek government and the Greek people in Nicosia's efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

"The priority at this time is the unity of the people and achieving the main goal, which is to achieve a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem," he added.

[03] New Cyprus President to visit Athens next week

The Cyprus Republic's newly-elected president Dimitris Christofias on Monday announced that he will be visiting Athens next week, immediately after he officially takes over his new duties as president.

Christofias made the announcement shortly after his meeting with Greece's Ambassador to Cyprus Dimitris Rallis, who visited him to convey the congratulations of Greece's state and political leadership on his election and express the support of the Greek government and the Greek people in Nicosia's efforts to solve the Cyprus issue.

"The priority at this time is the unity of the people and achieving the main goal, which is to achieve a viable and functional solution to the Cyprus problem," Rallis said in statements after the meeting.

Christofias also revealed that he had spoken on the phone with Turkish-Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on Monday and agreed to a "first meeting of an exploratory nature" that is to take place after he is sworn into office and has returned from his visits abroad.

In addition to Greece, the new president intends to visit Brussels in order to attend the EU spring summit.

In Athens, meanwhile, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Monday announced that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has followed up his phone call to Christofias on Sunday with a letter congratulating him on his election victory.

[04] KKE congratulates AKEL on Christofias' victory

"Dear Comrades, please accept our warm congratulations on the election of AKEL Central Committee General Secretary to the presidency of the Cyprus Republic.

"This important success in conditions where the new order of things predominates constitutes a reward for the lengthy struggles of the Communists of Cyprus and absolutely bears the seal of the decisive contribution of the members and friends of AKEL and [its youth group] EDON," the KKE message says, pledging its support to AKEL's efforts to help the Cypriot people "deal successfully with the machinations of imperialism and vindicate their urge to reunify their country in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation".

[05] FM Bakoyannis ends Morocco one-day visit

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis completed on Monday afternoon her one-day visit and talks here, with the two sides reconfirming their "excellent political relations" and deciding the further strengthening of economic relations, especially in trade and tourism.

Bakoyannis met with her Moroccan counterpart Taieb Fassi-Fihri, Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi and Economy and Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar, with the two sides also expressing their common will to work together for the promotion of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, including a French proposal for the creation of a Mediterranean Union.

The Greek minister signed with her Moroccan counterpart the renewal of an existing cultural agreement for the next two years.

"Our political relations are excellent while the economic ones have great margins for improvement," Bakoyannis said, noting that the two sides decided "to encourage businessmen to show more interest to the countries of Maghreb."

"Maghreb is very important, we want to cooperate," she said, adding that Greece would do all in its power for the success of the Mediterranean cooperation.

On his part, Taieb Fassi-Fihri expressed his satisfaction for Greece's interest in the region and Morocco in particular, underlining also his country's desire to cooperate with Athens in all sectors. He also said that the two countries share common positions on international, regional and Euro-Mediterranean issues, noting that there existed a common will for the promotion of the Euro-Mediterranean cooperation in order for the countries around the basin to become a secure and prosperous zone.

The Greek minister also briefed her interlocutors on Greece's positions regarding the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (FYROM) name issue and developments in Kosovo, on which issues a common concern was expressed.

The Moroccan side informed Bakoyannis on the issue of Western Sahara and on its positive stance on the French proposal for a Mediterranean Union.

During her meeting with Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi, the Greek foreign minister delivered an invitation on the part of President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias to King Mohamed VI to visit Greece.

Bakoyannis was due to depart Monday night for Algiers.

[06] Government declines comment on name issue

"We are now waiting for the talks in the framework of the United Nations with Mr. Nimetz," Roussopoulos underlined, adding that Greece had already expressed its positions at the highest possible level and that these had been repeated by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in Parliament just last week.

He also refused to comment on the findings of an opinion poll published in the Greek newspaper "Ethnos", according to which 83 percent of the public wanted Athens to use its veto to block FYROM's entry into NATO if no mutually acceptable solution is achieved.

[07] PASOK slams government's 'limited ability'

Asked what PASOK's position would be if the government convened a meeting of the political party leaders in the event that the negotiations failed, Ragoussis replied that "all these possibilities, as in the past, remain open for PASOK".

[08] Kassimis meets Greek expats in Stuttgart, Germany

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis continued a tour of Germany by visiting the city of Stuttgart on Monday, where he held talks with members of the city's Greek community.

These focused on issues concerning the community but also major foreign policy matters concerning Greece.

The minister also held talks with German officials in the area, briefing them on Greece's positions concerning the name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which he stressed was a purely political issue that concerned the Balkans.

He also underlined that resolving the problem was not just of interest to Greece but to anyone concerned about the future of the European Union and stability in southeastern Europe, while urging expatriates to become fully incorporated in German society while keeping alive Greek cultural values and language in their community, especially among the young.

On Tuesday he will have meetings with officials in the State of Baden-Wuerttenberg, including its Parliament President Peter Straub, before he departs for Athens.

[09] PM Karamanlis meets with parliament president Sioufas

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Sioufas said that the talks focused on the parliamentary work, and planning for the next period of time. He said they also discussed his imminent visit to Istanbul, where a meeting will be held on Tuesday of the presidium of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) group.

Sioufas noted that Greece was currently chairing the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly.

The second item discussed was the upcoming meeting on Friday of the presidium of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA), also currently chaired by Greece, ahead of the Parliamentary Assembly plenary session to be held in Athens in late March.

On Friday, he added, the EMPA presidium will meet with the prime minister.

He further said that European Parliament president Hans-Gert Pottering, Egyptian People's Assembly (Lower House of the bicameral Egyptian parliament) speaker Dr. Ahmad Fathi Sorour and Tunisian Chamber of Deputies (parliament) president Fouad Mebazaa will be in Athens on Thursday.

[10] Parliament president visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

Greek Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas on Monday paid a visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, terming it "a visit of obligation and respect to the cradle of Orthodoxy."

"On behalf of the deputies and all the sides of Parliament I conveyed to the Ecumenical Patriarch the support of the Greek Parliament in the great spiritual mission undertaken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate," Sioufas said after meeting Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

"We are here to get strength from the major leader of Orthodoxy, here where beams the ecumenical light of Christianity," Sioufas added.

Sioufas is in Istanbul to participate in a meeting of the presidium of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC), which Greece is presiding over this period.

[11] Greek, Bulgarian interior ministers discuss cooperation against organised crime

During the two-hour meeting, the two ministers discussed the issue of combating organized crime, focusing on cooperation between the two countries, and on more efficient cross-border controls.

The particularly discussed the issue of border control at the Promachonas border crossing, and agreed that joint controls should be made by the two countries' border authorities, given that Bulgaria is not yet a member of the Schengen Pact.

The controls will chiefly concern passports.

[12] DM Meimarakis visits Fleet Headquarters

Meimarakis boarded the submarine "Nirefs" and watched an exercise involving the submarine diving and attacking a surface target. Speaking afterwards, he expressed his satisfaction over "the very successful completion of the exercise".

Earlier, addressing the headquarters' officials, the defense minister praised the important role played by the Navy in the framework of Greece's contribution to peace and humanitarian operations under the auspices of international organizations, saying that "in our days the Navy aims at developing naval power in the extremely important region of the Southeastern Mediterranean."

[13] PASOK's Ragoussis on party internal election

He said that possible problems may have arisen at the party's local offices in Nikaia and one in Thessaloniki, which would have to be investigated by the party's Charter and Certification Committee.

[14] KKE's Papariga on OA, pension reforms

Commenting on the efforts to privatize Greece's ailing national carrier Olympic Airways, Papariga said that the government was speeding up procedures "for the privatisation of key airports in the country, which are 'prime cuts', something that means the privatization of all the services provided, including that of flight safety".

She said KKE would therefore also accelerate its own reaction to what she called "this crime", stressing that the privatizations would not only increase the cost of air travel but also greatly undermine the safety of flights, which could not be guaranteed by private interests whose main goals were profit.

Regarding pension reform, she said the measures being planned would adversely affect all the insured, either directly or indirectly.

"The particular targets are the younger generation, couples and maternity. The answer cannot just be to announce a strike. Before the strike, what is needed is for every workplace to become a great source of action; they must particularly support workers in the private sector to go out on strike, to not fear dismissal," she stressed.

[15] SYRIZA leader Alavanos tours Iraklio prefecture

Referring to a question on the possibility of cooperation between SYRIZA and the main opposition PASOK party, he said "I think that this cooperation is already taking place, but it is taking place from below, however. This 16 percent that is being presented by the latest surveys would not be possible if we did not have great departures from the socialist camp towards the joint program and the targets of SYRIZA. At leadership level, I think it is clear that we are on different sides."

On the question of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Alavanos said that "we must bear into consideration the very alarming situation in the Balkans. We must know that apart from the positions that the leaders of FYROM have expressed at times there might be worse developments, such as the partition of this country and the creation of an Albanian and a Slav state. This will be very negative for our country," adding that a solution must be found "in the middle of the bridge" that will be acceptable by both peoples.

[16] Suspect in Zachopoulos case testifies

She was transferred from Korydallos prison, where she was remanded to custody pending trial about two months ago, in order to answer to charges of joint attempted extortion and conspiring to violate laws on the protection of personal privacy and information, as well as being an accomplice in an attempted suicide.

Her lawyer Costas Chrysikopoulos revealed that the accused intends to present the magistrate with a written testimony exceeding 40 pages.

She is accused of recording her illicit sexual encounters with the former ministry general secretary and then using the recording to blackmail him in order to be given a permanent position at the ministry.

Financial News

[17] Gov't to announce incomes policy for 2008 next month

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, Papaspyrou said the incomes policy could not have a nominal difference with inflation and noted that ADEDY demanded a radical restructuring of payrolls in the public sector. ADEDY demands a minimum wage of 1,300 euros.

[18] Greek PM, Merchant Marine minister discuss port privatisation tender

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Voulgarakis said the tender was progressing smoothly and underlined the increased interest in the tender from large institutions and global managers. The Greek minister said a draft legislation, ensuring workers' rights, was expected to be tabled to Parliament soon.

[19] Govt to scrap stamp on insurance premiums from 2009

Addressing a general assembly of the Association of Insurance Companies of Greece, the Greek minister said the two measures would be included in one of the next draft bills to be tabled to Parliament in the next months with the aim "to boost competition in the domestic insurance market to the benefit of citizens". Alogoskoufis reminded a government decision to raise the sum of life and healthcare insurance premiums to exempt from income tax from 1,000 to 1,200 euros.

Fokion Bravos, president of the Association, in his speech reiterated the sector's interest in participating in the country's pension system and noted that premium production rose 10 pct last year, while insurance spending accounted for 2.0 pct of the country's Gross Domestic Product, or per capita insurance spending of 390 euros.

[20] Greek trade deficit up 13.3 pct in 2007

The statistics service said the value of import-arrivals totaled 3.985 billion euros in December, while the value of export-deliveries totaled 1.325 billion euros.

The country's trade deficit in the 12-month period from January to December 2007 totaled 35.727 billion euros, from 31.530 billion euros in 2006, for an increase of 13.3 percent.

[21] European Commission report: Poverty in Greece

Twenty-one per cent of citizens in Greece (16% in the EU) are living on the verge of the poverty line, while after the granting of social benefits, this percentage is reduced to 14% in Greece and 8% in the EU, according to the results of a report on social protection and social integration, which was adopted by the European Commission here on Monday.

According to the same data, 23% of children up to the age of 17 in Greece (19% in the EU) are living on the verge of the poverty line, while after the granting of social benefits, this percentage is reduced to 17% in Greece and 13% in the EU.

It is estimated that of the 78 million citizens who are living on the verge of the poverty line, 19 million are children.

[22] Greece expects increased number of Italian tourists this year

The Greek minister, during his visit in the BIT '08 international travel fair in Milan, said Italians showed particular interest for Greece and most of all for the country's sea tourism, while Italian businessmen also expressed interest in investing in Greece.

The ministry is promoting a special legislation to set standards for an integrated tourism development in the country, also setting preconditions for the construction of holiday houses in touristic regions such as Anavyssos, in Attica, and Afantou, in Rhodes.

The number of Italian visitors to Greece grew by 13.7 pct in 2007, to 1.12 million tourists, while their spending grew by 23.5 percent to 786 million euros over the same year.

[23] Greek design for euro's 10th anniversary coin

The anniversary coin will go into circulation in January 2009 and was chosen by voters among five finalist designs selected by the directors of European mints among 42 designs originally submitted. The winning design received 41,48 percent of the vote, in which more than 141,500 people took part.

According to a Commission announcement, the commemorative coin for the 10th anniversary since the creation of the euro symbolizes the long history of trade, from pre-historic barter - evoked by the deliberately primitive design - to Economic and Monetary Union, while roughly 90 million copies of the coin will be minted.

[24] EU awards for innovative regional plans

European Union regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner on Monday gave awards for innovative regional plans during a two-day conference titled "Regions for economic change - dissemination of excellence."

"The floating autonomous and environmentally friendly desalination unit", that operates in the Southern Aegean, was honored here with the "special distinction" in the framework of the contest for the "innovative regional pans" that promote sustainable growth.

According to an announcement by the European Commission, 268 regions in the EU were called on to submit plans that were jointly financed by the European Regional Development Fund over the 2000-2006 period.

As regards the Greek proposal that distinguished itself, the Commission mentioned that it concerns "a floating, autonomous and environmentally friendly desalination unit in the Southern Aegean that uses energy from renewable sources and produces drinking water for the islands."

[25] Employment minister holds talks with GENOP-DEH directorate

Petralia underlined that the shielding of the interests of the present-day and future employees is identified absolutely to logic and sincerity, that is the philosophy of the social security reform and from which nobody can be excluded.

The reforms, she added, has one sole aim, equating upwards with absolute respect for the interests of all the employees, something that also applies in the case of GENOP-DEH, where a special status exists through the law of 1999.

"I committed myself before the president and the members of GENOP's board that nothing will change," the minister said.

[26] Labor Confederation decides new 24-hour nationwide strike

It also decided to carry out rallies and joint events with federations and first stage unions on the days that the bill will be discussed and ratified.

Developments as well as the continuation of the unions' tactics will be decided during an extraordinary meeting of GSEE's board, while the unions also call on employers to come to the negotiating table for the collective labour agreement with improved proposals.

GSEE declared its determination to claim the boosting of funding for social security, the payment of debts owed to social security funds and the improvement and support of the viability and social effectiveness of the Social Security System.

[27] AEGEK signs 40.5-mln-euro road contract in Albania

AEGEK said the project is expected to be ready in two years.

[28] Sprider Stores reports improved 2007 results

The company said gross profits totaled 74.490 million euros, up 49.4 percent from the previous year, while operating pre-tax and interest earnings rose 27.1 pct to 18.827 million euros. Pre-tax earnings jumped 41.2 percent to 18.304 million euros, while consolidated pre-tax and minorities earnings jumped 69.1 pct to 14.125 million euros.

The Group plans to expand its retail network with another 20 units, of which 12 in Greece and the remaining eight abroad (six in Romania and one in Bulgaria and Poland). Sprider Stores expects this year's turnover to rise by 28.8 percent and its after-tax and minorities earnings to rise by 31.7 pct.

[29] Greek stocks end 0.62 pct higher

The Big Cap index rose 0.42 pct, the Mid Cap index ended 0.89 pct higher and the Small Cap index fell 0.51 pct. Tria Alpha (19.94 pct), Imako (19.63 pct) and Viosol (11.36 pct) were top gainers, while Altius (13.16 pct), Eltrak (8.40 pct) and Mermeren (7.30 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers narrowly led decliners by 125 to 121 with another 47 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.61%

Industrials: +0.91%

Commercial: -1.04%

Construction: -0.04%

Media: +2.44%

Oil & Gas: +1.76%

Personal & Household: -0.32%

Raw Materials: +3.78%

Travel & Leisure: -1.13%

Technology: -1.05%

Telecoms: +1.39%

Banks: +0.46%

Food & Beverages: +0.68%

Health: +1.47%

Utilities: -0.24%

Chemicals: +0.27%

Financial Services: +0.35%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Bank of Cyprus, OTE and OPAP.

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

Alpha Bank: 20.68

ATEbank: 3.48

Public Power Corp (PPC): 29.90

HBC Coca Cola: 30.00

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.66

National Bank of Greece: 39.20

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 19.30

Intralot: 13.42

OPAP: 23.22

OTE: 20.30

Titan Cement Company: 30.80

[30] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 5,513 contracts worth 63.114 million euros, with 26,930 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 114 contracts worth 3.013 million euros, with 425 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 5,459 contracts worth 10.296 million euros, with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (837), followed by Eurobank (569), OTE (658), Alpha Bank (191), Intracom (153), Marfin Popular Bank (725), Intralot (367).

[31] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates were mixed. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.04 pct, the two-day rate 4.05 pct, the one-month rate 4.20 pct and the 12-month rate 4.38 pct.

[32] Foreign Exchange Rates - Tuesday

U.S. dollar 1.493

Pound sterling 0.759

Danish kroner 7.515

Swedish kroner 9.389

Japanese yen 160.99

Swiss franc 1.626

Norwegian kroner 7.944

Canadian dollar 1.500

Australian dollar 1.614

General News

[33] City of Athens carnival programme begins on Thursday

The city promises to pull out all the stops for a wild, creative and fun progam last 10 days until the Clean Monday holiday on March 10, which marks the start of Lent in the Orthodox calender.

The events were organized by the City of Athens Cultural Organization (PODA) and announced on Monday by PODA Chairwoman Sophia Daskalaki-Mytilineou, who said that the aim had been to encourage "all citizens and visitors to be a part of a lively, fun-filled celebration that will take place at the usual venues but also in city neighbourhoods."

She also said that traditional customs had been augmented by elements of carnivals as celebrated abroad, "thus embracing Athens' multiculturalism".

The program of events will include theatre, creative activities, street parties, Latin parties and DJ sets alongside more traditional activities like kite-flying, maypole dancing, a Lenten feast on Clean Monday, traditional Greek carnival songs around the Acropolis and performances of music by the Athens big band and bands of young musicians.

It will also feature an exhibition organized with the help of the Greek Engravers Association that begins on Tuesday at the Melina Cultural Centre entitled "Kites Flying High in the Attica Sky" and four of the works will also be printed on kites decorating the city throughout the carnival season.

[34] New Babiniotis Greek dictionary published

The 1,104-page tome focuses on the orthography or correct spelling of words, providing rules and observations on special pages, as well as etymology and alternative spellings.

According to Babiniotis, the new dictionary attempts to address the issue of correct modern spelling, which he described as difficult because "there is no uniform approach", and to present the various arguments in the current debate on this issue.

"There should be an institutional authority, such as the Athens Academy, that will in a scientific way decide on a legitimate and reasoned simplification of words," he said during the presentation of his new dictionary.

Weather Forecast

[35] Partly cloudy on Tuesday

Overcast in Athens, with light winds and temperatures ranging from 6C to 21C. Same in Thessaloniki, with temperatures ranging from 5C to 19C.

Cyprus Affairs

[36] President-elect to travel overseas on official visits

Newly elected President of the Republic Demetris Christofias on Monday conveyed a message to the international community that a solution to the Cyprus problem should come from Cypriots themselves, if it is to be viable and functional.

Announcing that next week he will pay an official visit to Athens, Christofias, elected on Sunday night after winning the second round of the presidential elections by securing 53.36% of the valid votes, also said he will travel to Brussels for the European Council meeting from 13-14 March.

Speaking to the press at his election centre on Monday, Christofias said he received the ambassadors of Greece and Great Britain. British High Commissioner Peter Millett conveyed an official invitation to the new president to visit London.

Christofias received a warm, as he said, congratulatory message from the French President and a message from Archbishop Chrysostomos II, primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus.

He also said that a meeting to sound out their views will soon be arranged with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, with whom he already had a telephone conversation.

Replying to questions, the President designate said that "I have promised the people of Cyprus I will travel abroad and surely I will do so. I am a man who keeps his promises and commitments", he added.

On Britain's stance that a solution must not be imposed on Cyprus, Christofias has this to say: "I cannot say otherwise because in previous meetings with the British High Commissioner I made it clear that we want a solution to the Cyprus problem that will be viable and functional as well as fair under the circumstances and this should come from Cypriots and should not be imposed from outside and I am glad the international community is taking this into consideration".

He recalled that many Security Council members and especially the five permanent members talk about good will on the part of Cypriots and say that a solution should come from Cyprus.

Christofias also said that he had a telephone conversation with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. "Surely the UN will be involved" in a new meeting, the new president added.

He told reporters that he is contemplating, planning and working on the composition of his cabinet.

Christofias' opponent, Ioannis Kasoulides, received 46.64% of the votes.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island's northern third.

[37] Miliband says election result generates hope for Cyprus

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has expressed hope that the renewed sense of hope in Cyprus, after Sunday's presidential elections, would facilitate efforts to build trust and confidence between the two communities on the island.

Commenting on the result of the elections, Miliband said that ''the elections in Cyprus yesterday (Sunday) have generated a renewed sense of hope, among both communities on the island, that progress towards a comprehensive settlement can be achieved during 2008.''

''I hope we can build on this momentum through early efforts to build trust and confidence between the two communities. For its part, the UK will support the efforts of the UN in its search for a comprehensive settlement,'' he added.

Miliband noted that ''the British Government looks forward to working closely with Cyprus and President designate Christofias to strengthen our important bilateral relationship.''

[38] Christofias invited to Britain for talks

Speaking after a short meeting with Christofias on Monday, Millett assured that his country would continue to support efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

Millett said Britain and Cyprus have many common interests in various sectors, such as the economy, commerce, education, tourism and politics, both on a bilateral level and as EU partners. ''So, we look forward to constructive cooperation with the new government of Cyprus,'' he added.

The High Commissioner welcomed Christofias' commitment ''to work for a Cyprus settlement and the reunification of Cyprus,'' and noted that ''we assured him that he will have our undivided support to achieve this aim.''

He furthermore welcomed Christofias' intention to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. ''We believe that such a meeting would contribute towards improving the atmosphere,'' he added.

''I would like to stress that neither Great Britain nor the international community want to impose a solution on Cyprus. It is up to the two communities to work amicably under UN auspices,'' Millett said, adding that ''we, on our side, in full cooperation with the rest of the Security Council members, will do everything possible to help them.''

[39] Preparations underway for affirmation ceremony

Preparations for the official swearing in ceremony of President-elect Demetris Christofias have begun, in anticipation of Thursday's affirmation.

Acting Director General of the House of Representatives Socratis Socratous told CNA here Monday that Acting President of the House, Costas Papacostas will chair the special session of the House on 28 February, at 1600 local time (1400 GMT) during which the new President will be sworn in.

During the ceremony, the Acting House President will explain the reason for the extraordinary session and then Christofias will give his affirmation before the plenary of the 56-member House, pledging faith in and respect for the Constitution and the laws made thereunder and the preservation of the independence and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus.

Christofias will then give a speech and tradition has it that the new president will then receive the congratulations of the members of the House.

Socratous said that around 250 persons have been invited, including government officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

The House will resume its normal sessions on 6 March. Members of the House who are appointed to the new Cabinet will resign their parliamentary seat and the runners up will be sworn in before proceedings begin.

Meanwhile, Andreas Moleskis, Secretary of the Council of Ministers told CNA that the first meeting of the new Cabinet will take place after the appointment of the new ministers.

It is customary that the first Cabinet meeting is a formality during which the new President gives the guidelines on how the meetings will be conducted, he said.

Moleskis added that by the 1st of March, the new ministers should be sworn in as the term in office of the government of Tassos Papadopoulos ends on 29 February.

This is the first time that AKEL party contested the presidency by putting forward its own candidate, the party General Secretary, Demetris Christofias.

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