Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM holds meeting on cutting the cost of red tape

[02] Karamanlis-Garganas meeting

[03] Polish Senate speaker meets PM, Sioufas

[04] Deputy FM Valinakis reacts to Bryza's remarks on South Stream agreement

[05] PASOK leader holds meeting with party officials

[06] PASOK spokesman on OTE, economy

[07] PASOK tables question on Deutsche Telekom company

[08] PASOK on the OTE telecom negotiations

[09] SYN criticises government deal for OTE

[10] OTE staff to strike next week

[11] Coast Guard patrols beefed-up to thwart illegal migrants

[12] Government prepares draft decree for national park in Tzoumerka

[13] Greek PMI rose to 54.4 in April

[14] Hellenic Postbank aims to become more competitive, chairman says

[15] New strikes planned at Piraeus, Thessaloniki ports

[16] Greek stocks end 2.13 pct higher

[17] ADEX closing report

[18] Greek bond market closing report

[19] Foreign Exchange Rates - Saturday/Monday

[20] Greek Canadian Congress

[21] University of Macedonia event on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

[22] Anniversary celebrations for 2nd National Assembly at Astros

[23] Woman attacked by herd of hogs

[24] Four slightly injured in hotel kitchen explosion

[25] Kifissia flower show 'nature fest'

[26] Samaria Gorge national park opens to visitors

[27] Athletes in Greek weight-lifting team deny doping charge

[28] Partly cloudy on Saturday

[29] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[30] President says Greek Cypriot side has its views on settlers' issue

[31] Spokesman: Turkish Cypriot leader's statements are unproductive

[32] Russian officials reaffirm support for Cyprus settlement

[33] President Christofias and T/C leader Talat to attend bi-communal event

[01] PM holds meeting on cutting the cost of red tape

In statements after the meeting, Pavlopoulos stressed that this was this was the first time in Greece that there was a special operational plan included in the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) for administrative reforms, which would pivot mainly around cutting back red tape.

"Under PASOK governments, all these things were unknown and had been left to their fate," he added.

The minister said that meetings like the one held on Friday would occur frequently from now on, since this was a priority area for the government and there were areas of joint responsibility between the interior and finance ministries, now that the latter had acquired its own operational plan. With the start of the new programme now beginning, there was a need to quickly push through issues touching on both public administration and the economy, he pointed out.

Alogoskoufis said that dealing with bureaucracy was an issue of immense importance for the general public and the economy. He stressed that, according to a report by the European Commission, the cost of bureaucracy in Greece was greater than the average for all European Union countries and, especially for businesses, exceeded 6.5 percent of GDP.

The finance and interior ministry have jointly undertaken an initiative to cut down bureaucracy for businesses and the general public, he added.

[02] Karamanlis-Garganas meeting

In the meeting held Friday morning, Garganas announced that he will leave his post as the bank's Governor when his tenure ends on June 14, pointing out that he has served a total of 12 years in the Bank of Greece, as Deputy Governor (Sept. 5, 1996 - June 13, 2002) and as Governor since June 2002.

Garganas stated that he was first appointed to a Bank of Greece senior executive post 33 years ago in January 1975 by the then Bank of Greece Governor, the late Xenophon Zolotas.

[03] Polish Senate speaker meets PM, Sioufas

During his meeting with Sioufas, Borusewicz repeated an invitation that had already been extended to Greece's Parliament president to visit Poland by his Polish counterpart. Sioufas then accompanied the Polish delegation to the prime minister's office to meet Karamanlis.

The visiting delegation then met with the Greek Parliament's Greece-Poland Friendship Group.

[04] Deputy FM Valinakis reacts to Bryza's remarks on South Stream agreement

"Any suggestions, from wherever they come from, do not benefit anything," Valinakis said from the island of Rhodes.

"The prime minister and the government, in a serious and responsible manner, are promoting and securing national interests in the best possible way on all fronts. Consequently, any suggestions, from wherever they come from, do not benefit anything and only cause a fuss," he told reporters.

[05] PASOK leader holds meeting with party officials

The meeting was attended by party secretary Yiannis Ragoussis, the director of his Political Office Nikos Athanasakis, PASOK's spokesman George Papaconstantinou and the Parliamentary Group's director Reggina Vartzeli.

Speaking after the meeting, Papaconstantinou said "the economy, high prices and the daily life of the citizen are and will remain the focal point of PASOK's attention, which focuses on them because they concern the average Greek family."

[06] PASOK spokesman on OTE, economy

Papaconstantinou further said that PASOK has serious objections regarding the whole process concerning OTE adding that "middleman is a respectable profession, but not when he functions as a mediator in the sale of public wealth."

Focusing on the issue of the economy in general, the spokesman said that PASOK will refer to this issue on a daily basis and pointed out that the recent report by the International Monetary Fund "confirms the worse, the black clouds for the Greek economy."

Also referring to May Day celebrations, Papaconstantinou said that Greek working people "are currently experiencing a state of economic suffocation with labour and social security uncertainty."

Lastly, Papaconstantinou replied to a question on whether PASOK fears that the government is exercising an unequal policy between Russia and the United States, saying that "what Greece must do is to exercise an independent foreign policy and not seek protectors at times, either it concerns the United States or Russia, or anyone else."

He added that the country's foreign policy "must be determined by the fact that we are a member-state of the European Union and whatever relations with third parties must pass through this capacity of ours."

[07] PASOK tables question on Deutsche Telekom company

"According to the international press, 16,000 small shareholders of Deutsche Telekom took action against it, accusing the administration of the committee of fraud and in particular of overestimating its share in the third phase of its privatisation, in 2000. The trial before the Frankfurt Appeals Court is taking on monstrous dimensions, with the participation of 800 lawyers who are backing 870 lawsuits. The plaintiffs are demanding 80 million euros in compensation and a special law was ratified to cover the mammoth-trial in 2005. The small shareholders believe that Deutsche Telekom overestimated real estate and concealed the scandalous purchase for 40 billion euros of the American Voice Stream. The trial will last from 10 to 20 years," Pangalos stressed, calling on Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis to "declare whether the government is aware of the above facts and what measures it intends to take to protect the shaleholders of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) and to avoid a possible loss for the public sector."

[08] PASOK on the OTE telecom negotiations

He accused the government of offering no official briefing to political parties on the course of negotiations, stressing that attempts are made on its part to prepare the ground for the selling off of OTE through selective news leaks.

OTE is a public asset of strategic importance for the country's national security and development and selling it off at bargain basement prices constitutes a political and economic crime against the Greek people, he said.

[09] SYN criticises government deal for OTE

In an announcement, SYN stressed that the government had not made any commitments regarding the phone company's price policy, which would henceforth be decided by the market, as well as paving the way for handing over an even bigger share of OTE to DT.

"A national weapon for development is being disabled, with massive repercussions for the economy, while the country's special role in the surrounding region is being cut back," the announcement added, pointing out that OTE's penetration in the Balkans was very high.

According to SYN, the one sure winner in the affair was MIG, which sold its share of OTE to DT. "The government is, in any case, well acquainted with the game of serving private interests," the announcement concluded.

[10] OTE staff to strike next week

In its announcement, OME-OTE accused the government of "seeking, through communications gimmicks, to present the sell-off of the OTE group as a strategic alliance".

In addition to next week's strike action throughout the country, OME-OTE also plans to stage a protest rally on Tuesday at 13:00 in Klafthmonos Square in central Athens.

[11] Coast Guard patrols beefed-up to thwart illegal migrants

A total of 115 illegal migrants were intercepted on the eastern Aegean islands of Lesvos, Leros and Farmakonisi during the Easter season alone.

Since Thursday evening, the Coast Guard arrested 20 illegal migrants on the island of Farmakonisi, while a search is being conducted to locate 15 illegal migrants brought to the island's coasts on board the boat of a 30-year-old Turk migrant smuggler. Seven illegal migrants were arrested on the south-eastern Aegean island of Kos.

According to official figures, a total of 20,314 illegal migrants and 640 migrant smugglers have been intercepted since 2004 while attempting to cross the Greek sea borders.

[12] Government prepares draft decree for national park in Tzoumerka

The draft decree will now be sent on to the Greece's supreme administrative court, the Council of State, for furthern processing after it is first checked by the Central Legislative Committee.

Financial News

[13] Greek PMI rose to 54.4 in April

The seasonally adjusted PMI rose to 54.4 points in April, from 52.7 in March. Greek manufacturing companies raised their production for the 53rd consecutive month in April, while new orders grew strongly, mainly from foreign markets.

Greek manufacturing enterprises hired additional workers for the second time in the last three months in April, with the employment index rising to 50.5 in April from 49.4 in March. Some enterprises, however, reported a strong increase of average cost in April to 53.7, from 50.3 in March, reflecting higher energy and metal prices.

Inventories fell for the third consecutive month in April. The PMI index measures business activity in the manufacturing sector. Readings above 50 indicate a growing sector, while below 50 a shrinking sector.

[14] Hellenic Postbank aims to become more competitive, chairman says

Philippidis said the first results of this effort would be visible by the fourth quarter of 2008 and said that a partnership with Hellenic Post expanded by 2021. He said that Hellenic Postbank will open 300 new units this year.

Philippidis said that the only way that the public sector remained the main shareholder of Hellenic Postbank was to become competitive with the other 42 commercial banks operating in the country, otherwise this or the next governments would proceed with its privatisation.

The general shareholders' meeting approved a board plan to pay a 0.25 euros per share dividend to shareholders.

[15] New strikes planned at Piraeus, Thessaloniki ports

The dates coincide with the deadlines by which private investors must submit their bids for the management of the two container terminals in a tender, starting with the tender for Piraeus on May 9 and followed by Thessaloniki on May 15. Interest in the management rights to the terminals have so far been expressed by British, Chinese and Arab firms.

In addition to striking, the dockers will continue to refuse over-time and week-end work and will also join forces in protests on the tender deadlines, with dockers from Thessaloniki travelling down to Piraeus on May 9 and vice-versa.

The strike action is taking place alongside legal action taken by dockers, who have petitioned the country's supreme administrative court, the Council of State, to stop the process.

[16] Greek stocks end 2.13 pct higher

Most sectors moved higher with the exception of the Food/Beverage sector which ended 2.34 pct down. Banks (3.98 pct), Constructions (3.34 pct), Technology (2.82 pct) and Financial Services (2.27 pct) scored the biggest percentage gains of the day.

The FTSE 20 index jumped 2.87 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 1.53 pct higher and the FTSE 80 index rose 1.14 pct.

Livanis Publications (20.0 pct), Klonatex (14.29 pct) and Kreka (12.88 pct) were top gainers, while ANEK (12.06 pct), Lanacam (9.84 pct) and Ideal (9.81 pct) were top losers. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 189 to 56 with another 48 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +1.40%

Industrials: +1.10%

Commercial: +0.82%

Construction: +3.34%

Media: +1.15%

Oil & Gas: +0.65%

Personal & Household: +1.63%

Raw Materials: +0.95%

Travel & Leisure: +0.75%

Technology: +2.69%

Telecoms: +1.46%

Banks: +3.98%

Food & Beverages: -2.34%

Health: +1.63%

Utilities: +0.66%

Chemicals: +0.42%

Financial Services: +2.27%

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

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

Alpha Bank: 22.60

ATEbank: 2.87

Public Power Corp (PPC): 27.28

HBC Coca Cola: 28.12

Hellenic Petroleum: 9.82

National Bank of Greece: 37.70

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 20.50

Intralot: 13.30

OPAP: 25.10

OTE: 19.40

Titan Cement Company: 29.72

Marfin Popular Bank: 5.90

Marfin Investment Group: 5.80

[17] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 8,162 contracts worth 90.717 million euros, with 29,925 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 102 contracts worth 2.569 million euros, with 226 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 16,927 contracts worth 22.544 million euros, with investment interest focusing on OTE's contracts (2,379), followed by Eurobank (414), OPAP (321), National Bank (2,177), Alpha Bank (540), Intracom (1,487), Marfin Popular Bank (1,191), Mytilineos (2,362) and ATEbank (1,262).

[18] Greek bond market closing report

In the domestic interbank market, interest rates moved higher. National Bank's overnight rate was 4.10 pct, the two-day rate 4.10 pct, the one-month rate 4.41 pct and the 12-month rate 4.91 pct.

[19] Foreign Exchange Rates - Saturday/Monday

U.S. dollar 1.558

Pound sterling 0.785

Danish kroner 7.521

Swedish kroner 9.430

Japanese yen 163.24

Swiss franc 1.636

Norwegian kroner 7.989

Canadian dollar 1.584

Australian dollar 1.668

General News

[20] Greek Canadian Congress

Deputies of the Greek Parliament's Interparty Overseas Hellenism Committee, Antonis Karpouzas of the ruling New Democracy party and Adonis Georgiadis of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, are currently in Montreal to participate in the sessions of the Greek Canadian Congress's conference, on Friday and Saturday, on the theme of the Congress's 25-year operation and its role over the next 25 years.

Asked about the issue of voting for overseas Greeks, Karpouzas said that the issue is in a stage of deliberations and the submission of proposals by all parties, with the exception of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), stressing that the issue is both complex and complicated.

Referring to the same issue, Georgiadis said that the relevant bill "will not be ratified because a reinforced majority is required during the vote, something that will not happen, because the PASOK and SYRIZA parties disagree with ND's proposal."

The conference's sessions began on Friday and focused on taxation and pensioning issues, as well as on voting for overseas Greeks.

Representatives of first and second stage organisations have come from various parts of Canada to attend the conference.

[21] University of Macedonia event on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The main guests are David Roosevelt, author and grandson of Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the UN Commission on Human Rights that drew up the Universal Declaration in 1948, and Erica-Irene Daes, a UN Human Rights expert.

[22] Anniversary celebrations for 2nd National Assembly at Astros

The celebrations included a doxology in the St Nikolaos Cathedral, held in the presence of local authorities, followed by a memorial service at the site of the Second National Assembly and a wreath laying ceremony. Student and military parades were held in the central square of Astros.

The government was represented by Deputy Education Minister Andreas Lykourentzos and the Greek Parliament by its 2nd Vice-President Elsa Papadimitriou.

The Second Greek National Assembly convened at Astros between 29 March and 18 April 1823 under the chairmanship of Petros Mavromichalis, having as its main task to revise the Constitution of Epidaurus, adopted in the First National Assembly.

[23] Woman attacked by herd of hogs

The hogs had strayed onto her property and attacked her when she tried to drive them away, inflicting serious injuries in several parts of her body.

The woman was rushed to Preveza hospital, where she is now receiving treatment, and the owner of the semi-domesticated herd is being sought by Preveza police station.

[24] Four slightly injured in hotel kitchen explosion

An investigation is underway to determine the causes of the explosion.

[25] Kifissia flower show 'nature fest'

Apart from events at the official opening on April 30, there is a core of exhibits and individual events focusing on the ecological aspects of gardening and with the participation, this year, of botanical gardens in Greece and abroad, pavilions promoting environmental messages and others promoting organic produce.

The exhibition programme additionally includes performances of music and dance, shadow-puppet performances by the Evgenios Spatharis company, school bazaars, flower-arranging classes, as well as the screening of documentaries.

The flower show will be open for the public between 10:00 in the morning and 10:00 in the evening, while between the hours of 11:00 and 14:00 there will be classes in environmental education delivered by agriculturalists to schools visiting the site. Visitors will also be able to seek tips on caring for their plants and gardens from experts at the show's advice centre.

[26] Samaria Gorge national park opens to visitors

A total of 390 adults and 20 children, most of them foreign tourists, passed through the Xylokastro entrance on the first day of its operation for the season. Another 200 hikers visited the gorge by 10 am on Friday morning.

The annual maintenance work conducted in the gorge area was completed earlier than usual and the Hania Forests Directorate reminds visitors to follow the signs along the gorge and take all safety precautions for their protection.

Sports

[27] Athletes in Greek weight-lifting team deny doping charge

The athletes had been summoned to testify before First-instance court public prosecutor Andreas Karaflos on Friday after they tested positive for banned substances in a doping test.

The 11th member of the national team that tested positive, a 25-year-old female athlete, has adopted a different stance to her other team-mates and is being represented separately by another lawyer, Alexis Kougias, who asked for additional evidence from the case file and was granted an extension in order to incorporate this in the testimony his client will submit.

Kougias stressed that this additional evidence included the expert opinion of a sports medicine specialist, who described one of the substances detected in the samples supplied by the athletes as extremely dangerous for their health. According to Kougias, this new evidence "puts a different criminal angle on the case" since the substances taken were life-threatening.

Weather forecast

[28] Partly cloudy on Saturday

[29] The Friday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: " Clash between main opposition PASOK and SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) members - May Day rally was disrupted".

APOGEVMATINI: "People around the world starving".

AVGHI: "Working people will not compromise with high cost of living, unemployment and reduced rights".

AVRIANI: "Trade union GSEE's rally turns into humiliation for the trade unionists"

CHORA: "OTE - Deutsche Telekom deal sealed - What FinMin George Alogoskoufis said to prime minister".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Deal with Deutsche Telecom sealed if certain obstacles overcome".

ELEFTHEROS: "Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State for European Affairs Matthew Bryza: 'Athens deceived us over South Stream pipeline'."

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Rice cartel sets markets on fire - Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar establish their own OPEC".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Covert deals in OTE disclosed -SIEMENS scandal: The 'bribe' money bank accounts".

ESTIA: "European Commission's report show poor progress in unemployment".

ETHNOS: "Prices spiraling for 500 food products - Increases up to 36 percent in staple goods".

KATHIMERINI: "OTE agreement on the horizon after state backs down over president's right of veto".

LOGOS: "US discomfort over South Stream agreement - Bryza makes edgy comments".

NIKI: "Government's trick with Cabinet reshuffle".

RIZOSPASTIS: "May Day with PAME".

TA NEA: "OTE passes into German hands without limits - Government gives green light".

TO VIMA: "May day questionnaire - Major reactions over prices and wages - Celebrations and demonstrations worldwide under the shade of economic crisis".

VRADYNI: "Torpedo of dialogue - Intransigence and irredentism by FYROM's prime minister".

Cyprus Affairs

[30] President says Greek Cypriot side has its views on settlers' issue

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias said on Friday that the Greek Cypriot side has its views on the issue of the Turkish settlers in the Turkish occupied areas of the island and will present its arguments, as it will do on all aspects of the Cyprus problem.

Commenting on remarks by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat that the status of persons living in the occupied areas is not negotiable, President Christofias said that ''Mr. Talat admits that all the settlers remain and are registered as citizens based on the Annan plan, and it is one of the aspects of the plan which made us go against it.''

''Consequently, we have our positions on this matter as well, we will submit them and we will fight for them, as we will do with all other aspects of the Cyprus problem, without the Annan plan,'' he added.

President Christofias said that, ''if Mr. Talat wants to raise issues that are in the Annan plan, it is his right to do so, but we have our own positions and views.''

Asked if he would be raising the issue of the settlers during his forthcoming direct negotiations with Talat or if it was an issue to be discussed by the technical committees, President Christofias said ''we want a committee to be created not only for the settlers but also for the issue of illegal immigration and citizenship and for issues which, in our view, should first be discussed by the committees.''

According to reports there are some 120,000 Turkish settlers and about 85,000 Turkish Cypriots in the occupied areas. Around 55.000 Turkish Cypriots have already left the island.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

[31] Spokesman: Turkish Cypriot leader's statements are unproductive

The Cyprus government has described as unproductive and unconstructive statements by Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for a settlement providing for two states in Cyprus and "the virgin birth" of a new state.

Invited to comment Talat's statements Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that "what is being said by the National Security Council of Turkey or is being repeated by the Turkish Cypriot leadership and Mr. Talat does not lead to optimism that the process which has begun at the level of working groups and technical committees will bear results to allow fully-fledged negotiations on the Cyprus question."

Stephanou noted that the Greek Cypriot side is working with calmness, patience and consistence so that the process will be successful, and has clear positions on the settlement of the Cyprus question, that must terminate occupation, the illegal settling, and will reunite the island in the framework of a bizonal, bicommunal federation, within which a political equality will be established as described by the UN relevant resolutions.

He also said that the Greek Cypriot side is pursuing a settlement that will safeguard the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all the people. He reiterated that the positions of the Greek Cypriot side are based on the positions agreed by the two communities and recalled that the bizonal, bicommunal federation was agreed in 1977 and was reaffirmed in 1979, with the two High Level agreements and with the 8 July 2006 Agreement between former Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, adding that "we insist to this agreement."

As regards the basis and the framework for a Cyprus settlement, Stephanou said "there are the UN Security resolutions, and we have the agreed and adopted positions by the international community on which we are pursuing a settlement."

"If there are people who want to pursue a settlement based on other positions and beyond the Annan plan, as is the position for two states and "the virgin birth" of a new state, they do not help the whole process to move forward," he added.

Asked about the Cyprus government's position on settlers, the spokesman said that as an issue of principle, the settlement of the Cyprus question must terminate settling and settlers must leave the island. He noted however that for humanitarian reasons a number of settlers will remain on the island.

Invited to say whether the Greek Cypriot side will proceed to face to face negotiations if Talat insists on these positions, Stephanou referred to the agreement reached between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Talat on March 21, 2008, and said that "first of all the ground must be prepared for fully-fledged negotiations."

"From our side," he pointed out, "we will do our outmost to achieve results, discussing on an acceptable basis, and this basis comprises High Level Agreements, the UN resolutions on Cyprus and the principles of the International and European law."

Six working groups and seven technical committees, set up in the context of the March 21 agreement, are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the two leaders.

The leaders also decided to meet again in three months to review the work of the committees dealing with various aspects of the Cyprus problem, the results of which will be used to start negotiations under UN auspices leading to a settlement that will reunite Cyprus, divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion.

[32] Russian officials reaffirm support for Cyprus settlement

Director General of ITAR TASS Vitaly Ignatenko and Duma Senator Ralif Safin on Friday reiterated to President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias the Russian Federation's support to the principles of a Cyprus settlement.

The Russian officials were accompanied at a meeting with President Christofias at the Presidential Palace by the Chairman of the Cyprus News Agency's Board of Directors Costakis Constantinou and Acting Director and Editor in Chief George Penintaex.

President Christofias briefed Ignatenko and Safin on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and the initiatives of the Greek Cypriot side to resume a substantive dialogue for a settlement, and noted that both the UN and the EU have welcomed these initiatives.

He furthermore praised the stance of Russia, China and France towards Cyprus at the UN Security Council, and thanked Russia for its support towards the people of Cyprus and the stance of principle it is maintaining in efforts to solve the problem.

President Christofias said Cyprus is the common home of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. ''We are struggling for a free and reunited Cyprus,'' he pointed out.

He furthermore referred to the traditional ties of friendship with Russia, saying that the aim of his government was to further promote bilateral relations in various sectors, with the signing of agreements during his visit to Moscow later this year.

Speaking after the meeting, Ignatenko said ''it was a great pleasure to meet President Christofias,'' adding that their discussion was ''very wise and very comprehensive and it was very important.''

''It is very important that after Mr. Christofias was elected as President new events are happening regarding the Cyprus issue. Mr. Christofias offered very useful incentives regarding the Cyprus problem and his proposals will definitely be backed by the Russian Federation. And definitely we understand that it will be a long and hard work but we hope it will bring results and the Parliament of Russia, the journalists of Russia will do everything to help the solution of the Cyprus problem,'' he added.

Constantinou thanked Russia for its steadfast support to a Cyprus settlement, based on UN principles and resolutions.

Earlier on Friday, Ignatenko visited the Cyprus News Agency, where he met with Constantinou and Penintaex.

[33] President Christofias and T/C leader Talat to attend bi-communal event

A bi-communal social event is organised on May 7 at the Ledra Palace hotel, in the UN-controlled buffer zone, with the participation of Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

The event is organized by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Cyprus and is hosted by the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot political parties, a press release issued by the Slovak Embassy says.

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