Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-07-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM briefed on EU interior ministers' summit

[02] Papandreou calls for immediate convening of Parliament's plenum

[03] FM Bakoyannis congratulates Serbian counterpart

[04] FM Bakoyannis addresses EKEM anniversary event

[05] Controversy continues over Siemens affair

[06] German minister on Siemens issue

[07] KKE not participating in Crossparty Committee

[08] KKE leader meets archaeologists

[09] Synaspismos secretariat convenes

[10] PASOK rapporteur Louka Katseli on budget

[11] Prosecutors' report on culture ministry to Parliament

[12] European Human Rights Court on Ecumenical Patriarchate

[13] Papoulias receives Bavarian CSU delegation

[14] Cypriot FM Kyprianou to visit Veria

[15] Europe in a very difficult economic conjucture, Greek FinMin says

[16] Greek, European Commission officials on 3rd CSF

[17] 'Green entrepreneurship' conference in Athens

[18] Foreign investors' participation in ASE up in June

[19] Beijing and Athens airports sign 'Olympic twinning' memorandum

[20] Farm minister meets Lithuanian counterpart

[21] Intrasoft wins 32-mln-euro EU contract

[22] Building activity down 12.4% in Jan-Apr

[23] Attica mayors threaten possible closure of Fylis landfill

[24] Greek stocks end 1.79% down on Tues.

[25] ADEX closing report

[26] Greek bond market closing report

[27] Foreign Exchange rates: Wednesday

[28] OTE, Latsis Foundation to aid Callisto in forest protection

[29] Illustrated edition on wildflowers of Pindos mountain range

[30] Two wildfires extinguished overnight in Peloponnese

[31] Hot on Wednesday

[32] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[33] President: There must be no deadline for the beginning of direct negotiations

[01] PM briefed on EU interior ministers' summit

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Pavlopoulos said the EU ministerial discussion had focused on two crucial and timely issues for the country. The first item on the agenda was the organisation of civil defence at central EU level, noting that this proposal had been put forward by Greece about a year ago. He added that the EU ministers had decided that there would not be only one central body that would brief the member countries on the needs of the other member states, but that there would also be a central coordination of civil protection, chiefly regarding the means to be jointly forthcoming from the member states wherever necessary.

The second item on the agenda was the pact on immigration and asylum, which will be signed at the EU Summit in October, Pavlopoulos continued.

He said it was unfathomable for a general European policy on migration not to exist, given that the migration phenomenon has reached its present point.

The fundamental points of that pact were combating illegal migration, "not measures against the people seeking a better future, but measures against the people traffickers and the countries that are not meeting their obligations," Pavlopoulos said.

[02] Papandreou calls for immediate convening of Parliament's plenum

The convening of Parliament and the creation of a Factfinding Committee is being requested by the main opposition party now and not in October. The sending of a letter to Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas by Papandreou is expected in the next few days on this issue.

Papandreou will also be sending a second letter that will concern the proposal made Monday by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on the setting up of a Crossparty Committee on transparency.

Referring in particular to the prime minister's proposal for this Committee to be created in October, Papandreou said that "the prime minister is once again refusing to reply to the Siemens scandal and he hopes that he will gain time this way" and accused him of "following a delaying tactic."

Papandreou stressed that PASOK is now requesting the immediate activation of the Institutions and Transparency Committee, as well as the promotion of arrangements on such issues as the funding of parties and the transparency, meritocracy, governance and functioning of the political system issues "and this now and not in October."

He added that PASOK "will give no alibi to the government, which is passing over in silence its grave political responsibilities in the Siemens case."

"The glass has overflowed with the Siemens case which is rocking the country and the time has come to turn a new page," Papandreopu added.

The PASOK leader once again attacked the government, accusing it of "being incompetent and of lacking any will in the face of this major issue," while reminding of his proposals to Karamanlis on "a joint cleanup of public life with whatever cost for our parties" and accusing the prime minister of selecting silence and of being a part of the problem.

Government reaction

Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, replying to Papandreou's statements, said that "once again Mr. Papandreou is proposing, with a 24-hour delay, what the government has already announced."

Roussopoulos added that "at the same time that he is calling for a dialogue on the issues of transparency, he is refusing to participate in the Crossparty Committee that the prime minister has proposed, precisely in the same way that he refused to participate in the revision of the Constitution as well."

[03] FM Bakoyannis congratulates Serbian counterpart

According to a foreign ministry's press release, Bakoyannis in her message expresses "her certainty that the traditional friendly and sincere relations between the Greek and Serbian peoples will strengthen further."

Moreover, the Greek minister refers to the "progress made by Serbia towards its European Union accession and the consistent Greek support to its European prospects, expressing also her conviction that Serbia will become a full member of the European family."

[04] FM Bakoyannis addresses EKEM anniversary event

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis made special reference in her address to "recent unfavourable international developments that are creating concern for the peoples of the world and are leading European citizens to disputing institutions."

The foreign minister focused in particular on the negative result of the Irish referendum, saying that "following the negative response of the Irish to the Reform Treaty, we are obliged to make a stop in the considerable achievements of this course and to bring to mind the benefits that we have obtained."

Bakoyannis referred at length to the country's national and economic benefits through its European course, stressing that "in front of the unfavourable international conjuncture and the questioning of the European unifying venture, it is my conviction that we need more and not less Europe."

Lastly, Bakoyannis termed EKEM the country's most important body that has studied European developments, bringing them closer to Greek society and indicated that the institutional framework regarding the Centre's operation will be renewed and upgraded.

[05] Controversy continues over Siemens affair

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos dismissed this position as a ruse, however, pointing out that fact-finding committees needed a long time to complete their work, whereas a cross-party committee is likely to have wrapped up by October or November this year.

"They talk about real transparency but they do not seek this in practice," Roussopoulos said, adding that the main opposition was currently refusing to take the steps for promoting transparency that were possible outside of a Constitutional revision.

He stressed that the government would go ahead and set up working groups on this issue and had alternative options if the two parties refused to participate in the proposed cross-party committee. The spokesman also repeated that the possibility of a Parliamentary fact-finding commission on the Siemens scandal remained open, while noting that its remit would be different from that of the proposed cross-party committee, since the latter was concerned with institutions in general and the former with a specific case.

A call for a fact-finding committee was also made the head of the main party in SYRIZA, Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday, who also questioned the point of an investigation launched by the Special Audits Service into the affair.

"It seems the government and the prime minister take us for natives and are stringing us along. They are sending [the Special Audits Service] to look at Siemens' official accounts. What do they expect to find there? Is 'black' political money ever recorded in official accounts ledgers?" he asked.

He advised the government to instead send the audits service to look at the accounts of the ruling New Democracy and main opposition PASOK parties and said they should "finally go ahead with setting up a committee to look into the facts of the case instead of proposing cross-party committees that are a joke".

Earlier the same day, Tsipras had met the federation of employees in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. After the meeting, he called on the multinationals Rilken and Henkel to respect the rights of their workforce and to protect their health and safety, noting that there had been five industrial accidents in the sector during the past five years.

He noted that after Siemens and Deutsche Telekom, it was now the turn of these German multinationals to be exposed for their abuses as employers, such as dismissals, threats, violations of Greek and European health and safety at work laws and disregarding fundamental worker rights like the eight-hour day, five-day week and holidays.

[06] German minister on Siemens issue

He was speaking on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Responding to another question on the same issue, he said that "it appears that something went wrong, an investigation has been going on for some time in Greece and in Germany and we are waiting for the results."

Development Minister Christos Folias referred to the strengthening of bilateral political and economic relations between Germany and Greece, speaking during the Chamber's annual General Assembly. Folias noted that Greece is a safe base for the activation of large corporations.

On his part, the German minister focused on the good course of the Greek economy and to the effort aimed at its recovery, urging small and medium-size businesses "to invest in Germany which is a secure partner and a great economic investor for Greece."

[07] KKE not participating in Crossparty Committee

The problem, according to KKE, "lies in the very mingling of the state with the monopolies and the power parties. This is the reality in the system in which we are living. Vested interests exist and develop on this ground and which are not only limited to financial exchanges, but are expressed in many ways and, mainly, with multiform backing for the parties that support the interests of capital with their policy."

KKE further said that the proposals of both the New Democracy (ND) government and of the main opposition PASOK party "deal a blow at vested interests only in words," adding that with the pretext of "transparency" and the checking of expenditures "unacceptable interference in the internal functioning of parties is being attempted."

The party stressed that its "overall policy and the programme that it has communicated to the people is directed openly and unequivocally against capitalist ownership and profit."

[08] KKE leader meets archaeologists

Papariga added that in general the sector of excavations and of archaeological monuments "is literally in danger from the most extreme privatisation because, unfortunately, archaeological treasure is also considered in Greece a means of obtaining wealth, a means of tourism and this is unacceptable."

[09] Synaspismos secretariat convenes

According to an announcement, Synaspismos' political secretariat also decided to "intensify work regarding protection of the environment and more spefically the issue of drought in many parts of the country and the huge problem of wildfires."

[10] PASOK rapporteur Louka Katseli on budget

Katseli added that "there is a complete fiscal deviation with the risk of the Greek economy being placed in a state of supervision by the European Union being visible."

In addition, she accused the government of a "profound class policy that has led to a dramatic decline in the purchase power of households and to the non-existence of an investments policy."

Katseli claimed that "the goal regarding the net revenues of the regular budget in 2008 is impossible to be implemented since the lag in revenues over the first four months has reached 1.3 billion euros, or 0.53 percent of GDP."

[11] Prosecutors' report on culture ministry to Parliament

The two prosecutors on Tuesday sent a report to Parliament, outlining the findings of their investigation into the ministry's activities and the grants given from its special account to various bodies and culture ministry employee associations.

This showed that more than 80 bodies received various sums of money to carry out cultural activities during that time, including large sums received by the Panhellenic Federation of Culture Ministry Associations and the Culture Ministry Employees Staff Mutual Assistance Fund. The federation alone received more than 29 million euros between 2004 and 2006, while the Fund was paid more than 20 million euros.

According to the prosecutors, these sums were approved by ministerial decisions and were justified as grants for cultural activities carried out by the two bodies, while in reality they were spent on staff benefits that were not provided for under state legislation.

The public prosecutors' office has conducted further investigation into subsidies to employees and other bodies where political figures were not involved, finding that there was no need to press charges in the following cases:

The reports on 26 Central Archaeological Council decisions issued between 2004 and 2007 regarding the presence of archaeological or later monuments on various sites;

The exams for the hiring of 148 contract workers by the General Secretariat for utilising Olympic Games infrastructure. The main suspect for the extortion of former culture ministry general secretary Christos Zachopoulos had taken part in this exam and claimed that her score was tampered with so that she would not be hired. The report found that no list of successful candidates had ever been issued, while there was no evidence that her scores had been altered;

Contracts appointing consultants for the management of 3rd Community Support Framework projects. The prosecutors' report said that the contracts given between 2002 and 2006 were necessary for the support of programmes that were promptly and efficiently executed with the loss of funds.

The management of culture ministry finances, where the investigation did not turn up any irregularities and no reason was found to suspend funding, whether by the state or from EU funds.

[12] European Human Rights Court on Ecumenical Patriarchate

The European Human Rights Court has reached a unanimous decision in favour of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its dispute with the Turkish authorities regarding the issue of the Boys' Orphanage on the small island Prinkipos. According to the ruling made public on Tuesday, the Court condemned Turkey unanimously for violation of article 1 of Protocol 1 (protection of property).

The decision noted that the Court did not consider it expedient to examine separately the Patriarchate's request concerning the violation of articles 6 (right to a fair trial) and 14 (prohibition of discriminations) of the Human Rights Treaty, since they are addressed by article 1 of the Protocol.

On the issue of possible compensation, in accordance with article 41 of the Treaty, the Court reserved judgement for a later date.

In parallel, it calls on both sides to submit their observations in writing, and over a period of six months, on the question of compensation and, mainly, to notify the Court of a possible conclusion to an agreement between them.

Evidence provided in the Court's decision reveals that the controversial plot of land has a size of 23,255 square metres and that the Ecumenical Patriarchate acquired it in 1902 for 353,000 euros. It is located on a hill on the island of Buyukada (Prinkipos).

[13] Papoulias receives Bavarian CSU delegation

In greeting the visiting German delegation, Papoulias emphasised the long-standing relations between modern Greece and Bavaria, going back, in fact, to crucial support by the then kingdom during the 1821 War of Independence.

Ramsauer referred to the very close professional and family relations Papoulias has with Germany.

"Greece is a country that continues the Olympic tradition," the Bavarian politician said.

Present at the meeting were Germany Economy and Technology Minister Michael Glos as well as the Greek ambassador to Germany and the German ambassador to Greece.

[14] Cypriot FM Kyprianou to visit Veria

Cyprus Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou departs on Wednesday for the northern city of Veria, where he will attend an event in memory of his father, the late president of the Republic of Cyprus Spyros Kyprianou.

According to an announcement by Veria's municipality, books will be donated for the creation of a Cyprus section in the city's municipal library, which will bear the name of the late Cypriot president.

The Cypriot FM will meet with Veria Mayor Hariklia Ousourtzoglu before addressing an event entitled "The European Future of a Reunited Cyprus". He will also inaugurate the Veria institute of vocational training, named in honor of Spyros and Mimi Kyprianou.

The younger Kyprianou's mother was born in Veria.

The Cypriot minister will also hold meetings in Thessaloniki with Macedonia-Thrace Minister Margaritis Tzimas and other local officials.

Financial News

[15] Europe in a very difficult economic conjucture, Greek FinMin says

"We are facing a very difficult international conjucture for which there are no magic solutions and has to be dealt with consistently and with flexibility," Greek Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, after an ECOFIN meeting in Brussels, the Greek minister said the impact on the European economy from an international financial crisis and rising prices in oil, food and raw materials, was the main issue on the agenda of the council. Alogoskoufis said that according to latest data, this impact could be greater than originally thought.

Commenting on the international crisis, the Greek minister said it has resulted to a significant liquidity problems in Europe, higher interest rates and an appreciation of the euro currency. "Eurozone economies and all EU countries, are directly affected by the current negative climate, because of the liquidity, higher interest rates, slower investments, negative consumption and further burdening of both the private and public debt," Alogoskoufis said, adding that "as a result economic growth is slowing down with certain economies facing the risk of recession."

Alogoskoufis said all EU member-states faced higher inflationary pressures and noted he could not exclude the appearance of the stagflation phenomenon. Alogoskoufis, in his intervention during the council meeting, said European economic policy should focus on a rapid combating of inflation, maintaining fiscal consolidation and promoting reforms, as envisaged in the Lisbon Strategy. He underlined the need to give more emphasis on the efficiency of financial markets, boosting their transparency, lowering dependence on oil, supporting the markets of goods and services and strengthening the operation of labour markets.

[16] Greek, European Commission officials on 3rd CSF

Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou underlined in his address the good and sincere relations of cooperation between the Greek and EU authorities, that have been created in past years, while referring analytically to the outcome of this cooperation.

"In four years we have succeeded in more than tripling the absorption rate from 23 percent, that it was in early 2004, to 80 percent in June 2008. It is enough for me to say that with the payment applications sent in June by the Payment Authority to the European Commission, amounting to 853.2 million euros and which we shall be receiving by September, the absorption rate of EU funds will reach 85.4 percent," the deputy minister said.

Papathanasiou also referred to the positive response for Greece's appeal for an extension concerning the implementation of operational programmes, due to last summer's devastating wildfires.

[17] 'Green entrepreneurship' conference in Athens

In her opening speech, Bakoyannis emphasised the need for competitiveness and said that this was enhanced by "green entrepreneurship" and technology.

She noted that such "green" business models and ideas, along with original innovations, new technology and new products, provided an answer to the challenge of climate change while putting an end to the dilemma of development versus environment by combining both.

"The wager for Greece is to not be simply among the group that consumes green technology but among those that develop and transfer it to others," she underlined.

Bakoyannis pointed out that the applications of green entrepreneurship concerned all sectors of the economy: primary (organic agriculture), secondary (energy production, energy conservation and recycling), tertiary (trade in green products)and quaternary (certification, communication etc).

At the same time, environmentally-friendly, extroverted entrepreneurship also provided ample opportunities for small-scale businesses and would help boost both Greek enterprise and the competitiveness of the Greek economy, she added.

Next to speak was Deputy Foreign Minister Petros Doukas, who stressed that the scientists and business people present were "on the front lines" in the effort to prevent climate change and that the conference would give them an opportunity to meet and give each other ideas.

Others attending the event included Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, who hailed the foreign ministry's efforts as an "active participation in the global battle for the environment" and referred to the way Greece was changing its "energy balance" in response to climate change.

Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos, meanwhile, said that the rapid rise in oil prices over the past year "may prove one of the most positive developments in the history of mankind, since it provides the economic incentives to accelerate the discovery and application, in practice, of new technologies that combine technological development with protection of the environment".

He stressed the need for states to take a series of legal and financial measures to protect the environment and to create a new "green culture" among their citizens.

The event is organised by the foreign ministry in association with the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), the Union of Hellenic Chambers of Commerce, the Technical Chamber of Greece and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, with the support of the Universities of Piraeus and Patras, the American-Hellenic and British-Hellenic Chambers Of Commerce and Greenpeace.

The aim of the conference is to look into innovative Greek ideas, to present Greek companies and scientific research by Greek professors and research centres that provide the global fight against climate change with innovative products, technical know-how and technology. It is also aimed at the evaluation of cooperation prospects and funding for "Green Entrepreneurship".

It will close with a final speech by Doukas, who supervised its overall organisation.

[18] Foreign investors' participation in ASE up in June

A monthly statistics bulletin published by Hellenic Exchanges said turnover in the Greek stock market totaled 6.068 billion euros in June, down from 9.973 billion in June 2007, a decline of 39 percent. Turnover was 10.611 billion euros in May, boosted by the transfer of a 20-pct equity stake of Hellenic Telecoms from MIG to Deutsche Telekom, worth 2.549 billion euros.

Average daily turnover was 303.4 million euros in June, down from 474.9 million euros last year, a decrease of 36 pct. The market's capitalisation totaled 130 billion euros at the end of June, off 27.1 pct from June 2007 (178.5 billion euros) and 153.4 billion euros in May.

Foreign investors were net sellers in June, with capital outflows totaling 583.3 million euros, while capital inflows totaled 104.6 million euros. Greek investors were net buyers with total inflows of 565.07 million euros.

The capitalization of the FTSE/ASE 20 index totaled 88.7 billion euros at the end of June (off 18 pct from May), the FTSE/ASE 40 index was 18.7 billion euros (off 8.9 pct0 and the FTSE/ASE 80 index was 8.1 billion euros (down 8.2 pct).

[19] Beijing and Athens airports sign 'Olympic twinning' memorandum

Beijing's airport is now preparing to receive and see off the visitors for the 2008 Olympic Games - a feat that Athens airport performed successfully four years ago.

The agreement seals the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two airports, with Athens pledging to assist in the optimal organisation of airport services at Beijing during the crucial period of the Games and the Chinese side promising to improve the air connections between Beijing and Athens, while both have pledged to participate in international cooperation for developmental projects and the exchange of knowhow in management and technology.

It was signed on Tuesday morning at Terminal 3 in Beijing Airport, in the presence of Greece's Ambassador to China Michael Kambanis, members of the Beijing Olympics Organising Committee and other officials.

[20] Farm minister meets Lithuanian counterpart

According to a ministry's press release, "cordial talks focused on issues of bilateral interest, such as current consultations in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and European Union health regulations."

Kontos is scheduled to travel to the Baltic nation soon, during the agricultural exhibition in which Greece is participating.

[21] Intrasoft wins 32-mln-euro EU contract

[22] Building activity down 12.4% in Jan-Apr

The statistical service said, however, the building activity rose by 16.3 percent (measured in volume) in April 2008. The number of building permits, measuring both the private and public sector, issued in April fell 2.6 pct in April, while building volume jumped 16.5 pct in the month. Building activity in the four-month period from January to April fell 20.5 pct, with volume down 12.4 pct in the same period.

[23] Attica mayors threaten possible closure of Fylis landfill

During a press conference, Hiotakis said he expected clear announcements regarding the government's plans after the end of a ministerial committee on waste management.

He announced that a final decision on whether the landfill should be closed would be taken by ESKNA's board after the results of the ministerial were announced.

[24] Greek stocks end 1.79% down on Tues.

Most sectors moved lower with the exception of the Media, which ended 0.38 pct up. Utilities (4.13 pct), Financial Services (3.87 pct), Construction (3.42 pct) and Technology (2.10 pct) suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day.

The FTSE 20 index fell 1.78 pct, the FTSE 40 index dropped 1.26 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 1.03 pct down. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 180 to 47 with another 47 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: -0.16%

Industrials: -1.46%

Commercial: -0.66%

Construction: -3.42%

Media: +0.38%

Oil & Gas: -0.81%

Personal & Household: -0.74%

Raw Materials: -0.50%

Travel & Leisure: -0.98%

Technology: -2.10%

Telecoms: -0.27%

Banks: -1.59%

Food & Beverages: -1.37%

Health: -1.59%

Utilities: -4.13%

Chemicals: -0.13%

Financial Services: -3.87%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, OTE, HBC Coca Cola, Marfin Popular Bank and Alpha Bank.

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

Alpha Bank: 18.52

ATEbank: 2.17

Public Power Corp (PPC): 19.20

HBC Coca Cola: 16.70

Hellenic Petroleum: 8.60

National Bank of Greece: 27.20

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 14.42

Intralot: 9.72

OPAP: 22.40

OTE: 14.98

Piraeus Bank: 17.36

Titan Cement Company: 22.58

[25] ADEX closing report

Volume in futures contracts on the Big Cap index totaled 11,455 contracts worth 100.699 million euros, with 35,121 open positions in the market, while on the Mid Cap index volume was 50 contracts, worth 1.038 million euros with 141 open positions.

Volume in futures contracts on equities totaled 6,911 contracts worth 9.528 million euros with investment interest focusing on National Bank's contracts (1,232), followed by Eurobank (316), OPAP (395), Alpha Bank (383), Intracom (423), Marfin Popular Bank (864) and ATEbank (265).

[26] Greek bond market closing report

In money markets, interest rates were mixed. The 12-month Euribor rate was 5.37 pct, the six-month rate 5.14 pct, the three-month rate 4.96 pct and the one-month rate 4.47 pct.

[27] Foreign Exchange rates: Wednesday

U.S. dollar 1.581

Pound sterling 0.800

Danish kroner 7.517

Swedish kroner 9.493

Japanese yen 169.3

Swiss franc 1.622

Norwegian kroner 8.077

Canadian dollar 1.610

Australian dollar 1.660

[28] OTE, Latsis Foundation to aid Callisto in forest protection

It said the two major companies had adopted Callisto's plans for effectively protecting forests and issued an open invitation for volunteers to help carry out its plans for protecting forests in north Pindos, from Grammos to Valia Kalda, who would patrol these regions of forests in properly equipped vehicles, and with the necessary gear and training.

[29] Illustrated edition on wildflowers of Pindos mountain range

The new coffee edition publication is a botanical guide in which scientific and commonly used names of more than 100 wildflowers are cited, while their names in the Vlach dialect of southern Pindos are also included.

The initiative belongs to former Kalabaka district forest ranger Ilias Zalavras, and also offers useful information on plants' therapeutic and medicinal properties.

[30] Two wildfires extinguished overnight in Peloponnese

The wildfire that broke out in the region of Vlachokerasia, Arcadia Prefecture, shortly on Monday evening was quickly put out by volunteers after burning a small area, while a fire in Drepano, Argolida prefecture was extinguished by firefighters.

Weather Forecast

[31] Hot on Wednesday

[32] The Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Audit on Siemens from 1997 onwards - Decisive stance by the government".

APOGEVMATINI: "Catharsis now in Karamanlis' hands - The hour of decisions has come for control of political money".

AVGHI: "Price increases of up to 31 percent in foods within just one year".

AVRIANI: "SDOE (financial crimes squad) raid on all companies having entered into major contracts with the Greek State over the last 20 years - Investigation of Siemens".

CHORA: "Audit on Siemens - Roussopoulos (government spokesman): All contracts from 1997 onwards to be placed under the microscope".

ELEFTHEROS: "The file of the iniquitous Siemens being opened up".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Government and parties attempting to protect themselves from the Siemens Storm, with barrage of initiatives the earnestness of which remains to be seen".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Karamanlis fireworks for cover-up - He seeks cross-party parliamentary committee on political money".

ESTIA: "The impunity of the politicians - Premier announces legislative regulations".

ETHNOS: "Siemens being referred to Tax Burea - Too little, too late, for the sake of impressions".

KATHIMERINI: "Karamanlis proposal on political money - Siemens balance sheets from 1997 on to be audited".

LOGOS: "Premier calls for cross-party committee - Letter to parliament president".

NIKI: "Collusion, corruption thrown into the freezer - The premier does not dare to cut to the bone".

RIZOSPASTIS: "KKE leader's press conference: ND, PASOK must suffer debacle - Reinforcement of opposition to the EU".

TA NEA: "Karamanlis in state of captivity".

TO VIMA: "The nightmare of the '151' (ruling New Democracy party's slim majority in the 300-member parliament) decomposing the governance".

VRADYNI: "Audit of Siemens from 1997 on - The hour of the government's political initiatives".

Cyprus Affairs

[33] President: There must be no deadline for the beginning of direct negotiations

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias has said that the Greek Cypriot side does not believe that there must be a deadline for the beginning of direct negotiations on the Cyprus question, noting that the aim is to have negotiations in the framework of the preconditions that have repeatedly been outlined.

Responding to questions by journalists during the press conference he gave on Tuesday for the first 120 days of his government, Christofias said that the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot working groups and the technical committees, that are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, with a view to find a settlement of the Cyprus question, are working intensively "according to our orders" to achieve further progress and convergence.

He added that he disagrees with the assessment that there is no progress at all and so direct talks cannot begin.

He said this is not the time to evaluate the possibility for the beginning of direct negotiations on the basis of the work fulfilled by the working groups and the technical committees, underlying that the final assessment will be made on July 25 when he will meet again with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat. This will be their fourth meeting after Christofias' election as President of the Republic of Cyprus.

He said that both himself and Talat assess that the working groups and technical committees must continue their work, irrelevant of whether negotiations will begin or not.

Christofias made clear that "there is no deadline for us for the beginning of negotiations" noting that "we have tried deadlines in 2004 and both communities have a bad experience" because the settlement of the Cyprus question was not achieved.

"I made clear to Mr. Talat that we cannot accept tight deadlines unless we ascertain pretty soon that we are close to a mutually accepted settlement," he added,

He noted though that this conclusion cannot yet be reached, having in mind the positions of the two sides.

As regards the basis of the settlement, Christofias said that it is clear that the state will have a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality. He added that in the framework of the bizonal, bicommunal federation "the two communities will enjoy political equality."

He said that each community will govern its respective state that will be part of the federation, and noted that the political equality of the communities does not mean separation or areas with purely Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot population. "We are claiming the right of the refugees to return back to their homes, their right to their property and the restoration of human rights," he added.

Commenting on statements by Talat referring to virgin birth, Christofias said "the state must be united, the economy must be united and this will be safeguarded through the federal government and the central federal constitution."

As regards developments in Turkey, Christofias expressed the belief that they certainly affect efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

"Turkey is a key for the settlement of the Cyprus question and we are concerned with developments in Turkey" he said, noting that the Greek Cypriot side is in favour of a democratic Turkey that will make political, social and financial reforms to join the EU and show respect for the international law.

He underlined that Turkey must fulfill its obligations towards the EU and towards an EU member state, the Republic of Cyprus, a part of which it occupies with its troops.

Invited to comment information that he will meet in Paris with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Christofias said that in case such a meeting is arranged it will be announced when the time will come.

He also said that the Greek Cypriot side is seeking the involvement of Security Council and EU member states to facilitate efforts to reach a Cyprus settlement.

President activating all factors towards just Cyprus solution

President Christofias assured that the Greek Cypriot side is doing everything possible to create the conditions necessary to reach a settlement of the Cyprus problem, through a policy that will activate all factors involved in the problem in the right direction for the creation of a dynamic towards a just, under the circumstances, viable and functional solution.

In his opening remarks at the press conference for the first 120 days of his government, President Christofias said that ''when we took over the presidency of the Republic, we declared that the main aim of our government was to achieve a solution to the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, a solution that will end the occupation and reunite the territory, the people, the institutions and the economy of the state,'' noting that ''this can be achieved in the context of a bizonal bicommunal federation, as provided for by the high level agreements of 1977 and 1979.''

''Through this policy we tried to activate all factors which play or could play a role in the Cyprus problem in the right direction to create a dynamic towards a just, under the circumstances, viable and functional solution,'' he said.

He added that ''the united federal, bicommunal, bizonal Republic of Cyprus will be a state with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, in the context of which there will be political equality of the two communities, as set out in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.''

''The solution will restore and safeguard the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the whole of the people of Cyprus and will be based on UN resolutions and the principles of international and European law,'' the president added.

President Christofias pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side has undertaken the initiative for moves in order to break the deadlock, with a policy that is based on principles, adding that there were two directions in which this policy would be pursued, first in the direction of the Turkish Cypriots and second in the direction of the international community.

''Firstly in the direction of the Turkish Cypriot community, so that together Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will work for a solution of the Cyprus problem. Secondly in the direction of the international community to change the negative climate against us and revive its interest in a solution and the reunification of Cyprus,'' the president said.

Referring to his meetings with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, President Christofias said they agreed to set up the working groups and technical committees and open the Ledra Street crossing point, as well as implement other confidence building measures, adding that on July 25, when they meet again, they will review progress and decide if they will begin direct talks to solve the Cyprus problem.

He pointed out that they met on March 21, May 23 and July 1 and that during these meetings they clarified that ''the negotiating basis is a bizonal, bicommunal federation with a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, in the framework of which there will be political equality, as set out by relevant UN Security Council resolutions.''

''The clarification of the negotiating basis is an important step forward,'' he said, adding that it was achieved with ''hard work and continuous efforts, with a focus on the principles of the solution, and with flexibility.''

President Christofias noted that ''it is very important to say that for the first time in a statement of the leaders of the two communities reference is made to a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single personality.''

He noted that on July 25, when the leaders review the results of the work produced at the working groups and technical committees, ''we will decide if we will proceed with direct talks.''

''At this point I want to stress that whatever has been achieved since March 21 is the result of mutual understanding between the two leaders. I say this without ignoring the different approaches that exist and the difficulties we are facing,'' he said.

He also said that since his election, there has been a change for the better regarding the stance of the international community towards the Greek Cypriot side, adding that the international climate is now favourable, ''a fact that makes our political word trustworthy and this gives us the ability to take initiatives.''

''We are addressing the UN, seeking the collective action of the five permanent members of the Security Council, on the basis of resolutions on Cyprus. This approach has already brought about a positive resolution and a positive presidential statement on behalf of the Security Council on Cyprus and the Cyprus problem,'' he pointed out.

Regarding the European Union and the Council of Europe, President Christofias said that the government has asked the EU to use its influence towards Turkey so that it meets its obligations towards the Union and the Republic of Cyprus. ''We also asked that Turkey cooperates towards a settlement to the Cyprus problem that will be in the interests of the Cypriots above all,'' he added.

Referring to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Republic of Cyprus and the United Kingdom, he said ''it has restored our relationship and has set sound foundations for the development and deepening of our relations.''

President Christofias said the first 120 days regarding the Cyprus problem were positive, noting however that this did not mean efforts would become complacent, since reaching a settlement continues to be hard and complicated, especially taking into consideration the political situation in Turkey.

He added that ''the obstacles we have to overcome are many and complex until we reach the much-wanted day of the solution.''

''We would like to note that from the beginning we had stressed that we do not have a magic wand that will magically solve the Cyprus problem. We had underlined the difficulties, as well as the fact that not everything depends on us. The positive fact that the UN and in general all interested parties accept that the solution will be found by the Cypriots for the Cypriots does not absolve Turkey of its responsibilities,'' he stressed.

President Christofias added that ''the key to the solution is in the hands of Turkey and it depends greatly on its own will to reach a settlement,'' and assured that the Greek Cypriot side was doing everything possible to create the conditions necessary to reach a settlement, and pointed out the need for unity.

''That is what we have been doing since the first day we took over the presidency and we believe the results so far justify our policy,'' he pointed out.

On the National Council, top advisory body to the president on the handling of the Cyprus problem, President Christofias said he has asked the members to submit views on how to upgrade it, with an aim to strengthen the body and its collectiveness to the benefit of the home front and in order to provide collective support to the President of the Republic.

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

Six working groups and seven technical committees, set up in the context of the March 21 agreement between President Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, are meeting to prepare the ground for substantive negotiations between the leaders of the two communities, with a view to find a political settlement that will reunite Cyprus.

President Christofias and Talat have met three times since March in an effort to resume direct negotiations.

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