NEWS IN DETAIL

Greece says top Turkish general's remarks have 'positive value'

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas called Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi's attendance at the reception a "polite gesture".

Mr. Reppas said that while his statements have a "positive value", he hoped they also expressed a more general political direction and that Greece expected similar political initiatives to show these were not empty words, while the important thing was for Turkey to express fully and concisely its positions on the entire spectrum of Greek-Turkish issues.

Gen. Karadayi reportedly spoke to Greece's Ambassador to Ankara, Dimitris Nezeritis, of the need to resolve bilateral differences "so that future generations will not be burdened by these problems".

He also drew attention to the ease with which Greeks and Turks developed friendly relations on a social level.

Gen. Karadayi attended the embassy's reception in honour of Greek Independence Day, March 25.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel visiting Ankara reiterated that "Turkey's accession to the European Union cannot be carried out soon due to problems continuing to exist in the human rights sector, the Kurdish issue, Greek-Turkish relations and Turkey's economic problems."

Mr. Kinkel stressed the considerable importance that "the normalisation of Greek-Turkish relations" has for Europe and appealed to Athens and Ankara for "necessary flexibility in handling problems."

Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Kinkel said that "convergence must be reached between the two sides."

"Egnatia" railway project considered

Speaking to reporters after a meeting at the transport ministry, Mr. Simitis also referred to developments in the civil aviation saying that a new automated traffic control system will be completed next month, attributing delays in the Olympic Airway's restructuring plan to differences between the Olympic and the EU Commission. Mr. Simitis forecast that a solution will be given in about two months.

Greece dismisses Albanian secret service allegations

"The statements by the outgoing chief of the Albanian secret service are not even worthy of being denied and must be attributed to the confusion in which the individual in question has naturally found himself," foreign ministry spokesman Costas Bikas said.

"The Greek government has signed a friendship and cooperation agreement with Albania and during the current crisis actively shows its assistance in this time of need for the neighbouring country. Greece is also working within the framework of international initiatives for the restoration of democratic normality.

"(Albanian) President (Sali) Berisha and Prime Minister (Bashkim) Fino, by public statements as well as to Greek governmnent officials, have already praised the Greek stance.

Bashkim Gazidede, the outgoing secret service chief, told the Albanian parliament yesterday that Greek groups were also behind the insurrection which has enveloped the neighbouring country during the past weeks.

Greece offers battalion for police force in Albania

The Greek armed forces has organised a C-130 aircraft to transfer 20 tonnes of medicines and food to Tirana. The humanitarian aid will be donated to Albanian authorities for distribution.

Bulgarian FM Stalev in Athens next month

According to Mr. Vlajkov, Mr. Stalev's visits are part of preparation for high-level meetings, while bilateral relations and possibilities for their intensification will also be discussed, as well as certain regional problems.

Public Order Minister Romeos meets with FYROM counterpart

Discussions focused on the combatting of organised crime, drug smuggling, terrorism as well as the smuggling of weapons, people and stolen vehicles from neighbouring Albania.

Mr. Romeos said that both countries must cooperate to face the growing problem of illegal drug production, stressing to the FYROM delegation that Greek authorities have information that large quantities of drugs are manufactured in the neighbouring form er Yugoslav republic.

Transport commissioner Kinnock due in Athens today

Announcing the visit yesterday, Mr. Soumakis said both he and Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis would be having talks with Mr. Kinnock.

Mr. Kinnock will also be meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Mr. Soumakis said.

Pangalos meets with Arab ambassadors in Athens

Mr. Pangalos said he will raise the issue with the European Union.

The Arab ambassadors, who requested the meeting, briefed Mr. Pangalos on latest developments on the Middle East issue in the wake of the decision taken by the Israeli government to build 6,500 new residences in the Abu Gneim region of East Jerusalem.

Yiannopoulos meets with Palestinian Authority official

The Palestinian official was accompanied on his visit by the head of the Palestinian Authority's diplomatic mission, Abdullah Abdullah.

Greek Independence Day commemorated by US administration

Mr. Clinton stressed the close ties currently enjoyed between Greece and the US and their cooperation within NATO and on a bilateral level. "Our country envisages close cooperation with Greece during the next years as we are seeking manners in which to achieve comprehensive peace, stability and prosperity in all the states of Europe and of the world."

Mr. Clinton yesterday met with with leading members of the Greek-American community in the White House, in his first direct contact with the expatriate Greek community since his re-election.

The 15-minute meeting was attended by Archbishop of America Spyridon, Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) President Andrew Athens, American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) President Spyros Makris and President of the National Coordinat ing Effort - Justice for Cyprus Andrew Manatos as well as Greece's ambassador to Washington, Loukas Tsilas.

Euromerchant Bank to buy Credit Lyonnais Greece network

The international group Credit Lyonnais has been operating in Greece since 1977 through a Representative Offie and since 1981 through its subsidiary - Credit Lyonnais Greece S.A. - which will continue to develop its capital market, corporate banking, shipping and treasury activities in Greece.

According to the Euromerchant Bank announcement, the subsidiary will also continue to operate in international private banking for major clients of the Credit Lyonnais Group.

Euromerchant Bank was established in 1990 and is part of the European Financial Group (EFG) - a banking group held by Latsis family interests.

In 1996, the company agreed to merge its operations with Interbank in Greece, following the sale of 95 per cent of Interbank's shares from Banque Worms to the EFG.

The merger will create the third largest private sector bank in Greece.

Canadian interest in regional construction sector

The proposal was conveyed yesterday by the international affairs consultant of Canada's Industry, Commerce and Science and Technology Ministry, Genevieve Filion, during a meeting with members of the board of directors of the central Macedonia department of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE- TKM) in Thessaloniki.

According to a TEE-TKM announcement, the cooperation proposal is to be discussed in November or December during a meeting between representatives of Greek and Canadian construction companies. This will be preceded by a written briefing between TEE-TKM a nd the relevant Canadian ministry.

Greek shipping competitiveness an issue for shipowners, seamen

The merchant marine ministry cannot formulate the shipping sector, the minister said, adding that "the merchant marine ministry is not the maritime sector."

Mr. Soumakis made the statements in regard to a joint announcement on Tuesday by the members of the board of directors of the Greek Shipping Cooperation Committee and the Greek Shipowners Union, after their meeting in London.

During their first joint meeting this year, members of the two boards focused on issues concerning the maritime shipping sector at a national and international level.

They said that the course of Greek-flagged shipping was "extremely worrying, " in view of the sharp decline in competitiveness of the ships sailing under the Greek flag.

"The fruitless discussions with the government over a 10-month duration regarding the adaptation of shipping policy to that which our EU partners have adopted and implemented successfully, have formulated 'a climate of flight' which will be transformed into an economic, social and national problem for our country," the announcement read.

According to the announcement, "the government must proceed with the taking of necessary measures, based on the broader national interest, in order to avert the danger ot the country's shipping sector collapsing."

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