Athens News Agency: News in English (AM), 97-11-05

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

ATHENS, GREECE, 05/11/1997 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Greek Premier terms SE European summit in Crete 'a succeess'
• Yilmaz says expectations from summit fulfilled
• Paris lauds Simitis-Yilmaz meeting
• Washington reaction to Simitis-Yilmaz talks
• NATO views Simitis-Yilmaz meeting positively
• Gligorov insists on name issue
• Nano-Milosevic talks focus on education issue
• Yugoslav press highlights Simitis' statements
• Tzoganis invited by Karadayi to visit Turkey
• ADEDY strike called for Nov. 25
• Calm returns to Greek money markets
• Greek tour operators urge new strategy on tourism
• Economic prospects promising, report says
• Training course to Uzbekistani officials by HEPO
• Weather
• Foreign exchange

NEWS IN DETAIL

Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday he believed the Southeastern European summitin Crete had been a success, noting that it was the first time Balkan leaders had all met to discuss the problems of the region.

The premier added that it was the conviction of all at the summit that without regional cooperation, it would not be possible to create conditions of peace, security, development and stability in the region.

"This cooperation should not be ad hoc but more permanent in nature.

It was also agreed that the ministers of the various countries should have closer contact in numerous sectors, although it is in nobody's intentions to create a new organisation, since this presupposes solid basis and experiences, which does not exist at the moment. Our aim is to create a more cohesive area of political and economic cooperation," Mr. Simitis said. He expressed the view that the summit would have a positive effect on Greece's national issues, stressing that any meeting in the region which reduces the climate of antagonism "which does not befit the 20th century" is positive.

Mr. Simitis noted also that the summit had provided the opportunity for talks at a bilateral level and discussion of problems which for decades have bedevilled the countries of the region. With respect to the further promotion of economic cooperation in the region, he acknowledged that there was a financing problem, but said it was right for ideas to be put forward so that they could be examined in time and solutions found.

The Southeast European countries yesterday pledged to work together to create in the Balkan region conditions for prosperity in a framework of peace, security, good-neighbour-liness and stability.

In a joint statement issued at the close of a two-day summit, the first of its kind in the region, the leaders of seven southeast European countries, and a Bosnian representative, also expressed their determination to protect human rights and promote a market economy.

Participating in the summit at Aghia Pelagia, near Irakleio on Crete were the heads of state or government of Albania, Bulgaria, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Greece, Romania and Turkey.

Yilmaz says expectations from summit fulfilled

Turkish Premier Mesut Yilmaz said yesterday his expectations of his talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the first summit of Balkan leaders had been fulfilled.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the two-day summit of southeast European leaders on Crete, Mr. Yilmaz said as far as Greek-Turkish relations were concerned, his aim was "to make a new start" with Mr. Simitis, adding "I hope we did this".

Mr. Yilmaz said he and Mr. Simitis had agreed to speed up the operation and implementation of "the mechanisms and agreements" which already existed between the two countries, adding that "we shall now think about the next steps and what additional measu res should be taken".

The Turkish premier said he was opposed to a proposal by Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides for the demilitarisation of the island republic, one third of which is occupied by Turkey.

Paris lauds Simitis-Yilmaz meeting

The French government yesterday expressed its satisfaction with the meeting of the Greek and Turkish prime ministers, Costas Simitis and Mesut Yilmaz, on Crete and also expressed the wish that the "current (Turkish) military exercisesIwi ll take place without incidents". "We count on the sense of responsibility of the Greek and Turkish leaders to promote a de-escalation and abstain from anything that could increase tension in the area," said the French foreign ministry's deputy spokesman Yves Doutriaux.

"We hope that the decision reached for a return to 'the spirit of Madrid' and a continuation of the deliberations of the committees of experts will permit an effective opening of the road to a permanent normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey, two countries friendly to France, and that the bilateral disputes still pending will be settled peacefully," he added.

Washington reaction to Simitis-Yilmaz talks

The US received the outcome of Monday's meeting between the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey in Crete with reserved optimism.

"We understand that the meeting was constructive and useful. Each side reiterated its support for the need to decrease tension in the Aegean and its desire to have bilateral problems resolved. We are satisfied that the two Prime Ministers had the opport unity to discuss bilateral issues," US State Department spokesman James Rubin said yesterday.

Mr. Rubin said "a great deal of work remains for results to be achieved", adding that the US will continue to work "together with our Greek and Turkish allies", supporting their efforts for a solution to problems.

NATO views Simitis-Yilmaz meeting positively

Monday's meeting between the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey has been viewed in positive terms at the NATO headquarters.

Sources inside NATO's top echelons described the Simitis-Yilmaz meeting itself as positive, stressing that it was important for the two sides to be able to hold talks peacefully, in spite of tensions in the past few days.

According to the same sources, NATO will continue efforts through Secretary General Javier Solana to normalise relations between Greece and Turkey on the basis of certain proposals already submitted with the two sides.

The proposals relate to the so-called confidence-building measures, as well as to other measures which could be deemed necessary in future.

Gligorov insists on name issue

The president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Kiro Gligorov yesterday insisted on Skopje's positions on the issue of the name of his country, following the two-day summit of southeast European countries.

"It is a basic right of all peoples to choose their own name," Mr. Gligorov told a news conference.

"No leader (of FYROM) can sign a document changing the name."

Greece objects to the former Yugoslav republic's use of the name "Macedonia", saying it implies expansionist designs against its northern province of the same name.

Under an interim agreement signed by the two neighbouring countries in New York in September 1995 under UN auspices, Greece and FYROM are to proceed with discussions to find a mutually acceptable solution for the name issue. These talks are being conduc ted under UN auspices.

Mr. Gligorov stressed that the people of FYROM did not want to identify themselves with the ancient Macedonians, "nor to usurp the history and civilisation of other peoples".

He said that at a "joint evaluation" on the implementation of the interim accord between the two countries, both he and Prime Minister Costas Simitis had agreed that the unresolved issue of the name should not be an obstacle to bilateral relations.

He said his meeting with Mr. Simitis had been "an important step forward in mutual understanding". "Mr. Simitis is a modern and realistic politician who does not follow the policies of his predecessor Andreas Papandreou. Mr. Simitis wants to le ave his own stamp on modern Greek history," Mr. Gligorov said.

Earlier, Mr. Simitis told reporters there had been no developments on the issue of the name during his talks with Gligorov.

According to figures relased earlier this year by the National Statistics Service (ESYE), Greece ranks fourth in FYROM's external trade after Germany, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Slovenia.

Nano-Milosevic talks focus on education issue

The education issue for ethnic Albanians was the focal point of talks between Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano with Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) President Kiro Gligorov.

Speaking at a press conference at noon yesterday, Mr. Nano said he called on Mr. Milosevic to commit himself on the implementation of the agreement on the educational issue, which he signed last year with the leader of the Kosovo Albanians Ibrahim Rugov a, and the setting of a date for the opening of educational establishments in Kosovo.

Mr. Milosevic avoided making any commitment and the issue was referred to experts from the two countries. In his talks with Mr. Gligorov, Mr. Nano agreed to the signing of the 14 agreements which are still pending, as well as three additional ones proposed by the Albanian side, with a formula mentioning "the Albanian and 'Mace-donian' government".

On the question of the legalisation of the Albanian-language university at Tetovo, Mr. Nano told the ANA: "I want common educational establishments and what I requested from Mr. Gligorov was that Albanians should be able to be educated up to the highest level of education ".

Yugoslav press highlights Simitis' statements

Most of the Yugoslav press yesterday stressed Prime Minister Costas Simitis' reference to what he said were the three major challenges facing the countries of the region.

Mr. Simitis called globalisation of countries' economies, the search for new approaches to all crucial problems, as well as the "fragile" matters concerning peace, stability and security in the region as the three major challenges.

Particular reference was made to bilateral contacts held by Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, especially with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano, which was termed as historic.

Tzoganis invited by Karadayi to visit Turkey

Turkish military chief Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi has extended an invitation to his Greek counterpart, Gen. Athanasios Tzoganis, to visit Turkey.The unofficial invitation was extended while the Turkish official was speaking to the press here on Monday.

ADEDY strike called for Nov. 25

The Civil Servants Supreme Administrative Council, ADEDY yesterday called a 24-hour nationwide strike on Nov. 25 in demand of economic and institutional claims.

ADEDY wants an initial salary for a new employee amounting to 200,000 drachmas together with family bonuses for both husband and wife, an increase in the tax-free limit for salaried workers and pensioners to two million drachmas, an index-linked tax scale and legislation covering collective negotiations in the public sector.

ADEDY's general council will convene on Nov. 27 to determine further action.

Calm returns to Greek money markets

Greece's money markets returned to normal trading conditions yesterday leaving behind them last week's turbulence which saw the drachma hit by speculators and interbank rates soaring to 150 percent. The Bank of Greece, the country's central bank, report ed inflows of 150 million Ecus in addition to inflows of 250 million on Monday, a sign that confidence was restored on the Greek market.

Interbank interest rates de-escalated rapidly to fluctuate around 15-30 percent, reflecting optimism over the course in the inflation rate which was estimated at 4.8-4.9 percent in October.

In the domestic foreign exchange market the drachma was considerably higher against the US dollar. It was firmer against the DMark and stable against the Ecu.

Greek tour operators urge new strategy on tourism

Greek tour operators urged the Hellenic Tourism Organisation to draft a five-year programme on tourism with the help of an international consultant.

The aim of the programme would be attracting quality tourism, extending the touristic period to 12 months and enriching it with new forms of tourism, Greek tour operators union's chairman Spyros Cocotos said during a press conference yesterday.

Mr. Cocotos also urged the government to seek further community funds to upgrade tourism infrastructure in Greece and set European standards in the country's hotel ratings.

The union asked for special tax incentives for winter tourism in Greece, securing air links with foreign countries and supporting of specialised small tour operators of Greek interests operating abroad.

Economic prospects promising, report says

Economic prospects for the remainder of 1997 and beyond look promising according to Alpha Credit Bank's latest forecast on the short-term economic and financial outlook in Greece.

The decision of the International Olympic Committee to entrust the city of Athens with the organisation of the 2004 Olympic Games has pleased the markets, representing a definite vote of confidence on the Greek economy, the report said.

Inflation dropped substantially in September to its lowest since the 1960s while the rising trends of oil prices and the US dollar have been reversed, it said.

Moreover, the government's decision to speed up structural reforms with a new timetable of privatisations also helped sentiment. Also, next year's budget aimed at reducing the general government deficit to less than 3.0 percent of GDP, improved economic prospects, Alpha Credit Bank said.

The report suggested that economic activity remained robust despite a weak performance in manufacturing output, with construciton and services expanding rapidly.

Despite some deterioration in the current account, the sustainability of the drachma exchange rate continued to be supported by an appropriate policy mix and strong fundamentals, the report, which was drafted before the recent monetary crisis broke out, it said.

Training course to Uzbekistani officials by HEPO

The second part of a training course on modern requirements by state services and private enterprises in a free and unified economy is organised by the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) and offered to Uzbekistani officials. It will commence on Nov. 14.

The seminars are being held in Greece within the framwork of the country's participation in developmental assistance offered by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The focus will be on analysing modern trends in international transactions, issues relating to the establishment, organisation and operation of export businesses.

WEATHER

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

(C.E.)

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