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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-06-29
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] SIMITIS ADDRESSED THE EU-LATIN AMERICA SUMMIT IN RIO
[02] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING TOMORROW IN NEW YORK
[03] OA-SPEEDWING CONTRACT WAS SIGNED YESTERDAY
[04] TSOHATZOPOULOS VISITING TEHERAN
[05] IMF'S REPORT: PROGRESS NOTED ON GREEK ECONOMY
[06] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S REPORT ON JULY 1ST
[07] KARAMANLIS-BILD MEETING ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
[08] THE US "PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT" IS NOT IN EFFECT
[01] SIMITIS ADDRESSED THE EU-LATIN AMERICA SUMMIT IN RIO
The sesions of the EU-Latin America summit opened in Rio De Janeiro,
Brazil, yesterday, with the participation of Greek prime minister
Costas Simitis. In his statements, Mr. Simitis referred to the
possibilities offered to Greece through its participation in the EU and
said he was in favour of cooperations among nations, stressing that we
should all seek an open economy and an open society. Today, Mr. Simitis
will address the conference, referring to issues of political
cooperation and international economic relations. In the margin of the
summit's sessions, the Greek prime minister yesterday had important
contacts with foreign officials. Specifically, he had talks with
Finnish president Marti Ahtisaari, German chancellor Gerhard Shroeder,
Italian prime minister Massimo D' Alema and Austrian chancellor Victor
Klima. Mr. Simitis also had a private conversation with Brazilian
president Fernando Enrike Kardozo. The two men discussed bilateral and
international issues, as well as issues on the convergence and the
promotion of the political and economic cooperation between the EU and
Latin America.
[02] PAPANDREOU-CEM MEETING TOMORROW IN NEW YORK
The US describes tomorrow's meeting between the foreign ministers of
Greece and Turkey in New York as a positive development. State
department spokesman James Rubin yesterday made relative statements,
clarifying that the US secretary of state Madleine Albright would not
have bilateral meetings with the two foreign ministers. Acting
government spokesman Yannis Nikolaou referred to the meeting, stressing
that Greece's approach of terrorism was different from that of Turkey.
He added that there were no designations to the Greek government by a
third country on how to face terrorism.
[03] OA-SPEEDWING CONTRACT WAS SIGNED YESTERDAY
A contract providing for the British company Speedwing to undertake the
management of Olympic Airways was signed yesterday night. Transport
minister Tasos Mantelis will pass on the text of the contract to the
speaker of the House Apostolos kaklamanis and the political parties'
leaders. Meanwhile, the Greek national air carrier's employees are
strongly reacting. They are meeting this morning with the Transport
minister.
[04] TSOHATZOPOULOS VISITING TEHERAN
Greek national defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos arrived yesterday
in Teheran on a three-day official visit. Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is at the
head of a high-rank delegation. The Greek defence minister was
welcomed at Mehrabad international airport by his Iranian counterpart
Ali Samhani. In his statements, the Greek minister stressed that the
aim of his visit to Iran was to have talks with Iranian political and
defense officials, on issues of mutual interest. Greece, Mr.
Tsohatzopoulos stressed, is willing to develop ties of cooperation with
the Islamic Republic of Iran in the sector of defense. For his part,
Iranian defence minister Ali Samhani stressed that "Iran and Greece
have historic ties in the sectors of politics, economy and culture.
There is a wide range of defense issues, that could be discussed
between the two sides".
[05] IMF'S REPORT: PROGRESS NOTED ON GREEK ECONOMY
Representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday
informed National Economy minister Yannos Papantoniou on their first
assessment on the course and prospects of the Greek economy. According
to reports, representatives of the International Monetary Fund have
noted progress on the fiscal level as well as in other sectors, such as
de-escalation of the infaltion rate. The report of the International
Monetary Fund says that Greece's target for admission in the European
Economic and Monetary Union is realistic and achievable. However, it
underlines that there is further need for adjustment in basic sectors
such as social security.
[06] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S REPORT ON JULY 1ST
The European Commission will announce on July 1st its report on the
financing of the EU structural funds. According to the report, Greece
will receive about 700 billion drachmas, for the period 2000-2006.
[07] KARAMANLIS-BILD MEETING ON THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BALKANS
New Democracy party leader Kostas Karamanlis yesterday met with the UN
special envoy for the Balkans and former Swedish prime ministrer, Carl
Bild, to discuss on the reconstruction of the Balkans.
[08] THE US "PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT" IS NOT IN EFFECT
The "public announcement" issued by the US in late April, warning the
American citizens about incidents of terrorist acts that had occured in
Greece and about anti-nato and anti-american demonstrations held in the
country, has stopped being in effect, since June 23rd.
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