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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-01-14
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] GREEK AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN LONDON
[02] CYPRUS AND UK TO SIGN MEMORANDUM
[03] GREECE'S EMU PROGRESS DISCUSSED
[04] NEW DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS MEET TO DISCUSS CONGRESS
[05] JOINT GREEK-TURKISH JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE
[06] EXHIBITION OF AEGEAN PHOTOGRAPHS IN WASHINGTON
[07] DELEGATES TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE SOUGHT
[08] FARMERS' LOAN INTEREST TO BE CUT
[01] GREEK AND BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN LONDON
The Cyprus dispute and the situation in Yugoslavia were the two main
issues discussed at yesterday's meeting in London between the Greek
foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou, and his British counterpart,
Robin Cook. Afterwards Mr Papandreou said he briefed Mr Cook on the
contacts he had in Cyprus earlier this week and the climate prevailing
there with regard to future developments. For his part, the British
foreign secretary pointed out that the efforts made by the UN secretary
general, Kofi Annan, to achieve a settlement of the Cyprus problem
should lead to a solution that will put an end to the present divisive
situation on the island. The two ministers agreed that close
cooperation was required to make the best use of these efforts.
Commenting on his talks with the Greek foreign minister, Mr Cook said
they had the opportunity to exchange views on issues of concern to the
Balkan region and the future of Europe, as well as how to maximise the
benefits from the achievements of the Helsinki summit.
[02] CYPRUS AND UK TO SIGN MEMORANDUM
Cyprus and Britain are to sign a memorandum today which essentially
amends one of the provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the
Cyprus Republic. The memorandum will give the British forces official
permission to use the area of Kalo Horio as a firing range instead of
Akama, which has hitherto been used by the British infantry and men
from the air force and navy in accordance with the Treaty of
Establishment signed in 1960. The memorandum will be signed by the
Cypriot foreign minister, Ioannis Kasoulidis, and the British High
Commissioner on the island, Edward Clay.
[03] GREECE'S EMU PROGRESS DISCUSSED
The prime minister, Kostas Simitis, met yesterday with the national
economy minister, Iannos Papantoniou, and the governor of the Bank of
Greece, Loukas Papadimos, to discuss the course of the economy.
Greece's formal application for admission to European economic and
monetary union will be submitted during the first two weeks of March
and a reply is expected to given at the EU summit meeting in Portugal
in June. Mr Papantoniou said the inflation rate criterion was expected
to be attained in February and there would be strict adherence to the
programme for Greece's entry to EMU after the summit meeting. The
national economy minister also referred to positive developments in the
country's economy and said more jobs would be available within 2000. He
told reporters that the year 2000 would be a good year for the Athens
Stock Exchange, despite short-term fluctuations.
[04] NEW DEMOCRACY OFFICIALS MEET TO DISCUSS CONGRESS
The opposition New Democracy party leader, Kostas Karamanlis, met
yesterday with his party's shadow ministers to discuss the party's
forthcoming congress at the end of March. The New Democracy press
spokesman, Aris Spiliotopoulos, said the party was ready to put forward
an alternative proposal for the post-EMU era.
[05] JOINT GREEK-TURKISH JOURNALISTS CONFERENCE
A joint conference of Greek and Turkish journalists and media
executives will take place in Athens on 5th and 6th February. The
conference will be opened by the two countries' foreign ministers,
Giorgos Papandreou and Ismail Cem. Opening speeches will be delivered
by the president of Turkey's press council and columnist in the
newspaper Hurryiet, Oktai Ekci, and the director general of Greek
Radio, Iannis Tzannetakos.
[06] EXHIBITION OF AEGEAN PHOTOGRAPHS IN WASHINGTON
A photography exhibition entitled "The Aegean: Images of Greece" will
be opened in Washington by the general secretary of the Greek press
ministry, Iannis Nikolaou, on 21st January. Eleven of Greece's best
photographers have joined forces in displaying 160 photographs, in
colour or black and white, which depict the faces and landscapes of the
Aegean, the birthplace of Greek civilization and a source of
inspiration for writers and artists over the centuries.
[07] DELEGATES TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE SOUGHT
The Greek foreign undersecretary, Christos Rokofyllos, has sent a
letter to political party leaders asking them to nominate their
representative on an all-party committee in view of the commencement of
the work by the new Intergovernmental Conference on institutional
reform of the European Union. The committee will meet regularly with Mr
Rokofyllos to exchange views aimed at preparing the Greek proposals to
be put forward at the Conference.
[08] FARMERS' LOAN INTEREST TO BE CUT
The Agricultural Bank of Greece is considering reducing its loan
interest rate to farmers by 2%. A decision is expected to be taken on
Monday.
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