The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-04-12

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>

CONTENTS

(THE VOICE OF GREECE - Translators Dpt.)

[01] Post-election activities

Mr. Simitis stated that the new cabinet will have both renewal and continuity elements placing emphasis on the welfare state. Mr. Simitis had talks with Yiannos Papantoniou, Evangelos Venizelos, Costas Scandalides, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, Apostolos Kaklamanis and Vaso Papandreou. After the meeting, Mr. Papantoniou said that talks with the prime minister focused on the new government's policies related to the economy, the economic and monetary union, as well as the materialisation of social and structural changes. The swearing -in ceremony of the new parliament will be held on April 20 while the new parliament will convene on April 21st, to elect its new speaker. On April 22, prime minsiter Simitis will announce the government's policies, and on Monday April 24, the new parliament will give a vote of confidence to the new goverment.

In the New Democracy camp, opposition leader Kostas Karamanlis had contacts with senior party officials, aimed at making an initial analysis of the outcome of the last elections. In the new parliament, the New Democracy party will have 123 seats. Mr. Manos and Mr. Psaharopoulos will cooperate with the ND party but as independent deputies. In its announcemnt, the Greek Communist party underlined that elections were held in a climate of biparty polarisation.

The Coalition of the Left and Progress assesed that the development of the political confrontation was the reason why the struggle against polarisation failed.

The Democratic Social Movement party, which failed to win any seats in the new parliament, will convene tomorrow.

[02] Congratulatory telegrams on the Pasok party victory

Turkish President Souleiman Demirel and Turkish prime-minister Bulent Ecevit sent congratulatory telegrams to prime minister Costas Simitis. In his message Mr. Ecevit says that Turkey is ready to cooperate for the further improvement of Greek-Turkish relations.

The president of the largest Greek organisation in America, George Dargiotis sent a telegram to Mr. Simitis congratulating him on his re-election. In the meantime, the american ambassador to Athens Nicolas Berns noticed that for the first time in post-war pre-election campaign in Greece no reference was made to Greek-American relations.

Commenting on the results of the elections in Greece, the American Press underlines that Mr. Simitis re-elction will speed up the integration of Greece's admission course to the European Economic and Monetary system.

[03] Statements on EU-Turkey association

At the coucil, the 15 European Union partners expressed a common position in relation to Turkey, which confirms the decisions taken a the Helsinki summit, regarding the steps Ankara should take to reduce tension in the Aegean and improve its human rights record.

Greek Foreign minister George Papandreou appeared satisfied at the common stand of his 15 EU counterparts, stressing that it safeguarded the Greek and Cypriot goals.

Mr Papandreou stated that the resumption and the transfer of the Helsinki European Council conclusions as regards efforts for a Cyprus settlement, the principle of a peaceful settlement of border differences by the international court at The Hague, as well as the formation of a partnership relation for Turkey's accession, have been achieved.

The Turkish Foreign minister who attended the Council as observer, expressed satisfaction at the decisions of the Council and denied the existence of persona non grata list,stressing however that every country had the right to take measures to safeguard its safety and public order.

On his part, the EU commissioner responsible on EU nelargement Gynter Ferhoigen expressed hope for the speeding up of EU- Turkey reapproachment. He also expressed satisfaction at the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations and stressed that this develoment would have positive results.

[04] European Commission - Positive report on the course of the Greek economy

The European Commission has expressed satisfaction at the development prospects of the economies of the 15 EU member countries will clearly improve predicting within 2000 3.5% of the average community GDP pace of development.

In particular, the European Commission estimates that the growth rates, as well as the curtailment of the fiscal deficit of Greece will be clearly at a higher level than the Commission's last year forecast.

The Commission's assessment on the other indexes of the Greek economy are positive and the achievement of the criteria set by the Maastricht Treaty for Greece's accession to the Euro is also confirmed. European Union sources in Brussels, have stressed that fiscal discipline is imperative in Greece for the next few years and infrastructure measures to further reduce inflation ought to be speeded up as well.

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