The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-11-20

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

CONTENTS

20/11/2000 2:12:18 μμ

[01] EU Foreign Ministers Council discuss EU-Turkey partnership accord

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday said that the issue of the EU-Turkey partnership relations may not be finalized today but referred to the forthcoming EU summit in Nice ,France.

In the meantime, the Greek government appears satisfied with the content of the text according to which Turkey is called to contribute to the solution of the Cyprus issue within 2001.

Furthermore ,acording to reports , the French Presidency has agreed with the Greek proposal requesting the inclusion of the peaceful solution of Greek-Turkish differences within Turkey's medium-term obligations.

On his part , Turkish Prime- minister Bulent Ecevit underlined yesterday that Turkey would revise its relations with the European Union if the solution of the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish differences in the Aegean remained the terms for the opening of the dialogue for Turkey's admision to the EU.

[02] EU Agriculture Ministers Council decide today on measures regarding the mad cow disease

Greece will propose a unified policy by all the EU member countries. In the event a unified policy to face the problem is not adopted, the Greek goverment will take its own emergency measures.

However yesterday following a long meeting of experts ,the Minister of Development Nikos Hristodoulakis and the Agriculture Undersecretary Fotis Hatzimihalis reassured that there has been no incident of the disease in Greece adding that there was no need for extraordinary measures.

[03] Culture Minister Theodoros Pangalos relieved from his post

Mr. Pangalos had criticised the goverment for its employment policy and relations with Turkey. Specifically, he had asked that the bill regarding labour relations not to be tabled to Parliament and that the dialogue be continued. Additionally, he had expressed his disagreement on the foreign policy regarding Turkey describing Foreign minister George Papandreou as a person who lacked knowledge of history.

In his statements Mr. Simitis refers that a Minister can not argue with the goverment in public and dismerit his counterparts without resigning from his post.

In repply ,Mr.Pangalos said that what he said had been previously expressed by other senior members of the Pasok party and were within the framework of a " constructive criticism".

Commenting on Mr. Pangalos relief from his post, ND leader Kostas Karamanlis stressed that it was due to the criticism he exercised on the foreign policy followed by the Foreign Minister George Papandreou. The President of the Coalition of the Left Nikos Konstantopoulos spoke of interior party disputes , which have reached the limits of explosion.

[04] Significant preparations for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

Vice- president Zacques Rogue will arrive on Wenedsday in order to clsely examine preparations regarding the 2004 Olympics.

[05] Greek foodstuff and beverages impress in the Melbourne Internatinal Trade Fair

Greece has participated in the fair for the last nine consecutive years, hosting 22 Greek companies of foodstuffs and beverages.

The Australian tradesmen appear impressed by the Greek products presented and it is sure that the consumption of many of these products will increase in the future.

[06] Torrential rain in Athens yesterday ,basements flooded

The Fire Department received over 2000 phone calls mainly from municipalities in West Attica.

[07] Weather forecast

Southerly to south-westerly moderate winds thoroughout the country and gale-force winds in the Aegean.

The temperature in Athens will range from 12 to 18 degrees Centigrate and in Thessaloniki from 9 to 16 degrees.

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