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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-11-21
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] France bans exports of beef
[02] EU-Turkey debate on partnerhip relations postponed
[03] Greece to participate in Unified European Military Emergency Force
[04] Preparations for ''2004 Olympics''
[05] Forcasts of IMF & OAECD on Greek economy
[06] 2.15% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday
[07] Nano invites Simitis to Albania
[08] Yugoslav Foreign minister invited to Greece
[09] Kaklamanis to meet with Armenian President and Cypriot delegation
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA. 5 THE VOICE OF GREECE
21/11/2000 9:38:50 рм
[01] France bans exports of beef
Following a long meeting among the Agriculture ministers Council in
Brussels last night regarding the mad cow disease, France has assured
that it will ban the exports of French beef to the European Union and
to other countries. Additionally, the competent European commissioner
on issues for the protection of consumers made it clear to the French
Agriculture minister that the same measures imposed within France
should also be imposed for its exports. However, certain European Union
countries are opposed to the French Presidency's proposal for extensive
checks on cattle. Just before the beginning of the meeting, Agriculture
minister Yiorgos Anomeritis stated that Greece was participating in the
meeting on the basis of the European Council' proposal for checks on
all cattle born after 1-1- 1998 and the banning of animal flour. From
its side, Greece through its government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has
warned that if a joint European policy on the issue was not adopted
then a big problem would arise. At the same time, Agriculture
undersecretary Photis Hatjimichalis anounced additional checks in
Greece desribing in tandem the Greek meat as absolutely safe.
[02] EU-Turkey debate on partnerhip relations postponed
The debate on EU-Turkey partnership relations, included in yesterday's
agenda of the European Union Foreign ministers' Council was postponed
for December 4th. According to the first discussions that took place
yesterday, the Greek side appeared satisfied from the final text
according to which Turkey is called on to contribute to the creation of
the conditions for the solution of the Cyprus issue within 2001. Greek
Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou stressed that a peaceful settlement
of Greek-Turkish differences and the solution of the Cyprus issue, in
the spirit of the Helsinki resolutions, included in the relative
proposals by the European Commission and the French Presidency, should
consist a top priority in Ankara's partnership relations with the EU,
adding that Greece would not accept anything less than what was
provided for by these proposals. The European Council's proposal
includes Turkey's obligation to contribute to the efforts for the
solution of the Cyprus issue within the United Nations resolutions in
2001 and additionally to work for the peaceful solution of Greek-
Turkish differences within the next five years. According to diplomatic
sources Turkey had every reason to strive for the postoponement of the
debate since it came face to face with the strict terms of the European
Union and the European Parliament lately. In the meantime New Democracy
party leader Costas Karamanlis has called for the briefing of the
Parliament on developments in the Cyprus issue and Cyprus' admission
course, in a letter he sent to the Prime minister.
[03] Greece to participate in Unified European Military Emergency Force
Greece will participate in the Unified European Military Emergency
Force with 4.000 men, 40 aircrafts, six ships and a submarine,
clarified Defence minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, following yesterday's
meeting of the European Union Defence ministers' Council in Brussels.
As of the year 2003, this force will have over 100.000 soldiers, 400
aircrafts and 100 ships.
[04] Preparations for ''2004 Olympics''
The course of the preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games was the
subject of yesterday's discussion at the Maximos Mansion between Prime
minister Costas Simitis and Environment minister Costas Laliotis.
Today, the Prime minister will have a meeting on the same issue with
the new Culture minister Evangelos Venizelos, in view of an
International Olympic Committee delegation's arrival in Athens, for a
regular check on the course of the Olympic Games' work. In the
meantime, the President of the "Athens 2004" Yianna
Aglepoulou-Daskalaki briefed the new Culture minister Evagelos
Venizelos on the latest developments on the Olympic Games. From Warsaw,
the President of the coordinating team of the International Olympics
Committee Jacques Rogues said that Athens was now on the right track.
[05] Forcasts of IMF & OAECD on Greek economy
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Security and the
International Monetary Fund are forecasting for Greece a 4 to 4,5%
development rate and a 3% inflation rate, while the government speaks
of 5% and 2,3% respectively.
[06] 2.15% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday
The General Share Price Index of the Athens Stock Exchange dropped by
2,15% yesterday closing at 3.338 points.
[07] Nano invites Simitis to Albania
The President of the Albanian Socialist party Fatos Nano has invited
officially PASOK's President and Prime minister Costas Simitis to
Albania for high level talks between the Albanian Socialist party and
PASOK. In his letter, Mr. Nano states that for Albania, Greece is its
long-term strategic partner and hopes that Mr. Simitis visit would
boost relations between the two parties which govern the two countries
He also stresses that PASOK and the Greek government under Mr. Simitis'
Presidency will play an important role in supporting Albania in its
accession process to "European Structures".
[08] Yugoslav Foreign minister invited to Greece
Following an invitation by Greek Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou,
Yugoslav Foreign minister Goran Svilanovic is visiting Athens today. It
is Mr. Svilanovic' first official visit abroad since he resumed the
post of Foreign minister. Mr. Svilanovic, who will be accompaned by
Alternate Foreign minister Mirkits and other officials of the Yugoslav
Foreign ministry, will have official talks with Mr. Papandreou and will
meet with President Costis Stephanopoulos and New Democracy party
President Costas Karamanlis. In the meantime, Yugoslavia received 32
buses as a gift from Greece. The buses will be used in the public
transport in Belgrade. Although the buses are second hand, they are in
a perfect condition and were delivered by Transport minister Mr.
Verelis to the Serb Alternate Transport minister Miondrag Zivkovic and
Belgrade Mayor Milan Potic at the Greek-Yugoslav borders at Evzones.
[09] Kaklamanis to meet with Armenian President and Cypriot delegation
The Speaker of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis will have a
meeting with the President of the Armenian Republic in Athens today.
Earlier Mr. Kaklamanis will receive a six-member Parliamentary
delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of
Representatives of Cyprus.
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