The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-12-28

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

CONTENTS

28/12/2000 12:02:32 μμ

[01] Financial news

At the same time, the Greek economy's progress towards convergence with the other European economies is moving quickly and already, the Monetary Policy Council of the Bank of Greece reduced interest rates by 1% in order to equate them fully with the interest rates of the euro zone.

Consequently, the basic interest rate was set at 4.75%, while the government's financial staff is optimistic about the course of the Greek economy throughout 2001.

According to the predictions, inflation will start moving downwards next March, falling down from 3.5%, while for June, the leadership of the national economy ministry forecast that the consumer price index will be below 3%. The government's economic staff is convinced that in the last few months of 2001, the price index will have dropped below 2%.

[02] Fuel price reductions for one week

Retail prices will be reduced by 6.3 drachmas per litre for super, 6.6 drs for unleaded, while heating oil will be sold by 10.2 drs less and diesel by 7.7 drs.

[03] Athens bourse

[04] Cyprus talks

According to the Athens news agency, which quotes reliable government sources, the postponement was due to the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash's demand to recognize that the two communities are completely equal, and also his threat not to attend the talks if his demand was not accepted.

Nevertheless, efforts behind the scenes are being made to dissuade the Turkish-Cypriot leader from his demands. Meanwhile, the Cypriot government will lodge protests with the EU member states, Washington and the UN for the abduction of the Cypriot citizen Panikos Tziakourmas from the Turkish occupation forces.

In a related development, the British envoy for Cyprus Sir David Hanney will pay a two-day official visit to Cyprus and will meet with the cypriot president Glafkos Kliridis.

[05] Greek defense minister visits the Dodecanese

In Farmakonisi, where there is an outpost of commandos, Mr Tsochatzopoulos addressed a double message as regards the decisive defense of Greece's sovereign rights and also the common security, cooperation and common future with the neighbours on the other side of the Aegean.

[06] Greek cruise ships and ferries are safe

Mr Papoutsis also stressed that Greece has the most strict safety specifications among European Union countries, adding that Greece is a forerunner in taking security measures both on European level and internationally.

The American State Department's directive to the US citizens wishing to travel to Greece, include positive critics for the safety of Greek cruise ships and ferry boats.

Meanwhile, the four new experts the special magistrate of the court of appeal Nikos Karadimitriou appointed after the expert Ilias Stefanakos resigned from the investigations underway for the shipwreck of the ferry Express Samina off the island of Paros in September, will have to submit their reports within two months.

[07] Privatazation of Olympic Airways

The Cypriot Airlines, the American company Chrysler Aviation have shown interest in Olympic Airways, while according to information several Greek businessmen are also interested in it.

Meanwhile, four major foreign companies are interested in purchasing 25% of the Greek Post Office and 505 of its affiliate courier company, while the interested parties will make their final bids in March.

[08] Meeting of Cretan Youth

The first meeting of Cretan Youth was held in Iraklion, Crete in 1998, when the World Council of Cretan Youth was set up in the bid to exchange views and draw a common action plan to promote Cretan culture.

[09] Weather

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