The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-01-03

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

CONTENTS

3/1/2001 3:08:09 μμ

[01] European Press-Positive impacts on the Greek economy following the country's entry into the European single currency club

The German newspaper "Berliner Tsautung" quoting Greece's objective economic records during the last years, writes that reservation and scepticism about possible negative impacts on the Greek economy from its entry into the European Union single currency club, expressed by certain economic analysts have been overcome.

Greeks have joined the euro currency, full of optimism, is the headline of a relative analysis carried in the German economic journal "Financial Times", quoting statements from the Greek Prime-minister's New Year message.

However, the same article stresses that Greece's super-human effort to introduce the euro currency in every day transactions along with the other 11 members of the European single currency club would bring the country under stronger pressure to materialise structural changes, maintain its fiscal discipline and tight income policy in order to keep up its competitiveness.

The large circulation newspaper "Handelsblatt" speaks about an economic miracle and assesses that the introduction of the euro currency will boost investements and Greece's growth rates.

[02] All trasactions at the Athens stock market in the euro currency

In parallel all prices of products and services will be marked in both drachmas and euro up to March, 1st, 2002, when the deadline for the circulation of the dracma expires. In an interview with the Greek state radio , the president of the Athens stock exchange Panagiotis Alexakis stressed that the euro would have a positive impact in Greece's capital market and the Greek economy in general, due to the economic stability and the low interest rates.

In the meantime, starting today, the sessions of the Athens stock market would be extended with trading starting at 10 o'clock and ending at 2.30 to coincide with the sessions of the other European stock markets.

Meanwhile, the staff of the Mint are working feverishly to issue within 2001 the required quantities of the new currency, that is 1.6 billion euro in coins and 600 million in banknotes.

[03] Kostas Yiannitsis, son of Labour Minister murdered in Mexico

According to the Athens News Agency which quotes sources of the Greek embassy and Mexican authorities the police have tracked down 3 juveniles, suspects of the murder.

Kostantinos Yannitsis who was doing post-graduate studies at the MIT University in Boston was on holiday in Mexico and taking pictures of a church when he was attacked by the robbers.

Prime minister Kostas Simitis and other ministers expressed their condolences to Mr Yannitsis and his wife, Anna.

[04] Increasing number of cancer cases among soldiers who served in Kossovo and Bosnia

The Belgian Defence Minister Andre Flaho in a letter to his Swedish counterpart Von Sintof, whose country is presiding over the European Union this term, proposes the conduction of a European Union research on the grave health problems-mostly leucemia, diagnosed among soldiers and military officers who served in Bosnia and Kossovo.

Cancer cases have not been diagnosed only among soldiers from Belgium but also among soldiers from Portugal, Germany and Spain who served in the NATO peace force.

The Greek National Defence Ministry claims that cancer cases have not been diagnosed among Greek soldiers who served or are serving in Kossovo and Bosnia. The Greek peace force is comprised of 1450 soldiers in Kossovo and 300 soldiers in Bosnia.

[05] Ban on beef from over 30 month old cows

[06] ND party President meets with senior members of his party

Mr Karamanlis is expected to appoint Jannis Tzannetakis as president of the organisation committee for the party's congress.

[07] Turkish drug-smugglers arrested in Athens

It should be noted that the moves of the Turkish smugglers were monitored by the Greek police in cooperation with the American and Turkish police authorities.

[08] Sea region of Kastelorizo, declared conservation area

[09] Counter-motives for pensioners who want to work

According to a Labour Ministry circular, the pension of pensioners under 55 who are still working, will be suspended, while there will be a 70% reduction in pensions over 250 thousand dracmas for pensioners over 55 years old.

Furthermore pensioners of the Public sector and the broader Public sector who are still working will receive a pension reduced by 70%.

[10] Weather forecast

A mainly fine day is forecast for Attica with slight winds and some clouds developing in the late afternoon.

Temperatures will range from 7 to 16 degrees centigrade. Similar conditions-plus some fog in the early morning-are expected in Thessaloniki, where temperatures will range from 3 to 13 degrees centigrade.

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