|
|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-06-20
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Weather forecast
[02] President Stefanopoulos Simitis meeting
[03] Stricter economic policy recommended by EU leaders
[04] Cyprus-EU accesion course will not be stopped
[05] Belgium Royal couple in Greece
[06] Omonia party calling NorthernEpirotes to vote
[07] Ecumenic Patriarch
[08] Athens 2004 budget increase
[09] Athens stock market
[10] Private radio statios appeal for reopening
[11] Fuel prices down
[12] G-8 meeting in Genoa
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA-5. THE VOICE OF GREECE
20/6/2001 1:51:00 μμ
[01] Weather forecast
Drop in temperatures and scattered cloud is forecast in most parts of
the country today , turning to showers or storms on the mainland and in
the Ionian and northern Aegean. Winds northwesterly and southwesterly
moderate to strong. Unsettled weather in Attica, with temperatures
ranging from 18-29 degrees Celcius, same in Thessaloniki with
temperatures ranging from 15-26 degrees Celcius and in the rest of the
country from 17-31 degrees Celcius.
[02] President Stefanopoulos Simitis meeting
The goverment will closely follow its policy for economic stablity, a
stepped up growth rate and increased welfare, stressed Prime-minister
Kostas Simitis during his regular briefing yesterday with President
Kostis Stefanopoulos. Mr. Simitis also underlined that Greece will
contiue its policy of peace and cooperation in its foreign relations.
In particular, regarding the crisis in FYROM , the Prime- minister said
that Greece will make its presence felt in order to help break the
current deadlock. At the same time, both the Prime-minister and the
President expressed their concern about the ant-globalisation protest
movement and the incidents that took place at the recent EU summit in
Gothenburg.
[03] Stricter economic policy recommended by EU leaders
Stricter economic policy was the EU's leaders recommendation to the
Greek goverment during the EU summit meeting in Gothenburg. EU
leaders' recommendations refer to the need to deal with the worsening
of the balance in current transactions, the implementation of
stabilisation measures to prevent rise in the rate of inflation and the
achievement of a 0,5% surplus in the 2001 Gross National Product.
European leaders have also recommended reduction of the state debt and
public expenditures as well as reforms in the social security system
till the end of the year. Finally, they advised more flexibility in
the labour market to deal with unemployment which remains high despite
the rapid pace of development. At the same time, National Economy
Minister Yiannos Papantoniou will have an important meeting with senior
members of the Iternational Monetary Fund in view of the preparation of
its annual report in November while he will reassure them that the
goverment will not change its economic policy. On their part, the
members of the International Monetary Fund are expected to refer to the
course of structural changes, particularly related to the social
security system and privatizations. The IMF delegation met with
officials of the Bank of Greece yesterday.
[04] Cyprus-EU accesion course will not be stopped
In his report on the EU-Cyprus admssion course ,Louxembourg Eurodeputy
Zaques Poos blames the Turkish-Cypriot leader Raulf Dektash for the
deadlock in the admission negotiations Greek goverment spokesman,
Dimitris Reppas stressed that Cyprus-EU accesion course could not be
stopped underlining that Cyprus meets the EU accesion preconditions.
He also added that Cyprus negotiations have made considerable progress
compared to other EU candidate states and expressed the belief that it
will be the first country to be admitted to the EU .
[05] Belgium Royal couple in Greece
Belgium's royal couple, King Albert II and Qeen Paola,began a 3-day
official visit to Greece on Tuesday, the first by a Belgiam monarch to
the modern Greek state. Besides a series of meetings with Greek
leadership and opposition politicians, the royal couple will also tour
a number of well-known Greek archaeological sites. Greek President
Kostis Stefanopoulos hosted a reception in hoour of the Belgian oarch
last night at the presidential mansion.
[06] Omonia party calling NorthernEpirotes to vote
In a press interview in Yiannina yesterday, the President of Albania's
Omonia Party called on all Northern Epirotes working in Greece to go to
Albania on Sunday to vote stressing that it is highly important for the
Greek minority in Albania to elect at least 5 deputies in order to set
up an independed parliamentary team.
[07] Ecumenic Patriarch
Ecumenic Patriarch Vartholomeos concluded his visit to the island of
Lesvos yesterday where he was warmly welcomed by the people of the
island.
[08] Athens 2004 budget increase
The latest figure for holding the 2004 Olympic Games was set at
approximately 1.5 trillio drs by the Greek goverment o Tuesday,
increased by 7.5% from a initial budget released last September.
Coversely, a handful of major infrastructure projects set for the
greater Athens area prior to the Games have not been included in the
2004 Game's budget, including a new trametwork and a widely expected
suburban rail-line -both of which are expectig funding from the EU's
Third Community Support Framework.
[09] Athens stock market
On the Athens stock market, the general share index ended 0.37% lower
at 2,832.97 points. Turnover was a low 99,79 millio euros, or 34
billion drs.
[10] Private radio statios appeal for reopening
The State Council next Wednesday will examine the appeals of 51 private
stations asking for their reopening.
[11] Fuel prices down
Fuel prices are dropping for the 5th consecutive week. Unleaded and
super gasoline are sold 4 drs per litter cheaper today, while diesel
prices went down by 6 drs.
[12] G-8 meeting in Genoa
The EU, horrified by the violent riots at the weekend summit in
Gothenburg, Sweden, is considering setting up a EU wide database of
information about troublemakers. Italian Prime-minister Sylvio
Berlusconi expressed fear that similar incidents might take place at
the G-8 meeting to be held in Genoa from 20-22 July. The possibilities
of changing the city or cutting it off from the rest of the country was
being considered. However, Interior Minister Claudio Skazola
reaffirmed that the meeting will take place in Genoa.
|
