[01] GREECE HAS THE LARGEST MERCHANT FLEET IN THE WORLD

[02] THE RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MET WITH THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN ATHENS

[03] THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FORMED A FEDERATION

[04] THE GREEK AND THE ALBANIAN UNDERSECRETARIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADDRESSED THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZED IN ATHENS

[05] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE BULGARIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN ATHENS

NEWS IN ENGLISH

[01] GREECE HAS THE LARGEST MERCHANT FLEET IN THE WORLD

Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world under its own flag and under foreign flags, both in number of ships and in tonagge, according to the Sea Transportations Review for 1994 of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

In the list with the 35 most important marine countries in the world included in the UNCTAD Review, Greece occupies the first place with a total of 2.937 ships of which 1.048 are under the greek flag and 1.889 under foreign flags.

The total tonnage of the greek merchant fleet is 118.398.984 tons while the tonnage of ships under greek flag is 52.457.838 tons and under foreign flags 65.941.146 tons.

According to the UNCTAD Review, Cyprus occupies the third place in the world in number of registered ships.

[02] THE RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER MET WITH THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER IN ATHENS

The further improvement of the greek-russian relations, the situation in the Balkans and the efforts for peace in former Yugoslavia were discussed in today's meeting of russian Defence Minister, Pavel Gratchov and greek Foreign Minister, Karolos Papoulias in Athens.

After the meeting, mr.Gratchov stated that the Athens-Moscow relations must move toward further development in the economic, political and military sectors. The russian Defence Minister also said that the talks focused on the problems concerning the settlement of the Bosnian crisis, "In the name of security in Europe and in the rest of the world", as he characteristically said.

The views of Greece and Russia over the settlement of the bosnian crisis coincide stated mr.Gratchov and added that the efforts for the peaceful settlement of the crisis are moving forward.

The russian Defence Minister said that according to Russia's view a Peace Conference must be held as soon as possible as it was proposed by russian President Boris Yeltsin. He said that this Peace Conference can be held in any country of the world but Russia proposed to be held in Moscow with the participation of the G-8 countries namely, with the participation of representatives from the seven most developed countries and Russia. In the Peace Conference will also be invited to participate the leaders of the countries involved in the conflict and the leaders of the interested countries, meaning the neighbouring countries of the former Yugoslav Republics.

[03] THE GREEK-AUSTRALIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FORMED A FEDERATION

The Greek-australian Chambers of Commerce were united and formed a federation constituting a very strong force for the promotion of the trade relations between Greece and Australia and for securing better services for their members.

President of the Greek-australian Chamber of Commerce in the australian state of Victoria, mr.Yiannis Thomas stated that this is the first step while the next step will be the unification of the greek Chambers all over the world. He said that their ambition is to turn the greek businessmen into a considerable force for the benefit of the greeks all over the world.

[04] THE GREEK AND THE ALBANIAN UNDERSECRETARIES OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ADDRESSED THE ECONOMIC CONFERENCE ORGANIZED IN ATHENS

Albanian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Arian Starova referred to a wide spectrum of issues in his speech made today, second day of the economic conference organized in Athens by the Hellenic-American Chamber and the newspaper INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE.

Concerning the greek minority in Albania, mr.Starova maintained that his country has formed a legal network based on the international principles for the protection of human rights adding that as a result the greek minority is in a better state now compared to the past.

Speaking earlier in the same economic conference, greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Grigoris Niotis said that Greece gives great importance to its relations with Albania and that it supports the efforts made by this country concerning economic and political reforms. He said that Greece contributes to the development and the social stability of the neighbouring country with investments made by greek businesses mainly in its southern part.

Mr.Niotis called Albania to create a completely safe environment for the greek minority and to fully respect its rights while he supported the need for a proportional representation of the greek minority in the albanian public administration.

Also, the greek Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs pointed out that there are still significant restrictions on the exercise of the minority's religious and education rights in Albania and expressed the hope that in the near future the Tirana government will work for the solution of the pending issues concerning the greek minority in Albania.

[05] THE GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER MET WITH THE BULGARIAN UNDERSECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN ATHENS

Greek Foreign Minister Karolos Papoulias in a 40minute meeting in Athens with bulgarian Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Ivan Kristov discussed issues concerning bilateral relations as a follow up of the talks the greek Foreign Minister had in Sofia a few days ago.

Diplomatic sources mentioned that today's talks possibly focused on the issue of the construction of the Burgas - Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the waters of river Nestos and the opening of new border crossings.

According to the same sources, was also discussed and the issue of the greek Prime Minister's visit to Sofia which will probably take place by the end of the year and during which will be signed agreements of cooperation between the two countries.