Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-11-28
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, November 28, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] EUROPE'S LARGEST SPINNING MILL IS IN N. GREECE
[02] DRAFT BILL ON LABOR RELATIONS MET WITH PROTESTS
[03] PREMIER IN HUNGARY FOR EU EXPANSION TALKS
[04] EU COMMISSIONER SUBMITS REPORT ON GREEK LABOR
[05] 3RD CSF FUNDS SEALED AND SIGNED, TO BE DELIVERED
[06] MINISTER:EU CAN'T GUARANTEE BSE-FREE MEAT
[07] GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA MEETS WITH NANO
[08] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE WILL RECOVER
[09] ANGELOPOULOU: THE OLYMPIC GAMES RETURN TO GREECE AND EUROPE
[10] LOSSES OF 2.98% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] REPPAS ON THE DEMANDS OF THE FORMER KING
[12] GREECE'S POSITION ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP RELATION TEXT
IS CLEAR
[13] THREE GREEK-CANADIANS WERE ELECTED IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
[14] REPPAS REFERRED TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH'S STATEMENTS ON A
UNIFIED ORTHODOX CHURCH
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] ALBANIA-GREEK COMMERCIAL TRADE ON THE RISE
[16] CHRISOCHOIDIS-ZIVKOVIC MEETING IN BELGRADE
[17] THE HILFE REPORT ON THE GREEK ECONOMY
[18] THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN STATE GOVERNOR OF GREEK ORIGIN SWEARS IN
OFFICE TODAY
[19] THE GREEK BUSINESS PRESENCE IN BULGARIA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] EUROPE'S LARGEST SPINNING MILL IS IN N. GREECE
Naoussa Spinning Mills is to become the largest spinning mill
in Europe following a merger with associated companies, according
to a company press release.
Including subsidiaries, the group will show a forecast
turnover of 45 billion drachmas with 17 billion drachmas of the
total representing exports, the statement said.
The string of mergers is expected to be completed by June
2001, it added.
[02] DRAFT BILL ON LABOR RELATIONS MET WITH PROTESTS
In protest to the upcoming parliamentary debate on a labor
relations draft bill, the Civil Servants Supreme Administrative
(ADEDY) has declared a statewide strike today, while public
hospital doctors are also embarking on a 24-hour strike in protest
against reforms to the National Health System.
The Social Insurance Foundation's (IKA) Employees Federation
is also conducting a 48-hour nationwide strike and so have all
employees of insurance funds.
According to the federation, annual contribution evasion now
exceeds 500 billion drachmas at IKA, while the foundation's
deficit is expected to reach 310 billion drachmas in 2001.
Revenues amounting to 2.5 trillion drachmas are anticipated
next year and expenditures will reach 2.8 trillion drachmas.
Greek farmers' unions are also taking industrial action
today, by holding a protest rally in central Greece.
The head of the Unified Federation of Farming Associations
said that tractors and farm vehicles will be brought down to the
rally, which has been called to protest against a decision to
reduce cotton cultivation by 10 per cent.
[03] PREMIER IN HUNGARY FOR EU EXPANSION TALKS
Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to depart for Budapest
today, where he will hold bilateral talks pertaining to the
European Union's expansion and the Balkan region.
The Premier will be accompanied by a delegation of
ministers, including the Minister of Press and Media Dimitris
Reppas, alternate Foreign Minsiter Elisabeth Papazoi,
Undersecretary of National Economy G. Zafiropoulos and others.
Moreover, Minister of Public Order Michalis Chrysochoides is
to travel to Belgrade today where he will sign a protocol for the
combat of illicit trade and illegal immigration.
Mr. Chrysochoides will meet with Yugoslavia's Minister of
Interior Zoran Zivkovic, with whom he will discuss all the issues
that arose following Yugoslavia's exclusion from the Interpol
member-countries.
[04] EU COMMISSIONER SUBMITS REPORT ON GREEK LABOR
In a report submitted to the European Union's Council of
Labor and Social Affairs Ministers, the European Commissioner
responsible for Employment and Social Affairs Anna Diamantopoulou
presented six specific recommendations for combating unemployment
in Greece.
According to press reports, Ms. Diamantopoulou's
recommendations concern tax reductions, both in the labor and
income sectors, in order to boost employment, as well as
containment of administrative expenses in order to facilitate
entrepreneurship.
Moreover, the Commissioner's recommendations concern
vocational training, improved training programs, collaboration
among social sectors for the modernization of the labor market and
the development of a wider framework of measures for employment
with emphasis on a generalized application of information
technology, social inclusion and equal entry of women into the
labor market.
[05] 3RD CSF FUNDS SEALED AND SIGNED, TO BE DELIVERED
The Third Community Support Framework (CSF) for the period of
2000-2006 has been signed by the Minister of National Economy and
Finance Yiannos Papantoniou and European Union Commissioner for
Regional Policy Michael Barnier, providing Greece with EU funds
amounting to 16 trillion drachmas.
Mr. Barnier stated that the said funds provide Greece the
opportunity to bridge the growth gap that separates it from the
other Eurozone member-states, in light of the EU's expansion.
According to the European Commission's statement, the Third
CSF calls for improved assets (ten percent of the overall funds)
in human resources aiming towards strengthening the "knowledge
society", the completion of infrastructure projects (27% of the
funds) and the boosting of competition in the sectors of
industry and services (18%).
Moreover, the Third CSF calls for improved competition and
quality in the agriculture sector, allocating 8.5 percent of the
overall funds to the said sector, improved quality of life (four
percent of the funds), promotion of the "information society"
(6.5%) and promotion of the balanced development of regions.
According to Mr. Papantoniou, Greece has already received
fund portions for certain sectors, to be drawn within the next
months following the approval of the pertinent programs.
[06] MINISTER:EU CAN'T GUARANTEE BSE-FREE MEAT
There is no European Union member-state that can guarantee
reliable controls to protect consumers from eating meat
contaminated with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, which is
suspected of causing the fatal Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in
humans, according to Greece's Agriculture Minister George
Anomeritis.
In an interview with the "Sky" radio station in Athens, Mr.
Anomeritis said that no EU member-state can guarantee that beef
meat available to consumers is absolutely safe for consumption.
"However," he added, "the biggest problem is not the bovine
spongiform encephalopathy, which is a problem in all the countries
and we are dealing with it. The problem is rock fever and foot
and mouth disease."
Yesterday, Mr. Anomeritis countered EU accusations that
Greece has not provided requested data on BSE, by claiming that
Athens sends information on livestock diseases to Brussels twice a
year.
Meanwhile, the president of the veterinarians association
stressed that the measures taken are not going to be effective,
while he also stated that controls need to be continuous,
stringent and taken at all levels.
[07] GREEK AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA MEETS WITH NANO
Greece's Ambassador to Tirana Dimitris Iliopoulos met with
the president of Albania's Socialist Party Fatos Nano yesterday,
with whom he discussed the development of Greek-Albanian relations
and the situation of the Greek minority living in the neighboring
country.
According to local press reports, Mr. Iliopoulos stated that
the talks centered around the opportunities for furthering
bilateral cooperation, especially economic, in all sectors, as
well as the role minorities can carry out in strengthening
relations between the two countries.
It was mutually ascertained that the Greek minority living in
Albania can serve as a bridge of friendship between the two
peoples.
[08] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE WILL RECOVER
The belief that inflation will remain at relatively high
levels for as long as the international negative climate continues
as a result of the US dollar and the oil price increases, was
expressed by minister of national economy Yiannos Papantoniou
after the meeting he had today with prime minister Kostas Simitis.
Mr. Papantoniou stated that the course of the general index
reflects the world crisis and expressed the view that the Athens
stock market will recover, stressing that many stocks offer
investment opportunities.
On the 3rd Community Framework of Support that was signed in
Brussels yesterday, Mr. Papantoniou stated that it is an
obligation to make an effort for the absorption of the community
funds.
[09] ANGELOPOULOU: THE OLYMPIC GAMES RETURN TO GREECE AND EUROPE
The talks between Sydney Olympic Games officials with
International Olympic Committee, IOC, members and "Athens 2004"
Organization officials were completed in Athens today. The meeting
was placed within the framework of the firm IOC tactic which
provides for the transfer of experience and know-how from the
previous Olympic Games host city to the next.
The talks were very detailed and concerned issues of
security, accreditation, transportation, the Olympic village and
other issues on the organizing of the Olympic Games.
Earlier, "Athens 2004" president Ms. Yianna Angelopoulou-
Daskalakis had met with European Commissioner Ms. Viviane Redding,
responsible for issues of sports, culture and education. The
European commissioner pointed out that the Athens games are a
European affair and expressed the EU support to the efforts for
their success.
Ms. Angelopoulou-Daskalakis agreed with this stance, pointing
out that the Olympic Games return not only to Greece but to Europe
as well.
Ms. Redding also met with minister of culture Evangelos
Venizelos and they discussed issues concerning the cultural
Olympiad. Mr. Venizelos suggested that the Olympic flame could
reach the millions of Internet users as a digital picture.
[10] LOSSES OF 2.98% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
Losses of 2.98% were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange
today and the general index was at 3.205,82 points, while the
volume of transactions was small at 59.8 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, 344 recorded losses, 17 had
gains and 17 remained unchanged.
[11] REPPAS ON THE DEMANDS OF THE FORMER KING
The unacceptable demands expressed by the former King unveil
his lack of concern for the Greek people and their interests,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas and called on
right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy to clarify its
position on the issue.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that Greece will be firm on its
position until the end and will protect the interests of the Greek
people. He also said that the government assigned the appraisal of
the property claimed by the former King to two foreign firms that
will also calculate the taxes the former King had to pay to the
Greek state.
[12] GREECE'S POSITION ON THE EU-TURKEY PARTNERSHIP RELATION TEXT
IS CLEAR
Greece's position on the EU-Turkey partnership relation text
is clear namely, it has to reflect the Helsinki decision spirit,
stated Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
He said that the Helsinki decision is a milestone decision
that includes all the rules that must govern the relations between
the European Union and Turkey, adding that Turkey must accept
those rules.
On the stance adopted by certain Turkish officials, who do
not accept fully the Helsinki decision, Mr. Reppas stated that
this stance is inconceivable. Mr. Reppas said that the Helsinki
decision takes under consideration both the EU and the Turkish
interests and it is not one-sided.
When asked to comment on whether Greece will use its veto
power in case the text does not include the references it wants,
Mr. Reppas said that if the EU-Turkey partnership relation text is
not in accordance with the Helsinki decision it will not be
accepted.
[13] THREE GREEK-CANADIANS WERE ELECTED IN THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT
The Greek community in Canada maintained its power in the
federal parliament of Canada with the re-election of Greek-
Canadians in yesterday's elections.
Specifically, the three Greek-Canadian deputies keeping their
seats in the federal parliament of Canada are Eleni Bakopanou in
Ahunsic, former industry minister John Kannis in Scarborough
Centre and Jim Kariyiannis in Agincourt. All three were elected
with Jean Chretien's Liberal party that won the elections for a
third consecutive time occupying 173 of the 301 seats in the
federal parliament.
Also, the Greek community in Canada is very satisfied with
the fact that other Canadian parliament deputies, who have backed
Greece on issues of national importance, have been re-elected.
[14] REPPAS REFERRED TO THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH'S STATEMENTS ON A
UNIFIED ORTHODOX CHURCH
In the Greek state the Church of Greece operates in a
specific organizational form, stated Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas when he was asked to comment on a statement made
by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos according to which, there is
no need for a national Church but for a unified Orthodox Church.
Mr. Reppas also added that the government respects the
Ecumenical Patriarch, who is a really great spiritual personality
with a worldwide recognition and radiance.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[15] ALBANIA-GREEK COMMERCIAL TRADE ON THE RISE
Commercial trade between Albania and Greece is on the rise,
as the latter is the neighboring country's top economic ally,
along with Italy, according to press reports in Tirana.
Albania's commercial trade with Greece and Italy amount to 73
percent of the overall volume of the said country's transactions
world wide.
So far this year, Albanian imports from Greece amount to 29
percent of the overall volume, marking a ten-percent increase
since last year's 19 percent.
Greece is among the participating countries in an Albanian
trade fair, presently underway in Tirana, the first time Greek
firms are represented in the neighboring country's Panair 2000.
Featuring the showcasing of 23 Greek firms, Greece's participation
in Panair 2000 general trade fair has been arranged by the
Thessaloniki International Trade Fair.
[16] CHRISOCHOIDIS-ZIVKOVIC MEETING IN BELGRADE
Greek minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis, who is
on a formal visit to Belgrade met this morning with Yugoslav
interior minister Zoran Zivkovic.
In a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr.
Chrisochoidis stressed that the cooperation between the two
countries is necessary to overcome the problems faced by the
Balkan region.
The Greek minister announced the signing of a bilateral
agreement in the immediate future which among others, will provide
for the Greek assistance in the training of Yugoslav police
officers. Mr. Chrisochoidis expressed Greece's wish to play the
role of a bridge for the quicker accession of Yugoslavia into the
European community.
Yugoslav federal minister of interior Zoran Zivkovic stated
that he is happy because Yugoslavia's cooperation with Europe
starts with Greece which will back Belgrade in its Interpol
accession effort as well as in its efforts to become a member of
other institutions that aim at strengthening security and tackling
crime.
When reporters asked Mr. Chrisochoidis to comment on the
situation in south Serbia, he stressed that Greece is against any
changes in the Balkans.
Referring to the same issue, Mr. Zivkovic pointed out that
the federal government will decide by Friday on what its next step
will be and added that in case of a new attack by armed Albanians
the Serb police will respond within the framework of resolution
1244.
[17] THE HILFE REPORT ON THE GREEK ECONOMY
The determination of the Greek government to promote changes
in the labor relations was pointed out in a report issued by the
HILFE economic analysis institution yesterday on the current
developments in the Greek economy. The report among others
predicts an economic growth of 4% in the year 2001 as well as, an
increase in the deficit of the current budget.
The report mentions that the government reforms in the job
market are met with strong reactions even from the socialist
governing party of PASOK itself but prime minister Kostas Simitis
is determined to promote them. The changes in the labor relations
are regarded as necessary to close the gap between the incomes in
Greece and the rest Euro-zone countries.
The economic prospects are positive and a growth rate of 4-5%
is expected in the year 2001. The investment plans as well as the
consumption increase that are due to the interest rate cuts are
referred to as the basic reasons for the high growth rate.
[18] THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN STATE GOVERNOR OF GREEK ORIGIN SWEARS IN
OFFICE TODAY
Greek-Australian Ioannis Aniktomatis will swear in office
today as administrator-governor of the northern Australian
territory before Australia's general governor Sir William Dean.
Mr. Aniktomatis is the first Greek who gets such a post in
Australia. He was born in Piraeus in 1955 and went to Australia
with his family at the age of 9. His business and social
activities made him one of the most distinguished members of the
Greek-Australian community. He is Greece's honorary ambassador to
the northern Australian territory since 1991.
[19] THE GREEK BUSINESS PRESENCE IN BULGARIA
Greece is one of the largest investors in Bulgaria. According
to Sofia's weekly newspaper "Kapital", investments in Bulgaria,
from a strategic point of view, constitute a step closer to the
central European and Black Sea markets.
The largest Greek investments in Bulgaria are in the banking
sector and the leading one is the purchase of the United Bulgarian
Bank, OBB, by the National Bank of Greece for the sum of US$207
million.
Big investments have also been made in the sectors of
insurance, industry, textile, mass media and distribution of
goods.
According to Bulgarian statistical figures, Bulgarian exports
to Greece in 1999 were US$342 million, compared to 1998 when they
were US$369 million, while the Greek exports to Bulgaria in 1999
were US$309 million compared to 1998 when they were US$289
million.
|
