Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-07-09
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, July 9, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] NO "17 NOVEMBER" BLACK LIST
[02] THE FIRST PRIVATE POWER PLANT IN GREECE
[03] COSMOTE: 66% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS
[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE
[05] INFLATION WAS AT 3.9% IN JUNE
[06] FRAGILE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM
[07] REPPAS: NO "MAD COW" DISEASE IN EVROS
[08] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT BUDGET COMMITTEE IN THESSALONIKI
[09] STING CONCERT IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
[10] IMPRESSIVE PREMIERE FOR THE OLYMPUS FESTIVAL
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WANTS AUSTERE FISCAL POLICY IN GREECE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] NO "17 NOVEMBER" BLACK LIST
The Greek anti-terrorist agency categorically denied recent
press reports published on the Athens newspaper "TA NEA"
concerning an alleged terrorist organization "17 November" black
list with the names of six government ministers.
The press report in question mentioned that after analyzing
the "17N" recent leaflet an alarm had sounded in the Greek Police
as it was believed that the ministers of labor, justice, public
order, transport, merchant marine and national economy were at
risk of becoming the targets of the terrorist organization.
[02] THE FIRST PRIVATE POWER PLANT IN GREECE
The construction of the first private power plant will get
underway in Greece next year. It will be built in Serres, northern
Greece by Mitilineos Energy Production and Supply Company in
cooperation with DANEL Greek-Danish joint venture and the
municipality of Serres.
The new power plant is expected to be in operation by 2003
and it will be the first power production plant in Greece after
the liberalization of the energy sector in the country. It will
cover the urban needs for central heating through the production
of warm water, while it will also provide central cooling in the
summer months.
[03] COSMOTE: 66% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS
COSMOTE mobile phone company subscribers increased by 66% at
the end of June, reaching 2.518.553 customers.
In the first trimester of 2001, the company had 233.665 new
subscriptions, 80.488 of which were contract customers and the
rest 153.177 were mobile card phone holders.
The active subscribers with a contract were 1.385.777 at the
end of June recording an increase of 50.8% compared to the same
period last year, while the active customers of mobile card phones
were 1.132.776 with an increase of 90% compared to June 2000.
[04] BIG LOSSES IN THE ASE
Big losses were recorded today in the Athens Stock Exchange.
The general index dropped to -4% at 2.545,01 points, and the
volume of transactions was very small at 82 million Euro or 27.9
billion drachmas.
The overwhelming majority of the stocks trading today,
namely, 332, recorded losses and only 19 had gains, while the
value of 28 stocks remained stable.
[05] INFLATION WAS AT 3.9% IN JUNE
June's inflation in Greece was at 3.9% compared to 3.6% in
May, according to figures provided by the National Statistics
Agency. The increase is mainly attributed to the fresh fruit and
vegetable price hikes.
It should be reminded that at the end of 2001, inflation is
expected to be down to 2.9%, if there will be no escalation during
the summer, according to statements made by minister of national
economy Yiannos Papantoniou.
The Bank of Greece predicted inflation of over 3% at the end
of 2001 and for this reason, it tries to limit the consumer loans
offered by the banks.
[06] FRAGILE CEASEFIRE IN FYROM
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas characterized as fragile
the ceasefire in FYROM when he was asked to comment on the
developments in the neighboring country and added that political
dialogue between the political forces in FYROM must open and be
completed as soon as possible.
He said that the Greek government is constantly informed on
the developments, while on the attack targeting the Greek embassy
press office in Skopje, that took place on Saturday night, he said
that the Greek government has requested FYROM to take all
necessary protection measures. Mr. Reppas concluded by saying that
the government is not concerned with the actions of a few
extremists.
[07] REPPAS: NO "MAD COW" DISEASE IN EVROS
It has not been established if the animal that came from
Holland and was traced in the region of Evros, northeastern
Greece, has the "mad cow" disease, stated government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas.
Mr. Reppas reiterated that the veterinary inspections made in
Greece are systematic and strict, pointing out that the
agriculture ministry and the responsible agencies are in a state
of vigilance. He said that the talk on whether the disease can
spread through milk consumption is of a scientific nature and
stressed that until now no international health organization has
linked the disease with milk consumption.
[08] THE EURO-PARLIAMENT BUDGET COMMITTEE IN THESSALONIKI
A ten-member European Parliament budget committee delegation
will be on a three-day visit to Thessaloniki starting tomorrow.
During their stay the Euro-deputies will visit CEDEFOP and
the European Organization for Reconstruction where they will be
briefed on the organization's course and exchange views on its
budget and other organizational and administrative issues.
[09] STING CONCERT IN THESSALONIKI TOMORROW
The concert by famous British pop singer Sting in
Thessaloniki tomorrow is expected to be one of the biggest music
events in Greece this year.
Sting created the group Police at the end of the 70s and
their albums "Outlandos d'Amour", "Regatta De Blanc" and
"Synchronicity" are regarded as turning points in the history of
rock music.
In the mid 80s Sting launched an even more successful solo career.
His latest album "Brand New Day" became three times platinum and
includes rock, reggae, jazz, and country music sounds.
[10] IMPRESSIVE PREMIERE FOR THE OLYMPUS FESTIVAL
The opening night for the 30th Olympus Festival, that took
place at the ancient theater of Dion on Sunday evening, was very
impressive.
About 6.000 people gave a warm welcome to great Greek singer
Nana Mouschouri, who stated that she was deeply moved by the
reception she got.
The ticket proceeds will be offered to UNESCO. Singers
Giorgos Dalaras and Babis Stokas will give a concert on July 14
within the framework of the festival.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[11] THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION WANTS AUSTERE FISCAL POLICY IN GREECE
The macro-economic predictions by European Union regarding
Greece's stability program are more unfavorable compared to those
made by the Greek government, based on the response that was given
by responsible European Commissioner Pedro Solbes to Greek
Coalition of the Left Euro-deputy Michalis Papagiannakis.
The fiscal situation in Greece will reach a balance in 2001
but unemployment will be high at 10.3%, according to Mr. Solbes.
The GDP is expected to be at 4.8% in 2002 instead of 5.2% as it
was initially predicted.
The European Commission believes that the Greek authorities
have to make the necessary readjustments on their medium-term
macro-economic affairs and assess the effects they will have on
public finances. Calls were also made for a more austere fiscal
policy with current spending cuts and smaller wage increases.
|
