Afghan illegal immigrants in Kos and Chios:

The engine powered fishing boat "Karaoz", which started to take in water and was carrying 14 Afghan illegal immigrants (7 men, 2 women and 4 children), was spotted by the Kos Coast Guard 1,4 nautical miles off the island's shore.

Also, Chios Coast Guard authorities, spotted and arrested 4 illegal immigrants from Afghanistan, according to their own statements, in the area of St. Ermioni off the shore of Chios, on a children's inflatable boat.

Albanian illegal immigrants in Patras:

Last night, Patras Coast Guard authorities arrested 28-year-old Albanian Valia Yad in gate 5 of the harbor, who was transporting 4 Albanian illegal immigrants in his car. The 4 men had forged IDs and were going to board the "Super Fast VI" ferry boat, bo und for Italy.

This grand event is expected to set off interest - on the participants' side - on closing strategic deals. The 250.000 Greeks living in Illinois are expected to play a crucial role in promoting cooperation between Greek and US companies.

The Fair is being organized in cooperation with the World Trade Center of Chicago (WTCC) the Exporters' Association of Northern Greece, the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) and the Hellenic Center for Investment. It is supported by the Greek Ministries of Economy and Finance, Defense, Culture, Macedonia-Thrace, Development, the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad, the TEDK of Thessaloniki, the National Bank, the ASE and the Organization for Promoting Trade.

Specifically, after the Executive Office meeting, Mr. Simitis answered a reporter question related to the issue, stressing that "our line and conviction is that all employment positions must be retained and that new ones should be created".

An announcement made by the press office of the Coalition of Left points out that: "the merger of Ethniki and Alpha Bank is an important development with great consequences on the banking system, the economy and the employees. The government supported th is choice to give an image of market restructuring and to strengthen the role of private capital in the banking sector, a fact proven by the refusal to sell ETVA to the bidder who was the Agricultural Bank".

The Coalition considers the creation of a large Greek bank an acceptable solution, on terms that would guarantee the powerful role of the Public Sector, transparency in the merger procedures and the securing of employment and employee rights, noting that

it has submitted specific propositions in that direction in the past, such as the merger of Ethniki with the Commercial Bank.

But it points out, that the terms on which this merger is going through do not meet these requirements, creating serious question marks, worries and dangers.

"The Coalition is fighting and will continue to fight for guaranteed presence of the Public and Social Sector in the credit system.

Legislature on mergers and buying out companies must be enacted immediately, in order to ensure employment and employee working rights.

In this framework the Coalition has turned in proposals and will take up initiative", ends the statement.

The Greek Communist Party (KKE) characterized the event as a movement of concentration of Greek banking capital, pointing out that the motive for the merger was "the maximization of profit, the hunt for a guaranteed added profit in the free market of the

European Union, and other markets such as the Balkan one".

"That is the essence of capitalist competition. Its result is the destruction of small and middle businesses, buying out companies and mergers for the creation of larger capitalist businesses in production, commerce, the banking and credit system", stres sed the Party in its announcement.

Minister of Development Akis Tsohatzopoulos, saw the merger as an indication that large banking organizations, that can stand on a European level, can exist in Greece, as he stated during his departure from the opening ceremony of the 17th International Philoxenia Fair 2001 in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos underlined that the merger of the two banks is a large step and added that "through gradual development and steps, one unified organization is being created, which can truly stand on a European level".

"I'm optimistic that Greek tourism will find new roads", he stressed and pointed out that the image of the crisis must be considered a challenge and open new broadening potential in the base of tourism. Besides, he underlined that the tourist season must

be extended through the promotion of special programs and meetings.

The ace up Greece's sleeve, are the Olympics, underlined the Minister of Development. "It is an extra motive which no other country has. If we play our cards right, I think we can benefit from it", he added.

He also observed that no decrease in travel packages booked tour operators for next year has been recorded so far.

"Islam and Christianity" is the topic of the Archbishop's speech at the Athens Academy. He will also meet with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, at which meetings he is expected to be accompanied by Archbishop Christodoulos. Also, at his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, G. Papandreou, he is expected to discuss the preparations of the inter-religious conference being organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ecumenical Patriarchy.

Besides, he considers the case closed according to the President of the Workers' Housing Organization (OEK) after studies on assigning the project. "There is no problem" Mr. Papavasiliou clarified, and pointed out that the project is advancing faster tha n it was scheduled to. Also, as it was made known, the beneficiaries to inhabit the olympic Village after the 2004 games, will move into their houses in Spring 2005, after necessary adjustments have been made.

Greece lives in the "Jocker" lottery fever as large sums are being bet on different combinations of numbers as almost every Greek hopes to be the big winner.

Ms. Milogevic stated that the goal is to forge new collaborations and strengthen the existing ones, while she also announced that eight Belgrade hotels are going to be sold in the following days.

For the record, about 80.000 people work in Serbia's tourism sector corresponding to 3% of the country's population.

Belgrade Tourism Organization director Loran Novacovic stressed that in the first 8 months of 2001 there was a 15% increase in the number of tourists who visited the city compared to 2000, a percentage that corresponds to 900.000 visitors. He also stated

that the number of tourists who stayed overnight in Belgrade was increased by 84% this year, while in July alone the transit tourists were 760.000.

Mr. Simitis stated that there are no off-shore companies based in Greece and added that the government has adopted a number of institutional measures for clarity in the operation and inspection of such companies in the sectors of mass media, stock marke t and public works.

Of the stocks trading today, 158 recorded gains and 156 had losses, while the value of 50 stocks remained unchanged.

He stated that the Greek-Bulgarian relations in the sector of tourism have a new orientation, while the measures that are being promoted by the Bulgarian side are expected to lay a new basis for them and contribute considerably to their strengthening.

On the issue of the Bulgarian hotels privatization, Mr. Hatzinikolov stated that 56% of them belong to private investors and only four belong to the state.

According to the Bulgarian undersecretary of Finance, over 240.000 Bulgarian tourists had visited Greece by September 2001, while since the month of April the trips have tripled. As it was made known, the tourist sector in Bulgaria employs about 140.000 people.

On the crime problem in Bulgaria, that is considered one of the main reasons for the tourist decline in the country, the Bulgarian undersecretary of Finance said that in the past year it was limited considerably and added that the first results of the an ti-crime measures that are being promoted will be visible by the end of 2001.

Mr. Papandrou met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Abdul Satar, yesterday. During that meeting they discussed the issue of humanitarian assistance for civilians and refugees from the Afghanistan war, the role of the UN and the Europea n Union in the shaping of the new situation in Afghanistan, and also the issue of broader cooperation in Central Asia on population security issues, the promotion of political stability, and development and prosperity perspectives.

Mr. Papandreou expressed his solidarity to the Afghan people in the war against terrorism. "For our voice to be heard, we must work together", he said to his Pakistani counterpart.

In statements made today by Mr. Papandreou, a clear message was sent: "We are not in favor of a conflict between religions. We see religions and cultures not raising walls, but creating bridges of communication and cooperation", he stated, making a refer ence to the experience Greece accumulated after conflict in the Balkans. Greece has this experience and now has the potential to financially contribute to solve such problems, stressed the Greek Minister., addressing special thanks to non-Governmental Gre ek Organizations, which contributed with their presence at tension sites and for the resolving of the immense humanitarian problem. It should be noted that Greece has contributed $1 million, half of which has been distributed as help by non-Governmental O rganization.

Discussions in today's meeting between President Musaraf and the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, include issues such as regional cooperation, as well as the tension in India-Pakistan relations over Kashmir, the Cyprus issue and bilateral issues.

Mr. Papandreou, who was asked about the political situation in Afghanistan, answered that the people there cannot but want a more representative government, which will have the support of countries in the region, without competitiveness and attempts to c reate spheres of influence.

The Pakistani Minister of affairs answered a question in yesterday's joint press conference with his Greek counterpart in the same spirit. "We agree on a broad based multinational government in Afghanistan and the retaining of unity, territorial integrit y and political independence of the country", said Abdul Sattar.

This morning the Pakistani President thanked Mr. Papandreou for the humanitarian assistance being offered by Greece, and the Greek Minister of Foreign affairs told reporters that his close associate, Alex Rondos, will remain in Islamabad to coordinate al l actions related to the Greek humanitarian support towards Pakistan and Afghan refugee camps.

Regarding the bombing of Afghanistan, the President of Pakistan pointed out that he agrees with the military operations, but he observed that they must be directed against terrorists and not innocent Afghan civilians.

The talks he had focused on Greece's support to the region's economic development, the energy crisis in the country and the bilateral agreement on the free medical care available by Greek hospitals to up to 500 Albanian nationals a year.

According to Albanian press publications, Mr. Iliopoulos announced that the Greek parliament is expected to approve a 40 million Euro aid for the economic development of Albania.

The merger in the Greek banking sector was expected since the moment the country entered the Euro-zone when there was much pressure for bank mergers. This development was delayed because of the existing labor laws, wrote the newspaper, adding that the re cent statements made by Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis have opened the way to merger and privatization agreements.

Economic analysts in statements to the Wall Street Journal expressed satisfaction over the ETE-Alpha Bank merger maintaining that it opens the way for new mergers.

In the conference will participate representatives of other European countries as well, where there are no Greek community business organizations, but they are going to be established soon, like in the case of France.

The symposium will offer the opportunity to register and organize the Greek origin businessmen in Europe, while at the same time it will contribute to the improvement of relations among them and with the metropolitan center.

Macedonian Press Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article