Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 02-01-18

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From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] SIMITIS ON GREEK FOREIGN POLICY UNTIL 2004

[02] NEW MEAT MARKET IN 18 MONTHS

[03] CUTBACKS IN 4500 TOURIST AGENCIES

[04] PAPANTONIOU: TURKEY SYSTEMATICALLY DISPUTES THE GREEK SOVEREIGN RIGHTS

[05] THE MAYORS OF THE ADRIATIC SEA AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

[06] PROTOPAPAS: TURKEY ATTEMPTS A DIVERSION

[07] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

[08] THREE BILLION DOLLARS, THE NEW TARGET FOR THE GREEK-TURKISH TRADE

[09] NO DEAD ENDS IN THE FREE MARKET

[10] PAPANDREOU ON ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS

[11] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL MOVE AHEAD WITHOUT COMPROMISES

[12] PLAN FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS ON GREECE

[01] SIMITIS ON GREEK FOREIGN POLICY UNTIL 2004

The axes and goals of Greek foreign policy until 2004, were examined at yesterday's Cabinet meeting, presided over by Kostas Simitis, who immediately following it, commented: The time has come for our requests to be granted.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the new year has found our country's international position strengthened, a development, as he said, established during his trip to Washington.

At the same time, he set the EU enlargement and Cyprus' incorporation as his priorities, saying that Greece has the political will, as well as the institutional potential to promote it, while he pointed out that any positive developments in the Cyprus issue, will contribute to the atmosphere of trust between Greece and Turkey.

[02] NEW MEAT MARKET IN 18 MONTHS

Consumers will have to be patient for at least 18 months, since that is how long it will take to construct the new Athens Central Meat Market, which is part of the 3rd Communal Support Framework (funds of 13.2 million euro have been authorized). In the meantime, there will be temporary improvements, so that a minimum level of hygienic functioning may be kept in the Redi Market. The above was announced at a broad meeting called by deputy Minister of Development, Ch. Theodorou.

[03] CUTBACKS IN 4500 TOURIST AGENCIES

4500 tourist agencies all over Greece will move to cut backs, firing personnel, since they have not received the necessary support. At the same time, they stated that they will be forced to move to seasonal hiring, after the serious, crucial and urgent problems the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US have caused, threatening the future of the entire field.

Many businesses, based on this announcement, have already pulled down the rolls, while there are also many in danger of having to suspend their work. Under these circumstances, the need to give motives in order for the employees not to be fired, with support subsidies, is immediate.

The Greek Tourist Agencies, having exhausted all their patience, appeal to the government to realize the true dimensions of the field's problem, as well as the consequences any inactivity may have, and to take measures immediately.

[04] PAPANTONIOU: TURKEY SYSTEMATICALLY DISPUTES THE GREEK SOVEREIGN RIGHTS IN THE AEGEAN

Turkey systematically disputes the Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean, stated Minister of Defense Yiannos Papantoniou when he was called to comment on the Turkish demarche concerning the landing of Greek fighter jets on the northeastern Greek island of Limnos which is regarded by Ankara as demilitarized region.

Mr. Papantoniou stated that Greece's positions are firm and the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness. He said that this message must be sent to every direction and should be the basis for the right policy of rapprochement and cooperation with Turkey, reiterating that the Greek sovereign rights must be totally respected.

[05] THE MAYORS OF THE ADRIATIC SEA AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION

The mayors of the Adriatic Sea cities issued a resolution on the problem of illegal immigration in their meeting in the southern Greek city of Patras.

The mayors call for the immediate legislative intervention of the European Union concerning the economic refugees issue and the financial support for their temporary accommodation.

The meeting attended the mayor of Patras Evangelos Floratos, Igumenitsa Andreas Dais and Ankona, Italy Fabius Turani.

[06] PROTOPAPAS: TURKEY ATTEMPTS A DIVERSION

Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas stated that Turkey attempts to make a diversion in its effort to deal with the dead ends created by its intransigence. He made the statements when he was called to comment on Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's statements that were made yesterday regarding allegedly equal rights in the Aegean and the rejection of The Hague court procedure.

Mr. Protopapas stated that the Greek policy is firm on the major issues and the initiatives undertaken will lead to a solution of the Cyprus problem and other major national issues.

[07] MARGINAL LOSSES IN THE ASE

Marginal losses were recorded in the Athens Sock Exchange today. The general index dropped to 0.07% at 2.559,94 points, while the volume of transactions was 127.8 million Euro or 43.5 billion drachmas.

Of the stocks trading today, 103 recorded gains and 209 had losses, while the value of 48 stocks remained unchanged.

[08] THREE BILLION DOLLARS, THE NEW TARGET FOR THE GREEK-TURKISH TRADE

About 60 Greek businesses are expected to be in operation in Turkey by this summer taking advantage of the economic crisis in the neighboring country and the devaluation of the Turkish currency to create a business infrastructure basis in order to be able to establish business branches in the country. The above were stated by Greek-Turkish Chamber of Commerce president Panagiotis Koutsikos in the opening of the 2nd Ready-to-wear Clothing and Leather Exhibition Turkish Fashion in Thessaloniki.

Mr. Koutsikos also stated that the Greek banks were the only ones to back Turkey in its economic crisis. He said characteristically that when the foreign banks were closing their branches in Turkey, the National Bank of Greece funded the Turkish banks with the sum of US$500 million.

The year 2000 was the best concerning the trade balance between Greece and Turkey as the volume of the trade transactions between the two countries approached the US$1 billion mark recording an increase of 300% compared to 1999. Mr. Koutsikos stressed that the goal set is for the trade transactions volume to reach US$3 billion in the following years.

[09] NO DEAD ENDS IN THE FREE MARKET

The issue of the merger of the National Bank of Greece, ETE, with Alpha Bank concerns exclusively the managements of the two banks, stated Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis, adding that the specific issue was not discussed in his meeting with Prime Minister Kostas Simitis.

The two banks have expressed their intention to merge and soon they will reach a decision, said Mr. Christodoulakis, adding that there are no dead ends in the free market.

ETE and Alpha Bank governors, Theodoros Karatzas and Yiannis Kostopoulos, met at noon today at the ETE offices, followed by the meeting of the ETE Board of Directors which, according to information, will authorize Mr. Karatzas to handle the issue of the merger taking under consideration the bank's interests.

In the meeting of the Prime Minister with the Minister of Finance were discussed issues that concern the country's overall economic policy. Mr. Christodoulakis stressed that 2002 will be a year during which the adoption of the Euro will coincide with the true convergence of the Greek economy.

Referring to inflation, he pointed out that the inflationary pressures will continue mainly as a result of the extreme weather conditions, the price hikes in fresh fruits and vegetables and the increased fuel prices compared to last year. However, he stated that the average inflation in 2002 will be much lower compared to last year.

On the structural changes, Mr. Christodoulakis stated that they will be accelerated in 2002, adding that the major reforms on the social security system and taxation will move ahead.

[10] PAPANDREOU ON ECEVIT'S STATEMENTS

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou denied the statements made yesterday by Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit on allegedly secret talks he had with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem aimed at finding a formula on the Aegean that will satisfy both sides.

Mr. Papandreou stated that a Greek-Turkish dialogue is underway for the past two years, stressing that Greece's positions are publicized, while he also underlined that all political parties, the parliament and the Greek people have been briefed on them.

Meanwhile, Turkish aircraft have violated again the Greek airspace. Yesterday, 25 Turkish fighter jets violated the Greek airspace at the northern and southeastern Aegean.

Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou pointed out that Turkey systematically disputes the Greek sovereign rights in the Aegean and underlined that the Greek positions are clear and firm, adding that the Greek armed forces are in a state of readiness.

[11] SIMITIS: THE GOVERNMENT WILL MOVE AHEAD WITHOUT COMPROMISES

The government's determination to move forward without any compromises when facing market blackmail or other interests, was expressed by Prime Minister Kostas Simitis speaking in the governing Socialist Party of PASOK Central Committee meeting.

Mr. Simitis stressed that the course will be forward to safeguard not only the country's present but its future as well.

He referred to the results of his visit to the United States while on the local elections he said that they are a political showdown and PASOK is opening up to society aiming at the mobilization of the majority of the Greek people to support a policy of modernization.

Mr. Simitis attacked the right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy accusing it of lies, mud slinging and hypocrisy.

[12] PLAN FOR TERRORIST ATTACKS ON GREECE

The existence of a plan for terrorist attacks on Greece, was revealed by Foreign Minister Giorgos Papandreou citing information given to Athens by foreign secret services which have interrogated members of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda. The possible targets are not identified.

Meanwhile, a video found in Afghanistan, with incriminating evidence for al-Qaeda, was given to publicity by the US authorities late yesterday evening. Members of al-Qaeda appear on the video and admit that they were trained to attack foreign leaders, in a camp of the specific terrorist organization in Afghanistan.

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