A.N.A. Bulletin, 25/05/96

From: "Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada" <[email protected]>

Athens News Agency Directory

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 895), May 25, 1996

Greek Press & Information Office

Ottawa, Canada

E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[1] Santer-Pangalos talks augur well for resolution of MEDA financing deadlock

A compromise has apparently arisen from talks yesterday between Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and visiting European Commission President Jacques Santer for overcoming an impasse caused by Greece's veto of European Union financing toward several Mediterranean countries by separating Turkey from the 11 other non-EU Mediterranean nations, according to diplomatic sources.

Athens' veto is aimed only at Turkey's portion of the MEDA financing.

Mr. Pangalos told reporters after a meeting with Mr. Santer that Greece was "vitally interested" in the materialization of the MEDA financing regulation, under which funds are allocated to non-EU Mediterranean countries.

"Greece desires only that its particular problem with Turkey be taken into consideration," Mr. Pangalos added.

He reiterated that Athens had proposed the EU's Mediterranean Policy at an EU summit in Corfu under the then Greek EU presidency. On his part, Mr. Santer stressed that Greece was facing specific problems with only one of the potential MEDA financing recipients, namely Turkey, and desired to solve the problem that had arisen with the programme.

According to sources, the 15-Union appears to be investigating the solution of separating the other 11 Mediterranean countries to be financed by MEDA from Ankara. Diplomatic sources said the Greek foreign ministry had already proposed such a solution to the problem.

Meanwhile, Mr. Santer also reiterated that Greece's borders were also European Union borders.

"I have no difficulty in reiterating that the borders of Greece are also the borders of Europe," Mr. Santer told reporters after a meeting with main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert.

"If there are disputed islets, then one can take recourse to international bodies," he added, in an obvious reference to Turkish claims in the Aegean and Athens' firm policy that if Ankara disputes Greece's sovereign rights it should take its claims to the International Court of Justice at The Hague.

The Commission president further reconfirmed that negotiations for Cyprus' EU accession would begin six months after completion of the current EU inter-governmental conference. He pledged that a relevant timetable would be adhered to, adding that it could not be -threatened by other, outside factors."

Replying to questions, he disengaged a resolution of the Cyprus issue from the negotiations for Cyprus' EU accession.

Mr. Santer said that Community solidarity needed to "find practical means of expression."

Mr. Evert welcomed Mr. Santer's positions, which he described as "very positive for Greece," adding that "I was happy to hear him reiterating that Greece's borders are also Europe's borders." Commission allocates a further 250 million ECU for Spata airport Mr. Santer announced that the Commission has decided to allocate 250 million ECU from the EU Cohesion Fund to Greece for Athens' new international airport at Spata.

The Commission president, who met earlier in the day with Alternate Foreign Minister George Romeos, told reporters that there was no problem of continuing financing to Greece under the Cohesion Fund since the conditions set out pertaining to convergence of the Greek economy with that of the EU were being adhered to.

He congratulated the Greek government for the progress achieved in the convergence programme, and stressed that Athens had approached its targets.

During the press conference, Mr. Santer also referred to current EU policy matters and particularly the inter-governmental conference, EU enlargement, and the European Employment Confidence Pact he is advancing in view of an EU summit in Florence next month.

Mr. Santer described Greece's relations with the Commission as "excellent," adding that Community programs had already started to bear fruit in Greece.

He underlined the Commission's interest in a resolution of the Greek-Turkish difference, noting that he would meet with Turkish President Mesut Yilmaz in Brussels on June 4.

An announcement issued by Commissioner Monika Wulf-Mathies yesterday said the airport will cover an area of 1,261 hectares and will have two four-kilometer long runways, according to an ANA dispatch from Brussels.

According to the announcement, the general aim of the project is "the further economic development of Greece and the speeding up of its inclusion in the (Community) internal market. Greece depends on air transport, which is the main communication means with the rest of the European Community. Furthermore, as a consequence of its geographical characteristics, it greatly depends on air connection betwe-en the mainland and its island areas." The airport is expected to cost a total of 973.31 million ECU, of which 85 per cent is being funded by the EU. The project has a completion deadline 56 months after the date of commencement, as set by the Construction Council. The airport is expected to be opened during the second half of the year 2000.

Community funding is being provided for the construction of the airport, of two access highways and the modernization and operation of the air traffic control system.

[2] New independent body to monitor state procurements, tenders

The inner cabinet yesterday agreed on the formation of an independent public authority to monitor tendering procedures and ensure legality and transparency in state procurements.

The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis, who afterwards told reporters that the inner cabinet had agreed that the present legislative framework must be supplemented and become more effective.

He added that a draft law would be drawn up by the jointly competent ministers with the co-operation of the prime minister's office and tabled in Parliament as soon as possible. The initiative means, Mr. Simitis said, that public enterprises would be able to continue their business without worrying that they will be exposed to insinuations of scandal. "The government will take decisive steps regarding the issue of transparency," the prime minister stressed after the three-hour meeting.

[3] Digital lines

In reference to the recent flap over a contract for digital phone line switchers awarded by the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) to Intracom and Siemens Hellas, the inner cabinet decided for a special adjustment based on Article 3 of law 228 6/95 in order to not delay implementation of the work.

Specifically, the inner cabinet decided to establish a inter-party committee comprised of deputies, ministers, private sector executives and experts.

According to Transport Minister Haris Kastanidis, the special committee will follow the entire bidding process independently of the judicial investigation currently underway over the massive digital contract.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas later clarified that the committee will have full jurisdiction to take decisions, saying the body will decide if a new tender or some other procedure will follow.

[4] PASOK supports ethnic Greek candidates, socialists in Albanian elections

An announcement issued by PASOK's press office yesterday states the party fully supports ethnic Greek candidates of the Union for Human Rights in the Albanian general elections due to be held tomorrow.

PASOK said it hopes the Albanian Socialist Party will win the elections and will win in regions where there are no Greek elements, and it expressed the wish that Albania's progressive forces undertake, with the vote of the Albanian people, the governing of the neighboring country in the interests of peace, stability and co-operation in the Balkans.

[5] Greece, Sweden discuss how best to ensure a 'transparent' EU

Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos met yesterday with Swedish Justice Under-secretary Cristina Rennerstedt in order to discuss how to ensure transparency in the functioning of the European Union and the access of European citizens to EU organizations' documents.

These matters are also being discussed within the framework of the inter-governmental conference after relevant decisions taken when Greece held the EU presidency.

The Swedish government has shown particular interest in these issues and has submitted relevant proposals.

[6] Hungary's president: Greece a 'key' factor for regional peace

Hungarian President Arpad Goncz said his forthcoming three-day official visit to Athens was a "key" both for bilateral relations and due to the important position Greece holds in the Balkans, as well as its important role in stabilization and peace in the region and its membership of the European Union and NATO.

In an exclusive ANA interview with Mr. Goncz, who will arrive in Athens on May 28, he underlined the excellent relations between Hungary and Greece and the considerable ground which exists for their further development.

Mr. Goncz believes that more systematic contacts and exchanges of visits can considerably improve bilateral Greek-Hungarian relations. Trade transactions can and must develop even more. In 1995 alone a considerable increase in their volume was achieved, about 30 per cent, and a new increase in the region of 20 per cent is expected for this year.

The presence of Greek companies in Hungary or their participation in joint companies is considered extremely important, while Greece is one of the most popular destinations for Hungarian tourists.

Mr. Goncz said he hoped "from the depths of his heart" for a solution to the Cyprus issue soon, over which Hungary's position is similar to that of the EU.

Budapest believes in a unified Cyprus with equal rights for the two communities. It also shares Greece's efforts for the accession of Cyprus (and Malta) to the EU, which is not against the interests of Hungary, whose accession might take place at the same time. If it takes place later, it will hope for support from the new members of the EU (Cyprus and Malta) as well.

On the question of his country's accession to the EU, Mr. Goncz said he believed that Hungary will be included in the first round of the EU's new enlargement, while what was of particular importance is appropriate preparation to avert problems arising w hen his country is a member.

Countries composing the so-called "Vizegrad group" (Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) have different positions at present on accession to the EU and there can no longer be any question of collective action in this direction.

Referring to recent discussions on the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in countries which will join NATO in the future, Mr. Goncz considers such an eventuality merely hypothetical and improbable, which he ascertained in a recent visit to the US.

As far as accession to the NATO alliance is concerned, Mr. Goncz is of the opinion that countries which are already EU members have the best chance.

Commenting on the situation prevailing in his country, Mr. Goncz said the past year was particularly difficult. There were economic problems rendering very stringent austerity measures necessary and resulting in a decline in living standards.

Mr. Goncz expects that the measures will be eased in 1996, despite the fact that economic indicators were not good in the first quarter of the year due to a harsh winter and increased petroleum imports.

He believes that by the end of the year a decrease in the foreign debt by 4-5 per cent will be possible, the stabilization of inflation at 20-22 per cent and a devaluation of currency to last year's levels.

Mr. Goncz further expects some positive results from privatizations which have taken place and are continuing, as well as some results from long-term and time-consuming planning in the sectors of medical treatment, pensioning and education.

[7] Greek Chamber of Commerce in Hungary

A Greek Chamber of Commerce is to be founded here after an initiative taken by Greek businessmen in Hungary.

Chamber President Martha Politidou stressed that the aim of the organization will be to help in the development of commercial relations between Greece and Hungary, based on the correct exchange of information in the commercial and economic sectors.

[8] Greece in the market for US missile systems, Pentagon announces

The United States defense department informed Congress yesterday that the Greek government has asked to buy 914 TOW-2A missiles and support mechanisms for the systems valued at 28 million dollars.

According to an announcement issued by the Pentagon, Greece will use these missiles to modernize its existing armory, which contains TOW missiles and to continue its modernization of its defense capabilities against armored vehicles.

The Pentagon told Congress that the missiles' sale to Greece will not change the balance of power in the region nor will it obstruct US efforts to solve the Cyprus problem. It said that the sale will contribute to promoting the aims of the US regarding Greece's national security, and will also improve Greece's military capabilities.

A Pentagon official told the ANA that this decision by the US defense department follows the completion of relevant negotiations with Greece and according to procedure in such cases, Congress will have to take a position on the matter during the next 20 days.

At that stage, the official said, if Congress's initial decision is positive, the Pentagon's official proposal will be drawn up for the further promotion of the sale.

[9] Greece extradites Palestinian implicated in Achille Lauro affair

A Palestinian man accused by Italian authorities of being a terrorist was extradited to the neighboring nation yesterday after serving a five-year sentence for drug convictions and other offenses in Greek prisons.

Abdul Rahim Khaled was sentenced in absentia by a Genoa court in 1987 to life imprisonment for his part in the hijacking of the Italian-flagged "Achille Lauro" cruise ship near Egypt in October 1985.

He was handed over to Italian anti-terrorist officials at Athens' airport after serving a concurrent term in Greece's Korydallos prison for narcotics and arms convictions.

During the Achille Lauro hijacking, four Palestinian terrorists fatally shot a wheelchair-bound 69-year-old US tourist and threw his body overboard; the man was executed because of his Jewish surname.

[10] Premier reaffirms Gov't support and trust of Greek armed forces

The Greek armed forces and army leadership have the full support and trust of the Greek nation and government, Prime Minister Costas Simitis said yesterday immediately after a session of the inner cabinet.

The prime minister's statements followed an earlier meeting with the ministers of national defense and foreign affairs to discuss the creation of a secretariat for the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA), which will coordinate Greece's foreign and defense policies.

Mr. Simitis stressed the government would take all the steps necessary to ensure the armed forces can continue their work undistracted and also that they have the defense and deterrent capacity to secure peace in the region and strengthen the nation.

According to informed sources, the high-ranking government trio did not discuss a furor caused by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos' recent criticism of the armed forces political and military leadership.

Sources close to National Defense Minister Gerassimos Arsenis reiterated statements by the defense minister on Thursday that foreign and defense policy issues should be discussed at the next meeting of KYSEA.

[11] Gov't spokesman

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas announced after the meeting that the issue that was created between Mr. Arsenis and Mr. Pangalos over the latter's statements concerning the armed forces' leadership had been "overcome," clarifying that the two ministers had the chance on Thursday to talk.

"The issue has closed," he said.

In reference to the decision for a secretariat to be established for the KYSEA, Mr. Reppas said the new body will include university professors and other experts, while final decisions for its composition will be taken by the cabinet.

The scientific secretariat's goals, according to a government announcement, include collecting and evaluating information for the formation and application of long-term foreign and defense policies; verifying application of KYSEA and other government bodies' decisions; collection and evaluation of information and data from any sources concerning the nation's foreign and defense policies; production of materials promoting Greek positions as well as proposing initiatives to the prime minister and other relative ministers.

In reference to a statement by Political Spring deputy Andreas Lentakis, who had called for a "public restoration of the armed forces' prestige" by the premier himself after Mr. Pangalos' statements, which the Political Spring deputy said were "dangerous and suspicious," the government spokesman said the prime minister both honors and respects the armed forces and has close co-operation with them.

Mr. Reppas called the deputy's criticism of Mr. Pangalos unjust and excessive, adding that there is no prospect that the armed forces' top military leaders will resign.

[12] ND statement

Commenting on the same issue, main opposition New Democracy spokesman Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the prime minister is attempting to belatedly act as a supporter of the armed forces.

Mr. Pavlopoulos said that "although the issue may have closed between members of the government, the wounds that the government's behavior has had on the armed forces remain open."

[13] Procedures for PASOK congress set

The procedures for PASOK's congress, due to take place on June 27-30, were agreed upon yesterday during a special additional meeting. PASOK Central Committee Secretary Costas Skandalidis said the results were a good omen for the party congress.

One more Central Committee meeting will be held on June 21-22 before the party congress, during which matters for the congress will be finalized. The list of participants to be elected to departmental or rural office will be published on June 9.

Yesterday's Central Committee's meeting unanimously agreed on the procedures of the congress, apart from one section, which was approved by majority vote.

[14] Kaklamanis presents views on improving Parliament

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday presented a number of proposals aimed at upgrading the operation of Parliament, including formation of special committees and the introduction of an attendance record for deputies.

Presenting the proposals at a press conference, Mr. Kaklamanis recommended the formation of three standing committees: on overseas Hellenism, institutions and transparency, and technology evaluation.

Among other things, he said the task of the institutions and transparency committee would be to monitor the functioning of Parliament and exercise control with respect to the demand for transparency in public life.

In addition, Mr. Kaklamanis said the committee would exercise parliamentary control provided in article 15 of the Constitution regarding the electronic mass media.

The technology evaluation committee would be assigned the task of understanding technological development and its repercussions on a national level.

Another proposal was that Parliament should hold a daily discussion of issues of current interest and that questions on such issues be directed to the prime minister and competent ministers. If the proposals are adopted, the premier will respond on at l east two questions of current interest once a week.

A further innovation would be that questions of this nature could be put not only by opposition party leaders, as was the case in the past, but also by individual deputies.

Mr. Kaklamanis also proposed an attendance roll with the aim of tackling the problem of low deputy turn-out in Parliament.

According to the proposal, deputies would sign a register on entering Parliament and if a deputy is absent for five consecutive sessions, his salary would be cut by 1/30. The same penalty would also apply to unruly deputies each time the Parliament president is forced to call them to order.

[15] KKE appears divided on future directions

A rift appears to be developing in the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) as the party congress continues. Speaking during yesterday's session, Dimitris Kostopoulos, a member of the KKE's Politburo, expressed his disagreement over the Central Committee's pro posed policy of alliances with other parties and over tactics regarding unions.

According to reports, KKE honorary Secretary-General Harilaos Florakis agreed with the content of the Central Committee's position paper, but stressed the need for the party to be open to other political forces.

Mr. Kostopoulos stressed the need for KKE to maintain an open front with "other factions of the mass movement," as he said "it is easy to say I do not participate anywhere, in bodies and mechanisms created by the bourgeois state, but the difficult part is when you do not manage to prevent the creation of such mechanisms to be able to utilize even cracks to promote your positions."

Another Politburo member, Orestis Kolozov, also allowed for the possibility of the KKE cooperating with other parties. During his speech on Thursday, he said these tactics will contribute to the creation of wider alliances with other socialist, democratic, radical and anti-imperialist forces, so promoting joint actions with them for common goals.

The critical climate against Mr. Kostopoulos and against Eurodeputy Yiannis Theonas was underlined by a speech by the Piraeus representative, who accused two Politburo members, Dimitris Gontikas and Makis Mailis, of "lighting the fuse for a new explosion in the party."

The party's 15th Congress, which began on Wednesday, is to end tomorrow.

[16] Sources point to early June for resumption of FYROM name talks

According to well-informed sources at the UN, negotiations between Athens and Skopje under the aegis of the UN secretary-general's representative Cyrus Vance on the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia w ill resume on June 5-6 with an in-depth review of what took place during the past round of talks ending in April.

The sources do not rule out the possibility of an informal meeting taking place first between Greece's permanent representative Christos Zaharakis and FYROM's representative at the talks Ivan Tosevski, since Mr. Tosevski will arrive in New York earlier to participate in a UN committee for missing persons which will continue its work at the organization's headquarters.

[17] Gligorov interview

In an interview with the newspaper "Newspaper of Geneva", FYROM President Kiro Gligorov said Greece must realize it did not help his country by calling on it to erase its identity and offering it in return certain promises of economic aid.

According to a report from the "Macpress" news agency, President Gligorov placed particular emphasis on frequent meetings between businessmen from both sides, saying that Greek businessmen "do not have irrational ideas, as the politicians do, to demand from a people to change their name."

The greater part of Mr. Gligorov's interview focused on his grave concern over the situation in Kosovo, and on its repercussions for his country.

"A solution to the problem of Kosovo has priority after the Dayton agreement. The latest murders are a cause for concern. The situation can get out of hand since there are groups of Albanians in Kosovo that are critical of the peaceful policy followed by Mr. Rugova and dream of a popular uprising against Serbia to liberate Kosovo and unite it with Albania.

"In this event the powerful Serb military will participate in the conflict and we will have new ethnic cleansing," Mr. Gligorov told the Swiss newspaper.

He also expressed fears of a possible involvement of Albanians in his country in the conflict.

[18] New Novorossisk-Thessaloniki ferry route announced

Speaking during a press conference yesterday to announce the forthcoming opening of a new ferry route between Russia and Greece, Russian Maritime Transport Minister Nikolai Tsach spoke of "strained relations" with Turkey due to its restrictions on Russian ships in the Black Sea and due to the issue of the Bosphorus Straits.

The press conference was held jointly with Greek Ambassador to Moscow Kyriakos Rodousakis.

Mr. Tsach said the problems of the new rules regarding the straits are being dealt with on the level of the International Maritime Organization's Security Council and on a bilateral level, where Ankara has promised a "relaxation" of the severity of the new regulations.

The problem over the Bosphorus Straits arose in 1993 when Turkey introduced new safety measures to reduce the dangers of collision in the narrow waterway and to prevent environmental damage from the increasing volume of traffic. However, the new regulations caused delays in the area and Russia said they violated the 1936 Montreux Treaty which ensured free passage of commercial vessels regardless of cargo or registry.

At the press conference, the two men announced the commencement on June 4 of a regular ferry service connecting Thessaloniki with the Russian port of Novorossisk in the Black Sea. A Greek-owned ferry will be used on the route, with a capacity of 36 18-meter trucks and 1,200 passengers.

The journey between the two ports will take roughly 40-42 hours and the route is expected to be used by tourists and the large Greek community of northern Russia, as well as its commercial enterprises.

The Russian minister stressed that the new ferry route will facilitate the transportation of cargo from Russia to western Europe through the Greek town of Igoumenitsa, as at present, Russian trucks must cross many countries, causing delays at customs.

[19] Pensioners hold off on protests for 20 days

A delegation of pensioners accompanied by General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) representatives yesterday agreed to give the government 20 days' grace to reply to pensioners' demands, following a meeting with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

It was agreed that Mr. Simitis would, in 20 days, announce the government's final decisions concerning demands that minimum pensions be made equivalent to 20 days' worth of wages of an unskilled worker, as was the case in the past.

Pensioners on Thursday occupied the finance ministry building for six hours, demanding a meeting with Finance Minister Alekos Papadopoulos to discuss their grievances. They left only after being assured of a meeting yesterday with Mr. Simitis.

After the meeting, the president of the retired bank employees' association, Ignatios Pliakos, told reporters Mr. Simitis had given the assurance that the government's proposals would relate to all pension funds and not just the Social Security Foundation (IKA) as proposed by the relevant national economy ministry committee.

Representatives of pensioners' organizations also stressed that one of the main problems was their demand that social security laws passed by the conservative New Democracy government be abolished.

GSEE President Christos Protopappas underlined that the 20 day limit would be used to pressure the government into accepting pensioners' demands.

If the demands were not accepted, he added, GSEE would "fight hard" on the side of the pensioners.

[20] Council of State rejects 'Marco Polo' suit

The Council of State ruled yesterday that the cruise ship "Marco Polo" cannot carry out "round trips" on the Greek islands, but that it can conduct cruises with the same passengers originating at the port of Piraeus, docking at other Greek ports and ending at the port of Istanbul.

In this context, the Council of State temporarily suspended a decision by the Piraeus central harbor chief until a final ruling is made on the main recourse (a hearing has been set for June 11).

"Fiducia Shipping Company S.A.", the company owning "Marco Polo", had resorted to the Council of State on the issue.

The Council of State ruled that the cruise ship cannot carry out "round trips", namely those in which passengers embark at a Greek port, travel to other ports during the cruise and again disembark passengers at Greek ports.

The Council of State's decision recognizes that if cruises scheduled by the cruise ship "Marco Polo" are canceled, the owning company will sustain irreparable damage through a decline in its reputation with agencies cooperating with it and with its for eign clients.

[21] Athens casino consortium file complaint with the Commission

Attorneys representing the Athens Casino Consortium S.A. filed a complaint with the European Commission yesterday charging a delay by the Greek state in issuing a license for an Athens-area casino.

In the complaint, the consortium claims that the development ministry's refusal to allow procedures to continue for issuance of the license is legally baseless. It also states that the refusal violates Community law and provisions concerning protection of free competition in the market and assumption of state contracts by private firms.

The complainants describe what they call "unfavorable effects" on free competition, saying the development ministry's decision was "illegal."

The Greek government decided last month to revoke the license issued for the Athens-area casino but said there would be a new tender issued for a casino in the Attica prefecture.

The consortium complaint notes that a license had already been issued after an international call for tender, which is now "illegally being blocked."

[22] IMF praises Greek economic achievements

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted praiseworthy achievements in the Greek economy in 1995, with a sharp increase in output, a revival of investments, single-digit inflation, narrower deficits and lower interest rates. The observations are contained in an IMF memorandum which details general observations on the course and prospects of t he Greek economy. While noting that the target of convergence with the rest of Europe is now visible, the memorandum warns against any change in the government's economic policy "since any reversal at this point would entail enormous cost."

The memorandum also draws attention to certain problems which have appeared in the Greek economy, for which they recommend specific preventative action on the part of the government.

In particular, it underlines the acceleration of inflation, saying that "it is now too late" to attain the target set in the 1996 state budget. The authors of the memorandum recommend a curtailing of special allowances in the public sector, a freeze on hiring throughout 1996, the containment of salary increases and the restricting of bank loans. At the same time, the memorandum calls for continuation of the finance ministry's efforts to apply "objective" tax criteria, computerize and reorganize its services with the aim of improving its tax collection mechanism and broadening the tax base.

Other recommendations include the closure of public sector services or agencies which are considered to be unnecessary as well as abolition or reduction of tax allowances.

The memorandum describes as successful the partial privatization of the Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) and advises a continuation of privatization efforts for small banks in the public sector.

In a stern warning, the memorandum stresses that abandonment of the present economic policy would result in a loss of confidence in the market which would in turn mean that the efforts and sacrifices of recent years will have been for nothing.

[23] OPE looks at participating in new commerce center in Cyprus

The Exports Promotion Organization of Greece (OPE) has decided it will participate in the IMC international wholesale center, which will officially open in Nicosia in September.

OPE President Ioannis Tzen visited the IMC yesterday and spoke with IMC President Andreas Kaisis. The two men discussed the details of the agreement, based on which the OPE will create a regional office and an exhibition stand in the IMC, aiming to encourage Greek companies to exhibit their products and to promote them in the Middle East, north Africa and Eastern Europe.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Tzen said Greece and Cyprus have much to benefit from common export efforts and from the exchange of knowledge and experience. "The international wholesale center in Nicosia constitutes an excellent infrastructure project towards this direction," he said.

[24] British envoy addresses investment seminar

British ambassador Sir Michael Llewellyn Smith made a brief address in Greek at a seminar held at the British embassy on "Strategic alliances with foreign investors in Greece: Preconditions for success", underlining the great changes brought about by a global economy in all productive processes and particularly in international business relations.

Coopers and Lybrand representatives presented issues discussed at the seminar, concerning the basic preconditions for alliances to be concluded between Greek and foreign businesses.

All speakers referred to the reasons why Greek businesses should look forward to strategic alliances with foreign businesses which, among others, contribute both to the inflow of new capital and know-how and an increase in their efficiency and competitiveness.

[25] Greenpeace calls for immediate ban on dragnet fishing in the Aegean

More than 10,000 dolphins, as well as thousands of sharks, sea turtles, sea birds and huge quantities of fish, are meaninglessly killed each year through the unbridled use of dragnets, the international environmental organization Greenpeace charged yesterday.

Greenpeace said these "walls of death" total 7,000km in the Mediterranean and are increasingly used in the Aegean by Italian fishermen.

Greenpeace want an absolute and immediate ban on dragnets, the signing of an international agreement and the creation of a monitoring body to ensure the implementation of legislation in international waters in the Mediterranean.

It also called on the agriculture minister to put an end to unjustified extensions for the use of nets by Greek fishing boats.

End of English language section.