Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-05-09
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (1181), May 9, 1977
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] Santer: EU-Cyprus talks on accession will start six months after
IGC
[02] Visit to CEDEFOP headquarters
[03] Inflation falls to lowest in 32 years in April
[04] State securities to carry single-digit interest rates
[05] Parliament hosts first public dialogue on Europe's future
[06] Papandreou-Patijn talks
[07] G. Papandreou, Cavanaugh note 'positive signs' on Cyprus issue
[08] US positive to latest development in Greek-Turkish relations
[09] Synaspismos calls for clarification of orders given to
'committee of experts'
[10] Gov't says Simitis has full support of deputies on national
issues
[11] EDEK leader Lyssarides meets with Greek opposition leaders
[12] Greece to participate in PfP exercise in FYROM
[13] FYROM PM
[14] SAE's A. Athens comments on solution for Cyprus
[15] Kaklamanis meets with AHEPA president
[16] Simitis chairs cabinet meeting focusing on state procurements
[17] New police division to monitor highway traffic
[18] Interpol conference on crimes against children ends in
Thessaloniki
[19] Gov't says no increase of subsidies to insurance funds
[20] European-Latin American business co-operation initiative
[21] Greece takes out $1.25 billion loan
[22] Agriculture issue discussed
[01] Santer: EU-Cyprus talks on accession will start six months after
IGC
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
European Commission President Jacques Santer said in Athens
yesterday that negotiations for Cyprus' EU accession will begin
as scheduled, six months after the completion of IGC talks, even
if there is no political agreement for a solution to the Cyprus
problem.
Mr. Santer, who spoke to reporters upon his arrival yesterday
afternoon, said the European Union's commitment would be kept.
He said, however, that he hoped for a political solution to the
problem prior to the Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
The European Commission has compiled a very positive report on
Cyprus, he said, adding that "there is no problem in Cyprus
gaining accession to the European Union."
Regarding Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and Greece's hopes
to participate in the single currency, he said that economic
indicators of the country presented a considerable improvement.
"The results and the indicators of the Greek economy are heading
in the right direction," he said.
Mr. Santer arrived in Greece in order to attend events marking
the Day of Europe, celebrated on May 9.
He has already held a meeting with President of the Republic
Kostis Stephanopoulos, and is due to meet with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis today as well as with main opposition New
Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis in Thessaloniki tomorrow.
The Commission president also had a half-hour meeting with
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis yesterday.
[02] Visit to CEDEFOP headquarters
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Santer is also due to visit the Thessaloniki headquarters of
the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training
(CEDEFOP) on Sunday.
This evening, Mr. Santer will address the annual general
assembly of the Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SEBE),
while on Saturday he will also visit Mount Athos.
On Sunday, he will tour several Thessaloniki's museums before
leaving Greece.
[03] Inflation falls to lowest in 32 years in April
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
The annualized rate of inflation fell to 5.9 per cent in April,
the lowest rate since November 1965, when it stood at 5.6 per
cent, the National Statistics Service (ESYE) announced yesterday.
ESYE added that the consumer price index rose by 0.9 per cent in
April, compared to 1.0 per cent during the same month last year.
This small difference caused inflation to fall to 5.87 per cent,
rounded up to 5.9 per cent.
ESYE's secretary general, N. Karavitis, predicted inflation will
fall further this month, to around 5.6 per cent in May.
ESYE is currently considering what impact projected increases in
public utility rates will have on the inflation rate, one of
three Maastricht-mandated conditions for European Monetary Union.
In order for inflation not to be adversely affected, rates
should not be increased by more than 4.5 per cent, which is the
figure set as a goal for the annual rate of inflation this year.
According to ESYE, the most significant price increases were
those of milk, at 3.0 per cent, fresh fruit (3.8 per cent),
potatoes (11.3 per cent), vegetables (6.7 per cent), the
mandatory contribution to the state-run radio and television
network (ERT) billed through electric bills (33.3 per cent),
hotel rates (8.4 per cent) and holiday packages at 7.6 per cent.
[04] State securities to carry single-digit interest rates
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis yesterday
announced that the interest rate for one-year Treasury bills
would fall for the first time to a single-digit figure from the
present 10.25 per cent in June.
At the same time, Mr. Christodoulakis announced the state's
borrowing program from mid-May to mid-June.
On May 19, he said, bonds with interest coupons - index-linked
to inflation - would be issued for the first time with duration
of five and ten years. The securities, he added, will be made
available through public subscription.
The bonds will have a fixed real annual return of 4.0 per cent
and the capital will be readjusted yearly according to the rate
of inflation. The 4.0 per cent will be calculated annually on
the readjusted capital and paid on a yearly basis with the
settled interest coupons.
The proceeds will be taxed at 7.5 per cent.
On June 2, Treasury bills with a single-digit interest rate will
be issued, Mr. Christodoulakis said, while in mid-June a series
of 10-year bonds will be issued at a fixed interest rate which
has not yet been determined.
To date, the state has only issued three-, five- and seven-year
bonds with a fixed rate of interest.
According to the General Accounts Office, the state will collect
at least 500 billion drachmas from the issues.
[05] Parliament hosts first public dialogue on Europe's future
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
EU Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis said yesterday that
the Community's expansion towards Cyprus and countries in
central and eastern Europe was of great historical and political
importance.
"It constitutes a necessary development for peace and stability
on our continent," Mr. Papoutsis told a special session of
Parliament, held within the framework of public discussions on
Europe's future.
Mr. Papoutsis said the issue of enlargement should be placed
within a specific framework and time schedule, which would
enable the countries in question to adapt to the EU in a smooth
manner.
Referring to the EU budget and structural funds, Mr. Papoutsis
warned that "in our effort to tear down the walls which separate
the EU from the other countries of Europe, we must be careful
not to erect new walls within the Community". Mr. Papoutsis was
categorical in his opposition to the concept of a "two-speed"
Europe, noting that the indications regarding the performance of
member-states' economies were "hopeful".
"We must, however, continue our efforts and insist on strict
adherence to the criteria laid down for accession to the third
stage of EMU for all countries," he added.
The session was opened by Parliament President Apostolos
Kaklamanis and was also addressed by the president of the
Parliamentary committee on European affairs Loukas Apostolidis,
the Vice-President of the European Parliament George
Anastasopoulos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and
Dutch European Affairs Minister Michel Patijn.
The session, the first time Parliament has held a special
session as part of the public dialogue on Europe's future and
organized with the co-operation of the European Parliament and
European Commission representation in Greece, was held on the
occasion of Robert Schumann Day today.
Addressing the session yesterday morning, Mr. Papandreou said
Greece had expressed its support for EU enlargement southwards,
firstly with Cyprus' accession, as well as towards central and
eastern Europe and the Balkans.
"We have also adopted the position in favor of the rebuilding of
relations of security in Europe and the accession of new members
in the south. We are promoting co-operation between the EU and
the Western European Union (WEU), within the framework of the
perspective of the latter being incorporated in the former.
Co-operation which we do not see taking place far from NATO, but
rather as a process for strengthening security in the continent
and the strengthening of its ties with NATO," Mr. Papandreou
said .
In order for there to be true democracy among the EU
member-states, Mr. Papandreou continued, there must be "an
institutional system of substantial equality".
"This means respect for the principle that each member-state
should contribute one commissioner, that the recognized
principle at the Council of Ministers should not be violated,
that states participate in the council with the same rights, and
that the Union which we build will be a new type of creation, in
which the cultural equality of different states and traditions
is recognized..." Mr. Papandreou said. He added Greece had
submitted a special memorandum to the IGC concerning the
strengthening of the position of young people in the Europe of
today.
Addressing the session earlier, Mr. Patijn said the present
Dutch EU presidency was optimistic that the summit in Amsterdam
would have a successful outcome which would pave the way for the
commencement of negotiations for the next phase of EU
enlargement with the countries of central and eastern Europe and
Cyprus.
Mr. Patijn said also that the new EU treaty would contain a new
chapter exclusively devoted to the issue of employment.
In a related development, Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
deputies yesterday objected to Parliament's two-day public
discussion on the future of Europe, saying that the speakers
scheduled to address the chamber brought the conclusion that the
discussion was "a monologue by those who support the Maastricht
Treaty".
An announcement said the event was occurring "in the framework
of a wider attempt by the European Union to turn around the
negative climate that the Maastricht Treaty has created".
[06] Papandreou-Patijn talks
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Mr. Papandreou later had talks with Mr. Patijn on the
inter-governmental conference (IGC) for the revision of the
Maastricht Treaty.
Reports said there was a wide coincidence of views on the course
of negotiations within the framework of the intergovernmental
conference.
Political developments in the European Union and their effect on
IGC talks were examined as were issues regarding transparency in
the EU, justice issues, the powers of the Council of Ministers,
employment and social issues.
An extraordinary European summit will be convened in the
Netherlands on May 24-25 to examine issues related to the IGC.
Mr. Patijn met with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou
for talks on the IGC.
The two men discussed the effect of political developments in
the European Union on consultations regarding the revision of
the Maastricht Treaty.
Mr. Patijn also met with Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos
Kranidiotis on the course of the European Union and the
initiatives of the Dutch presidency.
Mr. Kranidiotis briefed Mr. Patijn on the Greek positions on
Cyprus and Greek-Turkish affairs.
[07] G. Papandreou, Cavanaugh note 'positive signs' on Cyprus issue
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Positive signs concerning the Cyprus issue, relations between
Turkey and the European Union were noted by both Alternate
Foreign Minister George Papandreou and US State Department envoy
Carey Cavanaugh, after a meeting in Athens yesterday.
Mr. Papandreou referred to Mr. Cavanaugh's "significant
contribution" towards efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue as
well as Greek-Turkish relations."
At yesterday's meeting, he added, there had been a general
review of developments in both issues, as well as of the
procedure for Cyprus' accession to the European Union. The US
official praised the Dutch EU presidency's proposal for the
formation of a committee of experts to examine Greek-Turkish
relations, the outcome of which, he said, would depend on the
two respective governments. Mr. Cavanaugh also referred to
"positive messages" arising from efforts to resolve the Cyprus
issue, drawing particular attention to work in that direction by
the UN secretary general.
Mr. Cavanaugh also expressed satisfaction with yesterday's talks
in Crete with Defense Under-secretary Dimitris Apostolakis,
saying that significant decisions had been made to expand
bilateral military co-operation.
The US State Department southeastern Europe bureau chief also
had a meeting with main opposition New Democracy party leader
Costas Karamanlis.
[08] US positive to latest development in Greek-Turkish relations
Washington, 09/05/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns yesterday
reiterated what he called the positive stance being adopted by
the United States regarding the recording of Greek-Turkish
differences by a "committee of experts" from both countries.
Questioned, Mr. Burns stressed there are many proposals aimed at
improving the climate between the two countries, saying that
"the US is encouraging Greece and Turkey to meet and discuss the
many proposals which have been in order to try and reduce the
tension between them.
"When Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was ambassador to
the United Nations, she visited the eastern Mediterranean in
July '96 and presented some proposals for the reduction of the
tension between Greece and Turkey and we hope that these and
other proposals will be taken up."
Commenting on the forthcoming meeting in Washington between the
foreign ministers of the US and Cyprus in June, Mr. Burns said
Ms Albright "will be very happy" to see Cypriot Foreign Minister
Yiannakis Cassoulides on June 6.
The two are expected to discuss the current situation in Cyprus
and the recent mediation developments by the UN, "which we
strongly support," he said, as well as manners in which the US
can participate positively in resolving the Cyprus issue.
[09] Synaspismos calls for clarification of orders given to
'committee of experts'
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) party leader
Nikos Constantopoulos yesterday called on the government to
clarify what political orders have been given to the recently
approved "committee of experts", expected to exchange memos on
Greek-Turkish differences.
He added that while there is no information, diplomatic
movements are being undermined.
Mr. Constantopoulos made the statement immediately after a
briefing by Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.
The Synaspismos president added that the government should agree
to hold a meeting of political party leaders, headed by the
president of the republic.
He added that his party supports the improvement of relations
between Greece and Turkey, adding that bilateral dialogue must
be held in the framework of international law, without threats,
as this is the best means of protecting national interests
without arbitrators.
[10] Gov't says Simitis has full support of deputies on national
issues
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas denied yesterday that the
prime minister had limited scope in defending national issues
due to a letter by 32 PASOK deputies challenging government
policy on Greek-Turkish relations.
But he said Prime Minister Costas Simitis should have the full
support of his deputies when promoting the country's foreign
policy in international fora.
Mr. Reppas said the key words were "sensitivity and subtlety,"
adding that letters to the prime minister should be signed.
Regarding Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis, who publicly
disagreed with the government's handling on Greek-Turkish
relations and called for a party meeting to discuss policies,
Mr. Reppas said Mr. Arsenis, a former PASOK national defense
minister, had expressed his views for a more effective foreign
policy but there was no disagreement on the core of policies.
"We agree with his positions," Mr. Reppas said.
[11] EDEK leader Lyssarides meets with Greek opposition leaders
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
The visiting president of the Cypriot socialist party EDEK,
Vassos Lyssarides, met yesterday with main opposition New
Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, saying afterwards that the
Cyprus issue was at a particularly difficult stage, which would
determine future developments.
He predicted "unexpected initiatives and expected pressures".
The EDEK leader called for a coordinated policy from political
parties in both Greece and Cyprus.
He later met with Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary
General Aleka Papariga and Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI)
leader Dimitris Tsovolas which, according to reports, included
assessments that a "back-stage" solution is being promoted for
the Cyprus issue.
In a statement afterwards, Ms Papariga said plans exist to
partition Cyprus, which will be linked to the process for
accession to the European Union. On his part, Mr. Tsovolas said
an identity of views was ascertained with Mr. Lyssarides.
[12] Greece to participate in PfP exercise in FYROM
Skopje, 09/05/1997 (AFP/ANA - M. Vihou)
Greece is to participate in a "Partnership for Peace (PfP)"
exercise in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)
between May 11-17, an official announcement stated yesterday.
The exercise, code-named "Rescuer '97", is being organized by
the United States and FYROM, and is based on a scenario
envisioning "a large earthquake in the south of FYROM", the
announcement added.
The countries involved - Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania,
Slovenia and Turkey - will participate in the exercise through
the supply of personnel and materials, transportation of the
injured, repairing road axes and the protection of aid against
theft.
The Greek contingent will deal with transporting the injured
using the Axios River, the announcement said.
"Greece's participation in this exercise was decided on after
the organizing countries committed themselves to referring to
the host country as 'FYROM'," it added.
[13] FYROM PM
Skopje, 09/05/1997 (AFP/ANA - M. Vihou)
Speaking to Greek reporters visiting Skopje Wednesday at the
invitation of the FYROM press ministry, FYROM Prime Minister
Branco Crvenkovski said "we cannot accept a name other than our
constitutional name."
Mr. Crvenkovski said that since Greece has recognized the
independence and sovereignty of the country, in essence it has
also recognized "the right of every people to decide on their
name because, otherwise, it conflicts with the conception of the
independence of a country", he said.
He said there is goodwill on behalf of his country in
negotiations being carried out in New York with mediation by
Cyrus Vance, but "there are limits which cannot be exceeded."
He did not elaborate further.
Mr. Crvenkovski said developments in bilateral relations to date
are positive since the signing of the interim agreement in New
York. He expressed optimism over the future of relations in all
sectors and stressed that "a historic opportunity to promote
rapprochement between the Balkans and the European Union and to
strengthen Balkan countries economically" is being presented to
Greece.
[14] SAE's A. Athens comments on solution for Cyprus
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
The president of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE),
Andrew Athens, estimated yesterday that if discussions on Cyprus
do not progress for the problem's resolution by the island
republic's election this autumn, all discussions will be
postponed until 1998.
Mr. Athens made the statement during a press conference in
Thessaloniki before the opening of the SAE's five-day meeting
yesterday afternoon.
He also expressed his satisfaction on the position taken by US
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
During the SAE conference, the body's members are to meet with
government officials in order to discuss problems faced by
expatriate Greeks and by the SAE, 17 months after its creation.
The president of SAE's US branch, Christos Tomaras, said the
body has already begun recording the names of all Greek
expatriates, who amount to roughly 770,000 families in North
America and Canada alone.
He added that the US branch is planning an event during which
expatriates will be briefed on investment opportunities in
Greece.
The SAE branch in America issues a weekly report on the Internet
on the condition of the Greek economy. The web site's address is
http://saeworld.org
[15] Kaklamanis meets with AHEPA president
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
President of the Greek Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis held a
meeting yesterday with American Hellenic Educational Progressive
Association (AHEPA) President Mr. Makris. Mr. Makris is
currently visiting Greece at the head of a four-member AHEPA
delegation.
Mr. Kaklamanis briefed Mr. Makris on the latest developments in
Greek-Turkish relations and praised AHEPA's contributing role to
promoting Greece's national issues.
Mr. Makris said overseas Greeks would continue efforts in the
direction of making Greece's positions better understood by
foreign governments.
The AHEPA president was also received by main opposition ND
party leader Costas Karamanlis.
[16] Simitis chairs cabinet meeting focusing on state procurements
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis chaired a three-hour cabinet
meeting yesterday, focusing on greater transparency in state
procurements and improvement in the country's agricultural
policy.
During his regular press briefing afterwards, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said phenomena of conflict have been
observed between business interests which are turned into
political and party disputes and as a result society is
inconvenienced and the political setting is muddled.
He said that during the PASOK government in particular such
accusations have existed which merely camouflaged business
interests which were not satisfied. Mr. Reppas said the
government aims at pursuing inter-party agreement on the issue
with the utilization of the existing institutional framework and
individual improvements, wherever necessary, with a view to
achieving transparency and avoiding delays in the procurement
process.
He said the existing institutional framework is more than
adequate, adding that Parliament's Institutions and Transparency
Committee will be activated more in the future, while the
possibility is being considered that when Parliament ratifies
procurement contracts it will not do so solely at the
government's initiative. Moreover, the Auditing Council will be
provided with more experts to enable it to do its work more
effectively in the future.
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas made a prolonged
address on agricultural policy at the cabinet meeting, also in
light of the Agricultural Policy Council on May 16-17. He
presented a package of settlements in support of young farmers.
Mr. Reppas said that by September 1 the process of preparing a
farmers' register according to initial plans will have been
completed. He further said that after relevant European Union
funds have been secured early pensioners will have their
pensions in creased from 75,000 to 100,000 drachmas a month.
Lastly, the cabinet discussed the issue of the standardization
and transfer of farm products.
[17] New police division to monitor highway traffic
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Public Order Minister George Romeos yesterday announced the
formation of a special traffic police division to monitor
traffic on the country's two main national highways in an effort
to reduce the number of road accidents and fatalities.
When the special unit is set up in the next few days, Mr. Romeos
told Parliament, a patrol car will monitor traffic at
30-kilometer intervals along the length of the
Athens-Thessaloniki and Athens-Corinth motorways.
Mr. Romeos also announced that the government was considering
banning the circulation of large trucks at weekends and on
public holidays, when many city dwellers head for the
countryside in droves.
A relevant EU directive had already been sent to the ministry of
transport and communications for consideration, Mr. Romeos
added. The road toll for the eleven-day Orthodox Easter holiday
and Labor Day period this year was alarmingly high, with 6 5
people losing their lives in 520 road accidents. Some 740 people
were injured, 145 seriously.
Mr. Romeos said most of the fatalities took place on the
secondary road network and were mainly due to speeding and
illegal overtaking.
Drunk drivers were also a factor, Mr. Romeos said, adding that
in 1996 checks carried out in Attica along, 3,742 drivers were
found to be over the limit.
Transport and Communications Minister Haris Kastanidis announced
on Wednesday that the government would soon table a bill in
Parliament providing for the formation of a National Council for
Road Safety.
The task of the council will be to submit recommendations
concerning national policy on road safety and supervise its
implementation.
[18] Interpol conference on crimes against children ends in
Thessaloniki
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
An Interpol conference on crimes against children ended in
Thessaloniki yesterday.
"These days, it is easier to find a stolen car than a kidnapped
child," said Norwegian law enforcement official Anne Christin
Olsen, the president of the Interpol work group for the
protection of children.
During the conference, both Greek and foreign police officials
spoke of the limited abilities authorities have at national and
international levels to limit such crimes.
Replying to questions during a press conference held at the end
of the three-day meeting, Ms Olsen said the majority of those
committing crimes against children go unpunished because of the
inability of their victims to expose them.
"The child always knows the attacker," she said, "but many times
it is either dependent on him, or is afraid, or is simply not in
a position to name him."
For this reason, she added, one of the most common categories of
sexual or physical abuse are handicapped children.
Estimates put the number of child prostitutes around the world
at around one million, although there are no official statistics
from any country.
Ms Olsen said police officers need better training and constant
education in order to handle such crimes.
Interpol's general secretariat in Lyon has created the first
databank concerning cases of child disappearances or abductions,
and it is helping to trace roughly 500 children at present,
according to French police official Agnes Firnier.
Ms Olsen denounced what she called the international community's
hypocrisy, stating that although many are aware of the abuse of
children, "most just don't want to know". She appealed to all
countries and governments, as well as to parents to inform
children of the dangers lurking both inside and outside the home.
"Children must learn to say 'no' to whoever approaches them with
a dangerous purpose," she said.
Questioned by the ANA as to whether the case of the notorious
paedophile ring in Belgium headed by convicted felon Marc
Dutroux can be considered as an isolated incident or just the
tip of a much larger problem, Ms Olsen said she feared such
cases could come to light elsewhere as well. Roughly 70
specialized police officers from 25 countries participated in
the conference.
[19] Gov't says no increase of subsidies to insurance funds
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis said no increase
will be made in subsidization of insurance funds, transport and
other agencies in 1998, meaning that the total amount will
remain at 1.28 trillion drachmas.
He said that by the end of next week a circular will be sent to
all ministries and agencies with instructions on data which must
be tabled so that the state budget for 1998 will be prepared in
the autumn.
Mr. Christodoulakis said the ministry's aim is to have an
overall and accurate picture of expenditures to be made by
ministries and subsidies to be given to various agencies.
[20] European-Latin American business co-operation initiative
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
A new initiative aimed at the development of business relations
between European and Latin American countries will begin with
assistance from the European Union.
About 200 representatives of European businesses will have the
opportunity of traveling to Uruguay, on Dec. 4-5 to negotiate
new co-operation with roughly 300 businesses from Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.
[21] Greece takes out $1.25 billion loan
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary Nikos Christodoulakis yesterday
announced the signing in London on May 16 of a $1.25 billion
syndicated loan contracted by the Greek state from a consortium
of foreign banks. The finance ministry will use the loan to
refinance outstanding foreign debt totaling $1.1 billion.
Mr. Christodoulakis said the new loan had a five-year duration
with an interest rate equal to the LIBOR dollar rate with a
premium of 0.25 per cent.
[22] Agriculture issue discussed
Athens, 09/05/1997 (ANA)
Agriculture Minister Stephanos Tzoumakas indicated after his
talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis and a cabinet meeting
yesterday that problems pending in the agricultural sector are
being resolved, while government planning is going ahead even
with delays.
"What we had said that will happen is happening," Mr. Tzoumakas
said.
According to Mr. Tzoumakas, the "black hole" in the Agricultural
Bank of Greece (ATE), amounting to 180 billion drachmas, is
being tackled. A bill to be debated in Parliament soon settles
about 130 billion drachmas, which are debts owed by
cooperatives, while another 50 billion drachmas will be given
with state bonds.
Mr. Simitis insisted in particular on new organizations which
will be linked with European Union subsidies and the second
meeting of the Agricultural Policy Council.
End of English language section.
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