Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-10

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1208), June 10, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]

CONTENTS

[01] Regional stability, development top agenda at FMs'meeting

[02] G. Papandreou comments

[03] Language incident

[04] US representative

[05] Meeting of Balkan entrepreneurs focuses on privatization

[06] Balkan co-operation enters new era, Pangalos says

[07] Ankara sends deputy under-secretary to FMs' conference

[08] German MPs take the initiative on Greek-Turkish relations

[09] Holbrooke: Solution to Cyprus may lead to Greek-Turkish rapprochement

[10] IGC the focus of Simitis-Kok meeting in Athens

[11] Athens awaits results of UN Cyprus meeting

[12] ECOFIN rules out delay, easing of EMU criteria

[13] Joint military exercise with Greek, US forces

[14] Bulgarian inspectors in Greece for CFE checks

[15] Patriarch of Alexandria on official visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate

[16] Synaspismos' calls for direct talks with PASOK, KKE, DHKKI

[17] Gov't says Mitsotakis welcome to brief foreign ministry

[18] Tzoumakas promises draft bill on forests by end of June

[19] Court hearing on Kostakos sinking begins

[20] Papazoi outlines investment potential in Aegean to expatriates

[21] OTE buys 20 per cent of Serbian state telecom

[22] OTE share registration opens tomorrow

[23] Gov't, Olympic Metro dispute headed for court

[24] Bus tickets to rise, pending approval

[25] Greek foreign minister urges closer Balkan economic ties

[26] Greek wholesale prices up 2.5 pct year-on-year

[27] Greek stocks recoup losses, end flat

[28] Interreg-Phare meeting approves 6 Mecu for Bulgaria

[29] EU group pushes for measures to boost employment

[30] Shortlist for Onassis International Theater Competition announced

[01] Regional stability, development top agenda at FMs'meeting

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Speaking at the opening session of a two-day conference of southeast European foreign ministers in Thessaloniki, Mr. Pangalos said the progress achieved since a similar meeting in Sofia last year was "significant", but "below our true capabilities." The opportunities lost must be made up for at the Thessaloniki meeting, he added.

Taking part in the conference are foreign ministers from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Romania, as well as the foreign under-secretary of Albania and the assistant foreign under-secretary of Turkey.

The Greek side is being represented by Mr. Pangalos, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou and Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis.

Many governments have expressed interest in the conference, with the United States, Germany, France and Britain sending representatives.

In all, 17 countries have sent observers, among them Russia's Foreign Under-secretary Nikolai Avanasievski.

During the conference, the ministers will examine issues concerning broader political co-operation in sectors such as the protection of the environment, the promotion of humanitarian, social and cultural co-operation and common action to fight organized crime.

They will also be discussing the development of economic co-operation between the Balkan countries and initiatives aimed at regional co-operation in southeast Europe.

Noting that the countries represented by ministers at the conference shared the same ideals on which the European Union was founded, Mr. Pangalos intimated that they should work towards the construction of a similar union of their own.

Mr. Pangalos also underlined the region's importance for peace and development in Europe as a whole, expressing the view that European integration could never be complete without the participation of the countries of southeast Europe.

Referring to the axes around which co-operation should be developed, he said they could be none other than the principles of international conduct, namely, equality between states, the non-use of violence or threat of violence, the inviolability of borders, respect for the territorial integrity of states, the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for human rights.

"That is, all the elements which govern our own national foreign policy," Mr. Pangalos said.

The Greek foreign minister also stressed the need for strengthening economic ties between the countries of the region at a bilateral, multilateral and regional level, as well as the implementation of specific programs for the development of the region's infrastructure.

At this point, he reminded the conference of the opportunities for cross-border co-operation afforded by EU programs.

Lastly, Mr. Pangalos recalled the proposal submitted by Greece in February at the Council of Ministers, calling for the long-term solution of problems arising for countries in the region in the present phase of their transition to a market economy.

Analysts, meanwhile, attached particular importance to the meeting of 130 businessmen from Balkan countries which is being held parallel to the ministers' conference. One of the main issues on the businessmen's agenda is the course of privatization in the Balkan states. Conclusions and decisions of the southeast European foreign ministers will be announced in a joint statement today, which is expected to be referred to as the "Thessaloniki Statement".

Prime Minister Costas Simitis described the conference as "a decisive step towards further progress in co-operation between the countries of the region".

In a message to participating ministers, Mr. Simitis said "the conference illustrates our intention to inaugurate a new era in our co-operation and to work together for a better future for our peoples and for the region as a whole".

"Following the changes which have taken place in the region, our countries must seek new challenges and take advantage of new opportunities, within the framework of a new European space," the premier said.

He assured that Greece would continue to actively co-operate in joint efforts and, as an EU member, promote initiatives for the benefit of the region.

"I am convinced that the successful outcome of your meeting will be a milestone in the development of the conference for stability, security and co-operation in southeast Europe," Mr. Simitis said.

[02] G. Papandreou comments

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The Greek side, he said, had proposed discussion on the issues of southeast European leaders' meeting on Crete, setting up a crisis prevention and management center in Sofia and founding a mutual aid fund for economic support and strengthening development efforts.

[03] Language incident

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The two ministers discussed the entire spectrum of relations between Skopje and Sofia, against the background of the new situation in Bulgaria following recent elections. They reportedly agreed to seek solutions based on the criterion of the two countries' European orientation. With regard to the language issue, they agreed that a process should soon be commenced aimed at finding a mutually acceptable solution.

[04] US representative

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Shifter, who heads the US delegation observing the sessions of the Thessaloniki conference, expressed Washington's satisfaction at the fact co-operation was being promoted between the countries of the region. He added that the US government "warmly supports this co-operation", noting that "it is very positive that the committees of the Initiative for Co-operation in Southeast Europe are convening twice a month in the various capitals."

[05] Meeting of Balkan entrepreneurs focuses on privatization

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Ministry Secretary-General Nikos Zahariadis, who chaired a morning meeting of businessmen from Balkan states on the sidelines of the Balkan foreign ministers' meeting in Thessaloniki yesterday, said that if entrepreneurs were cautious they could make profitable investments in neighboring states.

Greece had a number of agencies and organizations - such as the Hellenic Foreign Trade Board (HEPO) - that could alleviate the risks of investing in these countries, he added.

Some 130 entrepreneurs and government representatives attended the session, including businessmen from Bulgaria, Romania, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Turkey and Albania, who presented the targets of their privatization programs.

Mr. Zahariadis said that in Turkey, FYROM and Albania there was "specific planning" for privatization programs that they were still in their infancy, while procedures in Bulgaria and Romania were being stepped up.

Bulgaria, he noted, has set 1998 as the deadline for its privatization program, while Romania was selling off industries that continued to remain under state control in other countries.

The meeting, organized by the Federation of Northern Greek Industrialists (SBBE), served as an exploratory avenue for the 65 Greek entrepreneurs participating, SBBE president Vasillis Takas said.

Greek entrepreneurs wanted "a clear and simple statement of the privatization situation", he said, as well as information on guarantees, particularly from the European Union and the avoidance of double taxation.

"Entrepreneurs want an organization in each country for privatization and not many co-responsible agencies; (for the one organization) to be transparent and process speedily; for there to be protection of investment capital; for the opportunity to use the capital market - even though most countries are at an 'embryonic' stage - and finally, to clarify the guidelines on labor relations and the protection of the environment," he said.

[06] Balkan co-operation enters new era, Pangalos says

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

At the close of the first day of the conference, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos said that their meeting next year would be held in Turkey, in 1999 in Romania and in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in the year 2000.

The representatives of foreign ministries also decided to propose an informal meeting of Balkan leaders to take place annually, starting with Greece at the end of the year.

"We are entering a new era in Balkan co-operation," Mr. Pangalos said. "Up to now, there were ideas and meetings that had an uncertain outcome. Today we succeeded in establishing Balkan co-operation as a perspective for the future," he added.

He said "the Balkan people should be able to discuss their problems on their own, without foreign intervention".

Mr. Pangalos said they had agreed that leaders of Balkan countries would meet informally, with decisions taken unanimously. "They will be however substantial political discussions, without binding decisions, on issues of interest," the foreign minister explained, adding that it was agreed that such meetings should also be held by the ministries of national defense, public order and commerce from Balkan countries. He said he would convey to Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis the idea of convening the presidents of Balkan parliaments also.

Asked to comment on statements by FYROM Foreign Minister Hatjinski that bilateral relations between Greece and FYROM could continue without being obstructed by the issue of the name, Mr. Pangalos replied, he said: "This is exactly what the intermediary agreement states. However, it also seeks a solution to the issue of the name, and a solution will be necessary if Greece is obliged to ratify an international development relating to our neighbor country under a certain name. If there is something like that one day, there must be a name and it must be such that the Greek parliament finds the majority it will need for this ratification", he added.

[07] Ankara sends deputy under-secretary to FMs' conference

Istanbul, 10/06/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

Ambassador Tuygan is responsible for relations with Balkan countries in the Turkish foreign ministry and will stand in for Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller.

In addition, the Turkish press criticized the absence of a higher ranking official at the conference and stated that Athens was quickly replacing Ankara in the limelight.

"The attention of all Balkan countries which early in the 1990s was focused on Turkey is now focused on Greece," wrote Cenghiz Chadar in the daily "Sabah".

The daily "Hurriyet" claimed that "the Balkans have surrendered to Athens," and added that Turkey was the only country not being represented on a ministerial level in the conference. Turkish analysts noted that Greece now wields noteworthy leverage in the Balkans, although relations were not close with any of its neighbors two years ago.

Meanwhile, Ankara's ambassador to Athens, Uamit Pamir, came under fire in a portion of Turkish press after a speech in Athens by visiting Turkish Under-secretary Onur Oymen, which prompted a response by the foreign ministry spokesman, who stated that "Mr. Pamir distinguished himself and is expected to undertake important duties".

[08] German MPs take the initiative on Greek-Turkish relations

Bonn, 10/06/1997 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Greek-origin Social Democratic Party (SDP) deputy Yiannis Sakellariou and Turkish-origin Greens Party deputy Cem Oezdemir's initiative has drawn the interest of the Dutch presidency of the European Union, with a Dutch diplomat present at a recent press conference saying he was there "due to the particular interest of the Dutch presidency in this issue".

The two MPs made clear that they were acting neither for party interests nor on the behalf of the governments of Greece or Turkey.

"Our enterprise does not aspire to offer a magical solution to the existing problems nor to replace those initiatives and efforts," Mr. Sakellariou said.

"What we are trying to do is to contribute to overcoming the lack of communication between the more than two million Turkish citizens and almost half million Greeks of Germany and to strengthen existing initiatives and complementary efforts."

Both men have planned a joint tour of Turkey and Greece at the end of September with the main aim of sensitizing the mass media and public opinion to the need for Greek-Turkish rapprochement.

"The greatest problem in understanding between the two governments is the current lack of a credible and reliable interlocutor on the Turkish side," Mr. Oezdemir said.

The two MPs also plan to meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos to support the long-standing request to reopen the Halki Theological Academy and to visit Thrace to discuss problems affecting the Moslem minority in Greece.

Cultural events and youth exchange trips between Greece, Germany and Turkey are also planned.

[09] Holbrooke: Solution to Cyprus may lead to Greek-Turkish rapprochement

Washington, 10/06/1997 (ANA T. Ellis)

He added that dangers in the eastern Mediterranean are greater than those that existed in Bosnia.

The situation in Cyprus could "explode at any moment, bringing into direct conflict two eastern allies, Greece and Turkey," the chief negotiator of the Dayton peace accords for Bosnia.

"The Greeks and Turks must learn that they have nothing to gain from the other's weaknesses," he said. Mr. Holbrooke also called on both nations to normalize relations, citing the meetings of French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konr ad Adenauer in the 1950s and 1960s.

Meanwhile, in an interview to the BBC, transmitted by Cyprus' RIK, Mr. Holbrooke was quoted as saying that the Cyprus issue is a problem that may remain in its present state forever or break out one of these days into a tragedy that will sweep other countries in the area.

He added that he will discuss the Cyprus issue with British special envoy Sir David Hannay and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

Mr. Holbrooke said in the radio broadcast that the solution to the Cyprus issue would not be arrived at in so short a time as the Dayton agreements on Bosnia, because the two problems were very different and both sides had toughened their stance in the 23 years since the Turkish invasion of the island republic.

[10] IGC the focus of Simitis-Kok meeting in Athens

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Kok is conducting a round of capitals to achieve a convergence of views to enable the Amsterdam summit to reach an agreement on the Intergovernmental conference.

In a statement after the talks, Mr. Kok said certain issues which need to be resolved continue to exist in the sector of the Intergovernmental Conference and thanked the Greek side for co-operation it provided for the Dutch presidency at this stage.

The conclusion reached from his statement is that the Dutch presidency expects a successful conclusion to the Intergovernmental Conference in Amsterdam.

"We hope and believe that the Intergovernmental Conference will take on its finalized form," Mr. Kok said, and clarified that if there is more time for negotiating the Intergovernmental Conference, problems can become complicated even more and claimed that there is mutual influence between the Intergovernmental Conference and the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU).

Mr. Kok will meet his French counterpart Lionel Jospin today to promote pending issues - the French side is very reserved on the issue of the Stability Pact.

On his part, Mr. Simitis said the European unification process must go ahead and the European summit in Amsterdam must lead to decisions. He said the Dutch presidency has made considerable efforts to achieve convergence of views between member-states. He further said the Greek side has received positive replies on the issue of borders and islands in the framework of negotiating.

Replying to a question on the "committee of experts", Mr. Simitis said the Greek experts are at present studying the document containing the positions of their Turkish colleagues and then they will comment on it in writing and make their questions and observations.

[11] Athens awaits results of UN Cyprus meeting

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas was responding to a question on whether Greece would be undertaking any initiative on the Cyprus problem within the framework of the European Union.

Cypriot president Glafcos Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash are expected to be invited to New York for a direct meeting by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in early July.

"The accession procedure (for Cyprus' entry to the EU) must go ahead but a resolution of the Cyprus problem must also be found," Mr. Reppas said. "Bearing in mind past events (occupation troops, the Turkish-Cypriot stance and previous discussions) we are reserved but hope and aspire towards significant progress".

[12] ECOFIN rules out delay, easing of EMU criteria

Brussels, 10/06/1997 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

The majority of member-states, including Greece, supported the proposals made by the new French government at the meeting, which is convening in Luxembourg as of yesterday morning.

French Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn asked for more time to enable Paria to examine the changes which it might possibly propose in relation to the stability pact of member-states that will adopt the unified currency.

France supports the creation of a protocol on employment and growth which must be ratified, in its view, together with the stability pact at the summit in Amsterdam on June 16-17. France further maintained that the Council of Economic and Monetary Affairs must have the possibility of "controlling" the central European bank.

The "15" agreed that the issue of the protocol will constitute a topic of discussion over the period until the summit, so that it can be ascertained whether its ratification is feasible next week - they also expressed their common political will to reach an agreement in Amsterdam next week.

EU analysts stressed yesterday that it is doubtful whether this will be feasible and did not rule out the possibility that the stability pact might not be ultimately ratified by the Amsterdam summit.

The Dutch presidency did not rule out the possibility of an extraordinary ECOFIN Council being convened on this issue by next Monday.

Speaking to the press, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said Greece shares the views of the new French government and that many of these views have been frequently supported by Greece.

Mr. Papantoniou said "following the recent election results in France and Britain the ground for developing these ideas is more suitable."

According to Greek diplomatic sources, the political balance has now changed in the framework of the council and this is clear to all EU officials.

[13] Joint military exercise with Greek, US forces

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Several armed forces units from both Greece and the United States will participate in the exercise. It will be conducted in the region of the Pagasitikos Gulf, the Aegean, the islands of Skyros and Agios Efstratios and will include, among others, a beach landing. It will be directed by the national defense general staff and will be completed on June 20.

[14] Bulgarian inspectors in Greece for CFE checks

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

[15] Patriarch of Alexandria on official visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate

Istanbul, 10/06/199 (ANA)

Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Patriarch Petros jointly officiated at a church service at the Agios Georgios Cathedral at the Phanar on Sunday. The service was attended by Greece's general consul in Istanbul Fotios Xydas. An official dinner was given after the service.

The Ecumenical Patriarch and the Patriarch of Alexandria had previously attended a reception in their honor by Egypt's general consul Ibrahim Saban at the Egyptian consulate at the Bosphorus. Finally, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered a reception at the Patriarchal Mansion in honor of Petros and his entourage.

[16] Synaspismos' calls for direct talks with PASOK, KKE, DHKKI

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

In an interview with the Athens daily "Ethnos", Mr. Constantopoulos invokes co-operation between socialists and communists as in France where they spoke "face-to-face and without networks and groups."

Mr. Constantopoulos said he is addressing his proposal to party leaders Costas Simitis, Dimitris Tsovolas and Aleka Papariga, adding that "each one is responsible for his refusal and the reasons he invokes for this refusal. Issues up for discussion are the economy, foreign policy, social problems and public life."

Commenting on Mr. Constantopoulos' proposal, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the government is open to dialogue provided there is a request by political party leaders.

Referring to the essence of the issue, Mr. Reppas said the invitation violates open doors because, as he said, the government has declared itself in favor of dialogue and social dialogue is tangible proof.

On his part, Mr. Tsovolas rejected a proposal by Synaspismos for talks between center-left parties, saying that government policy was "anti-popular and anti-development and dangerous for the country in terms of national issues".

"The government's policy is established and will not change," he said.

[17] Gov't says Mitsotakis welcome to brief foreign ministry

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Asked to comment on whether honorary New Democracy leader Constantine Mitsotakis had briefed Prime Minister Costas Simitis on his return from a private visit to Turkey, Mr. Reppas said he didn't know of such a contact being made, but he knew that Mr. Mitsotakis planned to brief Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos.

"Always, when Greek politicians, especially of the caliber of Mr. Mitsotakis, visit abroad, their briefing is welcome. We are awaiting his briefing with pleasure," Mr. Reppas said.

Mr. Mitsotakis was in Turkey to receive the Abdi Ipekci Prize for promoting Greek-Turkish friendship.

[18] Tzoumakas promises draft bill on forests by end of June

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The bill is divided into three sections, the first one relating to the ownership of forestland. According to this, all structures built on forestland up to 1975 will be legalized, while the rest will either be razed to the ground or their owners called on to pay fines equaling up to 50 per cent of the land value, as set by the state.

The bill also establishes which areas are to be leased to stockbreeders for grazing, and also provides for the final distribution of cultivable land to landless farmers.

Strenuous reaction to the bill was led by the main opposition New Democracy, whose spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos charged the government with trying to "overturn the legal framework of forest protection."

"All this is happening in order to examine the issue of legalizing illegal structures built decades ago."

He also called on the government to "give up his experimentations" with the issue.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) charged that the bill "legalizes large-scale land transgressors and recognizes non existing ownership, opening the road for a new destruction in the country's forests".

Synaspismos said that the government is opening the way to faster destruction of forest lands by granting pardons.

[19] Court hearing on Kostakos sinking begins

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Samaina, the firm owning the vessel by the same name, is being sued by the state for 20 billion drachmas for allegedly being responsible for the sinking of the Kostakos just off the coast of Samos, a maritime accident which claimed the lives of four officers.

The case is proceeding in the face of two conflicting reports from each side, with the plaintiffs pointing to responsibility of the navy vessel's captain and deckwatch officers for the early morning accident.

A decision is not expected to be reached before the end of the week.

[20] Papazoi outlines investment potential in Aegean to expatriates

New York, 10/06/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Ms Papazoi placed weight on investment opportunities in the Aegean, saying: "We are open to any proposal for co-operation and initiative from the expatriate community to bolster the local economies of the Aegean islands."

The importance of investment for the islands and particularly those in border regions was stressed by the minister. She also noted the problem of Turkish threats, which she characterized as "real threats which constitute a serious danger to our country ".

"The two most serious Turkish threats over the Aegean are developmental stagnation and environmental damage," she said, stressing that 8.0 percent of the Greek state budget was spent on defense.

During her meeting yesterday with US government officials and members of the Congress, Ms Papazoi stressed that a brake had to be put on pollution caused by Turkey on the Aegean coast.

Asked whether Turkey's accession to Europe would be of benefit to the Aegean islands, Ms Papazoi said:

"If we could change Turkey tomorrow into a democratic country with the economic realities which match those of the European Union, then I would say it would be for the best. Because it is the only way to stop the provocations and threats."

Ms Papazoi was due to meet with Archbishop of North and South America Spyridon yesterday.

[21] OTE buys 20 per cent of Serbian state telecom

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The Italian telecoms giant Stet will acquire the remaining 29 percent of PTT's privatized equity, worth 1.56 billion deutschmarks. The agreement was signed at the Serbian government building by the general directors of the three companies involved in the deal in a ceremony attended by Serbia's Prime Minister Mirko Marianovic and other government officials.

OTE's chairman Dimitris Papoulias said that the agreement would improve Serbia's telecommunications and strengthen Serbian-Greek relations.

The deal is one of the largest investments ever for OTE and paves the way for the Greek utility's plans to expand into the Balkans and the former communist countries of eastern Europe.

PTT's general director Aleksa Jokic said that the agreement would help improve telecom services in Serbia.

Mr. Marianovic said the strategic investment in the state telecom was one of the largest ever made in the Balkans and stressed that it would contribute to the economic growth of Serbia, raising output and strengthening industry.

After the signing ceremony, the three delegations visited Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

On its part, OTE said the agreement is of strategic importance for Greece.

An announcement issued by OTE noted that the agreement materializes an announcement by the state utility concerning a five-year business plan for the period covering 1996-2000 concerning internationalizing OTE activities.

Apart from 20 per cent of Telecom Srbija's shares, OTE acquires through the agreement a mobile telephony license which will provide services with the GSM system. The investment for the Greek side amounts to 674 billion deutschmarks, while 125 million deutschmarks from this amount will be provided for the mobile telephony license.

The Serbian side keeps the majority of shares (51 per cent) and the Serbian government will participate with a privileged share.

Decisions will be taken with a simple majority at the general assembly, while two members of OTE, two from Telecom Italia and four from PTT will participate in the nine-member board.

[22] OTE share registration opens tomorrow

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

An investor will have to deposit the equivalent value of the shares he wishes to acquire, in blocks of 10 shares during registration.

The share price will be revealed on June 16, but a range is expected to be announced this afternoon.

The final value per share will be determined by the product/equation of share demand multiplied by the maximum share price in the range of price offering.

National Bank said the final price would be determined by demand from institutional investors in Greece and abroad, through a parallel process of bookbuilding, combined with public demand.

The bookbuilding process began yesterday and was expected to be completed by Friday.

[23] Gov't, Olympic Metro dispute headed for court

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

According to reports, tendering has already taken place and bids have been made by several Greek firms to construct a pilot tunnel between Syntagma and Kerameikos in order to ascertain what antiquities exist and to enable necessary measures to be taken during construction of the regular tunnel.

In addition, the consortium stated that it will not be ready to deliver the remaining project in 1999, or within the time limit set in its contract, and continues to put forward new demands, reports state.

[24] Bus tickets to rise, pending approval

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The ministry is also asking for a rise in the multiple-ride bus cards to 5,000 drachmas from the current 3,750 drachmas.

It said the increases would help cover part of the deficit and operation costs, which are calculated at 270 drachmas per passenger.

The president of the Organization for Urban Transport of Attica said his organization intends to extend bus lanes an additional 6,500 meters and add 100 new buses in the western Athens region that will run on natural gas.

[25] Greek foreign minister urges closer Balkan economic ties

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

He repeated a proposal submitted by Greece in February at the EU Council of Ministers calling for a long-term solution to problems faced by Balkan countries during their transition to a market economy.

Around 130 businessmen from Balkan countries are attending a meeting being held on the sidelines of the ministers' conference.

One of the main issues on the businessmen's agenda is privatization in Balkan states.

[26] Greek wholesale prices up 2.5 pct year-on-year

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

According to figures released by the National Statistics Service, the wholesale price index was 0.8 percent up month-on-month after a 0.9 percent rise in April last year. Year-on-year wholesale price inflation rose by 2.5 percent, significantly lower than last year's 7 percent increase.

[27] Greek stocks recoup losses, end flat

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The general index, however, ended below the 1,600 support level at 1,589.79 points, down 0.16 percent. Sector indices ended mixed to lower. Banks rose 0.47 percent, Leasing was 0.44 percent off, Insurance fell 0.68 percent, Investment dropped 0.48 percent, Industrials eased 0.82 percent, Construction rose 0.07 percent, Holding was 0.35 percent up and Miscellaneous fell 0.63 percent. The Parallel Market index eased 0.28 percent.

Trading was moderate on turnover of 16.2 billion drachmas.

Broadly, declining issues led advancing ones by 125 to 94 with another 20 stocks remaining unchanged.

Mytilineos, Flexopak, Ideal and Agrinio Metalplastics scored the biggest gains, while General Bank, Kekrops, Elviemek and Parnassos suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece closed at 35,995 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,050, Alpha Credit Bank at 19,400, Titan Cement at 25,210, Intracom at 13,100 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) at 6,905 drachmas.

Traders said the market was awaiting OTE's second public share offer starting on Wednesday.

[28] Interreg-Phare meeting approves 6 Mecu for Bulgaria

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The meeting adopted a proposal by the secretary general of the east Macedonia and Thrace region Athanasios Lagos, for priority funding of 6 million Mecu to Bulgaria, part of which would be used to fund construction of a new road linking Drama to Deltsev .

The project is part of a cross-border strategic development plan for road links due for completion at the start of 1998.

[29] EU group pushes for measures to boost employment

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

Greece, Sweden, Austria and Belgium, backed by France and Britain, maintain that the new pact to replace the Maastricht Treaty will have to include a special chapter on the coordination of member-states policies, increasing employment and reducing the n umber of jobless.

Since the signing of the Maastricht treaty in 1991, the situation in national labor markets has changed significantly. An economic recession, which happened to start the same year, lasted more than three years and had dramatic effects on employment.

But last year the EU labor market saw a rise in employment and a fall in jobless numbers. According to Eurostat, the EU's statistical agency, unemployment fell to 10.7 percent in 1995 from 11.1 percent the previous year, to ease to 10.4 percent in 1996 .

However, long-term unemployment rose to 50 percent last year.

Long-term unemployment is considered to be the open sore on the labor market. The long-term jobless are lagging in vocational training and are kept out of the labor market, and some end up on the fringe of society.

Long-term unemployment usually hits fragile groups of workers, such as women, immigrants, the elderly and those in jobs lost due to advances in technology.

The EU adopted the White Paper on development, competitiveness and employment in 1993 in its effort to tackle the rising numbers of unemployed.

Later on, in December 1994 in Essen, the EU defined five priority fields in order to proceed with necessary structural reforms for the labor market.

The European Council in Cannes in June 1995 urged the 15 member-bloc to submit long-term national employment programs. However, the majority of EU states now admit there is a need for something more concrete, a commitment to confirm that employment is indeed a priority policy issue for the European Union.

[30] Shortlist for Onassis International Theater Competition announced

Athens, 10/06/1997 (ANA)

The three finalists will be announced at a ceremony at the Athens Concert Hall on September 16, alongside the non-competitive Onassis Prizes for International Understanding and Social Achievement, Culture and Environment.

The first prize winner of the Onassis International Competition for an original play will receive a pocket of $250,000, the second $200,000 and the third $150,000.

President Kostis Stephanopoulos will award the prizes at the invitation-only ceremony.

The shortlist for the International Theater Competition is as follows: Isis Baiao "Mont-de-Piete", Guisi Cataldo "Le Voce de Buie", Juan Jose Gonzalez Garcia "Clamor Mudo", Nagle Jackson "The Elevation of Thieves", Anton Juan "Tuko! Tuko! or Princess of the Lizard Moon", Gabriel Lanci "The Resurrection Play", Panayotis Mentis "Save", Peter Muller "Shadow of the Vampire", Majula Padmanabhan "Harvest" and Aleksei Slapovsky "Adam's Sister".

End of English language section.

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