Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-11
From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <[email protected]>
ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1209), June 11, 1997
Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
CONTENTS
[01] FMs' meeting decides co-operation in Southeast Europe region
[02] Simitis: Greece firm on efforts regarding European unification
[03] Opposition
[04] EIB hints at major support for SMEs in eastern, southeastern
Europe
[05] Greek-Russian initiative for southeast Europe announced
[06] Congress pressed to consider sale of warships to Greece
[07] Albanian Socialist Party delegation in Athens
[08] Athens unfazed by Holbrooke's statements
[09] Clerides in Athens on July 1
[10] Local Gov't promised extra funds to cover salary expenditures
[11] Simitis-Skandalidis meeting focuses on PASOK issues
[12] Samaras briefed on IGC developments
[13] Parliament expected to ratify Schengen today, protests continue
[14] President, prime minister to confer on recent developments
[15] Outgoing NATO commander visits Athens
[16] Sainz wins 44th Acropolis Rally
[17] Athletic championships attract largest participation
[18] Albanian boat found with 300 kgs of hashish
[19] Debate on nat'l health system bill draws heated opposition
[20] EU postpones talks on gas liberalization
[21] Budget revenue up 11.8 percent in Jan-May
[22] ATE AEDAK mutual funds exceed 400 billion drachmas
[23] National Bank of Greece to lure foreign institutionals
[24] Balkan ministers agree on regional trade center
[25] Athens Stock Exchange stages technical rebound
[26] Greece backs French proposal on employment
[27] Airport project completed for Kos
[28] Papaioannou calls for shorter working hours
[29] Intracom, BTK consider possibility of inter-Balkan cardphone
network
[30] V. Papandreou says Russian tourist flow to Greece will increase
[01] FMs' meeting decides co-operation in Southeast Europe region
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Southeast European foreign ministers concluded a two-day
conference in Thessaloniki yesterday by issuing a joint
communiqui stressing that the future of the Balkan peoples can
be ensured by peace, political stability and economic
co-operation.
Taking part in the conference were foreign ministers from
Greece, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Romania, as well as the foreign
under-secretary of Albania and Ankara's assistant foreign
under-secretary.
In all, 17 countries including the United States, Germany,
Britain, France and Russia sent representatives to the
conference.
In the joint communiqui, entitled "The Thessaloniki
Declaration", the foreign ministers underlined their resolve to
actively promote relations of good neighborliness, stability and
co-operation in the region.
They also stressed their commitment to work together for rapid
development, placing particular emphasis on the liberalization
of trade and structural programs "which will safeguard the
future of the peoples of the region".
The communiqui conveys the ministers' belief that "the creation
of institutions for the consolidation of democracy, respect for
human rights, accompanied by the prevalence of the free market
economy will lead to the firm establishment of democracy in the
region".
The ministers further state that "the European orientation of
the countries in the region constitutes a primary element of
political, economic and social development", declaring their
intention to actively contribute to European integration. They
also agreed to examine a proposal for the creation of an
international forum made up of leading figures from the
countries of the region with the aim of promoting good
neighborly relations.
According to the communiqui, the ministers share the view that
confidence-building measures are particularly important for
promoting peace and security in southeast Europe. The communiqui
contains a proposal for the establishment of a "council" and the
exchange of views between experts concerning the progress made
in agreements reached to date.
Stressing the important role of NATO for peace and stability in
Europe, the ministers assess that the participation in the
alliance of countries that have already applied for membership
will contribute towards strengthening its role. Regarding the
two flashpoints in the Balkans - Albania and Bosnia - the
foreign ministers expressed their support for Tirana's efforts
to re-establish political stability, while underlining the need
for the country to regain domestic peace through the free will
of it s people.
The communiqui notes that the ministers agreed to establish a
regional center based in Turkey for the promotion of trade and
supported the expansion of the activities of the Bucharest-based
Balkan center for co-operation between small- and medium-size
enterprises through the accession of all the countries of
southeast Europe.
It also contains proposals agreed by the ministers concerning
the protection of the environment, the promotion of cultural
co-operation and co-operation aimed at combating organized
crime, terrorism and arms and drugs trafficking. Speaking at a
press conference at the end of the sessions, the ministers who
took part in the conference expressed satisfaction at the
outcome, stressing that ideas and proposals which up to now had
remained on paper were at last beginning to be implemented. "In
the Balkans we are now beginning to talk about our problems
amongst ourselves, without the mediation of foreigners," Foreign
Minister Theodoros Pangalos said.
The ministers will meet again in Turkey next year, while it was
agreed that the 1999 and 2000 conferences should be held in
Romania and FYROM, respectively.
It was also agreed that the leaders of the countries of
southeast Europe should meet regularly, possibly beginning -
according to a Greek proposal - this year on Crete.
[02] Simitis: Greece firm on efforts regarding European unification
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday cautioned that recent
changes in the electoral map of Europe should not cause a
relaxation of Greece's efforts to remain firmly in the process
of European unification.
"For Greece, changes in Europe are welcome, they are an
encouragement, but if we stay outside European unification, we
shall have deprived the country of another opportunity.
Therefore, there must not only be no illusion of a relaxation,
but on the contrary there must be a new impetus for the
attainment of permanent national objectives," he said during the
pre-agenda debate in Parliament on the government-sponsored
"social dialogue" on economic and labor issues.
He reiterated that the dialogue was a process of planning the
developmental priorities of the country, and agreeing on the
social conditions for the planned policies.
"Social dialogue represents the multiplying dynamics of all the
productive and creative forces of Greek society, and was
successfully applied in other countries such as Spain, the
Netherlands, Portugal, and Ireland... Its content is development
with social justice, a by definition open agenda between social
partners," he stressed.
"It is necessary for Greece to adapt dynamically to the new
conditions of production and competition... we need to adapt the
system of social protection in a way that it aids development
and safeguards social cohesion," he added. He emphasized that
"the building of a new welfare state is a historical need for
Greece. Working people should not be facing the blackmail of
dismissal, a reduction in their income, or a deterioration in
their labor rights".
The premier stressed that the government had succeeded in
establishing a climate of confidence in the economy, and that
issues concerning the labor market should be discussed in
combination with a policy for development. "For PASOK the change
of scene in Europe is a vindication of our policy, and I would
say that, personally, I spoke very early on about a united
Europe of peoples and not of monopolies," Mr. Simitis said.
[03] Opposition
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
In response, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas
Karamanlis said the key to the country's development is
productivity, adding that problems faced by the Greek economy
are due to an ineffectual state and the counter-productive
environment created by the government's economic policy.
Referring to social dialogue, Mr. Karamanlis called on the
government to proceed with generous proposals to be submitted at
the negotiating table with social partners. He said ND agrees
with social dialogue but that the government must define the
terms and methods through which social partners will approach
problems.
Mr. Karamanlis said that instead of having a real development
policy, Greece is at present last in privatization, isn't
proceeding with curtailing state spending and economic
expenditures and revives the ineffectiveness of public
administration. He said mediocracy prevails, which the premier
christens democratic conquests. He further said the country's
development course must be secured without sapping working
people and pensioners.
Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga
said it is the most dangerous social dialogue in the 20th
century, adding that if it is legalized it will develop into a
real "guillotine". She called on working people not to legalize
the start and continuation of social dialogue.
Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos
said the government must speak with the language of truth and
expressed disagreement with the refusal of certain parties for
social dialogue in advance, as well as with the government which
uses dialogue as an alibi to cover up non-negotiable and
foregone decisions.
Democratic Social Movement President Dimitris Tsovolas
criticized what he called the "so-called" social dialogue,
saying it was an alibi for the government to pass decisions
already taken by the European Union's directorate. He also said
it would lead to a complete demolition of the last vestiges of
the nation's social welfare system and workers' rights.
Earlier, Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras said
"social dialogue, an institution of prestige in most European
union countries, is being dragged... and used for the
anti-social policy of the Simitis government to acquire a social
image.
[04] EIB hints at major support for SMEs in eastern, southeastern
Europe
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President Panayiotis
Gennimatas said yesterday that the European Commission and the
EIB are in the process of drafting two ambitious financial
mechanisms to support to private enterprises, especially small-
and medium-sized enterprises, in eastern and southeastern
European countries which aim to attain full EU membership.
He was speaking at a meeting of southeast European businessmen
in Thessaloniki, which was timed to coincide with a conference
of southeast European foreign ministers in this northern Greek
city.
Mr. Gennimatas said the programs aim to assist those countries
converge with the economies of European Union member-states, so
as to be able to become members themselves.
"The first program concerns a new special pre-accession
financial mechanism, the aim of which will be to facilitate even
further the process of economic convergence. It should be ready
by the end of the year," he said.
"Equally important, and perhaps more interesting for
businessmen, is the planning of an additional financial
mechanism for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),
undertaken by the EU, EIB, and the PHARE program," he added.
Mr. Gennimatas specified that the various ideas under discussion
included the provision of ideas to SMEs, participation in their
investment capital, and the establishment of a special fund for
those in eastern and central Europe, whose methods of action
were being explored. The amount to be disbursed in the form of
loans was likely to exceed ECU 3.5 million, while the
Community's financial organ par excellence, the PHARE program,
envisaged additional funding to the tune of Ecu 6.7 million
until 1999.
Besides such sums, the EU Council of Ministers in January
approved the provision of another Ecu 3.52 billion by the EIB
for investments in the region.
Mr. Gennimatas noted at a press conference later that Balkan
non-EU members had a very low absorption rate of Community
investment funds, citing Albania as a characteristic example,
where of the Ecu 150 million approved by EIB, "one lek has yet
to be absorbed".
"Total approved credits for the area are in the region of 850
million, and to date only 300 million has been absorbed," he
added.
He also expressed the view that the Greek state did not provide
adequate assistance to businessmen wishing to invest in the
Balkans.
"The logic of proceeding with small steps must be overcome, and
incentives must be given for investments outside Greece, as
there is a danger of Greek businessmen losing those markets," he
warned.
A special adviser to the foreign ministry, Mr. Papanikolaou,
noted that meetings of businessmen would take place in parallel
with the foreign ministers' conferences. He added that the aim
had not been the reaching of economic agreements, but the
exchange of views and proposals concerning privatization efforts
in the Balkans.
He specified that this had taken place in a wide range of
issues, including the lifting of inter-state disincentives, the
abolition of double taxation, facilitation of the free movement
of people and goods, and the establishment of Balkan
organizations for promoting investments as well as insuring
them.
[05] Greek-Russian initiative for southeast Europe announced
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Greece and Russia yesterday announced a joint initiative to
strengthen peace, stability and co-operation in southeastern
Europe. The agreement, announced by Foreign Minister Theodoros
Pangalos and Russian Foreign Under-secretary Nicolai
Afanasievski, calls for a meeting late next year by
representatives of southeast European countries with the
participation of the United Nations, the permanent members of
the UN Security Council, the European Union, and international
organizations.
In a joint communiqui, Mr. Pangalos and Mr. Afanasievski called
on foreign ministers winding up a two-day meeting in
Thessaloniki to support the initiative.
The communiqui said a working meeting of senior officials this
autumn would be the first step in preparing the 1998 meeting, to
be followed by meetings in the first half of 1998 of the
southeastern European ministers of foreign affairs, energy and
transport as well as commerce. "It is an initiative that will
give a broader perspective to closer Balkan co-operation," Mr.
Pangalos said.
Mr. Afanasievski described the Thessaloniki conference as a
"great success", adding that the Greek-Russian initiative was an
"old thought by the two sides" that was now "becoming a reality".
[06] Congress pressed to consider sale of warships to Greece
Washington, 11/06/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)
US State Department and Pentagon officials are making
representations to Congress for the sale of three destroyers and
two frigates given on loan to the Hellenic Navy for some time
now, according to the military review "Defense News".
The publication claims that the move aims to secure parallel
Congressional authorization for the delivery of three Perry-type
frigates to Turkey, a sale which has been frozen through the
initiative of several US legislators with pro-Greece sentiments.
Turkey has already paid for frigates.
[07] Albanian Socialist Party delegation in Athens
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
An Albanian Socialist Party delegation headed by its leader
Fatos Nano will begin an official four-day visit to Athens today
for talks with political leaders.
The Albanian delegation will meet Prime Minister Costas Simitis,
Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos, National Defense Minister
Akis Tsohatzopoulos, main opposition New Democracy party leader
Costas Karamanlis, Coalition of the Left and Progress leader
Nikos Constantopoulos and with the ruling PASOK party's
executive bureau.
[08] Athens unfazed by Holbrooke's statements
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Statements by US special presidential envoy for Cyprus, Richard
Holbrooke, concerning the possibility of conflict between Greece
and Turkey, do not constitute "danger-mongering", government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday. Mr. Holbrooke was
quoted as telling the "Financial Times" that the situation in
Cyprus could "explode at any moment, bringing into direct
conflict two eastern allies, Greece and Turkey".
He added that a solution of the Cyprus problem could open the
way for "a greater historical rapprochement between Athens and
Ankara". Replying to press questions, Mr. Reppas described the
Cyprus issue as the "touchstone" for the improvement of
Greek-Turkish relations, adding that all sides must approach the
problem with responsibility and show "real interest" in finding
a solution.
Mr. Reppas said Holbrooke should exercise all his influence to
ensure that talks on the Cyprus problem are not used as a
pretext for "obstructionism".
[09] Clerides in Athens on July 1
Nicosia, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides will visit Athens for talks
with Prime Minister Costas Simitis on July 1.
According to statements by Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides
to Cyprus Radio, the private talks at 11.30 local time would be
followed by a working luncheon.
The talks will be held in view of UN-sponsored direct talks
between Mr. Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in
New York later the same month and within the framework of Greek
and Cypriot coordinated efforts aimed at finding a solution to
the Cyprus problem.
[10] Local Gov't promised extra funds to cover salary expenditures
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The presidium of the Central Union of Municipalities and
Communities of Greece (KEDKE) held talks with Prime Minister
Costas Simitis yesterday.
It was agreed at the meeting that local governments will be
given 15.5 billion drachmas, of which 7.5 billion will be
covered by the central government for increased salary
expenditures concerning local administration staff as they arise
from a new salary scale.
The remaining eight billion is money delayed in being given to
municipalities from central independent funds. The talks were
held in the presence of Interior Minister Alekos Papadopoulos
and Under-secretary Lambros Papadimas.
Economic and institutional issues raised by KEDKE President and
Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos met with a positive response
from Mr. Simitis, according to reports.
"Today's meeting with the premier provides a reply for self
administration's direct and explosive problems and paves the way
for close co-operation between the government and self
administration," Mr. Avramopoulos said.
He went on to say that the meeting was "sincere, cordial and
above all useful and substantive."
"An initial ascertainment is what I consider expedient to be
confirmed on the part of the prime minister as well, namely,
that the claims and issues set out on our part are being
satisfied to a very high degree," he added.
[11] Simitis-Skandalidis meeting focuses on PASOK issues
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Prime Minister Costas Simitis discussed all current issues
concerning PASOK with the party's Secretary Costas Skandalidis
yesterday.
In a statement after the hour-long talks, Mr. Skandalidis said
talks focused on events marking the first anniversary of the
death of PASOK founder and former premier Andreas Papandreou
(due to take place on June 22), the central committee's
preparation - concerning development and taking place on June
20-21 - as well as PASOK's overall planning, given that Mr.
Skandalidis will be abroad for a few days.
Mr. Skandalidis said an announcement containing PASOK's
decisions on utilizing Mr. Papandreou's archives will be issued
by June 22, refusing to provide any more information both on the
creation of a foundation and those participating in it.
He further said that PASOK will circulate a poster on Andreas
Papandreou's memorial next week (he said it will portray a large
photograph of his), adding that a poster already in circulation
is welcome for PASOK.
[12] Samaras briefed on IGC developments
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou yesterday briefed
Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras on the course of
the inter-governmental conference.
"The Amsterdam summit on June 16-17 is a 'great wager for
Europe'," Mr. Samaras said after the meeting.
Amsterdam will be where it will be decided "whether we will have
a Europe of faceless bureaucracy or a Europe of citizens with a
human face," Mr. Samaras said.
Greece must include promotion of the policy of economic
criteria, the revision of time-frames, and the abolition of the
"humiliating" differentiation between different speed countries,
as well as employment issues, he said.
[13] Parliament expected to ratify Schengen today, protests continue
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
A tabled bill ratifying the European Union's open-border
Schengen Pact is expected to be approved by Parliament this
evening, as both the ruling PASOK and the main opposition New
Democracy have announced support for the controversial agreement.
The expected ratification comes amid often violent protests
outside Parliament yesterday and late Monday evening by
demonstrators mostly affiliated with fundamentalist Orthodox
groups. On Monday, riot police used tear-gas to disperse the
crowd. Yesterday, a seven-member group of protesters handed
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis a resolution against
the pact.
Protesters, including several clerics, have accused the pact of
containing a direct reference to the numerical sequence "666", a
number representing the anti-Christ, as stated in St. John's the
Divine's Book of Revelation.
Secular critics, on the other hand, have charged that Schengen
will create a massive electronic file of information targeting
EU citizens and turning Europe into a police state.
On his part, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou also
commented on the pact, which calls for border controls between
EU member-states to be removed, and for increased co-operation
in law enforcement issues, especially customs checks and
screening for non-EU citizens entering the Union.
Commenting, Mr. Papandreou said that according to the pact -
allowing free movement of Greek citizens to all the EU countries
which have signed the agreement - the state will hold
information only on citizens which have been convicted or are
under criminal persecution.
"Greek citizens are free to check on the type of information
held by the state," the minister added.
Meanwhile, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said the
Schengen accord would go into effect when conditions for its
implementation were met. He went on to say that conditions were
"ripe."
Speaking to reporters, the spokesman said that a law had been
passed governing the limits on the type of information the state
can store on citizens. He said that an independent
administrative authority, the second condition for the pact's
implementation, would soon be established.
Greece holds a strong interest in the implementation of
Schengen, which calls for the protection of EU's external
border, Mr. Reppas said.
He said information concerning the citizens would be gathered by
the national authorities and that it did not include political
or religious convictions.
Apart from Greece, a number of countries have passed laws
governing limits on the type of information the state can hold
on citizens, but debate continues on whether Schengen threatens
privacy.
France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal
and Germany are all countries that have ratified Schengen.
Greece, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Finland and Sweden have signed
but not yet fully ratified the accord through their national
legislatures.
[14] President, prime minister to confer on recent developments
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
President Kostis Stephanopoulos will receive Prime Minister
Costas Simitis today, reportedly to discuss developments in
national issues and the revision of the Constitution. The
meeting was announced yesterday by both the president's office
and government spokesman Dimitris Reppas.
There have been a number of important developments since the
last meeting of the two men, including matters related to
Greek-Turkish relations and the Cyprus problem, particularly
following the appointment of US special presidential envoy
Richard Holbrooke.
Other developments include issues concerning the European Union,
particularly against the background of the intergovernmental
conference (IGC) and the Amsterdam summit early next week.
On the domestic front, Mr. Stephanopoulos has not yet expressed
his views on the proposed revision of the Constitution, the most
important aspect of which concerns the voting requirements for
the election of the head of state by Parliament.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Reppas said the premier believed it
would be useful to brief Mr. Stephanopoulos on his talks in
Athens on Monday with his Dutch counterpart and European Council
President Wim Kok and Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo.
The spokesman said Mr. Simitis would also brief the president on
his participation in the sessions of the European Socialist
Party conference in Sweden last week, in view of developments in
the EU.
[15] Outgoing NATO commander visits Athens
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The outgoing Commander-in-Chief NATO Naval Forces Southern
Europe, Admiral Mario Angeli, paid a courtesy call at the
national defense ministry yesterday.
Adm. Angeli was received by National Defense Under-secretary
Dimitris Apostolakis and the Chief of the National Defense
General Staff General Athanasios Tzoganis. He also met with the
Chief of the Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Leonidas
Paleogiorgos.
Adm. Angeli will be replaced on July 17 by his compatriot,
Admiral Spinotti.
[16] Sainz wins 44th Acropolis Rally
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Two-time world champion driver Carlos Sainz is the winner of the
44th Acropolis Rally.
At the end of yesterday's sixth special stage (Analipsi II)
which is the last at this year's rally, the Spanish driver was
in the first place in the general standings with a total penalty
time of 4:56.24.
It is the third time Sainz, driving a Ford Escort, won the
Acropolis Rally, after 1990 and 1994.
Second place after 20 special stages went to Juha Kankkunen from
Finland (Ford Escort) with 4:56.41 followed by Briton Richard
Burns (Mitsubishi) with 4:58.31.
[17] Athletic championships attract largest participation
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
At least 195 countries will participate in the World Athletics
Championships at Olympic Stadium in Athens on August 1-10,
creating a new international record regarding participation of
countries in such an event.
A total of 2,677 athletes will participate (1,626 men and 1,051
women). The previous record occurred at the world athletics
championships in Goteborg in 1995 with 1,804 athletes from 191
countries participating.
Greece will participate in the games with 71 men athletes and 56
women. The largest team will be that of the United States with
74 male and 65 female athletes, followed by Germany with 116
athletes, Kenya 88, Britain 86, France 84, Russia 82, Spain 78
and Italy with 77.
[18] Albanian boat found with 300 kgs of hashish
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The Greek coast guard yesterday impounded an Albanian speedboat
carrying drugs and arms after being chased by a coast guard
patrol and the exchange of fire near the northwestern port of
Igoumenitsa.
Coastguard officials said the boat was carrying 300 kilograms of
hashish, two Kalashnikov rifles and ammunition, and a hand
grenade.
The chase began as the 6-meter outboard motor speedboat opened
fire on the patrol boat and tried to head back to the Albanian
coast after the patrol boat called for it to stop and be
searched.
The patrol boat returned the fire, obliging the speedboat to
stop, while its passengers jumped ship and swam to nearby rocks.
[19] Debate on nat'l health system bill draws heated opposition
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Debate began yesterday in the relevant Parliamentary committee
on a health ministry bill concerning development and
modernization of the National Health System (ESY), drawing
strong reactions from the opposition.
Deputies of the main opposition New Democracy party termed the
bill "a monstrosity' and called for its withdrawal, saying that
it is a purely partisan bill that only anticipates more
appointments at all levels.
ND speaker Nikos Anastasopoulos said the bill being promoted by
the government is a "rag", while Communist Party of Greece (KKE)
representative Apostolos Tasoulas said it was "false".
Coalition of the Left and Progress deputy Mustafa Mustafa also
expressed opposition to the bill, while Democratic Social
Movement (DHKKI) representative Yiannis Arapis said the bill
does not remedy the existing ailing system.
Health Minister Costas Geitonas will state his position during
today's meeting of the committee, while representatives of
agencies concerned have been invited to express their views.
[20] EU postpones talks on gas liberalization
Strasbourg, 11/06/1997 (Reuter/ANA)
Plans for an extraordinary meeting of European Union energy
ministers later this month have been shel-ved because their
differences over gas liberalization are too wide for them to
reach a deal.
"There will be no extraordinary Energy Council," a spokesman for
EU Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis told Reuters on
Tuesday, following a meeting between the Greek commissioner and
Luxembourg Energy Minister Robert Goebbels.
Luxembourg is due to take over the EU presidency from the
Netherlands on July 1.
The delay is a blow to the Dutch, who had hoped to broker a
provisional deal to open up the EU gas market during their EU
leadership despite the failure of attempts to find a compromise
between those countries pushing for faster liberalization and
their more reticent neighbors.
Dutch Economic Affairs Minister Hans Wijers said after an
inconclusive Energy Council on May 27 that he would consider
calling fresh talks on June 24 if contacts with individual
governments showed there was sufficient convergence of views.
But Commission spokesman Costas Verros said the Dutch had told
the Energy Commissioner on Monday they had abandoned the plan.
EU governments are deeply divided over three crucial elements in
gas liberalization -- how to structure market opening, how to
treat long term take-or-pay contracts and what exemptions from
competition rules to allow emerging markets and regions.
Mr. Verros said Mr. Papoutsis and Mr. Goebbels both hoped work
on narrowing the gaps over coming weeks would lead to new
ministerial talks early in the autumn, so that a final accord to
open up the EU gas market could be clinched on December 7.
[21] Budget revenue up 11.8 percent in Jan-May
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Finance Under-secretary George Drys repeated that the government
would impose no new taxes in 1997 and that it had abandoned its
1996 policy of debt rescheduling.
Briefing the parliamentary economic affairs committee on state
revenue for 1997, Mr. Drys said that implementation of the
budget would produce no major deviations.
"Targets set in the budget are very difficult but attainable,"
he said. Revenue had risen by 11.8 percent in the first five
months of the year compared with the corresponding period in
1996 to reach 3.2 trillion drachmas, Mr. Drys said.
The ministry's computerized tax records division had completed
cross-checks on tax returns submitted by tenants and proprietors
and found infringements. It was due to deliver its findings on
company invoices.
Predicting the course of budget revenue for the rest of the
year, Mr. Drys said that moneys from income tax, new state
securities and privatization would rise.
Ruling PASOK party deputy Dimitris Georgakopoulos stressed that
the ministry had overestimated revenue while predicting that the
government would be unable to collect property tax.
Conservative New Democracy opposition deputies George Souflias,
Anastasios Papaligouras and George Alogoskoufis also questioned
the finance ministry's figures.
[22] ATE AEDAK mutual funds exceed 400 billion drachmas
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Mutual fund assets of ATE AEDAK (a subsidiary of the
Agricultural Bank of Greece) has exceeded 400 billion drachmas.
ATE's deputy governor and president of the group's mutual funds
management company, Dimitris Santixis, told a press conference
that from the beginning of the year the securities-development
mutual fund produced a yield of 60 per cent.
Mr. Santixis said the aim is to link the group's companies,
adding that the network of ATE and its subsidiaries have
increased possibilities of expanding and developing.
[23] National Bank of Greece to lure foreign institutionals
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
National Bank of Greece will launch an advertising campaign
abroad to lure foreign institutional investors into the domestic
market following an upgrade for its custodian services unit,
senior bank officials said.
Inaugurating new premises for the unit, the officials said the
bank already managed shares and debt paper for 1,600 Greek and
foreign funds, representing capital of 1.5 trillion drachmas.
Consultancy is part of the package. Part of the upgrade for the
unit, opened by Governor Theodoros Karadzas, is an advanced
technology computer system.
National Bank's competitors for Athens-based custodian services
are Citibank and Barclays.
[24] Balkan ministers agree on regional trade center
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
Balkan ministers meeting in Thessaloniki yesterday agreed to
create a regional center based in Turkey to promote trade.
They also supported a proposal to extend the activities of the
Bucharest-based Balkan Center for Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprises to southeast Europe.
[25] Athens Stock Exchange stages technical rebound
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The Athens Stock Exchange staged a technical recovery on Tuesday
after a four-session fall in prices which pushed the market
below support at 1,600 points.
The general index ended 0.88 percent higher at 1,603.84 points
but turnover shrank to 13.9 billion drachmas as massive outflows
for a public offer by Hellenic Telecommunications Organization
(OTE) drained the market. Most sector indices scored gains.
Banks rose 0.95 percent, Leasing was 1.83 percent up, Insurance
gained 0.87 percent, Investment increased 0.72 percent,
Industrials were 0.13 percent up, Construction fell 0.51
percent, Holding rose 0.73 percent and Miscellaneous rose 0.29
percent. The Parallel Market index fell 0.46 percent.
Investors focused on OTE's shares ahead of its second share
offer, starting today. Its price ended 200 drachmas higher at
7,105 on heavy volume.
Broadly, advancers led decliners by 113 to 104 with another 25
issues remaining unchanged. Minerva, Ergodata, Kekrops and
Flexopak scored the biggest gains, while Ermis, Parnassos and
Mouriadis suffered the heaviest losses. National Bank of Greece
ended at 36,310 drachmas, Ergobank at 18,050, Alpha Credit Bank
at 19,750, Titan Cement at 25,400, Intracom at 13,100.
[26] Greece backs French proposal on employment
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The Greek government backs a French government proposal
submitted to ECOFIN during its recent meeting in Luxembourg
which envisages an extension to the Stability Pact containing
measures to boost employment in the European Union, government
spokesman Dimitris Reppas said.
The spokesman clarified that the French government did not raise
the issue of delaying the launch of Economic and Monetary Union.
[27] Airport project completed for Kos
Athens, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
An airport development and modernization project for the
Dodecanese island of Kos was completed in record time for the
peak summer tourist season.
The project, worth 3.7 billion drachmas, included extension of
air terminal facilities, extension of landing slots by 35,000
square meters - up 100 percent from last year's capacity, runway
extension to 2,400 meters, and the purchase of three new
passenger buses.
[28] Papaioannou calls for shorter working hours
Geneva, 11/06/1997 (ANA - A.Davanelou)
Labor and Social Security Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou called
for a reduction in working hours during an International Labor
Organization (ILO) annual summit in Geneva.
"A reliable, supra-national organization such as the ILO can
reduce government fears of a loss of competitive advantages
should they make such adjustments, and pave the way for
international adjustments to boost employment," Mr. Papaioannou
told the conference.
He noted that a reduction in working hours historically had been
a factor to help stabilize labor markets, and that
competitiveness would secure employment and growth.
The conference is being held in Geneva June 3-19. Among topics
for discussion are a 1996 international agreement to formally
allow creation of private job search agencies in member-states.
The General Confederation of Workers of Greece, representing
nearly a million workers, opposes private agencies, saying they
will lead to exploitation.
[29] Intracom, BTK consider possibility of inter-Balkan cardphone
network
Sofia, 11/06/1997 (ANA)
The Bulgarian Telecommunications Organization (BTK) and the
Greece-based Intracom group are examining the possibility of
establishing an inter-Balkan cardphone network aimed at unifying
phone cards. The project was announced at a press conference by
BTK President Dragostinov and Intracom President Socrates
Kokkalis at the end of the joint Greek-Bulgarian Bulfon
company's general assembly.
In addition, Intracom expressed the intention to help in the
project of replacing Bulgaria's 20,000 coin telephones, securing
credits totaling US$300 million.
[30] V. Papandreou says Russian tourist flow to Greece will increase
Moscow, 11/06/1997 (ANA - D. Konstantakopoulos)
In an interview with "Pravda-5" newspaper, Development Minister
Vasso Papandreou expressed her conviction that in the near
future Russian tourists will occupy third place among visitors
to Greece after the Germans and the British.
Ms Papandreou said 1.2 million tourists from eastern European
countries visited Greece in 1996, a figure representing 12.2 per
cent of Greece's total number of visitors. This figure is
expected to increase to 1.35 million in 1997, or 13.5 per cent.
She said traditional relations between Russia and Greece can
contribute to a further significant increase in the number of
Russian tourists, provided that problems are also resolved
concerning the ease with which visas are given to tourists.
Ms Papandreou said that in the framework of the European Union
solutions are being examined to simplify the process for issuing
tourist visas.
End of English language section.
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