Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-06-28

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

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1223), June 28, 1997

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece calls for smooth holding of elections in Albania

[02] Presidential decrees on illegal immigrants approved by Cabinet

[03] Athens rejects Ankara claims of Greek-Kurdish collusion in Iraq

[04] US maintains 7:10 aid ratio

[05] Greek parliamentary delegation in Cuba

[06] Tsohatzopoulos speaks to expatriate groups in NY

[07] G. Papandreou meets with Australian FM Downer

[08] FYROM press reports hint at agreement over name

[09] Patriarchate to abstain from Vatican throne celebration

[10] Ecumenical assembly

[11] Cabinet issues decisions on education, labor

[12] Greece, Cyprus coordinate moves against crime, drugs trade

[13] EU's Wulf-Mathies expressed satisfaction over CSF in Greece

[14] EU pledges to keep power games out of enlargement

[15] Home help for the elderly pilot program to be expanded

[16] Survey records more interest among Greeks over EU policies

[17] Greek team downs Bosnia at Eurobasket

[18] Better tourist figures no excuse for complacency, experts warn

[19] Polytechnic calls for sustainable growth, tourism and culture

[20] GSEE calls 24-hour strike for Oct. 23

[21] Doctors' 48-hour strike ends but talks continue

[22] Greece releases 1997 procurements plan

[23] Greece boycotts Swiss business forum over Cyprus

[24] Greek equities slump, dragged down by banks

[25] Greek, Romanian software firms to take part in seminar

[26] Greece to update its tax system

[27] Athens Medical sees profit, turnover rising

[28] Greece-Cyprus customs agreement initialed

[29] Commission seeks financial penalties against Greece

[30] Commission refers Italy, Greece to Court over residence right

[01] Greece calls for smooth holding of elections in Albania

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

A Foreign Ministry statement released late last night read: "The Greek government believes that the smooth holding of Albanian elections on Sunday is a fundamental prerequisite in promoting the democratic process, the achievement of political and social stability, the respect of human rights and economic development".

"The Greek government hopes that the elections will lead to the formation of a widely accepted government that will undertake effectively the project of restoring the country.

"Greece expresses the belief that the Albanian voters would participate in elections in a peaceful and orderly way", the statement said.

Greece, it said, had undertaken "intensive efforts" on a bilateral and multilateral level to "contribute effectively to international initiatives for helping the smooth holding of the elections".

"The government has also taken specific and fundamental measures" to help Albanian nationals in Greece, including members of the ethnic Greek minority, travel to Albania to vote.

"Our country is prepared to continue its contribution in the future to efforts by the Albanian people to establish a modern, democratic society", it said.

[02] Presidential decrees on illegal immigrants approved by Cabinet

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The bills were drafted by the labor and social security ministry.

The registration of aliens will take place between September and December of this year, while foreign laborers will be given a temporary residence permit, valid as a work permit also, which will expire on Nov. 30, 1998.

At the same time, an extension period of two months, January to February 1998, will be given for those who need time to submit additional papers.

Following the expiration of the temporary permit and a recommendation by a special prefectural committee, an immigrant will be granted a residence and work permit lasting from one to three years, with the option of renewal every two years.

In order to acquire this second, more lasting card, the decrees call for the following papers: a temporary permit, a passport or other identification, a copy of their work agreement or health insurance booklet, and in cases of special jobs (such as cook ), a health certificate.

According to Labor Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou, there are approximately 450,000 illegal immigrants in Greece today. The measures concern about 200,000 because laborers originating from countries sharing borders with Greece do not fall under the decree. This means an exception for Albanians, Bulgarians, Turks and those from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

The Cabinet decided to except economic immigrants from neighboring countries only yesterday, in face of the danger of an influx of refugees. The unstable state in Albania also contributed to this decision, especially in view of the uncertainty in the coming elections tomorrow.

Following the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Papaioannou said that "the measure's success will depend on its social acceptance". He noted two points especially, that illegal immigrants be convinced to come register and not believe it is a trap, and convince those

Greeks likely to be influenced by xenophobia that these issues cannot be oversimplified.

In a response yesterday evening, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) said the presidential decrees, which will exclude registration of illegal immigrants from countries neighboring with Greece, were a "provocation" for the nation's entire working class and the "peoples - mainly neighboring peoples - harshly tested by capitalistic exploitation."

The Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) charged that the Cabinet's decision to excempt illegal immigrants from countries sharing borders with Greece showed the government went back on its own word and was racist, because it discriminated on the basis of peoples' origin.

[03] Athens rejects Ankara claims of Greek-Kurdish collusion in Iraq

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

"The accuser has the burden and responsibility to produce the evidence," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said, replying to a question from the correspondent of a Turkish newspaper.

Mr. Reppas stressed that the hurling of such accusations against Greece harmed Turkey, while the persons behind the accusations "are showing the international community that they do not have the maturity, ability, responsibility or will to tackle their country's problems with political means."

[04] US maintains 7:10 aid ratio

Washington, 28/6/1997 (ANA - T. Ellis)

The amounts involved are $122.5 million and $175 million dollars respectively, the same as the amounts given in 1997.

At the same time, Cyprus is to continue receiving $15 million annually to be spent on promoting bicommunal programs and measures to reduce tension and reunite the island.

[05] Greek parliamentary delegation in Cuba

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The Greek delegation, headed by PASOK MP and former foreign minister Karolos Papoulias, is on an official visit to Havana.

Apart from contacts with Cuban government representatives, the delegation briefed the Cuban foreign minister on Greece's foreign policy issues.

[06] Tsohatzopoulos speaks to expatriate groups in NY

New York, 28/6/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

Mr. Tsohatzopoulos is visiting the US for talks with high-ranking US officials, which included a meeting with US Defense Secretary William Cohen.

He said that Mr. Cohen displayed a strong interest in the proposals and positions of the Greek government.

"It is a recognized fact that Greece is no longer the peripheral country it was viewed in the '80s, no longer a country pleading with the mighty for help and support, but a force of peace, security, stability and co-operation," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said.

The event was organized by the New York Greek Societies' Federation in co-operation with the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

"We are not viewed as mere spectators any more," he said.

"They want to know our opinion on all the major issues confronting eastern Europe and the Balkans because the situation there is changing and (therefore) giving rise to major destabilizing problems," he added.

"There is Bosnia and the problem with Albania. This is precisely why we say that NATO enlargement should not just entail the central European countries, as President Clinton suggests, but that it should also include Romania and Bulgaria," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos added.

The United States strongly opposed a push by some NATO allies, including France, for quick admission of five eastern European countries instead of only three to membership in the alliance.

"Smaller would be better initially from my respective," Mr. Cohen said during a two-day NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels on June 12, rejecting calls for a broader expansion. The United States has said that it wanted to invite only Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary to join NATO at a summit in July.

"What is important for us is not whether our role is recognized or whether our soldiers participate in international (peacekeeping) forces," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos continued. What is important, he said, "is what we seek and how we are going to influence developments, regarding either NATO or the creation of an organization of security and co-operation by the Western European Union, or on the issue of EU enlargement which includes the issue of giving Cyprus a full membership."

"It is our obligation to utilize today's favorable conditions, the International Law, to serve principles and values," Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, reiterating that Greece would never accept its sovereign rights to be disputed and adding that the country's defense as well as modernization of its armed forces posed as the answer to any external threat.

"Greece's active presence to multinational procedures does not necessarily mean that our country would expect from any international organization to safeguard our national security from Turkish treats," the minister said.

In his address, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos also brought up the issue of Greece's very high budget for defense spending, saying that the entire Greek political leadership supported the budget.

Concluding, he said he supported the UN-sponsored direct talks between Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in New York, while expressing optimism over the final solution to the Cyprus issue, "since the prospect for a Cyprus-EU accession would lead to new developments given Turkey's strong desire to upgrade its relations with the European Union."

Greece, Mr. Tsohatzopoulos said, had made it clear that it would support Turkey in its effort to achieve closer relations with Europe as long as the neighboring country conformed with the principles of international law and its international obligations.

[07] G. Papandreou meets with Australian FM Downer

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The two officials discussed international and bilateral issues, including human rights, EU representation at ceremonies to hand over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China, environmental protection, etc.

Discussion on bilateral issues also focused on the significant role played by the large expatriate Greek community in Australia, especially in the economic sector. An announcement by the foreign ministry said the two men agreed on the need for a further strengthening of economic relations between the two countries.

Mr. Papandreou also briefed the Australian foreign minister on Greek positions regarding the FYROM name issue.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Downer was received by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

[08] FYROM press reports hint at agreement over name

Skopje, 28/6/1997 (ANA - M. Vihou)

The opposition "Dnevnik" newspaper, quoting foreign ministry sources, said that FYROM last April had submitted a formal proposal in New York providing for use of the country's constitutional name by the international community, while Greece would be free to use any name it wished for the one-time Yugoslav republic.

"Nova Makedonja" also carried an article expressing similar views, claiming that Athens' silence so far was a positive sign.

Nevertheless, the article mentions that according to unofficial information from Greece, Athens will probably propose the name "Republic of Macedonia - Skopje" or "Skopje" as the international name for FYROM.

[09] Patriarchate to abstain from Vatican throne celebration

Istanbul, 28/6/1997 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The move underlines the dissatisfaction at the Patriarchate over the Vatican's recent position, which led to the cancellation of the Ecumenical Patriarch's participation in the second European Ecumenical Assembly in Graz, Austria, and the subsequent cancellation of the Patriarch's official visit to Austria.

The Phanar made no comment yesterday over the development which, however, the Ecumenical Patriarchate's Synod had indirectly referred to when it announced the cancellation of the Patriarch's visits to Graz and Vienna on May 30.

The Vatican insisted on organizing a meeting between Pope John Paul II and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy in Vienna, at the same time Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was scheduled to be in Austria, a departure in the protocol anticipate d in such cases.

The meeting between the pope and Alexiy was canceled at the last moment, while the Catholic press criticized Pope John Paul II over his handling of the issue and the ensuing crisis.

The reasons for which they canceled the meeting (between the pope and Alexiy) "concern the way with which Roman popism understands its role", according to the newspaper "Il Manifesto" (June 6, 1997), while "Republica" (June 23, 1997) spoke of a "considerable cooling in relations between Rome and the other churches".

The exchange of visits on the throne celebrations of the two churches, Peter and Paul for Rome and Andrew for Constantinople (Istanbul), were among measures decided when the anathemas between the two churches were lifted and dialogue began.

[10] Ecumenical assembly

Vienna, 28/6/1997 (ANA - D. Dimitrakoudis)

In an address, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexiy II also criticized the Vatican, denouncing the activity of foreign missionaries (from the Roman Catholic Church) in eastern Europe over the past eight years since the collapse of communism as a "continuous invasion."

In this way, he added, the term of the ecumenical movement is understood by the majority of Christians in this part of Europe as being something "dangerous and absolutely unacceptable."

In a statement yesterday, the Cardinal of Austria Franz Konig, one of the front-runners for unity among the churches, warned the "churches of the west" to take under serious consideration accusations on behalf of Orthodoxy concerning proselytism in eastern Europe, and to support Orthodoxy.

[11] Cabinet issues decisions on education, labor

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas said that Mr. Simitis criticized PASOK cadres who did not attend events commemorating late party founder and former premier Andreas Papandreou.

The prime minister also underlined the need for Cabinet members to increase the pace of their work and not allow for a slackening because of summer.

The Cabinet approved two draft bills, one establishing an "Open University" in Greece and another settling the wages of university professors based on part- or full-time teaching, submitted by Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis.

Part-time professors would be allowed to work free-lance elsewhere but would not be allowed to hold top administrative posts in the universities.

Mr. Reppas also reiterated that anyone teaching at a state university could not at the same time provide services to companies contracting with the university, neither could they hold a second position in the public sector.

The Cabinet he said had also approved two drafts of presidential decrees providing registration and work permits for currently illegal immigrants submitted by Labor Minister Miltiadis Papaioannou.

Other decisions included one establishing a special agency comprising representatives from various ministries that would study environmental terms in public and private projects.

Mr. Reppas said the Cabinet also decided to appoint Supreme Court judge Constantinos Dafermos as head of the independent government agency for the protection of personal electronic data.

[12] Greece, Cyprus coordinate moves against crime, drugs trade

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Kosis arrived in Greece on an official visit Wednesday accompanied by senior police officers including the head of the island republic's force. The two ministries have maintained close co-operation since December 1993 when they signed a police co-operation agreement in Nicosia.

After yesterday's talks, Mr. Romeos announced that the Cyprus police will soon be given access to Greece's computerized fingerprint identification system, subject to permission, to assist them particularly in cases involving terrorism and drug trafficking.

Mr. Romeos and Mr. Kosis have been friends for the past 32 years, ever since the former went to Cyprus to help Mr. Kosis publish a newspaper.

[13] EU's Wulf-Mathies expressed satisfaction over CSF in Greece

Brussels, 28/6/1997 (ANA - G. Daratos)

The meeting focused on an account to date of projects jointly funded by the second Delors package. It was ascertained that over the first five months this year, the rate of absorption of European Union funds was greater by 80 per cent as against the same period in 1996.

Issues concerning the joint funding of projects concerning the transport and distribution of natural gas were also discussed, while a delay was ascertained concerning the organizing program for post offices, but Mr. Pachtas said weaknesses will be remedied soon.

Regarding EU inflows to Greece from the second Delors package, Greece is in fourth place after Ireland, Spain and Portugal in the absorption of funds due to it from so-called Target 1, while according to available data, it has already received 33 per cent of the total funds it is entitled to from the second Delors package in 1995 and 1996.

[14] EU pledges to keep power games out of enlargement

Amsterdam, 28/6/1997 (ANA/Reuter)

Meeting leaders from 12 applicant countries to explain the state of the Union after its recent treaty-writing summit, the EU was at pains to stress that all would be done to make sure the 15-member EU is ready to take in its new eastern members early next century.

The message was in contrast to the pessimistic tones by European Commission President Jacques Santer and Dutch Premier Wim Kok on Thursday, who told the European Parliament that failure by the June 16-17 summit to agree on institutional reforms augured badly for EU expansion.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo said there was still time to iron out the institutional changes - on voting and the make-up of the European Commission - necessary to prevent paralysis once the EU has up to 25 members.

Leaders from 10 eastern European candidates for EU entry - Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria - were at the meeting, along with Cyprus and Turkey.

EU Commission President Santer said the EU executive would have different recommendations for each country. He added that the period before accession should be used to improve EU ties with candidate countries and help the latter become aligned with Community policies.

In terms of Cyprus and Turkey, Both Mr. Santer and Mr. Kok said that their relations with the Community were of a different status.

Talks with Cyprus, which has already been judged to fit the bill, are due to start early next year while Turkey's EU application was shunned on human rights grounds in 1989.

Dutch Premier Wim Kon stressed that while Turkey was an applicant, it could not be considered a candidate for EU membership at the present time.

[15] Home help for the elderly pilot program to be expanded

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The number of people aged over 60 increased by 50 percent between 1960 and 1990, according to statistics. Home help has been implemented for the past six months in the Peristeri Municipality and the success of the program so far has led to the decision to implement similar programs in another 49 municipalities with plans to have it instituted in 102 municipalities a round the country by the end of the year.

The program aims at helping the elderly with basic needs and gives priority to those who live alone, in need or have disabilities and is staffed by volunteers.

[16] Survey records more interest among Greeks over EU policies

Brussels, 28/6/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

A survey carried out in spring and published yesterday in the "Eurobarometer", shows that 85 per cent of Greek citizens are interested about EU policies. Austrians are second with 66 per cent, while the Spanish and Italians are the last with 29 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively.

The survey also shows that 36 per cent of all EU citizens agree with a two-tier Europe, with German citizens topping the list at 52 per cent, while the Spanish and Greeks are last with 24 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively.

In relation to other EU issues, abolition of each member's "right of veto" to EU decisions was supported by 45 per cent of the total number of respondents in all EU countries - 26 per cent of Greek citizens said yes to abolition of the veto.

The Union's Common External Policy was favored by 72 per cent of European citizens in the survey, while an overall 48 per cent believed that participation of their country in the Union was positive.

[17] Greek team downs Bosnia at Eurobasket

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Thus, the Greek team came first in during the first round in Group A.

At half-time, the Greek team was winning 42-34, with the star of the game being Fragiskos Alvertis, who successfully scored a three-point shot at the buzzer.

On Sunday, the Greek team will face Lithuania, while in the second round it will also encounter France and Slovenia.

[18] Better tourist figures no excuse for complacency, experts warn

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Mr. Skoulas was speaking to 300 British reporters, writers and businessmen active in the tourism sector who are participating in a three-day annual conference of the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) which opened yesterday morning. The EOT chief assured the conference delegates that "a new spirit of professionalism" was now prevailing in Greece, while "a renewed standard of tourism development" had been adopted with emphasis on quality rather than low prices.

Mr. Skoulas advised tour operators against pressing Greek hoteliers to lower their rates, saying this would only result in a "vicious circle" of lower prices-lower quality which in the end left customers unsatisfied.

He also expressed support for the establishment of one or more private Greek airline companies to compete directly with the "over-protected" national carrier, Olympic Airways, and urged the speedy deregulation of airport services, including ground handling.

Speaking at the same conference, Olympic Airways managing director Iordanis Karatzas assured delegates that the national carrier and Athens international airport would next year "show a completely different face."

Mr. Karatzas, who came in for criticism for the standard of services provided by the carrier, added flight service and airport improvements would be apparent even this year.

OA's share of the market is 14 per cent for the transport of passengers and 12 per cent for the transport of tourists to Greece from all over the world, Mr. Karatzas said, noting that it was competing with 110 foreign airline companies with services to Greece.

In 1996, he added, OA carried 6.5 million passengers in Greece and abroad.

Stressing that the European Commission was satisfied with the results so far of the program for the rehabilitation of the national carrier, Mr. Karatzas forecast more than double profits in 1997 compared to last year.

In addition, the company's ratio of profits to turnover this year will be 5.5 per cent, which is particularly high for the international airline sector.

[19] Polytechnic calls for sustainable growth, tourism and culture

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The conference is organized by the Athens Polytechnic and is sponsored by the culture ministry and the National Tourist Organization of Greece (EOT).

The Polytechnic, or, specifically, the School of Geography and Regional Planning, aims to re-examine tourism and cultural products on a regular basis in the framework of developing an environmentally-friendly development policy.

The school has called for submissions for participation from any interested organizations from Greece and abroad. Summary of papers to be presented should be submitted by September 30 this year.

For further information, call Mr. Papaconstantinou on 722-2610, 772-2748.

[20] GSEE calls 24-hour strike for Oct. 23

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

A strike announcement four months before it is scheduled to take place is a record for GSEE, although such early announcements are not uncommon in other European countries.

GSEE's main demands include tax reforms and the redistribution of income, an improvement in the relation between indirect and direct taxes, a complete index-linked tax scale, an amendment to Law 2084 so as to not restrict auxiliary pensions to 20 per cent of a primary pension, safeguarding the purchase value for pensioners, a 35-year pensioning period regardless of age as well as real salary improvements.

According to GSEE, its decision was taken so early in order to enable workers to be better informed on union positions.

[21] Doctors' 48-hour strike ends but talks continue

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The strike ended at midnight last night.

Hospitals worked on skeleton staff and admitted only emergency cases.

The administrative board of the doctors' union EINAP will meet Health Minister Costas Geitonas on Monday to set out their grievances and points of disagreement with a new health ministry bill aimed at restructuring the Social Security Foundation, IKA.

[22] Greece releases 1997 procurements plan

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The sum, down from 849 billion drachmas in 1996, does not include procurements ordered by certain public utilities under a European Union directive that allows them to make long-term contracts with suppliers and bypass tenders.

The EU exemption, which aims to boost domestic industry, applies to contracts made until end-1997 in the sectors of telecoms, transport, water, and energy. The public sector agencies procurement program was set at 66 billion drachmas, down from 60 billion the previous year, and the supplies budget for other organizations was reduced to 547 billion drachmas from 781 billion.

Development Under-secretary Michalis Chrysohoidis said the delay in releasing the new procurement program was due to in-depth research conducted in order to ensure its credibility and necessity.

He said the new public procurement programs envisaged provisions of high-technology products worth 70 billion drachmas.

[23] Greece boycotts Swiss business forum over Cyprus

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

In its statement late Thursday night, the Greek delegation expressed "great surprise" at the participation of the pseudo-state in northern Cyprus in the annual forum, which brings together international business and political leaders.

It said that the pseudo-state in the occupied north of the island republic, recognized only by Turkey, did not exist as an entity in terms of international law. The founder of the Crans Montana Forum, Jean-Paul Carteron, said in a statement he felt "great sadness" at the incident.

Greece was due to be represented at the forum by Deputy National Economy Under-secretary Alexandros Baltas.

[24] Greek equities slump, dragged down by banks

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The general index lost 1.48 percent to close at 1,507.67 points, reflecting losses in the heavily weighted banking sector, off 2.55 percent. Trading was heavy and turnover was 37.5 billion drachmas. Most other sector indices ended lower. Leasing f ell 1.71 percent, Investment eased 1.47 percent, Industrials were 0.23 percent off, Construction fell 0.30 percent and Holding eased 2.22 percent. Insurance and Miscellaneous bucked the trend to end 1.44 and 1.15 percent higher.

The parallel market for smaller cap stocks ended 0.58 percent off. Shares of Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) lost further ground to end at 6,205, off 95 drachmas.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 134 to 89 with another 23 issues unchanged. Athens Medical Center, Britannia and Atemke scored the biggest gains, while Bank of Central Greece, Macedonian Mills and Xylemporia suffered the heaviest losses of the day.

National Bank of Greece ended at 33,400 drachmas, Ergobank at 16,420, Alpha Credit Bank at 18,700, Titan at 13,160 and Intracom at 12,755.

[25] Greek, Romanian software firms to take part in seminar

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The visit by the Greek Software Companies Association (SEPE) to Romania is part of efforts by firms in the sector to forge new links with businesses in the Balkans and east Mediterranean.

More than 40 Romanian businesses will take part in the seminar which will be addressed by Greek ambassador in Bucharest Christos Alexandris and other government and business officials.

Among Greek companies to be represented at the seminar are Intracom and Unisoft - two companies already operating in the local market - BYTE, Informatics, Global Finance, DIS, Pouliades Associates and Singular.

According to SEPE chairman Theodoros Fessas the Romanian market is particularly attractive for investments in the software sector.

[26] Greece to update its tax system

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Addressing "Hellenic Vision 2000", a conference focusing on modernization of the economy, Mr. Drys also said that in recent years the finance ministry had taken steps to guarantee free competition for every foreigner willing to invest in Greece.

He outlined the framework of a new updated tax system based on tightening up legislation, rationalizing penalties for tax infringements, simplifying tax procedures, and changing administrative operations in the ministry. The plan aims to ensure a more equitable tax system. Mr. Drys also warned that if Greece failed to join the second round of European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) after the year 2000 the consequences would be disastrous for the economy.

[27] Athens Medical sees profit, turnover rising

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

The clinic's net profit for 1996 was 3.2 billion drachmas on turnover of 12.8 billion, Apostolopoulos said. Net profit is expected to rise to nine billion drachmas in 2001.

Athens Medical plans to complete construction in 1998 of a Balkan medical center being built in the northern city of Thessaloniki at a cost of 21 billion drachmas. The new 315-bed clinic hopes to attract patients from Balkan countries due to its strategic location. Another project is construction of diagnostic centers in five Balkan capitals.

[28] Greece-Cyprus customs agreement initialed

Nicosia, 28/6/1997 (ANA)

Cyprus' Costas Hatziyiannis and his Greek counterpart Socrates Antoniou signed the agreement for the two countries.

According to an official announcement, despite the fact that co-operation between the two customs administrations has been excellent, the conclusion of the agreement was considered expedient for further co-operation and mutual assistance between the two countries' agencies.

[29] Commission seeks financial penalties against Greece

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Greece has failed to comply with a previous Court judgment concerning waste. The Commission also decided to propose to the Court a daily penalty of ECU 24,600. The penalty would apply to each day of non-compliance with the second judgment of the Court under Article 171 of the Treaty.

The present Commission decision relates to non-respect of a 1992 Court judgment concerning Greece's failure to comply with EU waste legislation on the island of Crete (Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste OJ L 194, 25.07.1975 and Council Directive 7 8/319/EEC on toxic and dangerous waste OJ L 84, 31.03.1978).

In particular, Greece has not taken the necessary measures to ensure the safe disposal of waste on the island.

The Commission's action in this case is based on Article 171 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. This article gives the Commission power to act against a Member State which does not comply with a previous judgment of the European Court of Justice.

Following changes inserted by the Treaty on European Union ("the Maastricht Treaty"), the article also allows the Commission to ask the Court to impose a financial penalty on the Member State concerned. For information on the calculation method used by the Commission, see IP/97/5rev. of 8.1.1997.

Earlier this year, for the first time in relation to an Article 171 application, the Commission decided to seek financial penalties against Italy and Germany for failure to comply with judgments which also concerned environmental legislation (see IP /97/63).

Upon adoption by the Commission, Commissioner for the Environment, Ritt Bjerregaard, said the "decision to propose financial penalties against Greece is a further demonstration of the Commission's commitment to making use of Article 171 of the Treaty, which has already proven an efficient means of making member states comply with environmental legislation. I hope this will also be the case for Greece. We will certainly not hesitate to use it again to ensure high environmental standards for all EU citizens".

[30] Commission refers Italy, Greece to Court over residence right

Athens, 28/06/1997 (ANA)

Single Market Commissioner Mario Monti commented "free movement has to be a tangible reality for citizens, as underlined in our report on Union Citizenship and in the Single Market Action Plan. The European Commission will not tolerate Member States continuing to violate individuals' rights to exercise their right to free movement within the Single Market."

End of English language section.

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