Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 98-05-05

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Greece to give EU new economic convergence plan

[02] Athens regrets lack of progress on Cyprus problem, cites unacceptable T/C demands

[03] Turkish reaction

[04] Parliament committees briefed on EMU

[05] Greek, Turkish women call for defence spending cutbacks

[06] Greece reiterates stance on terrorist activity

[07] Ankara verbal protest

[08] Representatives from Orthodox Churches condemn schismatic tendencies

[09] Vartholomeos stresses contribution of eastern Europe, Russia to European integration

[10] Stephanopoulos-Pangalos

[11] Gov`t comments on church-state affairs

[12] WEU parliamentary assembly begins in Madrid

[13] Gov`t stresses that flight plans must be filed in order to prevent interceptions

[14] Greece focuses on human rights during CoE presidency

[15] Karamanlis holds press conference on Euro today

[16] Van den Broek responds to Holbrooke statement on Cyprus' EU accession

[17] Parliament to commemorate CoE's founding

[18] Nazi compensation hearings begin

[19] Greece looks to expand relations with Iran

[20] Greece-Cyprus investments detailed

[21] Evangelos Venizelos

[22] Economic News

[23] Greece to take part in Bulgarian trade fair

[01] Greece to give EU new economic convergence plan

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

The new plan to align with other EU economies will carry an extension to 2000 and take into account a 13.8 percent devaluation of the drachma effected on March 14, National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou said yesterday.

The devaluation eased the drachma's entry into the EU's exchange rate mechanism on the same day, seen as a step towards joining economic and monetary union.

Speaking to reporters after a weekend EU summit in Brussels to launch the euro, Mr. Papantoniou said the government's priorities were to send a labour reform bill to parliament in May and another in June to tighten up the social security system.

Streamlining public finances was part of a commitment the government made when the drachma joined the exchange rate mechanism.

Referring to an appraisal by the summit on progress in Greece's economy, Mr. Papantoniou said much work still had to be done in coming years to prepare for economic and monetary union.

"It is necessary to drop past dogmatism over privatisation, flotations and restructuring public sector enterprises in order to join the euro," he said.

Mr. Papantoniou reaffirmed the government's commitment to press ahead with its ambitious privatisation programme, reform the labour market and social welfare, and stick to a strict fiscal policy.

He said the government had not yet decided whether to sell state Ionian Bank or merge it with parent company, Commercial Bank, but a final decision was imminent.

The sale of Commercial Bank itself was not being discussed.

Turning to financial markets, Mr. Papantoniou said new pressures on the drachma were highly unlikely. The new dollar/euro market would enhance currency stability, price transparency and bring down inflation, benefitting Greeks, he said.

By January 1, 2001, when Greece is expected to join the euro, interest rates will have dropped to 6-7 percent from 15 percent, and unemployment to 7.5 percent from 10.4 percent.

In addition, investments would rise due to lower interest rates, Mr. Papantoniou said.

The government would not hold a referendum on joining the euro, he said.

Greece welcomes EU statement on economy: Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said yesterday that a favourable European Union statement on Greece's economy was an incentive to pursue the same policies until 2001 when the country plans to join economic and monetary union (EMU).

Mr. Reppas told reporters after a weekend EU summit to launch the euro that the declaration was proof that the government's economic policy was working.

The government has focused on cutting inflation, reducing deficits and shrinking the state sector.

The EU summit welcomed Greece's intention to join EMU at the earliest possible date, saying its bid would be judged on the same criteria as the 11 EU countries due to adopt the euro in 1999.

"(The declaration allows Greece) the certainty that it will join EMU in 2001," Mr. Reppas said.

He confirmed that the government would give the EU a revised convergence programme in a month's time to take into account a 13.8 devaluation of the drachma on March 14 linked to entry into the exchange rate mechanism the same day.

Figures contained in the plan would not diverge sharply from the existing convergence programme, Mr. Reppas said.

The government was confident that it would meet Maastricht criteria on alignment while ensuring social cohesion and unity, he said.

Opposition parties: Responding to Mr. Papantoniou's statements, main opposition New Democracy party spokesman Aris Spiliotopoulos charged the government with unacceptable inconsistencies regarding the privatisation of banks, stressing that its policy was endangering the inte rests of small investors at the stock market.

"It is time, at last, that the government realises the possible repercussions of its own inconsistencies," he said.

"Mr. Papantoniou, like the prime minister, again referred to future desirable indicators, such as inflation and interest rates, as if they were already results of their policy, and not targets which are being set again after a failure to attain them," M r. Spiliotopoulos charged.

"The prime minister is right in saying that some countries overtook us on the course towards convergence, but this should have first become a lesson to himself and his government," he added.

The ND spokesman noted that the communique of the EU summit or any other official document did not confirm the government's claim that Greece would join EMU in 2001.

He also urged the government to speed up the recovery programme instead of remaining a hostage of the unions, which its own partisan state has given rise to, citing recent labour unrest in Olympic Airways as an example.

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Nikos Constantopoulos described developments at the summit meeting as a double failure for Greece, which finds itself outside the euro after a long period of austerity that has brought society "to its knees".

"The simple and clear truth is that Greece, alone and contrary to its will, is outside the euro," he said.

Mr. Constantopoulos stressed that the government does not possess the necessary legitimacy to ask the people for more sacrifices, as its policies lead nowhere.

Athens News Agency

[02] Athens regrets lack of progress on Cyprus problem, cites unacceptable T/C demands

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who made the statement, also noted that the terms posed by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash during talks US presidential envoy for Cyprus Richard Holbrooke held in Nicosia over the weekend with the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot sides were unacceptable and could not be considered for discussion.

"The terms the Turkish Cypriot leader has laid down are unacceptable and it is not possible even to consider discussions on these terms," he said.

Mr. Holbrooke ended yesterday three days of intensive talks in Nicosia without a breakthrough in efforts to resume peace negotiations on the divided island republic.

Mr. Holbrooke told a press conference yesterday in Nicosia that preconditions put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side "make progress difficult."

Mr. Denktash demanded that the government of Cyprus withdraw its application for accession to the EU and that his regime be recognised before he returns to the negotiating table.

Mr. Reppas stressed that the participation of Turkish Cypriots in EU accession negotiations was not conditional, and that they were obliged to participate on the basis of UN resolutions.

Regarding the Russian proposal for the demilitarisation of Cyprus, Mr. Reppas said it displays the interest of Moscow at disarmament and includes points which President Glafcos Clerides himself has put forward in the past, including the disbandment of t he National Guard and the Turkish Cypriot armed forces, in parallel with a withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces.

Athens News Agency

[03] Turkish reaction

ANKARA, 5/5/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

The spokesman, who was speaking to the press here yesterday, said that "close cooperation between Turkey and the (self-styled) 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' will continue and will be further developed" on the basis of a joint declaration P April

23, 1998 P between the two sides.

The Turkish official further stres-sed that a basic Turkish position contained in the declaration was that "from now on, the search for a solution to the Cyprus problem should proceed on the basis of two independent states."

Athens News Agency

[04] Parliament committees briefed on EMU

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

The meeting was attended by National Economy Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and Finance Undersecretary Nikos Christodoulakis. Mr. Apostolidis referred to the introduction of the euro in Europe and recognition by its partners of Greece's fast adjustment ra te to targets set by the European Council.

Mr. Papantoniou briefed the two committees on developments in Brussels over the past three days as well as on the government's policy over the next 18 months in an effort to achieve the targets set, stressing that dialogue and social understanding will secure a smooth course towards 2001. On his part, Mr. Christodoulakis focused on the expediency of Greece joining the unified currency, since it is a small economy and the challenges it will face will be great, such as market globalisation.

Athens News Agency-

[05] Greek, Turkish women call for defence spending cutbacks

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Delegations of women from the two countries also agreed to set up a Women's Initiative for Peace network (WINPEACE) aiming at the consolidation of peaceful relations between their respective countries, during four days of talks on the Greek island of Ko s and Bodrum on the Asia Minor Coast that ended Sunday, an announcement issued yesterday said.

The four-day talks focused on ways of consolidating ties of friendship, cooperation, solidarity and peace in the region, and followed several months of preparation.

The women issued a joint communique noting that "for the first time, women worked together for the purpose of presenting their views on the efforts to find solutions and the peaceful settlement of conflicts".

The group will hold its second meeting in November this year, coinciding with events marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

Margaret Papandreou, former wife of the late premier Andreas Papandreou, is a founding member of the movement.

Athens News Agency

[06] Greece reiterates stance on terrorist activity

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Mr. Reppas stressed that Greece would safeguard democracy and the Constitution and said no pressure whatsoever had been exerted on Athens by Washington on the issue.

The government's position on the Kurdish problem is crystal clear, Mr. Reppas said, namely, that it is in favour of a political solution.

Athens News Agency

[07] Ankara verbal protest

ANKARA, 5/5/1998 (ANA - A. Abatzis)

The Turkish foreign ministry summoned Mr. Nezeritis last Friday. However, he had not responded to the request due to the May Day holiday, which is not observed as a holiday in Turkey.

On leaving the ministry, the Greek ambassador replied to press questions, saying that "no PKK office exists in Greece" and that the issue arose from "a press conference" given in Athens. Mr. Nezeritis also said that the activities of the PKK in Athens a re nothing more than those existing in other European countries, and attributed the issue to a "misunderstanding."

Furthermore, he underlined the statement by Mr. Reppas that Athens does not allow organisations using force against other governments to operate in Greece.

Athens News Agency

[08] Representatives from Orthodox Churches condemn schismatic tendencies

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Representatives at the conference also decided on a common stance at the 7th General Assembly of the International Council of the Churches, which will take place in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Athens News Agency

[09] Vartholomeos stresses contribution of eastern Europe, Russia to European integration

ISTANBUL, 5/5/1998 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)

The Patriarch hosted the delegation to a dinner at the Patriarchate.

The New Atlantic Initiative is a foundation contributing to and promoting the conservative school of thought on strategic issues on both sides of the Atlantic.

Athens News Agency

[10] Stephanopoulos-Pangalos

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

According to reports, Mr. Pangalos briefed the president on the Euro summit and the outcome of U.S. mediator Richard Holbrooke's visit to Cyprus over the weekend.

Prime Minister Costas Simitis is to officially brief the president on the Euro summit in due course.

Athens News Agency

[11] Gov`t comments on church-state affairs

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

The spokesman further said that the government and political parties were exercising their policy by placing national interests above all.

A later press release by the Archdiocese said that Archbishop Christodoulos noted during an informal dinner in Volos on Sunday that "the role of Orthodoxy in today's Europe is a leading one, and it is this role that the Church is mainly called upon to p layIfor a substantial unity between European peoples".

Christodoulos further observed that the Orthodox Church had the same role to play for the unity of the Greek nation, and as a result any effort to separate Orthodoxy from national life would be a blow to national unity and cohesion.

In response to a letter by 52 ruling PASOK deputies and one main opposition New Democracy deputy recommending a change in parliamentarians' oath from swearing in the name of the "Holy and Indivisible Trinity of One Essence" to swearing in the name of th e Greek people and the nation", Mr. Reppas said Constitutional revision is an entirely Parliamentary process, adding that "this position (changing the oath) is not among the government's proposals for revising the Constitution."

An announcement by the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) said the controversy resulting from the Archbishop's statements made it clear that a separation in the role of state and church was required during upcoming Constitutional reform. Petition on separation of church, state: Meanwhile, 60 public figures, including deputies, Eurodeputies, former ministers, university professors, artists, publishers and journa-lists, have signed a text calling for the separation of church and state.

"In recent years, particularly after the country's accession to the European Union, the need is increasingly felt for a new arrangement regarding the relations between church and stateIModern European history is marked by the continuous struggle for the conquest and maintenance of the freedoms and rights of man and citizen, among which religious freedom, as well as freedom of conscience and expression hold primary significance," the text says.

"The complex relationship between church and state is one of the insoluble problems of the society of citizens in Greece, and establishes a regime of privileged ideological, legal and administrative treatment of the Orthodox Church vis-a-vis other relig ions. This situation is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and international treaties, such as the European Convention of the Rights of Man, given that a series of important issues relating to the broader field of safeguarding individual and socia l rights are either directly or indirectly taken care of with the cooperation or the intervention of the Church," the text adds.

It cites as examples the continuing mention of one's religious persuasion on identity cards, the absence of provisions for non-religious funerals, the hanging of icons and religious symbols in public buildings, the mostly compulsory attendance of relig ious education in schools and discrimination against non-Orthodox teachers.

The text is signed, among others, by former New Democracy minister Andreas Andrianopoulos, Eurodeputy Anna Karamanou, deputies Petros Kounalakis and Spyros Danellis, professor Giorgos Veltsos and veteran left-wing politician Leonidas Kyrkos.

Athens News Agency

[12] WEU parliamentary assembly begins in Madrid

MADRID, 5/5/1998 (ANA - M. Savva)

"As member-states of the European Union we need political will and stronger political cohesion, as members of NATO we need military and reliable means, and as members of the Western European Union (WEU) we need effective and flexible crisis management m echanisms," he said.

He made the statements in his address on behalf of the Greek WEU presidency at a conference jointly organised by the organisation's parliamentary assembly and the NATO information service.

"This is the only way Europeans will manage to play an important role in international developments," he said, stressing the need for the development of a European identity in security and defence in the framework of NATO, and explaining that this was i nexorably linked with the existence and nature of the WEU.

"Before this great challenge, we are obliged to undertake the historic task of giving the European identity its proper place," he said.

The conference is also been attended by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who is meeting today with his Spanish counterpart Eduardo Serra. He will also visit the Bazan shipyards, an air force base and Madrid's military musuem.

NATO Secretary General Javier Solana, in his address to the conference, referred to Europe's course towards a common currency, which he described as a primarily political act, stressing that Europe must now "further forge its ties with its partners bey ond the Atlantic."

Athens News Agency

[13] Gov`t stresses that flight plans must be filed in order to prevent interceptions

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

He added that in cases that the relevant flight information is provided, the air force will not intercept, as was the practice last year during NATO's "Distant Thunder" military exercises in certain parts of the Aegean.

Mr. Reppas' statements came in answer to a report in the Athens daily "Ta Nea", according to which the Hellenic Air Force would not intercept NATO aircraft participating in current wargames over the Aegean.

The report claimed the reason behind the no-interception policy is a NATO commander's notification that Greece will be provided with the signal reports of all aircraft missions.

Mr. Reppas noted in turn that, especially in NATO's wargames cases, Greece has been requesting over the last 10 years the submission of flight plans or the five flight information clauses to the Greek government.

He specified that such information includes the time and point of entrance and exit from Athens' Flight Information Region (FIR), the number and type of aircraft, the friend-or-foe signal, time and altitude over the region hosting military exercises an d the IFF code.

Finally, Mr. Reppas noted that when this information is provided, such as in last year's "Distant Thunder", Greek forces do not intercept.

Athens News Agency

[14] Greece focuses on human rights during CoE presidency

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Greece takes over the presidency of the Council of Europe today, at a special ceremony in Strasbourg, when the German presidency hands over the reins.

Athens plans a number of activities during its term as CoE president, including a summit of social security ministers in Malta, an unofficial meeting of sports ministers and a meeting of representatives of the parliamentary assembly with the Committee o f Permanent Representatives in Santorini.

Greece joined the Council of Europe in 1949 and presided over the Committee of Ministers from May to November 1983. The country has signed more than 75 Council of Europe conventions, including ratification of the European Convention on human rights in 1 953.

Athens News Agency

[15] Karamanlis holds press conference on Euro today

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

The opposition party insists that the decisions are a "national failure" since Greece is effectively bringing up the rear in the European Union.

Mr. Karamanlis is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis tomorrow morning and may call a meeting of the party's parliamentary group in the next few days.

Athens News Agency

[16] Van den Broek responds to Holbrooke statement on Cyprus' EU accession

PARIS, 5/5/1998 (ANA/AFP)

Mr. Holbrooke, in a press conference in Nicosia, cited an EU decision to open accession with the Cyprus Republic, but not with Turkey, as one of the reasons for his mission's impasse.

Mr. van den Broek said he disagreed with the US diplomat, underlining in a BBC interview that the EU had adopted during the Luxembourg summit last December "a strategy very clearly in favour of Turkey's EU accession."

Underlining Cyprus' "legitimate application" for EU accession, he said "we have worked very hard for years so that the Turkish Cypriot community takes part in (Cyprus') accession talks."

Athens News Agency

[17] Parliament to commemorate CoE's founding

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos and party leaders will address the event. In an unrelated issue, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis informed the press that after May 20 the body will discuss the main opposition New Democracy's (ND) proposal for the creation of a fact-finding committee for Olympic Airways, as well as the report by the responsible committees on a Public Power Corp. (DEH) construction contract for the new plant near Florina.

Athens News Agency

[18] Nazi compensation hearings begin

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[19] Greece looks to expand relations with Iran

Greek Ambassador to Tehran Dimitris Tsikouris and the secretary general of Iran's southeastern province of Kerman Masoud Mahmoudi yesterday discussed expansion of relations between the two countries in all areas, particularly the economic sector. Briefing the Greek ambassador on the immense potential of the province, Mr. Mahmoudi said that in light of the many historical and economic common points between the two countries, there were ample grounds for further promotion of bilate r relations. Ambassador Tsikouris said that Greece, as a member of the European Union, was interested in boosting Iran-Greek economic relations. The Greek diplomat said that delegations from Greece would be visiting Iran in the near future.

Athens News Agency

[20] Greece-Cyprus investments detailed

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[21] Evangelos Venizelos

Athens, 5/5/1998 (ANA)

Athens News Agency

[22] Economic News

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou yesterday accepted his resignation, which was submitted on January 1.

Mr. Papantoniou announced that Stavros Kouniakis, the governor of Macedonia- Thrace Bank, would succeed him in the post.

Market sources said Mr. Xanthakis, who has held the position since January 1, 1994, was disappointed with the slow pace of a project to switch to electronic securities on the bourse, stemming from anti-reactions by many stockbrokers. Greece's Kavala Airport to replace Thessaloniki for a week:

Kavala's Alexander the Great airport will go international for a week due to runway maintenance that is likely to close northern Greece's main airport in Thessaloniki.

Under a decision by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Olympic Airways, Kavala's airport will handle about 50 flights daily between May 8 and 14.

The timetable allows 43 international flights from European countries daily and 7-8 domestic and charter flights carrying tourists from Europe.

Kavala airport's assistant director, Miltiades Papamiltiadis, told the Athens News Agency that the situation would present difficulties but every effort would be made to serve passengers and prevent delays.

The airport had adequate facilities to accomplish the task, and the CAA and Olympic Airways had agreed to send personnel from Thessaloniki and Athens for a week, Mr. Papamiltiadis said.

The runway works at Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport are part of a month of projects to improve air access to the airport, which often sees flight postponements due to mist and fog.

The reconstruction will also deal with wear and tear, and allow the installation of heavy duty lighting for use in fog.

Next, the airport's ILS I landing system will be upgraded to ILS II, boosting visibility by 80 percent. Greek stocks post losses in edgy trade: Greek equities yesterday ended lower in nervous trade on the Athens Stock Exchange in the aftermath of a historic European Union summit to launch the euro.

The general index ended 0.71 percent lower at 2,602.82 points after starting the day 4.0 percent up, to show a 2.5 percent loss later in the session.

Sector indices were mixed. Banks fell 1.16 percent, Insurance dropped 1.72 percent, Investment eased 0.45 percent, Leasing rose 3.40 percent, Industrials fell 0.66 percent, Construction ended 0.42 percent up, Miscellaneous rose 1.01 percent and Holding was 1.59 percent higher.

The parallel market index for small cap companies rose 0.30 percent, and the FTSE/ASE 20 index fell 2.47 percent to 1,550.34.

Trading was heavy with turnover at 80.4 billion drachmas.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 135 to 102 with another 24 issues unchanged.

Macedonia-Thrace Bank, Delta, Sportsman, Agrinio Metalplastics and Seafarm Ionian scored the biggest percentage gains at the day's 8.0 percent limit up.

Aluminium of Greece, Ideal, Allatini, Sato and Eltrak suffered the heaviest losses.

National Bank of Greece ended at 53,500 drachmas, Ergobank at 29,000, Alpha Credit Bank at 33,250, Delta Dairy at 4,770, Titan Cement at 26,100, Intracom at 20,150 and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation at 8, 900. Greece to launch electric trains in autumn: Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) will launch its first electrically-powered trains in northern Greece in the autumn and studies are underway to electrify the Athens-Thessaloniki route, a senior OSE official told the Athens News Agency yesterday.

The first electrically-powered engines are to be introduced between Thessaloniki and Eidomeni on the border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Yugoslavia, probably in mid-September, the official said.

Electricity supply installations have been completed between Thessaloniki and Eidomeni, and personnel are undergoing training in the new system.

The first six electrically powered engines will be used for two passenger trains running a daily route to FYROM, and for cargo transportation.

Finally, OSE plans to inaugurate a high-speed Intercity service from Thessaloniki to Istanbul, Turkey on May 20 after technical problems stalled the launch originally set for April 30, OSE sources said. Olympic Airways endorses draft pact with personnel: Olympic Airways yesterday unanimously approved a draft agreement signed last week by the firm's managing director, Theodoros Tsakiridis, and the union of civil aviation pilots.

The agreement may allow the embattled national carrier to return to more normal operations in the wake of strikes, an overtime ban by pilots, and a shortage of technicians.

The agreement was voted down last Thursday by four board members representing the national economy and transport ministries, who said it ran counter to the company's five-year streamlining plan.

Still outstanding was reformulation of a proposal by pilots, and the question of their participation in Thessaloniki-based Macedonian Airlines, sources said.

Mr. Tsakiridis held a new meeting with representatives of the pilots' union after OA's endorsement of the base proposal. Greece's Citibank, Aspis Bank announce new loan rates: Greece's Citibank yesterday announced its new foreign currency base loan rates for operating capital, which are as follows:

• US dollar, 9.03 percent
• Yen, 3.96 percent
• Mark, 7.02 percent
• Ecu, 7.62 percent
• Guilder, 6.97 percent
• French franc, 6.96 percent
• Pound sterling, 10.81 percent
• Swiss franc, 4.88 percent
• Belgian franc, 7.19 percent
• Italian lira, 8.39 percent

The base rate on loans for drachma operating capital is 16.25 percent.

Private Aspis Bank said its interest rate was 13 percent for three-month time deposits of a million drachmas or more. EOMMEX seminar focuses on Ethiopian textile sector: The Hellenic Organisation of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises and Craftsmen (EOMMEX) organised an educational seminar focusing on the development of textile manufacturing in Ethiopia.

The seminar began yesterday at the Mortgage Bank of Greece's training centre in Glyfada, and is expected to end on May 15.

Ethiopian officials and representatives in the sector are attending the seminar, which is co-organised by the Centre of Industrial Development of the European Commission's XIII General Secretariat.

Athens News Agency

[23] Greece to take part in Bulgarian trade fair

SOFIA, 5/5/1998 (ANA- B. Borisov)

The 42 Greek companies and organisations taking part include the Greek National Tourism Organisation, Hellenic Sugar Industry, and Casa Due furniture manufacturers.

The broad range of goods on show include metallurgical products, electrical appliances, clothes and textiles, and construction and decoration materials.

"The interest of Greek businessmen in the fair is phenomenal," Josephine Dimitrova, organiser of the Greek delegation, told the Athens News Agency yesterday.

Athens News Agency/Enc

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