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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 00-08-31Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Measures for fire-ravaged regions go into effectAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Interior Minister Vasso Papandreou chaired a ministerial meeting on Wednesday which decided to implement a series of measures in aid of citizens who suffered the consequences of the recent forest and brush fires which ravaged many regions of the country.The measures include immediate financial aid to those affected, compensation to farmers for crops destroyed, the creation of settlements for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed and for the reforestation of burnt expanses. The minister said that more than six billion drachmas in aid has been allotted for four prefectures which were affected in July (Samos, Fthiotida, Achaia and Corinth). Specific measures have also been decided for the prefectures of Ioannina, Arkadia and Corfu. Furthermore, particular attention will be given to the border regions of Epirus in order to avoid citizens abandoning the region. [02] Gov't estimates more than 100,000 hectares burned from summer wildfiresAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)More than 100,000 hectares of land have been scorched by wildfires throughout Greece over this past summer season, the government announced on Wednesday.Specifically, 116,500 hectares were burned, of which roughly 33,200 hectares were crops; 28,000 hectares were listed as forestland, with the remaining described as brush and pastureland. Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas added that serious evidence has been presented against several arson suspects on the islands of Cephallonia and Spetses, although he cautioned that justice must be left unhindered to proceed with its task. Referring to the issue of wildfires, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who is on a tour of the southeastern Peloponnese, reiterated "that laws are never at fault when they're enforced." After a Tuesday visit to the picturesque Astros Kynourias region of Arcadia's Aegean coastline, Stephanopoulos on Wednesday toured rugged Mani, south of Sparta. [03] PASOK Euro-MPs urge EU action on effects of forest firesAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Nine PASOK Eurodeputies on Wednesday tabled a motion in the European Parliament calling on the European Commission to undertake initiatives for dealing with the effects of wildfires which devastate huge tracts of forest in Mediterranean countries annually.The motion, submitted on behalf of the European Socialist Party and expected to be adopted by the plenum of the European Parliament in Strasbourg next week, includes a proposal for the creation of a research centre for the prevention and battling of forest fires in the region. It also urges the Commission not to reduce funds devoted to forest protection and to formulate a comprehensive policy for dealing with natural disasters. [04] Ten wildfires completely or partially containedAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Five wildfires throughout the country had been contained by Wednesday morning, and five others had been partially contained, the Fire Brigade said.It said the fires at Dilopho in the Sperchiada plain and at Leptokarya in Thesprotia prefecture, as well as three fires on Corfu island had been placed under control, while blazes at Kato Kotylio in Megalopolis, Angistri in Serres, Xirokambos on Mt. Mainalos, Chrissovitsi-Stemnitsa in Arkadia prefecture and at Aetopetra-Ekklisochori in Ioannina had been partially contained. [05] Papandreou, Cem due to meet in New York in SeptemberAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will hold a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem between September 10-17, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, Greek foreign ministry sources said on Wednes-day.The two ministers had agreed in July to meet in New York during this period, on the occasion of their presence there for the General Assembly. Papandreou and Cem will have the opportunity to discuss the course of Greek-Turkish relations over the past year, while Papandreou will also raise the Cyprus issue. On the sidelines of the United Nations' General Assembly, the Greek foreign minister will have contacts with all his Balkan counterparts. Along with his 14 European counterparts, he will also meet U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov. Earlier on Wednesday, an ANA dispatch from Istanbul said the Turkish foreign ministry announced that Papandreou and Cem will meet on the sidelines of the UN's General Assembly in New York early next month. According to the Turkish Foreign Ministry, the two ministers agreed to meet in New York for talks on the latest developments in Greek-Turkish relations. During a phone conversation between the two men, the same press release added, Cem offered Ankara's assistance to help extinguish a series of wildfires that devastated rural Greece much of last week. [06] Turkish press focuses on planned cruise missile sale to GreeceISTANBUL, 31/08/2000 (ANA - A. Kourkoulas)Greece's intent to purchase a new batch of long-range French-made cruise missiles was highlighted by several Turkish newspapers this week.Most of the Turkish press articles cited a recent report in the US magazine "Defence News", which previewed the purchase of France's state-of-the-art "Scalp" missiles, part of a deal Greece signed this month France's largest defence contractors. Amid celebrations this week for the establishment of the modern Turkish state in 1923, several Turkish dailies claimed that Greece was disrupting the "balance of power in the Aegean" with the long-range (around 600 kilometres) air-to-ground missiles. The "Cumhurriyet" daily noted that such a move might well prompt Turkey to match it, while "Milliyet" said the purchase may breach the so-called "Missile Technology Control Regime". Greece had announced a four-billion drachmas armaments procurement programme to upgrade its armed forces over the next five-year period. [07] Athens reiterates need for goodwill by Ankara to break Cyprus impasseAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Athens reiterated on Wednesday that it considers a standing proposal by the United Nations and other major powers for the creation of a bicommunal, bizonal federation representing a single international entity on the divided island of Cyprus as satisfactory.However, Greek government spokesman Dimitris Reppas added that goodwill on the part of Turkey is a necessary prerequisite for any progress to be achieved in the 26-year problem. The spokesman made the comments during his regular press briefing in the Greek capital, where he added that the Cyprus issue remained a top priority for Athens. Reppas also noted that Athens is awaiting UN action over the recent incursion of Turkish occupation forces into the cease-fire line on the divided island republic at the Strovilia site. Finally, he said no meetings between Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and Turkish officials have been scheduled during the former's upcoming visit to the United States, although such contacts on the sidelines of planned events could take occur. [08] Samaranch declares absolute faith in "Athens 2004" Olympics Organising CommitteeAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio Samaranch said he was absolutely satisfied with the work of the "Athens 2004" Olympics Organising Committee on Wednesday, after visiting its booth in the Greek pavilion at the EXPO 2000 fair in Hanover.Saying he was very satisfied with the report he received from IOC coordinating commission president Jacques Rogge, who visited Athens at the head of an IOC delegation recently, Samaranch said that Athens was very nearly out of danger. He noted, however, that the work had to continue at a fast pace and that facilities had to be ready in good time so that they could be tested. Prime Minister Costas Simitis' active involvement in this pro-cess, and that of the Greek government, was hailed by the IOC head as an extremely important factor, while he stressed that both the IOC and the international Olympic movement were very concerned that the 2004 Games should be a success. [09] Protopappas pledges that Olympic village will be ready by 2003Athens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The Olympic Village for the 2004 Olympics would be ready in good time, pledged Deputy Labour Minister Christos Proto-pappas on Wednesday. Protopappas said that work would begin in the first quarter of 2001 and the houses would be ready to be handed over to the "Athens 2004" Olympics Organising Committee by the end of 2003.The minister stressed that all subcontractors would be hired through fully transparent processes, through tenders, and that there would be no direct appointments. The final contract between OEK and the "Athens 2004" committee will be signed in December, Protopappas said, while the contractor for the first stage of the project - putting up fencing, preparing the site and building internal roads - had already been selected. The Olympic Village will be a "town" of 2,500 residents, which will be turned over to families eligible for OEK housing after the Games. [10] ND meeting to discuss goals in constitutional revision processAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The leadership of main opposition New Democracy party on Wednesday held a meeting, headed by ND leader Costas Karamanlis and attended by honorary president Constantine Mitsotakis, to prepare for the Parliamentary debate on revising the constitution.The aim of the meeting was to outline ND's main goals within the framework of the debate, which included the creation of a truly social state, with emphasis on justice and putting the state in the service of citizens. With respect to the election of the President of the Republic, Karamanlis reiterated ND's standing position that he or she should be elected into office directly by the people. [11] Christodoulos meets Israeli president in Jerusalem during Holy Lands tourJERUSALEM, 31/08/2000 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, the head of the Autocephalus Greek Orthodox Church, on Wednesday met Israeli President Moshe Katsav while on a tour of the Holy Lands. The midday meeting was attended by Israeli officials and representatives of the Church of Greece and focused on the peace process for the region and the unproductive Camp David talks that ended in July.A strong concern on the Greek side was that the creation of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital on September 13 will adversely affect the rights of Christians in the Holy Land, where some of the most important Christian shrines are located. Katsav responded that there would be no change to the status quo in the area without the consent of all three monotheistic religions, a view that Christodoulos described as "interesting" and "important". After the meeting, the Archbishop said that both the open discussion and his ten-minute private meeting with the Israeli president had taken place in a positive climate and reaffirmed the bonds between Greece and Israel. He also took the opportunity to thank Israel for the loan of two fire-fighting helicopters to combat runaway wildfires in Greece. After the meeting, Christodoulos visited the temple of El Aksa, which is one of the largest in the world, and had cordial talks with Israel's chief rabbi and Jerusalem's Mufti. Shortly before he was due to leave Tel Aviv for Athens on Wednesday afternoon, the Archbishop was also scheduled to pay a visit to the burial place of St. George. Christodoulos to head Holy Synod meeting; plans for 'ID-card' referendum unfold JERUSALEM, 31/08/2000 (ANA - M. Papoutsaki)The head of the Autocephalus Orthodox Church of Greece, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens, was scheduled to return from a tour of the Holy Lands late on Wednesday, in order to attend the last meeting of the present Holy Synod the following day.On Friday, representatives of all Greek dioceses will make their way to Moni Petrakis, the Greek Church's administrative headquarters, to receive instructions on collecting signatures in favour of holding a nationwide referendum over the "religion-free" new identity cards envisioned by the state. The on-going struggle between the Church and the government began when it was announced that a religious beliefs category existing on previous state-issued IDs would be dropped, on the grounds that this was "sensitive personal data" and its inclusion was unconstitutional. The Church would like the category retained on an optional basis. [12] Tsovolas accepts Yugoslav election invitationAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tosovolas on Wednesday accepted an invitation from the ruling Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) for a DHKKI delegation to monitor the upcoming elections in Yugoslavia.The invitation was issued by Yugoslav Ambassador to Athens Dragomir Vucicevic on behalf of SPS Secretary General Gorica Gaievic. Accepting the invitation, Tsovolas said that he would be sending a delegation of senior party members to Yugoslavia during the last few days of the pre-election period, who will have contacts with the country's political leadership. He added that his party and the overwhelming majority of the Greek people supports the struggle of the Yugoslav people for the safeguarding of Yugoslavia's sovereign rights and of human rights. [13] Government to sell up to 65 pct of Olympic AirwaysAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The government intends to sell up to 65 percent of Olympic Airways to private investors, Transport and Communication Minister Christos Verelis told Prime Minister Costas Simitis, sources said on Wednesday.Verelis briefed the prime minister the ministry's activities and noted that the market was not interested in buying a minority stake in the national carrier but a stake of more than 51 percent. He presented a plan for splitting Olympic Airways into two separate companies, one of which will undertake all of OA's debt and the other to operate the company, according to Price Waterhouse's recommendations, in an effort to present a more credible image of the national carrier. Verelis said that plan would envisage selling the operator company to save money to cover OA's debts. Sources said the transport minister told Simitis that a draft bill envisaging the deregulation of the communications market in Greece would be tabled to parliament in the next two weeks. Verelis said that Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation was in a process of finding a strategic partner, they said. He also presented a plan to build a tram transport system in Athens using the expertise of "Attico Metro", the operator of a new underground train in the capital, to be ready by 2004. The plan was adopted by the prime minister, sources said. [14] Exports fall for a second consecutive yearAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The value of Greek exports fell by four percent last year compared to 1998, reaching 9.2 billion euros, according to the latest data by Eurostat, cited in a press release of the Association of Exporters of Northern Greece (SEVE) on Wed-nesday.This was the second consecutive yearly fall, which brought Greek exports down to the level of 1996, with a share of 0.44 percent in the total of European Union exports -down from 0.55 percent in 1995 and 0.66 percent in 1992, noted SEVE. However, according to provisional data of the National Statistics Service, despite a 16 percent drop in Greek exports to the rest of the European Union, the value of Greek exports rose by 10.6 percent in the first quarter of 2000 compared to the same period last year. SEVE says that this is due to a 45.1 percent increase in exports to third countries, particularly in the Balkan, mainly as a result of the rise in the prices of petroleum products. "The total increase in Greek exports does not reflect an improvement in the competitiveness of Greek products and cannot lead to optimistic projections," warns SEVE. [15] Gov't gives parliament Athens bourse billAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The government on Wednesday submitted to parliament a bill that aims to improve trade and transparency on the Athens bourse.The main points of the bill, which was drawn up by the national economy ministry, are as follows: [16] Christodoulakis presents new tourism investment companyAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Development Minister Nikos Christodoulakis said on Wed-nesday the newly-set up public Tourism Real Estate (ETA) company would be one of the country's main agents for develop-ment in tourism and real estate.The new company will undertake projects in a broad range of activities in the tourism sector, estimated to absorb 150 billion drachmas in the 2000-2001 period and create 6,500 jobs. These will include modernisation of marinas in the Athens and Thessaloniki areas, initiatives for clearing the coastline of illegally built structures, the upgrading of camping installations and the development of new and the upgrading of existing spas. ETA will raise capital through the stock market -by being listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, institutional investors and other investment schemes. [17] Forthnet launches Paris subsidiary with French insurerAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Forthnet, a Greek internet provider, announced on Wednesday that it had set up a Paris-based subsidiary with insurer Inter Mutuelles Assistance of France to offer online telemedicine services.The two companies are the main shareholders of the subsidiary, called Telemedicine Technologies, with each taking a 42 percent stake. Eleven percent of stock is held by AVS Consulting of France, a software developer. Inter Mutuelles Assistance currently insures around 35 million people in France and has a network of 500 hospitals worldwide. [18] Fuel prices climb steeply, following international trendsAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Indicative fuel prices posted by the government for the coming week surged upward on Wednesday, in the wake of rising crude oil prices on international markets.Specifically, prices for super and unleaded petrol increased by 3.7 and 3.8 drachmas per litre, respectively, and diesel rose by 8.8 drachmas per litre. Prices for heating oil rose by 8.6 drachmas per litre. [19] Simitis meets Bank of Greece governor to discuss monetary policyAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis had an impromptu meeting with Bank of Greece governor Loukas Papademos on Wednesday afternoon, according to government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, who said the two men had discussed "issues concerning monetary policy."According to sources, the two men talked about current economic developments in view of the prime minister's speech on the budget at the Thessaloniki International Fair next Saturday. The economy and the budget will also be the main topic of an inner cabinet meeting on Thursday. [20] First half corporate resultsAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Consolidated first-half earnings before tax rose by 94 percent to 50.7 billion drachmas from 26.1 billion drachmas a year earlier. Sales increased by 21.1 percent to 6.1 million tonnes. The blue-chip company marked first-half consolidated sales of 107.9 billion drachmas from 62.5 billion drachmas in the first half of last year, up 73 percent. Consolidated turnover in the first half of 2000 totalled 38 billion drachmas from 27.7 billion drachmas in the same period of 1999, up 37 percent. [21] Free-fall of prices continues on ASEAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Equity prices continued their free-fall course on the Athens Stock Exchange with the market unable to find support at the 3,500-point technical resistance level on Wednesday.Traders said the Greek market was undermined by a severe crisis of investors' confidence and noted that the market's capitalisation has shrunk by 25 trillion drachmas since the beginning of 2000. The general index ended 3,429.64 points, off 2.68 percent, its lowest close since April 27, 1999. Turnover was an improved 112.1 billion drachmas. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 2.87 percent lower at 1,936.42 points and the FTSE/ASE 40 index closed at 465.51 points. The parallel market index for smaller capitalisation stocks ended at 571.76 points, off 2.75 percent. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 282 to 52 with another 11 issues unchanged. Agriculture Life, Hellenic Telecoms, National Bank and Alpha Bank were the most heavily traded stocks. [22] Equity futures finish lowerAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Equity futures traded on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished lower on Tuesday, in line with the indices on which they are based.The FTSE/ASE 20 index closed 0.89 percent down, and the FTSE/ASE 40 ended 1.31 percent lower. Turnover was 10.55 billion drachmas. A total of 1,180 contracts were traded on the FTSE/ASE 20 with turnover at 4.78 billion drachmas. On the FTSE/ASE 40 index, 3,009 contracts changed hands on turnover of 5.76 billion drachmas. [23] Bond prices nose down in flaccid tradeAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Wednesday finished lower in light to moderate, sell-oriented trade.The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 6.039 per-cent from 6.086 percent in the previous session. The Greek paper's yield spread over German bunds was 79 basis points, the same as a trading day earlier. Turnover through the central bank's electronic system totalled 48 billion drachmas from 102 billion drachmas the session before. Of the total, buy orders accounted for 14 billion drachmas of turnover. [24] Drachma ends up vs euro, down vs dollarAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The drachma on Wednesday ended higher against the euro and lower versus the US dollar in the domestic foreign ex-change market.At the central bank's daily fixing, the euro was set at 337.620 drachmas from 337.640 drachmas in the previous session. Also at the fix, the dollar was set at 380.110 drachmas from 374.89 drachmas a day earlier. [25] Pop artist Elton John booked for Herod Atticus Odeon in SeptemberAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)British pop star Elton John will be in Greece for two concerts at the Herod Atticus Odeon, the ancient open-air theatre at the foot of the Acropolis, on September 9-10.The world-famous artist was booked by the Hellenic Festival following tough negotiations and will arrive on the day of his first concert. Tickets for the September 10 performance have already been sold out, while ticket sales for the September 9 date will begin at the Hellenic Festival's offices on Friday. Prices will range between 10,000 drachmas and 35,000 drachmas. Elton John's last performance in Greece took place a few year's ago, when he sang at a private party given by the Latsis shipping family. [26] Crete public prosecutor presses charges against cigarette smugglersAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The skipper and crew of a smuggling vessel caught off Crete on Monday with 13,850 crates of contraband cigarettes were arraigned by the public prosecutor in Lasithi, Crete on Wednesday and charged with multiple attempted manslaughter, criminal attempt to cause a shipwreck, smuggling and violations of the maritime code.Ship's captain Iordanis Sidiropoulos, 50, and his eight-member crew (four Ukrainians and four Indians) were intercepted by a coast guard patrol boat, which they tried to ram in an attempt to escape arrest. The nine men will be held in custody overnight and taken to a Crete magistrate on Thursday to make their plea. [27] Ship runs aground near Kythira, crew reported safeAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)A St. Vincent-flagged cargo ship ran aground near the south-west Aegean island of Kythira, and its 14-member crew was reported safe, the Piraeus Port Authority said Wednesday.The freighter "Nordland" ran aground late Tuesday in the shallows south of Makronissos islet near Kythira, and started to take on water in the engine room. Nine of the crew members reached shore on a lifeboat, while the remaining five were picked up by nearby trawlers, and two Coast Guard vessels that rushed to the freighter's assistance. The Nordland had set sail from the port of Piraeus en route to Belgium, with a cargo of perlite. [28] US offices closed for Labor DayAthens, 31/08/2000 (ANA)The US embassy in Athens as well as the US consulate in Thessaloniki and all other US federal representations in Greece will remain closed on Monday, Sept. 4 in observance of Labor Day -- a federal holiday in the United States.Labor Day is traditionally celebrated on the first Monday of September in the United States. [29] Government not optimistic over outcome of proximity talks in New YorkNICOSIA, 31/08/2000 CNA/ANA)Government Spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said on Wednes-day that ironing out Greek-Turkish relations would be unthin-kable, as long as Turkey continues to occupy the northern third of Cyprus, as it has done since it invaded the island in 1974. He also said he was not very optimistic about the outcome of negotiations on the Cyprus problem, after Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, urged President Glafcos Clerides on Tuesday to attend UN-led proximity talks as leaders of two separate states, in order to reach a settlement. Proximity talks, separate meetings of the UN with President Cleri-des and Denktash, began last December and a fourth round is sche-duled to start on September 12, in New York, aiming at paving the way for substantive negotiations leading to a compre-hensive settlement in Cyprus. Papapetrou said that the governments of Greece and Cyprus main-tain that "it is unthinkable to totally iron out relations between Greece and Turkey, as long as the Turkish occupation of the island continues and Turkey blocks the way for a solution of the Cyprus problem". The spokesman defined "ironing out relations" between Greece and Turkey as "putting aside all obstacles and smoothing out relations between the two countries, so that no problems keep them apart". He said this would not be possible "as long as Turkey continues to maintain its current policy on the Cyprus problem". Referring to proximity talks on the Cyprus problem, Papapetrou said there was not much room for optimism after Denktash called on President Clerides on Tuesday to attend the talks as leaders of two separate states, in order to reach a settlement. He added that "Denktash will have the opportunity to clarify his position on September 12, when the talks resume". Papapetrou noted, however, that judging by Denktash's statements, "one cannot be too optimistic about his intentions". Denktash insists on international recognition of his self-styled regime in occupied Cyprus and wants the UN talks to be conducted between two separate states, instead of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides. [30] Cyprus starts negotiations for inclusion in air traffic EurocontrolNICOSIA, 31/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)Government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said that the Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved Cyprus' participa-tion in the European and Middle East regional coopera-tion office in air traffic control issues.Papapetrou said that Cyprus participates in the Middle East re-gional office and that as a European Union candidate country it has started negotiations to be included in Eurocontrol. Speaking after Wednesday's cabinet meeting, Papapetrou said that "Cyprus' double capacity (EU candidate and member of the Middle East office) makes it capable of becoming the link between Europe and the Middle East in air traffic issues". He said that "with the initiative of Cyprus, two meetings were held with the directors of Civil Aviation of our region, that is Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Syria". Papapetrou noted that the Council of Ministers approved a proposal that provides for Cyprus undertaking the presidency and the secretariat of the regional office. [31] Greenpeace ship arrives in CyprusLIMASSOL, 31/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)The ship "MV Greenpeace" arrived on Tuesday night in this southern port of Cyprus to inform the people of Cyprus about the latest environmental developments in the region and the ways in which the organization pushes forward its campaigns and what it has achieved. The organization includes Cyprus in its tour of the Mediterranean and has been campaigning on the issue of the Akamas peninsula, in western Cyprus, for a long time.During their stay, until Friday, September 1, Greenpeace officials will meet with local environmental groups to discuss recent developments in Akamas, which is considered to be a significant natural site and the breeding place for green turtles. "MV Greenpeace", a Dutch-built former deep-sea salvage tug, was bought by Greenpeace in 1985, has carried out six campaigns against whaling and the establishment of the organization's World Park Base. The ship has traveled around the world several times, exposing environmental scandals and hazards. [32] Limassol-Haifa to be 'twinned' next weekNICOSIA, 31/08/2000 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus' southern coastal town of Limassol and the Israeli port of Haifa are to be twinned next week at a special ceremony, with a view to enhance cooperation particularly in matters relating to shipping. Limassol Mayor Demetris Kontides has told CNA the official ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 9 at the Town Hall in the presence of outgoing Ambassador of Israel Shemi Tzur, who has delayed his departure by a couple of days to attend the ceremony.Expressing satisfaction with the enhanced bilateral relations, the Ambassador, who leaves after seven years on the island, told CNA that during their stay here the Haifa delegation, led by city Mayor Amram Mitzna, will sign four cooperation agreements on tourism, business exchanges, chamber of commerce and one between Radio Capital in Limassol and Haifa radio. Tzur said two other towns, Larnaca and Paralimni will twin with Ashkelon and Or Akiva respectively, sometime in the future. Limassol Mayor Kontides said "the idea to twin with Haifa was our brainchild and the response from Haifa authorities was very positive," noting that he has already visited the Israeli port for meetings with the Mayor. He said he intends to visit Haifa again, at the head of a municipal delegation, to attend a ceremony there as well on the occasion of the twinning. The 16-member Israeli delegation is set to have meetings with government officials on Friday, September 8. A folkloric dance group accompanying the Mayor will perform at Limassol Theatre after the official twinning ceremony. Kontides said Haifa will now be added to the list of other cities with which Limassol is already twinned, Alexandria, Rhodes and Iraklion. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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