Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-04-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] NATO chief discusses Euro-army, Mideast crisis, with PM Simitis

[02] Defense minister: NATO enlargement should include the Balkans

[03] PM and FM arrive in Bucharest for tripartite cooperation

[04] FYROM, Albanian PMs stress stability via Euro-Atlantic integration

[05] 'Economist's' int'l conference focuses on Cyprus issue on Thurs.

[06] Alternate FM expresses confidence over Cyprus' EU accession

[07] Greeks seek to cooperate with neighbors, main opposition leader says

[08] Development minister meets FYROM's premier

[09] Macedonia-Thrace minister outlines Greek Balkan policy

[10] Ukrainian FM Zlenko meets Archbishop Christodoulos

[11] Interior minister addresses mayors' union conference

[12] PASOK secretary announces party nominees for municipal, prefecture elections

[13] Greece to accelerate convergence procedure, Simitis says

[14] Cabinet agrees closer monitoring of public spending

[15] Unions report high turnout for Thursday's strike over pension reforms

[16] Gov�t to double tax on off-shores with real estate assets

[17] New method of drafting budget to rationalize resources

[18] Greek trade with Mediterranean region rises sharply in 2000

[19] Ukrainian FM urges Greek businessmen to invest in Ukraine

[20] Gov't hires new consultants to seek capital for Olympic Airways

[21] OTE to start mobile telephony operations in Skopje soon, report

[22] Greek-Turkish Chamber officials end tour of SE Turkey

[23] International accounting standards mandatory from 2003

[24] Greek stocks end Thursday's session flat

[25] Dukakis: 'The Olympic Games will be a triumph for Greece'

[26] Evros forest to be showcased during Green Week in Brussels

[27] World congress of sports editors begins in Athens on Tuesday

[28] House President appeals to US to exert influence on Turkey

[01] NATO chief discusses Euro-army, Mideast crisis, with PM Simitis

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The meeting with Lord Robertson was also attended by foreign and defense ministers George Papandreou and Yannos Papantoniou.

On the euro-army, Robertson clarified that he had not come to Athens with any plans, but just to underline that a collective, flexible solution needed to be given since the European Union's common foreign and defense policy concerned all Europeans.

He added, however, that he understood Greece's concerns over the problem that has arisen.

Simitis reiterated that Greece could not accept the ''Ankara Text'', adding that Athens was discussing, with constructive proposals, other possibilities for seeking a different solution.

Athens opposes a US-British text signed in Ankara that would enable intervention by Turkey, a non-EU country, in the EU's crisis management operations when NATO infrastructures are used.

Simitis further said that Robertson comprehended the Greek positions, which must be taken into consideration in the solution of the problem, keeping also in mind Greece's historic relations with third countries.

On NATO-Russia cooperation, Robertson praised Greece's contribution for the completion of the relevant procedure.

Turing to the Middle East crisis, the two men agreed that the diplomatic efforts based on the UN Security Council resolutions should be continued and intensified, so as to achieve peace as soon as possible, since, as Simitis explained, the instability in the Middle East created problems for the entire region.

On the situation in the Balkans, Simitis and Robertson agreed that the efforts should continue and all the necessary measures should be taken to tackle the problems of instability that continued to exist in the region.

EU army, Mideast and Balkans discussed by PM, EU's Solana: In a meeting with the European Union's foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Thursday, Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed that Athens was far from happy with the procedure that had been followed on the issue of the European Army and its relations with NATO.

Simitis was referring to the ''Ankara text'' drafted by Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom outside EU processes in an attempt to overcome Turkish objections to the use of NATO infrastructure and planning by the EU rapid reaction force.

During the meeting, which also covered the crisis in the Middle East and the situation in the Balkans, Simitis reiterated the Greek position for a solution that conformed with certain basic principles, protected the interests of the Community and its members and ensured equal standing.

''Any guarantees should apply for all and for all cases,'' the Greek premier stressed.

In statements after the meeting, which was also attended by Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Solana said he would push for the ideas and views expressed by the Greek prime minister in the best possible way, and make every effort to find a solution with which all parties felt comfortable. He also stressed that an agreement between the EU and NATO was essential, given that nearly all EU countries were members of the Alliance.

Turning to the crisis in the Middle East, Solana described the situation as highly dangerous and stressed that every effort should be made to immediately implement the resolutions of the United Nations and to initiate a process for finding a political solution.

On his part, Simitis said every effort should be made to ensure that the Israeli army withdrew from Palestinian territories and that UN Security Council decisions were enforced. He noted that the EU had exerted pressure with this aim and that its efforts had not brought any results so far.

According to Simitis, the EU was now considering holding a convention on the issue, while he said Greece was always ready to offer its services to end the operations if it was asked.

With respect to the Balkans, Solana said the EU was monitoring developments in the region closely with the aid of Greece, while Simitis said that the region was now moving toward improved cooperation since much of the past rivalry had been overcome.

He stressed, however, that the Community had to contribute through financial, political but also military measures, such as the presence of peacekeeping troops that would anticipate and prevent unpleasant developments.

[02] Defense minister: NATO enlargement should include the Balkans

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

In his address to the conference, Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou noted that the countries of southeastern Europe should be allowed to join NATO since this would both increase the Alliance's power and establish peace and stability in the troubled Balkans.

He said that Greece would also back efforts by Balkan states to join the European Union, provided they met the necessary criteria.

Turkish Defense Minister Sabahattin Cakmakoglu also fully backed the Romanian and Bulgarian bids for NATO entry.

Papantoniou said support would be given to Romania and Bulgaria on a diplomatic level, while efforts would be made on a military level to help the Romanian and Bulgarian armed forces meet NATO criteria.

Finally, it was decided that the defense ministers of Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania would meet again to discuss the same issues in Turkey.

The conference was also addressed by NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson, who praised the cooperation agreement between NATO and Russia.

EU defense and foreign policy chief Javier Solana, meanwhile, reiterated that NATO and the EU could avoid overlaps in their activity and artificial friction through mechanisms for coope-ration.

Papantoniou�Solana: Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou on Thursday met in Athens with Javier Solana, the European Union's high representative on the common foreign and defense policy.

The two men focused on the continued crisis in the Middle East and on the European Union-NATO relations that concern the ''Euroforce''.

Speaking on the Middle East crisis, they underlined the necessity to intensify the diplomatic efforts of the international community for the immediate implementation of the United Nations' Security Council decisions regarding a cease-fire and the initiation of a political process, which will lead to a political solution of the problem.

This solution, Papantoniou said, would include the creation of a Palestinian state.

On his part, Solana stressed that the Arab world, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan should participate in these efforts of the international community, since these countries can play an important role in the resolution of this conflict.

They, however, expressed their concern over the outcome of this effort, stressing that this was a long-term conflict with terrible human consequences, especially on the Palestinian side.

Concerning the relations of the Union with NATO regarding the ''Euroforce'', they agreed that there are problems, which should be resolved by the two organizations and not by a country or another.

They also expressed their optimism for finding a permanent compromise solution, as Solana said.

On his part, Papantoniou reiterated that there are problems concerning the determination of the terms of cooperation and the solution to be arrived at should satisfy the interests of Greece and the essential interest of the European Union.

Also on Thursday, Papantoniou met separately with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Anatoliy Zlenko, Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolayo Svinarov and Yugoslav Defense Minister Velimir Radojevic.

Papantoniou's talks with the three ministers were focused on bilateral cooperation, conditions in the Balkans and NATO's enlargement.

[03] PM and FM arrive in Bucharest for tripartite cooperation

BUCHAREST, 19/04/2002 (ANA - Ch. Poulidou)

The tripartite cooperation is expected to adopt a statement, which, among others, will underline the need for recognition of ''multiethnic'' in the region for the consolidation of ''viable growth, stability and security''.

The three leaders will also state their commitment for combatting terrorism, cross border cooperation to handle the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people, for the encouragement of joint business action in the Black Sea and cooperation to improve infrastructures and business apparatuses.

Tripartite cooperation is expected primarily to address the EU accession process of the two Balkan countries. Romania and Bulgaria do not belong to the first wave of enlargement and request from the ''15'' that the agreement on the accession of new members should also determine an indicative date for their accession.

According to the program, the leaders of the three countries were due to attend a dinner hosted by the Romanian president on Thursday night, while on Friday morning Simitis will have consecutive bilateral meetings and then attend the tripartite summit. Early in the afternoon, he will also inaugurate the new Greek embassy building in Bucharest and return to Athens immediately afterwards.

On arrival at Otopeni airport in Bucharest, Simitis said ''I am very pleased to be in Romania to meet President Iliescu and President Purvanov in the framework of the tripartite summit inaugurated in Greece a few years ago.''

Simitis said many important problems will be discussed which are ''developments in the Palestinian issue and the situation in the Middle East. Recent developments have led the region to destabilization'' and ''developments in the Balkans. There has been progress. However, the possibility of a future crisis in the Balkans remains. Consequently, we must cooperate to intensify the pace of cooperation and the development process.''

He went on to say that ''lastly, we have to cooperate to jointly undertake initiatives which will help in the building of new structures of more effective cooperation between our nations in the Balkans and in this way to guarantee more peace for their peoples.''

Concluding his statement, Simitis said the previous tripartite summit was a success and expressed certainty that the present one will also be a great success.

[04] FYROM, Albanian PMs stress stability via Euro-Atlantic integration

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The two youthful leaders' mostly optimistic addresses on the conference's second day came a little more than a year after an insurgency by ethnic Albanians in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) disintegrated into months of war-fare, threatening the existence of the small, one-time Yugoslav republic to Greece's north. Civil strife in FYROM between Albanian rebels in the country's northwest and the mostly Slav-dominated government in Skopje, in fact, prevented Georgievski's attendance at last year's conference, something mentioned by the event's organizers.

The third speaker on the panel was Eugen Dimarescu, the chief economic adviser to the Romanian prime minister.

FYROM's prime minister reiterated that the fighting in 2001 abruptly halted his country's growth in the late 1990s.

"Unfortunately, the spillover of armed actions of Albanian extremism from Kosovo brutally stopped the continuity of development, and my country was brought to a deep political, security and economic crisis, threatening to bring the whole region to crisis," he stressed.

On his part, Majko, the two-time Albanian prime minister, looked more to future after pointing to a Balkan region in the aftermath of Yugoslavia's breakup, noting that the area has "produced and exported crises, and at the same time, we have also imported them, suffering their aftermath."

"The fact that democratically elected govern-ments are currently in power in the entire region and democracy is all-acknowledged as the only philosophy in building our countries makes us optimistic for a different and better future," Majko told delegates while speaking on the theme of "The Contribution of the SE European Region Towards Global Recovery and Stability".

Commenting on trade relations between FYROM and Greece, Georgievski said Athens has "already demonstrated that it has a leadership vision and a sense of reality ... in spite of last year's crisis in the 'Republic of Macedonia', Greek investors continued their intense investing, providing in that way their own specific contribution and constructive assistance in overcoming the crisis," the FYROM premier said an address where he repeated the term "Republic of Macedonia", a name that constitutes the last remaining difference between Athens and Skopje in otherwise excellent bilateral relations.

The government in Athens has criticized to the use of the name "Macedonia" by the country's northern neighbor, as it is also the name of Greece's largest province, Macedonia in northern Greece, among other well-publicized objections.

"Even today, we may freely say that the Republic of Greece is our best partner in the field of economic investments," he added.

Georgievski ended his address by saying reforms in SE Europe will depend on quashing both organized crime and terrorism, whereas Majko dealt directly with what he called an often negative image of his country in the west.

''I am aware that frequently the image of Albania is that of a country producing instability and criminality, or of a problematic country that has regularly caused troubles in the Balkans. The image of a nation producing only flows of refugees headed for the West and that of an almost totally armed nation has been installed in the conscience of Europeans,'' the Albanian premier said, adding:

"But, we are aware that this is too far from the truth. Regardless of the long and painful transition Albanian society is going through, I wish to invite you to recognize our real image. That is the image of a country in construction, very thirsty to build a better life."

[05] 'Economist's' int'l conference focuses on Cyprus issue on Thurs.

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The session, entitled of "The Cyprus Question: Back to the Negotiation Table?", coincided with the start of a third round of direct talks on the island republic this week.

Cypriot political leader Tassos Papadopoulos first took the podium to emphasize that the Cyprus solution must come via negotiations, before stressing that the Turkish side's intransigence, as he charged, marks the main obstacle towards finding a solution to the 28-year-old problem of division on the island.

Papadopoulos, the head of the Democratic Party of Cyprus and president of the island republic's Parliamentary committee for European affairs, outlined what a prospective resolution should entail, namely, Cyprus as a unified state and not two separate nations.

Moreover, he echoed both Nicosia's and Athens' standing position that the prospect of Cyprus' EU accession marks the best possible opportunity to solve the problem.

On his part, former Greek former minister Theodoros Pangalos charged that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash bases his entire pseudo-state regime -- illegally established on the parts of Cyprus occupied by Turkey - on the island's division, and doesn't desire any resolution.

He also said that the primary reason behind the inability to solve the Cyprus problem lies in the fact that Turkey ranks as a "preferential US partner", drawing a similar parallel with Israel in the Middle East.

Conversely, he described Greece as Washington's "good ol' friend ... who must make concessions, and that's the basis for the Cyprus problem".

He also didn't rule out the possibility of "interventions" within the European Union aimed at postponing the island republic's expected EU accession.

Turkish MP Bulent Akarcali, who is also the chairman of the Democratic Foundation as well as a noted Cyprus "watcher" in the neighboring country, presented the Turkish side's perspective.

"The comprehensive settlement must provide security for the two partner peoples to preserve their separate identities and existence. The Turkish Cypriot people regard this fundamental necessity as one of the basic pillars of an agreement. A secure territorial basis is paramount for them because they have a smaller population," Akarcali said, adding:

"In the island and in the new political structure the Greeks should not be like Israel and the Turks considered as Palestinians.

"The comprehensive settlement must provide security for the two partner peoples to preserve their separate identities and existence. The Turkish Cypriot people regard this fundamental necessity as one of the basic pillars of an agree-ment. A secure territorial basis is paramount for them because they have a smaller population ... In the island and in the new political structure the Greeks should not be like Israel and the Turks considered as Palestinians."

[06] Alternate FM expresses confidence over Cyprus' EU accession

LARNACA, 19/04/2002 (ANA - N. Melissova)

Commenting on the political problem with the Turkish-Cypriot side, Giannitsis said that Athens and Nicosia were no longer as confident that a solution would be found as they had been some months ago. If a solution was found before Cyprus' accession, he added, this would make it a doubly historic event - otherwise, the losers would not be Greece and Cyprus but the other camp, he stressed.

Giannitsis is in Cyprus for a three-day official visit, during which he will meet with the leadership of the Cypriot government.

Giannitsis addresses event in Nicosia: Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Giannitsis, in an address at the Bank of Cyprus here on Thursday night, said Greece and Cyprus currently hold the 23rd and 25th positions in the world system, according to the UN's human development indicator.

''Greece and Cyprus, despite the fact that over the past 20 years they had to deal with a sharp increase in world competition, despite the open wound of the Turkish invasion in 1974 and despite all that has taken place or is taking place in the Balkans and the Middle East, proceeded with determination and success,'' he said.

Giannitsis also said ''our policy was recognized on the European international scene and became the level for developments on the other fundamental issue, the political solution of the Cyprus issue. We are all aware that the outcome of the talks is uncertain. We are all aware, however, that the possibilities of an acceptable solution, despite the present picture, exist and we should struggle for them until the end. Because the other side has not shown so far samples of what it wants. The Greek government looks forward to a united Cyprus in the EU.''

Referring to the Balkans, Giannitsis said ''in relation to the Balkans, my assessment is that for many years still the setting will be determined by efforts to resolve instability problems in a series of regions or countries and back self-supporting internal structures.''

[07] Greeks seek to cooperate with neighbors, main opposition leader says

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

He added that ''as long as Turkey raises unilateral and baseless claims on the Aegean and insists in maintaining them with the tactics of violations, as long as it continues to occupy half of Cyprus and insists on a total intransigence, threatening with violent reactions in light of Cyprus' accession to the European Union, it must become clear (to Turkey) that it does not succeed, but to show the multi-faceted Turkish problem in regards to the respect for human rights and international law, a problem which is rooted in the economic and the general domestic conditions prevailing in the country''.

Speaking on the ''Euroforce'' issue, Karamanlis said that ''Turkey's terms and conditions reveal positions and motives aiming at creating confrontation and give birth to negative thoughts, since there are photographic articles in the text, which were promoted by Ankara and concern its aim to threaten Greece and to blackmail its partners and allies in the European Union and NATO''.

He added that some of the articles undermine what is prescribed in the Nice EU summit decisions and stressed that it would be suicidal if Greece was to accept in advance the exclusion of every ability to implement the EU principles of solidarity and autonomy of decision-making in the security sector.

The ND president stressed that any Greek government cannot accept this text, noting that the efforts should be focused on harmonizing Turkey's positions with those of the European Union's principles.

Speaking on the Cyprus problem Karamanlis said that Greece wants the immediate resolution of the problem, stressing that the key to the solution is in Ankara's hands and underlining that any solution arrived at should be in accordance with the United Nations' decisions on the subject and with the European Union acquis communautaire.

He added that the inter-communal talks cannot go on as a farce, nor can they be used as a smoke screen, behind which Ankara is hiding the policy of non-resolution that it has been following for a quarter century.

Karamanlis stressed that if the Turkish side has changed tactics, the inter-communal talks should yield definite results until June, reiterating once again that the intransigence of the Turkish side cannot abort, nor it can delay the accession of Cyprus to the Union.

Addressing the Middle East problem, Karamanlis said that the United Nations' decisions should be implemented immediately and talks should begin on the issue, adding that an international conference would be a positive development if it included the European Union and the Palestinian side at the highest possible level of representation.

He also reiterated that the Palestinians have the right to have their own state, but the citizens of Israel have the right to live and feel secure in their country also.

Karamanlis concluded his address mentioning the Balkans and the necessity for strengthening democracy and economic cooperation in the region.

[08] Development minister meets FYROM's premier

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The two men focused on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and economic development, specifically discussing ways to cooperate in the sectors of petroleum, electricity and natural gas.

''As I informed the prime minister we will have the ability to see the cooperation of the two countries speedily with visible results,'' Tsohatzopoulos said, after the meeting.

''We estimate that we will inaugurate the oil pipeline connecting Thessaloniki with Skopje next month, reaffirming in a tangible way the high degree of cooperation between the two countries,'' he added.

On his part Georgievski said that ''we discussed about many investment plans, beginning with the inauguration of the pipeline, which I believe is a historic investment plan between the two countries''.

[09] Macedonia-Thrace minister outlines Greek Balkan policy

BERLIN, 19/04/2002 (ANA - P. Stangos)

Paschalidis insisted on the position he has repeatedly expressed during meetings with government officials in Berlin over the past two days that ''it would be a tragic mistake if the shift in interest to the east due to the Afghan and Middle East issues also means a decrease in the international community's interest in developments in the Balkans.''

The Greek Balkan Reconstruction Plan, with funds expected in the region of 550 million euros over the 2002-2006 period, is ''historically the first analogous undertaking in Greece's organized economic support for neighboring countries,'' Paschalidis said.

[10] Ukrainian FM Zlenko meets Archbishop Christodoulos

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Christodoulos underlined the bonds of friendship between Greece and Ukraine and stressed that the Church of Greece stands always at the side of the Ukrainian Church.

On his part, Zlenko expressed his pleasure in visiting Greece and for meeting Archbishop Christodoulos.

[11] Interior minister addresses mayors' union conference

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Skandalidis focused on the establishment of a multi-cultural city and spoke of Greece in 2004 as the country's modern national vision, while calling on the country's mayors to "open" their cities to the passing through of the Olympic Flame.

The establishment of a multicultural city can not be realized by governments, rather it can be established by local societies and municipalities, Skandalidis said, adding that "culture is not guided but self-governed".

[12] PASOK secretary announces party nominees for municipal, prefecture elections

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Specifically, Laliotis announced the PASOK nominees for six prefectures, 62 municipalities within Attica and 24 in other parts of the country, except for Thessaloniki, the country's second largest metropolis.

He said that the Thessaloniki nominations will be announced next week.

[13] Greece to accelerate convergence procedure, Simitis says

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a three-hour cabinet meeting to review economic policy, Mr. Simitis said ''progress made is obvious since the last few years economic growth rates in Greece are significantly higher than the EU average, bringing the per capita income of Greeks from 64 percent of the EU average in 1993 to 71 percent in 2001. This growth was accompanied with an ever bigger convergence in Greek citizens' incomes, with the average real wage totalling 80 percent of the EU average in the last eight years, recording the second largest rise in the European Union.''

The distance with the rest of Europe is shrinking in the social sector as well. Mr. Simitis said that Greece has earmarked 14 percent of its total gross domestic product in social spending (pension, benefits, healthcare and other social services) in 1999 (according to the latest figures from the European Union), the highest rate in south Europe.

The unemployment rate is also beginning to fall.

''We are in the middle of our government term. We have performed a significant work but still a lot remains to be done. What we want is to accelerate even further a procedure to achieve real convergence. We want, at the end of our four-year term, Greece to be even closer to the EU's averages and we are optimistic. As we all know, there is an economic slowdown currently in the world and Greece is an exception. The country's growth rate is 3.8 percent, more than double the EU average. That's what all international organizations are saying and figures are showing,'' Simitis said.

Simitis said that the government's economic policy priorities would be to reduce drastically unemployment, to improve employment, both in quantity and in quality, to promote significant reforms and to turn Greece into an attractive place for investments.

''These goals are included in a Stability and Development Program submitted with the European Union,'' Simitis said.

He noted that these goals would be achieved through: -intensifying investment activity with the help of a Third Community Support Framework, -adherence to budget provisions as a precondition to reduce public debt and to fund social and national policy projects, -infrastructure changes, privatizations and deregulation of markets, the tools to attract more investments, to promote employment and to better service citizens and consumers, and -completing reforms in critical sectors of the economy, such as the social security system and the tax system. Seeking a social security reform the government has presented a final proposal that would deal positively with society expectations and offered a long-term and viable solution to the problem, Simitis said. On tax reform, Simitis noted that the government hoped to successfully conclude a dialogue with social agencies by June.

Simitis said that Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis would submit draft legislation to parliament in the next few weeks seeking to combat tax evasion by offshore companies in Greece.

[14] Cabinet agrees closer monitoring of public spending

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

"The rationalization and control of spending efficiency through their systematic monitoring is an one-way road," Economy and Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis told reporters after the meeting.

The cabinet meeting also agreed to the formation of a ministers' commission that would monitor the course of investments, to upgrade the role of a Hellenic Investment Center (ELKE) and to announce auctions in the information sector, worth 1.3 trillion drachmas, with the participation of the private sector.

Mr. Christodoulakis said that government decisions were taken on a long-term basis and said that the Prime Minister was supporting the government's economic policy.

[15] Unions report high turnout for Thursday's strike over pension reforms

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The strike had been called by labor centers throughout the country and trade unionists affiliated to the opposition parties but was not backed by the leadership of the influential General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE).

The response was highest amongst workers in public transport and public hospitals, while many bus drivers joined the Athens Labor Center strike in spite of their union's decision not to participate.

The Thessaloniki Labor Center reported a high turnout among construction workers, OTE technicians and other groups, while the Union of Northern Greek Industrialists said the average turnout was 13.92 per cent.

GSEE deputy president Alekos Kalyvis, affiliated to the Coalition of the Left and Progress, said the strike had an unexpectedly high turnout and that GSEE should respond to the workers' willingness to fight by organizing a major rally on Labor Day and in the first fortnight of May.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga described Thursday's strike as successful and said it highlighted that the working classes were prepared to fight over social insurance, incomes, taxes and other problems.

Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos said that workers and pensioners were now paying the price for the government's policies and fighting against neoliberal policies in social insurance, employment and taxation.

In a resolution delivered to Parliament after a rally and march in central Athens, which failed to match the size of rallies against pension system reforms last year, trade unionists said the planned changes would downgrade the system overall and shift the burden away from the government and employers.

The objected to reforms that they said would raise the age of retirement for nearly all categories of workers, practically do away with bonuses for heavy laboring and hazardous work and keep minimum pensions at their current ''unacceptably low'' levels.

Bank workers to strike Friday: Bank personnel are to stage a 24-hour strike on Friday following a breakdown in talks with employers on pay for 2002 and 2003, their union federation said.

Negotiators have rejected an offer by the Union of Greek banks for wage increases of 2.8 percent and 2.5 percent for this year and next.

[16] Gov�t to double tax on off-shores with real estate assets

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The draft bill envisages the doubling of tax imposed on offshore companies for their real estate assets and will also prohibit companies subsidized by the state for their investments to submit to the country's tax agencies fixed-asset purchase receipts from offshore companies.

"The government is determined to combat all sources of tax-evasion," Christodoulakis said.

[17] New method of drafting budget to rationalize resources

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Work on the budget for 2003 would begin in May, when the method would be put into practice for the first time, Christodoulakis told reporters after a cabinet meeting earlier in the day.

The method would aid in correctly evaluating spending proposals before their inclusion in the budget through the use of indicators of necessity and returns, he said.

The minister added that the budget for 2002 was able to meet emergency payments, including compensation to farmers for losses incurred due to bad weather, estimated at 100 billion drachmas.

The budget could also foot the bill for spending on social needs, the minister added. The category of spending is also estimated at about 100 billion drachmas.

[18] Greek trade with Mediterranean region rises sharply in 2000

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The report, compiled by the union's Export Research and Studies Center, showed that the average annual growth rate of trade between Greece and the Mediterranean region reached 9.3 percent for exports and 7.6 percent for imports, sharply up from average annual growth rates of 3.2 percent and 4.5 percent of the country's total trade, over the same period.

This spectacular development mainly reflects the 2000's performance, which accounted for more than 40 percent of the previous nine years' growth.

The Mediterranean countries of Egypt, Algeria, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey, constitute a market of 234 million people with an average per capita income of 2,457 US dollars (2000 figures), unevenly distributed between them.

Greek exports to the region accounted 16.8 percent of total exports, while Greek imports accounted for 3.5 percent of total imports in 2000. The value of Greek exports rose 37.6 percent in 2000 to 1.8 billion US dollars, from 1.3 billion in 1999, while global exports fell by 3.1 percent to 10.73 billion dollars from 11.07 billion over the same period.

Greek exports towards all the countries in the region, with the exception of Jordan, rose significantly in 2000. Turkey and Cyprus, together, accounted for 58 percent of total Greek exports and 9.8 percent of global exports. Turkey ranks first in the list of countries with the biggest Greek exports in the Mediterranean region (543 million US dollars in 2000), followed by Cyprus.

Israel ranks third with 180 million dollars, or 10 percent of Greek exports to the region, followed by Lebanon (145 million dollars), Malta (133 million) and Egypt (108 million).

Greek imports from countries in the Mediterranean region rose 12.1 percent in 2000 to 989 million US dollars from 882 million in 1999, while Greek global imports fell 5.2 percent to 27.95 billion dollars in 2000 from 29.5 billion in 1999.

Turkey (386 million dollars), Israel (148 million) and Egypt (142 million) accounted for 65 percent of Greek imports from the region, or 2.4 percent of total imports in the country.

They are followed by Algeria (107 million dollars), Cyprus and Morocco.

Manufacturing products top the list of Greek exports, accounting for more than 50 percent total exports towards the Mediterranean region, with the exception of 1994 (44 percent) and 2000 (45 percent). Oil and oil product exports doubled in 2000 from the previous year, while textile exports rose 27 percent over the same period. Both, accounted for 38 percent of total exports to the region last year, up from 30 percent in 1999.

Manufacturing products accounted around 65 percent of total imports from the region in the last two years. Fuel imports ranged from 16 percent to 58 percent, agriculture product imports ranged from 6.0 percent to 15 percent and raw material imports ranged from 4.0 percent to 17 percent over the decade.

Greek exports mainly depends on oil and oil products, tobacco, textiles and natural gas, while imports depends on iron and steel, oil and oil products and natural gas.

[19] Ukrainian FM urges Greek businessmen to invest in Ukraine

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Addressing a meeting in the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), visiting Ukrainian Foreign Minister said that Greece was a very important trade partner for Ukraine.

Mr. Zlenko specifically referred to growth prospects in the sectors of tourism, light industry, transport, construction and high technology products and conveyed the interest of Ukrainian companies to participate in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games projects.

Addressing to both Greek and Ukrainian companies, Mr. Zlenko said: ''Let's move on from good bilateral business relations to signing contracts.''

The Ukrainian minister noted his government efforts to create a regulatory framework that would ensure the necessary business environment to attract foreign investments and briefed Greek businessmen over the progress made in Ukraine in the last decade. Mr. Zlenko stressed that his country was steadily orientated towards participating in a European area.

EBEA financial director, Constantine Mihalos, addressing the meeting referred to existing hurdles in developing bilateral relations and urged for the need to inaugurate a regular shipping line between Odessa and Piraeus to promote cargo transport and tourism.

[20] Gov't hires new consultants to seek capital for Olympic Airways

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Appointed, as consultants were a consortium of domestic banks - National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank and Commercial Bank of Greece.

[21] OTE to start mobile telephony operations in Skopje soon, report

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The reports said that the decision by the Supreme Court would pave the way for the installation of a mobile telephony network by OTE in the country.

According to the report, Supreme Court's judges believe that the matter was a special case of economic difference arbitration and not a strictly legal issue.

The report also said that Hellenic Telecommunications Organization asked the government of Skopje to seek a quick solution to the problem that has long delayed the Greek organization�s investment plans.

OTE, however, has already begun efforts to hiring staff for the new company.

The government and the main opposition political party clashed last year over the issue, with the opposition charging the government with lack of transparency in the tenders' procedure.

[22] Greek-Turkish Chamber officials end tour of SE Turkey

ISTANBUL, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Also arranging the visit was the Greek consulate in Istanbul and Turkey's Council for External Economic Relations.

On the last day of the trip, the delegation visited Adana, Turkey's sixth largest city. The area specializes in agricultural produce, mainly fruit.

On Wednesday, the officials toured, Gaziantep, a large city in southeastern Turkey, which processes farm products and manufactures industrial goods that are mainly destined for export.

''All four areas we visited were of special interest, presenting many opportunities for Greek investors who would like to place their funds in Turkey,'' the chamber's president, Panayotis Koutsikos, said.

He had previously stated during the trip, which is the second of its kind that great interest has been shown by Turkish businesses in opportunities for alliances with Greek firms.

Economic ties between Greece and Turkey rose sharply in 2000 with trade totalling one billion US dollars.

[23] International accounting standards mandatory from 2003

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

In addition, the government is planning to introduce a new regulatory framework for corporate accounting, Christodoulakis told a conference held near Athens by The Economist economy magazine.

[24] Greek stocks end Thursday's session flat

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The general index ended 0.05 percent higher at 2,203.27 points, reflecting a rebound in blue chip stocks late in the session, with turnover a low 74.27 million euros.

The Retail and Insurance sectors scored the biggest percentage gains (1.40 percent and 0.80 percent, respectively), while the Holding and IT Solution sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (1.41 percent and 1.17 percent, respectively).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks ended 0.07 percent higher, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index fell 0.06 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.08 percent.

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 163 to 139 with another 47 issues unchanged.

The most heavily traded shares in value were Hellenic Telecoms, Panafon, Coca-Cola 3E, Alpha Bank, and National Bank of Greece.

Equity index futures mixed: Equity index futures on the Athens Derivatives Exchange finished mixed on Thursday, tracking the main market. Contracts on the high capitalization index ended at a discount of about 1.0 percent.

Turnover was 62.1 million euros.

The underlying FTSE/ASE-20 index for heavily traded stocks and blue chips gained 0.07 percent; and the underlying FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization stocks lost 0.05 percent.

Bond prices rise in brisk trade: Bond prices in the domestic secondary market on Thursday finished higher in active trade focusing on 10-year paper.

The Greek benchmark 10-year bond showed a yield of 5.59 percent, and the spread over the corresponding German bund was 30 basis points.

Turnover through the central bank's electronic system was 2.2 billion euros.

Buy orders accounted for the bulk of turnover.

[25] Dukakis: 'The Olympic Games will be a triumph for Greece'

BOSTON, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

Dukakis, who was attending a dinner with Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Magriotis, said that he would visit Athens in August 2004 to observe the Games. ''I will be there. All us Greek-Americans will be there. All will go well,'' Dukakis said.

General Consul George Hatzimikalakis, Greek-American Congressmen and other Boston officials also attended the dinner.

[26] Evros forest to be showcased during Green Week in Brussels

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The presentation will be made by the head of the Evros prefecture environmental bureau, Kostas Pistolas.

The Dadias Forest is famous as the home of 36 out 38 species of diurnal birds of prey in Europe, while it contains the last colony of black vultures in the Balkans. It was declared an environ-mentally protected region in 1981.

WWF Hellas and the Evros prefecture are now pressing the environment ministry to declare the forest a national park, which they say will ensure the area has comprehensive protection and growth in the long-term, as well as being a measure supported by local communities.

[27] World congress of sports editors begins in Athens on Tuesday

Athens, 19/04/2002 (ANA)

The congress, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Greek Sports Press Association (PSAT), will give the opportunity to the sports editors from all over the world to be briefed on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Also taking part in the sessions will be several representatives of international sports federations such as the IAAF, FIFA and FIBA.

Discussion on the first day of the congress will center on relations between the Press and the international federations and developments in world sport in the new millennium.

On the second day, the ''Athens 2004'' Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC) will give an analytical presentation of the preparations for the Games.

[28] House President appeals to US to exert influence on Turkey

WASHINGTON, 19/04/2002 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking after a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State Elizabeth Jones here, he said that it was agreed that the only way to solve the Cyprus question is through dialogue.

"I have urged Jones, who is responsible for European matters, to exert her influence and apply pressure on Turkey and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash to change their position on Cyprus," Christofias told CNA.

He said the US had promised to work in this direction and asked for patience in the peace effort.

"We both believe that the Cyprus question cannot be resolved by any other means except peaceful negotiations," Christofias said.

Present at the meeting was US State Department Cyprus coordinator Thomas Weston.

While in the US capital, the House President met also with his American counterpart and Greek American Senator Paul Sarbanes and Bob Dole.

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