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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 03-12-02Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>December 2, 2003CONTENTS
[01] Greece submits Stability and Growth Program for 2004/06Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Greece's Stability and Growth Program, submitted by the economy and finance ministry to the European Commission, envisages growth rates of 4.2 percent in 2004, a reduction of unemployment to 8.0 percent and an inflation rate of 3.0 percent.The program forecasts a reduction of the country's fiscal deficit to 1.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product, and a public debt at 98.5 percent of GDP in 2004. Greece's stability program is focusing on reducing public debt, balancing the state budget and boosting both the country's gross domestic product and investments. The program forecasts a 4.2 percent growth rate in 2004, a 4.0 percent growth in 2005 and a 3.8 percent in 2006. Investments are expected to exceed 25 percent of GDP in the next three years, while private consumption is projected to grow by more than 3.0 percent over the same period. Public debt is projected at 98.5 percent of GDP (it currently exceeds 100 percent) in 2004, at 94.6 percent in 2005 and 90.5 percent in 2006. Greece's fiscal deficit is forecast to fall to 1.2 percent of GDP in 2004, 0.5 percent in 2005 and recording a 46-mln-euro surplus in 2006. The consumer price index is expected to fall to 3.0 percent next year, from 3.5 percent in 2003, falling to 2.8 percent in 2005 and 2.6 percent in 2006. Unemployment is forecast at 8.5 percent in 2004, 8.0 percent in 2005 and 7.0 percent in 2006. The stability program integrates the so-called alternative second scenario, based on a supposition that the world economy will grow with a slower rate compared with recent forecasts made by international organizations. Under this scenario, economic growth rate would not exceed 3.3 percent in the next three years, while the country's public debt would total 93.5 percent of GDP in 2006, the program said. Greece's stability program is based on the assumption that world economic growth would reach 4.0 percent in 2004 and 4.6 percent in the next two years, while international oil prices would fall to 25.6 US dollar per barrel (from 28.3 dollars this year) and to 24 dollars in 2005 and 2006. It is also based on a forecast that the euro/US dollar exchange rate would stabilize around 1.16 dollars in 2004, 1.15 dollars in 2005 and 2006, and that interest rates will rise in the European Union over the same period. [02] Simitis, Verhofstadt discuss European defense policy, IraqAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis received his Belgian counterpart Guy Verhofstadt here on Monday, with the former stressing that the United Nations must play a major role in Iraq.Speaking during a joint press conference and in reference to the EU�s stance vis-�-vis Iraq, Simitis said the EU operates on the basis of certain rules, while citing the lack of unanimity by EU members over the issue. On his part, Verhofstadt said plans for a European defense are a major step forward, adding that the creation of an independent command demonstrates the need for the Union to retain a certain ability to plan and implement operations. He also said he favored a 50 percent majority of members along with a 60 percent majority of the population for (mostly foreign policy) decision-making in the Union, saying a greater percentage would simply create a minority bloc able to impede decisions. Simitis said Athens believes in a European defense in close cooperation with NATO, adding that his government considers the proposal emanating from a weekend summit in Naples for joint cooperation within the framework of defense reforms as very positive. Moreover, he termed the entire gamut of decisions taken by the Council of Ministers during their Naples meeting as positive. Outstanding issues, however, are European defense and the level of majority vote that will be necessary for making decisions. EU's Prodi, Belgian and Greek PMs address event at Athens Concert Hall: Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, European Commission President Romano Prodi and Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday evening addressed an event on the occasion of the inauguration of the conference centre, housed at the Concert Hall, on the theme ''The future of Europe''. Verhofstadt expressed, in a teasing manner, his ''concern'' that with projects being inaugurated in Greece the headquarters of Europe will be ... transferred to Athens from Brussels. Verhofstadt referred to values born in Athens thousands of years ago and which ''we are defending in Europe now'' and stressed the ''unavoidable path towards the United States of Europe which passes through many Rubicons.'' European Commission President Romano Prodi praised ''the reality of modern-day Greece'' in referring to the conference centre. On the question of upcoming developments in Europe, Prodi called for ''optimism and ambition'' since success in adopting a constitution ''will make us proud and stressed that modern-day Greece lies at the nucleus of developments and is not afraid of struggling for its ideas and its ideals.'' Prime Minister Costas Simitis said on his part that Europe ''as a political undertaking succeeded in combining peace, democracy, freedom, prosperity and social justice and must be completed now.'' The prime minister added that ''citizens must participate in the path towards deepening European unification since the common European identity is being created because the citizens want it. Therefore, we must all have the same political vision to share a common destiny to participate in the same prospect of being citizens of the same supranational political union.'' Simitis further said ''The European Union can succeed where national policies are doomed to fail'' and stressed the need ''to strengthen the social and democratic aspect of the EU'' and called for the more effective implementation of EU cultures and Europe's backing in the international system. ''Because our common European home is our option. It was not bequeathed to us and it was not delivered to us. It was born through democratic procedures and we must all realize that we are not discussing the European constitution with the aim of us showing laurels of victory inside our countries. We are discussing it so as to create an effective tool for the problems of tomorrow,'' he said. [03] FM says Geneva initiative �one more opportunity for peace� in Middle EastAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Foreign Minister George Papandreou, referring to Monday's meeting in Geneva on peace in the Middle East, said ''there is one more opportunity for peace. This is the message of the Geneva meeting and it is a message concerning all of us. We have a historic responsibility to help it to become practice.''Papandreou further said Monday is a day of hope for peace in the Middle East, for the peoples of Israel and Palestine and added that Israelis and Palestinians, personalities having struggled all their life against force and having worked for the peaceful coexistence of the two peoples, proved with the Geneva document that a solution exists, that there is a future and nothing has been lost when peoples mobilize themselves against steadfast views and interests, with respect for the process of dialogue and with bold moves of mutual compromises. According to the foreign minister, they proved with their effort and the outcome resulting in Geneva that all can stand to gain from seeking a peaceful solution and that the imposition of the one or other view fuels violence and deadlock. Papandreou also hailed what he termed an important initiative and the Geneva meeting, adding that the Greek people have stood in practice by the side of Israel and Palestine and the Greek government has undertaken initiatives in the recent past at the level of the society of citizens for peace in the Middle East. [04] Greek Parliamentary delegation at 'Geneva Initiative'GENEVA 02/12/2003 (ANA/P. Dimitropoulos)Partners of the ''Geneva Initiative'' were welcomed with songs for peace and love, under the watchful glance of dozens of armed police, at the old factory on Secheron motorway, not far from the port of Le Man.However, Palestinian and Israeli delegates at the peace initiative were concerned over a possible ''response'' to the latest operation by the Israeli armed forces in Ramallah. Representatives of both sides confided in members of the Greek Parliamentary delegation, who were invited to watch the publicizing of an initiative aimed at promoting and strengthening the peace process in the Middle East, that there is tension on both sides as a result of this event. Speaking to Deputies Eleftherios Veryvakis (PASOK), Petros Tatoulis (New Democracy) and I. Stergiou (Coalition of the Left), Palestinian and Israeli delegation representatives Kamel Husseini and Orli Doctori said the message they wish to send is that ''a partner exists.'' The same message, together with the phrases ''a plan exists'' and ''peace is possible'' accompanied the specially prepared location where the ''Geneva Initiative'' was presented. A lighted up olive tree dominating the event was also part of symbolism, while Husseini and Doctori said the tree means peace and the common roots of the two peoples in the region's territory. ''The specific initiative constitutes a new hopeful opportunity for talks to resume again between Israelis and Palestinians,'' said Veryvakis, Tatoulis and Stergiou, adding that a viable and workable solution is based on an independent Palestinian state and a state of Israel in peace with its neighbors. The ''Geneva Initiative'' does not enjoy the official support of governments in Tel Aviv and Ramallah, while even the concerted plan to solve the problem presented in the Swiss capital contains ''thorns'', the most important being, according to a Palestinian source, the refugees' ''right of return.'' [05] Finmin to meet Turkish premier on TuesdayISTANBUL 02/12/2003 (ANA/A.Kourkoulas)Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis is to meet Turkey's prime minister in Ankara on Tuesday during a visit to the neighboring country.On Monday, Christodoulakis addressed Turkish business executives in Istanbul before flying to Ankara to meet his counterpart [06] Gov't denies NATO 'umbrella' for Olympics securityAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Public Order Minister George Floridis on Monday stressed that Greek authorities would be in charge of the security at the 2004 Olympic Games, denying reports that this would be organized under a NATO umbrella.He noted, however, that Greek authorities would work closely on security issues with other countries, including members of NATO, in the framework of international treaties and agreements. Floridis said security arrangements were progressing rapidly and that hundreds of police officers of various ranks had been selected to man the various security departments being set up. He said these departments would help improve coordination and effectiveness in handling organized crime and the so-called petty crimes that disrupted life in communities throughout the country. [07] European DMs try to appease Rumsfeld on European defense developmentsBRUSSELS 02/12/2003 (ANA/Y. Zitouniati)European defense ministers tried to ''appease'' US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at NATO's ministerial session here on Monday concerning latest developments in the creation of a European defense, which Rumsfeld termed inconceivable and competitive with the NATO alliance on arrival in the Belgian capital.Rumsfeld's statements were made on the occasion of the British-Franco-German initiative to strengthen the European Union's defense capacity, which was discussed by EU foreign ministers in Naples, Italy, over the weekend. Greek Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stressed the need for relations between NATO and the EU to be smoothed out, following the crisis in Iraq, and the agreement between France, Germany and Britain on the development of Europe's independent military capacity should go ahead, but in a supplementary fashion with the alliance. ''We Europeans, and Greece in particular, believe that the agreement achieved the day before yesterday between France, England and Germany on the development of European defense will move ahead satisfactorily and, primarily, positively regarding the relation with NATO. The concept being shaped is that NATO and the US must not make strong reactions. We shall see this in the coming days or weeks. However, in any case this is a one-way path for us Europeans,'' Papantoniou said. The defense minister also mentioned that NATO's relations with the EU, as well as the Mediterranean, should constitute a topic of discussion and must be clarified at the alliance's summit in Istanbul in June. [08] Gov't denies any link between 'Baltic Sky' and Istanbul explosionsAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Public Order Minister George Floridis on Monday rejected rumors of a link between the explosives found on the seized motorship ''Baltic Sky'' and the recent terrorist attacks in Istanbul, dismissing them as ''sordid''.The minister stressed that there wasn't a shred of evidence to link the ship's cargo and the explosive used during the terror attacks, which was still being examined by Turkish crime labs, nor any witness accounts that linked the two cases. He said that Greek and Turkish authorities would naturally exchange information within the framework of international treaties and agreements for these issues. The Comores-flagged motorship ''Baltic Sky'' was seized by Greek authorities in June while traveling through Greek waters with 680 tones of various types of explosives on board. [09] Main opposition says gov't farm policy 'lacks direction'Athens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy on Monday accused the government of ''lacking direction'' in its policy for agriculture, at a press conference held by the party's policy coordinator for production and energy George Salagoudis and agriculture sector head Evangelos Basiakos.The two men outlined ND policy for the farming sector and said the government had neglected agriculture, allowing Greek agricultural products to lose value and causing farmer incomes to slide. An ND agriculture sector delegation began touring areas throughout the country on Monday at the orders of ND Parliamentary group secretary Dimitris Sioufas, to brief farmers on ND positions on agriculture. [10] Gov't on recent political developmentsAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)The government spokesman on Monday again flatly dismissed recent press reports of a pending government reshuffle, a prospect that would come months before general elections are scheduled in late spring.During his regular daily briefing, spokesman Christos Protopapas was also asked a bevy of questions related to mostly domestic political developments, particularly ones over the recent weekend. He declined comment regarding queries on statements by PASOK deputies Theodoros Pangalos and Mihalis Neonakis. The latter, along with the former director of the defense ministry�s armaments directorate, Yiannis Sbokos, have repeatedly expressed their dissatisfaction at being excluded from PASOK�s candidate lists for the upcoming election. Asked about the likelihood of Thessaloniki-area deputy Stelios Papathemelis forming a new party, Protopapas responded that this was �not a major political issue for PASOK,� while adding that PASOK and Papathemelis� political views were �incompatible� for quite some time. Papathemelis departed the ruling party last month amid heightened criticism of its leadership. Finally, he said recent press claims citing tension between PM Costas Simitis and PASOK secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis are merely �hidden desires by (main opposition) New Democracy�. [11] PM's schedule for the weekAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis began his official contacts this week with a meeting with visiting Belgian Premier Guy Verhofstadt.On Tuesday, Simitis will receive the secretary of the People�s Republic of China�s Communist Party before chairing a Cabinet meeting focusing on the topic of rural development. He will also meet with ruling PASOK party secretary Mihalis Chrysohoidis on Tuesday. The Greek premier will be the guest of honor at a press luncheon hosted by the Foreign Press Association of Greece on Wednesday. Additionally, Simitis will chair a high-ranking inter-ministerial meeting on the closely watched issue of security for the 2004 Olympic Games later in the day. Issues related to the merchant marine sector are on the agenda for Thursday. Meanwhile, the government spokesman on Monday announced that Simitis will depart for Rome on Dec. 9 for talks with the Italian EU presidency, ahead of a Union Summit. Finally, he will attend a European Council summit in Brussels (Dec. 12-13) before heading to London for a meeting with his British counterpart Tony Blair. [12] PM Simitis sends messages of condolences to Spanish, Japanese counterpartsAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Prime Minister Costas Simitis on Monday sent messages of condolences to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and his Japanese counterpart Yunihiro Koyzumi on the occasion of the loss of seven Spanish soldiers and two Japanese diplomats in Iraq.''On behalf of the Greek government and myself personally I would like to express my profound sadness for the loss of the Spanish soldiers who were victims of an attack in Iraq. I convey to you and the families of the victims my most sincere condolences,'' Simitis said in his message to Aznar. ''Deeply shocked by the tragic loss of the two Japanese diplomats who were the victims of an attack in Iraq, I wish to express on behalf of the Greek government and myself personally my profound condolences to you, to the people of your country and primarily to the families of the victims,'' read the message to Koyzumi. [13] ND leader airs possibility of Athens mayor becoming minister after OlympicsAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis leaves open the possibility of Dora Bakoyianni not completing her term as Athens mayor and of taking up a ministerial post after the Athens Olympic Games if ND wins the next elections.In an interview with the German newspaper ''Suddeutsche Zeitung'', Karamanlis mentions that when Bakoyianni fulfils her specific duty (at the municipality of Athens) ND is expecting her participation in every field in the party, in the government. Asked whether Bakoyianni will undertake the foreign ministry, Karamanlis said he will decide when the people will entrust him with power. [14] Bank deposit growth to exceed economic growth rate in Greece, report saysAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)The growth rate of main deposits in the country is expected to accelerate and to exceed the economic growth rate, National Bank of Greece said in its latest bulletin on the Greek economy.National Bank's analysts predict that time deposits and repurchase agreements would grow by around 5.0 percent by the end of 2004, with the loans/deposits ratio rising to 90 percent from 78 percent in the second quarter of 2003. The Greek economy is growing with rates exceeding 4.0 percent, although private sector deposits (including repos) are slowing significantly in the last 18 months and are almost stable in the last nine months. Bank deposits' growth, both in the same period and in the last five years, is exceeding economic growth rate by around 3.5 percentage points in the Eurozone. Despite the recent slowdown, bank deposits in Greece, as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product, remained higher from the eurozone (80 percent and 70 percent, respectively), the report said. This figure contradicts a view that the Greek economy was highly dependent on domestic liquidity. Time deposits and repurchase agreement accounted for a significantly higher percentage of GDP in Greece compared with the eurozone (20.5 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively), although this category of investment was more sensitive to competition by other composite savings products, such as mutual funds. Mutual funds accounted for 41 percent of GDP in the eurozone compared with 19.7 percent in Greece. A steady decline in domestic interest rates led to a high growth rate in borrowing and to a decline in non-basic bank deposits, the report said. [15] Reconstructed Minoan-era ship launched from Hania, CreteAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)The reconstructed Minoan-era ship ''Minos'', built entirely with materials and tools used by the ancient Minoan civilization, was launched at the city Hania on Crete on Monday.The ship was built at the old Venetian Shipyards in Hania using techniques developed by the Minoans 3,500 years ago, making it the most ancient type of ship produced by a European civilization that is currently known. It was built of cypress logs tied together with ropes and driven by oars, while its construction took nearly three years from planning to completion, having started in February 2001. The project was carried out by the Crete Naval Museum in collaboration with the Institute for Research into Ancient Shipbuilding and Technology ''Navdomos'', which directed the program, the research and the building of the ship. Monday's launch was included in a series of events to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Crete's Union with Greece, attended by President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos and former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides. The predecessor of the Minoan ship is believed to be a flat raft, which was gradually curved to create a hull and made watertight with the use of material on its outer surface. Research pointed to a primarily oar-powered ship, assisted by simple sails in a secondary capacity, while the hull was built of split cypress logs tied together with ropes. The internal layout of the ship, combined with its ergonomics and the anthropometry of its crew, creates a hydrodynamic, tear-shaped vessel about 17 meters long and four meters wide that was well adapted to navigating the Aegean Sea, where the original chiefly traveled. The prototype was designed using 3-D digital modeling techniques, while the next stage was to build a solid model made of five-meter cypress logs that simulated the entire process and whether the final result would be sea-worthy. Actual construction of the ship began in December 2002 by a local traditional shipyard. The ''Minos'' will now go on a few short test trips in spring 2004 for the final technical adjustments and to allow the crew to become familiar with its use. After the testing phase, the first main experimental trip from Crete to Attica will begin in the summer of 2004, in order to test the correctness of the entire research approach. The voyage is expected to take at least 16-17 days using oars, rowing only during daylight hours and near to the shore at all times. It will travel from western Crete and along the coast of the eastern Peloponnese toward the Saronic Gulf and Piraeus. The Crete Naval Museum hopes that the ''Minos'' will be able to participate in the program of events during the Olympic Games in 2004 and that it will bear the Olympic Torch during the last part of its journey. After the trip to Attica, the ship will become the main exhibit in a permanent exhibition on ancient and traditional shipbuilding to be set up at Hania's Venetian Shipyards, from where it will be loaned to events and exhibition in Greece and abroad. [16] Greece eager to see Mediterranean natgas networkROME 02/12/2003 (ANA / L.Hatzikyriakos)Greece is eager to see a natural gas supply network in Balkan and Mediterranean countries, Greek Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Monday.''Greece is equally interested in a pipeline to link Turkey, the Balkan countries and Austria and one to link Greece and Italy as well as the Burgas (Bulgaria) and Alexandroupolis oil pipeline,'' Tsohatzopoulos told reporters in the Italian capital. He was speaking after a meeting of Euro-Mediterranean energy ministers. [17] Hellenic Petroleum in alliance with Libyan oil groupAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Hellenic Petroleum is part of a consortium that has forged an alliance in hydrocarbons research and production with Libya's national oil organization.The agreement was signed in Tripoli on Sunday. Other companies taking part are Woodside Energy of Australia with a 45 per cent stake; Repsol of Spain with 35 per cent; and Hellenic with a 20 percent share. The cost of the investment is estimated at more than 110 million US dollars. [18] Rolling strike in Olympic Airways to ground more flightsAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Flight attendants of Olympic Airways on Monday announced two fresh 48-hour rolling strikes that will ground many domestic flights until the end of the week.Other flights are to be merged employing larger aircraft, with some passengers redirected to other airlines. The attendants are protesting against the government's plan to form a new airline from Olympic through privatization. [19] Cooperation between Crete and Sicily agreedAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Cooperation between the regions of Crete and Sicily in the sectors of culture, tourism, agriculture, agro-industry and transport was agreed on during a visit to Palermo by the General Secretary of the Region of Crete, Athanasios Karountzos, within the framework of the interinstitutional Conference of the Peoples of the Mediterranean.Karountzos had the opportunity the hold talks with representatives of the corresponding local and regional authorities of the northern and southern coast of the Mediterranean and expound on the prerequisites for future cooperation. Specifically, with the president of the region of Sicily, E. Cuffaro, who co-organized with the Italian Presidency the conference, agreement was reached for a delegation of the Regional Government of Sicily to visit Crete in order for details for bilateral cooperation between Crete and Sicily to be reached in the sectors of culture, tourism, agriculture, agro-industry and transport. The visit by the delegation from Sicily is expected within the first half of 2004. [20] Greek stocks end lower on MondayAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Greek stocks ended slightly lower on Monday with the Athens Stock Exchange unable to follow a rally in other European bourses.Traders said the domestic market showed signs of "fatigue" after last week's rally. The general index fell 0.28 percent to end at 2,163.93 points, with turnover a moderate 103.5 million euros. The Textile, Wholesale and Telecommunications sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (1.19 percent, 0.90 percent and 0.73 percent, respectively), while the Industrial (1.93 percent), Holdings (1.18 percent) and Base Metals (1.02 percent) sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses. The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell by 0.29 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.10 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.43 percent. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 158 to 131 with another 68 issues unchanged. Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 53.6 million euros Monday Equity Index Futures: Stock Futures: Bond Market Close: Buyers outstrip sellers on Monday Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond FOREIGN EXCHANGE Closing rates of December 30 2003 Parities in euro For. Exchange Buying Selling US Dollar 1,211 1,183 [21] Calatrava, gov't promise OAKA roof ready on timeAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Noted Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava promised Greek organizers on Monday that the closely watched and oft-delayed project to build a partial glass-metal dome over the main Olympic Stadium in Athens (OAKA) will be ready for the 2004 Olympics and will not impede other preparations or ever rehearsals for the Opening and Closing ceremonies.Calatrava made the comments while touring the site along with Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki and Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos, whose ministry oversees much of the Olympic preparations on the government�s side. The new stadium roof � a standing demand by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to protect spectators and TV cameras from the scorching August sunshine that Greece is so famous for -- has repeatedly been listed on the IOC�s informal list of �dangerously delayed� projects, although Calatrava on Monday emphasized that the most difficult part of construction was now complete, with remaining components set for delivery from Italy. He said the blue translucent glass used to build the dome must symbolize the spirit of the country, adding that this same material will light up at night. On his part, Venizelos said the project will be in its final phase by the end of April, �something we have said and promised.� [22] Stephanopoulos hails 90th anniversary of Crete's union with GreeceAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)In his message marking the 90th anniversary since the union of Crete with the rest of Greece on Monday, President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos noted that the anniversary contained its own message and that the struggle for Crete was synonymous with the struggle for freedom.Speaking from the city of Hania on the island, Stephanopoulos said that the anniversary ''marked the bloody battles of the Cretans to win their freedom,'' who then went on to battle for the freedom of other areas of Greece, such as Macedonia. Stephanopoulos and former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides both attended celebrations to mark the anniversary in Hania. These began with a celebration mass at Hania's metropolitan cathedral, followed by a procession to the Firka Fortress at the old port, where the president raised the Greek flag from the same spot where Eleftherios Venizelos had raised the flag after the island was liberated from the Turks. The government was represented by Deputy Transport Minister Manolis Stratakis and main opposition New Democracy by party secretary Vaggelis Meimarakis. [23] Week of events for disabled begins in AthensAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)A week of events for the disabled, which will take in the international day for people with disabilities on December 3, began on Monday in Athens at the National Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.Among those attending the opening ceremony were the prime minister's wife Daphne Simitis and Health Minister Costas Stefanis. Mrs Simitis and Stefanis were shown around the Foundation and inaugurated an exhibition of art created by disabled artists. Stefanis stressed during his speech that he would strive to meet the demands of people with special needs and the people working at the foundation, which he said needed further improvements. [24] President and former Cypriot president honor Eleftherios Venizelos foundationAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)President Kostis Stephanopoulos and former Cypriot president Glafcos Clerides on Monday were proclaimed Partners of the 'Research and Studies Eleftherios Venizelos National Foundation' at an event at Megalo Arsenali of Hania, Crete on Monday.Clerides, who was the main speaker at the event, referred to the personality of statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. He noted that ''Venizelos, as a personality, political thought and action as leader and ethnarch constitutes an unrepeatable phenomenon.'' In the evening, Stephanopoulos and Clerides visited the home of Venizelos at Halepa, Hania where the research and studies foundation is based. [25] Archbishop Christodoulos concludes visit to Halepi, SyriaAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos on Monday concluded a visit to Halepi, Syria which he visited for the founding of a school complex which is expected to be built in the city with funds of 'Solidarity', a non-governmental organization of the Church of Greece.Christodoulos was received by Metropolitan of Halepi Pavlos who said ''never before until today has the city lived such a superb spiritual event.'' Metropolitan Pavlos praised Archbishop Christodoulos and wished the Greek people and the Church of Greece to contribute to the success of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. [26] Technology park planned for AthensAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)A consortium of 134 information technology and telecoms firms on Monday gave the government an investment proposal for creation of a technology park near Athens.Budgeted at 150 million euros, the planned project by Acropolis Technopolis SA in Afidnes near Athens is due for completion by 2007. The park will encourage cooperation between businesses, research institutes and universities to help Greece break into new technology markets and become a research hub for the southeastern Mediterranean, Balkans and eastern Europe. The development ministry is expected to rule on the proposal in the first quarter of 2004. [27] Interior minister calls NGOs to dialogue on volunteerismAthens, 02/12/2003 (ANA)Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on Monday called on non-governmental organizations, particularly volunteer groups, to participate in dialogue to coordinate the "forces of the state and society", in view of an upcoming bill on volunteer work that is to be tabled in January.Speaking during an event on volunteerism at the 'Athinais' centre, Skandalidis stressed that the government sought meaningful dialogue with organizations operating on a volunteer basis and with all concerned citizens, in order to set up a "modern and functional institutional framework" for volunteer work and the limits of intervention by the state. He said the new bill would chiefly centre on the foundation of a Central Council for Volunteerism, which will contribute to planning national policy for volunteerism and propose measures to better develop organizations. [28] Papadopoulos wishes Turkey shows sincerity in efforts for settlementLARNACA, 02/12/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos has expressed the wish that after the so-called elections in Cyprus' Turkish-occupied areas Turkey will show sincerity in the process for a Cyprus settlement, as Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had pledged.Speaking to the press before leaving for Rome, where he will meet on Tuesday with Italian Premier and current European Union President Silvio Berlusconi, Papadopoulos said that the Cyprus problem remains in a stalemate exclusively due to the Turkish negative stance. As regards his meeting with Berlusconi, he said the two leaders would discuss issues concerning the Intergovernmental Conference that will be brought up during the Brussels EU Summit later this month. Invited to say if he will raise the issue of Turkey's stance concerning the Loizidou case, Papadopoulos said there is no specific agenda and the main issue will be the EU Constitution. ''Of course other issues will be discussed, such as references on Cyprus at the Brussels Council and various other issues. So there is a possibility for the Loizidou issue to be discussed if it is brought up, but I have no intention to lodge any accusation or complaints.'' Invited to comment on statements by Gul that after the ''elections'' in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus Ankara will show sincerity in the process for a Cyprus settlement, Papadopoulos expressed the wish that this will be the case. He noted ''today's stalemate (in the Cyprus problem) is entirely due to the negative stance of the Turkish side,'' adding ''if Gul's statement is applied then prospects for the resumption of the dialogue may open.'' President Papadopoulos will fly from Rome to Nigeria, via London, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). After Nigeria, he will return home and then fly on to Brussels for the European Council. [29] FM Iacovou says OSCE states expected to implement ECHR rulingsNICOSIA 02/12/2003 (CNA/ANA)Cyprus Foreign Minister George Iacovou noted on Monday that ''OSCE participating states who are also members of the Council of Europe, through their commitment to the European Court of Human Rights are expected to promote and facilitate the implementation of the judgments of the ECHR with no precondition, no deviation from practice.''Addressing the two-day 11th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, which started on Monday in Maastricht, Holland, Iacovou said this view ''is particularly relevant within the framework of the European human rights system and the way the OSCE interrelates in its membership as well as in its institutional cooperation with other organizations, such as the Council of Europe.'' This year's meeting focuses on tackling terrorism and threats against security and stability in the 21st century, as well as slavery and human trafficking. At the annual meeting, which wraps up OSCE's Dutch presidency, 45 of the 55 member states are represented by their foreign ministers. In his address, Iacovou said ''the peaceful resolution of the so-called frozen conflicts will be a determining factor for increasing security,'' adding that ''the problem faced by Cyprus is a characteristic example of anachronism that affects relations between OSCE participating states and needs to be addressed.'' He expressed hope that the negotiation process for a Cyprus settlement under the good offices mission of the UN Secretary General ''will quickly resume and those who wrecked this effort last March will now demonstrate the necessary political will and a comprehensive, viable and lasting solution to the problem will be found.'' ''We remain committed to engage in such negotiations as soon as the Secretary General invites us,'' he added. Iacovou also referred to Tuesday's official ceremony that will mark the commencement of the destruction of Cyprus' stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines, in fulfillment of the Republic's obligations under the Ottawa Convention. On the sidelines of the meeting, Iacovou had meetings with many of his counterparts from other OSCE member states. [30] CoE SG: Turkey to pay unconditionally damages in Loizidou caseNICOSIA 02/12/2003 (CNA/ANA)Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer has stressed that in all contacts with the Turkish government he has constantly expressed the need for unconditional payment in the Loizidou case.In a CoE press release, with reference to various articles published in Greek and Cypriot media, Schwimmer notes that ''any contradictory information in no way corresponds to the truth.'' ''As Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and as protector of the Council of Europe's Statute and the Organization�s values, it was Mr Schwimmer's role to offer the consultative expertise of the Secretariat,'' the press release notes. The European Court of Human Rights ordered Turkey to pay some 900,000 dollars in compensation to Loizidou for loss of use of her property, occupied by Turkish troops since 1974, and told Ankara to allow Greek Cypriot Loizidou access to her property for peaceful enjoyment. [31] Greek public order minister in Cyprus for official visitNICOSIA 02/12/2003 (CNA/ANA)Greek Public Order Minister George Floridis arrives Thursday to Cyprus for a tw�-day official visit December 4-5.On the day of his arrival he will meet with his Cypriot counterpart, Minister of Justice and Public Order Doros Theodorou. On Friday Floridis will meet with President of the House of Representatives Demetris Christofias and Nicosia Mayor Michalakis Zambelas. The Greek minister leaves Cyprus on Friday evening. Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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