[12] Ruling party calls for more cotton output checks

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

The government would ensure a 38-drachma rebate from European Union subsidies on completion of the inspections, Meimarakis told reporters.

He was speaking after a meeting with the prime minister.

[13] Gov't says main opposition leader out of touch with farmers

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

Basiakos was commenting on statements by George Papandreou, head of the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), concerning a recent rift between cotton farmers and the government over the legitimacy of output, which the minister said had been created by the previous PASOK government.

[14] EU Court's advocate general says Greece failed to repay aid granted to national carrier

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

In his conclusion, Geeohoed said that the Greek law prevented recovery of the aid from the company which carried out the economic activities in respect of which the aid was paid.

The European Commission approved in 1998 the aid granted by Greece for the restructuring of the undertaking Olympic Airways (for the period 1998-2002). In 2002 it initiated a further procedure on the ground that the restructuring plan had been applied and that certain conditions envisaged in the decision approving the aid had not been met. As the information supplied by Greece was inadequate, the Commission then found that there had been an infringement, claiming, furthermore, that there was new operating aid. The Greek state was said to have tolerated non-payment of: social security contributions, VAT on aircraft fuel and spare parts, rent payable to airports, airport charges and passenger tax payable at all Greek airports. Consequently, the Commission ordered Greece to recover from the recipient company, without delay and with interest, the second installment of the restructuring aid and also the new operating aid.

The Advocate General, in his opinion, considers that the recent Greek law creates legal or economic obstacles to the effective implementation of the Commission decision. That decision has as its objective the recovery of the aid whereby the Greek state unlawfully supported the economic and business activities of Olympic Airways, thus distorting competition in the civil aviation sector.

The Advocate General emphasizes that the Greek government delayed recovery of the second installment of the aid (41 million euros) and that such inaction cannot be justified merely by a reference to the provisions and mechanisms put in place in the context of national law. On that point, the advocate general recalls that the Community interest in the proper implementation of decisions ordering the repayment also means that they are to be implemented promptly in order to avoid a permanent change of the competitive structure.

He also observed that, as regards repayment of the new operating aid, the Greek state delayed in taking action, and it was unable to justify its conduct by the existence of a case of absolute impossibility. However, the agreements on the settlement of debts concluded by Olympic Airways might have sufficed had a law not been enacted. On the other hand, the application of that law may have the consequence that the implementation of the settlement agreements becomes wholly or partly impossible in the absence of sufficient assets.

The Advocate General therefore proposed that the Court declared that Greece has failed to fulfill its obligations under community law.

The opinion is not binding on the Court of Justice. The judges of the Court are now beginning their deliberations in the case and a judgment will be given at a later date.

[15] PASOK's coordinating committee discusses market conditions

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

PASOK President George Papandreou, in comments he made after the meeting, said that all committee members agreed that the cost of living has spiraled upwards out of control, wages remain stagnant, households are overdebted and the market is 'dead' due to unprecedented low revenues.

"The economy has taken a turn for the worst in the past 11 months, with [Prime Minister Costas] Karamanlis' New Democracy government being responsible [for this], thus creating a great sense of insecurity among Greek workers," Papandreou said.

PASOK's president also said that his party believes in small- and medium-sized businesses, in the need for entrepreneurship, but also in measures that will support SMEs.

On the issue of store hours, Papandreou said that changing store hours would not solve the problems brought on the Greek economy by the ND government. However, if store hours are changed, this should be done after all involved parties reach an agreement, with store hours being determined according to local habits and needs as well as in accordance with employees' rights.

[16] Greek investors' group urges tough stance against market violation cases

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

In a letter sent to Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, the union stressed that pressures to the ministry and Greek capital market authorities aimed to reduce penalties on market abuse, manipulation of stocks, hiding data or misleading investors cases. The union said it supported all initiatives aimed to upgrade the Greek capital market and protect investors from illegal moves.

[17] Trade on Greek, Cypriot bourses to be linked

NICOSIA 2/2/2005 (ANA/G Leonidas)

The head of the Cypriot exchange, Akis Cleanthous, said that the move would help bring investors to the island republic's market.

[18] SYN delegation meets with bank employees' union reps

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

Unions are demanding a sector-wide reform and consolidation plan.

[19] Greek PMI stable in January

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

Manufacturing production, however, grew at the fastest rate since August 2004, while the growth rate of new orders was moderate, employment eased slightly and outflow prices rose in January.

Production in the manufacturing sector rose for the 10th consecutive month in January, running at the fastest rate in the last five months. New orders continued growing, although slightly higher from December, while new export orders fell for the third time in the last four months.

Employment in the manufacturing sector shrank for the fifth consecutive session, although fractionally in January.

Supply inventories fell for the fifth consecutive month in January, with inventories of ready products fell for the seventh consecutive month.

The Purchasing Managers' Index measures business activity in the manufacturing sector.

[20] Greek stocks ease on Tuesday

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

The index ended 0.24 percent lower at 2,912.87 points after falling as low as 2,903.75 points during the session.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.40 percent, reflecting profit taking in bank stocks, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index eased 0.23 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.18 percent lower.

The majority of sector indices ended lower with the Base Metals, Publications and Textile sectors suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.91 pct, 1.54 pct and 0.98 pct, respectively).

On the other hand, Holdings (1.92 pct), IT (0.90 pct) and Cement (0.49 pct) sectors scored the biggest gains of the day. Turnover was a strong 242.3 million euros.

In the broader market, decliners led advancers by 186 to 96 with another 71 issues unchanged.

[21] Rio-Antirrio suspension bridge reopens after cable fire

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

For a section covering approximately one kilometer, traffic is conducted with caution and a speed level of 40 kilometers per hour due to repair work being carried out in the other lane, which is expected to take approximately one month.

According to the French president and managing director of the Gefyra S.A. consortium, the bridge's builders and operators, "the Bridge is in excellent condition and has not suffered any other damage apart from the snapped cable".

Regarding the causes of the fire, consortium technicians have concluded that an electrical discharge was to blame, either due to lightning or the concentration of electricity.

The technicians did not rule out the possibility of the bridge's anti-lightning system being re-examined.

Final conclusions will be issued after an analytical examination of the cable was completed.

Also, Patras appeals court judges director Anastasios Kanellopoulos has ordered a preliminary investigation by the Fire Brigade into the causes of the fire.

[22] Athens Mayor on official visit to Vienna

VIENNA 2/2/2005 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis)

During her visit, Bakoyannis will meet with several Austrian political leaders and will attend the Ball at the Vienna's State Opera on Thursday evening.

The Athens mayor will return to Greece on Friday.

[23] Videotape footage used to ID 14 alleged hooligans

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

All 14 were interviewed by authorities, with an indictment compiled and an appearance before a relevant prosecutor now pending, according to reports.

The clashes on the pitch of the Nea Smyrni stadium, in south Athens, and in the stands between fans and riot police eventually led to the first division championship game's suspension.

An initial decision handed down against the two pro teams called for a deduction of three points, the cancellation of the suspended match and four home games to be played before empty stands. On appeal, the first two reprimands -- and the ones affecting the standings -- were erased and the points returned.

The two clubs will make-up the match on Saturday without fans.

[24] Jazz concert to kick off events in Alexandria organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture

Athens, 2/2/2005 (ANA)

Another 15 events organized by the HFC are scheduled to take place in Egypt over the next two months, including screenings of Greek films, a Euro Film Festival in collaboration with the Alexandrian Library, cultural forums, seminars, a tribute to cartoons and others.

Among these are a series of events dubbed "Cavafya" from March 9-11 organized by the HFC in collaboration with the Greek Embassy in Cairo and the Cairo Cultural Centre. These will include lectures, music and film screenings dedicated to Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis and Egyptian Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz.

There will also be an art exhibition featuring paintings by Kyriakos Theophanous on the theme of Mount Sinai on March 17.

The program ends with a rock concert to be held at the HFC Alexandria branch on March 31 by the six-member band Nadim Group.

[25] Cyprus President: talks for solution must ensure fair chance of success

NICOSIA 2/2/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Speaking to foreign correspondents at a lunch, hosted by the Cyprus News Agency, he said a European Union regulation on intra-island trade (the Green Line regulation) cannot be implemented because of obstacles raised by Mehmet Ali Talat, Turkish Cypriot party leader, who insists on linking this regulation to another one relating to direct trade between the northern Turkish occupied part of Cyprus with the EU.

He expressed hope that amendments to the Green Line regulation, to be tabled in the next few days, would be approved by the EU and would facilitate trade for the Turkish Cypriots who will be able to export their goods from Cyprus' legal ports of entry, in the southern government controlled part of the island.

President Papadopoulos said his priority is to find a political settlement and not to see Ankara sign a protocol on its customs union agreement with the EU, noting however that such a signature would be a first significant step towards normalizing ties with Turkey.

He also said that the EU could play a more proactive role in the effort to find a negotiated settlement as it is going to be involved in a fresh effort by virtue of having three of its members (Cyprus, Greece and Britain) with an active interest in a solution and a candidate country (Turkey) directly involved in the problem.

He dismissed allegations that Cyprus is not doing enough to combat fraud and money laundering, pointing out that the Central Bank exercises daily checks on suspicious transactions the seven commercial banks operating in Cyprus report.

Responding to questions, Papadopoulos said the Green Line regulation was accepted last September but following some difficulties in implementing it, the government is proposing certain amendments to it which it has ''good reason to believe that the EU will accept.''

On direct trade, he said this concerns trade from the occupied areas directly to the EU under a preferential treatment regime for third states.

''We do not accept that the occupation regime is a third state, therefore we shall never accept that,'' he stressed, explaining that Turkish Cypriots are not set to benefit greatly from this regulation as their exports are worth 50 million euro a year, 25 m. of which go to countries outside the EU.

On prospects to operate Famagusta harbor, in occupied Cyprus, he said this cannot operate viably and economically for exports or imports for the Turkish Cypriots alone.

He reiterated his proposal to operate the port under an independent foundation and to open the fenced area of Famagusta to its legal inhabitants.

Questioned on Turkey's obligation to adapt the Ankara Agreement (extending it to Cyprus as well), he said ''this is Turkey's problem. The matter is simple, either they sign or they have no talks.''

''This is not an obligation of Turkey towards us only, it is mainly an obligation to EU by Turkey,'' he added, informing journalists that the Commission has sent to Turkey a new readapted protocol for signature on the basis of take it or leave.

''I do not know if Turkey will risk not commencing negotiations in 2005 when we do not know what would happen in some countries in 2006. I want to stress that the signing of the protocol is not our priority, this is not our main concern, of course it is important, our priority is the solution of the Cyprus problem,'' he said.

The signing of the protocol is a very important first step towards normalization of relations of Cyprus with Turkey but it is not our priority, he stressed.

On the EU role in efforts for a political settlement, he said that the EU accepts that the leading role must remain with the UN, and added ''Europe is involved in the Cyprus problem and the EU must take a more proactive role in the negotiations which to a great extent affect the acquis communautaire.''

On prospects for Cyprus joining the ERM II, he said ''we have good indications that we will be accepted in the ERM II within the established time schedule.''

Responding to questions on efforts to find a solution, he said he is ready to engage in talks under UN auspices and added ''all the information I have from the UN is that the SG is reluctant to start a new initiative unless he has evidence, reassurances, suggestions, and commitments that his plan will be accepted.''

Annan also points out that any changes to his plan must be limited so as to preserve ''the unique balance of the Annan plan'' as the SG says, Papadopoulos explained.

''We do not accept that the Annan plan is balanced, let alone being uniquely balanced,'' Papadopoulos stressed.

Responding to other questions, he said ''there is no stalemate, talks are always going on, talking with interested people and those involved in the decision making process hoping to create the right conditions for talks to become effective.''

''Any round of talks should be well prepared to ensure that the talks will have a fair chance of success,'' he stressed.

On Russia's position on Cyprus, he said Moscow's support is based on principles and there is no change, adding that there is a policy paper by Russia sent to all those who need to receive it outlining the Russian position.

On the US stance towards Cyprus, he said the US believes they are very helpful in the peace effort.

"We all know Turkey is a very important ally to the US, given the present situation in the Middle East and I do not know if the Cyprus issue comes anywhere into the equation of formulating US policy,'' he noted.

On Britain's position on Cyprus, he said ''their real policy on Cyprus is that if they cannot achieve acceptance of the Annan plan, their B plan is how to upgrade the regime in occupied areas to the highest possible level short of diplomatic recognition.''

New talks can take place under UN auspices, Spokesman says: Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos is ready to attend a new negotiating process to reach a Cyprus settlement once the framework of the procedure under the UN auspices is set, Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides has said, invited to comment on statements by Turkish Cypriot self-styled prime minister Mehmet Ali Talat that he was ready to meet President Papadopoulos.

Chrysostomides said the government considers that contacts between political parties of both communities ''help to create a climate of cooperation and understanding and promote a settlement of the Cyprus problem.''

Invited to say if the government sees any expediency in Talat's statements, Chrysostomides said ''Talat is continuously trying to create impressions, without abandoning his goals for political upgrading, political recognition, direct trade, things that do not contribute to the effort, in good faith, for the resumption of the procedure and for promoting a settlement of the Cyprus problem.''

To a remark that Talat said that at a meeting with President Papadopoulos they could discuss issues other than those discussed during the negotiations, for example the opening of new crossing points along the ceasefire line, the spokesman said ''there is a framework through which deliberations on this issue take place.''

He recalled the government's proposals to open eight new crossing points, noting that ''our proposals are still on the table and we are expecting the response of the Turkish Cypriot side and the occupation force.''

Asked about efforts to open a crossing point in Zodia, the spokesman said ''our own proposal is the immediate opening of a crossing point

in Zodia, following the route of the old Nicosia-Morphou road,'' adding that this proposal was on the table.

He noted the difficulties created by the proposals of the pseudo state regarding this crossing point.

In November last year the government of Cyprus had revealed that the Turkish occupation forces were constructing a detour road in the Zodia - Astromeritis area which goes through a minefield, and at the same time were violating the property rights of Greek Cypriot owners in the area.

Chrysostomides recalled that the government has suggested and continues to support the opening of a crossing point down Ledra Street, the capital's renowned commercial street divided since the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article