Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-04-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek and Turkish foreign ministers meet in Ankara

[02] Another incident involving Turkish coast guard patrol boat reported in Imia region

[03] Alternate spokesman on the developments of Tuesday's situation in the Aegean

[04] Turkish opposition party rails against assembly speaker's proposal to lift 'casus belli'

[05] Greece, Russia, Bulgaria sign political pact for new oil pipeline

[06] Breakthrough not imminent in Greece-FYROM talks on name issue but negotiations will continue, UN special envoy says

[07] U.S. State Department says proposal by Nimetz 'is a constructive step'

[08] EU's Solana urges FYROM to accept UN proposal for resolving name issue, sources claim

[09] EU Parliament to vote on proposal supporting use of 'Macedonia' by

[10] Deputy FM briefs EU ambassadors on FYROM name issue, current European matters

[11] Greek gov't on leaked portions of Nimetz proposal

[12] Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue lacks guarantees for dignified solution, PASOK President says

[13] SAE president declares confidence in Greece's handling of FYROM name issue

[14] FYROM rejects Nimetz proposal; says it was not an official proposal for negotiations

[15] Government on Euro Constitution, reforms

[16] PASOK party leader expands on request for EU treaty referendum

[17] Communist Party stages rally against European constitution

[18] Roussopoulos briefed by British minister on media concentration laws

[19] Public Order minister Voulgarakis satisfied with first day of Washington talks

[20] Cabinet discusses draft bill for faster justice

[21] Spiritual leaders from abroad, Athens mayor express condolences over death of former archbishop

[22] ECOFIN approves Greece's updated stability program

[23] Greece aims to absorb 2.0 billion euros in EU funds in 2005

[24] PM Karamanlis confers with Agro-development minister Bassiakos

[25] Bid deadline ends Weds in Olympic Airlines sale tender

[26] Trade, employers' unions say dialogue needed on pension system

[27] Greek Deputy FinMin visits the US

[28] Greece takes part in Lisbon exhibit to promote firms, Eurovision bid

[29] Olympic venues bill will boost entrepreneurship and investment industrialists predict

[30] Merchant marine minister Kefaloyiannis in UAE for talks

[31] Stocks rise in late, across-the-board buying

[32] Greenpeace presents draft law for prohibition of cultivation of genetically modified products in Greece

[33] Cyprus National Council reaffirms commitment for settlement

[01] Greek and Turkish foreign ministers meet in Ankara

ANKARA 13/4/2005 (ANA - M. Savva)

After completing his one-on-one meeting with Gul, Molyviatis was received by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

He then attended a meeting between delegations of the Greek and Turkish foreign ministries, which was followed by a joint press conference by the two ministers, and in the evening he attended a dinner given by Gul in honor of the Greek mission.

On Wednesday, Molyviatis will meet the chairman of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Commission Mehmet Dulger and the General Secretary of the National Security Board Yigit Alpogan.

In the afternoon, the Greek minister will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Before his return to Athens that evening, the Greek minister will first make a stop in Istanbul where he is scheduled to visit Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Greek and Turkish foreign ministry delegations holding talks here on Tuesday headed by Molyviatis and Gul respectively, agreed to the establishment of a direct telephone line for communication between the national air force operations centre in Larissa, Greece, and the air force control centre in Eski Sehir, Turkey.

In a joint statement to the press, Molyviatis and Gul stressed the importance of the decision in the direction of avoiding undesirable events in the Aegean.

Molyviatis said the agreement was reached in the framework of the common will of both sides for further improving the climate in bilateral relations, for the building of confidence and decreasing tensions.

"We are convinced that this move will contribute constructively to the general effort to improve our relations," Molyviatis said.

Gul said cooperation between the relevant authorities of the two countries to implement the decisions will follow.

"The improvement in our relations must also be reflected in certain military activities in the Aegean, activities which are having a negative effect in the climate between our countries," Molyviatis added, while Gul confirmed that "these measures will also be supported by our military authorities."

As regards the three new confidence-building measures agreed during Tuesday's meeting, apart from the 11 already in effect, the Turkish foreign minister announced that they concern cooperation between emergency units in the case of natural disasters on the part of the military and at the same time the holding of joint exercises on this issue, the participation of military staff in a specific number for training and for learning the language in the two countries' military academies, as well as the carrying out of sports competitions between the military academies of the two countries.

On the question of Turkey's European prospects, Molyviatis said "our vision is to turn our neighborhood into a region such as the rest of Europe is. Namely, a region of peace, democracy, prosperity and stability with absolute respect for human rights, religious freedom and the protection of minorities."

The two ministers also exchanged views on the issue of Cyprus, while Molyviatis said that all sides converge on the aim of the island's reunification.

Molyviatis invited his Turkish counterpart to visit Athens so that, as he said, they can take another step together for further improving relations between the two countries.

[02] Another incident involving Turkish coast guard patrol boat reported in Imia region

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

According to sources, a Greek fisherman in the area also informed the coast guard that the skipper of the Turkish vessel re-quested that he leave the sea region.

The Turkish coast vessel was reportedly shadowed by a Greek coast guard patrol boat, and, further away, by a Hellenic Navy vessel.

Interestingly enough, the incident coincides with the arrival in Ankara of Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis for talks with Turkish leadership.

The rocky outcrops near the "sponge divers' " island of Kalymnos -- identified on international maritime maps as the Imia islets -- brought Greek-Turkish relations to a nadir in January 1996 when the government of former Turkish premier Tansu Ciller disputed Athens' sovereignty over the islets and the surrounding sea region.

Second Turkish coast guard vessel violates Greek territorial waters, replaces first in Imia islets region: Defense ministry sources said on Tuesday that shortly after 8 p.m. a second Turkish coast guard vessel violated Greek territorial waters and sailed in the direction of the islets of Imia to replace the first Turkish coast guard vessel which left the region after sailing around Imia for 12 hours.

Coast guard vessels are monitoring the movements of the Turkish vessel in the region, while a Greek Navy gunboat is monitoring the situation from a discreet distance.

Turkish warplanes violate Greece's national air space, infringe Athens FIR: Within the framework of the Turkish Air Force's continued illegal activity, 34 Turkish warplanes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday entered the Aegean air space without submitting flight plans (13 violations of the air traffic regulations of the Athens Flight Information Region) and in nine cases violated the national air space in the region of the northern Aegean.

In all cases, the two formations of Turkish warplanes were recognized and intercepted by corresponding Greek fighter jets, while there were no mock dog fights during the process of interception.

It was reported that five of the Turkish aircraft were armed.

[03] Alternate spokesman on the developments of Tuesday's situation in the Aegean

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

[04] Turkish opposition party rails against assembly speaker's proposal to lift 'casus belli'

ISTANBUL 13/4/2005 (ANA)

CHP leader and former minister Deniz Baykal called the Turkish speaker's proposal an "indication of weakness".

Diplomatic sources here, meanwhile, said the proposal to lift the "casus bell" with neighboring Greece, the only EU member-state on Turkey's borders, was part of efforts to continue normalizing bilateral relations, although Ankara continues to oppose an extension of Greek territorial waters.

Both Arinc and Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stressed, following the former's statement, that the "threat of war" was not actually a resolution taken by the national assembly, because it was never put to a vote.

Arinc, in fact, referred to a "declaration describing Turkey's re-action" in case of a territorial water extension. That "declaration" was signed by the vice-presidents of the political parties' parliament groups serving in Turkey's assembly at the time (July 8, 1995), before being read out to the body.

The threat to declare war is linked to Greece's internationally established right, under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles from the country's coastline, including those of its islands.

Although Greece has not extended its territorial waters from the present six nautical miles -- fixed by law in 1936 -- the country has reserved its right to do so at whatever time it deems it to be in its interests.

On May 31, 1995, the Greek parliament ratified the Law of the Sea Convention -- which gives all littoral countries the right to extend their territorial waters, or their 'territorial sea', to an outer limit of 12 nautical miles from their coastline, including their islands, in effect making official a practice exercised for decades by the vast majority of coastal states throughout the world.

A week later, on June 8, 1995, the Turkish national assembly unveiled a resolution/declaration authorizing the Turkish government to take all steps, including military ones, in the event that Greece extended its territorial waters in the Aegean.

Turkey, although not a signatory of the Convention, had in 1964 extended its own territorial waters to 12 nautical miles in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea but not in the Aegean.

[05] Greece, Russia, Bulgaria sign political pact for new oil pipeline

SOFIA 13/4/2005 (ANA/B Borisov)

"This is a historic moment for ties between Russia, Bulgaria and Greece. " Sioufas told a news conference in Sofia.

The 285-kilometre pipeline to carry Russian oil from Burgas in Bulgaria to Alexandroupoli in northern Greece has an estimated investment cost of 750-800 million US dollars with an annual capacity of 35 million tones of oil. It will supplement a sea route through the Bosporus for transportation of the product in the region.

"The Burgas-Alexandroupoli pipeline will forge a new outlet for Russian oil and for oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe and America," said Sioufas after signing the pact with his Bulgarian and Russian counterparts at a ceremony attended by the neighboring country's premier.

Greek firms so far due to take part in the project are Athens-quoted Hellenic Petroleum, the Latsis oil, shipping and banking group; and the Kopelouzos energy group. Major Russian firms have shown interest in the project, including Lukoil.

Sioufas recently praised work by ministers of the three countries for their work in ending the deadlock; and efforts made by Greece's previous government.

The minister also noted that the three countries' prime ministers had urged speed in moving the project forward; and that the Greek development and foreign ministries would set up a working group to handle coordination.

Other regional energy projects on the drawing board are a link between Greek, Turkish and Italian natural gas networks; a natural gas pipeline for the western Balkans; and a combined energy market for southeastern Europe and the Black Sea.

Earlier in the day, the Bulgarian premier, Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, received a personal message from his Greek counterpart via Sioufas praising his personal contribution to moving the project along.

PM welcomes fresh life for project: In Athens, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis welcomed signature of the pipeline pact.

"This is a historic agreement that has ended a 13-year deadlock. The basis has been set for construction of a project of great significance for the economy and for the energy sector, not only for the countries involved, but for the entire region," Karamanlis said in a statement.

"In addition, the project further strengthens the ties linking the peoples of the three countries, creating the conditions for further cooperation among them on a political, economic, commercial and cultural level," the premier added.

Main opposition sees hard work ahead: The leader of the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), George Papandreou, said the political agreement represented the first step in the project, which held unprecedented economic and geopolitical significance for the Balkans, also raising Greece's global prestige.

A PASOK spokeswoman, Anna Diamantopoulou, noted. "To follow is a commercial agreement between the three countries, forming a company for the pipeline, forging contracts for the quantity of oil, and the start of construction. This is a long and arduous road for the governments involved and for private initiative."

[06] Breakthrough not imminent in Greece-FYROM talks on name issue but negotiations will continue, UN special envoy says

NEW YORK 13/4/2005 (ANA/P.Panayiotou)

"Therefore, he has urged both Athens and Skopje to work with him through their established process, with a minimum of public statements, to determine how their differences can be bridged. Discussions in future weeks will take place through discussions between Mr. Nimetz and each of the parties separately, as well as in more formal meetings involving both parties," according to the statement.

Nimetz had proposed the composite name "Republika Makedonije-Skopje", as a way to resolve an outstanding dispute between Greece and FYROM over the latter's use of the name "Macedonia."

Skopje, however, rejected the proposal, saying it was "not acceptable."

Statements by UN SG's spokesman on FYROM name issue: "On these issues, which have an incredibly technical and complex character, we restrict ourselves to the statements by Mr. Nimetz and I will not add nor clarify anything." Fred Eckhard, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said on Tuesday in response to whether Annan himself will intervene in the talks between Greece and FYROM over the latter's use of the name 'Macedonia'.

UN Special Envoy Matthew Nimetz had proposed the composite name "Republika Makedonije-Skopje", as a way to resolve an outstanding dispute between the two countries which has been going on for over a decade.

Skopje, however, rejected the proposal, saying it was "not acceptable."

Asked whether there was progress in the talks, Eckhard said, "I am sorry, but I do not intend to say anything beyond the statement," referring to the statement sent my Nimetz to Annan on Tuesday.

[07] U.S. State Department says proposal by Nimetz 'is a constructive step'

WASHINGTON 13/4/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

"We encourage both sides (Greece and FYROM) to confront the proposal with seriousness. We are in contact with both the sides, as with the United Nations, trying to encourage them to look at the issue seriously and solve it," Boucher concluded.

[08] EU's Solana urges FYROM to accept UN proposal for resolving name issue, sources claim

SKOPJE 13/4/2005 (ANA - N. Fragopoulou)

Solana made the statements during an interview with a private Skopje-based TV channel that will be broadcast on Tuesday night, they claimed.

"This matter must be resolved. The United Nations body responsible for this issue put together a proposal a few days ago, which has been sent to the two sides. As far as FYROM is concerned (I speak of this country and not of Greece), I hope it accepts the position of the UN Secretary-General," Solana is reported as saying.

He was referring to a proposal sent by UN Special Mediator Matthew Nimetz to both sides last week, suggesting the name "Republika Makedonija-Skopje" for the small Balkan state, which shares a border with the northern Greek province of Macedonia.

In Athens, meanwhile, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros told reporters on Tuesday that Skopje appeared not to accept the Nimetz proposal as the basis for negotiations, as Athens has said it will do.

The spokesman said the Greek government will not at this time add anything further to the positions already expressed, since the other side had not yet adopted a public binding decision on the proposal and there had been no official reply from the United Nations.

Asked whether Greece might use its veto to block FYROM's entry into the EU and NATO if it rejected the deal, Antonaros simply noted that finding a mutually acceptable solution will improve relations between the two sides, increase stability in the region and have a favorable impact on the country's attempts to join international organizations like the EU and NATO.

He also noted that Skopje's refusal would allow third countries to see which side was ready to negotiate.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by its northern neighbor on the grounds that it might encourage expansionist policies against Greece. Greeks are also incensed by the attempts

of FYROM Slavs to "usurp" the famous Greek general Alexander the Great, whose ancient kingdom lay roughly within the borders of the present-day Greek province of Macedonia, from whom they claim descent.

[09] EU Parliament to vote on proposal supporting use of 'Macedonia' by

FYROM PARIS 13/4/2005 (ANA/O.Tsipira)

The draft law is being submitted by Danish Eurodeputy Anders Samuelsen on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

In the draft, Samuelsen expresses the Committee's satisfaction with the reforms and efforts made by the FYROM government and claims that FYROM's participation in the European process will benefit not only the country, but the region as a whole.

New Democracy Eurodeputies expressed their strong opposition to the amendment in a statement they issued on Tuesday, adding that they would lead the initiative to block the proposal.

In their statement, the ND Eurodeputies cite the following as reasons for their objection: The UN accepted FYROM because the latter had committed to negotiating its official name with Greece; negotiations between FYROM and Greece regarding the name issue are still ongoing, thus acceptance by the European Parliament of the name 'Macedonia' would mean supporting one side at the expense of the other; Greece and FYROM have found a way to coexist peacefully in recent years and such a move could upset that balance.

"We believe that if the authors of this amendment realized what it might lead to, they themselves would withdraw it," the ND Eurodeputies concluded in their statement.

[10] Deputy FM briefs EU ambassadors on FYROM name issue, current European matters

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Valinakis will be leaving for a visit to Berlin, Strasbourg and Brussels on Wednesday as part of the briefing on FYROM's name issue.

The deputy minister will be holding consecutive meetings with the EU High Commissioner Javier Solana, German Deputy Foreign Minister Klaus Schariot and Luxembourg's Alternate European Affairs Minister Nikola Schmidt.

[11] Greek gov't on leaked portions of Nimetz proposal

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

He also stressed, however, that the particular point was "ambiguous and open to different interpretations" and that the Nimetz proposal had not been presented on a "take it or leave it" basis but as a basis for talks.

During negotiations there would be points that were not accepted by one or the other side, while the talks had not yet advanced to the point of initially or signing any agreement, he pointed out.

He said the Greek side had shown that it was ready to proceed with negotiations and had asked the UN to accelerate the process.

In response to other questions, Antonaros stressed that Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis had briefed President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, the prime minister and the government on the Nimetz proposal as he ought.

[12] Nimetz proposal on FYROM name issue lacks guarantees for dignified solution, PASOK President says

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

The PASOK leader called on the government to publicize the full text of Nimetz's letter to enable the public to be informed and said the letter he received contains certain points on which Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis did not brief him.

Papandreou also accused the government of displaying inertia and weakness during the one year it has been in power.

Speaking earlier during a meeting of his party's Parliamentary Group coordinating body, he said the government has made three mistakes on the FYROM issue.

The first mistake was that the government announced the acceptance of the package agreement. The second was that it did not brief the opposition parties from the beginning and it did not show a responsible stance. The third was that it also included Kosovo in the entire package, as it has distanced itself from the steadfast position of Greek foreign policy which did not accept a change in borders in the Balkans until now.

Papandreou said the ruling New Democracy party is moving between two extremes. While it spoke of a veto in the beginning, it is now bowing to pressures from various sides of the

Referring to the issue of consensus in foreign policy in general, Papandreou said that above all, consensus means reliability, which he does not ascertain in the government, just as he does not ascertain a mood for understanding on foreign policy issues.

[13] SAE president declares confidence in Greece's handling of FYROM name issue

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

In a statement released on Tuesday, Athens said that the prospect of commencement of a negotiations process with FYROM on the name issue gives birth to hope that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached that will respect the historic truth and contribute to the consolidation of peace and security in the Balkan region.

[14] FYROM rejects Nimetz proposal; says it was not an official proposal for negotiations

SKOPJE 13/4/2005 (ANA - N. Frangopoulos)

"The composite name 'Republika Makedonije-Skopje' is not acceptable for us," FYROM Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva said, while claiming that this had not been submitted by the UN as an official proposal for negotiations.

According to Mitreva, Nimetz had proposed the name as "one of the ideas that had been suggested before along with others," to Skopje's representative Nikola Dimitrov during a meeting early on Tuesday morning. This had been presented to Greek public opinion as an official proposal put on the negotiating table but this was not the case, she claimed.

"No official proposal was put on the negotiating table by Mr. Nimetz," Mitreva stressed, saying that the meeting had examined some ideas in the framework of an open discussion, during which the mediator had sought to hear the comments of both sides, whether positive or negative.

The FYROM minister also sought to play down the significance of the Nimetz proposal, noting that such exchanges of views and ideas were part of the process taking place under UN auspices for the past 12 years.

"There is no need to create an atmosphere of some sort of ultimatum or emergency situation," she added.

During the meeting with Nimetz, Skopje had reiterated its position for use of the constitutional name 'Republic of Macedonia' at the UN and in all international communication, Mitreva said.

The solution proposed by Nimetz could serve as the basis for carrying out constructive talks for finding a solution for bilateral communication between Macedonia and Greece, she added.

News of the Nimetz proposal was made public in Greece the previous week and had been received by the Greek government as an acceptable "basis for negotiations", though requiring amendments and clarifications.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by its northern neighbor on the grounds that it might encourage expansionist policies against Greece. Greeks are also incensed by the attempts of FYROM Slavs to "usurp" the famous Macedonian general Alexander the Great, whose ancient kingdom lay roughly within the borders of the present-day Greek province of Macedonia, from whom they claim descent.

[15] Government on Euro Constitution, reforms

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

He was responding to questions concerning demands for a referendum on the issue by three opposition parties.

The spokesman also stressed that a statement by Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Monday, in which he asked for the support of opposition parties in carrying out important reforms, did not mean that the government had given up the right and obligation to carry out reforms.

[16] PASOK party leader expands on request for EU treaty referendum

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou said the referendum will provide the people with the opportunity "to decide on such an important issue."

Secondly, the Greek people will have a fuller briefing, through the referendum process, on the country's course in the European Union 25 years after its accession.

Thirdly, "important decisions will be taken through the European constitution concerning Europe's and our country's future as an EU member. This requires a wider consensus which can only be achieved through a popular mandate," he said.

[17] Communist Party stages rally against European constitution

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

One of the slogans dominating the event was "'No' to the European constitution and to the European Union of capital."

At the end of the rally, the demonstrators organized a march through the city's main streets and ended their march at the building housing the European Agency for Reconstruction of the Balkans.

[18] Roussopoulos briefed by British minister on media concentration laws

LONDON 13/4/2005 (ANA - L. Tsirigotakis)

"We discussed the issue of (media ownership) concentration, because as you know we are preparing a law for this, as well as the opportunities for television and radio to enter the digital age, and the BBC's dynamic, which many envy, us included, to be quite frank ... The goal of the meetings I have had in European capitals is to acquire useful information from other countries' experiences," Roussopoulos told reporters afterwards.

The Greek minister was later scheduled to meet with the BBC's Director of Governance, Nicholas Kroll, followed by talks with the leadership of OFCOM, the independent regulator and competition authority for British communications industries.

[19] Public Order minister Voulgarakis satisfied with first day of Washington talks

WASHINGTON 13/4/2005 (ANA/T. Ellis)

According to diplomatic sources, Bush's homeland security advisor Frances Townsend, who is also chairwoman of the homeland security council, "heard with interest" Voulgarakis' outline of Greece's proposal for the establishment of an inter-Balkan training centre for staff members of the security services of the countries of the region, which the Greek minister said was in the framework of the upgraded role Greece aspired to play in the Balkans.

The discussion with Townsend took place in a "very positive climate", and Townsend also expressed admiration for the absolute success in Greece's organization of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games last August.

Townsend put forward the issue of Greek passports, which were behind technology-wise, and Voulgarakis assured her that their replacement was only a matter of time, noting that the issue of the new, modern passports was slated for the end of the year, the sources said.

Speaking to reporters Monday after talks with US homeland security secretary, Voulgarakis said that he put forward Greece's tactical target of cooperation for the better education and training of staff aimed at confronting the problem of organized crime, including terrorism.

He further outlined Greece's strategic target of security in the region, which would also contribute to smooth economic development, which would be to the benefit of all, including Greece, adding that the establishment of the inter-Balkan training centre was in the framework of that strategic goal.

Voulgarakis said he was "exceptionally pleased" by his reception, and the esteem in which the Americans held Greece following the Athens Olympics.

The Greek minister was due to meet Tuesday with US attorney general Alberto Gonzales, FBI director Robert Mueller, and under secretary of state for political affairs Nicholas Burns, who served as US ambassador to Greece from 1997 to 2001.

[20] Cabinet discusses draft bill for faster justice

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Papaligouras is to table the bill in Parliament on Wednesday.

According to the minister, the bill is multi-faceted and its goal is to speed up and improve the quality of court decisions. He also stressed that action on this issue was greatly delayed and that the justice sector had been neglected.

The meeting was then briefed on government efforts to cut down bureaucracy and the development of the Citizens' Service Centre (KEP) network by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

The minister said the government had reformed the KEP network created by the previous PASOK government and converted its branches into centers handling complete transactions. There were currently 966 KEP centers handling 855 certified procedures involving the public sector, including 134 centers in major urban centers that were open in the evenings and on Saturdays, as well as in the morning.

Future action envisaged to further cut down bureaucracy was the abolition of the "verification of signature" document and allowing KEP centers to validate the certificates they issued, in order to save citizens time and money, he added.

Asked whether tax offices will also stay open in the evening to receive tax statements, Pavlopoulos said this was a decision for the finance minister.

[21] Spiritual leaders from abroad, Athens mayor express condolences over death of former archbishop

ALEXANDRIA 13/4/2005 (ANA/N.Katsikas)

Theodoros sent a letter of condolences to Archbishop of America Demetrios on Tuesday, emphasizing Iakovos' qualities: "his dedication to the Church, his long-standing and beneficial service, his education, his dynamism, his ecclesiastical ethos and his decency."

Archbishop of Tirana, Dures and All Albania Anastasios also expressed his condolences over Iakovos' death in a letter he sent to Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Demetrios. He referred to Iakovos as being talented and "a rare spiritual leader, who served the Church wisely."

"Hellenism lost its support, its patriotic voice which reached all the corners of the world loud and clear, and the world's powerful, in order to convince in a way that only he could, regarding the nation's interests," Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyannis wrote in the letter of condolences she addressed to Demetrios.

The historic prelate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America (now Archdiocese of America), died in Stanford, Connecticut, where he was hospitalized with acute respiratory problems.

Iakovos, born on the island of Imvros, served as Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of America for 37 years until his resignation in July 1996. He was succeeded by Archbishop Spyridon, who served in the post for three years, followed by the current Archbishop, Demetrios.

[22] ECOFIN approves Greece's updated stability program

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

The EU economy and finance ministers welcomed Greece's fiscal effort to reduce its excessive deficit and expressed their satisfaction over the strict implementation of this year's budget and the introduction of additional corrective measures in 2005. The council also welcomed the Greek government's pledge to bring its fiscal deficit below 3.0 percent of GDP in 2006 and noted the Greek program was a "significant fiscal adjustment".

The Council said the Greek government was conforming with recommendations made by the Council in February and stressed that no further steps in a procedure over excessive deficit was needed at present.

ECOFIN says no further action needed against Greek excessive deficit: The Greek government is making very serious efforts to reduce its fiscal deficit below 3.0 percent of Gross Domestic Product, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, who chairs a two-day meeting of Eurogroup and ECOFIN councils told a news conference on Tuesday.

Commenting on the results of a Eurogroup meeting on Monday, which reviewed a Greek updated stability program for the period 2004-2007, Juncker said the Council noted that the Greek government was making very serious efforts to reduce its fiscal deficit and that Greece was responding to recommendations made by the Council in previous months. Juncker said the Council agreed there was no need to take additional measures and underlined the Greek government's intention to take further measures if needed.

EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said the Commission concluded that Greece has conformed with a Council decision taken in February to reduce its excessive fiscal deficit by the end of 2006. Almunia noted that Greece has implemented with determination pledges included in a 2005 budget and underlined the introduction of an additional package of measures announced in March.

The Commissioner said he expected Greek authorities to strictly implement this year's budget and to present measures in 2006 aimed to complete a fiscal adjustment program. Almunia noted that the Commission was not considering any further action against Greece at present.

Greek FinMin expresses satisfaction over ECOFIN decision: Greek Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on Tuesday expressed his satisfaction over an ECOFIN decision to approve the country's updated Stability and Growth Program.

Speaking to reporters in Luxembourg, Alogoskoufis said the Greek government full agreed with conclusions of both the European Commission and the Council and stressed the government was fully conforming with Council recommendations and that no further steps in a procedure over the country's excessive fiscal deficit were needed.

The Greek minister noted that fiscal adjustment was significant and was the result of three factors: savings of up to 1.0 percent GDP from excluding Olympic Games' spending from the budget, a significant slowdown in the public sector's primary spending -excluding investments- leading to additional savings of up to 0.5 percent of GDP and additional measures aimed to boost revenues leading to savings of up to 1.0 percent of GDP this year.

Alogoskoufis reiterated the Greek government's pledge to continue efforts aimed to reduce fiscal deficit in 2006 and stressed Greek authorities were in full cooperation with Eurostat to address any outstanding problems.

Commenting on further steps towards reducing fiscal deficits, Alogoskoufis said efforts would focus on implementing structural measures in primary spending and strengthening mechanisms to combat tax evasion and smuggling. The Greek minister said ECOFIN's decision completed a round of talk over the Greek economy and noted that the next station in evaluation the country's fiscal condition was in autumn with the presentation of a draft budget plan for 2006. He expressed the hope that the draft budget plan would be positively evaluated by the Council.

Alogoskoufis repeated Greek positions over negotiations to draft an EU budget for 2007-2013 and said the discussion reaffirmed the EU member-states' common goal to complete negotiations by June. He acknowledged, however, it was a tough negotiation as member states diverged significantly in their positions.

The Greek minister said resolving the pension issue in the country was a very delicate issue that needed the biggest possible consensus and the cooperation of main opposition parties in parliament.

[23] Greece aims to absorb 2.0 billion euros in EU funds in 2005

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Folias said the ministry aimed to absorb 2.0 billion euros by the end of the year. "We are optimistic over this year's absorption rate," the Greek minister said, adding the government has made a coordinated effort in the fourth quarter of 2004 aimed to avoid the loss of EU funds.

Folias said the Greek government has not yet submitted payment applications with EU agencies since the government was negotiating with the European Commission over the implementation of an Action Plan. The Commission has asked the Greek government to submit an action plan aimed to improve management and monitoring of spending if it wanted to avoid a suspension of payment. The action plan was submitted with the EU's executive and a Commission decision is expected soon.

Folias said Greece was entitled to receive more than three billion euros from the EU's Cohesion Fund in the period 2000-2006 and stressed the country needed to absorb around 500 million euros to avoid the loss of EU funds.

[24] PM Karamanlis confers with Agro-development minister Bassiakos

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Bassiakos told reporters after the meeting that he briefed Karamanlis on his ministry's activities, implementation of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the provisions of a bill that was due to be tabled in parliament later in the day, as well as on initiatives aimed at "tidying up that which we inherited (from the preceding PASOK government)".

The minister pledged that his ministry would go ahead with materialization of its program, with determination, despite the reactions from those who were conveniently settled in the present state of affairs.

Bassiakos stressed the need for support of the agricultural sector so that the proportion of the active farming population could remain as high as possible and in order to take advantage of all the prospects for better distribution of the farm products that faced a crisis in the past.

"ND will take every legitimate and compatible with the EU measure, so as to assist the agricultural sector, the Greek farmer, and the countryside," the minister said.

[25] Bid deadline ends Weds in Olympic Airlines sale tender

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Bidding are companies that expressed interest in buying a majority stake in the company in the tender's first phase.

Aegean Airlines of Greece has said it will make a binding offer for 100% of Olympic's stock.

According to sources, groups that have expressed interest in the tender are Olympic Investors (Greek-American); Sure Estates (the Netherlands); Intra (UK and Germany); and Klesch (UK).

[26] Trade, employers' unions say dialogue needed on pension system

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos, presenting a survey by GSEE's Labor Institute on the Social Security Institution (IKA), said the survey sounded the alarm bell for young workers as the country was witnessing a significant increase in the number of pensioners and a decline in the number of workers.

The survey said a precondition for the viability of IKA was to raise the budget's contribution from 1.0 percent of GDP to 2.4 percent while it noted that the Social Security Institution could find itself in a very critical condition by 2025 unless other special pension funds were included in the Institution.

The survey also noted that Greek pensioners were closer to poverty levels compared with other Europeans, with 20 percent of them receiving pensions less than 400 euros per month, only 9.0 percent reporting pension payments of more than 1,000 euros and the remaining reporting pension payments ranging from 450 to 600 euros per month.

Polyzogopoulos said the survey recommended an effective combat against tax evasion and illegal labor in the country and new legislation aimed to allow a more effective investment of IKA's reserves.

[27] Greek Deputy FinMin visits the US

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

The Greek minister will also meet with B.H. Rogers, chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, Cliff Stearns, chairman of the Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee, both member of the House of Representatives.

Doukas will also attend a conference organized by the US Chamber of Commerce, the Hellenic-American Heritage Council and the World Council of Hellenes Abroad over a new investment environment in Greece. He is scheduled to meet with John Graham, Budget Affairs General Manager of the US government to be briefed over the way the US government was drafting and monitoring the implementation of federal budgets.

The Greek minister will visit Boston on Wednesday to speak at the Harvard and MIT Universities on Greek competitiveness and will meet with professors, researchers and institutional investors in the framework of the 2nd MIT-Sloan Private Equity Symposium.

Doukas will also meet with Columbia University Professor and Nobel Prize Winner Robert Mandell and Graciela Chichilnisky, an Economics Nobel Prize candidate in New York.

[28] Greece takes part in Lisbon exhibit to promote firms, Eurovision bid

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

In an initiative by the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, ERT state radio and television is presenting Greece's Eurovision contestant, Elena Paparizou, and her song, "My number one".

Twenty five sector firms from around the country are displaying their wares in the trade fair on April 10-13.

Launching the Greek pavilion last Sunday was Agricultural Development and Food Minister Evangelos Basiakos, who said he supported this outward-looking business move.

[29] Olympic venues bill will boost entrepreneurship and investment industrialists predict

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

Kyriakopoulos made his comments after being briefed on the bill - which will be tabled in Parliament shortly - by Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia on Tuesday.

On her part, Palli-Petralia stressed that "the draft law aims to capitalize on the Olympic Games legacy" and to enable Greek citizens to enjoy the unique facilities which their tax money financed.

Palli-Petralia also briefed mayors Fotis Magoulas of Markopoulo, Stelios Benetatos of Nikea and Nikos Papadimas of Ano Liossia on the draft law.

[30] Merchant marine minister Kefaloyiannis in UAE for talks

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

During the visit, Kefaloyiannis will meet with UAE deputy prime minister and minister of finance and industry Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktum, first vice president of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, DCCI director general Abudl Rahman Ghanim Al Mutaiwee, and with Sultan Amehd Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of the Dubai Ports, Customs & Freezone Corporation (PCFZ), the billion dollar corporation that emerged after the 2001 merger of Dubai Customs, Jebel Ali Free Zone, and the Dubai Ports Authority.

The topics on the agenda include improvement of bilateral cooperation in the economic sector, with talks focusing on improvement of the investment programs between Greece and the UAE, as well as the prospect for further cooperation in shipping, commerce and tourism matters.

More specifically, Kefaloyiannis will outline to the Dubai officials the existing prospects of using resources for the creation and reinforcement of consortia between the two countries involved in sea transports and ports.

[31] Stocks rise in late, across-the-board buying

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 3,020.63 points, marking a rise of 0.86%. Turnover was 157.8 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.88% up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.96% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.40% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 199 to 81 with 57 remaining unchanged.

[32] Greenpeace presents draft law for prohibition of cultivation of genetically modified products in Greece

Athens, 13/4/2005 (ANA)

As stated on Tuesday by Myrto Pispini, head of Greenpeace's campaign against genetically modified products, one year since the introduction of the new European legislation on genetically modified products, "we ascertain that this remains unimplemented and leaves unsolved many important issues which concern the income of the farmers and the protection of agriculture and the environment."

[33] Cyprus National Council reaffirms commitment for settlement

NICOSIA 13/4/2005 (CNA/ANA)

This was announced by Cypriot Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides on Tuesday, who read out a statement after the four-hour meeting.

He said President Tassos Papadopoulos presented a summary of the political parties' views regarding amendments to the plan proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for a comprehensive settlement, with which the majority of the National Council agrees.

The spokesman said the parties comprising the National Council, top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus problem, reserved their views on various aspects and noted that the meeting was held in an atmosphere of understanding.

Referring to Turkish press reports that the EU was preparing a plan to force President Papadopoulos into fresh talks on the Cyprus problem, Chrysostomides said he was not aware of such information.

Commenting on the same reports, Minister of Foreign Affairs George Iacovou said he had no such information either.

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