Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-05-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Special Parliamentary session held on 60th anniversary of end of WWII

[02] Gov't pledges action to promote use of internet

[03] PM's schedule for Wednesday

[04] CoE summit in Poland ends; statements by ND Deputy Papadimitriou

[05] Cabinet approves draft bill for university evaluation

[06] PASOK's Diamantopoulou slams KEPE report on competitiveness as 'lacking direction'

[07] President Papoulias to attend event celebrating ANA's centennial

[08] Minister of State attends meeting of European ministers of audiovisual media

[09] Ecumenical Patriarchate calls int'l council of Orthodox Churches to focus on Jerusalem Patriarch issue

[10] PASOK leader chairs party's Coordinating Body

[11] EU presents "state of the regions" report

[12] Gov't to freeze consumer spending in public sector next year

[13] Meeting focuses on regions' 'tourism package'

[14] Tourism minister and regional authority heads discuss action for tourist season

[15] Eurobank bidding in Serbian bank privatization tender

[16] Greek government will assist Cyprus in course towards eurozone, deputy development minister says

[17] Fitch may put Greece on negative watch if deficit stays high

[18] Greek businesses show great interest in EU's programs in third countries

[19] Unions seek renegotiation of national labor pact

[20] Gov't seeks to promote use of geothermal energy

[21] PPC to build four new power plants

[22] Piraeus prefecture confiscates 25 tones of listeria-contaminated chicken

[23] Regulators accuse dentists of setting minimum fees

[24] Stocks drop in lackluster trade

[25] City of Athens honors Rogge, ATHOC chief Angelopoulos-Daskalaki

[26] Botsis Foundation gives awards to 20 journalists

[27] Increased financing for the restoration of the Acropolis monuments

[28] Retrospective for sculptor Ivan Kozaric at Athens Technopolis, in view of Croatia's EU entry

[29] UNESCO's 'Melina Mercouri' prize awarded to historic village in Iran

[30] Events in Delphi with the participation of actress Vanessa Redgrave

[31] Two exhibitions at Athens Concert Hall on relation of medical science and art

[32] Economic aid to Palestinian orphans by the Greek Solidarity Caravan

[33] Police seize biggest ever quantity of ecstasy pills

[34] National soccer team awarded 'Laureus' prize

[35] Cypriot President Papadopoulos addresses CoE Warsaw Summit

[36] Cyprus government spokesman: Right preparation is our objective

[01] Special Parliamentary session held on 60th anniversary of end of WWII

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The prime minister and the main opposition party leader focused on the comparison of Europe of wars and hostility with that of the vision of its political union as it is being served by the European Union today.

On the other hand, leftist parties expressed grave concern over the prospects of peace which is being threatened by the domination by one power, the United States.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis dedicated the special Parliamentary session "to the millions of men and women who sacrificed themselves for the human ideals of freedom and dignity, to the peoples who dared and stood their ground against the forces of totalitarianism."

Karamanlis added that "the slogan 'no more war' that was being heard from the lips of the peoples of the entire world in May 1945 is becoming a tangible reality in a Europe which is joining its forces. Today, 60 years after the ceasefire, united Europe is becoming a model of peace, democracy and cooperation."

Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou said "we have no right to forget history", adding that "historic memory must not hold us captive but must liberate us."

Papandreou further said the message of WWII, on the value of the struggle for peace, stability, cooperation, progress and the strengthening of democratic structures, must be mobilized against phenomena of racism, ultra-nationalism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga said WWII took place for the same reasons as WWI did, with the purpose of reallocating markets and with the additional aim of crushing the first socialist state in the world.

"We are extremely concerned over the current situation", Papariga said, "both because of lies being spread by the U.S. on WWII at a time when they are engineering campaigns and interventions in the domestic affairs of other countries and because Europe of capitalist countries, which in its ranks encloses the conflict of markets and which wants to become strong to claim more markets with peaceful and non-peaceful means, is dangerous."

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Alekos Alavanos said "today, the forces of neo-fascism, racism and xenophobia are attempting to reappear. The forces of the left must not allow this."

Alavanos added that "the effort to doubt the decisive contribution of the USSR to the anti-fascist victory must not pass", which is also being paved "by the American neo-conservatives who are not satisfied with plans wanting the current century to be an 'American century' but who also want the 20th century to appear as an American one in retrospect."

Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki said 60 years after the end of WWII "the situation being shaped cannot be ignored. There where the population explosion coexists with untold poverty, the irrational use of nuclear energy and the wave of economic refugees cannot let us be indifferent", adding that "the times are difficult, dangers do exist, but hope, we want to believe, is alive."

[02] Gov't pledges action to promote use of internet

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Addressing an event held at the Athens Metro station in Syntagma to celebrate the World Telecommunications Day, organized by the Transport and Communications ministry, the Greek PM stressed "we need to act quickly and to close the gap from other advanced countries in new technologies in the telecommunications sector".

Karamanlis, accompanied by Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis, visited the exhibition site showing the evolution of telecommunications from ancient times till nowadays.

Addressing the event, Liapis said the ministry planned a series of actions aimed to promote the use of internet in the country with lower prices and more use of broadband services.

The Greek minister stressed the country has a long way to go since average use of internet was 20 percent in Greece compared with 47 percent in Europe.

[03] PM's schedule for Wednesday

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

On Wednesday, the premier was scheduled to receive the foreign and defense ministers at his office in the morning, followed by his attendance at an event at Zappeion Hall celebrating the 100 years since the establishment of the Athens News Agency (ANA).

Afterwards, he was scheduled to receive visiting Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili.

Later in the day, Karamanlis is set to attend an event sponsored by the Constantine Karamanlis Institute for Democracy commemorating the anniversaries of the restoration of democracy in Greece, Spain and Portugal.

[04] CoE summit in Poland ends; statements by ND Deputy Papadimitriou

PARIS 18/5/2005 (ANA/O. Tsipira)

Greek ruling New Democracy (ND) party Deputy Elsa Papadimitriou, who is one of the vice-presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and head of the Greek delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly, had worked hard for the preparation of the Warsaw meeting. Expounding on the reasons which led to the holding of the meeting, and based on the discussions during the 14 months of preparation in which Papadimitriou participated, she commented: "The primary reason was the need for the consolidation of a supplementation between legislative and executive organs, but above all the specification of the supplementary role (of the Council of Europe) towards the governments, but henceforth seriously reinforced."

[05] Cabinet approves draft bill for university evaluation

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou afterwards said that the bill complied with ruling New Democracy's program for education, the general principles of a European network for university evaluation of which Greece will become a member and the results of the National Council on Education. She also noted that the bill had been approved by main opposition PASOK.

She said that there had been an exchange of views during the cabinet meeting on aspects of the bill but that it had then been unanimously approved.

Regarding the reactions of academics, who are threatening with protest action, Yiannakou said that a section of academics had certain fears but that these were unjustified, since the bill ensured objectivity. She pointed out that only the president of the evaluating committee will be appointed by the education ministry, while the other members will all be chosen by universities.

According to Environment Minister George Souflias, meanwhile, the draft bill departed slightly from the program that he had prepared for ND since the assessors were originally to be selected by universities from a special list, while the draft bill called for assessors to be chosen by lot.

[06] PASOK's Diamantopoulou slams KEPE report on competitiveness as 'lacking direction'

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

"The government has once again proved that, not only is it unable to govern, it doesn't even have the political courage to clearly state its views," she said.

She also stressed that the problems of the Greek labor market were those of widespread black-market labor and control of the labor market, rather the rights of management and overtime.

Referring to tourism, meanwhile, she said PASOK was prepared to support reforms and real work but not the "Hollywood-style performances and words of [Tourism Minister Dimitris] Avramopoulos". She also stressed that the government had failed to take advantage of the facilities left behind by the Olympics and had little to show in terms of legislation, modernizing institutions and using European programs for tourism.

The competitiveness report presented on Monday by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said the government should link pay increases in the public and private sectors with productivity increase in the country, promote flexibility in the labor market, liberalize closed professions and fully privatize state-owned banks, recommending structural reforms in the economy, labor relations and domestic markets.

[07] President Papoulias to attend event celebrating ANA's centennial

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Also invited to attend are Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, the leaders of the political parties, ministers, deputy ministers, and representatives of Greece's economic, political and cultural life.

The event will be addressed by Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos and representatives of the political parties, while it will be broadcast live over the Internet through the Macedonian News Agency's site www.mpa.gr.

There will also be an exhibition of photographs and historic documents concerning the ANA and a commemorative book of photographs published by the ANA to mark the anniversary.

[08] Minister of State attends meeting of European ministers of audiovisual media

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The meeting discussed the need to protect the European audiovisual industry, with emphasis on support for the training, production and distribution sectors.

Roussopoulos focused on the need to promote collaboration between European countries in order to take advantage of European cultural pluralism and so that countries with a limited geographic and language range could participate in productions and gradually become more competitive in this area.

The meeting also considered copyright and piracy issues and how this might be prevented. According to the Greek minister, there were three ways of stopping the flouting of copyright law: better policing, by using more advanced technology and by educating the public, especially young people in schools, that copyright violations and piracy are a crime and must be treated as such - possibly through a European-wide campaign.

After the meeting, Commissioner Reding said that she intended to call an informal meeting of ministers of the audiovisual media and education ministers in order to seek out effective ways of cooperating in order to fight copyright violations.

[09] Ecumenical Patriarchate calls int'l council of Orthodox Churches to focus on Jerusalem Patriarch issue

ISTANBUL 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Eirinaios continues to be at the centre of an unprecedented furor in Jerusalem over the purported sale -- or long-term leasing, according to other reports -- of several properties in east Jerusalem to Israeli interests, a prospect that has enraged Palestinians, Arab Christian faithful and the Greek Orthodox brotherhood of clerics in the Holy Land. Calls for the Jerusalem Patriarch's resignation have continued unabated since the issue first surfaced earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, according to an ANA dispatch from Jerusalem, Eirinaios on Tuesday convened his Patriarchate's Holy Synod at his residence, as the Patriarchate's throne room remains locked and controlled by a group of high-ranking clerics demanding his ouster.

According to reports, four members of the Holy Synod and seven other clerics, along with Eirinaios, participated at the session in the latter's residence.

Fourteen members of the Jerusalem Patriarchate's Holy Synod have renounced Eirinaios and called for his dethronement.

Archbishop Christodoulos to attend int'l council meeting of Orthodox Churches in Istanbul on Jerusalem Patriarchate issue: Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos received an invitation on Tuesday evening by the chief secretary of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to participate in the convening of an international council of Orthodox Churches in Istanbul next Monday, May 23. The convening of next week's meeting was decided earlier on Tuesday by the Patriarchate's Holy Synod.

The Archbishop, who will go to the Phanar accompanied by two senior clerics, will convene a special meeting of the Permanent Holy Synod on Friday to determine which senior clerics will accompany him.

Invited at the Phanar are the primates of the Orthodox Churches from all over the world who will discuss the developments at the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

[10] PASOK leader chairs party's Coordinating Body

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Papandreou, according to the reports, stressed that PASOK "must deconstruct the policy of New Democracy, which is deconstructing the country's economic and social growth".

The PASOK leader also referred to the Scandinavian economic model, but noted that no economic model will be transferred to Greece as it stands but elements from various successful models which will be adjusted to Greek reality.

The main issue examined during the meeting was public projects for which, as Papandreou said, there is a collapse in the public projects system, as well as great delays and a freeze in the market.

Papandreou also accused the government that with the policy it is following it is not guaranteeing the combatting of corruption.

[11] EU presents "state of the regions" report

BRUSSELS 18/5/2005 (ANA/M Spinthourakis)

"The report confirms the need for an ambitious cohesion policy and adequate resources from 2007. There are wide gaps in prosperity and employment in the enlarged Union. A population of roughly 140 million lives in regions below or close to 75% of the EU average GDP, " H�bner said.

"Here, the Community has a clear task in promoting faster growth in line with the objectives of the renewed Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. The evidence presented in this report shows that the European Union is playing an essential role in ensuring that investment for growth and jobs is a top priority," the commissioner added.

Economic and social differences between regions remain significant in the enlarged EU.

In 2002, the latest year for which regional data are available, levels of GDP per head ranged from 189% of the EU-25 average in the 10 most prosperous regions to only 36% in the 10 least prosperous ones.

Over one quarter of the EU's population in 64 regions have GDP per head below 75% of the average.

In the new Member States this concerns 90% of their total population, the exceptions being the regions of Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, Cyprus and Slovenia. In the EU15, this concerns only 13% of the population.

Among the EU15, the low-income regions are concentrated geographically in southern Greece, Portugal, southern parts of Spain and Italy, as well as in the eastern L�nder in Germany. The report confirms that it is in many of the poorest regions in the new Member States where growth is strongest.

"The new Member States are helping to raise average growth rates in the Union and this creates new markets for businesses in all regions," H�bner said.

The report confirms that there is a clear link between the objectives of the renewed Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs and cohesion policy expenditure priorities when investments in transport and energy are taken into account.

[12] Gov't to freeze consumer spending in public sector next year

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

A circular issued by the General Accounting Office, and sent to all government ministries and public sector agencies, said that consumer spending in next year's budget would be contained in this year's levels.

The circular offers directions to ministries and agencies on drafting 2006 budget and urged that all budget drafts should be sent to Finance ministry by June 30. The circular placed particular importance to limiting spending on over-time work and other staff expenses, while urged ministries and agencies to submit provisions on their spending and revenues for the years 2007 and 2008.

"The main goal is to achieve a medium-term fiscal management, with rotating three-year programs, to establish a fiscal discipline climate," the circular noted.

Next year's budget will aim to reduce the general government's deficit to below 3.0 percent of GDP, to boost investments and growth rates and to restructure management of public funds.

[13] Meeting focuses on regions' 'tourism package'

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The meeting, chaired by Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, comes ahead of the eagerly awaited 2005 summer holiday season, a benchmark for the country's tourism industry after the successful holding of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

"I want to believe that such meetings will lead to decisions that will be implemented, so that our tourism policy is applied within a civilized, attractive and clean environment," Avramopoulos, the former mayor of Athens, said afterwards.

[14] Tourism minister and regional authority heads discuss action for tourist season

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Talks focused on aesthetic improvements and sanitation in cities, the progress of a coordinated advertising campaign of Greek regions and Greece's presence at major international events.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Interior Minister Athanassios Nakos, GNTO president Aristides Kalogeropoulos-Stratis and GNTO General Secretary Haris Kokkosis.

[15] Eurobank bidding in Serbian bank privatization tender

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The banks being privatized to the highest bidder are Novosadska Bank and Continental Banka, Eurobank told the Athens Stock Exchange in a statement.

Each hold a roughly 5.0% stake in the local market in a privatization process due for completion by June, according to senior Eurobank executives earlier this year when they launched a Belgrade-based subsidiary, Eurobank AD Beograd.

The outcome of the two tenders or the acquisition of any other holdings in a Serbian bank would not have a great enough impact on company finances to bring major movement in EFG's share price, the statement said.

Eurobank plans to increase its 11 branches to 15 over the next four months as part of an expansion strategy over the next five years in Serbia-Montenegro, modeled on its Greek ascent of autonomous network expansion, acquisitions and mergers.

The bank plans to offer the full range of banking products and services in the area, also entering financial services including development and venture capital.

The Eurobank Group has invested a total of 500 million euros in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia-Montenegro. Its target is to make southeast European operations account for 20% of consolidated net earnings in 2009.

[16] Greek government will assist Cyprus in course towards eurozone, deputy development minister says

NICOSIA 18/5/2005 (ANA/G. Leonidas)

He also expressed optimism that this course will be successful and called on the business world to utilize new opportunities appearing.

The Greek deputy minister expressed confidence that Cyprus will join the Economic and Monetary Union successfully and will set an example for others and underlined the role Cypriot chambers of commerce will play in this course.

[17] Fitch may put Greece on negative watch if deficit stays high

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The evaluation director of the global ratings agency, Chris Pryce, was speaking on the sidelines of a securitization seminar in Athens, Reuters reported.

In December 2004, Fitch downgraded Greece's long-term foreign and local currency ratings to 'A' from 'A+', resolving the Rating Watch Negative assigned on 27 September. The Outlook was deemed Stable, and the short-term rating at 'F1' was affirmed.

As a member of the eurozone, Greece had a country ceiling rating of 'AAA', and the downgrade followed a series of large upward revisions to the general government deficit and debt figures for 1997-2003, according to Fitch.

It was estimated that the ratios of public debt to GDP and to revenues will be 112% and 260% respectively this year, compared to the prior expectation of 100% and 230%. Consequently, the fiscal consolidation challenge facing Greece was greater than previously assessed, Fitch said.

The finance ministry noted at the time that the source of the downgrade was the management of state finances by the previous government, which lost national elections in March, 2004.

[18] Greek businesses show great interest in EU's programs in third countries

BRUSSELS 18/5/2005 (ANA/V. Demiris)

Specifically, at a seminar which will be held here on May 31 at the initiative of the permanent representations of the member-states, taking part will be 16 Greek companies which offer advisory services, so as to be informed on the policies which the EU will follow in future tenders in third countries with the objective of developing institutions. Taking part in the seminar will be 135 companies from 15 member-states.

The objective is cooperation with other dynamic companies from the European area and the participation in consortiums for the undertaking of projects through the EU's international tenders.

[19] Unions seek renegotiation of national labor pact

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

"Six months before expiry of the pact, the economic situation has changed, at the expense of people on low incomes," the GSEE said.

The request followed release of a report on Monday calling for tighter economic policy and a more flexible labor market in order to boost the country's lagging competitiveness.

The GSEE maintains that implementation of the policy would freeze wages, reducing purchasing power.

[20] Gov't seeks to promote use of geothermal energy

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The decision envisages the terms and procedures of leasing contracts for the research and management of geothermal fields around Greece.

Under the decision, regional authorities would hold tenders for the management of certified fields for thermal use, while the development ministry will announce tenders for research and management contracts of high temperature fields for power production.

[21] PPC to build four new power plants

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The move falls under legislation to replace old power plants with new units, management said in a statement.

The new plants are as follows: Aliveri (fired by natural gas); Megalopoli (natural gas); Ptolemaida or Florina (lignite); and Keratsini, following agreement with local authorities, the statement said.

[22] Piraeus prefecture confiscates 25 tones of listeria-contaminated chicken

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

It said the chicken had been imported from Argentina and that the contamination had been discovered on May 12. The entire consignment is to be destroyed.

The prefecture's livestock department has also confiscated 128 kilos of French-made white curd cheese because the packaging bore the name 'Feta', which is a protected designation of origin, in contravention to European Union rules.

[23] Regulators accuse dentists of setting minimum fees

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The commission's secretariat has recommended the imposition of fines to the group's board if the trade groups refuse to abolish the price lists setting minimum fees.

Accused are the dentists associations of Attica, Piraeus, Achaia, Iraklion, Magnesia and Thessaloniki.

[24] Stocks drop in lackluster trade

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The Athens general share index closed at 2,885.62 points, marking a decline of 0.28%. Turnover was 98.0 million euros.

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.28% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks closed 0.15% down; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 0.12% down.

Of stocks traded, declines led advances at 158 to 97 with 73 remaining unchanged.

[25] City of Athens honors Rogge, ATHOC chief Angelopoulos-Daskalaki

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Mayor Dora Bakoyannis bestowed the Gold Medal of the City of Athens to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge, Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki as well as former Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) president and IOC executive committee member Lambis Nikolaou.

"The capital of Greece now confers on you the honor for all that you have done for the Olympic movement and spirit," Bakoyannis said.

On his part, the powerful IOC president reiterated that the Athens Games were a tremendous success, while noting that Greek organizers never lost their optimism during the stage of preparations, even in the face of concerns by the general public and media.

He also said Athens and Greece deserve kudos because they showed the country's modern face to the world.

ATHOC chief Angelopoulos underlined that the 2004 Games allowed the city and country to show their modern and ambitious side.

"It would be a pity if the Olympic Games of Athens remain simply a memory," she added.

Finally, Nikolaou said a significant share of the success belongs to the presidents of the country's local sports federations and to the Greek Olympic team's athletes.

[26] Botsis Foundation gives awards to 20 journalists

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The ceremony was attended by President Karolos Papoulias, Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis, alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros, ministers, deputies and representatives of the Church, arts and the economic world.

President Papoulias gave awards to Maria Karchilaki and Panos Haritos for their reporting from wars, Christos Zafiris for his reporting in northern Greece, Paraskevi Katimertzi for the promotion of the country's cultural issues and Haris Xydis for his contribution to sports journalism.

Addresses were also made by Athens Journalists Union (ESHEA) President Manolis Mathioudakis and alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros.

[27] Increased financing for the restoration of the Acropolis monuments

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

Therefore, the financing for 2005 and 2006 will come to 10.5 million euros. For the time being, the sum of 1.5 million euros has been secured from national sources for 2005, that is, the financing will eventually reach 12 million euros by 2006.

[28] Retrospective for sculptor Ivan Kozaric at Athens Technopolis, in view of Croatia's EU entry

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The exhibition, entitled "Sculpture 1954-2005" has been organized in collaboration with the Croatian Embassy in Athens to mark Croatia's upcoming accession to the European Union.

It will open to the public on Tuesday, May 31, at 20:00.

Kozaric was born in 1921 and held his first personal exhibition in 1955. Many of his works have been purchased by the Gallery Maguy in Paris, while he has also taken part in several international art fairs, such as the Venice Biennale in 1976 and the Sao Paolo Biennale in 1979. In 2002, the Museum of Modern Art in Paris allotted the artist 550 square meters to present his work, during which he was recognized as one of the most innovative, exciting and interesting artists to emerge from Croatia.

[29] UNESCO's 'Melina Mercouri' prize awarded to historic village in Iran

STRASBOURG 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The landscape, which has been continuously inhabited for the past two to three millennia, was judged as a prime example of an area where human settlement had left its marks in a framework that had been transformed but not totally changed and in which human intervention has not interfered with ecological balances.

[30] Events in Delphi with the participation of actress Vanessa Redgrave

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The program of events which will be held in Delphi will include an international symposium entitled "Democracy-Ancient Drama and Contemporary Tragedy", with the participation of 40 personalities from all over the world, as well as a series of cultural events with performances and concerts.

[31] Two exhibitions at Athens Concert Hall on relation of medical science and art

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

During the same days, the Athens Concert Hall, the French Institute and France's National Health and Medical Research Institute, with the support of the French foreign ministry, are holding a second exhibition entitled "When Science meets Art".

Both exhibitions will be open to the public from Wednesday to June 18. Visiting hours daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance free.

[32] Economic aid to Palestinian orphans by the Greek Solidarity Caravan

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The economic aid concerned orphans of the Palestinian Territories who lost one of their parents, usually the father, during the Palestinian Intifada. Incorporated in the program were 308 orphans from the cities of Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jenin. The total amount which has been allotted for these children through the Greek Solidarity Caravan amounts to 150,000 dollars.

[33] Police seize biggest ever quantity of ecstasy pills

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The three arrested traffickers are two brothers aged 42 and 39 from the town of Drama and a 39-year-old from Kavala.

The traffickers were also found in possession of six grams of cocaine, a small quantity of heroin, a pistol of Bulgarian origin, two cars and five mobile telephones.

Later in the day, police also raided an apartment rented by the 42-year-old in the Thessaloniki district of Eftapirgio, under another name, and found another quantity of about 50,000 ecstasy pills.

The quantity of ecstasy pills seized is the greatest ever to be found in the country.

[34] National soccer team awarded 'Laureus' prize

Athens, 18/5/2005 (ANA)

The "Laureus" prize resembles the "Oscar" award given in the world of the cinema and constitutes one of the most important prizes in the sector of sports.

The ceremony was held in Estoril, Portugal, on Monday and was attended by the national soccer team's coach Otto Rehhagel and players Angelos Charisteas and Takis Fyssas.

[35] Cypriot President Papadopoulos addresses CoE Warsaw Summit

WARSAW 18/5/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Addressing the Third Summit of the Council of Europe, taking place in Warsaw, President Papadopoulos pointed out the importance of executing all decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in an immediate and courageous manner, noting that failure to do so would undermine the achievements of the past 50 years and put at risk the very foundations of European human rights protection.''

President Papadopoulos said the goal of the Council of Europe was one of ''peace, stability and most importantly understanding, a continent founded on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights.''

''The visionary founders of the EU and the previous fifteen members of the EU have opened the great horizons of a reunified Europe. Now, the EU of 25 countries took up the torch and follows the avenue which they have opened,'' he said.

He added that ''we are all in agreement that so far the course of the Council of Europe has been, on the whole, a success story,'' noting that ''our achievements are hard-gained and noteworthy and as such they must be safeguarded and strengthened.''

''At the same time, they must serve as the basis of the future course of our organization. This is our great responsibility and our great challenge,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos said that in this respect Cyprus welcomes and supports the proposal made on Tuesday morning to entrust Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean Claude Juncker to report on the relationship between the Council of Europe and the EU.

Referring to the European Convention of Human Rights and its supervisory mechanism, President Papadopoulos said ''the Convention must remain the essential reference point of protection of human rights in Europe as a whole.''

''We need to secure, irrespective of cost or political considerations, the credibility and the long-term effectiveness of the Convention's system and the values it represents. This is our single most important responsibility. It is our duty towards 800 million Europeans, to the world in general and to the human rights movement. We must rise to this challenge and we must complete by May 2006 the reform provided for in Protocol 14,'' he added.

Referring to the European Court of Human Rights, he said ''we should proceed in providing the Court with all resources necessary for its enduring smooth and unhindered functioning.''

He said the conditions of service of the judges should be made attractive enough to ensure further excellence, and additional measures essential in securing the future effectiveness of the

Convention and Court should be elaborated without further delay, noting that ''to this end the proposed establishment of a panel of eminent and independent international personalities is the step in the right direction that has our full support.''

President Papadopoulos pointed out that ''human rights should be placed beyond any internally or internationally expressed will of states,'' adding that ''today, more than ever, multilateralism and unconditional implementation rather than unilateralism and defiance, should prevail when it comes to human rights, and the Republic of Cyprus has always committed itself to these principles.''

He said ''we must now reevaluate the practical application of our collective duty to enforce human rights,'' noting that ''our most urgent task is to address the long-standing fundamental question of the execution of the Court's judgments.''

''The execution of all judgments, within a reasonable timeframe, is indispensable for the credibility of the Convention. We must finally react to this acute problem and our response must be immediate and courageous. Failure to address this effectively will undermine the achievements of the last 50 years and put at risk the very foundations of European human rights protection,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos said ''Cypriots are particularly sensitive when it comes to safeguarding and further promoting the achievements and common values of the Council of Europe,'' noting that ''after all, Cyprus' history has been a constant struggle to maintain its unity and sovereignty.''

''Our recent history has been marked by grave violations of fundamental human rights of our citizens by the foreign military forces, which occupy about 37% of Cyprus. The unresolved humanitarian issue of the fate of the missing persons, only to mention one, is proof to that,'' he pointed out.

He added that ''there is an urgent need for restoration and respect of human rights of all Cypriots.''

''It is my firm belief that the contemporary aspirations of the parties involved in the Cyprus problem can and should contribute towards restoration of human rights on the island,'' he said.

President Papadopoulos added that ''our common aim should be to build a region anchored in our determination to resolve divisions by peaceful means and in accordance with international and European principles.''

''Our commitment to that has been repeatedly declared. I will spare no effort in striving through negotiations to truly and effectively reunify our country, its people, society, territory, economy and institutions,'' the Cypriot president assured.

Concluding his remarks, President Papadopoulos said ''Cyprus expects that this Summit will mark the beginning for a strong and refocused Council of Europe, uniting its member states under a common identity of shared values and principles,'' adding that ''the Council should concentrate on the areas in which it excels, with the primacy given to the consolidation and unconditional enforcement of human rights norms and standards.''

''This is the vision of Cyprus for the Council of Europe of the 21st century,'' he said.

[36] Cyprus government spokesman: Right preparation is our objective

NICOSIA 18/5/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Replying to questions as regards the meeting between Cyprus President's envoy to the UN Ambassador Tasos Tzionis with UN Under Secretary General for political affairs Sir Kieran Prendergast at the UN headquarters in New York, Chrysostomides said the meeting focused on procedural matters.

"No one can, at this stage, say what the result might turn out to be.

Our objective is the right preparation of a new procedure, with a view to secure its success,'' he said.

Commenting on a remark by former president of the Republic Glafcos Clerides that every time a proposal for a Cyprus settlement is rejected, the next proposal is worse than the previous one, the spokesman said that the Greek Cypriot side wants the improvement of the proposed solution (Annan plan), so that an agreed settlement will be put before the Cyprus people at a referendum.

"Our effort focuses on the improvement of the solution to a level that it could be accepted by both communities'', he added.

Replying to another question, he said the government agreed with Clerides' comment that a small state can not protect its interests or promote them without international support, adding that: "What is aimed at all fields is the international support to our efforts".

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