Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 05-11-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece ratifies EU entry for Bulgaria, Romania; PM meets Basescu and Parvanov

[02] President Karolos Papoulias meets Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts

[03] Main opposition leader meets with Bulgarian and Romanian presidents

[04] Gov't condemns Tuesday's incident in S. Albania involving Greek president

[05] Gov't on recent Gul comments regarding Cyprus

[06] Deputy FM Skandalakis begins tour of the United States

[07] Alternate culture minister briefs PM on tenders in progress for the Olympic installations

[08] Serb PM visits Mount Athos

[09] Deputy FM meets with N. Orleans college students, announces the ministry's aid efforts for Sri Lanka

[10] Primary shareholder bill approved

[11] Greek gov't to brief Commission over OA sale soon

[12] Gov't tenders road links for Patras bypass, port and motorway

[13] Greek Business Council convenes in Bulgaria

[14] Israeli businesses strongly interested in Greek telecoms, IT sectors

[15] Deputy Development Minister Salagoudis meets delegation of Czech deputies

[16] Civil servants press for basic salary of 1,200 euros

[17] GSEE will claim 7.5-9.5 per cent increases in new National General Collective Labour Agreement negotiations

[18] Pensioners demand � 1050 min. pension, 10% increases

[19] Civil servants rap gov't over hazardous jobs

[20] Tourist arrivals up in the Ionian Islands

[21] Turkish hoteliers will give awards to 20 Greek travel agencies

[22] Ionian Hotels says pre-tax profits up in Jan-June

[23] Chinese shippers sound out creation of a transit centre in Crete

[24] Gov't earmarks 49.4 mln euros to support research human resources

[25] Greek dairy market grew 6.4 pct to 2.0 bln euros in 2004

[26] Conference focuses on gender equality in the workplace

[27] Customs clearance stops for special consumption tax products on borders with FYROM

[28] Singapore Airlines opts for Olympic's technical base

[29] OTE phone card wins int'l award for design and quality

[30] Greek stocks post gains for third consecutive session

[31] Immigration Policy Institute president visits Moldova

[32] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos attends inauguration of 'Local Government Institute'

[33] Book focuses on religious monuments of Xanthi prefecture

[34] Rare European sturgeon sighted in Evros delta after 30 years

[35] Athens International Airport announces information service for passengers

[36] Exhibition on foreign archaeological institutes opens in Athens

[37] Albanian, wanted for armed robberies, killed in shoot-out with police

[38] Cabinet approves deadline to join Euro zone

[39] G/C and T/C political parties exchanged views on Cyprus problem

[01] Greece ratifies EU entry for Bulgaria, Romania; PM meets Basescu and Parvanov

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The ratification of the accession treaties was backed by the MPs of all parties, except for the staunchly anti-European Communist Party of Greece (KKE). The Greek Parliament is thus among the first of the EU's national parliaments to ratify the treaties, under which Romania and Bulgaria will formally become EU member-states on January 1, 2007.

In an address to Parliament after the vote, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed that Greece supports the European prospects of all countries in the Balkans and congratulated Romania and Bulgaria on their progress in adopted and introducing Community laws and practices, stressing that Greece will support them in this course.

Afterwards, Karamanlis held talks with Parvanov and Basescu at the prime minister's residence during the 4th summit of tri-partite cooperation between the three countries.

Earlier on Wednesday, prior to the vote in Parliament, Basescu and Parvanov met Greek Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki, who underlined that Greece was glad to be the among the first countries to ratify the accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the EU and stressed that ties between Greece, Bulgaria and Romania had historically been very close.

Basescu thanked her for the support Greece has given to Romania's entry into the EU, while Parvanov stressed that Greece's support was very important and showed its faith in Bulgaria.

PM's address in Parliament: The Greek premier stressed the need to proceed carefully in resolving problems in south-eastern Europe, particularly in Kosovo:

"The solution that is given must arise from negotiations that have real substance, with the full participation of all, and must not be a product that is imposed. It must take into account all the decisions of the UN Security Council, especially UNSCR 1244 of 1999, it must be compatible with the principles and values of the EU and it must boost stability and peace in our sensitive region," Karamanlis said.

Karamanlis also expressed hope that the rest of Greece's neighbours in the Balkans would progress toward European entry but stressed that this required and was conditional on their full respect of the rules, criteria and preconditions of the Community, its values and principles, building up good neighbourly relations and cooperation and resolving disputes and outstanding differences from the past with "understanding, good faith and the promotion of mutually-acceptable solutions".

"It must be made clear to candidate-countries but also potential candidate-countries that their course toward Europe depends primarily on themselves. It depends on the speed with which they adopt the necessary reforms at home. It depends on the determination with which they participate in initiatives to boost regional cooperation, stability, the establishment of good neighbourly relations with all the neighbouring countries," he underlined.

Party leaders on ratification of accession treaties: Parliament was also addressed by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, who said that the ratification of the accession treaties of Romania and Bulgaria was a "historic moment for the Greek Parliament".

"As Greece in the past, so Bulgaria and Romania today confirm that the Balkans and their people can proceed down a European road and build through changes and reforms a peaceful and democratic future," Papandreou said, noting that this was a message of hope for the western Balkan countries that hoped for EU entry.

KKE General Secretary Aleka Papariga, on her part, said her party had voted against the accession of neighbouring Bulgaria and Romania for the same reasons that it had voted against Greece's entry into the EU nearly 30 years earlier.

She stressed, however, that KKE was a fervent supporter of cooperation between Balkan countries and their peoples and in favour of economic, cultural and trade cooperation with Romania and Bulgaria that was for the benefit of their peoples.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos supported the entry of both countries in the EU but asked their governments to take measures to increase levels of employment and salaries to even out disparities between the workforces in Greece and in their countries.

4th Tri-partite Cooperation Summit:In his meeting with the Bulgarian and Romanian heads of state later in the day, Karamanlis stressed the need to coordinate and further enhance cooperation between the three countries, stressing that they had interests in common.

He also pointed out that the European prospects of the western Balkans could be a vehicle for resolving outstanding problems between the countries in the region.

Concerning Kosovo, the premier reiterated the need for careful and unrushed decisions that would lead to a stable and viable outcome and particularly stressed the need to fully respect human and minority rights and implement the criteria already set forth.

Karamanlis also called for further strengthening the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), noting that this was the only collective forum that exists for the Balkans.

Parvanov agreed on the need to enhance tri-partite cooperation and that the European prospects of Balkan countries was the best solution to the region's problems, while pledging that Bulgaria will respond positively and fulfil the criteria set by the European Commission, in spite of its present difficulties.

He underlined the need to pay more attention to the views of people living in the region, both in Kosovo and in other areas where there were problems, while stressing that any solution in Kosovo must be based on the decisions of the EU and the United Nations and enhance multiculturalism in the area.

The Bulgarian president called for cooperation in dealing with organised crime and the problems of the energy sector, and said that Bulgaria will assist with a plan presented to him by Karamanlis for coordinating the efforts of the three countries in response to potential natural disasters.

Basescu pledged to return Greece's support for Romania's entry into the EU and NATO, stressing the fact that Greece was the first among the 25 EU member-states to ratify Romania's EU accession.

"We hope that other countries will soon follow suit," he added.

The Romanian president said that Athens, Sofia and Bucharest should join into a 'single voice' on the issue of Kosovo and that a solution for Kosovo should meet international standards and the decisions of the EU and UN.

He also noted Romania's agreement concerning closer cooperation in dealing with natural disasters.

Joint communique issued at end of 4th tripartite Greece-Bulgaria-Romania summit: The Presidents of Bulgaria and Romania, Georgi Parvanov and Traian Basescu respectively, and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis pledged in the joint communique issued at the end of the 4th tripartite summit between Greece, Bulgaria and Romania on Wednesday to strengthen their cooperation further as European Union partners.

They also expressed support for the European prospects of all countries in southeastern Europe, hailed the beginning of accession negotiations between Croatia, Turkey and the European Union, as well as of Belgrade for the Association and Stability Treaty.

As regards Kosovo, the three leaders hailed the Eide Report on an objective and balanced assessment of the situation, stressing that neighbouring countries must play an important role in the finding of a solution and that the process of determining the future status quo requires careful and not hasty moves.

The three leaders also hailed the signing of the SE Europe Energy Community Treaty in Athens last month and stated that they are determined to cooperate in combatting organised crime, corruption and natural disasters. Lastly, they stressed the need for strengthening regional cooperation and, in this framework, the role of Interbalkan Cooperation and of the Black Sea Cooperation Organisation.

Referring to latest developments in the Balkans, the three leaders reiterated the great importance they attribute to the strict implementation of European values and criteria, with the greatest possible participation of all ethnic groups involved.

Lastly, the three leaders agreed to continue the holding of their tripartite meetings on a systematic basis and to examine the possibility of the enlargement of the present cooperation group in the future.

The next summit will be taking place in Bulgaria in 2006.

[02] President Karolos Papoulias meets Bulgarian and Romanian counterparts

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The two leaders were present at a special Greek Parliamentary session in the morning on the ratification of their countries' Accession Treaty to the European Union.

Welcoming President Parvanov, President Papoulias spoke of a "great day" for Bulgaria and the Balkans, while also referring to the Interbalkan Cultural Forum which Bulgaria had organised in Varna a few months ago.

Addressing President Basescu later in the day, President Papoulias said that Greece is sharing the joy of Romania and Bulgaria, since it has worked hard and systematically for the two countries' accession to the EU.

Both the Bulgarian and Romanian presidents expressed their gratitude for Greece's help for their countries' efforts to approach Euroatlantic institutions.

[03] Main opposition leader meets with Bulgarian and Romanian presidents

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

After the meetings, Papandreou said he was satisfied with the progress both countries have made and noted that the Thessaloniki Summit, held in 2003 during the Greek EU Presidency, "laid the foundations for the Balkan countries' accession course."

"[Accession] will create good neighbours who will respect our friendship and human rights and will reduce fanaticism and tensions," Papandreou said, adding that for this to occur the countries in the region must continue on their EU course and Greece must continue to play a leading role in this matter.

[04] Gov't condemns Tuesday's incident in S. Albania involving Greek president

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

"The Greek government considers that the necessary measures allowing for the unhindered meeting of the two presidents in Sarande were not taken," alternate spokesman Evangelos Antonaros told reporters on Wednesday, while adding:

"Albanian authorities did not take the necessary measures to discourage well-known extremists, who in their effort to obstruct the normal development of bilateral relations continue to insist on promoting unacceptable and non-existent issues," the spokesman said in echoing a previous day's announcement by the foreign ministry, issued only hours after the incident took place.

In answer to press questions, Antonaros clarified that he did not mention a "security issue", but to specific measures "taken during visits of high-ranking foreign dignitaries ... The usual contacts had preceded, but the Albanian side did not do what it was supposed to do. The president of the republic, therefore, did what he had to do, and he was in contact with the Greek foreign ministry".

Papoulias' scheduled meeting with Moisiu on Tuesday in the southern Albanian town of Sarande was cancelled after the Greek head of state waited for more than two hours at Greece's consulate in nearby Gjirokaster due to the presence of protestors outside a hotel in the former.

According to press reports, around 200 so-called "Chams" ringed a hotel in the coastal town of Sarande to press with their long-standing demands against Greece, claims that date from the end of World War II. The group had reportedly been bussed to the southwest Albanian town from the country's north.

The Chams, usually identified as a Muslim, Albanian-speaking group, collaborated with fascist and Nazi occupation forces in extreme northwest Greece -- mostly in the Thesprotia border prefecture -- during the Second World War before fleeing the country for neighbouring Albania shortly after Greece's liberation. Members of the group have at various times raised claims against the Greek state for property abandoned or confiscated because of wartime collaboration and war crimes, among others.

[05] Gov't on recent Gul comments regarding Cyprus

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros noted that "it's not what Mr. Gul says, the significance lies in what is recognised by the entire world, namely, that Cyprus is one. That's what matters".

[06] Deputy FM Skandalakis begins tour of the United States

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The aim of his visit is to be briefed on the Greek aid and on the situation of the Greek-American community in the region of New Orleans, which was recently struck by a devastating hurricane, to brief the Greek community on the draft law which is being prepared for the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), and to support Greek-language education.

He will also visit Florida where he will have meetings with the Greek consular authority which will brief him on the advancement of the Greek aid to those affected by hurricane "Katrina" in New Orleans. The minister will later meet with the leadership of the Florida Panhellenic Federation. He will brief the Greek community on the latest developments in Greek national issues, as well as on the new Statute Law for the SAE which will soon be voted by the Greek Parliament.

The deputy foreign minister, who will also visit Atlanta, will conclude his tour with a visit to New York where he will meet Archbishop of America Demetrios and representatives of the Greek community.

[07] Alternate culture minister briefs PM on tenders in progress for the Olympic installations

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Pali-Petralia stressed that "capitalising on the post-Olympic Games period with full transparency, aiming at growth and creation of new jobs, are proceeding very satisfactorily."

She briefed the prime minister on the cooperation with the Chinese government, noting that on November 25 a delegation of Chinese officials are expected in Athens. She added:"This cooperation is proceeding also very well for the Olympic Games of Beijing but also for the programme 'Greece theme country in 2008'".

[08] Serb PM visits Mount Athos

3/11/2005 (ANA)

The Serb premier arrived on the peninsula on Tuesday, accompanied by Serb Culture Minister Dragan Kujadinovic and other Serb state officials.

On Wednesday morning he visited Karyes, the capital of the semi-autonomous monastic community, for an official welcoming ceremony and then the Hilandari Monastery, where he was briefed on the progress of repairs after a major fire last March.

According to the director of the Centre for the Preservation of the Heritage of Aghion Oros (KEDAK) Christos Limeno-poulos, work to make the damaged wing safe has been completed and the burnt sections have been removed.

Studies on rebuilding and restoring the damaged buildings are due to begin within the year, he added, noting that KEDAK has spent � 1.4 million on the work carried out so far.

The Serb government has undertaken to fund the restoration of at least one of the incinerated monastery buildings.

[09] Deputy FM meets with N. Orleans college students, announces the ministry's aid efforts for Sri Lanka

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

"[This initiative] is a symbolic expression of the Greek people towards the people affected by the hurricane," Stylianidis said after the meeting, referring to Hurricane Katrina which hit the southeastern United States earlier this year.

Hellenic Aid took this initiative in cooperation with Anatolia College "to host a small number of youngsters, mainly college students who had to interrupt their studies due to the damages in the region," Stylianidis said.

The students will continue their studies at Anatolia College and will be able to transfer credits to their respective schools when they return to the US.

Stylianidis also referred to other initiatives taken by Hellenic Aid, saying that "we are realising the third phase of our southeast Asia plan, particularly for Sri Lanka."

A delegation will visit the country in January, while the foreign ministry's relief agency has allocated more than � 10 million towards rebuilding the country's infrastructure, such as schools, ports and health care centres.

Aside from emergencies which require immediate intervention, Stylianidis said that "we have a specific programme for helping developing countries that are in need of infrastructure in order to achieve sustainable development. These countries include the western Balkans, the Black Sea region, North and sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia."

[10] Primary shareholder bill approved

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The bill overrides previous laws and aims to limit the rights of owners of mass media enterprises to take on public-sector contracts. The measures are designed to prevent the media from exerting undue influence on the award of state contracts and also extend to the next of kin of people owning up to 1 per cent of a media enterprise.

The previous primary shareholder laws 3310/2005 and 3021, the latter passed by PASOK in 2002, were judged by the European Commission to be incompatible with fundamental European directives and treaties and were suspended.

The new law, which the European Commission has found to be in compliance with EU legislation, does not automatically assume a conflict of interest when a media owner or shareholder bids for a public contract; a conflict of interest exists when the bidder has exercised undue influence in winning the contract.

Reactions: Ruling New Democracy Rapporteur Christos Zois called the revised law "a government success," citing the European Commission's initial objections and subsequent agreement to the revised bill.

He called on the main opposition PASOK Party "to learn how a determined stance can persuade the European Commission."

PASOK MP Telemachos Hytiris did not view the law as a success on the government's part, but rather as a failure to pass a law that would deal with corruption and graft, saying it was a law "without bite."

Communisty Party of Greece (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli was caustic in her criticism of both ND and PASOK, saying "the two major parties are arguing over how they will cross out Article 14, clause 9 of the Greek constitution: by using white out or black ink."

"The law goes against the Constitution. We destroyed the Constitution on the orders of low-level officials in Brussels," she said.

Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) MP Fotis Kouvelis agreed with Kanelli, saying the law is tantamount to "the political ridiculing of the Constitution," adding that "all 'conflict of interest' provisions are being voided."

He also criticised PASOK, saying "it did not clarify which law it supports."

Main opposition walks out of debate on 'primary shareholder' bill: Main opposition PASOK on Wednesday walked out of the debate on the revised "primary shareholder" in Parliament, in protest over the government's decision to push the bill through using emergency procedures.

On Tuesday, PASOK MPs had walked out of the discussion of the revised bill in a Parliamentary Committee for the same reasons.

The decision was announced by PASOK leader George Papandreou, who said the use of the truncated procedures used for emergency legislation constituted "a gross distortion and trivialisation of the parliamentary process".

Papandreou was also scathing about the draft bill itself, saying it amounted to "absolute zero" and "buried the previous law".

At the same time, he admitted that the clause in the Greek Constitution regarding so-called 'primary' shareholders in the media - though voted on under specific circumstances and with the best intentions - had to be re-examined in light of the new conditions.

[11] Greek gov't to brief Commission over OA sale soon

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting between Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis and Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis, the same sources said the Greek government was expected to further examine all proposals submitted by its privatisation consultant before the issue was discussed by an inter-ministerial commission.

The two ministers discussed an Economy ministry draft bill seeking bold reforms in state-owned enterprises and public utilities.

[12] Gov't tenders road links for Patras bypass, port and motorway

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Budgeted at 80 million euros, the project will be tendered on December 29, the ministry said in a statement.

"This project will provide major reinforcement of infrastructure in western Greece, discernibly improve traffic in the city of Patras, and is expected to make a decisive contribution to the reduction of atmospheric pollution and noise," Public Works Minister George Souflias said.

Gov't tenders motorway stretch: A project has been tendered for construction of a motorway section in central mainland Greece, part of the country's main north-south highway, the public works ministry said on Wednesday.

Budgeted at 113.2 million euros, the project will be tendered on December 29, the ministry said in a statement.

The stretch, which meets European specifications, will link Skarfia and Thermopyles, the statement said.

[13] Greek Business Council convenes in Bulgaria

SOFIA, 11/3/2005 (ANA/B. Borisov)

The session was held in the framework of the traditional annual International Economic Forum of Southeastern Europe in which many Greek companies are participating.

Greece is the second biggest investor, while Greek capital exceeds 10 percent of the total amount of foreign investments.

The Council currently has thirty Greek banks and businesses, which represent a total of over 700 million euros in investments in Bulgaria, while expectations want the members to be at least 50 by the end of the year.

This was stated to the Athens News Agency (ANA) by the Group's President Christos Katsanis, executive director of the United Bulgarian Bank (UBB), which is a member of the National Bank Group of Greece.

[14] Israeli businesses strongly interested in Greek telecoms, IT sectors

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The two-day forum, held in an Athens hotel on Tuesday and Wednesday, was organised by the Israeli Embassy in cooperation with the Israeli Export Institute. Representatives of the 18 biggest Israeli enterprises in the telecoms and IT sectors (including Converse, Rad Communications, ECI Telecom Ltd, Alvarion Forum Telecom, etc) participated the forum and presented their products, innovative ideas and discussed partnerships with Greek enterprises. A delegation of Israeli businesses met with Hellenic Telecommunications Organisa-tion's chairman and chief executive Panagiotis Vourloumis and has scheduled meetings with officials from Cosmote, Intracom, InfoQuest, TIM Hellas, Tellas, etc.

The telecommunications sector is rapidly growing with its turnover totalling 10 billion euros, or 6.25 pct of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Israeli businesses showed strong interest for the domestic mobile telephony market, with an annual turnover of 4.5 billion euros, or 2.8 pct of GDP. The fact that Greek telecommunications companies have strong presence in Balkan countries make the Greek market particularly attractive for Israel and related with prospects for tri-party cooperation in neighbouring regions.

According to statistics, presented during the forum, bilateral trade balance increased by 40 percent to 414 million US dollars, of which 53 mln dollars, or 13 pct, accounted for the telecommunications and IT sectors.

Israeli exports of telecoms and IT products totalled 13.5 billion US dollars last year, or 60 percent of total exports.

Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis addressed the form and said bilateral trade relations had big prospects of improvement. The Greek minister stressed that cooperation in the telecommunications sector was criticial for the development of bilateral economic relations.

Israel's ambassador to Greece, Ram Aviram, said the forum aimed at creating a framework for promoting cooperation and stressed it was up to the private sector to take advantage of the great prospects in bilateral relations.

[15] Deputy Development Minister Salagoudis meets delegation of Czech deputies

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

General energy issues were discussed at the meeting, while the Greek deputy development minister had the opportunity to expound on the positive results of the ministry's policy in the promotion of renewable sources of energy and to present the investment prospects in Greece, at the same time briefing on the Regional Development Programmes.

In an unrelated topic, Salagoudis chaired a broad meeting at the development ministry on Wednesday on the issue of the hydroelectric work of the Public Power Corporation (DEH) in Mesohora, central Greece, in order for the work to operate as soon as possible.

The meeting was attended by the prefecture's deputies, the general secretary of the Thessaly Region, the prefect of Trikala, mayors and the DEH board.

[16] Civil servants press for basic salary of 1,200 euros

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Another meeting is expected on either Nov. 14 or 16.

[17] GSEE will claim 7.5-9.5 per cent increases in new National General Collective Labour Agreement negotiations

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The executive committee of the confederation which convened on Wednesday decided to claim increases in salaries which will cover, as it said, inflation plus the loss of income caused this year, plus the share of the working people from the increase in productivity.

[18] Pensioners demand � 1050 min. pension, 10% increases

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Participating in the march were unions of pensioners in the IKA, TEBE, NAT, TSA, ELTA, TAE, local authority and civil service pension funds.

A representative of the marchers met Finance Ministry general secretary George Mergos and presented their resolution, in which the pensioners also ask for a freeze on the price and the abolition of VAT on basic goods, a 500-euro heating subsidy, 15,000 euros tax free limit, free pharmaceuticals, payment of all debts to pension funds by the state and that the OTE and bank pension funds should not be incorporated into IKA, as well as demands relating to individual pension funds.

[19] Civil servants rap gov't over hazardous jobs

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Along with other public sector unions, ADEDY gave the General State Accounting Office a resolution seeking immediate introduction of the extra stamps in the public sector and local government.

The stamps would lower the retirement age for workers undertaking heavy and hazardous work by five years and ensure a pension allowance, the resolution said.

[20] Tourist arrivals up in the Ionian Islands

3/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, during a new conference held ahead of the 21st Philoxenia international tourism fair in Thessaloniki -to be inaugurated on Thursday- Vosdou said tourist arrivals to Corfu was up 3.6 pct, to Lefkada rose 5.0 percent and to Zakynthos was up 4.0 pct. Arrivals in Kefallonia fell by 8-9 percent (foreign tourists) but grew by 12 percent (domestic visitors). Vosdou said a total of 130,000 Italians visited the Ionian islands in the summer of 2005.

The Ionian Islands Region aims to promote alternative tourism and yachting. Vosdou said the Lefkada marina recorded 4,500 charters this year, for an increase of 20 percent compared with 2004. A total of 305 cruise ships harboured at the Corfu port, up from 283 in 2004, with more than 500,000 tourists aboard.

[21] Turkish hoteliers will give awards to 20 Greek travel agencies

3/11/2005 (ANA)

TUROB has set as its target attracting one mllion Greek tourists to Istanbul alone for the year 2010. According to assessments by TUROB Secretary General Erkan Cakay, the number of Greek tourists visiting Turkey, and Istanbul in particular, is expected to exceed 500,000 by the end of 2005.

TUROB President Timur Bagidir, invoking official data provided by the Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry, said that 485,417 tourists from Greece visited Turkey in 2004, marking a 100 percent increase compared to 2002. Moreover, from the beginning of 2005 until September 1, the number of tourists from Greece totalled 407,982, an increase of 35.91 percent as against the corresponding period last year.

[22] Ionian Hotels says pre-tax profits up in Jan-June

3/11/2005 (ANA)

The company said its net position showed losses of 53,000 euros this year, from profits of 270,000 euros.

Pre-tax, interest and amortization earnings totaled 8.0 million euros in the January-June period, down from 11 million euros last year, while turnover fell to 33 million euros from 38 million euros over the same period, respectively.

[23] Chinese shippers sound out creation of a transit centre in Crete

3/11/2005 (ANA)

The minister was speaking after a meeting with a the nine-member Chinese business delegation on the second day of its visit to the island.

The group is headed by the chairman of the China Shipping Group, Li Ke Lin, also deputy president of China Shipping Container Line Co Ltd, which is eyeing development of the port of Iraklio and other Cretan harbours.

"Crete lies at the centre of interest of the prime minister's growth endeavour," Kefaloyiannis told reporters.

Also taking part were the chairman of China Shipping Europe (Holding) Co Ltd, Yu Zenggang; the head of the China Shipping Group's Mediterranean office, Zhu Jinze; and executives of the Hongkong International Terminal, who toured southern Crete, including Ierapetra, where infrastructure may be built for a commercial port that would act as a new cargo centre.

A transit centre in Greece could act as a base for Chinese products destined for markets in the Balkans, the Black Sea area, and European Union countries.

"The main thing today is that China Shipping Container Lines and the demand for containers in the Mediterranean region are both growing very rapidly - this year we have 800,000-1,000,000 - and it is essential for us to find a transit centre," Li Ke Lin said.

"We need to have more information about the island and the possibility of creating a transit centre here," he said.

[24] Gov't earmarks 49.4 mln euros to support research human resources

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The actions envisage financial support for training programmes for new researchers in a moved aimed to support the country's human research and technological resources, through a "Competitiveness" Operational Programme.

The programme includes all public universities, state research centres and institutes and seeks the cooperation of private sector technological enterprises.

[25] Greek dairy market grew 6.4 pct to 2.0 bln euros in 2004

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The survey said that revenues grew steadily in the last four years, but stressed that signs of strain were visible in the market. Annual growth rate was 12.4 pct in 2002, almost double compared with 2004's growth rate, while the average growth rate for the four-year period was 9.0 percent, 2.5 percentage points more compared with the average growth rates in 2004 and 2003.

Smaller players in the market were the biggest winners in the domestic dairy market, with the 10 largest players' market share falling to 77.4 pct in 2004 from 80.3 pct in 2001, for an annual average decline of 1.2 pct, Hellastat said.

Profitability steadily grew with the net margin at 2.4 pct in 2004 from 1.9 pct in 2002, with healthy capital structure leading to improved return on capital (4.4 pct in 2004 from 4.2 pct in 2002 and 4.0 pct in the industrial sector as a whole).

The big majority of enterprises in the sector (77) were profitable in 2004, with 42 of them reporting higher profits from 2003 and another 10 enterprises returning to profitability after losses in 2003. Only 16 enterprises suffered losses in 2004 with half of them reducing their losses from 2003.

The top five of the sector reported profits totalling 69.8 million euros last year, of 77 pct of total profits. Their profits rose 10.5 pct compared with the previous year, while their average annual profits grew 12.2 pct in the last three years.

[26] Conference focuses on gender equality in the workplace

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The conference falls within the context of the European Union's employment and vocational training programme, which is budgeted at � 26 million and co-funded by the European Social Fund and the national budget, and was organised by the General Secretariat for Equality.

The actions presented on Wednesday as being conducive to ensuring that women are represented equally in senior-level positions include the creation of day care centres in the workplace; counselling; gender equality awareness campaigns; new models of employment, such as telecommuting; as well as eliminating stereotypes through on-site continuing education.

Deputy Minister of the Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation Apostolos Andreoulakos addressed the conference, noting that the ministry's objective is "to highlight the political, economic, social and developmental aspect of equality issues by linking them indirectly to our national political priorities regarding development, employment and social cohesion. It is time these issues are no longer perceived as marginal or specialised."

He said that the programme also includes subsidies for companies so that they take specific action towards ensuring gender equality.

[27] Customs clearance stops for special consumption tax products on borders with FYROM

3/11/2005 (ANA)

The decision was taken following contacts between the Greek authorities and corresponding authorities in FYROM, which notified the Greek side of their inability to suitably man their own two customs checkpoints to tackle smuggling taking place with such products.

Moreover, the deputy finance minister specified which customs checkpoints on the borders of the country which will be responsible for providing customs clearance for the products in question.

These checkpoints are Kakavia and Krystallopigi on the borders with Albania, Evzoni on the borders with FYROM, Promahonas and Ormenio on the borders with Bulgaria and Kipi on the borders with Turkey.

[28] Singapore Airlines opts for Olympic's technical base

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

The arrangement is part of a recently launched alliance between the two companies for technical support.

The base holds line station approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for Singapore Airlines' A340, B747, and B777 aircraft, and has also obtained a corresponding acceptance certificate from Transport Canada.

Its main function is support for the Olympic Airlines fleet in line, base and shop maintenance, also offering technical support to other airlines flying to Greek airports and third party work.

The state-of-the-art facility is located at Athens International Airport.

[29] OTE phone card wins int'l award for design and quality

3/11/2005 (ANA)

New Jersey-based ICMA has approximately 250 registered members from all over the world. ICMA awards are considered the most significant internationally regarding the manufacturing of plastic cards.

[30] Greek stocks post gains for third consecutive session

ATHENS, 3/11/2005 (ANA)

Sector indices ended higher with the Insurance (3.78 pct), Metals (1.37 pct), Banks (1.12 pct), and Wholesale (1.09 pct), scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while the Textiles (1.54 pct), IT Solutions (0.86 pct), Real Estate (0.48 pct) and Food-Beverage (0.33 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.41 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.41 pct higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.15 pct up.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 159 to 117 with another 56 issues unchanged.

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