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

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Molyviatis and President concur: EU decisions on Turkey, FYROM a 'success' for Greece

[02] Foreign ministry hails EU reports on Turkey, FYROM as breakthrough

[03] PM Karamanlis arrives in Tokyo, meeting with Japanese counterpart Koizumi on Friday

[04] US welcomes Greece's contribution to 'Foundation for the Future'

[05] Enlargement Commissioner on FYROM's EU candidacy, name dispute

[06] Armenian president meets with expats in Athens

[07] Papandreou wants bipartisan comm't on immigration policy

[08] PASOK Deputy Papoutsis calls on government to secure national interests

[09] Turkish nationalists stage protest outside Ecumenical Patriarchate, fail to cancel Vartholomeos meeting with Church of Cyprus officials

[10] Education minister reacts to nationalists' demonstration in Phanar

[11] KEDKE congress begins in Rhodes

[12] Greece sternly condemns terror attacks in Amman

[13] Former PM Costas Simitis predicts early elections

[14] Gov't on Papandreou statement vis-a-vis Simitis book

[15] Justice Minister receives new board of Judges and Prosecutors Union

[16] Defense Minister Spiliotopoulos visits three new army training centers in northern Greece

[17] Finmin in US on privatization publicity drive

[18] Eurostat to rule on Greek debt securitization by end-2005

[19] Civil servants' union holds 24-hour strike; gov't reax

[20] Agriculture minister stresses need for production of organic products

[21] Agricultural congress in Crete on organic cultivations in the Mediterranean

[22] Basiakos receives Armenian counterpart Lokyan

[23] Transport and Communications Minister meets with Armenian counterpart

[24] Three ministers in New York to attend investments conference

[25] EU Gender Equality ministers renew commitment to Beijing Platform for Action

[26] Aluminium market's turnover surpassed 3.0 bln euros in 2004

[27] Gov't on border posts with FYROM

[28] Intralot reports 44.1 pct increase in nine-month pre-tax profits

[29] Insurance companies set agenda for the future

[30] Chinese shippers eye creation of a cargo transit centre in Crete

[31] Greece, Canada sign air transport pact

[32] Greece sees relatively low rise in electricity prices

[33] Investors express interest in tendered Olympics real estate

[34] Greek stocks fall on profit taking

[35] Inter-ministerial committee focuses on R&D, education

[36] Weak earthquakes in Karpathos, Kozani

[37] Forum to discuss foundation of Greek Cultural Centre in Marseille

[38] Albania and Greece investigating illegal transplant clinic

[39] Event held in Thessaloniki in memory of Kemal Ataturk

[40] Cyprus FM: Satisfied with Commission reports on Turkey

[41] Cyprus government welcomes Commission's report on Turkey

[42] US diplomats urge parties to reengage in Cyprus talks

[43] Cyprus government condemns Amman attacks

[01] Molyviatis and President concur: EU decisions on Turkey, FYROM a 'success' for Greece

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

The minister stressed that all issues that were of special interest to Greece and Cyprus had been "covered in a very satisfactory way by the EU's decisions", while expressing his satisfaction at "such an important development".

Papoulias, himself a veteran of the foreign ministry where he served for many years under PASOK governments, concurred with the view that things had gone "extremely well" for Greece.

Asked about the provocative incidents by Turkey's "Grey Wolves" extremists outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul, Molyviatis agreed that the incidents were just that - provocations.

While noting that the specific incidents did not involve more than 150-200 people, Molyviatis pointed out that the significance of the Commission's decisions lay in that Turkey's obligations had been upgraded to criteria.

It was on the basis of these criteria that Turkey's progress toward European integration would be judged," he added.

Concerning a planned visit by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis to Ankara, the foreign minister reiterated that the visit will take place "at a date agreed via the diplomatic route by the two sides".

Papoulias and Molyviatis also exchanged views on the president's meeting with his Armenian counterpart Robert Kocharian and bilateral ties between Greece and Armenia.

[02] Foreign ministry hails EU reports on Turkey, FYROM as breakthrough

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Valinakis underlined that Athens sought a gradual and step-by-step transition of the Balkans to a "European corner of peace and prosperity".

"We seek cooperation with our neighbors, on the basis of international law and European values, and we support their European perspective as the 'safe path' toward normalizing bilateral relations," Valinakis stressed.

He underlined that the texts released on Wednesday by the European Commission for the first time noted the Turkish threat of war (casus belli) against Greece in the event that it extends its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles - the distance that is standard internationally - and call on Turkey to deal with points of friction and avoid any actions that impede a peaceful resolution of differences.

The report also contains references to religious freedoms and issues concerning the ethnic Greek minorities in Turkey, such as the terrorist attacks on the Ecumenical Patriarchate, re-opening the Theological School on Halki, laws on real estate owned by institutions governed by the Patriarchate or the auctioning of property belonging to the ethnic Greek community.

Finally, it asks Ankara to sign and fully implement the additional customs-union protocol with the new member-states of the EU and criticizes Turkey's veto to the entry of the Cyprus Republic into international organizations, asking it to adapt its policies.

According to Valinakis, the Commission has also created a "particularly favorable framework" for monitoring Turkey's progress in complying with the criteria set by the EU.

Asked why Turkey's 'gradual' compliance had not resulted in any appreciable improvement in its behavior toward Greece over the past six years, the deputy minister said that the frame-work that existed after Helsinki and Copenhagen regarding Turkey had changed, since it now contained specific references and time schedules.

"What has changed is what is being asked of Turkey, and this is the point where there has been progress in relation to the past," he added.

Concerning the time schedule for implementing these positions, Valinakis said that Turkey had "entered a progressive course" and that as long as it participated in the implementation of these positions it would then be entitled to move on to the next stage each time.

Earlier, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos had stressed that Greece seeks to improve relations with Turkey in the framework of a broader strategic view, with mutual respect of international law and supporting Turkey's accession course on the basis of "full compliance - full accession".

He described relations between Greece and Turkey as "good" and "functional".

Concerning the "exploratory talks" currently underway between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministries and their content, both Valinakis and Koumoutsakos stressed that these were not negotiations, that they were fully in line with the Constitution and that the present government had "inherited" a promise to keep them confidential from the previous PASOK governments.

Koumoutsakos also noted that there had already been an attempt to improve the formula for the talks accepted by Greece in 1999 by removing the term "related issues" from a reference to differences between Greece and Turkey because it was vague.

He reiterated that Athens considers the delineation of the Aegean continental shelf to be the only dispute between the two countries.

On EU accession for FYROM: Concerning the Commission's opinion that FYROM should be accorded candidate status for EU accession, Valinakis underlined that this called for accession negotiations to begin only when FYROM had reached sufficient degree of compliance with membership criteria, including Brussels recommendation that Skopje make a special efforts to resolve the dispute with Greece over the republic's name.

The Commission urges the Skopje government to seek a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue that takes into account the decisions of the United Nations and the 1995 Interim Agreement between Greece and FYROM.

Asked if Greece would accept a composite name for FYROM that contained the term 'Macedonia', the deputy minister replied that Greece had accepted the first proposal made by special UN mediator Matthew Nimetz as a "good basis for negotiations".

Regarding the so-called 'Macedonian' language spoken by FYROM's Slav community, Valinakis said the Greek government is 'monitoring' the issue and that Athens' positions were known. According to Koumoutsakos, meanwhile, references to a 'Macedonian language' were also included in EU documents in 2002 and later years.

Earlier on, the foreign ministry spokesman had underlined Greece's support for FYROM's European perspective but stressed that this could only progress if there was a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue or under the present name of FYROM.

Greece objects to the use of the name 'Republic of Macedonia' adopted by FYROM after it broke away from the former Yugoslavia, regarding it as historically unsound and paving the way for future expansionist demands on a northern Greek province also called Macedonia. Athens' position is that 'Macedonia' is a strictly geographical term describing a swathe of territory in the region and should not form part of the republic's name.

[03] PM Karamanlis arrives in Tokyo, meeting with Japanese counterpart Koizumi on Friday

TOKYO, 11/11/2005 (ANA/A. Panagopoulos)

The purpose of Karamanlis' visit is to reaffirm the excellent level of bilateral political relations between the two countries, and to boost Japanese entrepreneurship in Greece.

Karamanlis' talks with Koizumi, scheduled for Friday afternoon, will also focus on international issues.

Athens hopes to advance an action plan agreed between the two countries in March 2002 as well as joint ventures between Japanese and Greek enterprises in the Balkans and the Black Sea.

The main sectors with potential for further developing bilateral economic cooperation include tourism, shipping, and culture.

According to official figures, Greek exports to Japan amounted to 100.5 million euros in 2004, while Japanese exports to Greece reached 1.06 billion euros.

The prime minister and his wife Natasha, who is accompanying him, will be received by the Japanese imperial couple, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on Friday morning.

Later in the day, Karamanlis will attend a working lunch to be hosted in his honor by the Japanese business confederation Keindaren. A Greek business delegation, which is accompanying the premier for the first time, will also attend the working lunch. The delegation includes Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA) president Drakoulis Foundoukakos, Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) chairman Odysseas Kyriakopoulos, Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBETH) president Dimitris Bakatselos, SEB N. Greece president George Mulonais, Association of Exporters of Northern Greece chairman Evgenios Pilalis, Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) chairman Nikolaos Efthymiou, Hellenic Investments Centre president Yannis Anastasopoulos, Hellenic Exports Promotion Organization (HEPO) chairman Panagiotis Drosos, Helexpo fair organizers chief Aristotelis Thomopoulos, and other businessmen. He is further accompanied by deputy foreign minister Euripides Stylianidis, who is responsible for foreign trade, and deputy government spokesman Vangelis Antonaros.

Karamanlis will further give interviews to major Japanese newspapers and television networks.

While in Japan, the Greek premier will also meet with the chairperson of the Japanese Diet (bi-cameral parliament), and visit the city of Nikko.

[04] US welcomes Greece's contribution to 'Foundation for the Future'

WASHINGTON, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Replying to questions at the Foreign Press Centre in Washington, Fried expressed Washington's appreciation for the Greek government's move, adding that Greece would take part in the upcoming meeting of the initiative's protagonists, which would be held in Bahrain.

"Greece is among the countries which, although not a member of the G-8, support the reforms in the region," Fried said.

To a relevant question, he added that if Cyprus also desired to contribute to the initiative, it was welcome to do so.

The second annual "Forum for the Future", a ministerial gathering focusing on political reform and involving countries from the Middle East, North Africa and the G-8 leading industrialized countries, will take place in Manama, Bahrain, on November 11 and 12, hosted by the governments of Bahrain and the UK, the current G-8 president. The first Forum was held in Rabat, Morocco, in December 2004.

The Forum for the Future is a cooperative effort by the countries of the Broader Middle East and North Africa (BMENA) region, the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations, and other partners who seek to promote and develop political, economic, and social reform in the region.

The Forum serves as a venue for regional civil society and business groups to express their reform goals and ideas to their governments. Its agenda seeks to advance the universal values of human dignity, democracy, economic opportunity, and social justice.

Foreign ministers from across the BMENA region, the G8 and other partner countries will work to further reform in the areas of democracy, civil society and education. They will be joined by representatives of civil society organizations who carried out the vigorous agenda set in Rabat focused on transparency of governance, women in the workplace, legal reform and human rights.

Two programs expected to come out of the Bahrain meeting were a Foundation for the Future to promote freedom and democracy and a Fund for the Future to provide money for small and medium businesses and spur economic growth.

The "Foundation for the Future" would underwrite democratization projects, including support for independent media, while the companion "Fund for the Future" would back economic reform in the region, focusing on financing for job-creating small and medium-sized enterprises.

[05] Enlargement Commissioner on FYROM's EU candidacy, name dispute

SKOPJE, 11/11/2005 (ANA/N. Frangopoulos)

"The continuous progress made in the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement is an achievement for the country as a whole," he said.

"Since 2001, important reforms have been initiated in the country which has allowed a return to stability and encouraging changes in society," he added, such as strengthening the rule of law, a more effective and accountable police service, intentions for judiciary reform and aligning national legislation with the EU acquis communautaire.

However, Rehn also referred to the country's weaknesses and problems that must be overcome if the country is to become a member of the EU, such as reforming the electoral process, further efforts to reform the police and judiciary, eliminating widespread corruption and creating the right conditions for a competitive economy.

During his visit, Rehn gave a joint press conference with FYROM Prime Minister Vlado Buckovski.

Asked whether FYROM's EU accession will also depend on settling the dispute with Greece over the former's name, Rehn said that this is a bilateral issue which must be resolved within the framework of United Nations negotiations and with the help of the international organization.

He expressed confidence that both sides will show willingness to resolve the issue, a development that would help strengthen the two countries' political and economic ties.

Rehn also referred to the fact that Greece is the biggest foreign investor in FYROM.

During his visit, the Commissioner also met with FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski, opposition leaders, and with the ambassadors of EU member states in Skopje.

[06] Armenian president meets with expats in Athens

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

He was welcomed by the Armenian Kick Boxing Federation then attended a discussion held by several groups representing the Armenian community in Greece.

The discussion focused on the new generation of Armenia's economic immigrants, the role of the Armenian church in Greece and the Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

Kocharian said that the third international conference for Armenian expats will be held in Yerevan in 2006.

The conference, organized by the Armenian foreign ministry, this year coincides with the 15th anniversary of Armenia's independence.

SYN and KKE leaders meet with Armenian President

Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) President Alekos Alavanos met with visiting Armenian President Robert Kocharian separately on Thursday.

Alavanos referred to the common history Greece and Armenia share and added that expatriate Armenians have much to offer.

He urged both countries to make the most of Turkey's EU accession course, to push for a solution to the Cyprus issue and Greek-Turkish relations and to persuade Turkey to recognize the Armenian problem.

Papariga did not make any comments after her meeting with Kocharian.

[07] Papandreou wants bipartisan comm't on immigration policy

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

In the wake of the unprecedented instances of violence in several French cities, particularly in Paris' suburbs, Papandreou said Athens' current policy is not comprehensive or modern, while it doesn't resolve problems that foreign workers have in terms of education, work, social protection and political rights.

Among others, he again cited his support for giving certain categories of foreign nationals the right to vote and gain Greek citizenship.

[08] PASOK Deputy Papoutsis calls on government to secure national interests

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

"Instead of resting on complacency and senseless talk of triumph, it must take all measures, all initiatives so that our national interests will be secured at the summit in December, where binding documents will be decided," he said.

The PASOK party's Foreign Policy, Security and Defense sector chief, referring to statements by the foreign ministry's leadership on developments in Europe, Greek-Turkish relations and the Balkans, said that "the promotion of the interests of the country requires responsibility, knowledge and seriousness, while the conjuncture requires an active foreign policy and initiatives in light of the crucial decisions of the summit in December, which will discuss the future of Europe, the EU, and at the same time the European course of the countries of southeastern Europe."

Papoutsis further said that "in reality, Turkey is attempting to begin accession negotiations while keeping intact all its disputes against the sovereign rights of Greece. Today, therefore, (ruling) New Democracy is jubilating over documents which are not binding, which the European Commission presented, disputes against the sovereign rights of Greece."

[09] Turkish nationalists stage protest outside Ecumenical Patriarchate, fail to cancel Vartholomeos meeting with Church of Cyprus officials

ISTANBUL, 11/11/2005 (ANA/A. Kourkoulas)

The meeting, which took place after the dispersion of the demonstration, was scheduled to discuss the problems faced by the Church of Cyprus due to the illness of its prelate, Archbishop Chrysostomos.

During the demonstration, Demal Keridssiz, leader of the Turkish 'National Power' organization, which staged the protest, had told the demonstrators that "our actions have produced the result, and we achieved the cancellation of the gathering at the Patriarchate...This gathering will not take place today."

Akidssiz said "our problem is not with the minorities or with the Churches, which fulfill their true duties in Turkey, but with the Patriarchate's efforts to politicize itself...this is what we object to", and claimed that the Treaty of Lausanne was being violated "and the Patriarchate has exceeded being a religious institution and has become a political one".

The protestors were holding placards with slogans such as 'Don't toy with our patience, Patriarch', 'The ecumenicality is a game of the EU and the US', 'Erdogan, resign', 'The TRNC lives', 'Patriarch, forget the (Halki) Theology School, open the gate of hatred', and 'The Patriarchate (should be) in Greece'.

The Turkish police had taken stringent security measures in the entire area surrounding the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the demonstration ended without incident.

It was learned that Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' meeting with the Church of Cyprus delegation commenced immediately after the demonstration dispersed.

The same group had organized a similar protest outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate approximately two weeks earlier.

In a statement after meeting the Cypriot delegation, the Patriarch expressed regret that it coincided with the "rioting once again taking place in front of the Patriarchate" and stressed that "this too shall pass".

Regarding the results of the meeting, Vartholomeos noted that visits by prelates of other churches to the Patriarchate were always a cause of joy because they were an opportunity to exchange views for the good of the Church.

"The Orthodox Church, in spite of its administrative differences, is one. The problems of one are also problems of the other," he said.

[10] Education minister reacts to nationalists' demonstration in Phanar

11/11/2005 (ANA)

The nationalists had staged their demonstration outside the Ecumenical Patriarchate to protest a meeting between members of the Church of Cyprus Holy Synod and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

The minister added that what is important "is which position is taken by the Turkish government and it is a fact of great importance that Greece, as it has become evident, has secured all our interests through the new report of the European Commission as well, and at the same time the issue of individual rights and religious freedoms in Turkey."

Yiannakou further said that "I have said many times that its European course depends on Turkey itself" and that "Greece fully supports the Patriarchate and considers these protests as being unacceptable, and which have no ground. However, what is important is what will the stance of the political world be and of Turkey itself in the dialogue process for its ultimate accession to the European Union."

[11] KEDKE congress begins in Rhodes

11/11/2005 (ANA)

Taking part in the congress, which will last until Saturday, are about 3,000 representatives of municipalities and communities from all over Greece.

Discussions will include issues of particular interest to local government, such as institutional changes, taxation decentralization, metropolitan governance, the new Municipalities and Communities Code and the new electoral law.

Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos opened the sessions of the congress while a greeting was issued by main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader George Papandreou.

Pavlopoulos said the "historic" congress will constitute "the start of a new destiny for local government" and referred to a series of major issues of concern to local government officials during this period.

Responding to criticism by Papandreou, Pavlopoulos raised the issue of the election of mayors with 42 per cent from the first round, making it clear that the government did not bring in this adjustment in view of the local government elections in 2006 or by chance, noting that it was included in the New Democracy party's program from 2003.

Regarding the right of immigrants to vote touched by Papandreou, the minister said that "illegal immigration is what creates the enormous problems of exploitation and unemployment." According to the minister, what must be done is a proper immigration policy and legalization of the immigrants which means that the immigrant will have rights and can work.

[12] Greece sternly condemns terror attacks in Amman

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos called the terror strikes, which targeted three upscale hotels in Amman, abominable and cowardly.

[13] Former PM Costas Simitis predicts early elections

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Simitis said autumn was the best time for the government to have early elections, before the end of its four-year term, meaning in the autumn of 2007. However, he did not rule out the possibility of "twin" elections, both Parliamentary and local elections, in October 2006.

Asked what will happen if main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou loses the next elections, whenever they may take place, Simitis said "touch wood. Why should he lose them?"

The former prime minister reiterated his intention to continue to speak his mind and stressed that "there is a target at PASOK, a change in government and we shall all contribute to this."

[14] Gov't on Papandreou statement vis-a-vis Simitis book

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

"Mr. Papandreou's statement that he is 'looking to the future', obviously deals with criticism of Mr. Simitis' book, which looks to the past. Of course, Mr. Papandreou looks to the future selectively, because on numerous occasions he has made leaps towards past decades..." spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

[15] Justice Minister receives new board of Judges and Prosecutors Union

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Addressing the board members, Papaligouras said "at the present conjuncture, this visit of yours signals a new beginning of cooperation for the achievement of our common target which is the restructuring and upgrading of Greek justice."

The minister added that "certainly, it is not a cloudless conjuncture. A cleanup process is currently underway in the judicial sector, a joint effort by the state and justice on the restoration of the credibility of justice and of the harmed prestige of the Greek judge."

Papaligouras pointed out that it is a painful process for all, but a necessary one, while the cleanup is being turned into practice and investigations are continuing and spreading.

"Indeed, it is in the interest of the many, of honorable judges that the relatively few perjurers be revealed, who harmed the credibility of the judicial corps in the eyes of the Greek citizens. Those who apply themselves to contraband justice will be punished. It is the only way for us to make the Greek judge respected again," Papaligouras said.

Replying to a question by the press, Papaligouras said, according to an announcement by the justice ministry, "the government and justice reply with one voice to the popular mandate for a cleanup, that the cleanup is proceeding and will proceed to the very end without discounts."

[16] Defense Minister Spiliotopoulos visits three new army training centers in northern Greece

11/11/2005 (ANA)

The centers, which began operating on Monday, are in the municipalities of Orestiada, Didimotiho and Feres.

Earlier, Spiliotopoulos, along with Douvas, inaugurated the Army nursery stations in Alexandroupoli, Soufli and Didimotiho.

[17] Finmin in US on privatization publicity drive

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Alogoskoufis held talks with executives of global investment houses including Citigroup, Credit Suisse First Boston, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

Other events included talks with executives of Forbes business magazine, an interview to CBS Market Watch, and a luncheon hosted for the minister by the New York Stock Exchange.

On Friday, the minister will be the main speaker at a conference on business and investment opportunities in Greece coupled with growth in southeastern Europe.

Accompanying Alogoskoufis are officials including the ministry's privatization secretary, Loukas Papazoglou, and the head of its panel of economic experts, Ploutarchos Sakellaris.

In his meetings, the minister has outlined progress made by the Greek economy in fiscal adaptation while maintaining high growth rates.

He has also publicized Greece's activities with countries in southeastern Europe, and the country's role in boosting growth there.

Finally, Alogoskoufis is publicizing the government's outward-looking business policy

[18] Eurostat to rule on Greek debt securitization by end-2005

BRUSSELS, 11/11/2005 (ANA/V Demiris)

"On the issue of what is called the securitization of confirmed, anticipated state revenue in Greece, a relevant decision by the Community's statistical service is due by the end of the year," Amelia Torres, spokeswoman for EU monetary commissioner Joaquin Almunia, said in a statement.

"Eurostat is continuing to examine the question of compatibility with European accounting standards of the securitization of overdue debts to the public sector, and no decision has been taken yet, either for 2005 or 2006," Torres reported.

Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said in the Belgian capital on Wednesday that the government had devised alternative plans should Eurostat reject the securitization proposal.

At the same time, the bloc's statistics agency should clearly specify the accounting principles it accepted for national accounts in order to avoid frequent fluctuation, the minister requested.

He forecast that in 2006 the fiscal deficit would drop by about 1.0% of GDP, well above a 0.6% decline sought by the Commission.

Earlier the minister had met Almunia, who said Greek fiscal adjustment through the 2005 budget was proceeding satisfactorily, but more data was required on the 2006 budget. The government is due to provide further information by November 21 when the budget is sent to parliament.

Greece foresees a reduction in the general government deficit to 3.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005 and 2.6% in 2006 from 6.6% in 2004.

[19] Civil servants' union holds 24-hour strike; gov't reax

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

"We understand that there are problems, ones we respect, however, a comprehensive policy cannot veer away from the stabilization plan that we've set in motion," government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said.

On their part, the leadership of the civil servants' union, ADEDY, said participation reached the 70-percent mark on Thursday, while claiming that participation was particularly high in local government entities (town halls etc.), state hospitals, pension funds and amongst teachers.

Among others, ADEDY is demanding an introductory salary of 1,200 euros for civil servants as well as the institution of heavy and unhealthy labor pension subsidies for certain categories of civil servants, based on criteria used in the private sector.

Beyond the strictly public administration domain, ADEDY's leadership also demanded hefty increases in spending for health (6 percent of the budget) and education (5 percent of the budget) while opposing privatizations and whatever public sector/private sector partnerships.

Moreover, ADEDY president Spyros Papaspyrou condemned what he called "(political party) partisanship in public services", saying his union has proposed an "objective and credible" hiring and promotions system for the country's substantial public sector.

Strikers held rallies in downtown Athens as well as in the northern port city of Thessaloniki to press their demands.

Strike halts air traffic at Athens airport

Athens International Airport came to a standstill on Thursday due to a strike by air traffic controllers joining civil servants in a protest for more pay.

All flights were cancelled during the 24-hour stoppage except an Olympic Airlines airliner from New York, which was permitted to land because of a passenger with medical problems.

[20] Agriculture minister stresses need for production of organic products

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Basiakos made his statement while inaugurating the 8th exhibition of organic products, taking place in Athens from Thursday to Sunday.

The minister further said that the target of about 125,000 acres for organic farming is expected to be achieved soon.

Basiakos added that 1,856 beneficiaries recently joined the organic stockbreeding program with a budget amounting to 46 million euros.

[21] Agricultural congress in Crete on organic cultivations in the Mediterranean

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Within the framework of the congress, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos was honored for his valuable contribution in ecology and the protection of the environment.

In a written message to the congress, Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Evangelos Basiakos said that the ministry, "in order to support organic cultivation, has adopted a series of measures and plans for growth per region, so that there may be a viable development of regions which have the suitable preconditions to develop organic agriculture."

Taking part in the congress are delegates from 15 Mediterranean countries.

[22] Basiakos receives Armenian counterpart Lokyan

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

According to the two ministers, bilateral cooperation in numerous sectors, including agriculture, was discussed by the two sides.

[23] Transport and Communications Minister meets with Armenian counterpart

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Liapis and Manoukyan discussed bilateral cooperation in the sectors of transport and communications with particular emphasis on capitalizing on Greek telecoms investments in Armenia.

The Hellenic Telecommunications Organization (OTE) holds a 90% stake in Armenia's state telecoms company Armentel.

[24] Three ministers in New York to attend investments conference

NEW YORK, 11/11/2005 (ANA/P. Panayiotou)

The ministers are Finance and Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis, Employment and Social Protection Minister Panos Panayiotopoulos and Tourist Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Alogoskoufis, apart from his address at the conference, had a working breakfast on Thursday with the vice president of the Forbes magazine Christopher Forbes and senior executives of the magazine.

The finance minister also met with the Archbishop of America Dimitrios, gave interviews to American media and had a working luncheon with senior officials of the Merrill Lynch company. In the evening, Alogoskoufis was due to attend a dinner hosted in his honor by the leadership of the New York Stock Exchange.

[25] EU Gender Equality ministers renew commitment to Beijing Platform for Action

11/11/2005 (ANA)

In the joint statement adopted after the meeting, the ministers placed particular emphasis on gender equality in terms of achieving the Millenium Development Goals and made specific reference to achieving full and productive employment for women.

The ministers also acknowledged the importance of education and financial independence as means for women's progress in all sectors.

They announced that women's employment and the harmonization of career with family life will be the focus of the Third Annual Report that the ministers will present during the Spring Summit in March 2006.

Secretary General for Equality Evgenia Tsoumani represented Greece at the meeting and participated in a working group which discussed the initiatives member-states have taken in order to strike a balance between professional and family obligations.

Within this context, Tsoumani announced the initiatives Greece has taken and which are: the beginning of a dialogue between social partners in order to promote relevant policies either in the form of financial incentives or through corporate social responsibility programs; the opportunities provided through the Third Community Support Framework which the General Secretariat for Equality is implementing, targeting private and public sector companies; and the positive practices that major Greek corporations have adopted.

[26] Aluminium market's turnover surpassed 3.0 bln euros in 2004

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, on the occasion of the 7th "Aluminium, Constructions and Products" congress to be held November 18-20 in Halkidiki, Macedonia, Tafroglou said the aluminium sector was one of the five most dynamic sectors of the Greek economy, with strong export activity, since Greece exported around 50 percent of its aluminium semi-products.

Based mainly on a strong building activity in the country, the sector saw its sales soaring to 380,000 tonnes in 2004, from 99,000 in 1985, recording an average annual growth rate of 14 percent in the last 20 years.

Tafroglou said domestic sales totalled 150,000 tonnes with the building sector accounting for 67 percent. The congress is expected to examine the sector's prospects, technological and research developments, challenges facing Greek manufacturers, etc.

[27] Gov't on border posts with FYROM

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos reminded that goods will now be imported and exported to FYROM only via the Evzoni customs post, following the exclusion of the Doiranis and Niki border crossings.

Imports and exports from Albania will continue to pass via the Kakavia and Krystallopigi border posts; Promahonas and Ormenio on the Greek-Bulgarian frontier and via the Kipoi customs post on the border with Turkey along the Evros River.

The spokesman said the decision was taken by the deputy economy minister when it became clear that FYROM authorities "could not meet promised commitments".

[28] Intralot reports 44.1 pct increase in nine-month pre-tax profits

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Pre-tax profits rose 44.1 percent to 122.8 million euros in the January-September period, from 85.2 million euros last year, while pre-tax, interest and amortization earnings (EBITDA) rose 38.5 percent to 124.2 million euros. Intralot said its international activities contributed 76.9 percent in its consolidated turnover and 55.5 percent in its profits.

Parent after-tax profits rose 8.6 percent to 38.7 million euros, while pre-tax profits totalled 53.6 million euros from 55.4 million euros in the same period in 2004. Turnover fell to 79.6 million euros from 100 million euros, over the same period respectively.

Intralot's board announced the distribution of a pre-dividend worth 0.23 euros per share, up 15 percent from 2004. Intralot raised its forecasts for 2005 results, with pre-tax profits expected to reach 150 million euros (up from an initial forecast of 120 mln).

[29] Insurance companies set agenda for the future

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, Costas Bertsias, the president of EAEE, said a seven-year program - ending in 2007 -- has achieved several of its goals, such as establishing a "friendly settlement" system for around 50 percent of traffic accidents and expanding the system to cover physical damage.

Bertsias said the Association has completed drafting of a model contract for home insurance while its next goal was its members to adopt OECD's standards in compensations offered to insurance contract holders.

"Our aim is to adopt commonly accepted rules that will lead to quick and timely payment of compensations. Such a behavior could further grow the insurance market," he noted.

EAEE secretary-general Doukas Palaeologos said economic growth was leading to more insurance contracts while he urged for a more strict supervision of the car insurance market to prevent "cheap" contracts from entering the market.

The insurance industry pays around 2.7 billion euros -- for two million cases -- in compensation each year, of which 60 percent covers healthcare contracts, 25 percent car insurance and 15 percent general insurance contracts.

[30] Chinese shippers eye creation of a cargo transit centre in Crete

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

In the letter the minister released on Thursday, Li Ke Lin, chairman of the China Shipping Group, told the government after a recent tour of the southern Aegean island and other Mediterranean and European countries that Crete would make an excellent location for a centre to cover eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Adriatic, due to its location, especially Tymbaki.

The minister was speaking after a nine-member Chinese business delegation toured the island to sound out the outlook.

"Due to a dizzying rise in the volume of China Shipping's containers, and in the company's services based in the Far East and the Mediterranean, creation of a transit centre in the Mediterranean is an item on our agenda," Ke Lin said in the letter.

Ke Lin, who headed the group, is also deputy president of China Shipping Container Line Co Ltd.

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 Hong Kong 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.

"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 during his trip to the island.

[31] Greece, Canada sign air transport pact

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

"The new agreement will make a decisive contribution to family visits and tourism between the two countries, also strengthening their trade ties," the Canadian embassy in Athens said in a statement.

The pact, which takes immediate effect, amends an earlier agreement dating to 1984.

So far flights between the two countries have been restricted to Olympic Airlines and Air Canada.

Air Transat of Canada has expressed interest in the route, the statement said.

[32] Greece sees relatively low rise in electricity prices

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Domestically, producer prices have risen by 3.4% since September 1 due to government price regulation; and despite a higher increase sought by the PPC because of a surge in oil prices and implementation of the Kyoto agreement, Maniatakis told a conference of the Southeastern Europe Energy Institute.

In France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain electricity production prices rose by 52%-100%, he noted.

[33] Investors express interest in tendered Olympics real estate

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

Interest was submitted in the Agios Kosmas Olympic Sailing Centre by 12 consortiums or companies including J&P Avax, Intrakat, Pegasus Aviation, and oil and shipping firms.

For the Galatsi Olympic Indoor Hall there were two bidding groups including Hellenic Technodomiki and Sonae Sierra.

[34] Greek stocks fall on profit taking

ATHENS, 11/11/2005 (ANA)

The Publications sector was the major gainer of the session, ending 2.06 percent higher, reflecting a block trade (937,500 shares) in Pegasos at a price of 1.93 euros per share. Pegasos Publications ended 9.14 percent up.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.65 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index dropped 0.94 percent and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index eased 0.91 percent.

The IT sector suffered the heaviest percentage losses of the day (1.81 pct), followed by the Investments and Textiles (1.18 percent each).

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 204 to 72 with another 50 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures: