[02] Opposition, unions blast government's 2006 budget

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

"The 2006 budget is the Karamanlis government's second untrustworthy budget, displaying a lack of governance" PASOK leader George Papandreou told reporters after a meeting of the party's political council. "The Karamanlis government has lost control of the economy, and it has brought insecurity and deadlock."

According to Papandreou, the new budget would strike a blow at more vulnerable social groups, impede growth, bring market recession, and increase social inequality.

"Yet again the average Greek will shoulder the burden," he noted.

Still commenting on the budget, Papandreou said the economy was in poor shape and early national elections may be called in spring 2006.

The Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology claimed that the 2006 budget slashed public spending and public investment.

"This budget shows a looting of wages and pensions, with social spending savagely reduced, along with public investment. It also contains heavy new taxation at the expense of ordinary people," the party's economic and social policy spokesman, Panayiotis Lafazanis, said in a statement.

"This comes at a time when corporate profits are rampant, often more than doubling. The government's extreme, monetarist, neo-liberal choices are leading the country to an explosive social impasse," Lafazanis added.

In a separate statement, the General Confederation of Employees of Greece (GSEE) called the budget "a public avowal of the failure of government policy".

"It is also an avowal that so-called pledges of a frank and fair budget concealed, through a mastery of words, austerity for wage-earners and pensioners and a further weakening of the social state through cuts in social spending. This is not the 'mild adaptation' that was pledged," the GSEE's president, Christos Polyzogopoulos, said.

"The budget shows how hypocritically the government has behaved," he added.

The GSEE is to stage a 24-hour strike on December 14 to protest against the budget and the government's economic policy.

PASOK, KKE slam 2006 budget: The main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement's (PASOK) Economic Affairs Department in an announcement on Monday said that the 2006 budget "is a monument of untrustworthiness and incompetency of the New Democracy (ND) government."

The announcement added:"It is the second ND budget which is up in the air. It is a budget with an asterisk and footnotes, something which constitutes a world prototype. A budget which does not give solutions to the problems Greece faces, neither answers to the demands of society."

PASOK assesses that the 2006 budget "leads to an impasse, ratifies the extension of our economy's supervision for the next years as well, undermines the country's development prospects, leads to a reduction in growth, increases unemployment, burdens the particularly low and middle income bracket earners and increases social inequalities, transferring income from the many to the few."

KKE: The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) in an announcement on Monday termed the 2006 budget as "deeply anti-popular," noting that "it provocatively increases the theft of the working classes to the benefit of plutocracy, continues cuts in funds regarding social rights and needs and promotes the reactionary restructurings and privatisations."

The KKE announcement added that the budget "constitutes an escalation of the attack on income and in general on the working class and middle class, and is on the same road with the previous ones (budgets) of ND and of PASOK and is a continuation of them."

[03] Greece signs agreement setting up Balkan battle group for EU

BRUSSELS, 22/11/2005 (ANA - V. Demiris)

The multinational military unit is due to be ready for deployment in the second half of 2007 and will be led by Greece, which headed the initiative for its creation.

Spiliotopoulos stressed that the deal further upgraded Greece's position within the EU but also internationally, while he expressed confidence that the new group will fully meet the demands and goals of European defence and security.

The minister also pointed to Greece's participation in the "inner core" of the EU since it decided to contribute to the EU battle group set up a year ago with Spain, Italy and Portugal.

There are already 18 battle groups formed in the EU under the common security and defence policy, whose main goals is to provide the EU with autonomous peace-keeping capabilities and the ability to carry out humanitarian aid operations.

[04] Government group's first meeting focuses on immigrant integration

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

After the meeting, Deputy Interior Minister Athanassios Nakos said that every ministry was asked to submit a report on its actions and proposals to the group, which would assess them and then make proposals to the ministry concerning its policies for action.

Asked whether there might be an extension of the December 31 deadline for immigrants to apply for legalisation, Nakos said it was too soon to be discussing an extension since there was over a month until the deadline expired.

He noted, however, that if there were problems or delays in the collection of the supporting documents by the ministries, then the possibility of an extension would be considered but only as a last resort.

"For this reason, we ask all to make haste and take advantage of this final chance for legalising their presence here," he added.

[05] President Papoulias meets SAE president and board members

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Also present at the meeting was Deputy Foreign Minister for expatriate affairs Panagiotis Skandalakis and the head of Parliament's cross-party committee for Greeks abroad Evgenios Haitidis.

After the meeting, Papoulias stressed that Greeks that had settled abroad were "a great force" who should not only be remembered when Greece needed their help with foreign policy issues.

"We must solve their problems, which are several and major," he added, particularly emphasising issues concerning education and the Greek language.

[06] PM, minister receive SAE board and president

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

SAE President Andrew Athens afterward said that the premier had been briefed on the achievements of the SAE and its future goals.

"The visit went very well and we are very pleased," he added.

Skandalakis noted that the prime minister had immediately agreed to the meeting when it was requested and that the SAE board had all presented their work and thanked the prime minister and the government for supporting their efforts.

[07] Development minister meets visiting SAE president

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

They discussed the next steps that must follow the positive results of the minister's last trip to the United States, and cooperation with U.S. businesses operating in the technology and energy sectors, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises that have already expressed lively interest.

Sioufas also met the new Germany Ambassador to Greece Dr. Wolfgang Schultheiss, who was accompanied by the Embassy's financial advisor Klemens Semtner.

The minister wished Schultheiss good luck in his new duties and briefed him on the high level of cooperation between the ministry and the German Embassy in Athens. The meeting also focused on the new investment climate in Greece and the interest expressed by German companies.

[08] PM briefed by interior minister

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Additionally, the minister briefed the premier on efforts to boost computerisation and IT applications in the country's often sluggish public administration for the benefit of citizens.

Finally, draft bills envisioning revisions in codes for local governments and the civil servants' sector were also discussed. Both bills are expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of the year.

[09] Gov't on Papandreou candidacy for Socialist Int'l

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

When asked, spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos merely expressed a wish for "every success".

Conversely, he called on Papandreou to take back a "demand" towards mass media outlets, namely, that they promote specific PASOK cadres.

[10] Gov't on Church's internal anti-corruption drive

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

On his part, spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos merely noted that every effort at "self-catharsis is a difficult procedure. We hope and wish that anyone that begins such a procedure achieves their final goal."

[11] PASOK leader Papandreou insists on party's renewal

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

He said that for PASOK, "the renewal and the restructuring is a strategic choice, a choice of victory."

Papandreou referred to the nenewal which has taken place in all of the Movement's agencies but also to the new positions which PASOK has already elaborated and to the new terminology which has been established, recognising that further specialised positions are needed.

Referring to the deputies, he stressed that in the next elections PASOK will have at least 40-50 new deputies. He added that "nobody said that half of the deputies will be cut." He noted that "we have democratic procedures and the renewal is an open process."

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Papandreou also referred to the proposal for him to undertake the presidency of the Socialist International, stressing that "it is really a great honour for me, PASOK and for Greece."

He said "it is a challenge for me to cooperate with all the progressive forces of the world." He referred to "the great challenges" of the current period as "being poverty, inequalities, the creative co-existence of different cultures, democracy, respect of human rights and social justice."

"I will do everything possible to meet these challenges," said Papandreou who will be the sole candidate for the presidency of Socialist International at the upcoming meeting of its Council to be held in Athens on 30-31 January 2006.

Papandreou stressed that "the reconstruction is a necessary condition for PASOK's existence."

Asked to comment on a statement made by government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos who asked of him to "recognise a mistake" in his statement in which he asked the media for the projection of new PASOK members, Papandreou stated that "the New Democracy wants to manipulate the mass media while we demand transparency and equal opportunities for all."

[12] Papandreou holds teleconference with party officials, residents in Xanthi

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Teleconferencing is a new method being employed by PASOK for communication with the citizens, and a training procedure it has commenced aimed at familiarising those interested with the new technologies and the Internet.

During the teleconference, Papandreou conversed with several of the participants in the procedure, and commenting on the present New Democracy (ND) government, said that "the Karamanlis government has essentially no ability for serious governance and coordination".

He said this was so "regardless of the individual called Costas Karamanlis", and attributed the inability of correct governance to the fact that "there was no serious preparation, there were no specific targets, there were no visionary thoughs and proposals, or planning for their implementation on the day after the elections".

"Right now, one feels that Greece is a ship without a captain," Papandreou said, adding that "it does not suffice to just elect a prime minister, infrastructure is necessary, which means knowledge of where we want to go".

He said that PASOK would win the next general elections, and begin from the fact that on the day after the elections, we have a government, adding that for this reason PASOK was preparing itself via deliberations.

Papandreou further revealed why he insisted on the use of the Internet and spreading its use. He said the venture, via training, was similar to that of the Labour Party in Britain, which organised training seminars in order to combat illiteracy among the working people so that the would be able to read newspapers, when they first circulated, and Papandreou was trying, in a similar manner, to combat electronic illiteracy.

The PASOK leader promised he would soon visit the Xanthi region, and that teleconferences would be organised with all the prefectural committees, with the participation of the secretaries and alternate secretaries of the municipal organisations.

[13] EP President on Barcelona Process

22/11/2005 (ANA)

From a political perspective, results are confusing due to regional conflicts still under way, while from an economic perspective, differences between the two sides are growing, he said.

However, he noted that the sketchy results are not due to Europe's indifference, since � 3 million are channeled into the region annually via the MEDA programme and the European Investment Bank.

The problem, according to Borrell, is that private initiative is not forthcoming due to ongoing conflicts and administrative problems.

In closing, Borrell said that planning for the future is vital as is giving new impetus to the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.

Monday's conference was held ahead of the Euro-Mediterranean Summit of Barcelona, which will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (Barcelona Process) at the end of November.

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership was established in November 1995, aimed at developing political, economic and social relations between EU member states and southern Mediterranean partners (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey). Libya has observer status since 1999.

[14] Armed Forces Day celebrated in the presence of President Papoulias

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

In his address, Deputy National Defence Minister Ioannis Lambropoulos said that the Greek people greatly respect the country's Armed Forces which are on a high level of alert.

Present at the event were former presidents Kostis Stephanopoulos and Christos Sartzetakis, Deputy National Defence Minister Vassilis Mihaloliakos, former prime ministers Constantine Mitsotakis and George Rallis, political party representatives, Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyiannis and other officials.

[15] Interior minister addresses event on 'Governance, Transparency, Development'

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The event was organised by the Research and Political Strategy for Development and Governance Institute (INTERPOST), with Gerassimos Arsenis as president.

In his address, Pavlopoulos said that "transparency, was is and will be the demand in every democratic state," stressing that "the government has already produced the first results in this matter."

The interior minister added:"Transparency is a heavy stone and it is said that whoever carries heavy stones sinks but politicians are not afraid that they will sink, neither do they sink."

[16] Interior minister, Athens mayor discuss municipality's finances

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

In comments after the meeting, Pavlopoulos referred to the municipality's activities "which oftentimes exceed its financial means," as well as to the state's financial support of Athens municipality.

He said that during 2005 "we have made many efforts to give the Municipality of Athens its share so that it can meet its needs."

Pavlopoulos added that during his meeting with Bakoyannis, the two had the opportunity to prioritise the municipality's needs and to identify areas that need to be addressed immediately.

On her part, Bakoyannis said that she informed Pavlopoulos of the standard subsidies that the municipality has yet to receive for 2005, citing Citizens' Service Centres (KEP) as an example.

"The municipality has yet to receive funds for the centres' operation. As a result, the cost of their operation is carried by Athens residents," she said.

Bakoyannis added that the minister assured her that pending issues such as this one will be resolved by year-end.

Finally, Pavlopoulos clarified that there is no conflict between his ministry and the municipality.

"We are resolving issues that have been pending for years," he said, adding that while previous governments had shifted certain duties to local authorities, they had done so without taking into account the element of cost and planning accordingly.

[17] KKE leader on local gov't elections

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Papariga reiterated that local elections are of a general, political nature and ruled out the possibility of cooperation with ruling ND, PASOK or the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) party.

KKE's leader referred to the problems of development and operation of local government in Greece and placed particular emphasis on the exponential increase of bureaucratic problems.

Aside from political affiliation, the criteria for voting for a specific party must also be to denounce the reforms promoted from 1994 onwards that ND, PASOK and SYN have more or less agreed on, she said.

[18] PASOK delegation to attend Jerusalem Patriarch's enthronement ceremony

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Representing PASOK will be Michalis Chryssohoidis, the party's foreign affairs and defense coordinator; Grigoris Niotis, head of the foreign affairs committee; and Dimitris Dollis, head of the committee for expatriate Greeks.

[19] Athens Journalists' Union meets with President, lawyers' association

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

ESHEA's board briefed Papoulias and the lawyers' association on issues facing the media industry.

[20] Greece hopes for agreement on EU budget by year end, Valinakis tells GAERC

22/11/2005 (ANA)

Based on statements made by Greece and other EU member states, it seems unlikely that agreement will be reached in coming weeks. If so, EU leaders will have to examine all issues during their meeting in Brussels on December 15.

According to Valinakis, the UK EU presidency has yet to present specific proposals regarding the EU's financial framework for the period 2007-2013.

Valinakis said that this tactic has caused the reaction of practically all EU members, with the exception of Sweden and the Netherlands, which along with the UK insist that the EU budget should remain at pre-enlargement levels.

As far as Greece is concerned, this situation is problematic, the deputy minister said, since it gives the impression of an organisation that cannot take any decisions.

However, decisions that will unfairly address the issue of distributing the cost of enlargement among the old EU member states, cannot be adopted simply for the sake of reversing this impression, Valynakis added.

Discussion on the EU budget will resume on December 7 given that the GAERC was unable to reach a decision during Monday's meeting.

The EU and the Turkish-Cypriot community: During the meeting, negotiations regarding directives for the Turkish-Cypriot community were discussed, following the submission of related proposals by Sweden and Germany.

The first directive concerns financial support for the Turkish-Cypriot community, while the second concerns its trade status. However, the council failed to approve the directives.

Valinakis called on the UK presidency to consider a series of suggestions made by the Cypriot delegation regarding Varosha and Famagusta.

After the meeting, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told reporters that the two directives concerning the Turkish-Cypriot community will be re-examined and expressed hope that agreement will be reached at December's ministerial council.

[21] Greece promotes 145-mln euro support programme for textile industry

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The minister said the programme was expected to be approved by the European Union by the end of the week. Under the programme, the government will seek to boost the industry's export activities, upgrading product quality, developing innovative actions, modernizing the industry's organizing structure and supporting investment plans.

Sioufas said Greece would hold a "Fashion Week" show two times annually, from 2006, and said the show would also include products from the clothing and footwear industry.

Development Deputy Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou said the textile industry has acknowledged its problems and was moving towards restructuring, an optimistic sign for the future.

Representatives of the textile industry said the sector should deal with a deep change in consumers' behaviour since a globalization trend has not affected only the geographical distribution of clothing production. A continuing drop in prices is also affecting consumers' choices, they said.

The industry praised the EU's measures to limit the import of Chinese textile products. Greek exports had fell by 25 percent in the first quarter of 2005, with the rate slowing to 15 percent in the six-month period. The industry expects to fall to be around 7.0 percent by the end of the year, with imports expected to grow by 7.0 percent in 2005.

[22] 1st Hellenic Travel Show puts spotlight on regions

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The programme, titled "We stay in Greece", aims to lengthen the tourism period with an emphasis on Greece's regions, Avramopoulos explained.

Six regions and the National Tourism Organisation (EOT) present their winter activities at the exhibit, held at the Syntagma metro station.

More than 150,000 visitors are expected to attend the exhibit on a daily basis, which runs through Saturday.

The next travel show will be held in the Spring where the other seven regions will participate.

The Hellenic Travel Show is being held under the auspices of the tourism ministry and is being organised by Greek Travel Export.

[23] Intracom fails to acquire 27.09 percent in Forthnet

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Intracom bid for the purchase of 4,565,740 shares of Forthnet at a price of 8.0 euros per share. A company announcement said the number of offered shares by Forthnet shareholders did not meet the preconditions set by the public offering.

Intracom owns around 24 percent of Forthnet's equity capital and is battling with Iceland-based Novator over acquiring a controlling stake in the Greek telecommunications and Internet services company.

[24] GSEE sends letter to Eurodeputies against Bolkestein Directive

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

GSEE calls on the Eurodeputies to strive in every possible way for the withdrawal of the Directive, noting that "the trade unions will not accept the imposition of social dumping and the weakening of public social services."

[25] Insurance brokers see significant growth prospect for the market

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Addressing a 2nd Panhellenic Congress of Insurance Brokers in Thessaloniki, Eleftherios Skalidis, a professor at Macedonia University, urged for a reform of existing legislation and an adjustment to a new international consumer law. Skalidis also supported plans offering insurance coverage to brokers from professional hazards.

Margarita Antonaki, director general of the Association of Insurance Companies of Greece, said the private insurance sector would be left only for professionals in the future while she stressed that fears over the role of alternative networks in the private insurance market were unjustified. "Insurance penetration in Greece is so small while growth margins are so big and citizens' need for consultation is so strong that professionals should not worry about the future,"Antonaki said.

[26] Greek trade deficit 19.2 bln euros in Jan-Aug, Eurostat

22/11/2005 (ANA)

The EU executive's statistics agency, in its monthly report, said Greek exports totalled 8.6 billion euros in the first eight months of the year, from 7.9 billion euros in the corresponding period in 2004, while imports rose slightly to 27.8 billion euros from 27.6 billion over the same period, respectively.

Greece reported a trade deficit of 1.0 billion euros in its transactions with non-EU countries in September, with exports totalling 500 million euros and imports 1.6 billion euros.

The EU-25 reported a trade deficit of 9.6 billion euros in September, with exports (outside the EU) totalling 92.6 billion euros and imports 103.9 billion euros.

Germany has the largest trade surplus (6.1 billion euros), followed by Sweden (1.4 billion euros) and Ireland (1.1 bln). The highest trade deficit is reported by Holland (6.9 billion euros), the UK (4.7 billion) and Spain (3.5 billion).

[27] Greek households' consumption spending average 1,792 euros per month

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The report, published by the National Statistics Service, said Greek households changed their consumption model in the period 1999-2004, spending less on food, clothing-footwear-durable and other goods and more on communications.

Food products (17.1 pct), alcoholic drinks (3.99 pct), clothing-footwear (8.38 pct), housing (10.69 pct), durable goods (7.5 pct), healthcare (7.15 pct), transportation (12.60 pct), communication (4.52 pct), recreation (5.03 pct), education (2.86 pct), hotel-coffee-restaurants (9.61 pct) and various goods and services (10.57 pct) accounted for household spending.

The report showed that 22.08 percent of food product spending accounted for the purchase of meat products, 8.27 pct on fisheries, 18.4 pct on dairy, 7.56 pct on fruit, 11.55 pct on vegetables and 5.5 pct on oils. The remaining around 25 percent accounted for spending on bread, cereals and wheat. The statistics service said the 2004-05 report showed a decline in spending on meat, vegetables, fruit, coffee, tea, cocoa and increase in spending on fisheries, oils, sugar, honey, mineral water, juices and beverage compared with the previous report (1998-99).

The report was conducted on a sample of 6,555 private households with 17,386 members in the period from February 2004 to January 2005.

[28] Greek stocks down 0.77 pct on Monday

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Turnover was a low 169 million euros.

Sector indices ended lower with the Insurance (3.74 pct), Telecommunications (1.72 pct), IT Solutions (1.39 pct) and Banks (0.98 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while the Publications (1.13 pct), Wholesale (0.96 pct), Food-Beverage (0.51 pct) and Real Estate (0.37 pct) scoring gains.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks fell 0.91 pct, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index rose 0.17 pct and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index rose 0.27 pct).

Broadly, decliners led advancers by 167 to 88 with another 71 issues unchanged.

Stock Futures:

Bond Market Close: Buyers outpace sellers

Foreign Exchange Rates: Tuesday

Reference buying rates per euro released by the European Central Bank:

U.S. dollar 1.190

[29] Civil preparedness for winter season dominates gov't meeting

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The emphasis on Monday was on measures for the greater Athens area, which hosts roughly half of the east Mediterranean country's population of 11 million. The meeting also came in light of weather reports forecasting heavy rain showers for Tuesday.

[30] Gov't on International Day for Television

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

He said the challenge lay in ensuring that television met its Constitutional role of providing reliable, pluralistic information and high-quality entertainment for the public, unaffected by outside interests and dependencies.

Roussopoulos said that legislation was currently being prepared that dealt with the issue of media concentration, which up until now had only been partially regulated, and the issue of licences for media enterprises, which he said was hardly regulated at all.

"We are a European country that has not taken steps, in the 16 years of operation of private television and the 18 years of private radio, to install those rules that will help the environment and market for mass media enterprises to be even better. Our Constitution puts priority on issues of concentration and quality and the government has decided to proceed with the implementation of the things our Constitution puts first," he underlined.

Concerning journalistic excesses, the minister stressed that this was an issue of self-regulation by the media, independent authorities and by journalists' unions.

[31] Gov't to take Getty Museum to court over antiquities

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Tatoulis gave specific instructions for legal proceedings to begin against the museum.

The deputy minister then met with George Gligoris, head of the public order ministry's antiquities trafficking unit.

The two officials exchanged views on more effectively combatting illegal antiquities trading in Greece and adopting necessary measures.

[32] Interior Minister Pavlopoulos to inaugurate 5th 'POLIS' exhibition in Thessaloniki

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

At a press conference on Monday, HELEXPO S.A. President Aristotelis Thomopoulos said that 847 exhibitors will participate, compared to 784 last year.

The exhibition is organised by HELEXPO in cooperation with the Greek Society of Local Development and Local Government (EETAA).

Internal Affairs, Public Administration and Decentralisation Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos will inaugurate the 5th POLIS exhibition at the "I. Vellidis" Conference Centre at 8 p.m. on Thursday.

[33] AIDS cases in Greece on the rise

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

Additionally, the study found that there was a significant increase in women AIDS carriers by approximatley 18%.

The study also found that the virus among the Greek population seems to have undergone a mutation making the disease more aggressive and more contagious.

According to infectious disease specialist Ch. Lazanas, the new version of the virus means that the disease manifests more quickly, while the majority of those afflicted by it had had homosexual relations.

Infectious disease expert G. Gargalianos emphasised that early detection is vital since the earlier therapy starts the more effective the results.

The study's findings will be presented in detail at the upcoming 17th PanHellenic AIDS conference.

[34] Utility confirms prospect of transporting sewage sludge to Sudan

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

According to an announcement, the plan is one of several options being examined by company officials until a comprehensive and environment-friendly treatment procedure is commenced at the Ano Liossia landfill, in extreme west Athens, or at another site.

The announcement comes in the wake of a reaction by Piraeus Prefect Yiannis Mihas, who on Sunday raised concerns about the sewage sludge's loading at the port of Piraeus and the danger of a spill in the adjacent Saronic Gulf.

Finally, EYDAP said the sludge earmarked for transport is not toxic and exceeds every EU standard for second phase treatment.

[35] Andritsa Cave exhibition extended until January 1

ATHENS, 22/11/2005 (ANA)

The exhibition features the rare archaeological finds from the cavern of Andritsa in Argolida, where 33 people took refuge to escape some unknown danger in the 6th century A.D. and became trapped within, meeting their deaths.

Using the items they carried with them, the exhibition organisers have recreated the atmosphere of one of the darkest and most controversial periods in Greek history, as well as preparing activity packs for youngsters.

The exhibition is on show at Villa Ilissia, the main building of the Byzantine and Christian Museum, which since the start of November has been open every day except Monday from 8:30 until 15:00.

[36] Cyprus: Britain should work on Luxembourg proposal on regulations

BRUSSELS, 22/11/2005 (CNA/ANA)

The discussion was called for last week by Sweden and was accepted by the British presidency. In her intervention, the Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Ferivalds said time was running out and there would be danger the EU funding to Turkish Cypriots to be lost.

Ferivalds asked the presidency what it intends to do towards this goal. She was also backed by Germany.

Cypriot Foreign Minister George Iacovou told the meeting that the Cypriot government had always worked with the European Commission and the proof for this was the Green Line regulation which although was lacking, was accepted.

He also said that with the Commission's cooperation, the regulation was improved and became more functional.

Regarding the financial protocol, Iacovou congratulated the Dutch Presidency which worked very hard for a mutually acceptable document.

However, on the direct trade regulation, he said, there were serious problems of legal nature and referred to the opinion of the Legal Service of the Council of Ministers.

In December 2004, he said, the priority for many countries was the start of accession negotiations with Turkey. The Cypriot FM referred to the Luxembourg Presidency which it congratulated for the way it worked. However, he said it was a pity that Britain prevented an agreement on the two regulations' simultaneous approval, based on a plan which was submitted. The plan included the Cypriot proposal for Famagusta.

The Cyprus government proposal provided for the return of the enclosed city of Varosha (Famagusta) to its lawful owners, this being followed by the government's authorization for the re-opening of the Famagusta Port.

"We want the money to be given, (to the Turkish Cypriots), we have our own plans to help", he said, adding that "Turkish Cypriots have

greatly benefited from the government's attitude towards them".

He said that the issue is whether the British Presidency can work based on the Luxembourg presidency's proposal.

The Cypriot minister said that there is also the possibility of withdrawing the regulation for direct trade and if this happens, then the financial regulation should be immediately adopted.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, ending the discussion, said he had no alternative but to refer the regulations to bureaucrats to examine the situation.

[37] Spokesman: Turkish side insists on not discussing Cyprus concerns

NICOSIA, 22/11/2005 (CNA/ANA)

Commenting on a newspaper report that talked about UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's reluctance to begin a new initiative if the right conditions do not exist, the spokesman said Annan's position is that there is still a difference of views between the two sides.

He said that because of the deliberations of the Turkish side, "it is obvious that there is a difference due to the Turkish side's insistence in positions and refusing to discuss our areas of concern to reach a plan which will be to the benefit of Cypriots, bearing in mind the concerns of the Greek Cypriot side so that the final solution will become acceptable by both commu-nities".

Asked if the Greek Cypriot side is ready to discuss the changes proposed by the Turkish Cypriot side, he said he has not seen any indication for changes in the positions of the Turkish side, noting the Greek Cypriot side has submitted its positions but did not rank them.

"While we have given our positions of concern, and have repeatedly said we are ready, the SG continues to say there is a big difference of views, therefore the other side does not consent to discussing the areas of concern to the Greek Cypriot side", Chrysostomides added.

Asked which is the basis of negotiation for the government, the spokesman replied that it is the re-examination of the areas of concern of the Greek Cypriot side, so that fundamental improvements can be made and the solution plan can be accepted by both communities.

[38] Cyprus signs Balkan battle group for EU

BRUSSELS, 22/11/2005 (CNA)

The agreement was signed on behalf of Cyprus by Minister of Defence Kyriacos Mavronicolas at the Greek Permanent Representation at the EU in Brussels.

The initiative for setting up the battle group belongs to Greece which will make available the larger part of its forces as the framework nation.

The battle groups are a fundamental EU instrument, providing the EU with rapid reaction forces to execute peacekeeping or humanitarian operations.

According to the EU Council of Ministers, two battle groups must be on alert every term.

Cyprus has made available to the Rapid Reaction Groups a health detachment which is ready at any time to take part in the battle groups.

A statement by the Cypriot Ministry of Defence said the signing of the agreement is of great significance to Cyprus because with its participation, the Republic of Cyprus' full and equal participation in developing rapid reaction forces in the EU is safeguarded. In addition, the Republic of Cyprus has proved its determination to contribute to the common effort of the 25 in developing rapid reaction forces.

The agreement was welcomed by the meeting of the Defence Ministers and at the General Affairs Council.

The Cypriot minister also participated in the Defence Ministers' meeting which approved the new list of the EU's military requirements, examined the crisis management planning as well as the EU framework of assistance to third states to restructure their security.

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