Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Bulgaria sign Joint Declaration of Friendship, Good Neighborhood and Cooperation

[02] PM wraps up visit to Bulgaria, delayed one hour on departure

[03] Government announces PM's itinerary at the weekend

[04] PM Karamanlis tells Kilkis gathering gov't is continuing its plan with confidence

[05] Tourism minister interviewed by VOA on Washington visit

[06] Washington Post column talks about Parthenon marbles, Greek tourism

[07] Culture minister presides over SE European Stability Pact ministerial summit

[08] Government notes 'disappointment' with Papandreou's address in Parliament

[09] Government on continued local authority workers' strike

[10] PM, PASOK leader convey congratulations to Prodi

[11] Main opposition's question on phone tap 'still unanswered', Athanassakis says

[12] Interior minister meets KKE-backed candidate for Athens mayor, discusses garbage strike

[13] Greek economy: weekly review

[14] Greek-listed companies' pre-tax profits down 11.2% in '05

[15] PASOK MPs request information over NBG's investment in Turkey

[16] PASOK MPs table amendment abolishing civil mobilization as method to end strikes

[17] Athens, Moscow sign initial agreement on past debt

[18] Public/private sector joint ventures to build 27 schools in Attica

[19] Industrial production index down 1.8 pct in February, yr/yr

[20] Session held of National Council of Quality for Development

[21] Greek producers' import prices up 7.4 pct in February, yr/yr

[22] Greek olive oil brand gains quality award

[23] Greek farm import prices up 4.4 pct in February, yr/yr

[24] Lamda Development sells stake in shipper

[25] Competition Commission seeks to lower charges in Corinth Canal

[26] Jetfighter missing, search operation continuing

[27] Search in Schinousa villa reveals another 20 antiquities

[28] Hailstorm damages wheat crops in N. Greece

[29] Caravaggio exhibition at Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens

[30] Washington's Shakespeare Theatre performs Aeschylus' 'The Persians'

[31] Events of the Int'l Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis in Europe, America and Asia

[32] Noted researcher in fight against malaria dies, aged 103

[33] Indian IT firms show interest to invest in Cyprus

[34] UN appoints 3rd member of CMP

[01] Greece, Bulgaria sign Joint Declaration of Friendship, Good Neighborhood and Cooperation

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

"Here is Sofia, we laid down the foundations for a new cooperation between the two countries, within a framework that will enable us to take advantage of the experiences and benefits of our cooperation to date," Karamanlis told reporters after his meeting with Stanishev.

He said that the Joint Declaration outlined this new framework of Greek-Bulgarian relations, which aimed at a concerted advancement of policies in sectors of mutual interest, while at the same time aspiring to promote the consolidation of the European principles and values in the region.

Stanishev, in turn, stressed that the cooperation between the two countries has had "firm foundations" for many years, and would acquire a new dimension and momentum with Bulgaria's accession to the European Union.

The Bulgarian premier also said the two countries shared common positions on regional cooperation, and both backed the European future of the western Balkan countries.

Karamanlis said that all the preceding governments had worked in this direction, and underlined the "very good relations" in the sectors of the economy, trade, and in tourism-related investments, which he said should be further boosted, for the mutual benefit.

At regional level, he stressed the European prospect of the wider region, which Karamanlis said carried a 'historical burden' and must become "a neighborhood of Europe".

At European level, Karamanlis said, Greece and Bulgaria shared common strategic aspirations, while he also made mention of neighboring Romania's European prospect.

Stanishev expressed appreciation for Greece's firm support for his country's European prospect.

The Bulgarian prime minister stressed that commercial transactions between the two countries had exceeded the two billion dollar mark in 2005, while noting that Greece is the second largest investor in Bulgaria with 1.1 billion dollars.

With respect to tourism, Stanishev said that 700,000 Greek tourists had visited Bulgaria last year, while Bulgarian tourists to Greece had exceeded 500,000.

Turning to the problem faced by the two countries with the overflowing of the Evros River during inclement weather in the winter, Karamanlis said that the Joint Declaration contained a commitment for early warning. He said the two sides agreed to introduce an "open line" of contact and for the installation of an early warning system.

Karamanlis said that the level of contact between the two sides was satisfactory, but added that, at practical level, the above measures needed to be implemented.

Stanishev added that life mandates a closer cooperation, and that early warning was necessary in order to "prevent surprises" and avert prospective problems.

Karamanlis also expressed his support to Stanishev over the flooding problems faced with the overflowing of the Danube River.

Replying to a question on the nuclear power plant at Kozloduy and the plans for the construction of a new plant at Belene, Karamanlis said the issue was being dealt with at EU-Bulgaria level, and stressed the need for security and environmental protection, while at the same time expressing his satisfaction that Bulgaria has committed itself to fulfilling specific terms and conditions.

To another question on the Bulgarian workers in Greece and possible 'bad attitudes' on the part of some Greek employers, Karamanlis stressed that Greece is a well-governed state, and that the law was being strictly applied in such matters.

Replying to another question on the social insurance rights of the Bulgarians working in Greece and the transfer of their rights from Bulgaria to Greece, Karamanlis said a long and substantive dialogue on the issue was still ongoing, adding that a resolution of the matter was anticipated in the near future, and that the agreement to be reached would take all aspects into consideration, as well as Bulgaria's European prospect.

Replying to the same question, Stanishev said that the two governments had the good will and desire to resolve all issues that arise, while he also said he had put forward the issue of Greece's recognition of Bulgarian driving licenses, adding that the matter was heading towards resolution and was "in the final stretch".

They two prime ministers further discussed the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline, and agreed that both countries were interested in proceeding with the establishment of a relevant company, with the participation of Russia as well.

During the meeting, Greece's deputy foreign minister Evrypidis Stylianidis and his Bulgarian counterpart Lubomir Kuchukov for the opening of a new border crossing check-point between the towns of Kyprinos and Ivailovgrad.

The Declaration: The joint declaration signed by Karamanlis and Stanishev notes the commitment of the two countries "to expand and deepen their cooperation in the sectors of transports, energy and water resources management, in accordance with the conditions set out in the European Directive for the water resources management framework, aimed at modernization of the infrastructures and the building of new infrastructures for the conservation of time and energy. The two sides assume the obligation of systematizing an organic cooperation in these sectors. In the framework of the above systematic cooperation, and in light of the manifestation of natural disasters on their land, the two sides expressed the intention of the two countries to proceed with the establishment of a mechanism on natural disasters management issues. They also agreed to seek funding, through the EU's Interreg program, and to investigate the prospects of expanding cooperation with the participation of other countries concerned in the region (i.e. Turkey).

The declaration further stresses the capital importance attributed by the two countries to concerting their efforts for the transfer of know-how and experience in order to accelerate and strengthen the European course of the other EU candidate and prospective candidate countries in the Balkans.

Also, the declaration notes the volition of the two countries to expand and deepen their cooperation in the military sector and in the sector of security, in the framework of NATO and of the EU.

Karamanlis arrived in Sofia on Thursday afternoon for a two-day official visit -- accompanied by foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, deputy foreign minister Evrypidis Stylianidis, and minister of state and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos -- where he was greeted on arrival by Bulgarian foreign minister Sergei Stanishev, with full honors.

He attended an official dinner in his honor hosted by Stanishev on Thursday night.

Karamanlis was also due to meet separately later Friday with Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov, Bulgarian National Assembly (parliament) chairman Georgi Pirinski, and Patriarch Maximos of Bulgaria.

[02] PM wraps up visit to Bulgaria, delayed one hour on departure

SOFIA 15/4/2006 (ANA/MPA - A. Panagopoulos)

The delay was caused by a malfunction in the aircraft that was supposed to transport the premier from Sofia to Thessaloniki, so that another aircraft had to be sent to the Bulgarian capital to carry out the flight.

Earlier in the day, Karamanlis was received by Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, Bulgarian parliament speaker Georgi Pirinsky and the Patriarch of Bulgaria Maxim.

[03] Government announces PM's itinerary at the weekend

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

On Sunday, Karamanlis is due to meet Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis at 9:30 and the culture ministers of South East European countries at 10:30.

Kilkis Hospital first stop on PM's visit to the prefecture: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited Kilkis Hospital on Friday, the first stop on his visit to the prefecture.

Karamanlis was given a tour of the hospital's new wing, which is expected to be completed in December at a cost of over 8 million euros.

The premier also visited the old wings of the hospital and spoke with patients.

"Once the new wing is completed within the year, the old wings are refurbished and gaps in nursing staff and equipment are filled, Kilkis General Hospital will be able to provide the prefecture's residents with high-quality, modern health care services," Karamanlis told reporters.

"At the same time, we are proceeding with the tendering for a chronic disease treatment centre, while expansion work on the Drosato Health Centre is near completion," he continued.

"Great efforts are under way to cover the gaps we inherited in the regions. Our goal is to ensure that all Greeks, wherever they are, enjoy the same level of security, the same quality of life. Regions have and continue to be the central focus of our policy," Karamanlis said.

The prime minister, accompanied by the ministers of labor, Macedonia-Thrace and other government officials, also met with Kilkis Prefect Evangelos Balaskas.

[04] PM Karamanlis tells Kilkis gathering gov't is continuing its plan with confidence

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Karamanlis referred to the political opposition between the government and PASOK, noting:"We firmly insist on a calm and responsible political dialogue. We are not playing at the table of polarization. We will not do a favor to the stage directors and the protagonists of artificial tension. Those who think that reactions are spurges that wipe out their responsibilities, are working in vein. Those who believe that distortion rids them of the obligation to take clear-cut positions are working in vein. The Greek people are fully aware that popularism is a confession of political weakness."

Continuing, the prime minister said:"They are very much aware that the ideas for uninsured labor, the statements by PASOK cadres for a Scandinavian model, which imposes harsh taxation, the positions expressed by advisers of the PASOK leader for the social insurance system, the minced words and the continuous backtracks, mean political confusion, mean uncertainty, mean hidden plans."

The prime minister said that the government will keep its promises "to the full."

He announced that the government is planning the completion of the taxation reform for gradual reduction from 2007 of the taxation indicators for all people.

At another point of his speech, Karamanlis referred in detail to the projects which have been carried out and those which are being planned to be made in Kilkis prefecture, central Macedonia and northern Greece in general, noting that "the regions are changing a page, Greece is changing rhythms and central Macedonia is claiming new prospects."

Specifically, regarding the works, he said:"Two-hundred investment proposals have been submitted to the Central Macedonia Region, of which, more than half have been approved. In your prefecture about 25 investment proposals have been approved, and the approval of another equal number are being advanced."

Meanwhile, a protest rally was held against unemployment by former workers at Naousa factories, outside the stadium where Karamanlis was speaking. The former workers are calling for their incorporation to law 2941, which foresees their subsidy up to 72 months as well as the abolition of the age limit in the amendment of the Economy and Finance Ministry with which those who will be pensioned off will be those who have completed 50 years of age and with 7,500 pension stamps.

PM to meet with Phosphoric Fertilisers' workers: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will meet with representatives of the workers of Thessaloniki-based Phosphoric Fertilisers at the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry on Saturday.

On Friday, Labor Minister Savvas Tsitouridis announced that a new committee will be set up "which will review the viability study the workers of the Thessaloniki facilities of Phosphoric Fertilisers will submit to the company's management."

Tsitouridis made the announcement after meeting with workers' representatives at the Macedonia-Thrace Ministry on Friday.

He said that the employer and employees will jointly decide who will comprise the committee.

"Our goal is to reach a result, that will not be loss-making, perhaps even profit-making, and which will safeguard jobs. We are here to ensure, as the government, that all leeway for talks will be exhausted," he said.

On his part, Yiorgos Michailidis, President of the workers' delegation, said he was fully satisfied with the minister's announcement, particularly in regards to "his [Tsitouridis'] commitment that if the workers' proposal provides potential for viability, then the government will force the employer to re-open the facilities and operate under conditions that will ensure long-term profitability."

[05] Tourism minister interviewed by VOA on Washington visit

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

While in the US capital, Petralia addressed the Global Travel and Tourism Summit and met with US government officials and representatives of the tourism market, while she also delivered an address at Georgetown University on "Challenges and Opportunities for Tourism in post-Olympics Greece". She further attended the premiere of a production of Aeschylus' 'Persians' staged at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington with funding by the Alexander Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.

Speaking on the targets and results of her US visit, Petralia said that "I came to Washington as minister of tourism development, a post I have held for only the past two months, since before that I was at the ministry of culture, and responsible for the Olympic Games".

Petralia explained that the purpose of her visit was to attend the Global Travel and Tourism Summit, which was attended by representatives from all over the world, with whom she had the opportunity to speak with and present the Greek views.

"It was a constructive trip, both because I met with the Us government officials dealing with tourism, and also with tour operators, travel bureaus, and key figures in the tourism industry. I also had the opportunity to ascertain that Greece is a very popular destination and that, as I was told, we have the best product, which is Greece. The best advertising we can do is to advertise the country itself," she said.

Petralia further said that another purpose of her trip was to see the immense prospects that exist to attract more American visitors and tourists to Greece.

"I would say the time is ripe to increase that number," she said.

[06] Washington Post column talks about Parthenon marbles, Greek tourism

WASHINGTON 15/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/A. Ellis)

According to the columnist, Nora Boustany, Greek Minister of Tourism Fanny Palli-Petralia announced recently that "'We [Greece and China] have signed an agreement. The Chinese have asked for pointers on how my country prepared for the 2004 Olympic Games. I have been there several times, and I have even chosen the space where the artifacts will be displayed,'" she said during a dinner hosted by Alexandros P. Mallias , Greece's ambassador to Washington," Boustany reported.

Boustany also refers to an incident involving US Senator Paul S. Sarbanes and the Parthenon marbles.

During a visit to the British Museum, Boustany wrote: "Sarbanes questioned the guide about demands by Greece to have the artifacts repatriated to Athens. 'We shouldn't. We take much better care of them here,' he remembered her saying. The application of a whitening solution to the sculptures had damaged their surface in the 1930s, he reminded her. 'Oh, yes. But besides, if the marbles stay here, so many more people will see them,' she said."

Sarbanes' retort, according to Boustany, was: "'Why, by that logic, they should be in Beijing.'"

In closing, Boustany notes that Greece attracts 13 million visitors each year, according to Petralia.

"We love American tourists, too, and we would like to have more of them come," Boustany quotes Petralia as saying.

[07] Culture minister presides over SE European Stability Pact ministerial summit

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

"It is a great pleasure and honor for Greece to be hosting the first meeting of cultural ministers from our countries. The venue of the summit is particularly symbolic, since Patra - a Southeast European city - is Europe's Cultural Capital for 2006," Voulgarakis said.

He referred to the role culture plays in helping peoples communicate, saying that "Predicting the future cannot be done through the short-sighted glasses of the past. History, reality itself, shows us the way towards understanding (...) and reminds us that civilizations that became extinct where those which chose isolation and non-communication."

According to Voulgarakis, culture is the only steadfast factor for communication, understanding and progress.

He also referred to the geographical position of the countries belonging to the stability pact and their individual civilizations.

"Our region, as an international cross-roads, has all the elements of a meeting point of civilizations and the melding of messages from both East and West. Our countries are recipients but also bridges of various influences and perspectives in art, politics, economy and religion," he said.

Referring to Greece and its role, as a southeast European country and an EU member, Voulgarakis said: "We are absolutely confident that cooperation in the region will benefit all of us."

According to Voulgarakis, Greece is building its future based on the concept that "culture is the appropriate medium for developing the broader region's comparative advantages - both on an economic and social level - towards prosperity, stability and peace."

As for policy objectives, Voulgarakis said they should include: promoting dialogue among peoples, strengthening inter-cultural dialogue, protecting and promoting cultural diversity, promoting artistic creativity, and recognizing the importance of culture as a factor in economic development, social integration and cohesion, among others.

Joint statement issued: After the conference, which focused on bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the cultural sector, existing networks, and future prospects, Voulgarakis read a joint statement adopted by the participating ministers.

According to the statement, the ministers recognize the region's enormous cultural potential and agree to establish a broad-reaching cooperation including institutional partners, non-government organizations, and representatives from the art and academic communities.

In the statement, the ministers also underscored their interest in helping EU candidate countries participate in EU cultural programs.

Following the conference, Voulgarakis held a press conference, during which he reiterated the government's support for Patra as European Cultural Capital, support that is evident through the infrastructure being created, such as a new theatre that recently opened.

On Saturday, the ministers will tour Ancient Olympia followed by a visit to the facilities of winemaker Achaia Claus.

[08] Government notes 'disappointment' with Papandreou's address in Parliament

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

"For a long time now, Mr. Papandreou has been trying to make people understand what he wants to say. Yesterday, however, for 35 minutes he said nothing and in the remaining 2-3 minutes when he referred to the so-called PASOK program he presented nothing," Antonaros said.

According to the spokesman, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis had, on the contrary, been absolutely clear in presenting the government's program:

"The numbers are clear, the indices say it all and tangible results are already evident," he added.

[09] Government on continued local authority workers' strike

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

"It proposes dialogue with the appropriate minister and bodies so that the groups of workers that will be added to the heavy and hazardous professions can be decided by the end of May," the spokesman said in response to questions concerning continuing strike action by refuse-collectors at Greece's local authorities.

The spokesman also questioned whether it was justified for "small groups to insist on continuing labor action that caused huge problems, without any substantial reason".

Antonaros noted that rubbish was being collected in many areas of Athens and reiterated that the strikers were turning a "deaf ear" even though a specific proposal had been made. He also accused them of "burying" the fact that 11 of their demands had been met in the past two years.

PASOK Secretary meets board of garbage collectors' union: Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) Central Council Secretary Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou, following a meeting she had on Friday with the board of the local government workers' union, POE-OTA, which is continuing its nationwide garbage strike, called on the government "to abandon its intransigence and authoritarianism against the workers," while she also called on Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos "to receive the workers for a substantial dialogue so that a solution be reached through specific commitments."

Furthermore, she accused the government of "untrustworthiness, when on the one hand it calls for dialogue and on the other, it receives the workers in local government with riot police (MAT) and tear gas."

She added:"Mr. Pavlopoulos and the government should at last assume its responsibilities, to take a clear commitment about the problems faced by workers in local government and particularly on the basic issue of the extension of the regulation on the heavy duty and unhygienic category and through a visible binding time-frame to be able to give an end to the problem which workers in local government face and concerns Greek society as a whole."

On his part, Themis Balasopoulos, the POE-OTA president, said he believed that "even at the last moment they would be received" by the interior minister so as a solution can be found to the problem, expressing at the same time his conviction that there was still "a margin for dialogue and for a solution to our problems."

[10] PM, PASOK leader convey congratulations to Prodi

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Karamanlis' letter refers to the excellent relations between Athens and Rome at the bilateral and European Union level, adding that he looks forward to close cooperation with the new Italian government in order to jointly deal with the challenges facing the Union.

Meanwhile, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou spoke by phone with Prodi on Friday, according to a party spokesman.

Spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said the two men agreed to meet soon in order to discuss bilateral relations and issues affecting the Socialist International group, which Papandreou heads.

[11] Main opposition's question on phone tap 'still unanswered', Athanassakis says

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

According to Athanassakis, "the question was a political one and required a direct answer on whether any government agents or party agents used any of the content derived from the phone-taps."

"We never received an answer," Athanassakis said.

Main opposition leader to tour Ilia: Main opposition PASOK President George Papandreou will tour Ilia prefecture in the Peloponnesus over the weekend.

On Saturday evening, Papandreou will speak at a political event in Pyrgos, while on Sunday he will visit the municipality of Amaliada.

[12] Interior minister meets KKE-backed candidate for Athens mayor, discusses garbage strike

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Following the meeting, Pavlopoulos expressed his satisfaction over the "very constructive dialogue" he had with them, noting that their discussion centered on the local government workers' union, POE-OTA, who are continuing a nationwide garbage strike and on the incorporation of all those people who are working in garbage collection in the heavy duty and unhygienic category.

Pavlopoulos dismissed as inaccurate, reports that his ministry and he himself refuse to hold a dialogue with POE-OTA..

He ntoed:"From the first day the strike began I had, and this is being done for the first time in 18 years, asked for the setting up of a trilateral Committee which would be represented by delegates of the Interior ministry, the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE) and POE-OTA, with a time horizon of two months and with the direction of the Regulation of the Social Security Foundation (IKA), for us to discuss the matter of the heavy duty and unhygienic category. Unfortunately, with pretexts, with the projection of contradictory prerequisites which have nothing to do with reality and which were never raised in the past, the representatives of POE-OTA avoided the dialogue. And they are still unjustifiably avoiding it even now."

[13] Greek economy: weekly review

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

In other headlines this week: The first project to be implemented under a government plan to promote joint ventures between public and private sector companies will be the building of 27 schools in Attica prefecture (the greater Athens area), Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Friday. The minister said the decision - taken by an Inter-ministerial commission -- was a "landmark initiative", since it would strengthen the state's role in rapidly improving infrastructure in the country.

The government offered tax incentives to Greek consumers using renewable energy sources of power. An inner cabinet meeting this week agreed to offer a 20-percent discount in spending for the installation of renewable energy systems, along with a 700-euro discount to replace heating oil boilers with new ones using natural gas as fuel.

Agricultural Development Minister Evangelos Basiakos pledged that the government would begin payment of subsidies to eligible farmers as of Dec. 1.

The vast majority of Greeks (81 pct) believe the country has benefited from its participation in the European Union, a Eurobarometer survey showed this week.

Greek-listed companies' pre-tax profits fell by 11.2 pct last year to 3.4 billion euros, an ICAP survey said on Friday. Sales rose 9.0 percent to 41.7 billion euros, while Greek banks recorded a 21.1-pct increase in assets to 230.6 billion euros and an almost doubling of their pre-tax profits to 2.4 billion euros.

Greece's economic growth will reach 3.1 pct this year, a UN report said this week. The report said inflation in the country would fall to 3.0 pct from 3.6 pct in 2005. Commenting on the forecasts, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said they were pessimistic.

[14] Greek-listed companies' pre-tax profits down 11.2% in '05

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Gross profits rose 1.7 pct to 7.9 billion euros, pre-tax, interest, amortization and non-operating earnings fell by 16 percent to 5.2 billion euros, while net profit margin fell to 8.3 pct from 10.1 pct in 2004.

ICAP said Greek-listed banks showed a completely different picture, with assets up 21.1 pct to 230.6 billion euros, and loans portfolio up 17.7 pct in 2005. Revenues rose 37.9 pct, pre-tax profits almost doubled to 2.4 billion euros, while their equity return rose to 16.9 pct in 2005 from 13.3 pct in 2004.

Companies in the insurance sector reported a 2.1 pct increase in revenues to 1.0 billion euros. The sector returned to profits after losses in 2004. All other categories in the financial sector reported a sharp improvement in their 2005 results, reflecting higher prices in the Athens Stock Exchange last year.

OPAP, National Bank, EFG Eurobank Ergasias, Alpha Bank, Cosmote, Hellenic Petroleum, Piraeus Bank, Public Power Corp., Motor Oil and Bank of Cyprus were the 10 most profitable listed companies last year.

The Greek Telecommunications Organization (OTE), Naoussa Textiles, Klonatex Group, Alfa Energy, Mohlos, Geniki Bank, Pouliadis, Fanco, Neorio Holdings and Athina were the biggest loss-making companies in 2005.

Emporiki Bank, Aspis Insurance, Corinth Pipes, National Insurance, Sanyo Hellas and Balkan Export were among those listed companies to return to profit in 2005, while Attica Bank, Mohlos, Hellenic Telecoms, Tegopoulos and Shelman were among those to report losses last year.

[15] PASOK MPs request information over NBG's investment in Turkey

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

According to a letter to the chairman of Parliament's finance and economy committee, the deputies call for an in-person briefing by Arapoglou over how the purchase will affect NBG's future prospects; if possible risks have been evaluated; details over a scheduled increase in the bank's share capital, as well as assessments by reliable international credit firms on the Turkish bank's value.

The letter is signed by former minister Vasso Papandreou.

[16] PASOK MPs table amendment abolishing civil mobilization as method to end strikes

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

The deputies proposed that the amendment be included in a draft bill regarding civil defense planning. Natural and man-made disasters or incidents threatening public health etc would be excluded under the proposed amendment.

[17] Athens, Moscow sign initial agreement on past debt

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

[14]Olympic Airlines, Helexpo forge alliance

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

In return, exhibitors and trade visitors will be offered discounts on fares and other perks from the airline, senior executives of Thessaloniki-based Helexpo told a news conference on Friday.

Both companies will also publicize each other's goods and services.

[18] Public/private sector joint ventures to build 27 schools in Attica

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting of an Inter-ministerial Commission, Alogoskoufis said the schools would be built sooner than if the project was funded by the Public Investment Program, while the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works ministry would ensure the quality of the buildings.

The Greek minister said the Inter-ministerial Commission's decision was a "landmark" since it would enhance the role of the state for better infrastructure in the economy and the society.

Education Minister Marietta Giannakou said the government's priority was the build new schools under a four-year plan and that joint ventures between public and private sector companies would accelerate building rates.

[19] Industrial production index down 1.8 pct in February, yr/yr

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

NSS, in its report, said the February 1.8 pct drop reflected an 1.1 percent fall in mining production, a 3.3 percent drop in manufacturing production and a 4.4 percent increase in the electricity-natural gas-water production index.

[20] Session held of National Council of Quality for Development

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

The Council's member presented the progress in work in a series of matters, such as the national awards for business excellence, the establishment of a system for supervising the market, the briefing and awareness for quality, as well as cooperation between agencies for quality.

In turn, the Council's members were briefed on the conclusions of the meeting which took place at the Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Ministry regarding the harmonized European Models of Structural Products and the implementation of the provisions of Directive 89/106/EOK.

[21] Greek producers' import prices up 7.4 pct in February, yr/yr

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

NSS, in its report, said the index was up 0.6 pct in February from January.

[22] Greek olive oil brand gains quality award

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

The institute is an independent organization dedicated to judging and rewarding superior-tasting food and beverages with juries composed of top European chefs, beverages experts and sommeliers.

Hellenic's brand was awarded one star, which means it gained 70%-79% grading.

The awards are used by manufacturers to promote their products for three years if no alteration in taste is made.

For its juries, the institute works in close partnership with the eight most prestigious European culinary institutions and the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale (ASI).

[23] Greek farm import prices up 4.4 pct in February, yr/yr

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

[24] Lamda Development sells stake in shipper

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

The buyers were Cresta Services Ltd, Motol Services Ltd, and Ioannis Benzonanas, Lamda said in a statement.

"The total price of the sale is � 5.2m, which will improve consolidated results after minority rights and consolidated shareholders equity of the Lamda development group by the amount of � 3.4m," the statement said.

[25] Competition Commission seeks to lower charges in Corinth Canal

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

The Commission, in an announcement, said "Periandros SA" has the exclusive right to operate the Corinth Canal, to set and collect shipping charges. The complaint, filed by "Antoniou Kyriakos Tourist" and "Aegean Navigation", said Periandros was using its right to establish and enhance its activities in sea tourism by promoting its vessel Canal Vista and overcharging vessels using the canal.

The Commission will discuss a recommendation by the Competition directorate-general to intervene and lower charges in the Corinth Canal.

[26] Jetfighter missing, search operation continuing

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

"Efforts to locate the aircraft are continuing with all means, under adverse conditions due to low and dense cloud cover where we believe the incident occurred," alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said.

The search effort for the French-made warplane was focusing in the central-eastern Corinth Gulf, west of Athens.

Three helicopters, a C-130 aircraft, a hydrographic vessel and a torpedo boat were taking part in the search.

National Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis, who boarded the frigate Hydra in the early morning Friday to observe naval exercises, has returned to Athens to follow the search operation.

[27] Search in Schinousa villa reveals another 20 antiquities

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

During a raid earlier this week on the same villa, registered as the property of an offshore company, police had discovered 37 ancient artifacts.

Press sources said that archaeologists Panagiotis Hatzidakis of the Cyclades Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities service and Christos Tsirogiannis of the Antiquities Dealers and Private Collections inspectorate had been brought in to record the finds.

Among the most shocking of these was a church dedicated to St. Vassilios built in the villa's courtyard that experts said was built with materials taken from an old Byzantine church and contained rare ancient artifacts whose origins remain unknown.

The 20 additional artifacts discovered on Friday were in the basement of the huge villa, which sprawls across 1,000 square meters, many placed on display in various rooms.

Among them was a marble headless statue of Aphrodite that archaeologists consider the most important of all the antiquities found in the villa, which might be a Roman copy of the famous statue by Praxiteles.

Other ancient artifacts were found wrapped in containers, leading police to suspect that they come from other parts of the world, such as Asia or Africa, and that the villa was used as a way-station for items that were destined to go abroad.

Investigating officers also pointed out that many of the items had been legally purchased in auctions by their owners but had not been registered.

At the same time, they are continuing to investigate the possibility that an international antiquities-smuggling ring involving individuals in Europe and America might be behind the affair and that it may be linked with the cases being investigated by Public Prosecutor Ioannis Diotis.

Diotis had visited Rome last November to receive photographs of antiquities originating from illegal archaeological digs and attended the trial of Marion True, a former curator of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles who resigned after she was accused of having bought ancient artifacts that she knew were stolen.

Greek authorities had then searched a house owned by Marion True on the island of Paros and found a few ancient artifacts that had not been declared, while Diotis had called two people in for questioning in the past few days in connection with these findings. Though nothing has been announced, it is widely believed that their testimony may be linked to the discovery of the ancient artifacts in the villa at Schinousa.

Despina Papadimitriou, the woman using the villa, was the sister of shipowner Christos Mihailidis who died as a result of an accident in 1999. Mihailidis was known to have relations with True and antiquities dealer Robin Symes, whose activities also came under scrutiny during the Rome trial.

It transpired during this trial that, following Mihailidis' death, the family had sued Symes in 2001 and demanded half of the antiquities in his possession, which they claimed had been obtained jointly with Mihailidis.

According to sources in the shipping community, the family owns an offshore company that handles nine large tankers and keeps offices in London and Kolonaki.

Meanwhile, Greek authorities are trying to secure the return of four artifacts of the 3rd century B.C. that are considered to be of great archaeological value from the J. Paul Getty Museum. Greece lodged a request through diplomatic channels over a year ago for their return as antiquities illegally smuggled out of the country.

The culture ministry is expected to publish a full list of the items found at the Schinousa villa on Friday.

[28] Hailstorm damages wheat crops in N. Greece

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

According to the Prefecture of Kilkis Agriculture Division, the hail storm struck in regions of the Municipality of Goumenissa and in the districts of Pefkodasos, Plagia, and Fanos, where damage was caused mainly to wheat crops, vineyards and fruit-bearing trees that are currently in the flowering stage. The responsible local agencies were surveying the damages for compensation to the stricken farmers.

Meanwhile, wintery weather was reported in Thessaloniki and the surrounding areas since the early morning hours, with a significant temperature drop compared to the previous days and rainfall.

[29] Caravaggio exhibition at Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Entitled "Caravaggio and the 17th century" it is scheduled to run until the end of June.

The exhibition will feature Caravaggio's masterpiece "The Raising of Lazarus" from the Museo Regionale in Messina, Sicily and others on loan from museums and private collections in Italy. It is to be officially inaugurated by Greek President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on the evening of April 27 and take place under the High Aegis of Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

An announcement by the Italian Embassy in Athens said that the exhibition was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Italian company Edison SPA and the personal efforts of its chairman Umberto Quadrino.

Other paintings by Caravaggio loaned for the exhibition include 'John the Baptist' from the Doria Pamphilj Gallery in Rome and the 'Maddalena Addolorata' from a private collection, while 13 original works by painters of the Caravaggio school have been loaned by the Banca Carime Foundation of Cosenza and include paintings by Innocenzo Tacconi, Dirck van Baburen, Gerrit Honthorst, Giovan Battista Caracciolo (known as Battistello), Frans Wouters, Jusepe de Ribera (or Spagnoletto) Francesco Guarino, Andrea Sacchi, Salvator Rosa, Mattia Preti and Luca Giordano.

All the above painters are considered to represent an important part of Italy's cultural heritage in the 17th century and the "caravaggismo" movement. Caravaggio himself - or Michelangelo Merisi di Caravaggio as he was known in full - is considered to belong to the Baroque school, on which he is said to have had a formative influence during a brief but eventful career.

[30] Washington's Shakespeare Theatre performs Aeschylus' 'The Persians'

WASHINGTON 15/4/2006 (ANA-MPA/T. Ellis)

At a dinner which proceeded the performance at City Museum, among those who made an address was also Greece's Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia who told the "Washington Times" that "the foreign tourists can live their myth in Greece and that in 2005 the increase of the (American) tourism flow to Greece exceeded 20 per cent."

Present at the performance were, among others, Onassis Foundation President Antonis Papadimitriou, National Informations Services director John Negroponte, the ambassadors of Greece and Britain to the U.S., Alexandros Mallias and Sir David Manning, as well as former ambassador Loukas Tsilas who is managing the Onassis Foundation in the U.S.

[31] Events of the Int'l Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis in Europe, America and Asia

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

An event will be held in Barcelona on April 18 and another one in Berlin on April 20. Tours will follow in May to Israel, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Canada, Belgium and Luxembourg, while in June, events will be held in Croatia and Greece.

Every event is successful and surpasses the expectations of the organizers, as stated on Friday to ANA-MPA by the president of the Coordinating Committee of the Society, George Stasinakis.

"We are touched by the love shown by people of various ages and of different cultures for the works and thought of our great author Nikos Kazantzakis, in every country we went to. This in any case is the objective of our Society," Stasinakis said.

Since the foundation of the International Society of Friends of Nikos Kazantzakis in Geneva in 1988, the works of the great Cretan author have been presented in more than 70 countries in all the continents.

[32] Noted researcher in fight against malaria dies, aged 103

Athens 15/4/2006 (ANA)

Mantekos' research, internationally published in 1943, demonstrated the effectiveness of DDT residual spraying in stopping malaria. He subsequently headed up a national program to eradicate the disease from the east Mediterranean country

[33] Indian IT firms show interest to invest in Cyprus

BOMBAY 15/4/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, George Lillikas, who is accompanying Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos at his official visit to India, said here Friday that the government would submit to the interested companies, its proposals in a bid to attract them to Cyprus.

The Indian firms, he said, can make use of the many benefits offered by Cyprus' accession to the EU, its geographic position as well as the EU funding programs in the areas of research and technology.

On Friday, President Papadopoulos visited Bangalore which is considered to be the third most important city worldwide in Information Technology.

President Papadopoulos and his entourage visited three Indian IT and pharmaceutical companies and were informed on their work.

In statements to the press, Minister Lillikas said that Cyprus and India could develop research programs in the framework of the Technology Park that the government wants to establish in the coastal town of Limassol.

''India is a pioneer in the area of information technology worldwide. This is an area that interests us. Some Indian companies have shown interest to come to Cyprus. And we are committed to send them our proposals. There is will for cooperation in the area of research and technology," Lillikas said.

During his visit to Banagalore, President Papadopoulos met with the State Minister of Karnataka and signed the visitors' book.

On Saturday he will visit historic monuments in Bombay and on Sunday, in the morning hours, he will depart for Cyprus.

[34] UN appoints 3rd member of CMP

NICOSIA 15/4/2006 (CNA/ANA-MPA)

A press release by the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) said the Force expects that Girod will assume his official duties in early June.

''His appointment has been approved by the leaders of both communities, Mr. Tassos Papadopoulos and Mr. Mehmet Ali Talat,'' the press release said.

''Mr. Girod," UNFICYP added, ''brings with him 20 years of humanitarian work experience, having most recently served as the Head of the Regional Delegation for the US and Canada of the International Committee of the Red Cross.''

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