Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 06-11-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] European Parliament president urges Turkey to observe Copenhagen criteria

[02] Borrell says Turkey must fulfill its obligations towards EU

[03] European Commission's progress draft report on Turkey

[04] Healthcare reforms the focus of Inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday

[05] It's time for schools to resume normal operation, government says

[06] PM to chair government committee for education and culture on Wednesday

[07] PM congratulates re-elected president of Brazil

[08] PASOK leader awarded by Int'l Gymnastics Federation for Olympic Truce drive

[09] Russian weaponry systems presented in Athens by Rosoboronexport

[10] Turkish Armed Forces General Staff Chief to visit Athens

[11] Former public order minister gives interview to U.S. 'Defense News'

[12] ND Secretary Zagoritis chairs party meeting on local gov't results

[13] Greece, China promote closer economic relations, FinMin says

[14] Athens approves 135 new energy investments worth 200 mln euros

[15] Development minister briefs President Karolos Papoulias on energy initiatives

[16] Liapis meets with several int'l IT, telecoms executives

[17] Development minister to visit Moscow for Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline

[18] Contract signed for Thessaloniki undersea tunnel project

[19] Tourism seen rising 8.0% in 2006, 2007

[20] Employment minister meets representatives of building contractors

[21] Report says mega-mergers by Greek banks unlikely

[22] International OECD conference on SMEs in Athens

[23] Budget revenue up 9.1%

[24] PASOK's V. Papandreou on implementation of 2006 budget

[25] Greek participation in Indagra 2006 trade fair in Romania

[26] Greek exports rise

[27] Arab-Greek business mission to Kuwait and Bahrain

[28] Greek industrial turnover index up 12.6 pct in Aug, yr/yr

[29] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

[30] Hotel under investigation for child deaths has license revoked

[31] Greek Museum and Cultural Centre in Chicago

[32] Paintings inspired by Aristophanes

[33] Church of Greece examines establishing schools

[34] Fire threatens traditional settlement of Varosi in Edessa

[35] U.S. fleet aircraft makes emergency landing at Iraklion airport

[36] Human traffickers arrested in Thessaloniki

[37] Olympiakos Piraeus draws 1-1 with AS Roma away in Champions League match

[38] Finnish official holds talks here in view of EU report on Turkey)

[39] Cyprus says return of Varosha precondition for successful Finnish initiative

[40] Cypriot President to pay official visit to Croatia

[01] European Parliament president urges Turkey to observe Copenhagen criteria

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Borrell made his reference to Turkey during his address to the Greek Parliament's European and Foreign Affairs Committees. "The European Parliament will make no discounts regarding respect for the criteria, the values and the basic principles, part of which are relations of good neigborliness and respect for international law. We cannot possibly accept the accession of a country that will not observe these preconditions and this has been made clear to Turkey," Borrell said. "The European Parliament is vigilant and has a very critical stance towards Turkey, to which it has been repeatedly pointed out that it must comply and respond to the preconditions and principles of the European Union," he added.

Referring to the issue of Cyprus in particular, the European Parliament president said that the European Parliament demands that Turkish ports and airports be opened, reminding that although Turkey has assumed the commitment to extend customs union to the 10 new member-states, however, it is continuing to refuse to extend it to Cyprus as well.

"Maybe an overall solution that will also include the withdrawal of Turkish troops is not feasible today, however, negotiations are under way under the auspices of the Finnish Presidency to achieve a partial agreement, such as the strengthening of trade transactions between Cyprus and Turkey and the northern part of the island and the rest of the EU," Borrell said.

He further said that "only the leaders of the two Cypriot communities, with the assistance of the UN, will be able to solve the issue of Cyprus. The EU cannot be an effective mediator, with one part of the Cypriot community in the EU and the other outside it. The European Parliament wants a reunited Cyprus. We cannot have in the EU the only 'wall' remaining in Europe", and expressing the hope that "the current negotiations, that we strongly support, will allow the disentanglement of this problem."

Lastly, replying to remarks made by Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Deputy Orestis Kolozov, who spoke of dangerous phenomena of violation of the principles of democracy and of freedom of expression, the European Parliament president said that he shared his concerns and added that "indeed, there is great concern over a resurgence of the far-right and of movements that have racist trends and xeno-phobia."

[02] Borrell says Turkey must fulfill its obligations towards EU

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Borrell's comment was made following reporters' questions regarding Turkey's prospects of accession to the European Union and given the fact that the European Commission is expected to issue its report on November 8 on the progress of Turkey's accession talks, but also when the European Parliament will deal with this matter on November 11.

The European Parliament president noted that Turkey is already a candidate country, "but it is much too early for us to examine whether it will become an EU member, as it has not covered the necessary distance so as to approach European specifications and European levels."

"The reforms required must be made by Turkey itself. The Europeans are simply trying to prompt this country to proceed towards this direction and they will judge on the basis of the progress Turkey has made," Borrell added.

Borrell noted: The Turkish accession is not something which will occur tomorrow as we will have to await it after ten to 15 years. Tomorrow's Turkey will join the EU."

European Parliament President's contacts

in Athens: European Parliament President Josep Borrell had separate meetings in Athens on Tuesday with Hellenic Republic President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Costas Kara-manlis, Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda, Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Coalition of the Left President Alekos Alavanos. Later in the afternoon he will meet with main opposition PASOK party president George Papandreou.

A statement issued by the Greek Parliament mentions that Benaki and Borrell confirmed their strong interest in the future of Europe and their skepticism about developments concerning the Constitutional Treaty and Turkey’s EU accession course.

The Greek Parliament President stated that Greece has ratified the European Constitutional Treaty long ago, calling on the other European countries to take this historic step as well. She also stated that Greece supports EU expansion to the Western Balkans to help this part of the world become a region of peace, prosperity and true democracy.

Benaki-Psarouda stressed that Greece wants Turkey’s integration into the European structures on condition that it will fully comply with the European acquis and meet the obligations set by the European Union and the Customs Union Protocol.

Borrell stated that the European Parliament shares Greece’s concerns both over the Constitutional Treaty and the issue of Turkey’s EU accession and pointed out that the inter-parliamentary meeting on December 4 and 5, when the national parliaments will hold a joint session with the European Parliament, will be a very good opportunity to discuss all those issues and possibly offer a new momentum to lift the impasse.

He also wished success to the Finnish EU Presidency efforts concerning relations with Turkey and Cyprus in order to avert an abrupt interruption of negotiations which would be a negative development for all.

Borrell referred to the need to speed up institutional reforms promoting the European prospect of the Balkans and pointed out the positive prospects opened with the assumption of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly presidency by the Greek Parliament President next March, particularly in efforts aimed at solving the Middle East problems.

The European Parliament President was honored with the gold medal of the Hellenic Parliament issued on the occasion of the 150 anniversary of the Greek constitution.

Papandreou meets Borrell: Main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) leader and Socialist International (SI) president George Papandreou on Tuesday met with visiting European Parliament President Josep Borrell with whom he discussed the challenges faced by Europe, the efforts to formulate a common foreign policy and EU-Turkey relations.

"We exchanged thoughts and views on the European Union's stagnation regarding the European Constitution but also its weakness to have a specific identity in today's world reality," said Papandreou, adding that "we stressed and I promised that I will also help as President of Socialist International, the need for us to form a vision of the socialists for the EU's future."

Papandreou said that the second issue he discussed with Borrell was "the prolonged weakness which the EU is showing lately in formulating a common foreign policy and a stance in major issues of humanity but also in the broader region such as in the Middle East."

Regarding EU-Turkey relations, which he termed as "a great matter for us in Greece," Papandreou stressed that "we agreed that there should be a clear message, clear talks with Turkey, that we have all said and want it to have a European course, but it (Turkey) also has obligations and this is a clear message which the European Union must pass to the Turkish side."

[03] European Commission's progress draft report on Turkey

Positive references to the issue of Cyprus and to issues of Greek-Turkish concern are contained in the text of the European Commission's progress report on Turkey that will be publicized on November 8.

According to the latest draft text brought to the attention of the ANA-MPA, references to Cyprus, included in the special chapter of the report (78 pages) that focuses on the "regional issues and the international obligations" of Turkey, record Turkey's refusal to implement its commitments regarding the customs union protocol, it is stressed that recognition of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes an element of Turkey's accession course, the significance of normalizing relations with all member-states is underlined and explicit reference is made to the "counter-statement" made by the "25" on September 21, 2005 (in reply to Turkey's proclamation on the non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus).

As regards Greek-Turkish issues, the report underlines the "unquestionable" commitment of Turkey regarding relations of good neighborliness and the peaceful solution of differences. In parallel, the report refers to the jurisdiction of the International Court at The Hague, if resorting to it is considered necessary, and concludes by noting that reference to 'casus belli' regarding the extension of Greek territorial waters, based on the resolution adopted by the Turkish National Assembly in 1995, remains unchanged.

However, as it was revealed here on Tuesday, the services of the relevant European Union Commissioner Olli Rehn have not yet completed the processing of the second text on Turkey that concerns the EU's strategy that will contain conclusions in light of the evaluation of Turkey by the "25."

This 25-page text, to which the capability of the EU's absorption of candidates and potential candidates will be included as an appendix, is not expected to have been shaped before November 6 when the directors of the EU commissioners' offices will convene to prepare the meeting of the College of Commissioners on November 8, who will officially adopt the progress report and the strategy text on Turkey.

[04] Healthcare reforms the focus of Inner Cabinet meeting on Tuesday

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Avramopoulos said a relevant draft bill will be tabled next month in Parliament aimed at increasing transparency and effectiveness as well as slashing red tape. He also cited the establishment of a so-called "disability card" within the national health system (ESY) and an overall policy to upgrade and modernize practically every facet of the system.

Asked about the scourge of under-the-table payments to medical staff at public hospitals and clinics by patients and patients' relatives, Avramopoulos said such "backhanders" are essentially an "indirect and stealthy purchase of the preferred physician's attention ... the system's structures will be modernized once a first-stage healthcare system is in place; all these phenomena will be eradicated," he said.

In an unrelated development, Karamanlis also met with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis ahead of an off-the-agenda Parliament debate regarding foreign policy issues as well as a pending EU Commission report on Turkey's closely watched accession course.

The prime minister himself requested the debate.

[05] It's time for schools to resume normal operation, government says

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Noting that the government had given these problems serious consideration, he said that the first priority must now be to restore the smooth operation of education on all levels.

According to the spokesman, the national union federations representing primary and secondary school teachers, DOE and OLME, respectively, were on Wednesday expected to submit their proposals on how teaching hours lost as a result of the strike might be made up.

Regarding the draft bill for higher education prepared by the government - now being discussed before the appropriate parliamentary committee - Antonaros underlined the government's determination to go ahead with reforms and repeated the government's appeal to all the sides involved to participate in the dialogue on the bill.

[06] PM to chair government committee for education and culture on Wednesday

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Earlier at 10:00, Karamanlis is scheduled to meet Defense Minister Vangelis Meimarakis.

[07] PM congratulates re-elected president of Brazil

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

In his letter, Karamanlis said he looks forward to the further strengthening of Greece-Brazil bilateral cooperation as well as of European Union-Brazil relations.

[08] PASOK leader awarded by Int'l Gymnastics Federation for Olympic Truce drive

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The award was presented to Papandreou by FIG president Bruno Grandi, who spoke warmly of the PASOK leader's efforts and stressed that the award, an olive branch, represented the symbol of peace.

Papandreou, who was invited by the federation to attend the 125th anniversary events in Geneva running from October 26-31 attended by many personalities, 30 Olympic champions and 24 world champions, stressed the importance of the Olympic Truce and the immense effort that must be made by everyone for peace, citing particularly the cases of Iraq, Lebanon and Guantanamo.

"We must say 'no' to ethicist enmity and seek the other road that leads to peace, as the ancients did, as Pierre de Coubertain and Dimitris Vikeals did, as Juan Antonio Samaranch and Jacques Rogge do every time they inaugurated or inaugurate games," Papandreou stressed.

The PASOK leader also spoke of the tortures being carried out today, noting that he had grown up in Greece during the military dictatorship, when torture was a practice.

Even today, he added, despite the Geneva Convention, torture still took place in the world, and appealed to everyone to help in ending such practices globally.

The Olympic Truce was helping in the direction of peace, as well as the elimination of torture, he said, adding that sport brought out the best in people whereas war brought out the worst.

Papandreou thanked the FIG and its present for honoring him with the award, an honor which, he added, also reflected on Greece.

[09] Russian weaponry systems presented in Athens by Rosoboronexport

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The presentation took place during a press conference given on Tuesday at the offices of the subsidiary Rosoboronservice Hellas in Athens.

On Monday, the representatives of the Russian company had presented the weaponry systems in question to representatives of the Greek defense ministry.

During Tuesday's press conference, the Russian company reiterated its will for cooperation with Greece in the armaments sector.

[10] Turkish Armed Forces General Staff Chief to visit Athens

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The Turkish general will be in the Greek capital returning a visit to Ankara by Greek National Defense General Staff (GEETHA) Chief Admiral Panayotis Hinofotis last July.

[11] Former public order minister gives interview to U.S. 'Defense News'

The American defense review "Defense News" published an interview with former public order minister Mihalis Chryso-hoidis. Noting that during his tenure he had undertaken the task of Greece's anti-terrorist shielding in the post-September 11 international environment.

It was also noted that when Chrysohoidis was in tenure, the November 17 group was disbanded, international cooperation for the security of the Athens Olympic Games was promoted and a modernization program for the Greek Police (ELAS) was implemented, that led crime levels in Greece to a historic low and increased the prestige of the security services.

As regards Greece's security environment, Chrysohoidis stressed that Greece is faced with the double challenge of handling asymmetrical terrorist threats and organized crime on the one hand and maintaining an effective deterrent force on the other, in the framework of facing conventional regional conflicts.

He points out that Greek-Turkish relations have achieved a substantive improvement since 1999, but added that tension factors continue to exist and the only way of overcoming them is strict respect for international law rules and practices.

On the question of Greece's participation in the international war against terrorism, he said that the experience obtained from combating local terrorism taught him, on the one hand, that great determination and the involvement of all of society and of the international community is required and, on the other, the struggle must be won at the level of ideas and policy.

Believing that under the circumstances the further professionalization of the military is the only logical solution, Chrysohoidis stresses that a decrease in military service must be followed by a corresponding increase in the number of professionals and provided it will not have repercussions on the military's readiness.

[12] ND Secretary Zagoritis chairs party meeting on local gov't results

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

After the meeting, Zagoritis stated that "the climate in the prefectures and municipalities is positive."

He said that in general terms, "the New Democracy went well in the elections, the data shows it, the map shows it and also the situation in PASOK (main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement) shows it."

Concluding, Zagoritis said that the New Democracy party "had important successes in major urban centers and is satisfied."

[13] Greece, China promote closer economic relations, FinMin says

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Speaking to reporters, presenting the results of his official visit to China last week, the Greek minister said his talks with Chinese officials in Beijing and Shanghai focused on starting direct flights between Athens, Beijing and Hong Kong, the opening of the ports of Piraeus and Thessaloniki to Chinese products and the cooperation of the Athens Stock Exchange with the stock markets of Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Alogoskoufis, accompanied by Economy Deputy Minister Christos Folias, met in Beijing with the governor of the Bank of China, and the ministers of Finance and Trade.

The Greek minister announced that a Chinese airline would begin direct flights between Athens and Beijing in the next few months and noted that Greek cargo ships were currently transporting 50 percent of China's imports and 60 percent of China's imports in oil. He stressed that Greece's two largest ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, could become transit cargo hubs between China and the regions of Southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean.

In Shanghai, the Greek minister met with the president of the stock market and agreed to promote cooperation between the two cities' capital markets through "stock basket" trading. Alogoskoufis said the Hong Kong's commerce and financial service would soon open a representation office in Greece and noted that progress was made in talks to avoid double taxation between the two countries.

[14] Athens approves 135 new energy investments worth 200 mln euros

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The ministry said new units totaling 250 MW were included in the country's renewable energy sources' grid in the period from March 2004 to September 2006, raising the country’s power by 55 percent. Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said another 100 MW were expected to be included in the system by the end of the year.

[15] Development minister briefs President Karolos Papoulias on energy initiatives

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The minister said after the meeting that a large part of the discussion focused on the course of the international energy initiatives of the government and the development ministry, particularly in relation to the Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline, the Greek-Italian natural gas pipeline and the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline, "a project that bears the seal of the President of the Republic Mr. Papoulias himself at its start."

Sioufas also briefed President Papoulias on the operation course of the Energy Community of Southeastern Europe as of July 1.

[16] Liapis meets with several int'l IT, telecoms executives

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Liapis, whose ministry co-hosts the forum, met with Egyptian Communications and IT Minister Tarek Kamel, a meeting that witnessed the signing of a bilateral memorandum of cooperation in the post, telecoms and IT sectors.

Afterwards, the Greek minister also met with the head of Germany's powerful federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railway (Bundesnetz-agentur), Matthias Kurth, Berlin's candidate for the position of International Telecommunication Union (ITU) general secretary.

Additionally, Liapis met with Japan's Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Hideo Shimizu, with talks focusing on the upcoming ITU conference in Antalya, Turkey, this month. Shimizu is also a candidate for the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) director's post.

[17] Development minister to visit Moscow for Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The aim is the signing of an inter-state agreement on support for the construction of the project by the end of the year. The creation of the international company that will undertake the pipeline's construction and operation is also pending.

[18] Contract signed for Thessaloniki undersea tunnel project

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The relevant contract was signed at the public works ministry on Tuesday by Souflias and the representatives of the "Thermaiki Odos" joint venture. It will be tabled in Parliament and its ratification is expected in February or March.

Work on the project will begin immediately afterwards. It will have a length of 6.5 kilometers, four kilometers of which will be an undersea tunnel with its ceiling located at least one meter under the seabed.

The project will have three lanes in each direction and the amount of toll fees, according to the minister, was set at 0.90 euros for each crossing.

The tunnel will link the western side of the port with the coast on the other side, near the "Macedonia Palace" hotel.

[19] Tourism seen rising 8.0% in 2006, 2007

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The calculation for 2006 was based on arrivals for September, the institute said in the report entitled Greek Economy and Tourism.

Revenue from tourism in 2006 is forecast to rise by 10%-11%.

In 2005, the rate of increase of arrivals was 5.6%.

"2005 may, without exaggeration be characterized as the starting point for a new and profitable course for tourism and overall economic growth," the institute noted.

[20] Employment minister meets representatives of building contractors

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

After the meeting, Tsitouridis spoke of "good cooperation" between the building contractors and IKA and the ministry, noting that also discussed was the issue of the regular payment of the contractors' contributions to IKA.

[21] Report says mega-mergers by Greek banks unlikely

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The annual report on the Greek banking market said any merger moves in the market would focus on smaller banking institutions.

The Post Savings Bank is the first takeover target for larger banks, followed by the Bank of Cyprus and Marfin Group, Kantor Capital said in its report, adding that the purchase of Post Savings Bank would add significant value to NovaBank, Aspis Bank and Geniki Bank, while of significant value would be any mergers between NovaBank and Bank of Cyprus, or between NovaBank and Aspis Bank. The report noted that foreign players were interested only for the big five Greek banks and particularly their international operations.

Kantor noted a 40 percent improvement in profitability last year in the banking sector, with interest revenues the biggest revenue source (with an average 73-81 percent of total revenues).

The three largest banks reported a 6.0 pct increase in assets last year, with average asset return up to 1.2 pct in 2005 from 1.0 pct in 2004. Spending on personnel fell an average 2.0 pct, while the average branch productivity rose by 1.7 percent.

Large Greek banks' added value fell by 39 percent in 2005 to 30 million euros from 50 million euros in 2004, while smaller banks continued reporting negative added value.

Local banks' workforce totaled 91,044 last year, up 16 percent from 2004, reflecting mainly a wave of takeovers abroad by Greek banks.

[22] International OECD conference on SMEs in Athens

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The conference will be taking place between November 6-8 with the participation of representatives from 62 countries and 15 organizations.

Sioufas said that a study will be presented that codifies the main obstacles for SMEs access to the international market. They include the lack of working capital, difficulty in finding opportunities and the lack of information about markets.

[23] Budget revenue up 9.1%

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Spending rose by 2.0% against a target of 3.3%, the State General Accounting Office said in a statement.

Spending on interest increased by 3.8% versus a target of 2.5% on an annual basis.

As a result, the budget deficit dropped by 27.1%, the statement added.

[24] PASOK's V. Papandreou on implementation of 2006 budget

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

She further noted that "even the comparison with the revised data downwards which were made public by the Economy and Finance Minister (George Alogoskoufis) in early October, proves the weaknesses of the implementation of the budget."

[25] Greek participation in Indagra 2006 trade fair in Romania

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

TIF SA (Thessaloniki International Fair) is organizing the Greek participation which includes members of the Manufacturers' Chamber of Thessaloniki along with food companies such as "Kolios" and "Allatini".

The Indagra fair completes TIF's international program for the year. The Greek company recently organized the participation of 33 Greek enterprises to an international metallurgical-electrical and building materials' trade fair "Tehnoma 2006" in Skopje, FYROM.

[26] Greek exports rise

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The value of exports in August 2006 rose by 19.9% to 1,225.1 million euros against 1,012.5 million euros in the same month of 2005, HEPO said on the basis of data from the Greek National Statistics Service.

Of the January-August total, 795.1 million euros was from an increase in exports of petroleum products and allied goods; 315.8 million euros from a rise in food and beverages; and 335.4 million euros from an increase in industrial goods, according to HEPO.

[27] Arab-Greek business mission to Kuwait and Bahrain

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis will head the first half of the business mission (in Kuwait between December 3-5).

[28] Greek industrial turnover index up 12.6 pct in Aug, yr/yr

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

NSS, in its report, said the August increase reflected an 18.6 pct jump in the mining turnover index and a 12.5 pct rise in the manufacturing turnover index over the same period.

The statistics service also announced that the new industrial orders index fell 11.9 percent in August, compared with the corresponding month in 2005.

[29] Athens Bourse Close: Stocks rise

Athens 1/11/2006 (ANA)

The FTSE/ASE-20 index for high capitalization shares ended 0.01% down; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium cap stocks 1.24% higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap shares finished 1.18% up.

Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 177 to 81 with 55 remaining unchanged.

Stock Futures: