Athens News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-06-19

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

NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 19/06/1997 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

• Ciller questions the legal status in the Aegean
• Greece, Egypt share common views on peace and security
• Philippines President Ramos to visit Athens
• Athens to confront phenomena created by Albanian outlaws
• Economy headed towards rapid growth, lower inflation
• Greece supports Turkey's course towards Europe
• Events in memory of Andreas Papandreou
• Greek-FYROM name talks probably in early August
• Greek cultural foundation in Munich
• Black Sea Development Bank to open in July
• Pangalos meets with Egyptian defence minister WEATHER

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NEWS IN DETAIL

Statements by Turkish Foreign Minister Tansu Ciller questioning the legal status governing the Aegean reflect the "insolence and confusion prevailing within Turkey," government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said today.

Speaking at a press conference in Istanbul on Tuesday, Ciller reportedly stated that "there isn't the slightest evidence that all the islands and rocky islets of the Aegean belong to Greece," and accusing Greece of having an "expansionist" policy.

The Greek foreign ministry responded yesterday saying that Turkey was once again questioning international law and in particular, the Lausanne Treaty "which has defined the legal status in the Aegean with accuracy."

Reppas today described Ciller's statements as "a classical example of an attempt (by Ankara) to create an impression for domestic consumption," adding that Greece was not prepared to become involved in this attempt, "the aim of which is to bring Ms. Ciller's plans to fruition."

Asked to comment on recent statements on the Aegean by President Kostis Stephanopoulos which were criticised by Turkish officials, Reppas said the president's positions were "crystal-clear, show respect for international law, historical truth and the legal reality in the Aegean, as this has been shaped for decades now."

Meanwhile, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis described as "provocative" statements by Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Omer Akbel.

Akbel yesterday criticised a monument dedicated last week in Xanthi, northern Greece, to the memory of Black Sea Greeks killed or expelled by Turkish troops in 1919.

"Instead of being offended by history, Turkey would be advised to acknowledge the crimes of genocide with which it is burdened, as a step towards respecting the principles accepted today by all of civilised mankind," Kaklamanis said.

Greece, Egypt share common views on peace and security

Greece and Egypt today ascertained an identity of views on all issues concerning peace, security and progress in the greater region of the Balkans, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, during talks between Greek National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos and his Egyptian Counterpart General Hussein Tantawi.

Tsohatzopoulos stressed that Greece and Egypt functioned as stabilising factors in developments in the broader region.

Unlike in the case of Turkey, he said, Egypt and Greece were interested in the behaviour of countries which did not conduct themselves in a stabilising manner "since stability, peace and cooperation is of interest to us all."

The two ministers agreed that Greece and Egypt should embark on more substantial cooperation in the armed forces sector, particularly with regard to training, joint exercises, armaments and the exchange of views and information.

The details concerning the cooperation will be discussed at meetings between representatives of the two countries' general staffs.

They also agreed that the two countries should make joint efforts to contribute to the peace processes in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Tantawi said that Athens and Cairo were "albeit with a delay" cooperating more closely, citing the signing of a cooperation protocol between the armed forces of the two countries.

He praised "the important role" played by Greece in the Balkans, saying Athens' policy was the same as that being implemented by Cairo concerning problems in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.

On Egypt's position in relation to the Middle East peace process, Tantawi said efforts must continue for an overall and lasting peace in the region for the benefit of all the peoples of the Middle East.

In this direction, he added, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was exercising his influence "since Egypt is the only country which can play this role."

Replying to questions on a planned Greek-Israeli naval exercise, Tsohatzopoulos said a search and rescue exercise had been scheduled between the two countries' navies, which had been postponed until Autumn due to the initiatives undertaken by Greece in Albania.

He underlined that Greece was responsible for the safe passage of vessels in the region and within this framework was promoting search and rescue exercises at a bilateral level.

Against this background, he added, Greece and Egypt will be considering similar cooperation, while the armed forces would be taking part in exercises to be organised by the two countries.

This evening, Tantawi, accompanied by Tsohatzopoulos, will visit President Kostis Stephanopoulos. Tomorrow he will visit the Hellenic Aerospace Industry and Fleet Headquarters.

Tantawi began his official visit to Greece yesterday.

Philippines President Ramos to visit Athens

Philippine President Fidel Ramos is due in Athens Sunday for a three-day visit at the invitation of his Greek counterpart Costis Stephanopoulos.

The two presidents will have a meeting Monday morning, after which the Ramos will hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

Ramos will meet with political party representatives and businessmen Monday afternoon.

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos is also due to meet with his Philippine counterpart Monday afternoon.

Ramos is currently on a nine-day tour of Britain, Greece and Oman in a bid to atgtract foreign investors.

Athens to confront phenomena created by Albanian outlaws

The government's decision is that there should be a strong Greek presence in areas of the country bordering Albania, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas said today.

Reppas made the statement when asked whether the government had decided to toughen its stance concerning the issue of illegal immigrants from Albania.

Commenting on yesterday's incident in Elbasan, Reppas said the government remained firm in its position that it would "confront with determination and at whatever cost all phenomena created by gangs of outlaws."

Several Albanians late yesterday approached an army camp of the Greek contingent of the protection force in Elbasan and offered to sell narcotics to the sentry, according to reports from Albania.

The sentry declined and asked them to leave. Instead, they began shooting at another sentry post. The Greek soldier returned the fire, killing one of the Albanians.

According to the police chief in Elbasan, the dead Albanian was a hardened criminal on the run.

Economy headed towards rapid growth, lower inflation

National Economy and Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stressed yesterday that the economy was "moving steadily in the direction of more rapid development, lower inflation and reduced public deficits."

Mr. Papantoniou made the statements while unveiling the national economy ministry's five-month report on the economy in 1997.

He said "the rate of GDP growth will accelerate to 3.5 per cent during 1997. Investments in the broader public sector will increase by 18 per cent and in the private sector by 9.5 per cent."

He also noted that the government expects the trade balance to improve, with a 6.2 per cent increase in exports in 1997 compared to just 1 per cent last year, while the current accounts deficit is projected to remain at 1996 levels.

The projection concerning inflation's course at average levels corresponds with initial estimates, he said, adding that primary expenditures will remain within budget estimates, while allocations from the Public Investments Programme in the first five-month period reached 382.4 billion drachmas.

Total revenue in the first five months of 1997 increased by 11.8 per cent, due to corresponding increases in tax and non-tax income, according to the minister.

He also left open the possibility of index-linking income tax scales to inflation, which has been one of the primary demands of public sector employees.

Mr. Papantoniou added that any decisions would be taken at the end of the year, when the 1998 state budget was being prepared, indicating that decisions would be shaped on the basis of the government's ongoing "social dialogue" with employers and employ ees.

Meanwhile, the government reiterated yesterday that it was not considering any change in its economic policy.

"Our economic policy remains unchanged and there will no deviation from what has already been announced," acting government spokesman Yiannis Nikolaou said in response to reporters' questions. the EU summit in Amsterdam on Monday and Tuesday.

Greece supports Turkey's course towards Europe

Greece is in favour of Turkey's course towards Europe and Ankara must realise that it is among those countries whose national interest is identified with that of Europe, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said.

"All the countries following this course must meet those criteria which are common for all member-states and which concern the economy, democracy, respect for human rights as well as for international treaties and the borders of other countries," Mr. Papandreou said, speaking at Munich's Press Club.

Stressing that Greece was not demanding anything from Turkey, Mr. Papandreou said "the only thing we are asking is for Ankara to respect our rights, the treaties which we have signed and the international treaties which stipulate that countries should s ettle their difference without resorting to force."

Unfortunately, he continued, in recent years there has been a resumption of Turkey's increased demands against Greece.

"Instead of resolving the problem of the (Aegean) continental shelf, we have had new demands from Turkey. Yesterday it was Imia. We told them that if they have a problem they should have recourse to the International Court at the Hague. They didn't accept this. Later, they said it wasn't just Imia, but other islands too, and then they started referring to so-called 'grey zones'. Subsequently they went even further and began talking about 'geographical zones'. After this, it was Gavdos and lastly, they threatened us with war if we extended our territorial waters to twelve miles, as we have every right to do," Mr. Papandreou said.

"We believe that Turkey is missing a great opportunity to have Greece as a companion and to approach the EU, rather than raising issues which challenge international treaties and creating instability in the region, which at the end of the day do not benefit Ankara," he said.

Events in memory of Andreas Papandreou

The ruling PASOK party is organising events in memory of Andreas Papandreou in Athens on Sunday, June 22, a year after the death of its founder.

A te deum service will be held at Agios Lazaros Cathedral at the Athens First Cemetery at noon on Sunday, while a political and music event will be organised at the Athens Music Hall in the afternoon.

According to an announcement by PASOK, the event will be addressed by Prime Minister Simitis and former French culture minister Jack Lang.

Greek-FYROM name talks probably in early August

The next round of talks between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on the issue of the latter's name will probably be held in early August.

Greece's ambassador to the UN Christos Zaharakis met his FYROM counterpart Ivan Tosefski in New York yesterday under the auspices of UN mediator on the issue Cyrus Vance, before his departure for Bosnia.

Talks scheduled on the issue last month were postponed due to Mr. Tosefski's illness.

Greek cultural foundation in Munich

The Palladio, the first officially recognised foundation created by overseas Greek organisations in Germany and the world for the purpose of disseminating Greek culture and language was inaugurated in Munich yesterday. Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said the foundation constitutes an important example of cultural and educational cooperation between Greece and Bavaria.

The Bavarian and Greek governments cooperated closely to establish the foundation. In 1994 the Bavarian government approved a request by Athens on the feasibility of the project and in early 1996 a draft budget was submitted by the Greek consulate. The Greek contribution for the creation of the Palladio amounts to 950 million drachmas, while Bavaria will participate with a share exceeding 80 per cent.

The presence of Hellenism in Bavaria is strong, both in universities and the Munich Academy of Fine Arts, as well as the academic sector in general. About 30,000 Greek expatriates live in the greater Munich area.

Black Sea Development Bank to open in July

The Thessaloniki-based Black Sea Trade and Development Bank will begin operating in July, it was decided yesterday during the opening session of the ninth plenary of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact's (BSEC) parliamentary assembly in Vouliagmeni.

The assembly adopted a committee report on improving customs regulations between member-states, aimed at creating a free trade zone in the region.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, who chaired the parliamentary assembly over the six-month period being concluded at the end of the month, briefed the assembly on the recent meeting of Parliament presidents of European Union member-states held in Helsinki.

Mr. Kaklamanis said that during the four years BSEC has been functioning, careful but positive steps have been made, the basic organising structures have been initiated and a regular and productive dialogue has been inaugurated at all parliamentary levels.

Mr. Kaklamanis said the creation of a free trade zone in the region will lead to the liberalisation of trade and the strengthening of economic relations between BSEC member-states.

Meanwhile, the Georgian vice-president of the assembly asked Greece to undertake the necessary initiatives in order for the BSEC to acquire observer status at the European Union and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Pangalos meets with Egyptian defence minister

Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos held 30-minute talks yesterday with visiting Egyptian Defence Minister Gen. Hussein Tantawi.

Gen. Tantawi will meet his Greek counterpart Akis Tsohatzopoulos today, who will later accompany him at talks with President Kostis Stephanopoulos.

After his meeting with the Egyptian official, Mr. Pangalos met the Parliament President of Georgia, Zourab Zhvania, who is in Greece within the framework of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Pact's parliamentary assembly.

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(M.S.)

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