Athens News Agency: News in English, 02-06-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Turkey's objections continue to block Euroforce issue, Greek PM says

[02] Gov't orders civil mobilization of the country's seamen

[03] Evros officials: Thousands of illegal migrants gathering on Turkish

[04] President hosts dinner in honour of Nelson Mandela

[05] Weather Forecast: Sunny skies on Friday

[06] Greek stocks end eight-day losing streak on Friday

[01] Turkey's objections continue to block Euroforce issue, Greek PM says

SEVILLE (ANA - Chr. Poulidou) - The Euroforce issue remained open on Friday due to objections Turkey rose with the Spanish EU presidency, in an effort to exchange its agreement on this issue with the possibility of the immediate initiation of accession negotiations.

According to Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis a ''very satisfactory result for Greek positions was formulated'', following ''tough negotiations'' and continuous contacts, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou had with Javier Solana and Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique, as well as contacts between Simitis and his Spanish counterpart Jose Maria Aznar and other European leaders.

During talks between the Spanish presidency and Turkey, however, Ankara expressed its ''total opposition'' on the issue and Aznar conveyed this development to his counterparts.

The Turkish officials discussing the issue with Aznar insinuated that if the EU was to set now the date for the initiation of Turkey's EU accession negotiations, there may have been ground for a Turkish change of heart on the Euroforce issue.

Aznar, however, turned down this negotiation tactic.

[02] Gov't orders civil mobilization of the country's seamen

The government on Friday afternoon ordered a civil mobilization of the country's seamen as part of a last-ditch effort to block an ongoing strike from continuing into the three-day weekend.

The industrial actions, which began on Tuesday, are currently wreaking havoc with the country's passenger shipping sector, stranding thousands of travelers on Greece's numerous islands and preventing the transport of more vacation-makers in light of the Pentecost religious holiday on Monday -- traditionally the start of the summer tourist season in the east Mediterranean country.

Acting government spokesman Telemachos Hytiris said the action follows a decision by the Panhellenic Seamen's Federation (PNO) to extend the strike for another 48 hours. It was originally set to end by 6 a.m. Saturday.

A three-hour meeting on Friday of PNO's leadership rejected a government offer the latter said satisfied the greater part of seamen's demands, while extending an increase in pension levels from 60 to 70 per cent over five years.

''Over the past few days of the strike the government exhausted all dialogue, satisfying the substance of their demands. Unfortunately, however, the leadership of PNO chose to continue the strike, which is damaging the country's economy, tourism, trade, the free movement of citizens and even health care''.

''With a sense of responsibility to society, the government decided the civil mobilization of the striking employees,'' he concluded.

[03] Evros officials: Thousands of illegal migrants gathering on Turkish side

Authorities in the only Greek prefecture sharing land borders with neighbouring Turkey on Friday warned of a veritable deluge of illegal immigration targeting the area in the coming summer period.

According to Evros prefecture and public order ministry officials, some 2,500 illegal immigrants are currently being housed in the prefecture, including a good number of women and children. Another 1,200 illegals are being detained in neighbouring Rhodopi prefecture.

Moreover, officials said reports from across the Evros River separating Greece from Turkey point to ?tens of thousands? of mostly Third World illegal immigrants gathering on the Turkish side for an opportunity to sneak into Greece -- the nearest European Union territory in southeast Europe.

?... we believe that pressure will continue to build up on the Turkish side with the arrival of even greater numbers of illegal immigrants, and if a way isnt found to repatriate them, then their numbers will constantly increase, not just in Evros prefecture but throughout Greece,? Evros prefect George Dollios warned, adding:

?Our country, despite its feelings of solidarity, cannot host any more illegal immigrants''.

Beefed up patrols by border guards and military units have been ordered along the Greek-Turkish frontier, while local authorities are reportedly contemplating the placement of barriers on the slow-moving Evros River (known as Maritsa in Turkish) in order to make passage via certain ?smugglers routes? more difficult to cross.

Conversely, authorities have taken a series of emergency measures to improve conditions for illegal immigrants detained in the region, including new lodgings, upgraded health care and catering.

[04] President hosts dinner in honour of Nelson Mandela

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos on Friday gave a dinner in honour of former South African president Nelson Mandela and his spouse, who are currently visiting Greece.

The dinner was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Magriotis.

[05] Weather Forecast: Sunny skies on Friday

Sunshine is forecast in most parts of the country. Winds north-northeasterly, light to strong, turning very strong in the Aegean. In the west and north, temperatures will range from 18C to 35C; in the Ionian and the rest of the mainland from 19C to 33C; and in the Aegean islands from 21C to 29C. Sunny in Athens, with temperatures between 22C and 33C. Scattered cloud in Thessaloniki, with temperatures from 19C to 33C.

[06] Greek stocks end eight-day losing streak on Friday

Greek stocks ended Friday's session higher ending an eight-day decline that pushed the general index, temporarily, to a new year-low, in the Athens Stock Exchange.

Strong buying for blue chip stocks, particularly for National Bank's shares, led the index 0.87 percent higher to 2,198.55 points, after falling to a year-low of 2,167 early in the session.

Turnover was an improved 105.9 million euros.

The Retail, IT Solutions and IT sectors scored the biggest percentage gains of the day (2.62 percent, 1.44 percent and 1.13 percent, respectively), while the Metals, Construction and Textile sectors suffered the heaviest percentage losses (0.57 percent, 0.33 percent and 0.24 percent).

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavy traded stocks rose 0.32 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index ended 0.35 percent higher and the FTSE/ASE SmallCap 80 index ended 0.53 percent higher.

Broadly, advancers led decliners by 201 to 97 with another 58 issues unchanged.

The general index ended the week with a net loss of 1.19 percent.

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