Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader inaugurates party congress, says party's vision a 'new social pact' with Greek citizens

[02] Greek PM calls for decision on Kosovo's future within UN framework, after talks in Belgrade and Pristina

[03] End in sight of EU-ordained deficit reduction, finmin tells ANA

[04] Situation in Lavara described as critical, state of emergency continues in Evros

[01] PASOK leader inaugurates party congress, says party's vision a 'new social pact' with Greek citizens

He also stressed that the ruling New Democracy party received a first class country from PASOK and predicting that the way it is going ND will soon lose power and for this reason PASOK must prepare the country for tomorrow. The congress will come to a close with the election of the National Council members.

Papandreou set five priorities for the conclusion of the new social pact, the first being the "great democratic reversal" and the regaining of the self-confidence and reliability of the country and of its institutions. It also includes the change in relations between the state and the citizen on the logic of "let us do without the clientele relation and particular statism at last."

The second precondition is the economy, with the denial of the state of favours and the creation of market state relations which will function in the citizen's favour without dogmatisms.

The third precondition is education, research. Technology and life-long training with the return of the system of real free education.

The fourth one is social policy. He said whatever changes in the economy must take place with a feeling of security for the citizen and, referring to the social security issue, said PASOK does not fear discussion because it desires the safeguarding of woking people and of pensioners, as well as the system's viability.

The fifth precondition is the environment and viable growth.

[02] Greek PM calls for decision on Kosovo's future within UN framework, after talks in Belgrade and Pristina

He also stressed the need for close cooperation with the European Union, the United States and Russia in the process and said that Belgrade should be fully involved in the talks to determine Kosovo's future status.

On Thursday morning, Karamanlis met with Serbia and Montenegro President Svetozar Marovic and Serb Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica. On his arrival in Belgrade on Wednesday evening, the Greek premier had met Serb President Boris Tadic and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

According to Karamanlis, the effort made in Kosovo to fulfill the international community's criteria was not satisfactory.

Later in the day Karamanlis held talks with the UN's civil commander H. Petersen in Pristina, concluding his brief tour of the Balkans, and saying in a statement Greece was ready to contribute constructively and creatively to a settlement to the issue of Kosovo.

However, President Ibrahim Rugova, with whom Karamanlis had also met reiterated his position for an independent Kosovo, pointing out that he will contribute to the region's stability and underlining that its citizens will enjoy equal rights.

[03] End in sight of EU-ordained deficit reduction, finmin tells ANA

The 2005 budget would be strictly adhered to, which meant keeping to targets for revenue and expenditure, Alogoskoufis told the Athens News Agency.

When the 2006 budget was ready in October this year and it emerged that the fiscal shortfall would fall below the EU ceiling of 3.0% of gross domestic product, the end of the excessive deficit process would be in sight, the minister said.

[04] Situation in Lavara described as critical, state of emergency continues in Evros

Several homes and acres of agricultural land were inundated by water on Wednesday when the Evros River flooded its banks.

On Thursday morning the area was visited by the defence minister, accompanied by the head of the Armed Forces General Staff Admiral Panagiotis Xinofotis, to oversee the army troops that are assisting state efforts to deal with the crisis.

The level of the water at various points along the river remains high, exceeding alert levels, while trains to Pythio, Lavara and Mandra are not running after the tracks were flooded on Wednesday, leaving behind quantities of debris and water.

Local authorities services are currently in the area seeking ways to keep the water level under control and protect the local residents.

Though the weather in northern Greece remains poor, it has not significantly disrupted road and rail links, while the airports and ports and operating normally.

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