Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2001-02-02
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, February 2, 2001
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TITLES
[01] HOUSE REJECTS CENSURE MOTION AGAINST MINISTER
[02] US EMBASSY THANKS GREEK POLICE OVER RUNAWAY
[03] ALGERIAN FM MEETS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART
[04] DM IN MUNICH FOR POLITICAL SECURITY CONFERENCE
[05] FOREST LANDS CONFERENCE AT AGROTICA 2001
[06] COSMO BULGARIA MOBILE DEALS WITH MOTOROLA
[07] GREEK LITERATURE READING FEATURED AT HARVARD
[08] GRD1.3 TRILLION FOR ROADS, RAILWAYS, AIRPORTS
[09] BULGARIA-GREECE PIPELINE EYED BY RUSSIA'S LUKOIL
[10] EU SUBSIDIZES GREEK FARMERS WITH OVER 1 TRILLION
[11] AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 7-8% IN THE GREEK COSMETICS
MARKET UNTIL 2002
[12] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE PERFORMANCE WAS AGAIN DISAPPOINTING
[13] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MEETING WITH THE ALGERIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER
[14] THE RECOGNIZED SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS WILL NOT BE HURT
[15] THE COMMANDER OF THE GREEK FORCE IN KOSOVO PREDICTS THAT THE
SITUATION WILL NORMALIZE
[16] PROPOSAL FOR THE YEAR 2001 TO BE DECLARED YEAR OF THE GREEK
WOMAN LIVING ABROAD
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREEK-BULGARIAN JOINT FRONT IN TRANSPORTATION AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
[18] GREEKS LIVING ABROAD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE LOSSES IN THE
ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] HOUSE REJECTS CENSURE MOTION AGAINST MINISTER
The Parliament rejected a censure motion against Minister of
National Economy and Finance Yiannos Papantoniou, which was
initiated by the conservative main opposition party of New
Democracy over the Athens Stock Exchange's recent negative
performance.
In a roll-call vote shortly after midnight, 154 deputies from
the ruling PASOK party voted against the motion, 125 from ND and
the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Syn) voted in favor, while
eight deputies from the Communist Party and one independent
declared themselves present. Twelve deputies were absent from the
300-member House where a minimum of 151 votes were required to
pass the motion.
Prime Minister Costas Simitis hailed the result as "a vote of
confidence" for the government and its economic policy.
In his address to the House prior to the vote, the Premier
stated that ND has resorted to political exploitation and is
cultivating a climate of confusion and fear whcih bear a negative
impact on the bourse's course.
"We have condemned and we still condemn the mentality of easy
wealth," Mr. Simitis stated, stressing that "the bourse is not a
place of gambling, it is a tool for development. The mentality of
development is not connected with the mentality of gains in stock
exchanges. There are profits and losses."
[02] US EMBASSY THANKS GREEK POLICE OVER RUNAWAY
The United States Embassy in Athens expressed its gratitude
to the public order ministry and Greek police for their efforts in
locating a young American girl who had ran away to Thessaloniki.
In a press release released yesterday, U.S. Ambassador to
Ahtens Nicholas Burns stated that "I am delighted that Ms.
Shamrock has been found in good health. This case illustrates the
excellent cooperation that exists between the FBI and the Greek
legal authorities, who worked in tandem on this case for several
months."
Police in Thessaloniki yesterday discovered 15-year-old
Lindsey Shamrock who was missing for several months from her
Florida home. She is believed to have been lured to the northern
Greek town by a German male felon (resident of Thessaloniki) whom
she met on the Internet.
The man, 35-year-old Franz Konstantin Baehring, a German
national who has been residing in Thessaloniki for several years,
was arrested late last night in Athens where he maintains another
home. Baehring has reportedly served time in Thessaloniki's prison
for fraud and afterwards took up permanent residence in Greece.
Ms. Shamrock's mother is expected in Thessaloniki today where
she will pick up her daughter.
[03] ALGERIAN FM MEETS WITH GREEK COUNTERPART
Algerian Foreign Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem was received by
his Greek counterpart George Papandreou in Athens yesterday, with
whom he discussed bilateral relations, the Cyprus issue and the
situation in the Middle East.
Following their talks, Mr. Belkhadem expressed the wish that
"economic relations between the two countries will reach the
corresponding level."
Regarding Cyprus, Mr. Belkhadem stated that his country has
adopted a firm position on the matter, advocating the enforcement
of international law.
In turn, Mr. Papandreou stated that relations between the two
countries are excellent, adding that he and his Algerian
counterpart discussed agreements to be promoted in the coming
months in preparation of Algerian President Abdelaziz Buteflika's
scheduled visit to Greece.
These agreements concern avoidance of double taxation,
cooperation in shipping, tourist cooperation and assistance for
transportation between the two countries.
The Algerian FM was also received by the President of the
Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos and the President of the
Hellenic Parliament Apostolos Kaklamanis.
[04] DM IN MUNICH FOR POLITICAL SECURITY CONFERENCE
Defense Minister Akis Tsochatzopoulos is to depart for Munich
today, where he will participate in the 37th Conference on
Political Security which will focus on inter-Atlantic relations,
European security and defense identity.
Issues to be discussed at the three-day conference include
German foreign policy and security policy at the beginning of the
new century, Russia's role in world politics, the shaping of joint
European security with Russia and bilateral relations with Russia
on the part of Asia.
In addition to Mr. Tsochatzopoulos, the conference will be
attended by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, German Foreign
Minister Joschka Fischer, NATO secretary general George Robertson
and the European Union's representative for foreign and security
policy issues Javier Solana.
[05] FOREST LANDS CONFERENCE AT AGROTICA 2001
A forest fire protection conference was held in Thessaloniki
yesterday, within the parameters of the "Agrotica 2001" trade fair
presently taking place at the Thessaloniki Helexpo Center.
The one-day conference, organized by the Agriculture Ministry
and the National Agricultural Research Foundation, dealt with the
protection of forests from fires and the management of forest
lands after the destructive effects of fires.
According to data released during the conference, 375,000
acres of forest were burned last year in Greece, while the
decade's median was 250,000 acres. The median for the last 40-year
period was 75,000 acres.
"Agrotica 2001", an international farm equipment and
machinery exhibition, is one of the three biggest farm trade fairs
in Europe, and the biggest in southeastern Europe, attracting
thousands of exhibitors and visitors from Greece and abroad. It
features the participation of 1,135 exhibitors from Greece and
abroad.
[06] COSMO BULGARIA MOBILE DEALS WITH MOTOROLA
Bulgaria's second largest mobile phone provider (Cosmo
Bulgaria Mobile" has drawn an agreement with the Greece-based
representative of the US firm "Motorola" to construct the
facilities for a new mobile communications network.
Quoting "reliable sources", Sofia daily "Trud" reported that
"The Greeks will share the money from the second mobile phone
license".
According to the article, a portion of the order could be
assigned to Greece's Nokia representative, thereby funneling the
funds back to Greece, "which explains why (Greece's state-owned
Telecommunications Organization) OTE withdrew from the bidding
process for Mobicom's purchase."
At the same time, Greece's Minister of Transport and
Communications Christos Verelis held talks with Bulgaria's vice-
president Petar Zotev yesterday, with whom he discussed OTE's
interest in Bulgaria's mobile communications system and the
development of road and rail infrastructure that concern both
countries.
Following the talks, Mr. Verelis stated that "we discussed
the importance of the license and we feel that OTE will be active
in other sectors as well, as soon as conditions allow it."
Talks also concerned the development of the European Route 10
crossing Greece, Bulgaria and Romania, reaching all the way to
Austria.
[07] GREEK LITERATURE READING FEATURED AT HARVARD
Four Greek award-winning novelists, spanning four
generations, are to read from their recent works during a week-
long event held at Harvard University commencing on February 5.
The first reading, sponsored by the Greek Consulate's Press
office and Harvard University's George Seferis Chair, will
feature Thanassis Valtinos and will be held on February 5.
The second reading, sponsored by the Foundation for Hellenic
Culture, the Kokkalis Program, Harvard University and the
Consulate's Press office, will feature Christos Chomenidis, Ioanna
Karystiani and Ersi Sotiropoulou.
[08] GRD1.3 TRILLION FOR ROADS, RAILWAYS, AIRPORTS
The European Union has given the green light to a European
Commission operational program named "Railways-urban
communications and airports 2000-2006" which will allocate
approximately GRD1.3 trillion in funds for relevant projects in
Greece.
The program's strategic aim is the completion of high-speed
railway lines with European specifications on the main Athens-
Thessaloniki and Athens-Patras routes.
On completion of the projects, travel on the Athens-
Thessaloniki route will last three hours and 50 minutes and on the
Athens-Patras route two hours.
The European Regional Development Fund and the Cohesion Fund
are to participate in the program with a 50-percent stake.
[09] BULGARIA-GREECE PIPELINE EYED BY RUSSIA'S LUKOIL
Russia's major oil company Lukoil has expressed its interest
in the construction of a long-planned pipeline expected to
transport Russian and Caspian crude from Bulgaria to Greece.
According to the BBC, Lukoil vice president Ralif Safin
stated that "it is a political decision and the governments
involved should take it", adding that, from the economic point of
view, "it would be interesting for us to take part in the
construction of such a pipeline. Lukoil has a lot of oil and
production is growing."
The plan aims to link the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgas
to the Greek port of Alexandroupolis, by-passing the Turkish
Bosphorus Straits.
[10] EU SUBSIDIZES GREEK FARMERS WITH OVER 1 TRILLION
The European Union will subsidize Greek farming products to
the tune of over one trillion drachmas on an annual basis until
2006, according to Agriculture Minister George Anomeritis who also
stated that these subsidies will be increased by six percent from
last year's rate.
In an interview with the Thessaloniki daily "Aggelioforos",
Mr. Anomeritis also stressed that the Greek farmers are to reap
comparative advantages by the implementation of the common
European currency, euro, adding that the overall subsidies to be
granted to farmers by the year 2006 will amount to seven trillion
drachmas.
Translating the advantages of the euro's adoption into
reality, the Minister said the transition will mean that loan
interest rates will fluctuate between 5-8%, considerably lower
than the recent 15, 25, or even 30 percent rates.
Also, the "switch over" period enforced during the Common
Agricultural Policy's enforcement will be abolished, while,
perhaps most importantly, sector transparency will be facilitated
through the use of a simplified trade system.
[11] AVERAGE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 7-8% IN THE GREEK COSMETICS
MARKET UNTIL 2002
The cosmetics market in Greece is expected to have an average
annual growth rate of 7-8% in the 2001-2002 period. Already, the
sector in question is one of the healthier of the Greek economy as
its average annual growth rate was 15.5% in the period 1999-2000.
However, the Greek cosmetics market is being controlled by
only a few "players". In essence, only a very limited number of
companies enjoy a two-digit share in the market namely, the
subsidiaries of multi-national groups.
According to figures included in the 4th edition of the
sector's review "Kallintika", three company groups covered jointly
25% of the domestic cosmetics and tanning lotions market, while
40% of the market is being controlled by 6 companies with over 7
billion drachmas sales each (1999 figures).
The hair-care products were proven to be a "gold mine" as
they corresponded to 39% of the overall domestic cosmetics market
in 2000, followed by skin care products (35%), perfumes (15%) and
make-up products (11%).
[12] THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE PERFORMANCE WAS AGAIN DISAPPOINTING
The performance of the Athens Stock Exchange was again very
disappointing today as the hopes for a recovery did not last long.
The general index dropped by 2.80% at 3.156,98 points, while the
volume of transactions was also disappointing at 105.58 million
Euro or 35.97 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today, the overwhelming majority
namely, 331 followed a downward course and only 21 were able to
record gains, while the value of 16 stocks remained unchanged.
[13] GREEK PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT MEETING WITH THE ALGERIAN FOREIGN
MINISTER
The close friendship ties between the people of Greece and
Algeria as well as, the very good cooperation between the
parliaments of the two countries were confirmed by Greek
parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis and Algerian foreign
minister Abdelaziz Belkadem within the framework of his formal
visit to Greece.
Mr. Kaklamanis thanked the Algerian foreign minister for his
country's firm support to Cyprus and expressed Greece's interest
in the efforts made by the government and the people of Algeria
for political stability, peace, unity and economic growth.
From his side, the Algerian official referred to the national
reconciliation policy implemented by his government aimed at
stamping out violence and to the consolidation of the democratic
normality and security. He also spoke about the economic reforms
implemented for the transition to the free market economy and the
intense social problems, like unemployment, faced by the Algerian
people, while he also thanked Mr. Kaklamanis for the support
offered by Greece to Algeria within the framework of the
partnership relation of the south Mediterranean countries with the
European Union.
The Greek parliament president expressed the belief that
there will be further cooperation between the two countries in
view of the scheduled visit of the Algerian president to Greece,
both with the exchange of visits by parliamentary friendship
groups and within the framework of the imminent Euro-Mediterranean
Conference of the Mediterranean and European Union parliament
presidents that will take place in October.
[14] THE RECOGNIZED SOCIAL SECURITY RIGHTS WILL NOT BE HURT
The reform of the social security system was discussed today
in the meeting of prime minister Kostas Simitis with labor
minister Tasos Yiannitsis.
After the meeting, Mr. Yiannitsis underlined that the
recognized social security rights of the workers will not be
affected and announced that the social dialogue will get underway
by Easter. He also pointed out that the conclusions of a relevant
study conducted by British analysts will be announced before the
end of February.
Mr. Yiannitsis said that the social security system reform
that will be adopted will create a viable and socially fair system
that will not cause a constant concern and uncertainty to the
people.
[15] THE COMMANDER OF THE GREEK FORCE IN KOSOVO PREDICTS THAT THE
SITUATION WILL NORMALIZE
Commander of the Greek force in Kosovo brigadier Christos
Vafiadis, speaking to the Athens radio station "Planet", expressed
the belief that the situation in Kosovo will be normalized, adding
that it is a good sign that things are calm in the last 24 hours.
Commenting on the incidents that the Albanian extremists
attempted to cause in the past few days, brigadier Vafiadis
maintained that these actions are aimed at the intimidation of the
Serb population in order to be forced to leave the region and the
especially, the Albanian dominated southern Mitrovica.
Responding to the question if there is a direct danger for
the Greek and the rest forces in the region because of the
extremists' actions, he said that he does not think that there is
any direct danger, adding that they are trained to face any
situation
[16] PROPOSAL FOR THE YEAR 2001 TO BE DECLARED YEAR OF THE GREEK
WOMAN LIVING ABROAD
The special cross-party committee in the Greek parliament,
dealing with issues concerning the Greeks living abroad, will
submit a proposal to parliament president Apostolos Kaklamanis
according to which, a tribute to the Greek Woman Living Abroad
will be paid on March 8 and the year 2001 will be declared to be
her year.
The decision was reached unanimously today by the committee
after a proposal tabled by World Council for Hellenes Abroad, SAE,
Greek Women Living Abroad Network president Anna Kontoulis.
Committee president Vasilis Geranidis stressed that the goal
is to promote the work of the Greek Women Abroad through special
events in Greece and for this to happen responsible bodies such
as, the general secretariat for the Greeks abroad, the equality
secretariat, SAE and non-governmental women organizations must
cooperate.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[17] GREEK-BULGARIAN JOINT FRONT IN TRANSPORTATION AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
The doors have opened for the speedier promotion of the
projects in the road axis 9 and 10 after the lifting of the
reservations that were expressed by the Bulgarian side. At the
same time, the bilateral agreements between Greece and Bulgaria
for the promotion of projects aimed at the upgrading of the
Thessaloniki-Sofia-Bucharest and Alexandroupolis-Burgas railway
links are being renewed.
The intentions of Bulgaria to cooperate with Greece in the
field of transportation was made clear in a Sofia meeting that was
held yesterday with the participation of Greek transportation and
telecommunications minister Christos Verelis, his Bulgarian
counterpart Antoni Slavinski and Bulgarian government vice-
president Petar Zotev.
The contacts were made on the occasion of an event held in
Sofia after the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE, got
the second mobile phone service provider license in Bulgaria.
[18] GREEKS LIVING ABROAD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE LOSSES IN THE
ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The losses in the Athens Stock Exchange have affected many
members of the Greek community in Australia. The Melbourne
newspaper "Neos Kosmos" writes that based on statements made by
its readers, many of them who bought stocks in Greece have lost
large sums of money.
Meanwhile, according to Greek community press publications,
an Australian joint venture appears to be interested in the
purchase of the Greek airline Olympic Airways. The interested
group is the Venture Capital Integrated Airlines in which
participate Greek businessmen as well.
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