From: tzarros@ccs.carleton.ca (Theodore Zarros) Subject: News (in ENGLISH)- Fri, 15 Jul 1994 (Greek Press Office BBS, Ottawa). Athens News Agency Bulletin, PM flies to Brussels EU summit, Luxembourg PM main choice to succeed Delors ----------------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 15/7/1994 (ANA-V.Mourtis/Reuter): European Union leaders look set to name Luxembourg Prime Minister Jacques Santer as the European Commission's next president today at a special EU summit, as a compromise choice to end a divisive row, unless the unexpected happens. Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou told reporters in flight to Brussels yesterday that Greece supported the candidacy of Mr. Santer to succeed outgoing president Jacques Delors. "We support Mr. Santer absolutely. Because Luxembourg is always closer to us on all issues. Strange but true," Mr. Papandreou said. Asked whether or not the German European Union presidency had done any preparations on the issue, and there was any chance of agreement, Mr. Papandreou said "it would be a big mistake (on the part of the German presidency) to invite us without there being agreement. I think there is and should be agreement," adding, "If not, what can I say?" Press Under-secretary Telemahos Hytiris said Mr. Papandreou was told of Mr. Santer's candidacy in a letter from German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, also briefing him on matters included in the summit agenda. The EU summit in Corfu last month failed to name a successor to Mr. Delors after a British veto on Belgian Prime Minister Jean-Luc Dehaene's candidacy. Apart from electing a new European Commission President, today's European Council meeting will also focus on electing a secretary general. The post will be contested by German Foreign Under-secretary Mr. Trumpf and Belgium's permanent representative at the EU Mr. Descuter. According to reliable sources, Greece will support the German candidate. Other issues the special EU summit will examine are the situation in Bosnia and an account of the G7 summit. The EU heads of state and government are expected to endorse a statement calling on the warring parties (the Bosnian Serbs and Moslems) to accept a peace plan recently approved in Geneva. A discussion will also be held on results of the G7 summit held in Naples, Italy, between July 8-10, based on a report Italian Prime Minister and G7 President Silvio Berlusconi will present to EU leaders. At a working luncheon on the sidelines of the special summit, EU leaders will have the opportunity to discuss relations between the EU and central and eastern European countries. The final closure of the Chernobyl nuclear plant is another issue expected to be raised. Special significance to Maastricht reform meeting ------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Greece attributes special significance to the preparation of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference, which will deal with institutional reform of the Treaty of Maastricht, Foreign Under-secretary for European Affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis told reporters yesterday. Mr Kranidiotis said Greece will participate actively in the preparation through the study group which the Corfu summit has decided to set up, following a Greek initiative, and will start operating next year. In this context, special focus will be given to examining economic prospects and criteria in relation to moving on to the third and final stage of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Regarding EU Greek rotating presidency results, Mr Kranidiotis pointed out, among other things, decisions concerning Inter-European Networks, measures for boosting small and medium-size enterprises, the promotion of long programmes for vocational training, and significant progress recorded as regards the White Paper. Also the successful conclusion of negotiations for enlargement with four new countries, promotion of relations with the developing world, the signing of the agreement with Russia and Ukraine, convening Association Councils with Hungary, Poland and Cyprus, and Troika meetings at various levels. As regards the continuation of the work of the Greek presidency and the Corfu summit, Greece assigns priority to the White Paper and promotion of the issue of Inter-European Networks. Mr Kranidiotis said the Greek government will do everything possible to promote Cyprus' application for admission to the EU, by undertaking a campaign throughout Europe towards this end. On EU relations with Turkey, he said the German presidency has scheduled a meeting of the Association Council in December, but as regards the Customs Union between Turkey and EU as of January 1, 1995, he did not appear very optimistic. The Greek side has expressed reservations in the working groups discussing the matter. Replying to a question on the issue of FYROM, Mr Kranidiotis said it was time our European partners realised the political and diplomatic mistake they have made by referring Greece to the European Court, adding they were now given an opportunity to contribute to mediation efforts currently under way by UN mediator Cyrus Vance. The FYROM issue is likely to be discussed at the General Affairs Council session in Brussels Monday, in which Mr Kranidiotis will take part. Evert to attend invasion anniversary events in Cyprus ----------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert will visit Cyprus between July 19-20, to attend events marking the 20th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island-republic in 1974 and the ensuing occupation of its northern territory. Mr. Evert will visit Cyprus at the invitation of conservative Democratic Rally party leader Yiannakis Matsis. Greece to go on blocking EU aid to Albania ------------------------------------------ Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday that it would continue to block 35 million ECU of European Union aid to Albania unless Tirana made progress on the issues of democratisation and respect for human rights. The aid issue is expected to be discussed at the first General Affairs Council meeting under the German presidency in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday. Greece will be represented at the meeting by Foreign Under-secretary in charge of EU affairs Yiannos Kranidiotis. On July 11, the EU Council of Economy and Finance Ministers referred the issue to EU foreign ministers and the General Affairs Council after Greece linked aid to democratisation in Albania and respect for human rights, effectively blocking a decision. Greece's aim, Mr. Kranidiotis told reporters yesterday, is for the Greek position to also become EU's position. "In other words," he added, "a message should be sent to Albania that the flow of aid will be effected depending on progress made in the course towards that country's democratisation and respect for human rights." The Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) is currently discussing a plan to grant aid in two instalments. Mr. Kranidiotis said "if guarantees are not secured that such progress will be made" Greece will not agree to even the first instalment being given to Albania. Commenting on the same issue, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that Greece's positions were already known "and we are interested in those positions becoming, to some extent, those of the EU also". "The European Union," Mr. Venizelos said, "must have as its main criterion respect for human rights by countries such as Albania." ND group in Tirana for support to ethnics on trial -------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): A four-member committee of the main opposition New Democracy party will visit Tirana to provide "moral and legal support" to the six members of the ethnic Greek political organisation 'Omonia' who are to go on trial. The visit was discussed yesterday, at a meeting chaired by ND leader Miltiades Evert and attended by former justice minister Anna Psarouda-Benaki. The six ethnic Greeks are charged with "illegal possession of weapons, violation of the Albanian constitution, collaboration with foreign secret services and propaganda against the Albanian government." The committee plans to visit Tirana regardless of whether or not the trial begins tomorrow and will try to meet with both Albanian government officials and the six defendants. ANA reports from Belgrade on Wednesday said the trial might be postponed until a later date. Committee member Antonis Foussas said the charges were "completely groundless", adding conditions in which the six were detained were "tragic". The six, Mr. Foussas said, had had no access to legal counsel, they had not been allowed to see the case file or visiting relatives. Venizelos: Denktash checkpoint block retaliates EU court ruling -------------------------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Greece said yesterday that the decision of the illegal Turkish Cypriot authorities in the Turkish-occupied part of Cyprus to block the main checkpoint in the buffer zone in Nicosia, was the pseudo-state's response to a recent European Court decision prohibiting EU states from importing agricultural products from the occupied areas. Commenting on Monday's decision by Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, government spokesman Evangelos Venizelos said that Mr. Denktash's "manifestations of intransigence and provocation" were well known. He said it was no coincidence that the decision had been taken as "the black anniversary" of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus was approaching. "The international community is in a position to assess such conduct, and this concerns both the UN and the EU, given that this latest move by Denktash came as a retaliation to the European Court's decision on products from the pseudo-state," Mr. Venizelos said. Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37 per cent of its territory. A pseudo-state was proclaimed in the occupied areas in 1983, recognised only by Ankara. The Court of Justice of the European Communities ruled last week that European Union member-states may no longer accept agricultural products from the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime, unless such products are supported by phytosanitary certificates from the Cypriot authorities, not the illegal regime in the occupied territories. No tourist cancellations of Rhodes bookings ------------------------------------------- Vienna, 15/7/1994 (ANA/D.Dimitrakoudis): The Hellenic Tourism Organisation (EOT) office in Vienna and leading Austrian travel organisations yesterday reported no cancellations of holidays to Rhodes or any other part of Greece. The Austrian travel information bulletin "TRAVELFAX" wrote yesterday that travel agencies have received enquiry calls concerning the situation in Greece in the past few days, but there had been no cancellations. Travel agencies had provided assurances there was no danger, and tourists on Rhodes had not been affected by the bomb explosions. The number of Austrian tourists who visited Rhodes last year was 37,731, and in recent years their number in the whole of Greece has averaged around 400,000. In relation to its population (7 million) Austria is in first place among European countries in the number of tourists to Greece. Greek trade balance 18.5 mil. ECU surplus with C., E. Europe --------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 15/7/1994 (ANA-V.Demiris): Greece's trade balance with central and eastern European countries (Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia) produced a surplus of 18.5 million ECU's in the first half of 1993, according to a report by the European Union Eurostat service on the EU's foreign trade with central and eastern European countries. The development of Greek foreign trade with these countries is considered very positive, since trade transactions had a deficit totalling 21.2 million ECU's in the corresponding period in 1992. Greek exports to central and eastern European countries amounted to 194.9 million ECU's in the first half of 1993 and 141.4 million ECU's in the corresponding period in 1992. Greek exports were primarily absorbed by Bulgaria and totalled 98.6 million ECU's, followed by Romania with 36.5 million ECU's, Poland 20.3 million ECU's, Hungary 16.2 million ECU's, the Czech Republic 15.3 million ECU's and Slovakia 7.9 million ECU's. Greece's trade balance with Bulgaria in the first half of 1993 produced a surplus of 26 million ECU's compared to a deficit of 7.7 million ECU's in 1992. In the case of Romania, Greece's trade surplus decreased from 16.8 million ECU's in 1992 to 16.5 million ECU's in 1993. The trade deficit with Czechoslovakia amounting to 27 million ECU's in 1992 decreased to 11.9 million ECU's with the Czech Republic in 1993 and produced a surplus of 105,000 ECU's with Slovakia. The deficit with Hungary decreased from 15.9 million ECU's in 1 992 to 1.4 million ECU's in 1993. Lastly, a surplus of 12.6 million ECU's with Poland in 1992 gave way to a deficit amounting to 800,000 ECU's in 1993. Greek exports to central and eastern European countries in the first half of 1993 consisted mainly of liquid fuel products, worth 31.4 million ECU's, fruit and vegetables 29.4 million ECU's, tobacco 18.9 million ECU's and heating equipment 16 million ECU's. A breakdown of Greek imports shows that 20.6 million ECU's were spent on shipping equipment, 18.8 million ECU's on cars and tractors, 12.4 million ECU's on liquid fuel products, 11.9 million ECU's on copper and another 11.9 million ECU's on timber and coal. The EU's trade surplus with central and eastern European countries increased from 560 million ECU's in the first half of 1992 to 3.14 billion ECU's in 1993, while exports totalled 12.5 billion ECU's and imports 9.3 billion ECU's. Germany continues to be the main trade partner of these countries with 57 per cent of imports and 53 per cent of exports. Greece scores largest industrial output fall - 2.6% - in EU ----------------------------------------------------------- Brussels, 15/7/1994 (ANA-V.Demiris): Greece has registered the largest fall in industrial output among European Union partners, 2.6 per cent between December and February, comparing with September to November 1993, a period in which the EU average rose by 0.4 per cent. According to the EU Eurostat statistical bulletin made public in Brussels yesterday, the EU average industrial production indicator in February 1994 - excluding seasonal changes - increased 1.4 per cent compared to the same month in the previous year after decreasing 1 per cent in January. Pangalos confident on EU acceptance of OA plan ---------------------------------------------- Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Transport and Communications Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday said he was confident the European Union would approve a programme sent to the competent transport committee yesterday, aimed at rehabilitating Olympic Airways, Greece's national carrier. The programme, jointly approved both by the government and OA workers, proposes that specifications for routes to third countries by Greek airline companies other than OA be set by the government. It also contains proposals on ticket pricing, ground handling and the exemption of Greek islands from the process of liberalisation up until 1.7.1998. Livanos announces creation of tourism bank ------------------------------------------ Athens, 15/7/1994 (ANA): Tourism Minister Dionysios Livanos told a press conference yesterday a tourism bank will be created and start operating in January 1995. He made his announcement in the presence of Bank of Macedonia and Thrace President Andreas Boumis and officials of the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EOT) and the Bank of Greece. The bank's main activities will be of an interventionist and mediatory nature, but it will also finance agencies and enterprises as one of its principal aims. Among these, Mr. Livanos said, will be renewing the "fleet" of 30,000 taxis in co-operation with foreign banks. Moreover, it will establish a series of foreign exchange services throughout the country. EOT, institutional investors and private citizens will each have a third of the bank's share capital. The Bank of Macedonia and Thrace will play the role of adviser in elaborating a relevant business plan.