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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 97-03-04

Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Greek Press & Information Office, Ottawa Canada <grnewsca@sympatico.ca>

ATHENS NEWS AGENCY BULLETIN (No 1130), March 4, 1997

Greek Press & Information Office
Ottawa, Canada
E-Mail Address: grnewsca@sympatico.ca


CONTENTS

  • [01] EU accepts Greek initiative on Albanian crisis
  • [02] State of emergency
  • [03] Dutch EU presidency accepts Greek, Italian proposal
  • [04] Albania pulls plug on western TV broadcasts
  • [05] Simitis winds up three-day tour of Thessaly
  • [06] Reactions on developments in Albania
  • [07] Archbishop Spyridon receives Pangalos
  • [08] Event focuses on Greek-Turkish friendship
  • [09] Striking teachers again request meeting with Arsenis
  • [10] Simitis stresses that Athens won't negotiate 'even an inch' of sovereignty
  • [11] Michaelides, G. Papandreou discuss Cyprus EU accession issue
  • [12] Panteios seminar on Cyprus
  • [13] Pangalos attends Greek-American event in NY
  • [14] Formation of special border patrol units in Evros announced
  • [15] Greek young unemployed to get a 'second chance'
  • [16] OTOE anticipates changes in employment, remuneration at banks
  • [17] GSEE warns Gov't over rumored package of labor measures
  • [18] 'Black Monday' on the Athens bourse
  • [19] Greece organizes to send aid to Bulgaria
  • [20] Conference covers Greek-Romanian trade, investment opportunities
  • [21] EOT promotional campaign in Canada

  • [01] EU accepts Greek initiative on Albanian crisis

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    The Dutch EU presidency yesterday accepted Athens' proposals for action in connection with the situation in Albania while the EU Working Group on the Balkans will convene tomorrow, a foreign ministry announcement said.

    Earlier in day, Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis said Greece's proposal envisaged an ad hoc meeting of the EU Working Group on the Balkans and an emergency meeting of the EU's Political Committee to discuss the crisis and propose measures to defuse the tension. He added that Athens had also proposed that a special report be compiled by the ambassadors of the EU's 15 member-states in Tirana.

    In addition, the foreign ministry announcement stated that the meeting of the EU Political Committee has been scheduled for Thursday. The committee will also discuss the ambassadors' report.

    Meanwhile, Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou said that Greece proposed a few days ago a meeting in Athens of the Royamont Group for stability in the Balkans, comprising the foreign ministers of the EU, the US, the Balkan nations and Russia, to discuss the situation in Albania.

    "The proposal was received with some reservations, but I believe that now, following the latest developments in Albania, they will review their position," the minister noted.

    He clarified that developments certainly caused concern, but this had not come out of the blue.

    The alternate minister said no extra precautionary measures would be taken at Greece's borders, since those already in place were considered sufficient to contain illegal immigration.

    Mr. Kranidiotis, commenting further on the crisis in Albania, advised Albania's ethnic Greeks to keep calm, noting that there had not been any attacks against the community, nor had there been any increased movements of people towards the Greek border.

    Speaking at a press conference on the Albanian crisis yesterday morning, Mr. Kranidiotis said Athens was in contact with the Albanian government and other political forces in the country.

    With regards to an invitation extended some time ago to President Sali Berisha to visit Greece in May or June this year, the foreign under-secretary said the visit would depend on developments in the neighboring country.

    He also said Greek police officers were on guard at the Greek consulate in Gjirokaster following the withdrawal of the Albanian guard, while a demarche had been lodged by the Greek embassy in Tirana.

    The consulate was open for business as usual, but public buildings as well as shops owned by ethnic Greeks were damaged during widespread rioting in Gjirokaster Sunday night.

    [02] State of emergency

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Despite the Albanian parliament's announcement of a state of emergency, no police or military forces were to be seen in the town. There were fears of attacks by gangs of masked looters on villages with mainly ethnic Greek populations.

    Later in the day, government spokesman Dimitris Reppas confirmed that Gjirokaster's Greek consulate was being guarded by Greek police and echoed Mr. Kranidiotis' statements that Greece wanted a meeting of the EU's Political Committee in order to offer financial and humanitarian aid to Albania.

    He stressed that Greece desired good relations with its neighbors and did not wish to be involved in their internal affairs.

    Meanwhile, he announced that the Albanian crisis would be on the agenda at a meeting of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) today at noon, to be chaired by Prime Minister Costas Simitis.

    [03] Dutch EU presidency accepts Greek, Italian proposal

    Brussels, 04/03/1997 (ANA - P. Pantelis)

    The Dutch EU presidency has undertaken to activate a Greek and Italian proposal for an urgent response by the '15' to the crisis in Albania.

    The presidency announced it had come into contact with EU capitals in order to assess at what level the meeting would take place.

    It is envisaged that the issue can be discussed at the level of a special working group for the Balkans of the Council of Ministers, and by the Political Committee - the directors of the foreign ministries of the '15'.

    It is likely that the committee will meet tomorrow or Thursday to discuss the situation in Albania on the basis of the findings of a committee of experts of the Council of Ministers, which visited Tirana on Friday, and on the basis of reports by the ambassadors of the '15' in Tirana.

    It is also expected that the issue will be discussed by the European Commission in its weekly session tomorrow. The Commission is empowered to adopt a position and undertake an initiative regarding an urgent Community response, coordinating its proposal s with the actions of the Dutch presidency.

    [04] Albania pulls plug on western TV broadcasts

    Geneva, 04/03/1997 (Reuter)

    Albanian authorities yesterday pulled the plug on western television broadcasts out of the country after declaring an immediate state of emergency to combat armed unrest in the south, the European Broadcasting Union said.

    Tony Naetes, head of Eurovision News Services in Geneva, told Reuters that the EBU, the only organization providing satellite television feeds to the outside world from Tirana, halted its work as of 7:30 p.m. after ordered verbally by the Albanian authorities.

    [05] Simitis winds up three-day tour of Thessaly

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis concluded a three-day tour of Thessaly yesterday with a visit to Meteora and Kalambaka, returning to Athens early in the evening.

    Summing up the results of his tour, Mr. Simitis said a particularly important result was produced, namely, that despite problems and difficulties, the great majority of the people want "a course towards progress, a course of development and applaud every effort made in this direction from whatever side."

    Mr. Simitis said the country's potential is great, adding that the government... will continue its struggle to enable Greece to forge ahead and have a voice and a role.

    Mr. Simitis toured all four prefectural capitals in the region - Larisa, Karditsa, Trikala and Volos - as well as other areas where he met local representatives, prefects, mayors and community leaders.

    He also visited a work site on the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway, the new regional university hospital of Larisa, as well as the opening of a new wing of the University of Thessaly, followed by a visit to the dam and tunnel of the Sykia detour.

    Speaking in Trikala on the last day of his three-day tour, Mr. Simitis said the government's economic goal aimed to lead the country out of its current economic situation and ensure the nation's future.

    Mr. Simitis said Greece's unemployment rate was well below the average rate in the European union, adding that small increases were noted in consumers' real income.

    Turning to agriculture sector problems, he noted that the government depended on the farmers and, therefore, wished to support agricultural cooperatives.

    "Our aim is to put an end to the gap between the Athens that drains and the countryside that nurtures," he said.

    The prime minister added that his government was the government of all the people and not only of the unions, stressing that "we will not yield to blackmail."

    Later in the day, Mr. Simitis laid the foundation stone of the new wing of the Trikala prefectural general hospital.

    In his address, the premier referred to the government's social policy, stressing that "it ensures a modern and effective tissue of social protection for all citizens."

    Commenting on Mr. Simitis' address in Trikala, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued an announcement stating that "the prime minister's efforts to intimidate workers will yield no result."

    [06] Reactions on developments in Albania

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis said developments in Albania constituted a cause for concern, but did not justify a loss of calm and coolheadedness.

    "On the contrary, they justify the imposition of measures in order to avert a massive wave of economic refugees from entering Greece and encourage ethnic Greeks to remain in their homes," he said.

    Mr. Kaklamanis said European partners should realize that Greece is directly interested in developments in the Balkans, especially in neighboring countries such as Albania.

    He added that Greece was the only stabilizing factor in the Balkans and called on the European partners to realize that at this time "Greece is the only country which can contribute considerably in EU efforts for the preservation of stability, normality and peace in the wider region and especially Albania where the current course of events is beyond prediction."

    "Our country's position is clear... we don't wish to have any involvement in the domestic situations in our neighboring countries," he said.

    He added, however, that the existence of an ethnic Greek community in Albania calls for a special Greek interest in developments in the neighboring country.

    "As a democratic country we are sensitive to human rights, not just in Albania due to the ethnic Greeks in the country, but also in other countries such as Turkey," Mr. Kaklamanis said.

    Main opposition New Democracy leader Miltiades Evert warned that developments in Albania might lead to destabilization in the region and called on the Albanian leadership to protect with every possible means the ethnic Greek minority in southern Albania .

    "The ethnic Greeks of Albania should know that we are close to them and we will not abandon them," Mr. Evert said adding that Greece constitutes a stability factor in the region and always pursues the consolidation of peace and the protection of its vital interests.

    On his part, former prime minister Constantine Mitsotakis said that a political solution had to be found to Albania's troubles, calling for a national unity government that would include participation of all political parties to usher in free and fair elections.

    "It is certain that it would be a tragic mistake if a solution was attempted through autocracy and brute force," he said.

    Mr. Mitsotakis stressed that Athens had to change policy and move in the direction of taking positive initiatives in the framework of the European Union and all international organizations, saying the government's handling so far was mistaken and essentially supported (Albanian President Sali) Berisha.

    Coalition of the Left and Progress leader Nikos Constantopoulos called for the cancellation of the planned visit of Mr. Berisha to Greece, adding that the Greek government should put an end to "a false impression of tolerance and support to the Berisha regime."

    He also called on the members of the ethnic Greek community in Albania to stay in their homes.

    Communist Party of Greece (KKE) representative Spyros Striftaris said the "tragedy of the Albanian people is the result of the policy of a corrupted regime imposed by the Americans and the European Union in order to subordinate the Albanian people."

    Mr. Striftaris said the Greek people could extract their own conclusions regarding those Greek political parties which hailed and supported the Berisha regime.

    Democratic Social Movement leader Dimitris Tsovolas said yesterday that developments in Albania endanger the ethnic Greek community in the country and called for the convening of a political leaders meeting under the chairmanship of the primer minister to discuss the situation in Albania and agree on a common national strategy.

    Political Spring party leader Antonis Samaras called on the government to promote a close co-operation with the European Union for the creation of a mutually accepted government in Albania, the protection of the Greek minority and to prevent the situation in Albanian from expanding to the Kossovo region of Yugoslavia.

    Meanwhile, an ANA dispatch from Gjirokaster said that many members of the ethnic Greek community have abandoned their homes. The dispatch added that many stolen weapons have passed into the hands of extreme nationalists.

    [07] Archbishop Spyridon receives Pangalos

    New York, 04/03/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos met yesterday morning with Archbishop of America Spyridon.

    The Archbishop expressed his pleasure over the meeting, saying that the two discussed and exchanged views on national issues and matters concerning expatriate Greeks.

    Mr. Pangalos said an agreement was reached for closer co-operation and coordination between himself and the Archbishop, adding that Athens is looking forward to Spyridon's forthcoming visit to Athens.

    Speaking to reporters before the meeting, Mr. Pangalos expressed Athens' deep concern over the current situation in Albania.

    "We must protect the Greek community of Albania, our borders from an incalculable wave of refugees and generally peace in the region," he said.

    He added that he is in constant contact with Archbishop of Albania Anastasios, who is using all his influence to reduce conflict.

    "We have offered a huge amount of economic aid to Albania, and this has been officially recognized by the Albanian government, but our tolerance has its limits," he said.

    "Just when we were hoping that with the money the Albanians had gathered through working in our country, Albania's economic development would begin, today's crisis came along and overturned everything," he said.

    [08] Event focuses on Greek-Turkish friendship

    Istanbul, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Improvement in Greek-Turkish relations will be facilitated with the friendship of the two peoples, the Greek consul general in Istanbul Fotis Xydas and former Turkish ambassador to Athens Nazmi Akiman argued at a recent gathering of the Greek-Turkish Friendship Association.

    Initiatives of businessmen and the efforts of friendship associations will ultimately have a positive effect on the political level, it was noted.

    Mr. Xydas said "fear of the Turks" on the part of the Greek people should be combated, although he said this was difficult given the fact that they watched Turkish aircraft over their heads every day, heard threats of Turkish politicians and had the experience of Cyprus.

    [09] Striking teachers again request meeting with Arsenis

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Secondary school teachers yesterday held another protest rally outside the education ministry, calling for salary increases.

    Teachers' representatives met with Education Under-secretary Ioannis Anthopoulos and asked for another meeting with Education Minister Gerassimos Arsenis.

    On his part, Mr. Anthopoulos assured striking teachers that he would convey their request to the minister, who was expected to return from abroad late last night.

    Addressing the rally, teachers' union (OLME) secretary Grigoris Kalomiris stressed that the strike will end only if the teachers themselves want it to, adding that the rate of participation continued to be high.

    OLME's administrative council was due to meet last night in order to decide whether it would submit proposals during today's teachers general meetings, to be held throughout the country, for the strike to continue for the eighth consecutive week.

    Teachers are to take the final decision today, and it will be ratified tomorrow during the general meeting of local union presidents, due to be held in Athens.

    [10] Simitis stresses that Athens won't negotiate 'even an inch' of sovereignty

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis yesterday called on Ankara to respect international law and treaties, saying Greece was not prepared to negotiate away "even an inch" of its territory.

    Speaking in Trikala on the last day of his tour of the Thessaly region, the prime minister reiterated that Greece "does not claim anything and does not intend to give away even an inch of land, air or sea".

    Greece needs, he added, a strong deterrent force which will, unfortunately, be costly.

    "We are the only country in the European Union which has need of armaments," he said, adding that Greece did not desire to purchase weapons but is forced to do so by circumstances.

    Over the weekend, Mr. Simitis warned Ankara to abandon visions of "a revival of the Ottoman empire", saying the cost of any aggressive action against Greece would be severe.

    Turkey, he added, has turned into "the greatest destabilizing factor in the Aegean, the Balkans, the eastern Mediterranean, the Caucasus and the Middle East".

    Athens and Ankara came close to a military conflict in late January 1996 over the deserted Greek islet of Imia. In addition, Athens has frequently complained about repeated violations and infringements of Greek air space by Turkish warplanes.

    [11] Michaelides, G. Papandreou discuss Cyprus EU accession issue

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Cypriot Foreign Minister Alecos Michaelides began in Athens yesterday a tour of European capitals in an effort to deal with the insistence of certain EU member-states to include Turkish Cypriots in the island republic's EU accession talks.

    Speaking after a meeting with Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Mr. Michaelides expressed regret at the joint effort by Germany, France and Britain to include the Turkish Cypriots in the accession talks.

    Mr. Michaelides said this effort was subject to various interpretations and did not comply with the spirit of the March 6, 1995 decision, according to which accession talks for the island republic will begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference.

    Mr. Papandreou said the two men reviewed recent developments over the issue and focused on future efforts in the direction of working out a solution to the Cyprus problem.

    Mr. Papandreou said the meeting also focused on EU-Cyprus accession prospects.

    "On my part, I have already visited Italy, I am to visit France tomorrow (today) and I am to visit other countries in our effort to promote the Cyprus issue," he said.

    Foreign Under-secretary Yiannos Kranidiotis, who was also present at the meeting, said in reply to a question that initiatives on the Cyprus problem "belong primarily to the UN secretary general, and therefore, any US or European initiative which is expressed will have to move within that framework."

    [12] Panteios seminar on Cyprus

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Earlier in the day, Mr. Papandreou said that Athens and Nicosia would want to achieve a solution to the problem prior to Cyprus' EU accession, pointing to the fact that "it should not be forgotten that this does not solely depend on Greece, Cyprus or the European Union."

    Addressing a seminar on the issue of a national strategy for Cyprus, organized by the Panteios University's International Relations Institute, Mr. Papandreou said that statements or actions imposed as a precondition for Cyprus' EU accession weakened t he prospects created by the accession process for a solution to the political problem.

    Turning to Greek-Turkish relations, Mr. Papandreou said Greece wished to contribute to the formulation of a clearer relationship between Turkey and the European Union.

    Addressing the same seminar, Mr. Michaelides stressed that the Cypriot government never asked the European partners to commit to voting for a Cyprus-EU accession and added that statements or actions setting a solution to the Cyprus issue as a prerequisite for a Cyprus-EU accession undermined the accession's potentially catalytic role. "Cyprus," the minister said in a referral to accession prospects, "may constitute the bridge between Europe and the Middle East."

    Questioned on former UN secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali's proposed solution, Mr. Michaelides said such a solution would not be viable since it emphasizes the constitutional aspects of the issue, while the most crucial part is security.

    Mr. Michaelides also emphasized the continued settlement of the occupied parts of Cyprus by mainland Turks, and warned of potential dangers from changes in the island's demographics.

    "If no solution is found to the Cyprus problem," he said, "in a few years from now the occupied parts will be settled not by Turkish Cypriots but by Anatolian Turkish settlers."

    Referring to the joint defense doctrine between Greece and Cyprus, Mr. Michaelides reminded of late Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou's assurance to the Cyprus leadership that the political commitment, whereby Greece would stand by the side of Cyprus in the face of any fresh Turkish provocation, should also be able to be implemented militarily.

    [13] Pangalos attends Greek-American event in NY

    N. York, 04/03/1997 (ANA - M. Georgiadou)

    Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos yesterday attended an event organized by city's Greek-American community after arriving here yesterday.

    The Greek foreign minister is visiting the United States in order to attend the opening of the "Glory of Byzantium" exhibition at New York's Metropolitan Museum.

    The exhibition is organized by the Hellenic Cultural Foundation.

    Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos is also in New York, as Athens' representative at the exhibitions's opening.

    In an address to expatriate Greeks in New York, Mr. Venizelos said he felt proud at the achievements of expatriate Greeks in the United States as well as their contribution to Greece's national issues.

    [14] Formation of special border patrol units in Evros announced

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Public Order Minister George Romeos said yesterday that special border patrol units will be formed and activated in the Evros prefecture by the end of the year in order to combat the illegal entry of individuals from neighboring Turkey.

    Mr. Romeos, who made the statement at the border checkpoint of Kipoi during his two-day tour of the prefecture, said excellent co-operation exists between police and the military in guarding the border and tackling the problem of illegal immigration. He said the aim of his ministry is to have the new units manned by local residents.

    Referring to the problem posed by illegal immigration in general, Mr. Romeos said it is serious, adding that he arrived in Evros to discuss the issue with responsible services, and primarily police officials, as well as to take measures to crack down on illegal immigration.

    He added that the ministry spends 300 million drachmas a year to hire vehicles to deport illegal immigrants and a further 1.5 billion drachmas a year alone in spare parts for equipment, primarily vehicles.

    [15] Greek young unemployed to get a 'second chance'

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Greece has been chosen as one of the countries to participate in the second phase of the European Union's "Second Chance" schools program, a European Commission announcement said yesterday.

    Following the successful launching of the first "Second Chance" school in Marseille, France, in December last year, European commissioner Edith Cresson has decided to begin pilot projects in the five other member-states with the co-operation of interested governments.

    The program aims to offer - through education and training - a new opportunity to young unemployed people who lack basic skills and paper qualifications.

    In Greece, towns in the metropolitan region of Attica will be selected for the launch of a pilot project.

    The characteristics of each project depend to a large extent on local, regional and national needs and circumstances but a few key elements are the strong partnership between local authorities and social services and public and private sector employers, emphasis on learning and training in the field of informatics and localization in deprived urban areas.

    [16] OTOE anticipates changes in employment, remuneration at banks

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Studies unveiled yesterday by the Federation of Greek Bank Employee Unions' (OTOE) labor institute anticipate two important changes in the employment and remuneration system at banks and a modernization system for the banking sector.

    The correlation between traditional work at counters is expected to be overturned in favor of specialized work in sales and consulting. At present, 40 per cent of bank employees work at counters, 45 per cent in promotion work and only 15 per cent in sales and consulting. The last figure is expected to reach 45-50 per cent in the next few years.

    Secondly, the traditional system of remuneration through salaries contained in collective labor agreements and time maturity is expected to be overturned in favor of the system linking remuneration with productivity and the competitiveness of each employee, the so-called merit system.

    OTOE President Dimitris Kouselas said the labor union is holding a dialogue with the Union of Banks on the issue of reducing working hours without a corresponding reduction in pay.

    According to a study prepared by OTOE, the 35-hour working week will protect employment, and increase productivity by 3.7 per cent.

    Mr. Kouselas ruled out any possibility of a decrease in working time with a contemporaneous decrease in the remuneration of bank employees, because in Greece salaries are the lowest in all European Union countries.

    Other unionists argue that such measures will have disastrous results for employment, since a decrease in working time coupled with a decrease in salaries will objectively lead bank employees to finding a second job, resulting in the loss of jobs for young people, the swelling of the informal economy and losses in contributions for insurance funds.

    [17] GSEE warns Gov't over rumored package of labor measures

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Trade unionists are apparently toughening their stance vis-a-vis the government amid press reports, which organized labor circles believe are leaked by the national economy ministry, concerning a package of measures featuring a 30-hour working week with a corresponding reduction of salaries in the private sector, banks, etc.

    General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) President Christos Polyzogopoulos said yesterday that the ministry is doing everything it can to see that social dialogue never begins.

    Mr. Polyzogopoulos spoke of initiatives implemented in Britain during the Thatcher government in the 1980s, saying such tactics cannot be transferred to present-day Greece and that ministers must learn not to take each other by surprise.

    He reiterated that if reports are confirmed, GSEE will not enter into dialogue and will opt for mobilizations.

    [18] 'Black Monday' on the Athens bourse

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    Share prices took the biggest dive in the Athens Stock Exchange's history at yesterday's session, on what brokers are calling "Black Monday".

    The general price index fell 7.45 percent, closing at 1,206.54 points, with turnover totaling just 16.7 billion drachmas.

    ASE sources attribute the drop, which they say was exaggerated, to statements by the president of the capital market commission Stavros Thomadakis last Wednesday, which they say had a negative effect on the mood of the market.

    During a three-day boom early last week, the general price index broke the 1,400 mark barrier and recorded record turnover of over 40 billion drachmas before sliding on Thursday.

    [19] Greece organizes to send aid to Bulgaria

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    A joint program by government and local government bodies to send humanitarian aid to Bulgaria was announced at a joint press conference yesterday by Alternate Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos and Prefectural Union (ENAE) President Evangelos Kouloumbis.

    Mr. Papandreou said that 1,700 tons of grain had already been sent, while more aid was expected to be sent from 30 Greek municipalities to sister cities in the neighboring country.

    Mr. Avramopoulos announced a campaign to brief the Greek public on the program which he said was aimed at sending a message of "social solidarity" with neighboring states.

    Mr. Kouloumbis explained that the plan would be coordinated in each prefecture and the aid collected by each municipality. Food aid would be subject to quality control and then sent by train to Bulgaria.

    [20] Conference covers Greek-Romanian trade, investment opportunities

    Athens, 04/03/1997 (ANA)

    The new government in Romania is in the process of implementing an economic restructuring program, in order to create a climate of market confidence and attract foreign investment, a top Romanian government official said in Athens yesterday.

    Romanian Youth and Sports Minister Sorin Stanescu told a conference on opportunities for Greek businesses in Romania that this economic program included a wide-ranging plan to privatize state-run organizations in all economic sectors.

    Mr. Stanescu said the Romanian economy was well on the way to deregulation with restrictions on trade being abolished, pricing interventions being cut back and new incentives being developed in the property market for foreign investors.

    These positive reforms, he added, were confirmed by the expected signing this year of economic agreements between Romania, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union.

    The conference, entitled: "Romania's Economy and Greece: Business Opportunities", was organized by the Institute for International Economic Relations and the Greek-Romanian Business Council.

    [21] EOT promotional campaign in Canada

    Montreal, 04/03/1997 (ANA - I. Frangouli)

    The Greek Tourism Organization (EOT) yesterday launched a campaign in the Canadian market, entitled "Showcase Greece '97", starting from Vancouver and ending in Halifax next month.

    The campaign will tour 25 cities and it is expected draw approximately 4,500 travel agents.

    End of English language section.


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