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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 02-12-11

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

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

December 11, 2002

CONTENTS

  • [01] Cyprus settlement before EU summit preferred, but not a condition for accession
  • [02] Athens: All possibilities for Cyprus solution must be exhausted
  • [03] Papandreou: No EU state wants Cyprus' accession linked to political problem
  • [04] FM says Cyprus' EU accession a given fact
  • [05] UN Secretary General responds to Clerides'-Denktash's proposals
  • [06] PM to depart for Copenhagen on Wednesday
  • [07] Visiting Europarliament president Cox discusses Cyprus, Turkey with Karamanlis
  • [08] Greek Commissioner: EU will have the final word on any Cyprus solution
  • [09] Washington Post editorial calls this one ''Turkey's Week''
  • [10] Athens reiterates that it will support UN resolutions on Iraq
  • [11] Coalition announcement on occasion of World Human Rights Day
  • [12] Turkish F-16 fighter jets harass Greek C-130 cargo plane over Aegean
  • [13] Parliamentarians obliged to suspend professional activity
  • [14] Development minister speaks on Greece's upgraded role in the Balkans
  • [15] Greece welcomes EU's open skies pact
  • [16] Greek, Italian ministers discuss priorities in telecommunications sector
  • [17] Serbian minister pushes privatization plan during Athens visit
  • [18] Greece, Germany have similar views on employment
  • [19] Greece backs European tourism policy
  • [20] EU seen asking Olympic Airways to return illegal subsidy
  • [21] Greeks abroad seek closer ties with domestic firms
  • [22] Athens bourse to install trading system in Montenegro
  • [23] Stocks rise after late buying
  • [24] Athens mayor seeks extra funds to prepare for Olympics
  • [25] Importance of Olympic Games for Greece's development stressed at conference
  • [26] EU environment ministers agree on exhaust fumes draft plan
  • [27] Culture minister announces UNICEF-Cultural Olympiad vaccination program
  • [28] Transport experts unveil proposals on Athens' traffic problems
  • [29] Seminar in Athens on human trafficking, sex trade
  • [30] Campaign against sexual exploitation of children
  • [31] European Watch concerned over increase in gypsies' poverty
  • [32] PM and president receive special medals at university
  • [33] Variety' International Film Guide with special report on Greece
  • [34] National Council discusses Annan's revised plan
  • [35] UN has no objection to dealing with a Denktash representative
  • [36] UN envoy: It's up to the parties to decide on revised text
  • [37] Clerides will sign solution if it serves public interest, says spokesman

  • [01] Cyprus settlement before EU summit preferred, but not a condition for accession

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Although the EU ''naturally prefers the accession of a reunited Cyprus'', if this was ''untenable'' before the Copenhagen summit, the Republic of Cyprus would accede the Union in accordance with the Helsinki summit decisions, which stipulated that a solution of the political problem was not a condition for Cyprus' membership, Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, reaffirmed Tuesday in Athens.

    Rasmussen met Tuesday with premier Costas Simitis of Greece, which will assume the EU presidency for the first half of 2003 at the end of the Danish presidency, ahead of the Copenhagen summit slated to begin on Thursday.

    Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Simitis reiterated the Greek position that the Helsinki decisions must be enforced and Cyprus' EU accession proceed without difficulties.

    He also reaffirmed Greece's support for setting an early date for the commencement of EU accession negotiations with Turkey, ''possibly within 2004'' so that, provided Turkey fulfilled the EU's criteria, the accession negotiations could begin. It is recalled that France and Germany have jointly proposed that the EU open entry talks in July 2005 if Turkey meets the accession criteria by a review in December 2004.

    Simitis also referred to problems still outstanding for the completion of accession negotiations with some of the candidate countries, and praised the Danish EU presidency of having done a very good job in this area, adding his conviction that final decisions will be taken in Copenhagen "if last-minute problems do not arise".

    Simitis further thanked the Danish premier for the "very good job accomplished overall by the Danish presidency, thus preparing in the best possible way the Greek presidency that follows".

    Rasmussen said that the Copenhagen summit would be one of the most important summits in the EU's history, expressing hope that the entry negotiations with the 10 candidate countries would be completed, and called on each and every candidate to accept the individual specialized proposals worked out by the Danish EU presidency.

    On Cyprus, Rasmussen appealed to the leaders of the two communities to reach agreement on the solution of the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, noting that the entry of a reunified Cyprus was clearly preferred by the EU.

    Rasmussen pointed out that Cyprus fulfilled all the entry criteria, and expressed hope that it would accept the "package proposal" prepared by the Danish presidency for it, clarifying, in reply to press questions, that the "package proposal" concerned fiscal issues related to accession. He added that, according to reliable information, Cyprus intended to accept the "package".

    On the same issue, Simitis reminded that due to Cyprus' very high economic performance, it might possibly be called on to contribute to the EU budget immediately after its accession, and underlined Greece's position that none of the new members should be required to contribute to the EU coffers during the initial transition period.

    Rasmussen reiterated his call for the two sides on Cyprus to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, but stressed that if that were not possible, Cyprus would accede the Union, in accordance with the Helsinki summit decisions, which he said stipulated that the resolution of the political problem was desirable, but did not constitute a condition for Cyprus accession. "Our decision will be taken keeping in mind all the contingent factors," he added.

    Replying to questions, Rasmussen said there was no "direct link" between setting a date for beginning accession talks with Turkey and a solution to the Cyprus issue, stressing that all the candidate countries must fulfill the EU's political criteria to begin entry negotiations.

    Based on the European perspective but also the Turkish perspective "it would not be fair to link the date with a Cyprus resolution," Rasmussen said.

    [02] Athens: All possibilities for Cyprus solution must be exhausted

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Greek government on Tuesday said it was now awaiting on Cyprus’ national council to convene – scheduled for later in the afternoon – in order to for the latter to provide a crucial response to a revised version of the recently tabled Annan peace plan.

    Asked if the revised Annan plan will bring all sides concerned closer to a solution of Cyprus’ political problem, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the “first word” belongs to the Republic of Cyprus, while also urging restraint.

    “We want to be optimistic and we believe that, despite the tight deadlines in place, there are opportunities that must be exhausted … but I cannot predetermine anything before the national council of Cyprus convenes”.

    Moreover, asked about the possibility of this week’s landmark EU Summit in Copenhagen being extended past Friday, Protopapas said no member-state wants to depart from a crucial summit when the Union has not finalized its policy vis-a-vis significant issues – enlargement, Turkey’s EU prospects and a political solution for Cyprus.

    “The Greek delegation must be ready for whatever is needed,” he added.

    The spokesman said Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis will hold a series of contacts with other EU delegations in Copenhagen on Thursday morning, with Cyprus, the island republic’s pending accession and even Turkey’s EU prospects expected to dominate his pre-Summit discussions.

    Finally, in regard to Ankara’s standing demand for a fixed date to begin negotiations with the Union leading to future accession, Protopapas said he believes an answer on the part of EU leaders is possible during the Summit’s sessions in Copenhagen, “without knowing, of course, what the decision will be”.

    [03] Papandreou: No EU state wants Cyprus' accession linked to political problem

    BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - M. Spinthourakis)

    None of the foreign ministers of the 15 EU member-states had sought to link Cyprus' accession to the Community with the political problem on the island, Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said after a working dinner with his EU counterparts in Brussels.

    Most EU countries appeared to be leaning toward the German-French proposal of a date in 2005 for the start of accession negotiations with Turkey, he added after the Monday night dinner.

    Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller had also received the council's agreement to a request that Cyprus' accession should not be linked to the date for Turkey's accession talks, Papandreou said.

    According to sources, the German-French proposal is considered satisfactory in Ankara, being an improvement on the best Turkey could have hoped for a few months ago.

    Other sources claim, meanwhile, that a satisfactory outcome for Turkey at the Copenhagen Summit could lead to a final solution of the Euroforce issue and the end of Turkey's objections to the use of NATO infrastructure by the nascent European military force.

    [04] FM says Cyprus' EU accession a given fact

    BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

    Foreign Minister George Papandreou considers the Republic of Cyprus' accession to the European Union during the upcoming Copenhagen summit a given fact based on the decision taken at the EU's Helsinki summit and regardless of a solution to its political problem.

    Speaking at a press conference at the end of the foreign ministers' meeting here, Papandreou avoided making predictions on a possible agreement on a solution to the Cyprus issue before the Copenhagen summit, stressing that it is up to the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate the UN secretary general's revised plan.

    However, he left open the possibility, in every case, of ground for negotiating after the Copenhagen summit as well.

    Alternate Foreign Minister Tassos Yiannitsis, who also attended the General Affairs Council, spoke to reporters of the pending issues of EU enlargement being referred to the Copenhagen summit and primarily concerning its fiscal repercussions.

    ''Certain concessions were rightly given to some countries because winners and losers should not appear but there is no other ground, as all admit, since we are marginally approaching Berlin's fiscal ceiling,'' Yiannitsis said.

    Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides also held a meeting ''in a cordial climate'' with his Dutch counterpart here on Tuesday. Kasoulides briefed him on efforts being made to resolve the Cyprus issue, stressing the importance of Cyprus' clean-cut accession to the EU with the purpose of facilitating a solution to its political problem.

    [05] UN Secretary General responds to Clerides'-Denktash's proposals

    NEW YORK 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday sent letters to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot community leader Rauf Denktash on the revisions of his proposals to resolve the long standing Cyprus problem, a UN spokesman said.

    The letters were delivered by UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Alvaro de Soto, the spokesman said, adding ''with these letters he (Annan) conveyed a revision of his proposed Basis for Agreement on a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem, which had been conveyed to the two sides on Nov. 11''.

    ''The document was revised following intensive consultations with the two sides participating in the negotiation. These consultations were stepped up in the past few days following receipt last week of the two sides' comments, suggestions and requests, with de Soto and his colleagues shuttling between the two leaders and their colleagues with a view to improving the text,'' the spokesman said.

    ''In his letter, the Secretary -General asks the two leaders to give the revision the most urgent consideration with a view to reaching a decisive conclusion this week, so that a reunited Cyprus may accede to the European Union. The Secretary General has asked the two sides to be available in Copenhagen later this week should that prove necessary,'' he added.

    ''Cyprus has a rendez-vous with history,'' Annan said, according to the Spokesman, ''it should not be missed''.

    ND ascertains marginal changes in revised UN Cyprus plan: The main opposition New Democracy party has been examining as of Tuesday afternoon new arrangements contained in UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's revised plan on Cyprus and has ascertained marginal changes, while on certain issues concerning refugees and settlers, party high ranking officials believe that there are provisions which are worse than in the previous plan, press reports said.

    Apart from the ultimatum nature of Annan's letter, which calls for an agreement by the end of the EU's Copenhagen summit at the latest, ND cadres believe that the solution is continuing to be linked to Cyprus' accession to the EU due to the single question anticipated for the referendum and that problems continue to exist in the workability and compatibility of arrangements included in the solution with the acquis communautaire.

    The same reports added that for the time being, ND is observing a wait-and-see policy since it is waiting for decisions to be taken by the National Council of Cyprus and an official reaction by the party is not expected on Tuesday night, but without a statement by ND leader Costas Karamanlis being ruled out before his departure for Copenhagen and the European People's Party summit on Wednesday.

    [06] PM to depart for Copenhagen on Wednesday

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Prime Minister Costas Simitis will depart early for Copenhagen so as to be on hand for possible emergency meetings on the eve of the crucial summit when Greece took over the EU presidency and which would decide on Cyprus' accession to the Community, government spokesman Christos Protopapas said on Tuesday.

    He said the prime minister would depart for the Danish capital on Wednesday evening, though no meetings had yet been arranged.

    Simitis would begin the day on Wednesday by meeting Public Order Mihalis Chrysohoidis at 10:30, followed by a meeting with the leadership of the foreign ministry and the press ministry at 13:00 for last-minute preparations for the summit.

    [07] Visiting Europarliament president Cox discusses Cyprus, Turkey with Karamanlis

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The future of Europe, Turkey's European prospects and developments in the Cyprus issue were at the focus of talks in Athens on Tuesday between main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Costas Karamanlis and visiting European Parliament president Pat Cox. According to sources, the question of how far Europe's borders extended was discussed, as well as what was to be done with other countries, such as Morocco, that had submitted applications for EU accession before Turkey's application.

    The sources opined that the most likely prospect regarding Turkey was that the EU summit in Copenhagen would, provided that Turkey showed good intentions, endorse the French-German proposal for the commencement of accession talks with Turkey in 2005.

    On the issue of Cyprus' EU accession, the sources said that both sides shared the view that the Republic of Cyprus would be approved for accession by the EU summit in Copenhagen ''without footnotes or asterisks'' (conditions), independent of a solution to the island republic's political problem, which is also the official view of the European People's Party (PPE) grouping of the Europarliament, to which Cox and the ND Eurodeputies belong.

    Cox meets with Kaklamanis & Tsovolas: Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis on Tuesday received European Parliament President Pat Cox in his office in Athens and thanked him for the clear and fully positive stance of the Europarliament in support of Cyprus' accession to the European Union.

    The two men also discussed issues concerning the national parliaments and the Europarliament and decided to work towards strengthening both. As their first move they decided to transform the Euro-Mediterranean forum of March in Lasithi, Crete into a Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Parliaments of the people of Europe and of the other side of the sea.

    Cox also met with Democratic Social Movement (DHKKI) leader Dimitris Tsovolas and discussed the agenda of the upcoming EU Summit in Copenhagen, focusing on Cyprus' accession, the Cyprus issue and the EU's relations with Turkey.

    [08] Greek Commissioner: EU will have the final word on any Cyprus solution

    BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - G. Zitouniati)

    The EU will have the final word in any agreement for solving the Cyprus issue, Greek European Commissioner for labor and social affairs Anna Diamantopoulou said in an exclusive interview with the ANA on Tuesday.

    ''It is common knowledge that any solution of the Cyprus problem has to correspond with European laws and directives and these have limits,'' she stressed.

    While the EU did tolerate certain exceptions, it was impossible for it to tolerate permanent exceptions, she added.

    The new state would have to express itself with a single voice and have a central government that could guarantee the implementation of EU legislation, in order to avoid repercussions to the institutions of the Community, she pointed out.

    The European Commission was already processing the legal aspects of the plan presented by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and at the end of the negotiations when the settlement had been agreed, the EU would have the final say.

    The EU's decision to begin and complete accession negotiations with Cyprus was one of the most important political steps taken by the Community, Diamantopoulou added.

    ''Europe made a political choice to intervene in a very difficult region. It would have been simple for the EU to cite the political problem as a reason to avoid involvement and taking the problem on board. Instead, the exact opposite happened,'' she said.

    Talking about her brief within the Commission, the youngest EU Commissioner said it was often controversial since it involved her in all economic decisions and with all social groups and organizations. Her first year as Commissioner had been the hardest, until she had time to adjust, but overall her three years in the Commission had been ''the most exciting chapter of my life,'' Diamantopoulou said.

    One of the most important milestones of her term, she added, would be the Greek EU presidency that coincided with EU enlargement.

    ''Historically, enlargement is the most important moment after the creation of the EU,'' she stressed.

    Attention was focused on the EU presidency, which on March 19 would give directions for policies concerning economic and labor market reforms. The Greek presidency would also be presenting tables that summarized the state of all the EU-member and candidate states in more than just economic indices, such as inflation or debt, but also in terms of employment, energy deregulation, Internet access and others, she said.

    After outlining the Commission's work on pensions, increasing employment and to combat discrimination, Diamantopoulou noted that Greece appeared to be Europe's ''weakest link'' when it came to reducing joblessness.

    ''In Greece we do not have an increase in employment and a reduction of unemployment that corresponds to the rates of growth in the country, which are the highest in the EU,'' she pointed out.

    Changes in the state employment services and labor market reforms were essential and urgent, she added.

    She also dismissed arguments that immigration and reduced jobs in agriculture were an adequate ''explanation'' for high unemployment rates, given that the same phenomena in other countries did not have corresponding repercussions.

    The fact that unemployment in Greece was 17 per cent for women and 6 per cent for men indicated that the Greek labor market had a special problem in absorbing women that required specific policies to be dealt with,'' she noted.

    [09] Washington Post editorial calls this one ''Turkey's Week''

    WASHINGTON 11/12/2002 (ANA - T. Ellis)

    The Washington Post on Tuesday focused its editorial piece on Turkey's future in light of the European Union's Copenhagen Summit, giving it the title ''Turkey's Week''.

    ''This is shaping up to a historic week for Turkey and the West. On Thursday the European Union is to decide whether to open negotiations with Ankara on membership, a step that could fully integrate a Muslim nation of 80 million people into the community over the next decade or so,'' the editorial noted.

    ''Between now and the summit, U.N. negotiators are hoping to achieve a breakthrough in the 30-year-old conflict in Cyprus, a feat that will require Turkey's new government to deliver crucial concessions by the Turkish administration in the northern half of the divided island,'' it added.

    ''Meanwhile, Turkey's new leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is spending today in Washington, where he will be pressed by President Bush to accept the stationing of both American warplanes and American troops in Turkey in the event of war with Iraq. By the week's end the bonds between Turkey and the West could have been decisively strengthened -- or critically weakened,'' the newspaper argued.

    The editorial stressed that ''the point (of Turkey's EU membership) is not just to ensure Turkey's economic stability; the real benefit of EU membership, or even negotiations for it, will be the requirement that Turkey fully liberalize its political system and end its discrimination against minorities and abuses of human rights''.

    ''While the Bush administration is right to cheer on this process, it must prove itself willing to shoulder some of the burden of the country's modernization. U.S. aid should be directed at projects that help build democratic institutions as well as military bases,'' it noted.

    ''Even as he advocates for Turkey with Brussels, Mr. Bush should press Mr. Erdogan to follow through on his political promises and accept the U.N. settlement on Cyprus. Finally, the Pentagon's zeal to nail down bases in Turkey should not lead the administration to promising Ankara undue influence over postwar Iraq,'' the newspaper concluded.

    [10] Athens reiterates that it will support UN resolutions on Iraq

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Greek government reiterated on Tuesday that all international decisions and resolutions dealing with Iraqi weaponry or possible weapons of mass destruction should be taken by the United Nations’ bodies.

    During his daily press briefing in Athens, spokesman Christos Protopapas also stressed that Athens was ready to offer the UN assistance on the basis of its resolutions.

    [11] Coalition announcement on occasion of World Human Rights Day

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    On the occasion of World Human Rights Day, the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos) in an announcement on Tuesday said that at this moment of time a new war is being planned against Iraq which will put in danger the highest human right, that of life itself.

    The announcement added that most of the planet is continuing to witness suppression of all forms of rights, executions, torture, famine and violation of freedom of speech and of the press.

    In the sector of human rights in Greece, the Coalition said that immediate priority should be given to the legalization of immigrants through modern legislation on immigration, respect of minorities and the struggle against racism.

    [12] Turkish F-16 fighter jets harass Greek C-130 cargo plane over Aegean

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Two Turkish F-16 fighter jets on Tuesday harassed a Greek C-130 cargo plane returning to Elefsina from Cyprus, over the central Aegean Sea, press sources said.

    According to the same sources, the harassment took place a few minutes after 3 p.m. in airspace controlled by the Athens Civil Aviation Authority, seven nautical miles east of Naxos and at an altitude of 20,000 feet.

    As the two Turkish jets flew past the Greek cargo plane, at a distance of about 500 feet, Greek fighter jets intercepted them.

    In an unrelated development, ten formations of Turkish fighter jets infringed on the Athens' Flight Information Region (FIR), which in some cases developed into violations of Greek airspace in the Northern and Central Aegean.

    In all instances Greek jets intercepted the Turkish warplanes.

    This was the first incursion of Turkish jets in five days. The renewed activity comes on the heels of the end of the Ramadan.

    [13] Parliamentarians obliged to suspend professional activity

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Deputies desiring to retain their Parliamentary status will have to suspend their professional activities by the end of January 2003 since, according to article 57 of the country's revised constitution, deputies cannot engage in whatever professional activities.

    At a meeting of the Institutions Committee on Tuesday, ministers participating unanimously accepted a proposition by Interior Minister Costas Skandalidis on the issue.

    ''The government honors the country's revised constitution which prohibits a deputy from exercising whatever profession. The relevant bill will be tabled in Parliament by this coming Monday which will determine activities which are compatible with their Parliamentary status, as well as the return to the profession after the loss of their Parliamentary status,'' he said.

    [14] Development minister speaks on Greece's upgraded role in the Balkans

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos referred to the upgraded role of Greece in the broader region of the Balkans, in a speech he gave at the conference of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce in Athens on Tuesday.

    The minister noted that Greece was at the centre of developments, with the other Balkan countries observing the manner and model of development in Greece.

    He said that despite the recession in Europe, Greece aimed at a 3.6-3.8 per cent increase in the Gross Domestic Product for this year and 2003.

    On his part, U.S. Ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller noted the important efforts made by Greece in the economy. He referred in particular to bilateral economic relations between the two countries which he termed as very significant.

    [15] Greece welcomes EU's open skies pact

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Greece on Tuesday welcomed a European Union agreement last week to implement an open skies policy.

    Transport and Communications Minister Christos Verelis told reporters that the pact would help to reduce flight delays and improve safety.

    The agreement is to take effect by December 31, 2004.

    Greek proposals were accepted on ensuring sovereign airspace rights for member-states at their own responsibility; maintaining the current status of operational and military activity in the Aegean; and the right of veto, the minister said.

    [16] Greek, Italian ministers discuss priorities in telecommunications sector

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The priorities of the Greek and Italian EU presidencies in 2003 in the sector of telecommunications was the issue discussed in Rome on Tuesday between Deputy Transport and Communications Minister Manolis Stratakis and Italy's Communications Minister Maurizio Gaspari.

    Taking part in the meeting were Greek-American Nicholas Negroponte, officials of the two ministries and representatives of telecommunications agencies.

    Emphasis was given on the issue of security of networks and information, the establishment of a common model for the electromagnetic radiation, with the use of research programs of the World Health Organization (WHO), on digital television and the development of euro-zone network access for all.

    They also agreed for emphasis to be given on the harmonization of the national legislations with the EU law.

    [17] Serbian minister pushes privatization plan during Athens visit

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Serbian republic's minister of economy and privatization on Monday pointed to what he called stabilized macro-economic factors in Yugoslavia as well as a bold and "transparent" privatization program in a bid to lure more Greek investment to the rebuilding country.

    Minister Aleksandar Vlahovic, speaking at a press conference at the Yugoslav embassy in Athens, said some 300 million euros in revenue has so far been accumulated from the privatizations since the program began in 2001, before stressing that he would like to see heightened Greek interest in the country materialize into "real action" in 2003.

    Among others, he cited interest by a handful of Greece-based companies in the country's second largest petrol station chain, Serbia's important tobacco concerns and the country's second largest Aluminium roll plant.

    In general terms, he said Greek investments in Serbia are among the "top five" in terms of country ranking, whereas he cited the Athens-bourse listed Titan cement producer and the Delta dairy maker as currently recording the biggest Greek investments in Yugoslavia.

    Vlahovic said around 75 large companies and more than 1,000 small-to-medium-sized enterprises are now available for privatization, with the latter also offered via an "option privatization" scheme -- a sector he said is tailor-made for interested Greek firms.

    In terms of banking, he mentioned activities of National Bank of Greece, Alpha Bank, Commercial Bank, EFG Eurobank in the country.

    In reply to a question regarding the telecommunications sector, Vlahovic said the state will only consider a possible third GSM license after it has sold off its majority share in one of two mobile phone providers active in the country.

    Regarding the Telecom Serbia telephony utility, he merely noted, "everyone is losing money ... we need to improve the quality of fixed and mobile lines ... we need investment and strategic partners." The Serbian minister clarified that Telecom Serbia falls under the portfolio of the transport minister and that all three owners -- the state, Greece's telecoms utility OTE and Telecom Italia -- must agree on the company's course.

    In citing what he called a stabilized macro-economic environment, Vlahovic said he estimated that Yugoslavia's inflation rate would hover around the 16-percent mark for 2002, with a 9-percent figure hoped for in 2003. He also said the country's budget deficit was 4 percent, while real GDP growth for 2002 would total around 4 percent as well, noting that the increase was based on heightened industrial output.

    The Serbian republic minister said his government expects GDP growth of between 4.5 to 5 percent in 2003.

    Finally, asked if his government had a timetable vis-a-vis relations with the European Union, Vlahovic said Belgrade hopes to submit its application for accession in 2004 -- which he said would coincide with the Serbian nation's first uprising against Ottoman rule in 1804 -- with membership achieved by the end of the decade.

    Vlahovic's visit here includes two addresses before business groups and entrepreneurs.

    [18] Greece, Germany have similar views on employment

    BERLIN 11/12/2002 (ANA/P.Stangos)

    Labor and Social Security Minister Dimitris Reppas said on Tuesday that Greece and Germany held positions that were "very close" on employment and the labor market.

    Reppas was speaking after talks with his German counterpart on the aims of Greece's rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003.

    [19] Greece backs European tourism policy

    BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA/B.Demiris)

    Development Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Tuesday that Greece backed a Europe-wide tourism policy as the sector's current crisis was seen continuing.

    Addressing a tourism forum in the Belgian capital, the minister said that the Greek rotating presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2003 was planning to hold a conference on tourism in conjunction with the transport sector, and another on culture-linked tourism.

    [20] EU seen asking Olympic Airways to return illegal subsidy

    BELGIUM 11/12/2002 (ANA/B.Demiris)

    The European Union's executive Commission is expected to ask Olympic Airways for the return of 194 million euros in illegal subsidies granted under a 1998 revitalization plan.

    The Commission is meeting on Wednesday to determine the exact amount of the monies for return, sources in the Belgian capital said on Tuesday.

    [21] Greeks abroad seek closer ties with domestic firms

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The World Council of Hellenes Abroad said on Tuesday that it aimed to encourage closer ties between ethnic Greek firms and domestic companies.

    The group's president, Andrew Athens, said the goal included joint operations in Greece and in southeastern Europe.

    The new business and investment plan's top priority was creation of a database on companies owned or run by ethnic Greeks so that domestic firms could gain access to the information, Athens said.

    [22] Athens bourse to install trading system in Montenegro

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Athens Stock Exchange is to install its trading system in the Montenegro bourse and help the market modernize operations.

    The two exchanges signed a memorandum of understanding on the arrangement in Belgrade on Tuesday on the sidelines of a conference held in the Yugoslav capital.

    The Greek trading system has already been installed in the Belgrade market.

    [23] Stocks rise after late buying

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Athens bourse finished higher on Tuesday with a spurt of late buying in Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, and then other shares, taking the index up in the wake of range bound trade.

    The general share index gained 0.68 percent to end at 1,815.52 points. Turnover was 82.7 million euros.

    The FTSE/ASE-20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks ended 0.42 percent up; the FTSE/ASE-40 for medium capitalization paper 1.08 percent higher; and the FTSE/ASE-80 for small cap equities finished 0.93 percent up.

    Of stocks traded, advances led declines at 235 to 84 with 39 issues remaining unchanged.

    The most heavily traded stocks in value were Hellenic Telecommunications Organization, Panafon, Informatics, National Bank of Greece, and Public Power Corporation.

    Derivatives Market Close: Turnover at 57.7 mln euros Tuesday

    Equity Index Futures:

  • FTSE/ASE-20 (high cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: +0.42 percent

  • FTSE/ASE-40 (medium cap): At discount

  • Underlying Index: +1.08 percent

    Stock Futures:

  • Most Active Contract (volume): Alpha Bank (297)

    Day's Market Turnover: 57.7 mln euros

    Bond Market Close: Sellers outstrip buyers on Tuesday

    Greek Benchmark 10-Year Bond

  • Yield: 4.61 pct

  • Spread over German bund: 23 bps

  • Day's Market Turnover: 2.1 bln euros

  • Most Active Bond: 5-year, expiring April 2007 (330 mln euros)

    [24] Athens mayor seeks extra funds to prepare for Olympics

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    Newly-elected Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni on Tuesday met Finance Minister Nikos Christodoulakis to request extra funds to prepare for the Athens Olympics in 2004.

    She said the money would go toward a cleaner city, improved access and IT projects.

    After the meeting, Bakoyianni said there were many financial issues outstanding and that she would have further meetings with the finance minister in January.

    "I believe there is the will for honest cooperation in this affair, which concerns us all," she added.

    Christodoulakis expressed certainty that the problems would be solved so that Athens could not only play its part in the organization of the Olympics but also attract foreign investments.

    [25] Importance of Olympic Games for Greece's development stressed at conference

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The enormous importance which the Olympic Games will have for Greece's development was expressed during the conference of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce in Athens on Tuesday.

    Culture Ministry Secretary General Costas Kartalis in his address referred to the tens of construction sites, which are in place in Athens and the five Olympic cities, noting that the important infrastructures will remain as a heritage in the country. He also remarked on the importance of the ''Greece 2004'' program with which will be created the sports infrastructures in the whole of the countryside.

    On his part, the Managing Director of the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC), Yiannis Spanoudakis, said that the value of the Olympic Games was not simply economic but also social, given that it will improve the quality of life of everyone.

    [26] EU environment ministers agree on exhaust fumes draft plan

    BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - Y. Zitouniati)

    The last Council of Environment Ministers during the European Union's Danish presidency convened here on Tuesday and agreed on a draft plan enacting an innovative organ to restrict exhaust fumes, creating the greenhouse phenomenon, to enable the EU to implement its commitments regarding climatic change and the Kyoto protocol.

    Addressing the Council, Environment Town Planning and Public Works Minister Vasso Papandreou stressed the importance of creating a flexible and realistic EU system on the sale of products emitting exhaust fumes.

    The ministers also agreed on a common position on the regulation on detection of genetically modified organisms, guaranteeing information for the consumer and, primarily, the relevant authorities on the presence of genetically modified organisms in products destined for foodstuffs.

    The Council further adopted a regulation on exports and imports of dangerous chemical products.

    Papandreou took the opportunity of outlining the priorities of the Greek presidency on the environment, underlining the importance to be given by the Council in the spring of 2003.

    [27] Culture minister announces UNICEF-Cultural Olympiad vaccination program

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    A Cultural Olympiad program relating to an initiative to pay for a vaccination drive for children in the underdeveloped world through UNICEF cards will be announced within January, Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said during a press conference on Tuesday.

    During his address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the first by a Greek culture minister, Venizelos said he had raised issues related to the Cultural Olympiad and the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens.

    During the press conference, Venizelos also referred at length to the property settlement awarded Greece's former king Constantine by the European Court of Human Rights, saying that the issue with the former king had finally reached an end thanks to the law of 1994.

    [28] Transport experts unveil proposals on Athens' traffic problems

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Association of Greek Transport Experts (SES) on Tuesday unveiled a series of measures to combat congestion in the center of Athens which, as they said, is clogged with traffic as more vehicles are being introduced in the city's existing infrastructures.

    The experts stressed the necessity of more parking places near mass transport terminals and for the better utilization of existing mass transport means through their more efficient organizing.

    They also called for the construction of a ring road allowing drivers to bypass the city and reach their destination on the other side of it without having to cross the center of the city and decongesting the center from through traffic.

    One of the basic measures was considered to be the timing of trucks entering the center. Most trucks entering the city do so to provision shops and they would be allowed in the city only before seven in the morning and after 10 at night.

    [29] Seminar in Athens on human trafficking, sex trade

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    A seminar outlining the situation in Greece with regard to human trafficking, especially the sexual exploitation of women, was held in Athens on Tuesday at the foreign ministry, an initiative organized by the ministry in collaboration with the International Migration Organization and the US Embassy in Greece.

    According to figures presented at the seminar, the sex trade in Greece was sustained and fed by over a million "respectable" male customers, nearly one third of the sexually active male population.

    The 'market' consisted of some 200,000 young women, mainly from Balkan countries, that lived in conditions of slavery, torture and were denied their freedom.

    Among those attending was Foreign Minister George Papandreou, Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Loverdos, Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos and Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis.

    [30] Campaign against sexual exploitation of children

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The Family and Child Care Centre is carrying out a campaign, in cooperation with the European Commission and the International Tourism Organization, to sensitize travelers passing through the international airports of Greece and Cyprus on the sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

    Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, coordinated by the representative of the European Commission's delegation Ierotheos Papadopoulos, both the Center’s President Vivi Papadimitriou and the person in charge of the specific program Antonia Torrons referred to the importance of combating the phenomenon.

    During the campaign 30,000 pamphlets and 15,000 posters will be distributed on the consequences of the sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

    [31] European Watch concerned over increase in gypsies' poverty

    BRUSSELS 11/12/2002 (ANA - V. Demiris)

    The European Watch on Phenomena of Racism and Xenophobia believes the increase in unemployment and poverty noted among gypsies constitutes a factor for concern regarding the increase in crime in Greece.

    In its annual report on 2001 titled ''Multiformity and equality in Europe'', the Watch stresses that dismissals of gypsies in 2001, primarily in the agricultural sector, resulted in an increase in crime in the country and in young gypsies selecting involvement in drug trafficking which provides relatively easy gain.

    The Watch further said this development produced very negative consequences for the social image of gypsies and their incorporation in local society, while shortcomings in education and the training of this population are intensifying the problems of its marginalization.

    On the question of Greece's population, the Watch invokes the census conducted in March 2001, according to which it amounts to 10,964,080 inhabitants, of whom 797,093 (7.3 percent) are foreigners.

    The Watch further notes that the Moslem population ranges between 100,000 and 130,000, while the number of gypsies in Greece is between 250,000 and 300,000.

    [32] PM and president receive special medals at university

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis received special medals during an event held at the Panteios University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens on Tuesday night on the occasion of the celebration marking its 75th anniversary.

    Simitis, who had worked as a professor at the university at one time, thanked the university's rector Ioannis Vavouras for the honor bestowed upon him.

    Addressing the event, he said one should pursue what is new, open new prospects and always seek.

    [33] Variety' International Film Guide with special report on Greece

    Athens, 11/12/2002 (ANA)

    The International Film Guide 2003, compiled and published by Hollywood's Variety magazine, includes a 15-page special report on the Greek film industry's current status.

    The annual publication of Variety includes a who's who of the Greek film industry, the most successful films released between 1993 and 2001 and among other data a directory of production firms, distributors and directors, fully briefing foreign professionals on the Greek film industry.

    [34] National Council discusses Annan's revised plan

    NICOSIA 11/12/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    The National Council convened in an extraordinary session Tuesday evening to discuss the UN Secretary-General's revised text on his original solution plan of November 11.

    The revised text was handed over earlier on Tuesday to Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash by UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro De Soto.

    While the party leaders were meeting under President Clerides, people objecting to the UN Secretary-General's solution were demonstrating outside the Presidential Palace.

    The demonstrators blocked the Presidential Palace entrance and exit.

    [35] UN has no objection to dealing with a Denktash representative

    UNITED NATIONS 11/12/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    UN Secretary General's Spokesman Fred Eckhard said on Tuesday the Secretary General has no objection to dealing with anyone that Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash and his delegation might designate to negotiate on his (Denktash's) behalf, noting this was not necessarily an obstacle.

    Replying to questions during his daily briefing on the details of Kofi Annan's revised plan on Cyprus submitted on Tuesday, in the light of Denktash's reaction that it was an old plan, Eckhard said he was not going to comment on any statements by either of the parties, nor on the substance of what is going on.

    "There will not be any summary, any executive summary of the revised plan submitted to the Security Council, therefore all the discussions taking place now are strictly confidential and I have no information on how many changes or how extensive the changes in the revised document have been made," Eckhard said.

    Asked if a representative of Denktash could sign the agreement,

    Eckhard said, "anyone who is delegated by the Turkish Cypriot side can sign as far as we are concerned."

    The UN spokesman reminded, "the clock is ticking" and urged journalists to "be patient and watch to see whether (UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus) Mr (Alvaro) de Soto can breach the gap between them."

    Asked if the revised plan was given to the UN Security Council, Eckhard said his understanding is that it will not be given.

    To a question whether the operation that Denktash is expected to undergo on Wednesday in Ankara will affect the negotiations on the Annan plan and the timetable of December 12, Eckhard said, "we will have to see."

    He explained, "from the Secretary General's point of view he has no objection to dealing with anyone that Mr. Denktash and his delegation might designate to negotiate on his behalf. So from our point of view that is not necessarily an obstacle."

    [36] UN envoy: It's up to the parties to decide on revised text

    NICOSIA 11/12/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alvaro de Soto, said it was up to the two parties on the island to decide what to do with the revised text the UN Secretary General submitted on Tuesday.

    He said there is still time for negotiations to take place for a Cyprus settlement before the Copenhagen European Union summit.

    He told the press after a second meeting Tuesday with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides, that he still did not have the reaction of Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash but he was expecting to get that soon.

    Asked if there will be negotiations in Copenhagen, de Soto said he did not know yet because he had not spoken to the other side, adding that Denktash is unwell but he would be seeing his advisor, Ergun Olgun.

    To a question if the revised plan was for negotiation or acceptance as it is, de Soto said, ''that depends on the parties. They will decide what to do with it.''

    The UN envoy said he hoped to hear from Olgun, ''if they are in a position to do that,'' the reaction of the Turkish Cypriot side to the revised text. Asked if there will be a request for negotiations in Copenhagen between Clerides and Denktash, de Soto replied ''if necessary, we will see over the next few hours. There is time.''

    He said Denktash was not well and ''it might not be possible for him'' to travel to Copenhagen.

    De Soto did not want to refer to the contents of his meeting with President Clerides. When asked if he will travel to Copenhagen, he replied ''it is possible'' and to a question if the UN Chief will travel to the Danish capital, de Soto remarked ''all is possible.''

    To a question if there is no solution by the EU summit (12-13 December) what happens then, he said ''let's not even think about that.''

    [37] Clerides will sign solution if it serves public interest, says spokesman

    NICOSIA 11/12/2002 (CNA/ANA)

    President Glafcos Clerides will only sign a solution of the Cyprus question if he is convinced this will be in the interest of the people of Cyprus, government spokesman Michalis Papapetrou said here on Tuesday.

    Speaking to the press after the president took delivery of a revised UN proposal on a comprehensive settlement, he said there has been an initial assessment of the proposal and a note on the proposed amendments will be prepared for the members of the National Council, which was due to convene in the evening at an extraordinary meeting, to discuss developments.

    Replying to questions, the spokesman said the revised version is about the same length as the first draft (about 138 pages), but refrained from any further comment on the content of the text.

    He did note however that the new document is not an ultimatum and is not on a ''take it or leave it'' basis.

    ''If the possibility exists for the two leaders to sign an agreement by the Copenhagen European Union meeting, I would repeat that we have never hidden our readiness to do so,'' Papapetrou said.

    If however, there is no agreement, the effort to find a negotiated settlement will continue, he added.

    Replying to other questions, he said the president will certainly not sign anything under pressure.

    ''The President will sign an agreement only once he is convinced that by doing so he will be serving the interests of the people of Cyprus,'' he said.

    Asked if the revised plan brings the two sides closer together, he said the president and the National Council, the top advisory body to the President on the handling of the Cyprus question, will be the judge of that.

    ''We are going to Copenhagen to see Cyprus join the EU. But we are also going there to deal with every development and every possibility that may be offered to us,'' the spokesman said.


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