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Athens News Agency: News in English, 96-10-29

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

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


NEWS IN ENGLISH

Athens, Greece, 29/10/1996 (ANA)

MAIN HEADLINES

  • European Socialist Party declaration favours EU expansion
  • I.O.C. evaluation committee finds three strong adavantages to Athens' bid for 2004 Olympics
  • Simitis meets with Horn for talks on E.U. Greek-Hungarian relations
  • Political leadership messages commemorating Greece's entry into World War II as three-day Natiobnal Day celebrations end
  • Greek delegation satisfied with call for Black Sea Economic Cooperation members to fulfill financial obligations
  • Several Greek-Yugoslav agreements signed

    NEWS IN DETAIL

    The European Socialist Party summit ended in Budapest on Sunday with the adoption of a joint declaration welcoming the entry of central and eastern European countries into the European Union. During a press confer ence held after the meeting, Prime Minister Costas Simitis stressed the confirmation by the European Socialists of the EU's decision for negotiations for the entry of Cyprus and Malta to begin six months after the end of the Intergovernmental Conference ( IGC).

    Mr. Simitis said what the European socialists want is not a Europe with differentiations but a unified Europe in which there will be economic development, employment and prosperity for all.

    He said that all were agreed that speedy rates should be applied to enable all negotiations concerning the European Union to close before the end of the century, namely those as well which are related to enlargement, the budget and new policies.

    Outlining the results of the meeting, European Socialist Party President Rudolf Scharping said that enlargement, which is clearly supported by socialists and social democrats, constitutes a dynamic process from which there will be benefits derived both for EU member-states and candidate countries, while the EU's character will also change.

    Mr. Scharping said European socialists oppose neo-conservative positions and nationalistic and reactionary trends, for which the sole alternative solution constitutes the deepening of European cooperation, which is aimed at development, the creation of jobs, protection for the security of citizens and protection for the environment and safeguarding peace.

    Hungarian Prime Minister and president of the ruling socialist party, Gyula Horn, said it should be examined how the EU can help candidate countries to prepare themselves appropriately for entry.


    Athens appears to have made a decisive step in its promotion for the final phase of cities contesting the 2004 Olympic Games, as the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) evaluation committee ascertained three strong advantages for the Greek capital's candidacy.

    The German president of the evaluation committee, Thomas Bach, addressed a press conference at the Zappeion Mansion on Saturday at the end of its visit, together with Greek Candidacy Committee President Yianna Daskalaki- Angelopoulou.

    Mr. Bach said the city's advantages support the candidacy of Athens by an overwhelming majority of the Greek people, a cultural programme and the guarantees by both the government and the opposition on organising the 2004 Olympics.

    " We as a committee cannot refer to our conclusions or make any comments. However, I can speak to you about our three impressions from our three-day stay in Greece.

    "Firstly, our committee ascertained that the candidacy of Athens is supported by the overwhelming majority of the Greek people. Additionally, there is support from businessmen and political bodies.

    "Secondly, there is the cultural programme of Athens. The people can participate in this programme which includes, among others, a torch race linking many historical cities in your country and the marathon race.

    "Thirdly, we appreciate the guarantees of the government and the opposition for the candidacy of Athens."

    He also said the candidacies of the 11 cities for hosting the Olympic Games in 2004 are like a marathon race.

    "The Greeks can set out on this marathon, where they have 10 opponents, with confidence.

    Mr. Bach said the evaluation committee's final report on the 11 candidacies will constitute the basis for the IOC's decision on March 7, concerning the four or five cities which will be on the short list.

    Swedes not so keen

    Replying to a question on the candidacy of Stockholm for the 2004 Olympic Games, Mr. Bach said "80 per cent of the Swedish Parliament voted in favour of Stockholm's candidacy. According to an opinion poll conducted later on, however, it appeared that most Swedes do not want to host the Games."

    Mr. Bach went on to say that candidate cities should strengthen their positive points as much as they can, adding that the splendour of the Olympic Games is that each country promotes its own strong points and it is a very important factor for one to know how to promote his country.

    "The 164 guarantees given to us in all by Athens to organise the Games helped us to shape a spherical view," he said.

    The evaluation committee will visit San Juan (Nov. 16-20), Rio de Janeiro (Nov. 21-25), Buenos Aires (25-29) and Cape Town (Dec- 6-10).

    The 19 evaluation committee members left Athens yesterday.


    Prime Minister Costas Simitis held an hour-long discussion here with his Hungarian counterpart Gyula Horn yesterday, while a coincidence of views was ascertai ned between the positions of Athens and Budapest on Greek- Turkish relations and the Cyprus issue.

    Mr. Simitis said afterwards that the positions of the Hungarian government coincide with those supported by Greece, namely that whatever demands on the Turkish side must be resolved through processes anticipated by international law, meaning the Interna tional Court of Justice at The Hague. On the question of Cyprus, Hungary maintains that it is time that resolutions of the United Nations are applied.

    He said that he discussed problems with Mr. Horn concerning Hungary's potential accession to the European Union, which is the main issue preoccupying the Hungarians at present.

    Mr. Simitis said countries such as Greece, which have every interest in increasing their influence within the framework of the EU, need allies. And such allies can be countries such as Hungary, which has about the same level of development and about the same population.

    The Greek premier said that if we want a strong EU, the Union must "embrace" all of Europe and must "embrace" more countries than today.

    Both prime ministers also discussed bilateral Greek-Hungarian relations, whose level is considered excellent.

    On the sidelines of the European Socialist Party meeting, Mr. Simitis had talks with German Social Democrat party leader Oskar Lafontaine on Sunday, focusing on the global economy, Economic and Monetary Union as well as strengthening relations between PASOK and the German social democrats.

    In talks with the secretary of the Italian Democratic Left Party, Massimo D'Alema, Mr. Simitis referred to the meeting he will have with the leadership of the party during his visit to Rome on Nov. 20.


    Three-day celebrations marking the anniversary of Greece's entry into World War II against fascist Italy on Oct. 28, 1940, culminated in Thessaloniki yesterday with a large military parade in the presence of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos.

    The parade was also attended by National Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, who represented Prime Minister Costas Simitis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Miltiades Evert, the leadership of the armed forces, ministers, deputies and local authorities.

    The parade ended with the appearance of four ultra-modern US-made Apache helicopter gunships, recently acquired by the Hellenic Army.

    A Te Deum service was held at the Athens Cathedral in the presence of Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis, ministers, deputies and representatives of resistance groups.

    Referring to Ankara and the United States at a reception given in his honour by the Officers Club of the Third Army Corps in Thessaloniki on Sunday night, President Stephanopoulos said Greece has no intention and no possibility of backing down even at t he least from its sovereign rights based on international law and determined by international treaties.

    Addressing the US side, due to rumours of a possible assumption of an initiative by the US to normalise Greek-Turkish relations, President Stephanopoulos said "all efforts and initiatives are welcome, provided those undertaking relevant initiatives shou ld not forget and not disregard reality."

    In a message marking the Oct. 28 national holiday, Mr. Simitis said the message of Oct. 28 is a message of unity, consensus and faith in defending the integrity of the nation against whatever design.

    "And this will always be the message of Greece in every direction, at the same time with our persistent action to safeguard peace and stability in the region and to develop relations of friendship and cooperation with all our neighbours," he said.

    Similar messages were addressed by Mr. Evert and other party leaders.

    Mr. Evert said in his message this year's anniversary finds the nation faced with direct dangers.

    "The unbridled Turkish provocativeness in the Aegean, the continuing occupation on the island of Cyprus by Attila, who is getting more and more audacious, and the threatened shrinking of Hellenism in Albania, which compose certain characteristic example s, set out the need for national vigilance," Mr. Evert said.

    The Coalition of the Left and Progress said at present Greece needs a new surge to exit from the deep crisis and decline, adding that Greece should seek war reparations and an occupation loan forcibly handed over to Nazi Germany.


    The Greek delegation participating in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) summit, which ended here Friday with the signing of the Moscow Declaration, has expressed its satisfaction over the declaration's call for all member-states to fulfill the ir financial obligations for establishment of a Black Sea Commericial and Development Bank.

    The bank is scheduled to operate in Thessaloniki at the beginning of next year.

    Athens has decided to provide loans as a form of economic assistance for economically weaker members, such as Armenia and Moldova, which have asked for Greece's help.

    Meanwhile, only three countries, Albania, Greece and Romania, have said they can meet their financial obligations at present.

    As the bank can begin operating with 51 per cent of the founding capital, Russia has decided to accelerate its internal procedures so that the bank does not begin operation without Moscow's contribution. According to the National Economy secretary-ge neral and president of the bank's temporary organising committee, Nikos Zahariadis, Russia has made it clear that it will make efforts to pay its share within three months, including the relevant funds - roughly US$23 million) - in its 1997 budget.

    During the summit in Moscow, Greece also officially stated its wish for one of the bank's two or three vice-presidents to be a Greek national.

    According to the Moscow Declaration, BSEC member-states also called on European funding organisations, such as the European Investment Bank and the European Reconstruction and Development Bank, to participate as members in the Black Sea Commercial and Development Bank or to jointly fund investment programmes in the region.


    Talks held between Greek and Yugoslav businessmen over the past months have led to the signing of many agreements on economic cooperation, according to a report in yesterday's "Politika" newspaper here.

    Agreements were finalised on creating joint enterprises, producing automobile tires, building plants and producing ceramic tiles and aluminium sheets.

    An agreement was also signed for a Greek investment in the production of lead and zinc, as well as for export of foodstuffs, hydraulic accessories, iron ores, automobile spare parts and wooden products.

    Another agreement is underway for the purchase of farm products, petroleum byproducts as well as cotton and aluminium goods.

    WEATHER

    Sunny in most parts of the country with rising temperatures to range from 8- 19C in Athens and from 6-16C in Thessaloniki.

    SPORTS

    Weekend results of the Greek First Division soccer matches:
    Athinaikos - Olympiakos 0 - 1
    Aris - Panathinaikos    0 - 0
    Ionikos - Pyrgos        1 - 1
    AEK - Apollon           2 - 1
    Panahaiki - PAOK        2 - 0
    Kastoria - OFI          0 - 1
    Xanthi - Kalamata       0 - 0
    Edessa - Veria          2 - 0
    Kavala - Heraklis      to be played today
    
    Standings after 6 games:
    Olympiakos    16 points
    Pyrgos        14
    Panathinaikos 13
    AEK           13
    Panahaiki     13
    Ionikos       12
    OFI           12
    Xanthi         9
    PAOK           8
    Veria          7
    Kalamata       6
    Aris           5
    Athinaikos     4
    Edessa         4
    

    FOREIGN EXCHANGE (Buying)

    U.S. dlr 236.562 Can. dlr.176.140, Australian dlr. 187.424 Pound sterling 377.059, Irish punt 381.067, Cyprus pd 511.872, French franc 46.047, Swiss franc 188.267 Belgian franc 7.554, German mark 155.570 Finnish mark 51.782, Dutch guilder 138.696 Danish Kr. 40.569, Swedish Kr. 35.986, Norwegian Kr. 36.694, Austrian Sh. 22.107, Italian lira (100) 15.460 Yen (100) 209.798 Spanish Peseta 1.848, Portuguese Escudo 1.542.

    (C.E.)


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