NEWS IN DETAIL

National highways remain open as farmers continue protests

Police near Lamia were instructed to arrest farmers who would attempt to make their way to strategic points on the road network despite the ban.

The defiant farmers will keep the front open for several days.

Government spokesman Dimitris Reppas reiterated that the government insisted on dialogue as a means of resolving farmers' demands, stressing that the present time was not one for confrontation, but one in which efforts must be made by all sides to find mutually acceptable solutions.

Condemning the blockading of roads and railway lines, Mr. Reppas said "this logic must be abandoned".

He added that this form of protest did not have the consent of the Greek people.

The restrictions, he added, will be temporary.

High-ranking Montenegrin delegation continues talks in Athens

Mr. Marovic is on the second day of an official two-day visit to Greece at the head of a Montenegrin parliamentary delegation.

During the meeting, both sides underlined the need for peace and stability to be safeguarded in the region.

Mr. Kaklamanis expressed his intention to visit Montenegro in order to examine possibilities for promoting closer cooperation between the two countries in the economic and cultural sectors.

Mr. Marovic also met with Development Minister Vasso Papandreou for talks on bilateral business and other economic cooperation. Ms Papandreou later said many possibilities exist for widening relations with Montenegro. She said some Greek businessmen have already signed agreements, adding that she believed that more Greek businesses will follow.

Greece, Montenegrin welcome Milosevic decision

The foreign minister, who recently went to Belgrade on a mediation visit, noted that the decision might, preferrably, have been made earlier.

"But better late than never," he added.

Mr. Marovic stressed that the wish of electors, but also the recommendations of international organisations, should be respected.

Greek foreign ministry comment

The announcement added that it is now the opposition's turn to respond in accordance with its commitments.

The foreign ministry reminded that during his recent trip to Belgrade, Foreign Minister Theodoros Pangalos requested from Mr. Milosevic to adopt the Gonzalez report in order to secure stability in the neighbouring country.

GSEE president briefs premier on recent US trip

Mr. Polyzogopoulos told reporters that there was a possibility of cooperation with Greek-American groups on investment in Greece and in the wider region as well as with US unions to support initiatives for peace in the Balkans.

He said he and the prime minister discussed trade union issues such as unemployment, labour relations and collective bargaining agreements. He added that social dialogue should be "more organised".

Lithuanian president to visit Greece this month

During their stay in Greece, the Lithuanian delegation will sign a bilateral cultural and scientific cooperation agreement.

Mr. Brazauskas will also visit Thessaloniki privately.

An independent state between 1918-1940, Lithuania was annexed by the Soviet Union after the Second World War. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it declared itself an independent state in 1990. The country became a member of the United Nations in 1991.

As with the remaining Baltic states, Lithuania has signed a cooperation agreement with the European Union in 1995.

In 1995, the then prime minister of Lithuania and president of the Lithuanian parliament visited Greece and signed investment protection, international transport and police cooperation agreements.

The total trade volume between the two countries was estimated at approximately three million dollars in 1995.

A few months ago, the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) undertook the construction of a telecommunications project in the country.

Greece has had an embassy in Lithuania since 1993. There is a small Greek community in the country, mostly comprising Greeks who fled the country during the civil war.

Municipal workers end strike

The decision was reached at a meeting of the general council of municipalities, which described as positive the responses by the interior minister regarding higher wage demands.

Roadblock on Greek-Bulgarian border lifted

The blockade of the Greek-Bulgarian border at the Promahonas border post has also been lifted.

Stamps commemorate Andreas Papandreou

The stamps are to be presented on Feb. 12 at the old Parliament building, in the presence of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Simitis, leaders of political parties and members of Papandreou's family.

According to ELTA's director, the first stamp, worth 80 drachmas, will depict Papandreou as an college professor; a second worth 120 drachmas will depict him upon his arrival to Greece in August 1974; while on the third, worth 150 drachmas, he will be pictured during a Parliamentary session.

The fourth stamp, worth 500 drachmas, will depict Papandreou during international activities.

Greek Eurodeputy heads International Textiles Institute

Mr. Argyros, who is replacing Steven Roubin, has been president of the Hellenic Industries Association (SEB) between 1988-1994, a consultant to the World Bank and a member of the governing boards of many Greek organisations. The 78th international textiles conference entitled "Textiles and Informatics" will be held in Thessaloniki between May 23- 26.

Development ministry announces changes for trade exhibitions

Changes include the banning of exhibitions 30 days prior to the beginning of the Thessaloniki International Fair (HELEXPO) in September and for 15 days after its end; an increase in the fee required as a guarantee for the proper operation of an exhibition; fines ranging between 50,000 and 500,000 drachmas in case of violation, as well as a five-month reduction in deadlines required for submission of applications to competent prefectural authorities.

ATE says Dodonis dairy is not up for sale

"There has never been any intention on the part of ATE's administration to transfer the bank's shares in Dodonis to the private sector," bank governor Christos Papathanasiou said.

He added that ATE continued to support the company in an attempt for it to maintain the social character it has had to now.

As an indication of ATE's commitment, he said, the bank decided for 1996 to offer the highest prices for milk to stock-breeders in Epirus, bringing them more than 2.5 billion drachmas in additional income.

Int'l meeting in FYROM focuses on Balkan transportation network

Apart from representatives of the 24 countries, participants included representatives of Balkan and Black Sea countries, as well as of international organisations, such as the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.

Greece is represented by a six-member delegation comprised of members of the ministers of transport, merchant marine and environment, town planning and public works, and headed by the Greek Liaison Officer in Skopje, Alexandros Mallias.

Discussions are expected to focus on a study on Balkan transport networks, conducted by the British company Alexander Gibb through the EU Phare programme. This includes an east-west corridor, passing through Durres, Tirana, Skopje, Sofia, Plovdiv, Bourg as and Varna. A north-south highway will also be discussed.

According to the Skopje newspaper "Devnik", FYROM's transport minister will suggest a roadway to be constructed from Tito Beles to Igoumenitsa, in order for the landlocked nation to have access to a western Greek port for commercial activities.

Number of public sector contract hirings for '97 announced

Mr. Papadopoulos announced yesterday that the same number of seasonal staff as last year (about 7,000) has been approved for municipalities and communities as well as another 2,600 posts by work contract.

Proclamations to fill seasonal staff posts at local government organisations are expected to be issued in the near future and most of these posts will be covered by employees already working and whose contracts have expired.

Mr. Papadopoulos said that a nationwide exam will be carried out once a year, in October

Trade delegation organised for China

The chamber has stepped up its activities in the last six months with the aim of promoting bilateral trade relations, particularly by providing information and advisory services to parties wishing to invest in China.

The two exhibitions cover a wide range of products and services.

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