Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-06-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prime Minister Karamanlis unveils strategy for shipping sector

[02] Govt ready to take final decisions on bank pension system, FinMin says

[03] Joint initiative by Greek and Turkish journalists for avoidance of disturbances during Turkey-Greece-Turkey soccer match

[01] Prime Minister Karamanlis unveils strategy for shipping sector

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis, the Greek PM said the meeting discussed progress of the government's policy in the sector. "It is the most outgoing sector of the economy, servicing international trade, earning foreign exchange and employing tens of thousands of workers," Karamanlis said.

"The Greek shipping industry, with a fleet of 3,400 vessels and a tonnage accounting for 16 percent of the world fleet, is the biggest and pioneering force in the world, but we should not rely on this success. The experience of the last 10 years has proven that nothing can be taken for granted unless there is a specific strategy plan and bold and timely decisions are taken," the Greek PM said.

Karamanlis said the shipping sector was a priority for the government and stressed that it would do everything possible to maintain the sector's competitiveness.

"The government has done a significant job so far, but much more needs to be done. Our goals are clear. We want a shipping industry profitable and competitive, safe and environmentally friendly. An industry with an increasing national shipping register that creates new job positions," he added.

In pointing to the government's achievements in the shipping sector during the past 15 months since it assumed power, Karamanlis referred to the activation of a national shipping council; the repatriation of 21 Greek seamen held in various jails aboard as well as promoting the massive shipping sector's positions at the IMO and at the European Union level.

The premier also cited a bill upgrading maritime education in the country and restructuring the entire tertiary system that produces merchant marine officers and engineers.

[02] Govt ready to take final decisions on bank pension system, FinMin says

Speaking to reporters, after a meeting with representatives of bank workers' union OTOE, Alogoskoufis said that banks would cover two-thirds of the total cost of the project with the remaining one-third from an increased state subsidy to the Social Security Fund IKA.

The Greek minister added that the new system would not affect bank workers hired before 1992, and stressed that workers hired after January 1, 1993 would adjust to pension provisions valid to all other Greek workers.

Alogoskoufis said the government would seek a solution to the banking sector's pension system with the aim to ensure pension payments and a smooth operation of the banking system and the economy. He noted that the existing pension system has created inequality in pensions and viability problems to several pension funds. The Greek minister added that the government encouraged a dialogue that lasted more than six months and resulted to a deadlock. "The government was briefed over interested parties' views on the issue and is ready to take its final decisions," Alogoskoufis said.

OTOE's president Dimitris Tsoukalas said bank workers were on a war footing with a 48-hour strike beginning on Tuesday, 7 June. Speaking to reporters, he said the union would monitor both the government's and employers' positions on the issue and would act accordingly.

[03] Joint initiative by Greek and Turkish journalists for avoidance of disturbances during Turkey-Greece-Turkey soccer match

"On June 4, in the framework of the World Cup qualifying round, the national soccer teams of Greece and Turkey will meet. International interest in such a match is a foregone conclusion. Many of us are concerned whether there will be disturbances," the joint proclamation signed by the journalists said.

"We must all remember that this is only a soccer match and the team that will win will be the one that plays better soccer or which will be luckier. A good sports event must never be ruined," it added.

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