Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU budget requires balanced solution, PM tells EU Summit

[02] EU aspirations and casus belli 'incompatible', President tells Turkey

[03] EU approves 'primary shareholder' bill

[01] EU budget requires balanced solution, PM tells EU Summit

Failure to agree on the budget means heavier consequences for the Union's long-term economic planning and difficulty for the EU to proceed with decisions on crucial issues, he added.

Karamanlis noted that according to the Greek government, agreement on the budget should be based on the proposals made by the Luxembourg EU Presidency, since those proposals ensure satisfactory levels of funds for political cohesion.

Regarding the issue of globalisation - the summit's main topic of discussion - Karamanlis noted that it brought about many opportunities, but also many challenges as a result of the increased movement of people, services and goods.

"It [globalisation] is an issue of great dimensions, making it impossible for individual countries to effecitvely address it alone. Therefore, our discussion focused on finding the common denominator which will enable the EU to formulate strategies and to step up actions aimed at dealing with common problems and individual issues, such as unemployment, competitiveness, illegal immigration, and citizens' safety in connection with the EU's foreign policies," Karamanlis said.

He added that Greece emphasised the need for the EU to face the challenges globalisation poses while at the same time preserving the European social model.

"That means growth and competitiveness, while at the same time safeguarding social solidarity, social justice and jobs. It is a difficult goal but it's one our policy must serve," he said.

Referring to the fight against terrorism, the Greek premier stressed that any initiatives aimed at ensuring citizens' safety must not be taken at the expense of civil liberties.

Speaking of Thursday's informal summit, Karamanlis said that it gave EU leaders the chance "to exchange views in an informal and friendly setting, as to how we will jointly - within the EU - address the challenges set forth by globalisation."

[02] EU aspirations and casus belli 'incompatible', President tells Turkey

"Acquis communautaire and occupation forces are two conflicting realities. Turkey is at a crossroads: It will either consistently follow the path of a European future or it will never reach full accession," Papoulias said during a dinner hosted in his honour by the Third Army Corps Commander, Lt. General Elias Petsas in Thessaloniki.

Papoulias noted that if Turkey decides to follow the European path then it will have to revise basic policies.

According to the president, Ankara must proceed with the re-opening of the Theological School in Halki, recognition of the Patriarchate's ecumenical status, creation of good neighbourly relations with all EU member states, extension of its customs union agreement with the Cyprus Republic and the latter's recognition.

"The start of accession negotiations between the EU and Turkey creates a new environment and optimism, but not complacency, in terms of Greek-Turkish relations. Our neighbouring country has made clear commitments to the European Union, which it will soon need to implement," Papoulias said.

The president predicted that Turkey's road to EU accession "will be long and difficult, painful; it will be marked by regression and internal turbulence."

Referring to Greek armed forces, Papoulias said that although Greece's independence and territorial integrity are not in any danger at present, the country's geographical position in the troubled Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean region, requires competent armed forces, ready and high-spirited.

Papoulias also underscored the impact of Turkey's unilateral provocations in the Aegean on both countries' economies and on the quality of life of more vulnerable classes.

On his part, Petsas assured the president of the Greek armed forces' readiness and superiority.

[03] EU approves 'primary shareholder' bill

In comments he made to the ANA, Oliver Drews said that after the Commission reviewed the bill and following close cooperation with Greek authorities, the Commission deemed it to be in line with EU laws.

According to Drews, an official statement by the Commission that it has agreed to the bill is expected next week.

The bill, which overrides previous laws, aims to limit the rights of owners of mass media enterprises to take on public-sector contracts. The measures were designed to prevent the media from exerting undue influence on the award of state contracts and also extended to the next of kin of people owning up to 1 per cent of a media enterprise.

The current law (3310/2005) and the previous primary shareholder law 3021 passed by PASOK in 2002, were judged by the Commission to be incompatible with fundamental European directives and treaties.

As a result, both laws have been suspended.

Government Statement

The Greek government on Thursday received an approval of the primary shareholder bill in writing from the European Commission, according to a statement issued by Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos.

Agreement was achieved after months of negotiations between the Greek government and the Commission, Roussopoulos stated.

The bill implements article 14, clause 9 of the Greek constitution while at the same time safeguards the observance of EU law, the minister said.

"The constitutional provision imposing incompatible status between companies participating in public bids and mass media is implemented in the sense that it forbids the exercise of dishonest influence on the assigning public authorities," he said.

According to the new bill, incompatibility is not automatically assumed but must be proven in the event of dishonest influence.

"The penalties foreseen in the case of a judicial decision are strict and may reach life imprisonment. The main shareholder is defined by 1%," Roussopoulos said.

The bill will soon be tabled in Parliament, he concluded.

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