|
|
|
The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 99-10-07
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] TURKEY GRANTED EU CANDIDATE STATUS
[02] PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
[03] EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES ANNOUNCED
[04] GOVERNMENT WILL COMPLETE 4-YEAR TERM
[05] PREFABRICATED HOMES FOR TENT FAMILIES
[06] PUPILS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST EDUCATION REFORM
[07] STOCK EXCHANGE REPORT
[01] TURKEY GRANTED EU CANDIDATE STATUS
The European Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution approving
Turkey's status as a prospective member of the European Union. The
resolution was passed by 259 votes in favour and 187 against, with 84
abstentions. With the exception of one who voted against and one who
abstained, all PASOK Euro-deputies voted in favour of the resolution.
The Euro-deputies of all the other Greek parties voted against it. The
resolution calls on Ankara to cooperate fully with Athens in
establishing good neighbourly relations and to contribute to resolving
the Cyprus dispute. Meanwhile the Turkish prime minister, Bulent
Ecevit, has stated that Turkey has no territorial claims against Greece
and asked that the two countries be left alone to resolve their
differences.
[02] PRIME MINISTER MEETS WITH FOREIGN MINISTER
Greek-Turkish relations and the course towards a Cyprus settlement were
discussed at yesterday's meeting between the prime minister, Kostas
Simitis, and the foreign minister, Giorgos Papandreou. Mr Papandreou
briefed the prime minister on the outcome of his trip to
Constantinople, his contacts with the Turkish foreign minister, Ismail
Cem, and the latest developments concerning Turkey's relations with the
European Union.
[03] EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMMES ANNOUNCED
After his meeting with the prime minister yesterday, the employment
minister, Miltiadis Papaioannou, announced that new programmes aimed at
combatting unemployment were to be put into effect immediately. He said
the government aimed to create 200,000 new jobs by the year 2000.
[04] GOVERNMENT WILL COMPLETE 4-YEAR TERM
Speaking after his meeting with the prime minister yesterday at which
the course of PASOK was discussed, the national defence minister, Akis
Tsohadzopoulos, said the government's goal was to complete its 4-year
term in office. Other issues related to the upgrading of Greece's role
in the Balkans and the Middle East were also discussed.
[05] PREFABRICATED HOMES FOR TENT FAMILIES
The environment minister, Kostas Laliotis, said yesterday that by 15th
November 4,000 prefabricated homes will have been erected in organised
settlements for people living in tents after being left homeless by
last month's earthquake in Attica. This weekend a census will be drawn
up of individuals, households and businesses hit by the earthquake. The
task is expected to be completed within three days. The president of
the New Democracy party, Kostas Karamanlis, and the Coalition leader,
Nikos Konstantopoulos, yesterday visited the camps in the Thriassic
Plain and at Kamatero, in Menidi.
[06] PUPILS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST EDUCATION REFORM
Schoolchildren calling for an end to the government's education reform
measures staged demonstrations in the streets of Athens and other major
cities yesterday. The education minister, Gerasimos Arsenis, said the
mobilisation was politically instigated, while the government
spokesman, Dimitris Repas, commented that construction workers and
seamen had joined in the demonstrations alongside the schoolchildren.
[07] STOCK EXCHANGE REPORT
The general share price index on the Athens Stock Exchange went up by
1.01% yesterday to close at 5,884.05 points.
|
