Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 2000-05-04
MACEDONIAN PRESS AGENCY NEWS IN ENGLISH
Thessaloniki, May 4, 2000
SECTIONS
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NEWS HEADLINES
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE TO ENTER EMU WITH NO "ANDs, IFs OR BUTs"
[02] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" OPENS TOMORROW
[03] PRESIDENT OF SOLVAKIA TO VISIT GREECE ON MAY 8
[04] GREEK COMPANIES STRONG ON FT500 GLOBAL SURVEY
[05] STATE MAPS OUT NEXT MOVES IN LIGHT OF EMU
[06] THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ON TERRORISM WILL NOT CHANGE
[07] MR. PAPANDREOU EXPRESSED SATISFACTION OVER THE RETURN OF A
BABY-BOY TO HIS PARENTS
[08] THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN GREECE WILL BE ORGANIZED IN A PERFECT
WAY
[09] KAKLAMANAKIS RANKS SECOND IN THE WORLD
[10] LOSSES OF 0.52% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
[11] THE BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION AND THE 7TH THESSALONIKI FORUM
[12] REPPAS' RESPONSE TO THE ECEVIT STATEMENTS
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] BRITISH ENVOY ARRIVES IN CYPRUS TODAY
[14] US STATE SECRETARY CALLS INVESTORS TO BALKANS
[15] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS UNDERGOES OPERATION
[16] BTC SALE TO OTE/KPN EXPECTED TO BE FINALIZED SOON
[17] GREEK, TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS GET TOGETHER
[18] TURKISH PM OPTIMISTIC OVER TIES WITH GREECE
[19] GREEK FM DISCUSSES CYPRUS WITH ALFRED MOSES
[20] GREECE FIRST AMONG NEW MEMBERS OF UN'S ECOSOC
[21] THE EURO-ZONE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 9.4% IN MARCH
[22] GREECE IS THE SIXTH LARGEST INVESTOR IN ROMANIA
NEWS IN DETAIL
[A] NATIONAL NEWS
[01] GREECE TO ENTER EMU WITH NO "ANDs, IFs OR BUTs"
The European Commission has recommended Greece's accession to
the Economic and Monetary Union, the 12th member to enter the
"euro-zone", following positive assessment reports submitted by
the EU Commission and the European Central Bank.
The EU Commissioner for economic and monetary affairs Pedro
Solbes, presented the Commission's assessment report on the Greek
economy to the European Parliament's relevant committee yesterday
and stated that the Greek economy has made great progress, while
he underlined since Greece now fulfilled all EMU convergence
criteria, membership should begin by January 1, 2001.
In a subsequent press conference, National Economy and
Finance Minister Yiannos Papantoniou stated that he was "very
satisfied" with the European Commission's recommendation and
stressed that the Commission's report includes no calls for
structural changes.
He stressed that Greece was entering EMU on its own merits,
fulfilling all convergence criteria, with the inflation rate in
March at 2.0 percent, down from a criterion of 2.4 percent; the
fiscal deficit at 1.6 percent of GDP, compared with a criterion of
3.0 percent; and long-term interest rates at 6.4 percent, against
a criterion of 7.2.
[02] THESSALONIKI'S GRAPHIS 2000" OPENS TOMORROW
Four thousand retailers are expected to visit the 8th
"Graphis 2000" exhibition of office supplies, books and toys, to
be held at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair between May 5-8.
About 100 companies will be taking part in the exhibition,
which will be held on a 3,000 sq. meter area, especially from the
Balkan region and Southeastern Europe.
The "Helexpo" organizers of the exhibition have received
requests for details from as far as Ukraine, India and Cameroon
while a delegation of Russian business agents is expected to
arrive, their visit organized by Greece's Bureau of Economic and
Trade Affairs in Moscow.
The exhibition will run between 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the
first day, 11 a.m. to 9p.m. during the weekend, and 11 a.m. to 5
p.m. on Monday.
The National Book Center will hold an event on the
modernization of bookstores on Sunday, within the framework of the
exhibition.
[03] PRESIDENT OF SOLVAKIA TO VISIT GREECE ON MAY 8
The President of the Republic of Slovakia, Rudolf Schuster is
to arrive in Athens on May 8 for a two-day official visit,
following an invitation from his Greek counterpart Costis
Stephanopoulos.
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou is to travel to
the Azores on Saturday for an informal two-day meeting of European
Union foreign ministers.
Mr. Papandreou is expected to table an initiative by the
Greek government in dealing with the current issues in the
Balkans.
[04] GREEK COMPANIES STRONG ON FT500 GLOBAL SURVEY
Greek firms are making a strong appearance on the Financial
Times' 500 Global Survey of the world's largest companies, which
is probably the most comprehensive guide to corporate rankings
published anywhere in the world.
Fourteen Greek firms are on the said list, eight of which are
newcomers, while the "old timers" have significantly improved
their ranking.
Greece's Telecommunications Organization (OTE) is top among
the Greek firms (138th), followed by the National Bank of Greece
(157th), Alpha Credit Bank (224th) and Panafon (234th).
Earning a rank among the FT500 Global Survey is no easy feat
as the list reflects the stock market's perception of a company's
prospects, encapsulated in its share price, as opposed to other
tables which tend to focus on sales as a measure of importance.
[05] STATE MAPS OUT NEXT MOVES IN LIGHT OF EMU
The policy to be followed by the Greek government and the
Bank of Greece is in accordance with the European Commission's
recommendations, according to the B of G's governor Lukas
Papademos, who added that the ultimate aim is the Greek economy'
complete convergence.
In light of the country's accession to the Economic and
Monetary Union, the government will make structural and
institutional changes and provide an improved regulations
framework, especially in the fields of energy and
telecommunications.
In order to successfully implement the aforementioned
measures, the government will expedite the privatization of 15
state-owned enterprises.
Finally, the government will "open" "closed-shop professions"
by abolishing the special licensing needed for some jobs.
[06] THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK ON TERRORISM WILL NOT CHANGE
Greek minister of public order Michalis Chrisochoidis
responded negatively to the US demands to change the existing
legislative framework on terrorism rejecting this way the
allegations made against Greece in the annual US State Department
report.
Mr. Chrisochoidis in an interview with the Athens newspaper
"TO VIMA" makes it clear that the Greek government does not intent
to change the existing legislative framework on terrorism and
states that the agreement with the United States will be a simple
protocol of cooperation and therefore, no "Task Force" will be
established, while he also clarifies that the anti-terrorist
agency will not become "autonomous" and will be directly under the
authority of the minister of public order while it will operate
under the Greek Police.
He also revealed that the United States have not requested
formally the DNA of a "17 November" terrorist organization member
which had been traced after the attack against the German
ambassador's residence in Athens. At the same time, Mr.
Chrisochoidis rejected the views expressed by US officials who
maintain that there is a lack of political will to counter
terrorism underlining characteristically that "the Greeks are not
suicidal".
[07] MR. PAPANDREOU EXPRESSED SATISFACTION OVER THE RETURN OF A
BABY-BOY TO HIS PARENTS
Greek foreign minister Giorgos Papandreou expressed
satisfaction over the fact that the 20month old baby-boy, that was
held by his Egyptian grandfather, was returned to his parents, his
Greek father and his Egyptian mother.
The foreign minister, who was in constant contact with the
Egyptian authorities in order to find a solution to the problem,
expressed satisfaction over the fact that the boy was back with
his parents and added that coordinated efforts had been made to
solve that problem in the best possible way, stressing that he is
happy to know that the family was reunited again.
[08] THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN GREECE WILL BE ORGANIZED IN A PERFECT
WAY
Undersecretary of sports Giorgos Floridis in statement he
made after the meeting he had with prime minister Kostas Simitis
in Athens today expressed the belief that Greece will manage to
organize the 2004 Olympic Games in a perfect way.
When asked to comment on the statements made by International
Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch, Mr. Floridis
responded that they must be taken under serious consideration but
he pointed out that the delays observed are not that important.
Mr. Floridis also added that a better coordination of the
institutions involved in the organizing of the Olympic Games is
necessary.
Meanwhile, Greek culture minister Thedoros Pangalos will meet
in Brussels this afternoon with the International Olympic
Committee coordinator and the meeting is expected with great
interest after the recent warning issued by the IOC.
The culture minister tomorrow will go to Paris for a meeting
with the general director of UNESCO and his French counterpart.
[09] KAKLAMANAKIS RANKS SECOND IN THE WORLD
Greece's golden Olympic champion Nikos Kaklamanakis ranks
second in the world in the "mistral" category, according to an
announcement made by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
The Greek champion, who won the gold medal in wind-surfing in the
Atlanta Olympic Games, is just 11 points behind Australian Lars
Klepich, who ranks first in the world. Specifically, Kaklamanakis
has 5.347 points and Klepich 5.358.
The Greek women's team in the "470" boat category is second
in the world listings. Emilia Tsoulfa and Sofia Bekatorou have
4.562 points following the Taran-Paholik Ukrainian crew with 4.748
points.
[10] LOSSES OF 0.52% IN THE ATHENS STOCK EXCHANGE
The Athens Stock Exchange had losses of 0.52% today and the
main characteristic of the session was the small purchasing
interest that led the general index to 4.358,26 points, while the
volume of transactions was at 73.5 billion drachmas.
Of the stocks trading today 121 had gains and 206 had losses.
[11] THE BALKAN RECONSTRUCTION AND THE 7TH THESSALONIKI FORUM
The 7th Thessaloniki Forum opens on Monday with the
participation of 9 Balkan government ministers and Stability Pact
coordinator Bodo Hobach. The forum is organized by the Industries
Association in Northern Greece and the US-Hellenic Chamber of
Commerce in cooperation with the Organization for the
Reconstruction of the Balkans.
The Forum this time will deal with the reconstruction of
south-eastern Europe and is possible to be attended by minister of
national economy Yiannos Papantoniou, foreign minister Giorgos
Papandreou and US ambassador Nicholas Burns.
The proceedings of the two-day forum will be attended by
FYROM government vice-president Vasil Topurkowski and 200 foreign
delegates among them, four government undersecretaries and tens of
businessmen and representatives of international organizations
such as the World Bank, the European Bank of Investments and the
SECI initiative.
[12] REPPAS' RESPONSE TO THE ECEVIT STATEMENTS
Bad services to the Greek-Turkish relations are offered by
anyone who makes such statements, said Greek government spokesman
Dimitris Reppas, commenting on the statements made by Turkish
prime minister Bulent Ecevit, who raised an issue over the Aegean.
Mr. Reppas stressed that the scenery in the Greek-Turkish
relations is clear and pointed out that Ankara should not make
attempts to make it foggy. Responding to Mr. Ecevit, he said that
the only issue existing between the two countries is the legal
issue of the continental shelf in the Aegean that can be settled
by the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
The Greek government spokesman called on Turkey to respect
the commitments it has undertaken in Helsinki, stating that it
must prove in practice that it wants to be on an equal basis with
the European Union member-states. On the Cyprus problem, Mr.
Reppas said that it will be handled within the framework of the
United Nations.
[B] INTERNATIONAL NEWS
[13] BRITISH ENVOY ARRIVES IN CYPRUS TODAY
British envoy Sir David Hannay is to arrive in Cyprus today,
where he will meet with Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and,
separately, with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. The visit
comes in advance of the forthcoming third round of the UN-
sponsored "proximity talks."
The United Nations special advisor for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto
will arrive on May 8, when he is scheduled to have meetings with
the President and the Turkish Cypriot leader.
[14] US STATE SECRETARY CALLS INVESTORS TO BALKANS
US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright urged private
investors to support the efforts of the United States and European
governments to bring political stability to the Balkans through
economic development.
Addressing a conference organized by the East-West Institute
on the theme "the new geopolitics in southeast Europe and the
climate for investment", Ms. Albright described the Stability
Pact with Balkan countries as "a two-way bargain" rather than a
one-way street, and said "the region has agreed to do all it can
to create the economic, political and security conditions that
will make development possible and private investment rewarding."
Moreover, she praised the foreign ministers of Greece and
Turkey, George Papandreou and Ismael Cem respectively, "for aiding
development, promoting investment, and helping to turn the Balkans
problem into the Southeast European opportunity."
Mr. Papandreou referred to the increasing trade between
Greece and Turkey, which is anticipated to reach five billion
dollars by 2005, while he also pointed to the nine agreements
already signed between the two neighbors.
Also, the Greek FM stated that Greek-Turkish joint ventures
provide the opportunity for foreign participation, such as the
recent $150 energy project in Northern Greece which features the
involvement of Greece, Turkey, the United States and Russia.
Referring to regional security, Mr. Papandreou referred to
the establishment of a multi-national force in S.E Europe, with
its headquarters in Plovdiv.
[15] PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS UNDERGOES OPERATION
The President of the Republic of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides is
to undergo an intestinal operation tomorrow, which may lead to the
postponement of the third round of U.N.-sponsored talks in New
York on May 23.
According to Cypriot government reports, the operation, to
remove a polyps, will take place tomorrow and the President will
be off duty for the next two weeks.
A series of meetings with foreign envoys before have been
canceled.
According to Cypriot press reports, the proximity talks
between President Clerides and Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf
Denktash, may have to be canceled as well, depending on the
former's post-operation progress.
[16] BTC SALE TO OTE/KPN EXPECTED TO BE FINALIZED SOON
Within the next two months, Bulgaria's parliament is expected
to ratify the amendments pertaining to telecommunications,
privatizations and social orders laws as required for the sale of
the country's telecommunications organization (BTK) to the Greek-
Dutch consortium OTE-KPN.
In March, the consortium raised its offer for the majority
stake to $600 million from $510 million, saying that was its final
offer. In return, it demanded guarantees and legal changes.
Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications Secretary-
General Grozdan Karadjov stated that the contract's technical
preparations are expected to be finished with in about 30-40 days,
and then the deal will be approved.
Under the latest version of the deal, Bulgaria will get $460
million up front as payment, with a further $20 million set aside
to cover a possible account deficit in BTC for 1999.
The consortium will pay another $120 million if Parliament
amends the privatization and telecommunications laws to enable the
government by July 1 to license OTE/KPN to run BTC and a second
cell phone operator.
[17] GREEK, TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS GET TOGETHER
Students from the University of Athens and Turkey's Middle
Eastern Technical University met in Ankara within the framework of
efforts to develop friendship and cooperation between the two
schools.
A group of 25 students from the Athens U, were invited by the
Turkish university to attend a soiree of Greek-Turkish friendship
at the Culture Hall of the Middle Eastern Technical University.
The event also featured traditional folk dances from both
countries.
[18] TURKISH PM OPTIMISTIC OVER TIES WITH GREECE
Turkish Premier Bulent Ecevit said on Wednesday that he is
hopeful about the Aegean issue, albeit stressing that Turkey
should continue to be cautious.
In a meeting with the Chairman of the Executive Board of the
Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ecevit stated that dialogue between
Turkey and Greece is very pleasing, adding that the whole world is
interested in the developments between the two countries.
He further emphasized that the two neighbors have recorded
some concrete steps for cooperation in economy, social and
cultural life, and education and several agreements have been
signed.
Nevertheless, he added, "the two countries have not taken a
step in the Aegean issue, which s the most sensitive issue between
two countries.
"The Aegean issue has many dimensions like the continental
shelf, territorial waters, some other rights regarding the sea,
security problem, and the disarmament of the islands. These are
all sensitive issues. Greece has not taken a step which will raise
the hopes for discussing these issues by a peaceful dialogue," he
stated and added "we should ensure these issues remain on the
agenda because they have vital importance.
"Most of the coastal countries solved their problems like the
sea and air zone, through dialogue rather than courts."
Regarding Cyprus, the Turkish Premier stated that the
problem should be considered as different from the Aegean issue,
adding that there are two separate nations on the island.
According to Mr. Ecevit, a solution can be reached on the
island through dialogue between these two nations.
[19] GREEK FM DISCUSSES CYPRUS WITH ALFRED MOSES
The US presidential envoy to Cyprus Alfred Moses believe that
Turkey, too, is committed to discovering a solution to the
protracted Cyprus issue, as he stated following a meeting with
Greece's Foreign Minister George Papandreou.
According to Mr. Moses, US President Bill Clinton "remains
committed to the process and awaits for the talks to be directed
towards a comprehensive resolution which constitutes the State
Department's priority."
In turn, Mr. Papandreou stated "we are particularly
interested in utilizing the present climate and the new
opportunites, given Turkey's status as a candidate for accession
to the European Union, as well as Cyprus's accession course, and
to examine ways we can take advantage of this so that a solution
will soon be found for the Cyprus issue."
Regarding the third round of proximity talks, in light of
Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides' imminent operation, political
circles in Washington believe that the talks will take place, even
if a postponement is necessary.
[20] GREECE FIRST AMONG NEW MEMBERS OF UN'S ECOSOC
Garnering the most votes, Greece ranked first in the race for
the appointment of new members at the Statistical Agency of the
United Nations' Economic and Social Council.
With 42 votes, equaling France's, Greece topped the new
members' list, followed by Great Britain (39), The Netherlands was
not able to elect its representative due to insufficient votes
(29).
Greece's five-year term is to get underway in 2001 and will be
represented by the Secretary General of Greece's National
Statistical Service, Nikos Karavites.
ECOSOC processes all the indices applied in the UN's
international conference and which gauge the enforcement of UN
resolutions.
[21] THE EURO-ZONE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 9.4% IN MARCH
The unemployment rate in the Euro-zone countries in the month
of March dropped to 9.4%, while the average in all EU member
states was at 8.7%, according to data provided by the European
Statistics Agency, Eurostat.
The unemployment rate in the month of February in the Euro-
zone was 9.5%, while the EU member states average was 8.8%.
[22] GREECE IS THE SIXTH LARGEST INVESTOR IN ROMANIA
Just 620 of the 1.767 registered Greek companies in Romania
are still in operation, according to the Economic and Trade
Affairs Office of the Greek embassy in Bucharest.
However, on January 31, 2000 Greece had been placed sixth
among the foreign investors in Romania with a total invested
capital of US$472.5 million.
Of the above invested capital, US$119.5 million represent
direct investments, while the rest US$353 million concern the
buyouts of Romanian companies through the Romanian State Ownership
Fund-FPS, stated Economic and Trade Affairs Office adviser Ioanna
Sotirakou-Yiannarou. In the second category of investments belongs
the buyout of 35% of the Romanian Telecommunications Organization
ROMTELECOM by the Greek Telecommunications Organization, OTE.
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