THIS WEEK
MONDAY UN envoy for Cyprus Alvaro de Soto will hold separate talks with President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. Talks are held in advance of tomorrow’s meeting between Clerides and Denktash. Farmers protesting cotton prices are to begin parking their tractors in central parts of cities and towns, until nationwide protest rallies on December 10. Representatives of disabled people are to stage demonstrations outside the ministries of labor and health this morning and a protest rally and march from Kanningos Square to Parliament at 5 p.m. The general secretary of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Aleka Papariga, travels to Cuba for the 10th «Forum of Sao Paolo» that will be held in the country until Friday. Labor Minister Dimitris Reppas is to attend the meeting of EU labor ministers in Brussels. Unemployment, the revision of tax systems and pensions, and the modernization of the labor market will top the agenda. European MPs of the ruling PASOK party organize a conference on «Reform of Social Security Systems and Sexual Equality.» At Zappeion Hall. Minesweepers of NATO’s Mine Countermeasures Force Southeastern Europe arrive at Souda Bay in western Crete. They will remain in port until Friday. Deputy Public Works Minister Rodoula Zissi travels to Bonn for the «International Conference on Drinkable Water.» The Navy General Staff launch a euro-briefing campaign across 52 Greek islands in view of the transition to the euro. To December 20. The Embassy of the Czech Republic organizes an exhibition of the Moser Collection of Bohemian glass, Czech garnets and jewelry. At the Czech Embassy, 6 Georgiou Seferi, Palaio Psychico. For further details, call 671.9701, 671.3755. TUESDAY Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides holds face-to-face talks in Nicosia with Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash in the presence of UN envoy Alvaro de Soto. US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives in Turkey to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Ismail Cem, and Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit. Talks will focus on the war in Afghanistan, the Cyprus issue, and EU’s nascent rapid reaction force. Prime Minister Costas Simitis to attend a luncheon at the Foreign Press Association. The Public Power Corporation (PPC) starts public subscriptions to list its shares on the Athens Stock Exchange. To Friday. The Council of State is to rule on a presidential decree by which technical colleges (TEI) would be conferred university status. The Stoa tou Vivliou hosts the presentation of PASOK MP Theodoros Pangalos’s book entitled «Globalization and the Left: The New-Liberal Force and the new Role of the Left.» Synaspismos Left Coalition MP Michalis Papayiannakis will speak. WEDNESDAY The municipalities of Athens and Piraeus, in cooperation with the Athens 2004 organizing committee and volunteer organizations, hold an event in light of International Volunteer Day. Athens 2004 President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, Deputy Education Minister Eleni Kourkoula and athletes Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou to attend. At the Peace and Friendship Stadium. THURSDAY Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in Athens on an official visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Costas Simitis, President Costis Stephanopoulos and top government officials. To Saturday. Justice Minister Philippos Petsalnikos travels to Brussels for a meeting of EU justice ministers. Talks will focus on new measures to be taken against international terrorism. The Federation of Northern Greek Industries (SEVE) and the Netherlands Embassy in Athens hold the first Greek-Netherlands conference on «Greek Agriculture- Proposals for Development.» At Thermi, in Thessaloniki. To Friday. FRIDAY Farmers in Larissa hold a protest rally against tobacco subsidy cuts and low cotton prices. SATURDAY Prime Minister Costas Simitis travels to Germany. To December 12. Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios travels to Thessaloniki to attend the 4th World Meeting of the Council for Greeks Abroad (SAE). SUNDAY Athens Chamber of Industry & Commerce to elect its new board. To December 11.
