Αποφάσεις - Ανακοινώσεις — ΦΕΚ A' 99/2001

ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ F

ΤΗΣ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΚΡΑΤΙΑΣ

ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ Αρ. Φύλλου 99 21 Μαΐου 2001 AΠΟΦΑΣΕΙΣ Αριθ. Φ.0544/4/ΑΣ351/Μ.5062 Έγκριση του Πρωτοκόλλου της 7ης Συνόδου της Μικτής Ελληνο -Αλβανικής Διακυβερνητικής Επιτροπής Οικο?νομικής, Βιομηχανικής και Τεχνικο-επιστημονικής Συ?νεργασίας μεταξύ των Κυβερνήσεων της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Δημοκρατίας της Αλβανίας. Αθήνα, 27.10.1999. ΟΙ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΙ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ - ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΩΝ - ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ - ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, ΧΩΡΟΤΑΞΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΩΝ ΕΡΓΩΝ - ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ - ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΩΝ ΑΣΦΑΛΙΣΕΩΝ - ΥΓΕΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΝΟΙΑΣ - ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ - ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΚΟΝΩΝΙΩΝ Έχοντες υπ’ όψη τις διατάξεις: 1) του άρθρου 9 της Συμφωνίας Οικονομικής, Βιομηχα?νικής, Τεχνικής και επιστημονικής Συνεργασίας μεταξύ των Κυβερνήσεων της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας και της Δημοκρατίας της Αλβανίας που υπογράφηκε στα Τίρανα στις 18 Νοεμβρίου 1987, βάσει του οποίου συνιστάται Μι?κτή Επιτροπή με σκοπό την εξασφάλιση της υλοποίησης της Συμφωνίας, η οποία κυρώθηκε με τον υπ’ αριθ. 1973/1991 Νόμο που δημοσιεύθηκε στο υπ’ αριθ. 173 Φύλλο της Εφημερίδος της Κυβερνήσεως τεύχος Α’ της 20.11.1991, 2) του περιεχομένου του υπό έγκριση Πρωτοκόλλου, 3) του άρθρου 29Α του ν. 1558/85 που προστέθηκε με το άρθρο 27 του ν. 2081/92 και τροποποιήθηκε με το άρθρο 1 παρ. 2η του ν. 2469/97, 4) το γεγονός ότι από τις διατάξεις της παρούσας δεν προκαλείται δαπάνη του Κρατικού Προϋπολογισμού, αποφασίζουμε: Εγκρίνουμε ως έχει και στο σύνολό του το Πρωτόκολλο της 7ης Συνόδου της Μικτής Διακυβερνητικής Επιτροπής Ελλάδος - Αλβανίας για οικονομική, βιομηχανική, τεχνικο?επιστημονική συνεργασία που υπογράφηκε στην Αθήνα την 27η Οκτωβρίου 1999 του οποίου το κείμενο σε πρω?τότυπο στην αγγλική γλώσσα και σε μετάφραση στην ελ?ληνική έχει ως εξής : Αθήνα, 12 Μαρτίου 2001 ΟΙ ΥΠΟΥΡΓΟΙ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΑΣ ΕΞΩΤΕΡΙΚΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΝΟΜΙΚΩΝ Γ .Α. ΠΑΠΑΝΔΡΕΟΥ Γ. ΠΑΠΑΝΤΩΝΙΟΥ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ, ΧΩΡΟΤΑΞΙΑΣ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΩΝ ΕΡΓΩΝ Ν. ΧΡΙΣΤΟΔΟΥΛΑΚΗΣ Κ. ΛΑΛΙΩΤΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΩΝ ΓΕΩΡΓΙΑΣ ΑΣΦΑΛΙΣΕΩΝ Γ. ΑΝΩΜΕΡΙΤΗΣ Α. ΓΙΑΝΝΙΤΣΗΣ ΥΓΕΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΝΟΙΑΣ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΟΥ Α. ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ Ε. ΒΕΝΙΖΕΛΟΣ ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΩΝ Χ. ΒΕΡΕΛΗΣ -PROTOCOL of the 7th Session of the Hellenic - Albanian Intergovernmental Joint Committee for Economic, Industrial and Technical - Scientific Cooperation The 7th Session of the Hellenic - Albanian Intergovern?mental Joint Committee for Economic, Industrial and Tech?nical - Scientific Cooperation, was held in Athens, on 25-27 October 1999. The Greek delegation was headed by Mrs. Rodoula Zis?si, Deputy Minister of National Economy of the Hellenic Re?public. The Albanian delegation was headed by Mrs. Ermelinda Meksi, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Trade. The composition of the two official delegations is listed in Annex I to this Protocol. During her stay in Athens Mrs. E. Meksi had meetings with Minister of National Economy, Mr. Yannos Papanto?niou and Minister of Transport and -Telecommunication Mr. A. Mandelis. The works of the Session were held in a cordial and 1817 The two Sides exchanged information on the current economic situation and the development of their national economies, the legal and institutional framework, as well as, the economic policy measures in the two countries, which can facilitate and stimulate the development of the bilateral trade relations and economic cooperation. The two sides agreed on the importance of fostering mutual contacts and reciprocal visits between the repre?sentatives of private and public sectors in the two respec?tive countries, as well as the need of broadening cooper?ation at all levels. Both Sides agreed that the volume of trade, does not rep?resent the real potential of the economies of the two coun?tries. Therefore, both Sides agreed to further encourage bi?lateral contacts in order to achieve more positive results in the expansion of trade and services. The two Sides are interested in developing and diversi?fying trade exchanges taking into account the increased share of the private sector, as well as the importance of the cooperation in the production field. Both sides agreed to make their best efforts towards the facilitation of trade and emphasis was given to the customs rules and procedures to be followed as provided by the E.U. regulations, bilateral agreements and under?takings as described in the cross border facilitation agree?ments within the frame of SECI (South East Cooperation Initiative). The Albanian side expressed its satisfaction to the Hel?lenic side for the soft Loan of GRD 20 billion the Greek Gov?ernment has granted to the Albanian Government, to over?pass the economic situation that was created by the crisis of 1997. From this amount, GRD 2 billion has been offered as a grant by the Greek Government. For the remaining amount which will be offered as a Loan, the relevant Proto?col was signed in Tirana, on October 15, 1997. The amount of GRD 18 billion will be used as follows: • GRD 3 billion, in order to face problems of macroeco?nomic character and more specifically to support the Bal?ance of Payment of Albania • GRD 5 billion for social infrastructure programs • GRD 5 billion for housing programs • GRD 5 billion for private sector support, with priority to those of the Greek. Greek-Albanian and Albanian interests enterprises that suffered damages during the riots of 1997 in Albania, and wish to continue their activity and oper?ations there. Both Sides expressed their satisfaction for the imple?mentation of the first part of the program for support the private sector amounting to 550 mil. GRD. The two sides agreed to proceed to the immediate es?tablishment of the Greek - Albanian Surveillance Com?mittee as it is referred in the loan Agreement of the 5 bil. GRD concerning the Housing Program. The first meeting of this Committee will be held by 20th of November 1999. In addition the parties agreed that the Joint Committee for the Greek loan will meet until the end of the year 1999, to evaluate the propose of the Housing Programmed based on Surveillance Committee Report. They also agreed on the necessity to proceed negoti?ations with an effort that the signing of all relative loan agreements for the implementation of the Social Infras?tructure program, be completed by the end of the year. Also, reference was made to the Albanian debt towards Greece concerning the credit line, which amounts to USD 23,4 million. They decided that the issue will be settled through meetings of representatives from the Greek and Albanian Governments. The outstanding debt to Greek companies concerning Greek products exported in 1990 and 1991 to state owned Albanian companies, have been discussed. Both Sides agreed to organize a meeting during the beginning of November, 1999 between the representatives of the Pan?hellenic Exporters Association and the representatives of the relevant Albanian Authorities n Order to determine the amount of the final overdue debt and to proceeo^to its settlement. The Albanian side has repeatedly confirmed the exis?tence of the debt -balance from the banking arrangemen?ts (Inter- Bank Agreement of 19/11/87) between the former State Bank of Albania and the Bank of Greece. The two . sides agreed on the necessity of a meeting between experts of the two countries for the determination of the fi?nal debt. Regarding the debt of ALBANIA TELECOM to the Hel?lenic Telecom Organization S.A., for the amount of USD 4.743.402,24 the two sides agreed to submit proposals as soon as possible in order to discuss the way of payment debt. As far as the Albanian privatization program is concerned Greek side . pointed out that this program is of great inter?est for Greece. To this end the Greek side asked the Alba?nian to provide continuously the relevant information. Both sides agreed that the improvement of infrastruc?tures (transport, communications, banking e.t.c.) as well as social stability and proper application of laws and bilat?eral agreements regarding the protection of foreign invest?ments will create a positive climate for increase of Greek in?vestments in Albania. The Greek side also asked the Albanian side to eliminate taxes applied to the imports of industrial and other equip?ment which is part of the Greek contribution to various in?vestment projects. The Albanian Side informed that within the framework of the agreements signed for the accession of the Albania in WTO the tariff ceilings reduced from 40% to max 20% and in the medium term they will be reduced again. In the frame of the 7th Interministerial Committee be?tween Greece and Albania, has been proposed by HEPO, Hellexpo and DIPEK from the Greek side to cooperate with respective organizations from Albania in order to develop actions enhancing further the commercial and economic relations between Greek and Albanian businessmen. Specific actions will be discussed in further meetings of the working groups which will be set up until the end of 1999. 1818 ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ (ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ) promotes coordinated actions aiming to closing the gaps in the development of the areas at the two sides of the bor?der. The Hellenic side reiterated its support to the Albanian side regarding the tightening of the relations of the latter with the European Union while the Albanian side ex?pressed its deep satisfaction for the Hellenic assistance to this -aim. : The Hellenic side noted that the harmonization of the Greek Program of bilateral development cooperation for Albania with the PHARE and PHARE CBC Programs is among its priorities, in order to achieve maximization of the benefits derived from them. In this context, the Hellenic side shall finance the con?struction of the border station of Konispol which was ini?tially a PHARE CBC project, while the PHARE CBC funds initially allocated to Konispol will be transferred to the bor?der station of Triurat in order to cover the shortfall incurred there after the tendering. Regarding the project of the Tri Urat / Mertzani bridge which is financed by Greece, the Greek Side stated that it is ready to launch the call for tender upon written confir?mation of the Albanian Side on the proposed exact location of the bridge and the permissions asked for the trans?portation of equipment on the construction site etc. The Al?banian Side agreed to reply in writing the soonest , possi?ble so that the Greek Side could proceed to the implemen?tation of the project. Census Regarding the census to be carried out in Albania soon, Greece has undertaken to provide both in cash and in kind an amount equivalent to 1 million EURO, aimed for the suc?cessful implementation of the census program in Albania, together with PHARE and other international donors. The Hellenic side referred to other international develop?ment assistance programs for Albania and more specifi?cally to the program of budget support of Albania which was organized in 1999 jointly by the European Union and the World Bank under which Greece pledged to contribute the amount of US$ 1.5 million. This amount will be trans?ferred to Albania within the next month. Regarding the cooperation between Greece and Albania under the Development Assistance Program of Greece the Hellenic side said that the Ministry of National Economy will finance a program of Technical Assistance for Albania which aims at the institutional strengthening and develop?ment of important line Ministries as well as the private sec?tor of Albania through governmental organizations and NGOs. The total budget of the program will total 900 000 EURO and it will be open to Greek as well as Albanian in?terested parties. Transport Regarding the cooperation in the transport sector, the two sides re affirmed their willingness to co operate more closely with a view to developing the transport infrastruc?ture of Albania in regions where shortfalls or no financing at all has been secured. In this respect, they mentioned the following projects that may be implemented with financing from the Greek bilateral development assistance program which could subsequently receive co financing either from PHARE or from other IFIs (International Financing In?stitutions): a. Feasibility study and detailed design study including tender documents for the section of Tepelena / Fier. b. Detailed design study including tender documents for the road section Sayada / Konispol / Sarande. c. Detailed design study including the tender documen?ts for the missing link of the bypass of Girokaster. d. Feasibility study and detailed design study including the tender documents of the section Girokaster / Sarande. e. Study of the alternative road network solutions for the Sarande region. f. Detailed design study including the tender documents for the section Pogradec / Qafe Thane. The Greek side in response to an Albanian request said that the above projects could very well be associated with the provision of technical assistance that may take the form of workshops, seminars, or any other training activities in the field of transport and highway engineering, supervision of construction works, preparation of tender documents, tendering procedures etc. They confirmed the high level of expertise and know how available in Greece which could be transferred to the Albanian side. Furthermore, Greece, based on requests made by the Al?banian Government, shall finance small infrastructure pro?jects for the development of the South / West Albania. These projects are related with asphalt surfacing of roads, construction of small road bridges and irrigation system projects. Health The two Sides discussed the creation, in Albania, of an artificial kidney Unit to be financed by the Greek side, in re?sponse to an Albanian request. Minister of National Economy, Mr Yannos Papantoniou, during his meeting with Mrs Ermelinda Meksi, Minister for Economic Cooperation and Trade of Albania, confirmed the willingness of the Greek side to finance the creation of the said Unit. Housing In order to facilitate the implementation of the loan on housing, the Albanian side requested to the Greek Side the granting technical assistance in the form of workshops, seminars and other training activities. The Albanian side noted the high level of expertise available in Greece in this sector. They said that this expertise is available in Greek Universities or in Greek consulting firms and can be used to transfer their know how and expertise to the staff of National Housing Agency of Albania in an efficient and ef?fective way. The Greek side said that in cooperation with NHA of Albania shall draft the ToR of this cooperation and will inform the Albanian side accordingly as soon as possi?ble. Cooperation in the Field of Health Both parties agreed to support and encourage the activ?ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ (ΤΕΥΧΟΣ ΠΡΩΤΟ) 1819 Tourism As far as Greek investments in Albania are concerned, they agreed to support the cooperation as much as possi?ble in fields of common interest. Both sides noted with satisfaction the investments that have taken place in Albania by the Greek side, either as Greek or Greek - Albanian enterprises in the sectors of con?struction, energy, tobacco industry, textiles, shoes and food industry as well as metallurgical industry. The Albanian side expressed its satisfaction for the Greek investors present in Albania. It is estimated that more than 200 private enterprises are active in Albania cur?rently, whereas the invested Greek capital amounts to more than USD 100 million. Greece is the second investor in the country. Both Sides recognized with pleasure the increase in commercial exchange rates between the two sessions by 50%. Both Sides agreed to co-operate through the competent institutions and materialize it through the signing up of the Protocol of Co-operation for the exchange of information, the promotion of exports and investments. Both parties ex?pressed their willingness to organize mutual promotional activities for the investments and commercial exchange between the two countries. The Albanian side thanked the Greek side for its willing?ness to grant Albania access to a global information on the commercial exchange between the two countries during