Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 08-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis reiterates that reforms will continue

[02] PM Karamanlis' message marks Battle of Crete anniversary

[03] Papandreou-Rasmussen meeting in Athens

[04] Rasmussen addresses PASOK-sponsored event in Athens

[05] Serbian party reaction to Papandreou statement on SI membership

[06] Papandreou statement after voting in PASOK regional bodies elections

[07] PASOK, KKE condemn second lawsuit filed by MIG executive against party leader

[08] Alavanos visits Zoniana village,Crete

[09] Karatzaferis speaks in Alexandroupolis

[10] FM to receive head of Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association, Famagusta Mayor

[11] Gov't aspires to strong local government, interior minister says

[12] Justice minister inaugurates new Court Complex in Trikala

[13] Sarisa 2008 exercise concludes successfully

[14] FinMin on OTE deal

[15] Banks' association: Greek households not facing debt crisis

[16] Nearly completed Acropolis Museum opened to public on Sun.

[17] Education minister on changes to nationwide examinations system

[18] Patriarch of Alexandria in South Africa

[19] Police search for suspect in stabbing death Politics

[01] Karamanlis reiterates that reforms will continue

Speaking only days after the government sealed a deal to transfer the management of the state-run telecoms utility to Deutsche Telekom, the premier also charged, " no one up until now dared to proceed with reforms, ones that benefit the economy, society and citizens."

He underlined that this period is crucial in the wake of skyrocketing oil prices, financial market turbulence in US and the threat of a global food price crisis. " For all the above reasons we must proceed immediately, with determination in order to solve the problems of poverty, unemployment and high cost of living."

The Greek economy, he said, remains strong vis-à-vis international pressure, as certified by the European Union, and " this is the result of the reforms and the changes carried out in our first four-year tenure. Greece does not have the luxury to waste time and funds."

He also said more funding would be funneled to the provinces in order to eradicate disparities.

"The government must adopt a different view, a new concept. We are responsible to the citizens & " Karamanlis concluded.

[02] PM Karamanlis' message marks Battle of Crete anniversary

"The Battle of Crete, one of the most glorious and heroic pages of the World War II, is a source of pride and inspiration for every Greek. It is a resounding example of what can be achieved by a people struggling for their freedom and dignity, even when facing the superior weaponry of a conqueror," Karamanlis said in his message.

He said that Greece in the present day honored the struggle and sacrifices of its forefathers and Allies for a "strong and prospering homeland in a free, peaceful and democratic world."

Karamanlis added that Greece was proceeding with absolute respect to international law and treaties, whereas the Greek people, "united more than ever, are working responsibly so that long-suffering southeastern Europe may finally becomes a neighborhood of security, confidence and mutual respect among the states and peoples of the region."

"Within this framework, Greece firmly supports the Euro-Atlantic prospect of all the countries of the region, under the self-evident condition, however, of full compliance with the values and prerequisites of those institutions ... Having the conviction that the best conferral of honor to the fighters for freedom is the active service of the values and ideals that have throughout the centuries inspired the Greeks, we are moving forward, and meeting the challenges of our generation with responsibility and determination," the premier's message concluded.

[03] Papandreou-Rasmussen meeting in Athens

According to the organizers, the events will mark the 40th anniversary of a leftist students and workers' uprising in Paris in May 1968.

Papandreou and Rasmussen discussed cooperation in the Socialist International (SI) and the European socialist grouping, and in particular, over a declaration prepared by latter ahead of Euro-elections in 2009.

The declaration will contain the main positions and principles of the grouping.

[04] Rasmussen addresses PASOK-sponsored event in Athens

Rasmussen thanked the organisers for the invitation and gave his congratulations for the issue selected, pointing out that today all peoples in Europe feel insecure and are afraid of what the future will bring.

"The PES and PASOK must understand what people have in mind. We have lost elections in Europe and I discern pessimism, but in a one-year's time we have Euro elections and a year is a long time in politics. May 1968 and PASOK's position during dictatorship in Greece remind us of the way changes can be done," said Rasmussen.

Rasmussen noted that in Greece there are reactions from students and wage-earners against the current government's decisions, and this is an opportunity to open dialogue with society in order to pose a new strategic question.

Concluding his speech, he said he does not have a ready solution but expressed his ideas and points, stating that what really matters is "to feel that you are moving in the right direction."

[05] Serbian party reaction to Papandreou statement on SI membership

The deputy leader of Serbia's Socialist Party (SPS), }arko Obradovi , on Saturday said an offer by George Papandreou, the main opposition leader in Greece and president of the Socialist International (SI), to allow SPS' s accession into the international grouping if it participates in a pro-Europe government was not a surprise .

According to a Tanjug wire story, Obradovi said Papandreou should have expressed the same positions a few years earlier , while adding that his party is in favor of Serbia' s course towards the EU, "just as in 1990, but it wants this to occur without Serbia being harmed."

In statements to the BBC's world service (Serbian section), Papandreou was quoted as saying the possibility of the SPS' membership would depend on it expressing a pro-European volition so that necessary procedures for it to meet SI criteria are begun. Papandreou also said the party's direct lineage from the Milosevic era should not rule out future SI membership.

"We must not judge anyone only by the past. We welcome any party that has the will to reform, to share our values and beliefs and wants to look to the future with us," he was quoted as saying.

[06] Papandreou statement after voting in PASOK regional bodies elections

"My duty, and PASOK's duty, is to serve -- and we are serving -- the public interest and truth," PASOK leader George Papandreou said on Sunday, after voting at a ballot set up at the party's local organization office in the Nea Erythrea suburb of Athens.

"We do not arrive at our decisions, or actions, from various interests, as the government does," Papandreou said, adding that the government and everyone else concerned must realize that no such methods will stop PASOK.

"Our strength is the democratic strength of the people," he said, adding that "all those who must give account will do so, very soon".

[07] PASOK, KKE condemn second lawsuit filed by MIG executive against party leader

The libel suit against Papandreou, by Marfin Investment Group (MIG) executive vice-president Andreas Vgenopoulos, comes after a similar lawsuit was filed against Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alexis Tsipras.

Both men, Papandreou and Tsipras, had sharply criticised MIG's decision to sell some 20 percent of Hellenic Telecommunication Organization's (OTE) equity shares to Deutsche Telekom (DT) -- an apparent prelude to DT's assumption of OTE's management following an agreement with the government this past week.

"The lawsuit by the head of MIG against the president of PASOK ... follows a slippery and dangerous path for country's political life and democracy ... The target for those that adopt (such a policy) is clear: to intimidate political leaders, to reshuffle the relationship between politics and the economy and to hold the political system hostage," a PASOK spokesman said.

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also issued a press statement condemning the action.

[08] Alavanos visits Zoniana village,Crete

One police officer was seriously injured in the incident.

Alavanos spoke with local residents and a handful of Polytechnic professors on how to tap into the mountainous area's developmental potential.

The region has been plagued by allegations of wide-spread hashish cultivation and trafficking as well as a reputation of lawlessness.

[09] Karatzaferis speaks in Alexandroupolis

"I have a feeling that we will be target and we will live situations worse than last summer's wildfires. I am worried that very soon we will be called on to take very serious decisions," he said, citing a soaring cost of living, a flagging economy and national issues reaching a conclusion.

Karatzaferis also cited a possibility of early elections.

[10] FM to receive head of Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association, Famagusta Mayor

[11] Gov't aspires to strong local government, interior minister says

He said that the present municipalities could be united into a third their present number, while the number of prefectures should not be many more than the number of the country's administrative regions, which remain at 13, Pavlopoulos said, expressing hope that the relevant draft law would be ready in early autumn, so that it could be voted on by parliament by the end of the year.

Regarding bureaucracy and corruption in the public sector, Pavlopoulos acknowledged that there has been improvement, "but a minister who deals with the problems of everyday life cannot be satisfied".

[12] Justice minister inaugurates new Court Complex in Trikala

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Hatzigakis said the complex was a "model and challenge", from all viewpoints, and "for us at the Justice ministry, to continue with the same determination and speed in the construction of similar court complexes in other cities of Greece".

The new complex will house the Court of First Instance, the First Instance Prosecutor's office, the Minor's service, and the local Bar Association, while it also has five court-rooms, of which four are for criminal trials while the fifth is for administrative trials, while the old court building will house the Justice of the Peace and the Misdemeanors court, and two courtrooms.

Hatzigakis noted that new court complexes would soon be completed on Samos and in Kavala.

He explained that the new court complexes would house, under one roof, all the related services which, until now, were scattered in various buildings, while they would facilitate better performance of the judicial services, lawyers and all sides involved in court cases.

Hatzigakis said that the government was working to upgrade the justice system, stressing that "today, we have a Justice system that is better than its buildings", and praised the "great majority" of the Greek judges and prosecutors, and all others involved in the serving of justice, for performing their duties under hard and adverse conditions.

This acknowledgement was the duty of the State, as was a productive self-criticism that resulted in the creation of modern court complexes containing all the necessary infrastructures in staff and means, the minister said.

He further commended the country's lawyers, acknowledging their work as factors in the serving of justice.

[13] Sarisa 2008 exercise concludes successfully

The large-scale exercise commenced on May 12, with the participation of units of the 2nd Army Corps and Air Force, including aggression helicopters, battle tank formations, weaponry and ground forces, with a total of 3,651 conscripts and officers, 1,043 vehicles, 53 helicopters and 25 Air Force planes taking part.

The target of this year's maneuver was "reclaiming land overtaken by hostile forces".

Plakiotakis praised the battle-readiness and capability of the Armed Forces, as well as the efficiency of their weapons systems, while noting the importance of cooperation among the branches of the Armed Forces.

"At a time when the provocations against security are multi-directional and particularly demanding, further promotion of the inter-branch cooperation is a front-line requirement," Plakiotakis said.

Financial News

[14] FinMin on OTE deal

"If someone has something to say, he should speak with specific arguments," Alogoskoufis said, adding that, "in other words, if the 3 percent (package of shares in OTE) is a 'sell-out', then what is the 66 percent (of the OTE's tock) sold during the PASOK governments?".

Alogoskoufis said the deal reached by the government "ensures substantial investments in the country, to the benefit of the citizens and working people".

The minister futher said that Deutsche Telekom representatives had expressed interest in OTE at the end of 2007 to OTE CEO Panagiotis Vourloumis, whom the government instructed to inform DT that if Marfin Investment Group (MIG) -- which retained a 19-percent interest in the Greek telecoms utility, which it recently sold to DT -- did not "leave the picture", then there could be no discussion with any strategic partner, explaining that DT decided to take the initiative and approach MIG and make its acquisition proposal.

Alogoskoufis said that from here on, steps towards capitalisations (of stock in state-run organisations) would be "more careful", and that the state must not give control, must not lose its majority holdings, in specific large companies, without previously clarifying what the course of those holdings would be in the future.

[15] Banks' association: Greek households not facing debt crisis

Gortsos, speaking within the framework of a two-day event on the issue of national banking systems, also referred to recent press reports claiming up to 100,000 auctions of foreclosed properties in 2007.

"If these numbers were true, then the whole situation would have been beyond control," he said.

He added that according to reliable estimates, auctions in 2007 (for enterprises and private individuals) did not exceed 5,000. He also pledged to release details within the next few days.

Gortsos underlined that the majority of borrowers are paying-off their loans on time, while the number of outstanding loans is falling. Additionally, he stressed that retail borrowing as a percentage of the country's GDP is the second lowest in the EU.

Referring to the international economic crisis, he said it hasn't directly affected Greek banks.

General News

[16] Nearly completed Acropolis Museum opened to public on Sun.

According to figures released on Sunday, 4,000 people visited the museum and more than 5,500 entered the Acropolis-related archaeological sites.

Liapis also announced that the ministry will begin a pilot programme to combine cultural heritage with the modern trends.

"Our goal is to give a new lease of life to the sites and to breed new cultural cells," he said.

Visitors toured the almost completed New Acropolis Museum's courtyard on Sunday, which opened to the public.

[17] Education minister on changes to nationwide examinations system

Regarding the nationwide examinations, he said the government has taken the necessary steps to shield the objectivity and meritocracy of the examinations system, such as expanding the 'incompatibility' clause for educators participating in the grading committees, while it was also periodically replacing the Nationwide Examinations Central Committee.

Regarding change of the examinations system, Stylianidis said Greece could not remain out of the general European trend, which facilitates access to tertiary education.

The ministry was further mulling the establishment of a "preparation year" for university entrance after graduation from Lyceum (12th grade), Stylianidis said, adding, however, that the discussion would begin this year, slated for completion by the end of the government's current term in office, while its implementation would commence beginning with the next governmental term.

The minister further stressed that the greatest possible consensus would be sought so as to avert changes, regardless of which party would be in government at the time of commencement of the new system's implementation.

[18] Patriarch of Alexandria in South Africa

Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II, who is paying an official visit to South Africa, celebrated on Sunday together with the ethnic Greek community the 100th anniversary of the community's founding in Johannesburg, and the 80-year anniversary of the establishment of the foundation of the local Metropolis.

A religious service was held at Aghios (St.) Constantine Cathedral, the first Greek Orthodox Church founded in the South African metropolis.

During his address at a reception in his honor, the Patriarch pointed at the major importance of expatriates' struggle to preserve their heritage, considering the fact they live thousand of miles away from their homeland.

[19] Police search for suspect in stabbing death

The presumed suspect, however, remains at large.

The victim, Manolis Chorefthakis, had left a club in the Cretan port city of Rethymno late Friday with friends only to find himself in an argument with the assailant under unknown circumstances.

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