Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-02-14

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Govt announces 3.6 pct rise in wages, 4.0 pct in pensions

[02] Greece firmly condemns assassination of Lebanese former premier

[03] Minos Kyriakou new HOC president

[04] International Center for Hellenic Culture and Vocational Training to be inaugurated Sunday

[01] Govt announces 3.6 pct rise in wages, 4.0 pct in pensions

Presenting the government incomes policy for the year, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said that all wage and pension pay increases would be offered from March.

Alogoskoufis said that the policy for the year 2005 was based on last year's inflation rate (2.9 pct). The Greek minister said that civil servants base wage would be increased by 3.6 percent, a family benefit for a third child would be raised from 35 to 47 euros (an increase of 34 percent), pension payments would be raised by 4.0 percent, while pension pay rises to farmers and the supplementary pension pay would rise by 6.0 percent.

Alogoskoufis said that low wage and pension earners would see their incomes raise indirectly by 1.0 percent at least through a series of tax relief measures, such as raising the tax-exempt income to 11,000 euros from 10,000 euros annually.

[02] Greece firmly condemns assassination of Lebanese former premier

''We denounce in the most intense manner the assassination today of former prime minister of Lebanon Rafik al-Hariri in a bomb explosion in the centre of Beirut, an explosion which also caused the death of another nine citizens and left many injured. We express our sincere condolences to the victims' families,'' Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos said in press release.

''We firmly condemn such abhorrent acts which could worsen the already charged climate prevailing in the sensitive Middle East region,'' Koumoutsakos concluded.

[03] Minos Kyriakou new HOC president

Greek businessman Minos Kyriakou was elected as the new President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) on Monday. Kyriakou, who was the sole candidate for the post, received 23 votes in favour, two blank votes and one invalid.

He will be succeeding Lambis Nikolaou, who served as HOC President from 1985-1993 and from 1997 until 2005.

"I congratulate the new President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr. [Minos] Kyriakou, to whom I wish success, as well as to all those who were elected," Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos told the Athens News Agency on Monday, following the election of the HOC management.

"I am certain that a new era is beginning for the Hellenic Olympic Committee," Orfanos added.

[04] International Center for Hellenic Culture and Vocational Training to be inaugurated Sunday

The Center aims to serve as a bridge between Greece and Greeks living abroad. It will operate as an autonomous guest house and will host 130 people.

The Center, which is comprised of two buildings covering a total area of 4,500 square meters, was designed by Alexandros Dovas. It is complete with teaching rooms, laboratories, space for cultural events and a theater.

According to the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, the objectives of the Center include supporting the teaching of the Greek language to foreigners, promoting Greek-European culture and the understanding of local traditions, supporting cultural activities, training young people in professions that will address needs in the Balkan Peninsula and the countries of the Black Sea region, etc.

The Center is one of three grants the foundation has made to the University of Ioannina. The other two are for the University's Medical School and include a Hostel, which will serve as a residential facility for relatives of patients and a Rehabilitation Center.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article