Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign minister on 60th anniversary of signature of the United Nations Charter

[02] PM, Athens mayor discuss plans for new stadium

[03] Greek olive oils win international quality awards

[01] Foreign minister on 60th anniversary of signature of the United Nations Charter

"In September, the heads of state and government of the world will meet at the United Nations for a summit meeting that will lay the foundations for reforming the organisation. Greece supports this effort and will contribute to the success of this attempt with all its powers," he said.

"In 1945, representatives of 50 countries gathered in San Francisco for a conference that would lead to the adoption of the United Nations Charter. Greece participated in this conference and was among the countries that contributed to the drafting of this historic text.

"Sixty years on, in Greece and throughout the world, we celebrate the signature of the UN Charter; a groundbreaking document for its time, which determined the structure of the international system up to this day. Thanks to the United Nations, principles such as respect for human rights, the precedence of international law, the right to self-determination of peoples, the protection of minorities and the rights of all to developments became part of our everyday life and a springboard for humanity's course toward the future.

"Sixty years later, the system built on the UN Charter needs renewal. It must become more dynamic and more functional in order to cope with the challenges brought by the new century. Thanks to the development of technology, the countries and peoples of the world have never before in history been closer. Closer cooperation is therefore a one-way street, in order to successfully deal with tomorrow," Molyviatis concluded.

[02] PM, Athens mayor discuss plans for new stadium

Bakoyannis gave the prime minister a detailed presentation of the plan. Fifty acres in Athens' Votanikos district have been allocated for the project; the stadium will cover 20 acres, while the remaining 30 will be covered in green.

Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2006 and is estimated to take two years to complete.

Bakoyannis noted that the project is part of Greece's bid to host the 2012 European Soccer Championship, but did not provide any details regarding its funding.

As for the existing stadium located on Alexandras Ave., plans include the construction of an underground garage to serve the needs of the nearby Metro stadium and creation of green space.

[03] Greek olive oils win international quality awards

Specifically, "Zaharaki" from Rethymno won the second prize in the competition, while the olive oil produced by the Sitia Coop in Lasithi, won third prize. Both competed in the "medium fruitiness category."

The Mario Solinas Quality Awards are named after one of the scientists who developed a set of criteria to assess the quality of olive oil.

The awards are decided by a panel of experts from the International Olive Oil Council.

The International Olive Oil Council, established in 1959, is an intergovernmental organization whose major objectives include improving olive oil and table olive production, developing international cooperation, standardizing international trade through norms and procedures, and expanding olive oil and table olive consumption.

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