Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-07-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek, Russian foreign ministers condemn London terror strikes, call for concerted action against terrorism

[02] Papandreou calls on PASOK cadres to remain vigilant over summer period

[03] Govt tables draft law on shopping hours to parliament

[01] Greek, Russian foreign ministers condemn London terror strikes, call for concerted action against terrorism

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in particular, stressed that there was no room for compromise when dealing with terror and expressed opposition to "those policies that consider that there can be an understanding with terrorists".

Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis, who met Lavrov on the second day of his trip to Russia, said that terrorism was "an international phenomenon affecting the entire world", while noting that close cooperation was vital in order to combat it.

The two foreign ministers also joined in voicing support for the European prospects of southeast European countries and expressed hope that the rejection of the Euro-Constitution by French and Dutch voters would not become an obstacle to this course.

Molyviatis expressed satisfaction with the stance expressed by Russia concerning the political problem on Cyprus.

The Greek minister said that he had thanked Lavrov for Russia's stance, which he described as "consistent and based on respect for UN Security Council resolutions".

He aslo noted that cooperation with Russia in the energy sector had emerged as one of the most important issues on the agenda, during his talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.

[02] Papandreou calls on PASOK cadres to remain vigilant over summer period

Papandreou, the former foreign minister, also called on party cadres and deputies to work ahead of early September's international fair in Thessaloniki, a venue where the prime minister gives an annual "state of the nation" address as well as unveiling the government's economic blueprint for the coming year.

In pressing with his emphasis on a more transparent attitude in terms of internal party workings and the development of policy, Papandreou told party cadres to operate on the basis that "there are no secrets, and that everything is visible in the era of transparency and the Internet," while noting that 99 percent of all information is public domain.

Touching on PASOK's opposition tactics and alternative positions to government policies, an area that has come under high-profile criticism by a handful of party deputies over the recent period, Papandreou said this was a weakness affecting "the other side", as well as a popular demand for PASOK to outline its positions.

"There is also a malicious intent by some, who charge that we do not have policy positions. We do have positions," he countered, adding that the party, however, will avoid making statements about every single issue of political life.

[03] Govt tables draft law on shopping hours to parliament

The draft law envisages the introduction of a new single shopping hours system, from 9.00 to 21.00 daily and from 9.00 to 20.00 on Saturday, offering prefect authorities the power to extend shopping hours by one hour daily.

The new legislation also regulates the operation of open air markets, amends licencing procedures for retail shops and sets penalties to combat fraud in the retail sector.

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