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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-08-30Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papoulias briefed by FM, EU-Turkey relations discussedPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias was briefed by Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis on Tuesday over various issues concerning foreign policy, although the increasingly complex scope of EU-Turkey relations expectedly topped the agenda of talks.Afterwards, the veteran Greek diplomat referred to a "series of problems that the European Union must now deal with" following an unprecedented statement attached by Turkey to its decision extending a customs union protocol with the EU's 10 new members. While officially extending the protocol, EU hopeful Turkey nevertheless conveyed a written statement reminding that it continues to not recognise EU member-state Cyprus. Molyviatis merely added that both Athens and Nicosia are working closely to solve the problems emanating from Ankara's diplomatic gambit. Conversely, he again reiterated Athens' volition to support the neighboring country's European orientation, while adding that the Greek government is carefully evaluating the most recent statements by French, German and Austrian officials regarding the increasingly controversial issue of Turkey's possible EU membership. [02] Inner Cabinet convenes to discuss course of tourismThe Inner Cabinet convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday and focused on the course of tourism and on the legislative work which will follow for its strengthening and the extension of the tourism period.Rapporteur at the meeting was Tourism Development Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos who after the session said that the government's initiatives have borne fruit and noted that the planning for the next year is already in progress. The tourism minister said that the country "has re-entered the world tourism map and constitutes one of the top tourism destinations." Avramopoulos said tourism increased this year compared to last year but underlined that what was needed was an improvement of infrastructure for tourism. In the coming months, Avramopoulos said, a legislative work will follow which will help strengthening the alternative forms of tourism and will extend the tourism period. This year's positive results, Avramopoulos said, are due to the communications campaign. According to sources, a draft law will be tabled in Parliament after the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair for spa tourism and also the replacement of old hotels with new ones. [03] Twelve-minute lapse in radio contact with Czech airliner causes minor stirA 12-minute lapse in radio communication with a Czech airliner caused a brief mobilisation by the Civil Aviation Authority on Tuesday, as the report was eerily reminiscent of the Aug. 14 incident involving a Cypriot airliner that later crashed north of Athens.The pilots of the commercial aircraft informed Athens Airport of a problem in their headsets only moments before two Hellenic Air Force fighter planes were ready to take-off from a Cretan airbase to intercept the plane. According to reports, charter flight CVK 8071 flying from Cairo to Bratislava entered the Athens FIR at 12:23 p.m. south of Crete when it was hailed by flight controllers at Athens' airport in order to receive instructions. An air traffic station on Crete also hailed the Boeing 757-200 when communication by Athens failed, whereas air traffic controllers had also switched to the Cairo radio frequency without result, reports state. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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