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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-08Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Interior minister says new law represents Greece's first modern immigration strategyGreece will for the first time acquire a modern strategy for immigration policy that seeks to allow immigrants to live in the country with dignity, through the law passed by Parliament on August 23, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos told reporters on Thursday.He said the bill looked to the future and sought ways to incorporate immigrants into the job market while fully respecting their rights, as well as trying to correct past problems with immigrants whose residence permits had expired or who had never obtained a residence permit. Pavlopoulos announced that these last two groups, provided that they were resident in Greece up until December 31, 2004, will be given one more chance to become legally resident, provided they apply before the end of the year. Those who had never received a residence permit could submit an application and supporting documents from October 1 until December 31, while those whose residence permits had not been renewed could apply from October 31 until December 31. Pavlopoulos noted that residence permits would no longer be easy to forge, since they will be printed on paper with a watermark, while there will be different coloured permits for those who have supplied fully information and those who have submitted incomplete information. He said the government expected the problems to be fully resolved by June 2006. [02] Papandreou again criticises draft bill over private/public sector partnershipsMain opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Thursday sharply criticised the government's economic policy from Parliament's podium as well as a draft bill envisioning a more effective framework for public sector/private sector partnerships."No matter what Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis says these days, he will find it increasingly difficult to improve the view seen by the average citizen," Papandreou said. He also again charged that the draft bill was a "tailor-made suit for corruption", with the goal being to limit public sector investments' developmental role. Gov't response Earlier, the government had sharply reacted to PASOK's criticism in the Parliament debate over a bill, following a press question towards the government spokesman regarding the main opposition party's displeasure over PASOK deputy Panayiotis Sgouridis' vote in favor of certain provisions of the draft bill. [03] English National Ballet's 'Romeo and Juliet' this weekend at Herod AtticusA performance of "Romeo and Juliet" by the acclaimed English National Ballet is scheduled for this weekend (Sept. 10, 11 and 12) at the Herod Atticus Odeon beneath the Acropolis.The staging of the performance, choreographed in 1977 by ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev, is a joint production of the Athens Festival, the American-Hellenic Arts Center of Halandri and the American Community Schools of Athens. The music is by Sergei Prokofiev, performed by the ERT philharmonic orchestra under the direction of Martin West. Among the officials on hand Thursday to welcome the English National Ballet's performers was US ambassador Charles Ries, who serves as an honorary president of the Arts Center of Halandri. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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