Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader hosts luncheon for political correspondents

[01] PASOK leader hosts luncheon for political correspondents

Referring to latest developments on the FYROM issue, Papandreou replied to a question on whether a referendum must be held on the neighbouring country's name, saying that "if the issue of a referendum is raised as a negotiating card then okay" although, as he added, "such a card will not stand for long."

On the question of the possibility of a veto being exercised at the European Union regarding FYROM, the PASOK party leader said he had no special information and what he is aware of is that the government is speaking of a veto in the event that there is an issue of a violation of the European Union's agreement on the accession of the neighbouring country with the name FYROM.

Commenting on the domestic political situation, Papandreou said "there is a rapid decline of the government" which, as he said, "has led the economy and foreign issues to a deadlock through its own mistakes and options."

Papandreou further said that "claims made by some that PASOK lacks positions is a myth that must come to an end" and added that he "will not make circumstantial slogans to win the elections and will not make promises in the air as Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis did."

The PASOK leader will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday, on behalf of the European Socialist Party and as the vice president of the Committee set up by the Socialist Party to monitor Turkey's European course.

Papandreou will be in Turkey with Paavo Lipponen of Finland, with whom he will be preparing a report for the Socialist Party on Turkey's progress or lack of progress.

During his two-day stay in Turkey, Papandreou will be meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and will be visiting the Phanar for a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos.

In another development, Papandreou visited the fire brigade's headquarters and talked with its chief and senior officers. He said the fire brigade was a model service and he was briefed on the outcome of this year's period of combatting wildfires.

Papandreou, who was given a fire brigade helmet as a gift, made his visit on the occasion of World Day against Natural Disasters.

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