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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-08-31Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Gov't, producer and social groups discuss corruption, tax evasionAll producer and social groups are responsible for dealing with the twin scourges of corruption and tax-evasion facing the country, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after a meeting between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and representatives of producer classes and the civil servants' union ADEDY, the minister said the problem was equally important for business groups and civil servants, urging both sides to mobilize their members. Interior and Public Administration Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said a draft legislation recently tabled in parliament would contribute more to efforts at combating corruption, while he reiterated the government's position to show no tolerance to corruption.Pavlopoulos stressed that a new civil servants code was promoting meritocracy and that a new office hours schedule would better facilitate citizens' transactions with the public sector. Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas said the government has introduced more than 30 measures to support small- and medium-sized enterprises. ADEDY, civil servants' union, presented its demands to Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, ADEDY president Spyros Papaspyros said the union's demands reflected the needs of ordinary people. Papaspyros asked for a minimum monthly income of 800 euros and for the introduction of a minimum salary of 1,250 for new employees in the public sector. He also said the two sides disagreed on education and healthcare issues and on issues related with a review of the Constitution. (ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis) [02] Crux of Greeceās UNSC presidencyRespect of the central role of the United Nations and International Law, and confidence in the principle that diplomacy is the means for resolving differences, will be the crux of Greece's presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of September, which it formally assumes on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said Thursday.Greece, which holds a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2005-2006, assumes the monthly rotating presidency of the Council on September 1. During the Greek presidency, several major issues of international concern are slated to be discussed by the Security Council, including the situation in Kosovo, the MIddle East crisis, and the situation in Lebanon, while a discussion, at foreign ministers' level, will also take place on September 20 concerning UN cooperation with regional organisations aimed at preserving international peace and security. An exhibition titled "Encomium to the Olive" will also be organised at the UN building in the course of the Greek Security Council presidency, to be inaugurated on September 19 by UN secretary general Kofi Annan, Greek foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, and Greek culture minister George Voulgarakis. The exhibition is organised by the Athens Academy's Archive Centre for Folklore. Foreign minister Bakoyannis is due to arrive in New York on September 15, and will address the UN General Assembly on September 22. Afterwards, she will visit Washington on September 26-27, where she will have meetings with US National Security advisor Stephen Hadley and energy secretary Samuel Bodman. (ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Ministry Spokesman George Koumoutsakos) Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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