Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-01

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM meets representatives of producer classes

[02] PASOK leader meets disabled persons

[03] Bakoyannis in Finland for EU FMs' meeting

[04] Deputy FM Kassimis in Melbourne

[01] PM meets representatives of producer classes

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PASEGES president N. Karamihas said the meeting with the premier covered significant issues such as farmers' income, investments needed in the farm sector and subsidies.

Karamihas said farmers' incomes have shrunk by around 11 percent over the last two years and demanded a minimum pension, or income of around 500 euros per month to farmers. PASEGES also urged "focused" investments in the farm sector.

(ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis)

[02] PASOK leader meets disabled persons

On his part, Papandreou initially stepped up his criticism of the government, charging that public investments have dropped due to a high-profile audit of the Greek economy ordered by the Karamanlis government months after it assumed power in March 2004.

He also returned to the construction and public works front, an issue that jumped onto the limelight this week, saying that unemployment in the sector has risen, EU funds have been lost and that various projects will either not be completed or be delivered in poor quality.

"The major issue for persons with disabilities is the heating subsidy," Vardakastanis told reporters after the meeting, which was in the context of the PASOK leader's discussions with social groups and producer classes ahead of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) this month.

Vardakastanis said the confederation also brought to Papandreou's attention the demand for a "guaranteed income for uninsured Greeks with a disability", as well as for returning expatriate Greeks and legal immigrants with a disability.

The delegation also referred to issues of welfare, "which is now a funded area of government policy", and to deficiencies in the health sector with respect to chronic illnesses, lack of medical and nursing personnel, and lack of molecular screening.

(ANA-MPA file photo of PASOK leader George Papandreou)

[03] Bakoyannis in Finland for EU FMs' meeting

She said that the informal Council focused on the issue of the Middle East, as well as on the way with which united Europe will be able to support a new peace effort in the region.

The minister termed the peace effort in the Middle East "absolutely necessary, adding that it must start from a solution to the major problem of Palestine.

She also expressed the hope that Europe will appear useful and strongly present politically in the Middle East issue.

As regards the issue of Iran, Bakoyannis said that disappointment is prevailing concerning the reply given by Tehran, but noted that there is always time for diplomatic efforts.

ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis)

[04] Deputy FM Kassimis in Melbourne

He added that "the government will not get involved at all in the internal affairs of SAE's elections."

Kassimis apealed for unity among Australia's Greek community and called on them to vote without partisan criteria.

He noted that who would win should not be of concern, to which party he belongs to or what his political beliefs are, "but should believe in the idea of SAE."

The deputy foreign minister noted that there are more than 400 Greek organisations in Australia "and all have a reason to exist and should exist."

(ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis)

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