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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-05Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Sweden's Persson meets PapandreouÔÝëïòöüñìáòÁñ÷ÞöüñìáòSwedish Prime Minister Goran Persson on Tuesday met here with main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, who arrived in the country in his capacity as Socialist International (SI) president. In a brief statement after the meeting, Papandreou said the environment and energy policy was a particular concern of the SI group, "we want viable development, friendly towards the environment and alternative forms of energy ... This is the only way out of the major energy crisis that Europe and the entire world face today." He also praised the incumbent Swedish PM's initiative in promoting alternative forms of energy on a massive scale, before expressing his best wishes to Persson for his re-election. Caption: Persson, left, greets Papandreou in Stockholm, Sweden on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2006. ANA-MPA photo / STR [02] Exports up 22% in first-half '06Greek exports increased by more than 13 percent last year, while the rate of increase exceeds 22 percent in the first half of 2006, Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis announced on Tuesday, following an Inner Cabinet meeting that focused on the country's export policy, a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.Alogoskoufis briefed the Inner Cabinet on the course of exports and, speaking to reporters after the meeting, referred to a "satisfactory performance", adding that exports had a positive contribution to the national economy. In 2005, exports increased by more than 13 percent, while in the first half of 2006 the rate of growth exceeded 22 percent, he said. Alogoskoufis said Greek products were exported to all countries, but added that 17 countries and major markets were being particularly targeted with modern policies and advertising techniques. On the role of the Hellenic Exports Promotion Organisation (HEPO) and the Exports Council, the minister stressed that in today's era, "where commerce played a significant role in the global economy, exports was an important sector." He also stressed that the country must become extroverted, adding that efforts to that end would be intensified. Replying to a question regarding public sector corruption, Alogoskoufis said specific procedures have been instituted and, in cooperation with the interior and public administration ministry, a provision was recently advanced for stricter inspections of source of wealth statements of the ministry department directors. ANA-MPA file photo of Alogoskoufis. [03] Gov't on efforts to build pipelineThe government on Tuesday fielded several press questions related to a "mini-summit" a day earlier in Athens by the leaders of Greece, Russia and Bulgaria focusing on the finalisation of plans and agreements for a long-delayed oil pipeline linking the Black Sea and the northern Aegean, billed as an auxiliary "energy corridor" for the busy Bosporus Strait.In response to extensive press coverage here of the Karamanlis-Putin-Purvanov meeting, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos clarified that the exact level of each sideâs participation in the oil pipeline project remains to be decided, something expected to be cleared up at yet another meeting, in Athens, of relevant energy ministers of the three countries and representatives of interested companies within the year. On his part, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, who holds the energy portfolio, said Mondayâs joint commitment by the three leaders to sign a final inter-state agreement within the year upgrades Athensâ international position. "In March 2004 we (the government) found the plan in a state of complete inertia, while since the summer of 2004 all three governments have worked closely to promote the plan," he added, referring particularly to the development boost expected to be reaped by the Thrace province. The 285-kilometre pipeline is expected to connect the Bulgarian port of Burgas, on the western shores of the Black Sea, with the Greek port of Alexandroupolis, in the northeastern Aegean. ANA-MPA file photo [04] Direct Beijing-Athens air link envisionedGreece and the People's Republic of China on Tuesday signed a handful of bilateral agreements promoting cooperation in the field of transports, especially air transport, following a memorandum opening the way for a direct Beijing-Athens flight.The agreements were signed in Beijing by visiting Greek Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis and the director of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), Yang Yuanyuan, in the presence of Air China President Li Jiaxiang. Technical, financial and institutional details of the agreement will be determined by a special work group due to meet in Athens this month. ANA-MPA photo of Liapis. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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