Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Indian parl't president meets with President, PM

[01] Indian parl't president meets with President, PM

The very close bilateral ties between the two countries, based on the mutually shared principles of Democracy and the respect of human rights, were reaffirmed during the meeting between Psarouda-Benaki and Chatterjee, who is the Speaker of Indials Lok Sabha (House of the People).

The two parliament presidents also underlined the existing excellent bilateral cooperation in all international organisations.

Both Benaki and Chatterjee characterized the meetings held on Tuesday as a starting point for an even closer cooperation between Greece and India.

It is time for closer cooperation that can and should expand not only to the economic but the cultural sector as well within the framework of the rapid economic growth recorded in India during the past few years, said Chatterjee.

Psarouda-Benaki also presented Chatterjee with the Gold Medal of the Hellenic Parliament, which is awarded to distinguished personalities.

Chatterjee also met with prime minister Costas Karamanlis, but no statements were made after the discussion.

The delegation arrived in Athens on Saturday for a five day visit which aims to strengthen relations between the parliaments of India and Greece and mutual understanding on issues of common interest. Democracy originated in Greece, while India is the largest democracy today. Both countries share common perspectives on important international issues," according to a press release by the Embassy of India ahead of the visit.

The Indian delegation, led by Chatterjee, includes six members of Parliament - four from the Lok Sabha (House of People), and two from the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), representing different parties -- and senior officials of the Indian Parliament.

The delegation is also scheduled to meet with President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, and the leaders of the political parties represented in parliament during its visit, and will further hold talks with the 13 member Indo-Hellenic Friendship Group of the Hellenic Parliament.

Indo-Greek exchanges have grown in trade, investment, information technology, tourism, and culture. Indian exports to Greece have risen considerably from from $113.5 million in 2000-01 to $ 306.3 million in 2004-05 and are likely to reach $ 480 million in 2005-06. In Jan -May 2006, Indian exports increased to $ 350 million, registering a growth of 80% over the same period in 2005. Indian IT companies have secured IT service contracts with Greek banks. Investment flows are also picking up. There is good potential for increasing tourism flows in both directions. Some 12,000 Indian migrants mostly from Punjab, are in Greece, working in the agricultural sector, according to the press release.

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