Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-12-01

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Ecumenical Patriarch attends liturgy officiated by Pope Benedict in Istanbul

[02] Karamanlis briefed on economy, tax bill

[03] PASOK leader annouces new party sec't

[01] Ecumenical Patriarch attends liturgy officiated by Pope Benedict in Istanbul

"The Church does not wish to impose anything on anyone, it asks only for freedom," the Pontiff said after a service at the cathedral, adding that 90,000 Catholics live in predominately Muslim Turkey, sharing a day-to-day comradeship with people of a different faith.

Both Church leaders joined in a procession leading into the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, where the Pope celebrated a divine liturgy for the Roman Catholic community of Istanbul. During the service the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos offered a common blessing to the faithful.

Also in attendance for the Roman Catholic liturgy were the heads of other Christian communities of the Bosporus metropolis.

Judging by headlines in the Turkish press this week, the Pope's visit was utterly successful, as his reported support for Turkey's European prospects and a visit to a renowned Muslim place of worship, the Blue Mosque, eased negative sentiments in the country. The Ecumenical Patriarchate also appeared satisfied with the steps towards rapprochement between the two Churches as well as Benedict's vocal support for religious and minority rights in Turkey.

Benedict was due to depart Istanbul on Friday, with Vartholomeos expected to accompany him to the airport.

The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was built in 1846 under the direction of Italian architect Julien Hillereau. It is located near the Beyoglu district of Istanbul, and among others, hosts a statute of one of the Pope's same-name predecessors, Benedict XV, in its courtyard -- a gift from the Turkish state.

Caption: Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, right, and Pope Benedict XVI sign a common declaration on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at the Patriarchate's Fanar-district headquarters. ANA-MPA photo / D. Panagos.

[02] Karamanlis briefed on economy, tax bill

Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting that the bill contains substantial tax reliefs for all taxpayers.

Regarding the economy, Alogoskoufis said developments were positive, citing a 4.4-percent growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) output in the third quarter of 2006, against the corresponding period last year, while adding that the reduction in the deficit was proceeding in accordance with budget forecasts.

Alogoskoufis further noted that unemployment was declining, while an increase in employment was within the margins of forecasts.

On inflation, the minister said it was being contained, assisted by the abatement of international oil prices.

The country's national statistical service on Thursday announced that GDP had grown by 4.4 percent in the third quarter of the year over the same period of 2005, following growth rates of 4.1 percent in both the preceding quarters this year.

The statistical service, in a report, said investments rose 7.6 pct in the July-September period from the corresponding period in 2005, adding 1.6 percentage points to an increase in final demand.

Greek exports grew 7.4 pct in the third quarter, adding 1.1 percentage points to the increase of final demand. The value of exports totalled 7.898 billion euros.

Imports rose by 5.8 pct to 11.273 billion euros. The statistical service said final consumption grew by 3.3 percent in the third quarter.

[03] PASOK leader annouces new party sec't

Papandreou made the announcements during a meeting of the partyâs national council.

Athanassakis will replace current party secretary Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou, who in turn has been proposed by Papandreou to fill Athanassakisâ post as party spokesperson.

Papandreou announced his decision for sweeping changes to the party's organisational structure, which are expected to be ratified on Friday at the meeting of the new PASOK national council, on Thursday evening during a 15-minute meeting of the political council.

The proposed members for the new political council are Xenoyiannakopoulou and veteran PASOK cadres Evangelos Venizelos, Fofi Gennimata, Maria Damanaki, Anna Diamantopoulou, Petros Efthymiou, Paris Koukoulopoulos, Marilena Koppa, Panos Beglitis, Theodoros Pangalos, George Panayiotakopoulos, Vasso Papandreou, Christos Papoutsis, Christos Polyzogopoulos, Sylvana Rapti, Costas Skandalidis, Rovertos Spyropoulos, Thanassis Tsouras, Michalis Chrysohoidis, and Eva Christofilopoulou.

The new composition proposed includes five new individuals from the previous political council -- Xenoyiannakopoulou, Efthymou, Beglitis, Rapti, Chrysohoidis, and Christofilopoulou -- in the place of outgoing members Milena Apostolaki, Nora Katseli, Panayiotis Fassoulas (who was recently elected as Piraeus mayor), Angela Gerekou and Vangelis Papachristos.

Papandreou further announced the establishment of a new, "tight and flexible" scheme in Parliament that will operate under Parliament group leader Dimitris Reppas, the composition of which will be announced on Sunday.

Addressing the national council, outgoing secretary Xenoyiannakopoulou said that the country was entering a new, critical stage in which the people and the country needed a "progressive outlet".

"When we speak of a victorious course for PASOK, we do not do so because we want to become government at any cost, but because we truly believe that we have a plan, a proposal, the determination and the cadres to materialise them for the good of our country and people," she said.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article