Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis holds separate meetings with pensioners' reps; OECD chief

[02] Papandreou meets with OECD head Gurria

[03] New metro expansion towards SE Athens

[04] Party tables bill for support of 3-child families

[01] PM Karamanlis holds separate meetings with pensioners' reps; OECD chief

Gurría and Greek Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis are scheduled to give a joint press conference in the Greek capital later in the day, expected to mostly focus on the organisation's annual report on the Greek economy, among others.

A day earlier, an Inner Cabinet meeting - chaired by Karamanlis - discussed a new framework for the banking sector in the country, with the emphasis on greater transparency in the banking system and in the sector of investments. According to Alogoskoufis, boosting competitiveness and, to a large degree, reducing the difference between loan and savings deposit interest rates in the country is the goal.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (L) receives a copy of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) annual report on the Greek economy from OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría at his Maximos Mansion office in Athens on Wednesday, May 30, 2007. ANA-MPA / M. MAROGIANNI.

[02] Papandreou meets with OECD head Gurria

Talks held during the dinner focused on the wider region of the Middle East, recent developments in Palestinian territories and Lebanon, the situation in Iraq and the issue of Iran's nuclear programme.

Also discussed were the initiatives undertaken in the region by Papandreou and the results of the recent visit to Athens by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Issues of Greek interest were also discussed, such as the tenuous situation regarding the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Cyprus, negotiations over Kosovo, the "name issue" involving the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and developments in neighbouring Turkey.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Papandreou.

[03] New metro expansion towards SE Athens

Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias made the comments at the worksite, while he added that the metro Line 2 expansion project has proceeded better than anticipated, based on the existing timetables. He said that by the end of 2009 the Ilioupoli, Alimos, Argyroupoli and Helliniko metro stations will be ready.

Souflias said accompanying studies for the construction of car parks at the four new metro stations are also underway, reminding that a much-needed metropolitan park in the congested Greek capital will be developed on the large expanse where Athens' old airport still stands.

At best, normal drive time from the Helliniko airport site to Syntagma square -- in the middle of central Athens -- takes roughly 35 minutes, while metro commuters will be able to reach their destination in less than 15 minutes.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of George Souflias.

[04] Party tables bill for support of 3-child families

Meanwhile, Synaspismos' political secretariat on Tuesday approved the appointment of Alexis Tsipras, who was the party's candidate in the Athens mayoral race last week, as the head of its election campaign when general elections in the country take place - normally scheduled for late next spring.

Caption: ANA-MPA photo of Synaspismos leader Alekos Alavanos.

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