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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-15Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK leader addresses 'Symposium of Symi'Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou addressed the opening of the "Symposium of Symi" on Sunday night, that is taking place on the islnd of Paros this year, extending his "undivided solidarity" to the Ecumenical Patriarchate which, as he stressed, "is experiencing crucial moments again," while referring to the cancellation of a concert by George Dalaras in Istanbul on Saturday.Papandreou also said that "at such moments Greece must not remain silent," adding that these days our support must be manifested more directly and should be more visible. The PASOK leader called on the government to undertake initiatives in defence of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, both in the framework of the European Union and in meetings and discussions that the EU has with Turkey. Papandreou further referred to the issue of forest fires, since the main issue of this year's Symposium is the environment. He accused the government of failing to assume its responsibilities on the protection of the environment and of being absent. PASOK in government, he also said, will assume the responsibility of remedying damage, compensating sufferers and, mainly, creating once again the infrastructures and conditions of security for the citizen and his property. This year's Symposium is dedicated to Yiannis Diakoyiannis, the inspirer of the Symposium, the journalist who passed away recently. Papandreou said that the choice of the environment as the main issue at the Symposium took place to highlight a comparative advantage for Greece, as well as an advantage in PASOK's programme speech. He also said that the Symposium will contribute substantively to further shaping PASOK's programme positions. Attending the Symposium in Paros, among others, are Estonian President Toomas Ilves, Turkish former finance minister Kemal Dervis and Ipek Cem, a journalist and daughter of Turkey's late foreign minister. Earlier in the day, Papandreou met with local party members and discussed, among other issues, election planning at local level. He said that not even a day must be lost during this summer, adding that the dialogue on the final shaping of regional programmes must be continued. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |