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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-10-02Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Gov't unveils short-term priority legislation; invites political leaders to dialogue on pension reformGovernment spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos on Tuesday announced a list of draft bills due to be tabled in Parliament on a priority basis, as agreed during an earlier Inner Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, while he also read out a message by Employment Minister Vassilis Magginas inviting political party leaders to take part in a dialogue on the imperative issue of social security reform.The first three bills will go to Parliament on Thursday, in accordance with government pledges before the elections, Roussopoulos stressed. Among these is bill on combatting tax evasion, which includes new tax breaks (with discounts for receipts of various services); another bill increases public-sector pensions for 2007 and one deals with the management, control and implementation of 4th Community Support Framework (CSF) projects, also known as the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF). Other draft bills due to be tabled in short order are a finance ministry bill for the foundation of the National Social Cohesion Fund, an interior ministry bill regulating issues dealing with independent authorities and a general inspector for public administration, as well as a public administration inspectors' corps, Roussopoulos added. Also pending are a national defence ministry bill on invalids of war and personnel issues, a legislative framework for research and technology -- being prepared by the development ministry -- and an environment ministry draft bill ratifying the construction contract for the Elefsina-Corinth-Patras-Pyrgos-Tsakonas national highway, a National Spatial Planning bill and individual special town planning bills, an employment ministry bill on creating an e-government company for social insurance, a bill on protecting cultural goods and a bill on the rights and obligations of passengers and owners of shipping companies regarding safety in ships, ports and port facilities. Caption: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis is shown chairing a Cabinet meeting in a photo dated Monday, Sept. 19, 2005. ANA-MPA / P. SAITAS [02] Athens mayor proposes EU-wide 'eco-initiative'Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis this week unveiled a proposal for the adoption of an institution entitled "European Eco-friendly Capital", as he outlined the proposal in letters addressed to European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and the mayors of the Union's 27 capitals.Based on the European Cultural Capital model, the institution would act as an additional motive for the clarification of environmental terms and further development of environmental awareness among the citizens of Europe, according to Kaklamanis, a former health minister. He also said the European Eco-friendly Capital institution would act as an incentive for greater environmental awareness. "... This proposal will assist in the fight against complacency, ensure that the environment is a key priority in our policy choices and the minds of citizens, improve intra-city mobility, better manage waste, provide more alternative energy sources and increase green spaces," the mayor of the Greek capital underlined. Caption: Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis speaks at a torch-lighting ceremony for the Special Olympics of Shanghai with the Athens Acropolis in the backdrop, in a photo dated Friday, June 29, 2007. ANA-MPA / STR Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |