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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-11-28Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Inner Cabinet meeting focuses on nat'l social cohesion fundAn Inner Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, focused on a draft law establishing and laying out the scope and structure for a National Social Cohesion Fund, a high-profile initiative unveiled by the current government prior to the last election (Sept. 16) as a way to fight poverty in the country.Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis underlined that the fund will support people living under the EU-defined poverty line, "helping them to have a more dignified life", as he said. Alogoskoufis said social policy has not yet yielded results in alleviating poverty in Greece. The planned initiatives will be undertaken mainly by the ministries of employment and health, said Alogoskoufis, adding that financing in 2008 will reach 500 million euros to gradually reach two billion euros a year corresponding to 1,000 euros for each citizen living under the poverty limit. According to figures provided by the National Statistical Service, roughly two million Greeks citizens are eligible -- mainly low-pension earners, the long-term unemployed and people with disabilities. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. [02] Karamanlis receives Cyprus President PapadopoulosDevelopments regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue, coordination of actions by Athens and Nicosia and prospects for an intensification of efforts aimed at the solution were discussed on Wednesday during a meeting here between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visiting Republic of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos. "The solution of the Cyprus issue should be in accordance with UN resolutions, the principles and values of the EU, of which Cyprus is a member," Karamanlis reiterated, adding that such a solution would allow benefits from the EU participation to reach the entire island, currently not feasible due to continuing military occupation of roughly one-third of the island republic by Turkish forces. "Greece supports the immediate implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement and the implementation of the confidence building measures proposed by the Cypriot government," he added. "The proposals submitted by President Papadopoulos prove that the Cyprus Republic wants a comprehensive, fair and viable solution," Karamanlis further noted, adding that the Turkish side should display a spirit of cooperation for the implementation of the agreed to provisions The Greek prime minister also thanked the Cypriot government and the Cypriot people for the immediate and unreserved support during last summer's devastating wildfires, while he congratulated Papadopoulos for Cyprus' accession into the Euro-zone and the adoption of the euro on Jan. 1, 2008. On his part, Papadopoulos stated that Greece's unreserved support was once again reaffirmed. Referring to the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged village of Artemida, in Ilia prefecture in the western Peloponnese, undertaken by the Cypriot Republic, Papadopoulos said the project is just a small token of appreciation for Greece's support over the years. Caption: Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos (R) is given an enthusiastic welcome by the residents of the southwestern Greek village of Artemida -- in the wildfire-ravaged western Peloponnese -- on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. ANA-MPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU.[03] Karamanlis receives Cyprus President PapadopoulosDevelopments regarding the long-standing Cyprus issue, coordination of actions by Athens and Nicosia and prospects for an intensification of efforts aimed at the solution were discussed on Tuesday during a meeting here between Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visiting Republic of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos."The solution of the Cyprus issue should be in accordance with UN resolutions, the principles and values of the EU, of which Cyprus is a member," Karamanlis reiterated, adding that such a solution would allow benefits from the EU participation to reach the entire island, currently not feasible due to continuing military occupation of roughly one-third of the island republic by Turkish forces. "Greece supports the immediate implementation of the July 8, 2006 agreement and the implementation of the confidence building measures proposed by the Cypriot government," he added. "The proposals submitted by President Papadopoulos prove that the Cyprus Republic wants a comprehensive, fair and viable solution," Karamanlis further noted, adding that the Turkish side should display a spirit of cooperation for the implementation of the agreed to provisions The Greek prime minister also thanked the Cypriot government and the Cypriot people for the immediate and unreserved support during last summer's devastating wildfires, while he congratulated Papadopoulos for Cyprus' accession into the Euro-zone and the adoption of the euro on Jan. 1, 2008. On his part, Papadopoulos stated that Greece's unreserved support was once again reaffirmed. Referring to the reconstruction of the fire-ravaged village of Artemida, in Ilia prefecture in the western Peloponnese, undertaken by the Cypriot Republic, Papadopoulos said the project is just a small token of appreciation for Greece's support over the years. Caption: Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos (R) is given an enthusiastic welcome by the residents of the southwestern Greek village of Artemida -- in the wildfire-ravaged western Peloponnese -- on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. ANA-MPA / KATIA CHRISTODOULOU. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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