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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-14
CONTENTS
[01] PM Karamanlis advocates strengthening of EU institutions at Lisbon
summit
[01] PM Karamanlis advocates strengthening of EU institutions at Lisbon
summit
The European Union summit in Lisbon, with prime minister Costas
Karamanlis representing Greece, will focus on the future status of
Kosovo, as well as on matters concerning a common migration policy, the
EU labour market, and the 27-nation bloc's future, during its session
on Friday.
Karamanlis was due to meet with European Parliament president Hans-Gert
Petering on Friday morning, before the summit session. On Thursday, the
EU leaders, during a special ceremony, signed the EU's Reform Treaty
which, said Karamanlis, "signals the completion of a long, laborious
but also decisive procedure for the future of the EU" in which Greece
has played "an active and substantial role".
"Our country has played an active and substantial role in these
efforts, and we are satisfied with their successful outcome. This
development reinforces European institutions, and makes the European
Union more capable to respond more effectively to new challenges,"
Karamanlis underlined.
"Now, the endorsement of the Treaty by the Parliaments of
member-states, and even before the 2009 Euro-elections, constitutes the
common target. Greece intends to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon as soon as
possible," the premier added.
"Finally, I would also like to underline the important contribution of
the countries that assumed the EU's presidency all throughout this
period, and, of course, of the European Commission," Karamanlis
concluded.
The Greek prime minister is also due to begin a three-day official
visit to Russia on Monday, at the invitation of Russian President
Vladimir Putin, during which a wide range of bilateral issues will be
discussed, with special focus on the energy sector, as well as
international issues of mutual interest.
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