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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-05-17Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis reiterates reforms will proceedPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed to ministry general secretaries and prefectural authorities on Saturday "it is time we proceed in reforms that have been under discussion over the past several years and that are necessary." Speaking only days after the government sealed a deal to transfer the management of the state-run telecoms utility to Deutsche Telekom, the premier also charged, "no one up until now dared to proceed with reforms, ones that benefit the economy, society and citizens."He underlined that this period is crucial in the wake of skyrocketing oil prices, financial market turbulence in US and the threat of a global food price crisis. "For all the above reasons we must proceed immediately, with determination in order to solve the problems of poverty, unemployment and high cost of living." The Greek economy, he said, remains strong vis-a-vis international pressure, as certified by the European Union, and "this is the result of the reforms and the changes carried out in our first four-year tenure. Greece does not have the luxury to waste time and funds." He also said more funding would be funneled to the provinces in order to eradicate disparities. "The government must adopt a different view, a new concept. We are responsible to the citizens ā¦" Karamanlis concluded Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis [02] Papandreou -Rasmussen meeting in AthensMain opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou met in Athens on Saturday morning with the visiting president of the Party of European Socialists Paul Rasmussen, within the framework of three-day events organised by the PASOK-affiliated Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISTAME) and the party's parliamentary group in the European parliament.According to the organizers, the events will mark the 40th anniversary of a leftist students and workers' uprising in Paris in May 1968. Papandreou and Rasmussen discussed cooperation in the Socialist International (SI) and the European socialist grouping, and in particular, over a declaration prepared by latter ahead of Euro-elections in 2009. The declaration will contain the main positions and principles of the grouping. Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou [03] Vartholomeos on environmentEcumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos on Friday evening addressed an event on the environment.The event was organized by the Economic and Social Committee of Greece at the Athens Concert Hall. Vartholomeos, who is known for undertaking initiatives on an international level for the protection of the environment, referred in detail to the rapid unfavorable changes in the climate which have negative consequences for mankind. He noted that an international agreement for the protection of the environment has not yet been reached and that sufficient measures for the restriction of pollution have not been taken. "The environement is part of the Creation, consequently it is in itself sacred as well. For this reason, its destruction and its downgrading constitute an act of sacrilage and a sin, due to the scorning towards God's creation," the Patriarch said. Caption: Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos during his visit to Parnitha mountain in Athens on Friday 16 May 2008. ANA-MPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU [04] Rasmussen addressed eventThe head of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Paul Rasmussen, referred on Saturday to the direction, as he said, of policies that socialist parties must follow in Europe, during an address at an event in Athens on the 40th anniversary of the Paris uprisings in May 1968.Rasmussen thanked the organisers for the invitation and gave his congratulations for the issue selected, pointing out that today all peoples in Europe feel insecure and are afraid of what the future will bring. "The PES and PASOK must understand what people have in mind. We have lost elections in Europe and I discern pessimism, but in a one-year's time we have Euro elections and a year is a long time in politics. May 1968 and PASOK's position during dictatorship in Greece remind us of the way changes can be done," said Rasmussen. Rasmussen noted that in Greece there are reactions from students and wage-earners against the current government's decisions, and this is an opportunity to open dialogue with society in order to pose a new strategic question. Concluding his speech, he said he does not have a ready solution but expressed his ideas and points, stating that what really matters is "to feel that you are moving in the right direction." Caption:The head of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Paul Rasmussen addressed an event in Athens on Sat.16 May 2008.ANA-MPA/KATERINA MAVRONA [05] Alavanos visits ZonianaRadical left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary grouping head Alekos Alavanos visited the Zoniana area of Rethymno prefecture in Crete on Friday, a region that shot onto the national limelight a few months ago after armed suspects ambushed a police convoy headed to the village for a drug raid.One police officer was seriously injured in the incident. Alavanos spoke with local residents and a handful of Polytechnic professors on how to tap into the mountainous area's developmental potential. The region has been plagued by allegations of wide-spread hashish cultivation and trafficking as well as a reputation of lawlessness. Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Radical left Coalition (SYRIZA) parliamentary grouping head Alekos Alavanos [06] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Saturday edition of Athens dailies at a glanceA clash between the government and opposition on Friday in parliament over Hellenic Telecommunication Organisationās (OTE) privatisation dominated the headlines on Saturday in Athens' dailies. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Greek merchant marine in first place worldwide - 3,153 vessels bring 17 billion euros per year in remittances to the country". APOGEVMATINI: "Opposition parties harming country - Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis accuses PASOK and SYRIZA in parliament". AVGHI: ?SYRIZA leader Alekos Alavanos: Appoint ministers from Germany and Dubai? AVRIANI: "Karamanlis hinted at organised plan by PASOK and SYRIZA to undermine economy? CHORA: "Government shakes up parliament, universities and society - Karamanlis: It is planned and conscious". ELEFTHERI ORA: "Prime Minister and opposition party leaders exchange impertinent words in parliament over OTE agreement". ELEFTHEROS: "Ruling New Democracy MP Miltiades Varvitsiotis: Yes to ND-PASOK co-governance under conditions". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Death of the middle class - Over 2.7 million households burdened by high cost of living, debts and insecurity". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "High cost of living: Comparative survey in eight European cities". ESTIA: "PASOK's position outrageous - Karamanlis closes mouths". ETHNOS: "Fewer students in universities in order to increase the entry points". KATHIMERINI: "Storm in parliament over OTE". LOGOS: "Front for OTE - Party leaders cross swords in parliament". NIKI: "Arrogant Karamanlis: He lost his temper and accused PASOK of irresponsibility". RIZOSPASTIS: "Plutocracy sends universities to businessmen". TA NEA: ?German analyst criticizes OTE sale". TO VIMA: "Public Power Corp. (PPC) and Greek Football Pools (OPAP) to follow OTE- European Commission presses government to sell both organisations". VRADYNI: Prime Minister declares: We will proceed. Not a step back Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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