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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-05-19Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] FM receives Famagusta MayorThe Cyprus issue was the main issue discussed during Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis' meeting with visiting Famagusta Mayor Alexis Galanos on Monday at the foreign ministry.Galanos said to the press afterwards that "we exchanged views, mainly on the Famagusta issue. It is a necessary Confidence-Building Measure (CBM)". Questioned on the discussions taking place in the joint Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot working groups, Galanos expressed hope that there will be a "constructive climate", adding that "the indications we've had so far are not significant". Earlier, Bakoyannis received former prime minister and ex-foreign mininster of Jordan, and current President of Greek-Jordanian Friendship Association Dr. Abdelsalam al-Majali, with whom she discussed bilateral issues. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis [02] SYN leader at Liosia landfillThe need for a new, serious, "national, and not class-discriminating" waste management planning was underlined Monday by Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alexis Tsipras during a visit to the Fili-Ano Liosia landfill, in the wider Athens region.He pointed out that the creation of landfills in the region of Western Attica has a clearly class-discriminating character, and a new strategy will have to be prepared soon to include, among others, recycling at the source, reduction of waste volume, and new spatial, processing and garbage disposal planning. "We are lagging far behind in Europe in the sector of waste recycling, considering that in 2006 when recycling in the EU countries was 41 percent, in Greece it was 13 percent," Tsipras added, concluding that a policy change is imperative both for public health reasons and for the future of major urban centers. Later, during a visit to the 1st EMAK (emergency operations and rescue teams) facilities in Aspropirgos, wider Athens, Tsipras spoke of criminal negligence on the part of the political leadership referring to last year's devastating wildfires. Tsipras expressed gratitude on behalf of his party for the role the EMAK crews played fighting the fires and underlined the need for the establishment of effective firefighting agency and firefighting equipment and permanent personnel. He also referred to the political responsibilities as regards last summer's wildfires that coincided with a period following the revision of article 24 of the Constitution, adding that the burned regions were becoming land plots instead of being reforested. Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Synaspismos leader Alexis Tsipras [03] Archbishop meets Education Min.Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece paid a courtesy call on education and religious affairs minister Evripides Stylianidis on Monday, returning a similar visit by the minister.The Archbishop wished Greek students "good luck" in the nationwide examinations that commence on Tuesday. Stylianidis expressed his joy and honor at the Archbishop's visit, speaking to reporters afterwards, and said spoke of a "constructive cooperation" on religious education, its upgrading, and the creation of new horizons. Replying to questions, the minister said that everything was ready for the nationwide examinations, and wished university candidates "good luck". Caption:Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece (R) and Education and Religious Affairs Minister Evripides Stylianidis on Mon.19 May 2008.ANA-MPA/KATERINA MAVRONA Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |