Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-05-21

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Papoulias visiting Sweden

[02] Hellenic Petroleum,INEOS deal

[03] China thanks Greece for aid

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Papoulias visiting Sweden

Addressing the Swedish monarch, President Papoulias termed the creation and development of the European Union a very important development for its members and for the international system as well.

"Because the history of Europe, very often tragic for its peoples, constitutes a heritage that defines our course, a heritage that necessitates us being adamant on issues concerning European values, human rights issues. For this reason, I consider it unacceptable that the Turkish military occupation should be continuing in Cyprus, a member-state of our Union, for there to still be a European capital, Nicosia, divided by walls. I believe that it is a priority for the Union to contribute to the most basic of principles of their system of values to be restored on the occupied island at last," the president said.

President Papoulias also referred to the contribution of Greek immigrants, as well as of the thousands of Swedish tourists who flood Greek beaches during the summer.

"Te Greeks living here and who have, as is generally accepted, acquired a considerable position in Swedish society, have also contributed and are continuing to contribute to the friendship and the mutual understanding of the two peoples. Both the old, the first generation of our immigrants, who began to arrive in Sweden in the '60s, and the new generation, have considerable performances to present as professionals, businessmen, artists, athletes and scientists. The bridge of friendship by the thousands of Swedish tourists visiting our country every year is also very important," the president further said.

President Papoulias, who is being accompanied by Deputy Finance and Economy Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou and Deputy Development Minister Stavros Kalafatis, as well as by a delegation of businessmen, arrived in Stockholm at 11 local time and was welcomed at the airport by Crown Princess of Sweden Victoria and the Swedish Social Security minister.

Immediately afterwards, he went to Logardstrappan Palace in downtown Stockholm, where he was welcomed by the Swedish monarch and then the two leaders boarded the royal carriage that conveyed them to the site of the official welcoming ceremony.

During the impressive ceremony, the King introduced to President Papoulias the official delegation that was composed of Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, the foreign minister and others. They then went to the royal guest mansion where President Papoulias met Queen Sylvia.

President Papoulias dined with the royal couple at noon and afterwards he met with the prime minister. In the afternoon, he visited the Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and the Nobel Museum, where he was awarded the Academy's medal, and in the evening he attended the dinner given in his honour by the royal couple.

On Wednesday, President Papoulias will be visiting the World Trade Centre, together with the royal couple, and Stockholm's Town Hall and he will also be meeting Greek community representatives.

Caption: President Karolos Papoulias (R) and King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf in Stockholm on Tuesday 20 May 2008.ANA-MPA/VANGELIS VARDOULAKIS

[02] Hellenic Petroleum,INEOS deal

According to a relevant announcement, the agreement strengthens the position of the Hellenic Petroleum company in the Greek market and the wider Balkan region. It also secures the further improvement of the company's supply chain and boosts the availability of additional S-PVC types for various industrial applications.

As part of the agreement,Hellenic Petroleum is planning investments amounting to about 700,000 euros to strengthen the infrastructures of the supply chain with the aim of satisfying customers' requirements effectively.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Hellenic Petroleum SA installations

[03] China thanks Greece for aid

Amb. Luo Linquan, who greeted local journalists at the Chinese embassy in Athens, said the Beijing government has forecast a death toll of 50,000 from the killer quake and damages of 6.7 billion euros.

The envoy said Greece's reaction, including statements by the country's top political leadership, was immediate, while he praised a pledge by Athens to relay 200,000 euros as assistance to the province, especially coming on the heels of last year's wildfire destruction in southern Greece.

Asked about the upcoming Olympics Games in Beijing and a string of other cities in the massive Far East nation, Luo emphasised that both the Chinese government and the people will now simply work harder to ensure the Games' utter success.

"The People's Republic of China needs the solidarity, support and understanding of the international community and people ... real friendship is tested in time of need ... We consider Greece a partner," he stressed.

Additionally, in response to a press query, the Chinese ambassador said all of the venues for the Olympics and related sites, including accommodations and tourist lodgings, meet the highest standards of earthquake protection.

A book of condolences was opened in the Chinese embassy in Athens for the victims of the quake.

Caption: Mourners weep over the death of loved ones in Beichuan, one of the worst hit earthquake disaster areas, Sichuan province, China, 20 May 2008. ANA-MPA/ EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The nutritional scandal with the unsuitable for consumption sunflower oil containing mineral oil imported from Ukraine and the Nationwide university entry exams' opening day, Greek-Turkish relations and the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) part sale to Deutsche Telekom dominated the headlines on Wednesday in Athens' Newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "A bomb on our table - 18 food categories suspected of containing mineral oil".

APOGEVMATINI: "21,948 new hirings in public sector".

AVGHI: "Large multinational food company involved in the mineral oil scandal - Government conceals the immense hazard for consumers".

AVRIANI: "Government prepares 'strike' against profiteer gangs that poison people -- All inspection mechanisms and authorities to be merged and placed under the direct supervision of Agriculture Minister Alexandros Kontos".

CHORA: " 'Money show' in Mass Media and Panathinaikos football club - Will shipping tycoon Nikos Pateras become president of the Athens FC? - Deluge of millions of euros".

ELEFTHEROS : "Triple provocation from Turkey- NATO - US in the Aegean Sea - They turn into a grey zone Aghios Efstatios (Ai - Stratis) island during a NATO manoeuvre".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Fame's revenge - Former national weightlifting team coach Christos Iakovou together with 24 other individuals involved in the doping scandal referred to justice, facing heavy charges".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Nutrition inspections full of holes - Chaos in relevant services, which are covering up for each other at the consumers' expense".

ESTIA: "Backtracking for Universities - PASOK blocking any advancements".

ETHNOS: "They sank in 10,000 tons of sunflower oil - Government unable to protect the public health".

KATHIMERINI: "Nationwide university exams theme referring to tradition".

LOGOS: "Food Safety Committee (EFET) president resigns - All sunflower oils withdrawn from shelves".

NIKI: "Oil scandal - Worry over the contaminated sunflower oil nightmare".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Organised mass struggle action by students' movement".

TA NEA: "Chaos on supermarket shelves with suspicious food products - All sunflower oils withdrawn".

TO VIMA: "Nutricional panic! - Dozens of products withdrawn - Government hasitly sacked on Tuesday EFET's president".

VRADYNI: "Mercy - The crime against our health is assuming immense proportions".

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