Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-05-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou meets Development Minister

[02] President Papoulias in Sweden

[03] Souflias responds to Papandreou

[04] FinMin on official visit to U.S.

[01] Papandreou meets Development Minister

"The Greek family is defenceless in the great food crisis that we are experiencing. For the umpteenth time the New Democracy government, through the main responsibility of the prime minister, is not responding to its obligation to safeguard public health nor was it able to detect the dangerous substances," Papandreou said.

The meeting was held at Papandreou's request, for an official briefing on the problem that has been created with the infected sunflower oil.

Papandreou said that the ruling New Democracy party should have proceeded with the immediate replanning of the food safety system and the immediate functioning of a food crisis management system, while it should have also promoted the duties, independence and activities of EFET (Hellenic Food Authority), through manning based on merit and adequate funding, as well as through support for the consumer movement.

Folias said on his part that "we are always accessible and willing in briefing anybody, with open cards, because this is how we have been taught and we are proceeding in this way."

The development minister said that he briefed Papandreou fully on events taking place so far and gave him all the documents that the ministry has at its disposal on this issues together with copies.

The minister added that he also briefed Papandreou on all the steps that have been taken to date and explained to him how EFET has handled the issue in its entirety.

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou

[02] President Papoulias in Sweden

Speaking during a dinner in the presence of the Swedish monarch on Tuesday night, President Papoulias had stressed his anxiety over the future of the planet.

"The protection of the environment has now become one of the most important problems at international level. It is an indisputable fact that sustainable development and the protection of the environment are of fundamental importance for the survival and the future of mankind. It constitutes now a top priority for all of us to heed the anxiety of European citizens to adopt and implement the necessary measures," the Greek president had said.

The hospitality provided for President Papoulias by the Swedish royal family has impressed the Greek delegation. King Gustav accompanies him at almost every event, while Crown Princess Victoria is also present at some of them.

The Swedish monarch was not only present at the reception given in the honour of the Greek President by the Mayor of Stockholm, but he was also at the meeting between Greek businessmen and representatives of the city's business agencies that had been held earlier, while on Thursday he will be "flying" with President Papoulias in the royal aircraft to the city of Gothenburg, where Papoulias will be concluding his three-day visit to Sweden.

Despite the constant trips by the large entourage and the Greek delegation, streets were not closed and police did not halt traffic and nor did motorists honk their horns.

President Papoulias visited the Mediterranean and Middle East Antiquities Museum in the afternoon and inaugurated an exhibition with Greek traditional jewellery and in the evening he was due to give a reception in honour of the royal couple.

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

[03] Souflias responds to Papandreou

"Whether Mr. Papandreou and PASOK like it or not politically, Greece will acquire a national town planning, with the present government and the present political leadership of the Ministry of the Environment," Town Planning and Public Works Ministry, Souflias said.

"They (PASOK) ruled for 20 years and left the country without a national town planning, without a land register and without a forest register, that is, without the basic tools for exercising environmental policy. Today, the main opposition leader with his speech attempts to become a 'critic', unfortunately adopting the most fanatical mottos and inaccuracies of certain of his cadres and of certain non-governmental organizations. He does not submit any specific proposal. In this manner, however, political dialogue is not promoted, neither are the problems dealt with," Souflias added.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Enviroment,Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias

[04] FinMin on official visit to U.S.

"Greece's upgraded role in the broader region of southeast Europe also further upgrades the economic relations between the two countries, but also relations with other major world economic forces," Alogoskoufis told reporters on Wednesday.

Alogoskoufis noted that "Greece henceforth constitutes a country of acceptance of investments for the broader region of southeast Europe, a fact which is also aware to the Americans who show increased interest," he said.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis

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