Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-29

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK rejects the possibility of a cooperation with ND

[02] Development Minister in Moscow

[03] Measures for firestriken Rhodes

[04] Navigation safety discussed

[05] Ancient Pellina archaeological park

[01] PASOK rejects the possibility of a cooperation with ND

The spokesman told reporters that "such a cooperation is something which belongs to the sphere of science fiction," adding that "PASOK rejects it in the most categorical way, because the two parties represent different things."

A relevant view was expressed by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis in an interview he gave in Sunday's edition of "Eleftherotypia" newspaper.

Papandreou hails Cyprus agreement for negotiations

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou on Monday said that an agreement, last Friday, between Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turksih Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat to start full-fledged negotiations on Septemeber 3 for resolving the protracted Cyprus problem was a "very positive development".

President Christofias' "agreement with the Turkish Cypriot leader for the start of direct negotiations aiming at the reunification of Cyprus in the framework of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with a single personality, one citizenship and one sovereignty, is a very positive development. PASOK will actively support the new effort for a solution. An effort without impositions coming from outside, artificial timeframes and arbitrage," Papandreou said in an interview with the Athens daily "Eleftherotypia'.

"Turkey must withraw its occupation troops from Cyprus, contribute in practice and cooperate constructively (towards a solution) as it has the obligation to do as an EU candidate member-state, and leave, at long last, the Turkish Cypriot community to speak freely without tutelages," Papandreou added.

Regarding the issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), Papandreou claimed that Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, with his letter of reply to the neighbouring country's premier, "has effectively conceded that, on the table of a bilateral dialogue, there are other issues as well."

"Greece must not abandon the framework of UN-sponsored negotiations regarding only one issue, that is, the name ...one name for all uses, a composite name with a geographical qualifier," the PASOK leader added.

He also commented on the arrest, last week, of Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, saying that it was a "message of the will of the new Serbian government to advance in its European course, a course which we know helps the entire Balkans."

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

[02] Development Minister in Moscow

The two men discussed the promotion and implementation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and the South Stream natural gas pipeline.

"We reviewed the pending matters and the joint efforts and we agreed that we are obliged to run with speed and effectiveness in order to implement these that have been routed," said Folias after his meeting with the Russian minister. He also announced the establishment of joint working groups which will be meeting regularly and whenever a problem arises, so that a solution be given.

The two ministers also discussed the creation of joint working groups and issues related to renewable sources of energy. Particularly for the South Stream, agreement was reached for the setting up of a four-member inter-ministerial group which will supervise the project, with the participation of representatives from Russia, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy.

Caption:File photo ANA-MPA/EPA SERGEY DOLZHENKO

[03] Measures for firestriken Rhodes

Pavlopoulos attended a lengthy meeting at southern Rhodes' Town Hall where he was briefed by local officials on the magnitude of the damage caused.

After the meeting, the minister announced a series of measures for the restoration of the natural environment. The measures include an integrated study for reforestation, the immediate aerial photographing of the regions which were burnt, the construction of small technical projects for the confrontation of possible floods, the paving of temporary forest roads, the securing of food for the deer and of other animals which survive in the region and the prohibition of hunting in the burnt regions.

Pavlopoulos also said that particular emphasis will be given to the island's tourism projection, making it clear that the government through these measures is expressing its active support to the local community.

Caption: Wildfire burning a forest on the island of Rhodes on Wed.23 July 2008 ANA-MPA/STR

[04] Navigation safety discussed

Among those present were the head of the Greek Coast Guard Rear Admiral Theodoros Rentzeperis, the first deputy chief Rear Admiral Athanassios Bouskos, the Piraeus central harbour master Apostolos Pouliakas, the deputy harbour master Constantine Karababas, chief navigator Vassilis Sabaziotis, the president of the Masters and Mates Union of the Greek Merchant Marine (PEPEN) George Vlachos and PEPEN General Secretary Achilleas Tarlamis.

There was an extensive discussion on boosting navigation safety within harbours and ports, with the minister demanding a thorough investigation and assignment of responsibility for every incident that occurred, greater frequency of inspections and full adherence to maritime safety rules.

The meeting also examined the extent to which measures decided after the accident with the ferryboat "Theophilos" had been carried out in practice.

Voulgarakis also decided to sent letters to the Union of Greek Shipowners, the Union of Coastal Passenger Ship Owners, the Association of Greek Passenger Ship Owners, the Greek Naval Chamber of Commerce, with copies to PEPEN, outlining their obligations to observe safety regulations for passenger ships.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of a view of the port of Pireaus

[05] Ancient Pellina archaeological park

Initally, the aim is to clean and display the ancient wall on the site and to calculate its course, they said.

Ancient Pellina or Pellinaion was situated on the left bank of the Pineios River in western Thessaly, between Trikki and Farkadona. The first ancient reference to the city that survives was in Pindar, who cited it as the home of the athlete Ippocles, who won a race in the Pythia Games held in 498 B.C. Ancient accounts and architectural remains yield information about the city mostly during and after the 4th century B.C.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article