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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-09-17Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] EU approves OA rescue planThe European Commission has approved a government plan to rescue Greece's ailing national carrier Olympic Airways, Transport Minister Costis Hatzidakis announced on Wednesday after an Inner Cabinet meeting chaired by Premier Costas Karamanlis.The Commission formally announced its approval of the plan. Hatzidakis spoke of a "major structural intervention" by the government regarding the OA problem that "permanently solves an issue that has occupied Greek society and the political system for the past 30 years". He told reporters after the meeting that the new air carrier would be privatised, offering job security for its workforce, while adding that he would make more detailed announcements later in the day. The plan provides for closure of the existing debt-ridden company, with a parallel commencement of procedures for the establishment of a new company managed by private investors. The new company will inherit the Olympic Airways name and logo and its valuable routes and airport slots in Greek and international airports. Tajani: OA plan a product of fruitful discussions with Greek gov't "The Olympic Airways and Olympic Airlines cases have been a source of contention between the Commission and Greece since 1994. Even today in partially closing a further investigation we have found a further 850 million euros of State aid has been granted to these companies." Vice President Antonio Tajani was quoted as saying in Brussels. "I strongly hope that with today's (Wednesday) Commission approval of the privatisation plan we send the message that we want a definitive break with the past. It is my conviction that a new air transport market in Greece undistorted by state aid can develop. Our experience with previous cases involving other air transport companies facing similar challenges proves that these companies not only thrive but compete successfully in a market free from State aid. The privatisation processes approved today, which are the product of long, tough but nevertheless always fruitful discussions between the Greek authorities and the Commission, offers a solution which will be better for Greece, for competition and for passengers," the Commissioner responsible for transport told reporters. [02] Greece-FYRoM conf on organic goodsTrade and technological cooperation between organic product companies in Greece and the neighbouring former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM) will be examined during a one-day conference in Thessaloniki on Oct. 1, hosted by the by the Federation of Northern Greece Industries' network of organic producers. Organic products appear to constitute an attractive business option for more and more producers and entrepreneurs in the Balkan, and recently in fYRoM, organisers said. Launched in 2000, the sector of organic products in the neighbouring country corresponds to roughly 1 percent of the country's cultivated land in 2006.Caption: A file photo dated Thursday, Nov 10, 2005, shows a stand with organic products at the exhibition 8th Ecofestival in Athens. ANA-MPA / M. KIAOU. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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