Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-14

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Citizens Service phone line changed to 1500, made multilingual

[02] Papoulias receives BoG Gov.

[03] Thessaloniki mayor at Balkan Mayors' assembly in Sarajevo

[01] Citizens Service phone line changed to 1500, made multilingual

Deputy Interior Minister Christos Zois said that the interior ministry would carry out an advertising campaign to inform the general public of the revamped phone line and stressed that the ministry would continue efforts to provide modern and reliable transactions with the state sector that were fast, transparent, of high quality and accessible to all.

The decision to change the number, which was previously 1564, was made after a survey showed that 42 percent of the general public that knew of the phone line's existence could not remember the number, which was only known by 6 percent of those asked in total.

The survey also found that 88 percent of people that had used the phone line had been satisfied with the level of service they received.

Users of the new 1500 line, which will be charged at local rates, will have access to the following:

A voice portal where they can ask for information and advice on all public administration issues.

Processing of 95 certified state transactions also available at Citizens Service Centres.

Information on issues concerning the Public Administration Inspectors and Controllers Corps.

The Consumer General Secretariat

Services for the protection of abused women

Services for economic migrants

Information on unleaded petrol prices for the day

Information on Greek National Tourism Organisation tourism programmes

Results of nationwide university entrance examination

Progress of official complaints and cases.

[02] Papoulias receives BoG Gov.

In greeting Provopoulos and in reference to the timely international credit crisis, Papoulias emphasised that banks must exercise their social sensitivity, citing the G-20 meeting in Washington.

On his part, the BoG head warned against expecting too much from the closely watched meeting. "I am afraid that we must not expect too many things from G-20 members, although discussion is always helpful..."

[03] Thessaloniki mayor at Balkan Mayors' assembly in Sarajevo

The Bosnian Foreign Minister, Sven Alkalaj, inaugurated the 2008 conference, while the host, Sarajevo Mayor Semiha Borovac and Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos addressed greetings.

Papageorgopoulos referred to inter-governmental findings on climate change, presented a year ago in Valencia, and reiterated that directed policies and technology that can reduce emissions.

"Local governments are called on to contribute with the urban planning and the understanding of the sustainable development," Papageorgopoulos said, outlining the Thessaloniki municipality's actions in sanitation sector, garbage disposal and monitoring emissions.

Thessaloniki will host the next Balkan Mayors' assembly in 2009.

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