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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-22Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis tours the city of VolosPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis will visit the city of Volos, central Greece, on Saturday. His itinerary includes visits to the Chamber of Volos, the Goritsa tunnel on the under construction Volos Ring Road and the Dairy Industry Cooperative (EBOL) at the city's Industrial Zone. Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis emphasised on Friday, speaking in Parliament in response to a tabled question by the head of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) Parliamentary group on the effects of the global economic crisis on the younger generations.that this juncture calls for a measure of responsibility without populist practices. "The present juncture does not allow for populism or measures that could prove disastrous," he stressed. The most pressing social problem stemming from the unprecedented global crisis is skyrocketing unemployment, he said, adding that support of the real economy is a priority. Referring to the latest legislative initiative undertaken by the government, he said that it constitutes a fundamental and necessary precondition to ensure the financing of the small and medium sized businesses, support economic activity and protect employment. "This is a substantive response to young couples wishing to get their own house and need a loan and the most drastic response aimed at preventing economic activity slowdown that would subsequently have a negative effect on the employment rate. On his part, SYRIZA Parliamentary group leader Alekos Alavanos referred to the draft state budget, pointing out that the banks are set to receive the sum of 28 billion euros to boost and guarantee liquidity, while for the employment ministry and the ministry of education 11.3 billion and 7.2 billion euros, respectively, have been earmarked. Karamanlis stated, in response that the references made by Alavanos, that his intention was to engage in demagogy. Referring to what he called "systematic efforts" made by the government to boost employment-related prospects for the younger generations, Karamanlis reminded that policies proposed for a qualitative upgrading of education and reforms were met with strong opposition, while a policy currently promoted to support the real economy, protect employment and reduce interest rates is also met with disinformation and wanton populism. "Wishful thinking will not solve problems," Karamanlis stated. He also referred to a reduction of the unemployment rate from 11.2 percent in March 2004 to 7.1 percent last August, while as regards the younger generations, he stressed that unemployment has dropped from 30.2 percent to 19.2 percent. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis .[02] Armed Forces Day celebrationsArmed Forces Day celebrations heightened on Friday with a reception held at the Armed Forces Officers Club attended by President Karolos Papoulias.Also present at the reception were the defence ministry's political and military leadership, party representatives, foreign embassy military officials, armed forces officers, former president of the Republic Christos Sartzetakis, former prime ministers Constantine Mitsotakis and Ioannis Grivas and other dignitaries. "Today we are honouring the members of the Armed Forces who are safeguarding the integrity of Greece with self-sacrifice and continuous efforts, rendering it a force of peace, stability, progress and development in the wider region," Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis said at the end of a church service held at the Athens Cathedral in the morning. The laying of wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier followed, while the official hoisting of the Greek flag on the Acropolis had taken place earlier. [03] Greek deputy interior minister meets UN SGGreece's Deputy Interior Minister Thanassis Nakos, who is representing Greece at the International Meeting on Migration at the United Nations, met on Thursday night with UN Secretary General Ban-Ki Moon, whom he briefed on the preparations for the hosting of the 3rd World Forum on Migration and Development, which will take place in Athens in November 2009.Nakos invited the UN Secretary General to take part in the Forum and the invitation was accepted. After the meeting Nakos told reporters that "he was very friendly with us and congratulated us for the willingness with which we undertook the organization of the 3rd World Migration Forum which will be held in Athens from November 2-5, 2009. It is a very important event." [04] Annual scholarships to students of Greek originTwenty five students of Greek origin received this year's scholarships of the Panhellenic Scholarships Foundation, in a ceremony which was organized by the foundation at Chicago University, in the presence of many officials.The scholarships, worth 10,000 dollars each, were offered along with the corresponding praise to students who distinguished themselves for their performances, but also to those who need economic support. The president of the foundation, Christos Tomaras, said that the objective is to offer help to Greek-Americans who excelled in their studies. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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