Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM meets with TI chair, justice minister

[02] PASOK leader to address TI event

[03] Riverboat seminars on tourism

[01] PM meets with TI chair, justice minister

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hatzigakis said that Greece, in the framework of the United Nations, was developing a programme with TI that will culminate in October.

He said that, soon, the government will advance a draft law for ratification of TI, noting that the government was particularly interested in this issue, and that with ratification of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), it would be placing a small stepping stone in that area.

Asked to comment on recent attacks on the justice system by MPs, Hatzigakis said that Justice was doing its job well, and should not be hindered in the exercise of its work.

Labelle, in turn, expressed satisfaction with the meeting, adding that premier karamanlis placed particular weight on the issue of transparency.

She also thanked the prime minister and the Greek government's decision to host "the most important international conference against corruption" in end-October in Greece.

Bakouris also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting that a major survey on the issue of corruption and what can be done to improve the situation in Greece would be presented later in the day at an event at the Megaron-Athens Concert Hall organised by the Greek National Chapter of TI, which will be addressed by prime minister Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis

[02] PASOK leader to address TI event

Papandreou is also scheduled to meet with TI chairwoman Huguette Labelle.

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Main Opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou/KATERINA MAVRONA

[03] Riverboat seminars on tourism

The programme has begun with "floating seminars" by riverboat along the Rhine and Maine Rivers in central Europe, organised by the Periphery of the Southern Aegean and the Rhodes Tourism Promotion Organisation, with the backing of the National Tourism Organisation of Greece (NTOG). The local authorities of each region and local tourist agents are invited to these seminars, which also include events to present the natural and cultural beeuties of the islands.

The Southern Aegean Periphery has placed this year's seminars under its auspices, earmarking 80,000 euros for the programme, which aims at highlighting the islands' tourism product and upgrading the quality of services in the tourism sector.

The floating seminars, which will run through January 19, will be held in eight coastal cities along the Rhine and Maine Rivers, which cross three European countries: The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, while the programme will also include a visit to nearby Luxembourg.

The journey begins from Amsterdam (Netherlands), continuing on to Utrecht, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Arnhem, Rotterdam and Brussels.

Caption: Aerial view showing the south-west German city of Speyer and its dome, threatened by the high water of the Rhine river ANA-MPA/

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