Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou meets Thessaly deputies

[02] FM to meet Rice in US

[01] Papandreou meets Thessaly deputies

Papandreou placed emphasis on the development potential of Thessaly and called on the deputies, also in light of the party's congress in March, to highlight PASOK's development strategy and programming proposal, with the participation of local officials and social agencies as well.

On their part, the deputies outlined the "serious social and economic problems" facing prefectures in Thessaly, "the most important being serious delays in the implementation of basic infrastructure projects, a decrease in farming income, environmental degrading and the lack of intervention to achieve integrated management for water resources."

The deputies also focused on "the need for unity to be consolidated in PASOK, the prospects for the victorious reconstruction and outlook of the democratic party" and agreed to joint Parliamentary and political initiatives being assumed in cooperation with PASOK's organisations, aiming at the more effective exercising of opposition action and promoting the party's programme positions.

Caption: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou(C) with party's MP's from the region of Thessaly at his office in parliament on Tuesday 29 Jan.2008 .ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS

[02] FM to meet Rice in US

Koumoutsakos, speaking to reporters during a regular press briefing, said that although Bakoyannis' itinerary was still being planned, meetings in Washington with Rice and with US National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley on February 13th have already been finalised, as well as an address on the 14th at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), during of an event being organised in her honor.

Regarding the items on the agenda for the Bakoyannis-Rice meeting, Koumoutsakos was reserved, saying it was too early to elaborate, but noted that it was customary that the entire spectrum of bilateral matters as well as issues of wider regional and international interest are discussed.

Koumoutsakos opined that there would be particular reference to the Western Balkans, the matter of the future status of Kosovo, and the ongoing process for finding a mutually acceptable solution to the FYROM name issue.

Replying to a question, Koumoutsakos said that the meeting with Rice had been requested by the Greek side.

Bakoyannis will fly to the US directly from Valletta, where she will be attending the EU ministerial meeting with the Arab League on February 11.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyiannis(R) and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L).

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