Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-04-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM on economic diplomacy

[02] Papoulias in Ukraine

[03] Recycling is gov't's priority

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] FM on economic diplomacy

The minister stressed that as soon as the government assumed its duties, following the elections held in 2004, it placed emphasis on the country's extroversion.

She said that there are two main tools to achieve the goal of extroversion. Competitiveness and economic diplomacy. At the level of economic diplomacy, the ministry has an overall strategic plan and the importance placed by the government on this sector results from the fact that since the beginning of 2008 considerable business missions have been carried out to Turkey, Syria, Egypt and Algeria (for the first time).

The government's aim is a turn to economic diplomacy and its extension to speedily developing countries, lying outside the Balkans and the European Union, such as China, the Arab world, Russia, etc, as well as the aspect of energy diplomacy.

An amount was secured in the budget for new economic diplomacy activities as of 2007. Greece has 58 Economic and Commercial Affairs Offices in 87 countries and 148 embassies, general consulates, consulates and liaison offices.

Caption: Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis in Thessaloniki on Monday 14 April 2008 .ANA-MPA/PAVLOS MAKRIDIS

[02] Papoulias in Ukraine

Other stops on his itinerary include the historic cities of Nizhyn and Mariupol, with several meetings and visits scheduled in the latter at the city's ethnic Greek institutions.

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Greek President Karolos Papoulias (L) and Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko(R)

[03] Recycling is gov't's priority

The focus was on the "blue bin" system for recycling all forms of packaging that is currently used by roughly half of municipalities around the country but often does not work effectively because municipalities don't have enough money to collect with the required frequency and because the system has in many areas not been fully completed.

In talks with KEDKE's president Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and other members of KEDKE's board, Souflias explained that the ministry had asked the Greek recycling company that handles the blue bin system to give funds to municipalities to carry out collections more frequently, while central government would provide funds for extending and improving the system where needed.

Souflias underlined that recycling was a priority for the government, which aimed to reach the EU average for recycling materials, or 33 percent, by the year 2012.

The minister also agreed with a KEDKE request to deploy other recycling methods, such as specialised "recycling huts" to be operated by local authorities, and to organise a major campaign to promote recycling in autumn.

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "9 out of 10 children with mobile phones - Effect on health is disastrous".

APOGEVMATINI: "14,000 children needing parents - They are left unwanted in institiutions".

AVGHI: "We are very close to changing the political corrolations, says Synaspismos party leader Alexis Tsipras".

AVRIANI: "A 19-year-old swimmer died from anabolic steroids, according to a report by the Coroner's office"

CHORA: "Operation return of 25 billion dollars to Piraeus (largest port of Greece) - Incentives to shipowners decided by FinMin and Merchant Marine Minister".

ELEFTHEROS: "FYROM's provocation at the Air Force Cadets Academy - 'I am Macedonian', said FYROM's delegate at a conference".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Where Italy is leading us - Berlusconi prevails with the support of ethnicist Boshi's Legha - The third Berlusconi's term and his projection by the Media".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The battle of starvation - UN: The massive production of biofuel is a crime against humanity".

ESTIA: "Main opposition PASOK wants to a back off - Its positions on the economy are dangerous".

ETHNOS: "2-7 additional years of work in public sector".

KATHIMERINI: "A fake Galanis (famous Greek painter) painting only the tip of the iceberg - Auctions up in the air - Collectors are unprotected".

LOGOS: "(Foreign Minister Dora) Bakoyannis reiterates before Nimetz's arrival in Greece: 'We are seeking a solution'- Americans only holding consecutive meetings and exerting pressure".

NIKI: "Karamanlis shocked by (government MP )Tatoulis statements - Maximos mansion (premier's office) waits at the corner for the MP who dissolved the myth of 'the prime minister of reforms' ".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Our answer to plutocracy and its parties is strikes".

TA NEA: "Record prices in Easter market".

TO VIMA: "Halt to mortgage loans offers - The first effect of the International financial crisis".

VRADYNI: "New status for the armed forces - The changes contained in the new draft law".

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