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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-02-05Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou calls for early electionsMain opposition PASOK President George Papandreou on Thursday again called for early elections to avert what he called the "worst", proposing an agreement for immediate elections within the period until European Parliament elections or concurrently. Additionally, he proposed a consensus in the election of the President of the Republic. Speaking in a press conference in downtown Athens, the former foreign minister expressed deep concern for the country's course, saying that its causes are traced to the government policies followed in the last five years. He underlined that the country is "defenseless" in the ongoing global economic crisis and said there is no plan designed to deal with the domestic and the international crisis. He also stated that the country needs a new course and a new government and outlined several points he said would reverse this course. Among others, Papandreou proposed "collectivity and unity" based on a "production sector alliance" that will support the economically weaker strata as well as greater meritocracy and transparency in the public sector. He stated that the measures aimed at pulling the country out of the crisis will focus on a "market revival and fair redistribution of wealth", highlighting the importance of a new developmental model based on "green development" and the importance of a government with a strong presence in the EU and globally. Papandreou underlined that nothing will be easy the day after the elections, pointing out that the country's reconstruction demands collective work.[02] Hoteliers urge measures avoid crisis in tourism sectorThe Hoteliers Association of Athens-Attica on Thursday urged for the immediate implementation of 14 measures to support the tourism sector, announced by the Prime Minister and approved by the government, and called for the introduction of a stable long-term tourism policy, which will not be dependent on individuals or political parties in power.The Association said the measures were absolutely necessary to strengthen tourism enterprises in the country and noted that a crisis - already hitting the sector - was expected to intensify in 2009 and 2010. Hoteliers also stressed that the crisis in the Greek tourism sector has deeper roots and is not a local problem. Meanwhile, a survey by the Academy of Touristic Research and Studies (ATEM) said that Greek tourism was entering a very difficult period this year, with tourist arrivals expected to fall between 4-11 pct this year, compared with 2008. [03] Stocks end 1.63 pct lowerGreek stocks lost substantial ground in the Athens Stock Exchange on Thursday, in line with a decline in other European markets. The composite index fell 1.63 pct to end at 1,715.57 points, with turnover remaining a low 103.2 million euros, of which 12.2 million euros were block trades.Most sectors moved lower, with the Oil (3.11 pct), Commerce (3.03 pct) and Telecommunications (2.88 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Food/Beverage (1.82 pct), Technology (1.57 pct) and Insurance (1.19 pct) scored gains. The FTSE 20 index fell 2.24 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 0.03 pct up and the FTSE 80 index eased 1.07 pct. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 116 to 80 with another 54 issues unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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