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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-06-25Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Interministerial committee convened on economyThe Interministerial Committee on the economy, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, convened on Thursday at the Maximos mansion (government headquarters).After the meeting, Economy and Finance Minister Yannis Papathanassiou said to the press that they discussed measures to be taken to combat the economic crisis, which he will announce later at a press conference. Papathanassiou, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias and Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis were present at the meeting. [02] Trade balance deficit posts 51.1pct decrease in April yr/yrGreece's trade balance deficit posted a hefty decrease of 51.1 percent year-on-year in April 2009 over the corresponding month last year, according to figures released on Thursday by the national statistics service ESYE.More specifically, the trade balance deficit fell to 1,790.9 million euros in April 2009 from 3,661.6 million euros in April 2008, marking a 51.1 percent decrease. The trade balance reflects the difference between the overall value of exports-dispatches and the overall value of imports-arrivals. According to ESYE, the overall value of imports-arrivals dropped by 41.6 percent to 2,992.9 million euros in April from 5,124.6 million euros in April 2008, while the overall value of exports-dispatches declined by 17.8 percent to 1,202 million euros in April from 1,463 million euros in April 2008. Further, the overall value of imports-arrivals in the first quarter (Q1) of 2009 fell by 35.2 percent to 12,663 million euros from 19,488.7 million euros in Q1 2008, while the overall value of exports-dispatches in the first quarter of the year dropped by 17.4 percent to 4,518.7 million euros from 5,472.3 million euros in Q1 2008. [03] Parliament passes amendment on illegal migrationAn amendment on illegal migration that renders all offences related to people trafficking as felonies was passed Wednesday night in parliament in the first summer recess session.The amendment was passed with the votes of the ruling New Democracy (ND) and opposition Popular Orthodox Struggle (LAOS) MPs sitting in on the first recess session. The bill upgrades to felony status all offences concerning the trafficking of illegal migrants and other amendments to the existing legislation on illegal migration. Addressing the debate before the vote, justice minister Nikos Dendias stressed the need for consensus ontackling the problem of illegal migration, while the ruling party and main opposition PASOK crossed swords over who was respnsible for the aggravation of the problem and on their respective migration policies. [04] Siemens former exec arrestedSiemens Hellas former CEO Michalis Christoforakos, a fugitive from justice who is wanted in Greece in a high-profile bribery and money-laundering case, has been arrested in Germany by the German judicial authorities, it was announced on Thursday.Athens special examining magistrate Nikos Zagorianos, who is investigating the Siemens kickbacks scandal, had issued an international arrest warrant for Christoforakos on May 21 after the latter failed to show up for testimony claiming, through his lawyer, that health reasons did not allow him to travel from Munich to Athens. Christoforakos has German nationality and a German passport. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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