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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-20Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] German envoy visits Ecumenical PatriarchateISTANBUL (ANA-MPA) -- German ambassador to Turkey Eckart Cuntz on Monday expressed his hope regarding the re-opening of the Halki Orthodox Seminary on the eponymous Marmara Sea island."We all hope that the Halki Seminary will again operate," the German envoy told reporters after meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Fanar. "We discussed the principle of freedom of religious beliefs in Turkey and in our countries, and the present state of human rights," he added, reiterating the importance of "equal treatment of all religions regarding the education of clergy and other religious staff." [02] Hellenic Bank Association in court action against unionsThe Hellenic Bank Association on Monday attempted to reassure employees in the sector that a decision to seek court action against bank employees' unions was not aimed against the workforce but specific unions it claims are trying to establish a regulatory framework for resolving labour differences via arbitration, thereby pulling away from past statements and actions.The Association said that in the period from 1976 to 2007 a total of 23 collective bargaining agreements had been signed between banks and OTOE, bank workers' union, while stressing that during this period no one claimed that Hellenic Bank Association was the sector's representative at the bargaining table. In fact, the Association said it was never invited to any round of negotiations as a representative of banks. OTOE has failed to sign a collective labour agreement with banks operating in Greece in 2008 and has referred to Greek courts in order to seek arbitration for its demands. [03] Papoulias lauded by US CretansPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias was bestowed the Venizelos Award by the Pan Cretan Association of America, the organisation's top award, during the association's 41st convention in Irakleio, Crete.The award was presented to Papoulias at a ceremony on Saturday evening, during which the Association's president Manolis Velivassakis noted that the award was being presented to the President of the Hellenic Republic in a gesture of appreciation for his contribution to the ecumenical Hellenism. Papoulias, in turn, expressed great joy in being on Crete once again and warmly thanked the Association for the honour bestowed on him. He said he felt Crete was like a home to him, since his grandfather, Lt. Napoleon Papoulias, had been heavily wounded during the 1897 battle of Voukolia for the town's liberation. Papoulias also noted that the late statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, after whom the award is named, had indisputably been one of the biggest figures of modern-day Hellenism, and his struggles, political abilities, acuteness of spirit in difficult eras had placed their seal on the country's course. Greece, he added, does not forget Crete's contribution during the hard times, such as the Turkish yoke, the Balkan wars with the Cretan volunteers in Epirus and Macedonia, and the Battle of Crete during the Nazi occupation. Papoulias further congratulated the Association for its dynamic and impressive work in the US. Present at the ceremony, among other officials, was foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, who inaugurated the convention. A banquet was also held in Papoulias' honour on Saturday night, hosted by the secretary general of the Crete Periphery Serafeim Tsokas and addressed by Bakoyannis and Tsokas. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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