Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-08-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM addresses World Congress of Thracians

[02] PM addresses World Congress of Thracians

[03] Time has come to overcome crisis of values

[04] Time has come to overcome crisis of values

[05] Police dismantle immigrant smuggling ring

[06] Countdown for Christoforakos extradition

[07] Coalition on Siemens

[08] Coalition on Siemens

[01] PM addresses World Congress of Thracians

The prime minister reassured that the government is and shall stand by Thrace and will do all that is necessary for its development and promotion to an international commercial and energy hub, to a bridge to other peoples and cultures.

He also stressed that the government honours the struggles of the Thracians and referred analytically to projects that have been completed and to others that are under way that are changing Thrace's image.

Karamanlis focused specifically on the Egnatia Motorway that has been completed, to the vertical road axes that are also being completed, to the natural gas pipeline, the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline and to work being carried out in the region's ports and airport.

The prime minister referred in particular to the Dimocritio University, saying that it is the country's third biggest university, new departments are being created continuously, it will be attracting more and more Greek and foreign students and it is emerging as Thrace's international intellectual lighthouse.

Furthermore, he said that 200 million euros are being provided for the construction and maintenance of schools in Thrace (including minority ones as well). The vision for Thrace, he added, is now becoming a tangible reality.

Karamanlis also referred to the muslim minority in Thrace and said that Greece is implementing a modern minority policy that does not distinguish people according to religion, origin or language. It implements equality before the law.

Transport and Communications Minister Evripidis Stylianidis also addressed the Congress, terming the prime minister's presence at the Thracians' Congress historic and referring to Thrace's new image said that the disadvantages of the past are becoming the advantages of the future.

The Congress's inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Stavros Kalafatis, the regional governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Dimitris Stamatis, deputies, mayors from the region, the ruling New Democracy party's Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis, Turkey's consul in Komotini Moustafa Sarni and the mufti of Komotini Mezo Jemali.

[02] PM addresses World Congress of Thracians

The prime minister reassured that the government is and shall stand by Thrace and will do all that is necessary for its development and promotion to an international commercial and energy hub, to a bridge to other peoples and cultures.

He also stressed that the government honours the struggles of the Thracians and referred analytically to projects that have been completed and to others that are under way that are changing Thrace's image.

Karamanlis focused specifically on the Egnatia Motorway that has been completed, to the vertical road axes that are also being completed, to the natural gas pipeline, the Burgas-Alexandroupoli oil pipeline and to work being carried out in the region's ports and airport.

The prime minister referred in particular to the Dimocritio University, saying that it is the country's third biggest university, new departments are being created continuously, it will be attracting more and more Greek and foreign students and it is emerging as Thrace's international intellectual lighthouse.

Furthermore, he said that 200 million euros are being provided for the construction and maintenance of schools in Thrace (including minority ones as well). The vision for Thrace, he added, is now becoming a tangible reality.

Karamanlis also referred to the muslim minority in Thrace and said that Greece is implementing a modern minority policy that does not distinguish people according to religion, origin or language. It implements equality before the law.

Transport and Communications Minister Evripidis Stylianidis also addressed the Congress, terming the prime minister's presence at the Thracians' Congress historic and referring to Thrace's new image said that the disadvantages of the past are becoming the advantages of the future.

The Congress's inauguration ceremony was attended by the Minister of Macedonia and Thrace Stavros Kalafatis, the regional governor of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Dimitris Stamatis, deputies, mayors from the region, the ruling New Democracy party's Central Committee Secretary Lefteris Zagoritis, Turkey's consul in Komotini Moustafa Sarni and the mufti of Komotini Mezo Jemali.

[03] Time has come to overcome crisis of values

Papandreou added that what is required is for "necessary reforms to take place in a political system that tolerates and very often rewards untransparency, corruption and impunity."

The PASOK leader further said that his party can carry out the necessary reforms, "the reforms that shall create a State that respects the wealth of the Greek people and the abilities of every Greek. We must dare for a State that will observe rules and values, a law-abiding State that will respect the citizen."

Papandreou also emphasised PASOK's determination "to clear up the country's public life from all those cases that have shocked the Greek people. For the truth to shine, for light and the feeling of Justice to win."

Lastly, Papandreou said that he wished to reassure the Greek people that the party possesses determination and has taken its decisions, adding that "we can plan a different future together. A future of security, confidence and creativity for us and our children."

[04] Time has come to overcome crisis of values

Papandreou added that what is required is for "necessary reforms to take place in a political system that tolerates and very often rewards untransparency, corruption and impunity."

The PASOK leader further said that his party can carry out the necessary reforms, "the reforms that shall create a State that respects the wealth of the Greek people and the abilities of every Greek. We must dare for a State that will observe rules and values, a law-abiding State that will respect the citizen."

Papandreou also emphasised PASOK's determination "to clear up the country's public life from all those cases that have shocked the Greek people. For the truth to shine, for light and the feeling of Justice to win."

Lastly, Papandreou said that he wished to reassure the Greek people that the party possesses determination and has taken its decisions, adding that "we can plan a different future together. A future of security, confidence and creativity for us and our children."

[05] Police dismantle immigrant smuggling ring

In order to release them, their captors used to ask for more money than had been initially agreed. A police operation led to the release of 10 illegal immigrants and the arrest of the immigrant smugglers.

[06] Countdown for Christoforakos extradition

Germany's Supreme Constitutional Court, to which Christoforakos has resorted to achieve an annulment of the decision on his extradition to Greece, is expected to convene on Monday.

If his appeal is rejected, the fourth special investigator Nikos Zagorianos will travel to Munich immediately to pick him up, accompanied by security men and a doctor.

[07] Coalition on Siemens

It said that it is preferable that the New Democracy and PASOK parties provide answers as to how much money they took and when they will return it to the Greek people.

Coalition leader Alexis Tsipras said that "Christoforakos's testimony comes to confirm the joint feeling of Greek citizens that the two mainstream parties, over a number of years, have set up a joint venture with Siemens as its sponsor."

Tsipras further said that "it is not about money belonging to Siemens, but about money belonging to the Hellenic state, that could have become schools, hospitals and public works."

[08] Coalition on Siemens

It said that it is preferable that the New Democracy and PASOK parties provide answers as to how much money they took and when they will return it to the Greek people.

Coalition leader Alexis Tsipras said that "Christoforakos's testimony comes to confirm the joint feeling of Greek citizens that the two mainstream parties, over a number of years, have set up a joint venture with Siemens as its sponsor."

Tsipras further said that "it is not about money belonging to Siemens, but about money belonging to the Hellenic state, that could have become schools, hospitals and public works."

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