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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-08-25Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] METKA-led consortium wins Megalopoli power plant projectPublic Power Corp. (PPC), Greeceās power utility, on Tuesday awarded a project to build a new production unit in Megalopoli to a consortium led by METKA and ETADE, with a pricetage of 500 million euros, 43 million euros less than the consortiumās initial offer.PPC said the signing of the contract will be made in the next two months if the consortium accepts a precondition set by PPCās board, namely, that no penalty be paid if the unitās operation is delayed up to 13 months. Under the plan, METKA and ETADE will build a 811 MW natgas-fired power plant in Megalopoli, a town in the central Peloponnese that already hosts other PPC units. [02] FM on Cyprus issue, TurkeyForeign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Tuesday reiterated Athens' position regarding the long-standing Cyprus problem and tersely pointed to Ankara's more-or-less negative involvement in efforts by the two communities on the island republic to achieve a solution, as well as to Turkey's EU prospects.Bakoyannis was speaking during a handover ceremony at the foreign ministry in Athens and the swearing-in of a new general secretary of the ministry. Nevertheless, regarding the ongoing dialogue on the Cyprus issue, Bakoyannis said there "are conditions for a solution, despite the difficulties ... Greece will offer any and all support to (Cyprus) President Christofias." In echoing the long-standing position of both Nicosia and Athens, Bakoyannis reiterated that any solution for Cyprus must revolve around a bizonal, bi-communal federation, "a solution that must be just, viable and functional without outdated guarantor systems; one based on UN Security Council resolutions; one that respects EU values and principles and implements the Union's acquis communautaire." In a direct reference to Ankara's involvement in the overall and complex question, the Greek foreign minister charged that Turkey's "occupation army is determining the level of flexibility of the Turkish Cypriot side in negotiations". She also added that Turkey still has time to demonstrate that its proclamations citing "zero problems" with neighbouring countries are more than mere words. "By the end of the year its (Turkish government) compliance with the so-called Ankara protocol will be evaluated, along with its commitment to normalising relations with the Republic of Cyprus," Bakoyannis reminded, adding that the neighbouring country should not expect "special treatment", "a Europe ? la carte does not exist for anyone." Finally, the Greek minister emphasised that Athens' policy is and remains clear-cut: "Full implementation means full accession, without deviations and without blank cheques". Amb. Aristeidis Sandis on Tuesday officially took over the ministry general secretary post from Amb. Aristeidis Agathoklis. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |