Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-11-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Katseli addresses IMO assembly

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Katseli addresses IMO assembly

Addressing the opening session of the 2-week general assembly, Katseli outlined the Greek government's policy on shipping matters and its cooperation with IMO, explaining that the incorporation of shipping into the larger ministry of economy and competitiveness (development) reflected the government's enhanced interest in shipping and acknowledges its significant contribution to the Greek economy.

On confronting ship piracy off the coasts of Somalia, Katseli noted that the initiatives for ship safety were being reinforced internationally, stressing that Greece was a participant in the EU's naval force's (EUNAVFOR Somalia) operation "Atalanta". She added, in fact, that Greek naval personnel are among awardees for their contribution to the effort.

Katseli expressed her conviction that the governments of the IMO member countries, during the two weeks of deliberations, will give their political support to the organisation's secretary general Efthimios Mitropoulos for additional measures, aiming at better and more efficient coordination in the taking of measures that will boost the security of ships.

On the sidelines of the first session, Katseli had bilateral meetings with Greece's IMO chief Mitropoulos and deputy ministers of transportation of China and Singapore, during which matters pertaining to bilateral and multilateral cooperation were discussed, according to Katseli.

She noted that China and Singapore are very important countries in the field of shipping, with different characteristics.

With the Chinese deputy minister, discussion focused on the long-standing bilateral agreement between the two countries, she said, adding that she also put forward the matter of recognition by China of the certifications of Greek seamen, while they also discussed cooperation in merchant shipping and investments, pointing out the two countries' strategic position in the wider region and internationally.

Katseli stressed that Greece and China have much to benefit from this cooperation between the two countries. She added that the climate during the discussion was "positive", and in that context mention was also made to the COSCO investment in Greece and the related matters that will be put to a general dialogue. "We said that, with good will, everything will be solved from within this dialogue and not only will this cooperation move forward, but we also have the ability to expand our cooperation into other sectors of mutual interest," she said.

On maritime training in Greece, she said it was a top priority of her ministry, while a collaboration has also commenced with education minister Anna Diamantopoulou on a volunteer program that will enable highschool freshmen and sophomores (9th and 10th grades) to travel for a week on a merchant ship so as to acquire a personal experience at sea and the life of present-day seamen, which has changed dramatically in the past 10 years, with substantial upgrading of the working and living conditions.

Katseli anticipated that the program will commence within the next year.

[02] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The Social Security dialogue, the new flu inoculations that began throughout the country on Monday beginning with doctors and healthcare staff and vulnerable groups (with vaccination of the general public due to commence on December 1), taxation, bank loans and the global financial crisis were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Tuesday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Flu: The criteria under which schools will close - Doctors and nursing staff being inoculated".

APOGEVMATINI: "They made a mess of things...50 days after the elections, the government's image is negative".

AVGHI: "Behind-the-scenes dialogue on the social security system - Business community appears to be hastening to privatise social security, as the government pretends it is awaiting the dialogue".

AVRIANI: "The demand of the working people, who are called on to shoulder new sacrifices, is...the changes in social security should begin first with the MPs and the privileged 'guilds' of the public sector".

CHORA: "Pangalos (government vice-president) barbs against economy/finance ministers on the salaries".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "Chryssohoidis (Citizens' Protection minister) turns police into targets - He requires the police officers to wear name cards on their lapels".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "They're playing with the pupils' nerves - Chaos with the examination system and base passing grade".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The first grumbling - Unrest in the government over the economic measures and ministers' statements".

ESTIA: "The miserliness being redistributed, so long as the national production does not increase".

ETHNOS: "Two policy lines on the rate of the changes - Governmental vacillation due to commitments made before the elections".

IMERISSIA: "Clash on double front- Battle positions over social security, taxation".

KATHIMERINI: "The national debts cause terror - Fear that their state (government) bonds will prove toxic - New warning by Trichet (European Central Bank president) for Greece".

LOGOS: "PAME (KKE-affiliated Panhellenic workers Fighting Front) demonstrators blocked the social security dialogue".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "One-third of taxes remain uncollected".

NIKI: "Yellow card to Papaconstantinou (finance minister) over the public sector salaries".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Counter-attack against the attack by the government and capital".

TA NEA: "Red card for 7 in 10 loans - Banks keep the tap closed".

TO VIMA: "Mrs. Papariga (KKE leader) prohibits the dialogue on social security - She did not allow the trade unionists to enter the ministry".

VRADYNI: "Get serious! Finally! - George's (prime minister Papandreou) message to his ministers from Santo Domingo (where he chaired a Socialist International meeting) via the government vice-president (Theodoros Pangalos)".

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