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Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-25Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: We will put our house in orderBrussels (ANA-MPA/G. Milionis) -- Greece's new course will be a positive one, regardless of the decision that will be taken at the EU Summit, prime minister George Papandreou said on Thursday in Brussels before joining a European Socialist Party (ESP) meeting held just before the critical European Union summit in the Belgian capital."Whatever the decision taken today, our new course will be a positive course for Greece. That is the course we will follow," Papandreou said. "I say this today, which is a symbolic and important day for Hellenism," Papandreou stressed, referring to the anniversary of the March 25, 1821 commencement of the Greek revolution against Ottoman rule, adding that "we will succeed on our own". Papandreou noted that the day was also a very important and hard day for Europe, constituting a "great challenge" on whether the EU will manifest willingness to support the eurozone, the common currency and the common course. "I believe the messages will be such that they will show that all the EU leaders have risen to the circumstances," the Greek premier added. Papandreou also noted the "bold measures" that Greece has taken, and reiterated the country's determination to "put our house in order". He said the measures are the most radical ever taken by a government, and will put the country on a new course. The premier added that the messages of solidarity forthcoming from all parts of the world indicate that "we are on the right path". [02] Samaras: European solution for GreeceBrussels (ANA-MPA/M. Aroni) -- Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras called prime minister George Papandreou to discuss developments at the European People's Party (EPP) and European Socialist Party (ESP) meetings that are taking place simultaneously in Brussels ahead of a crucial EU Summit that opens later in the day.The Greek economy and a prospective European support mechanism are at the focus of both meetings, with Papandreou attending the ESP, the European Parliament grouping to which his ruling PASOK party belongs, and Samaras being the keynote speaker at the EPP Europarliament grouping to which ND belongs. Samaras, who insistes on a European solution for Greece, briefed the premier in detail on ND's views regarding the Greek economy and the support mechanism, and expressed his solidarity, stressed that Greece, today, is united. The ND leader told Papandreou he opposed prospective International Monetary Fund (IMF) involvement, stressing that such an eventuality would be "outside the European philosophy" and not in line with the philosophy of the European single currency. Finance minister George Papaconstantinou, who is accompanying Papandreou in Brussels, later phoned Samaras and briefed him on the more technical economic aspects, on the instructions of the prime minister. [03] Samaras message on 1821 anniversaryMain opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, in a message on the anniversary of the March 25, 1821 Revolution against Ottoman rule, said that Greece's current situation highlights the deeper meaning of the anniversary, and shows to all the path of responsibility and contribution to the country."We are determined -- and we are proving this in action -- to respond to our duty and contribute, with all our power, so that our country will emerge from the crisis in the safest and quickest way. We are dynamically present in the battles that our country is waging today," Samaras said in his message. Hellenism, he continued, "has proven many times that it can overcome mistakes and adversities, set high goals and attain them". "Today's anniversary dictates unanimity and a common effort to reclaim the self-confidence that will quickly lead us to recovery and an exit from the crisis," Samaras concluded. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |