Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM at TIF: Moving firmly ahead

[02] FinMin: Climate for Greek economy changing for the better

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM at TIF: Moving firmly ahead

Papandreou toured the fair grounds and pavilions, including the Fire Department pavilion and those of the Development and Environment ministries, which are projecting new forms of energy production through the use of photovoltaic technology and other innovative initiatives.

The 75th TIF is dedicated to innovation and green development.

The premier displayed special interest in the achievements in the fields of innovation and Renewable Energy Sources (RES), which are being presented at the TIF, such as the state-of-the-art 'flexible photovoltaic' technology.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Papandreou said that opportunities in the field of green development had been wasted in the past, "but now we are taking firm steps and Greece can be proud, because it deserves much more".

TIF chairman Yiannis Konstantinou and HELEXPO chairman Paris Mavridis also presented to the premier the Solar Tree that has been set up at the TIF venue.

The Solar Tree, the only solar energy tree in the world, designed by Ross Lovegrove and Artemide, is powered by solar collectors and is comprised of "smart fruit" that 'collect' solar energy during the day through photovoltaic panels and light up at night powered by the collected solar energy. The tree has been designed to operate autonomously, as well as in conjunction with a city's power grid. The tree was initially set up in October 2007 outside the Museum of Modern and Applied Arts in Vienna as a proposal for a 'green' lighting fixture for public places, and has since traveled to Milan, Frankfurt, Paris and New York.

A man was arrested for throwing a shoe and shouting insults at the premier as he was leaving the TIF inauguration. The shoe fell short of the prime minister.

Caption: Prime minister George Papandreou went to see the solar energy tree set up at the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) premises. (ANA-MPA/N. Arvanitidis)

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[02] FinMin: Climate for Greek economy changing for the better

"We must convince that positive developments are not just a flash," he said while addressing an event organised by the National Bank of Greece.

"Probably some adjustments may occur in policies, always according to data, but the direction remains only one: to fully implement the programme and change the country," Papaconstantinou also noted.

The minister announced that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved Friday the disbursement of another 2.5 billion euros of a support package to Greece, on the basis of positive performances of the Greek economy.

He also said that a Norwegian investments company has given a vote of confidence to the Greek economy by announcing that it would purchase Greek bonds.

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[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The recession, decisions on the ailing Hellenic Rails (OSE) and investments, and the budget were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Saturday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Words, words, words and promises...'Historic' first meeting of Cabinet in the...Warehouse", referring to reactions over the 'move' of the entire government to Thessaloniki for the first-ever Cabinet meeting there.

APOGEVMATINI: "Derailment of OSE and...budget - 3.3 billion euros 'black hole' in revenues in the 8-month period January-August".

AVGHI: "Head-on collision between workers, government over the Memorandum".

AVRIANI: "Labor relations status changing in the DEKO (public utilities and organisations), with the OSE bill as the pilot".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Open rift among ministers over investments - Chryssohoidis-Katseli vs. Pampoukis - Argument at the first Cabinet meeting, in the presence of the premier".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Increases (in salaries) as of 2012, if we survive 2011 - Interview with finance minister Papaconstantinou".

ESTIA: "The (government's) fiesta in Thessaloniki not in line with the austerity policy".

ETHNOS: "3.2 billion euros 'black hole' (shortfall) in revenues from taxes - New measures ahead after the derailment of the budget".

KATHIMERINI: "Premiere with arguments - Strong internal criticism in the government on the bill for accelerating investments".

LOGOS: "OSE now in the vise - 37 percent reduction in staff, but without dismissals!"

NAFTEMPORIKI: "The budget swerving off track and requires corrective measures".

NIKI: "George's (prime minister Papandreou) plan for development, investments - Express procedures to jump-start the economy".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Demonstration today (Saturday) at TIF against the anti-popular policy".

TA NEA: "Second round for taxes, investments, putting house in order".

TO VIMA: "Full-speed-ahead for investments, with foul on the environment - Ministers' attack Pampoukis on construction coefficient".

VRADYNI: "Vindication of STAGE employees - Court ruling for re-hiring of 'STAGEr' could serve as precedent for thousands."

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