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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-02-28Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Successful rescue operation in Libya(ANA-MPA) -- All registered Greek nationals in Libya, roughly 270, as well as, many EU and third country nationals, have been transported to safety following a successful rescue operation organized by the Crisis Management Unit of the Greek foreign ministry.Speaking to a private radio station in Athens, operation coordinator Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Dollis on Monday underlined Greece's sucessful handling of the crisis and its assistance to other countries in getting their own nationals out, especially China. Three Hellenic Air Force transport aircraft and privately-owned ferryboats provided by Greek shipping companies participated in the rescue operation that unfolded in five key Libyan cities, Tripoli, Sirte, Sabha, Benghazi and Gialo. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form  [02] National Bank rejects any aggressive moves in domestic banking sector(ANA-MPA) -- To view this article please call the ANA-MPA's subscription department at 2106400560.More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form  [03] Papoutsis on migration threat(ANA-MPA) -- Citizen's Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis, referring to a meeting of Mediterranean EU interior and home ministers in Rome last week, stressed that constant contact and coordination was agreed to, along with joint sea patrols by EU member-states' coast guards and Frontex to stem the tide of a possible wave of illegal immigration towards the Union's south.The minister also touched on his visit to Turkey on Tuesday and closely watched talks with his Turkish counterpart, Turkey's interior minister. "The issues we have to discuss are the strengthening of cooperation in the sector of border security, dealing with the trafficking of illegal immigrants and of the rings that mainly traffic migrants and exploit their hope for better life, along with implementation of a bilateral protocol agreement regarding (migrants') re-admission," the minister said. Speaking at an EU council of ministers last week, Papoutsis said an EU-Turkey agreement on the readmission of illegal migrants was adopted, foreseeing Turkish participation in a joint European effort to combat illegal immigration. (ANA-MPA) Referring to the situation at the western ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras due to the large numbers of illegal migrants camped out around the ports in hopes of stowing away aboard Italy-bound ferry boats, he said: "It is a situation that we are experiencing with heightened concern, given that Greece is obliged to observe very strict rules for guarding the EU borders, because it is our obligation towards the Schengen Pact and the European Union." He added that "if for whatever reason we appear flexible and allow migrants to leave by turning a 'blind eye', this will automatically mean Greece's expulsion from the Schengen Pact, something our people will not tolerate." (ANA-MPA) More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form  [04] OTE cost-cutting measures(ANA-MPA) -- Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) on Monday announced a package of measures aimed at drastically cutting operating costs and ensuring its viability, two days after reporting losses in the fourth quarter of 2010.The measures, to be implemented in two tranches - the first starting March 1 and the second on May 1- envisage raising work hours for staff, cutting over-time work, abolishing privileges and facilities and cutting 120 employees from mobile unit Cosmoteâs workforce. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |