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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-07-03Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek proposal for Gaza(ANA-MPA) -- Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Sunday spoke by phone with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, with the latest Mideast developments, related European initiatives and the pending moves by the so-called "Quartet" dominating the conversation.According to reports, Abbas positively viewed a Greek government proposal to assume the transport of humanitarian aid to Gaza, in cooperation with the United Nations, relevant authorities and, of course, in contact with the Palestinian Authority. The proposal was confirmed on Sunday afternoon by the foreign ministry. According to the ministry, the Greek side will immediately contact the UN and all interested parties in order to make the transport possible, within the framework requested by the UN general secretary for shipment of such aid. The foreign ministry also detailed the reasons why Athens banned the sailing of vessels from Greek ports towards Gaza and the sea region off the Palestinian enclave, while at the same time stressing that the naval blockade of Gaza should be lifted. The ministry also reminded that Athens' positions regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza are well known and standing. "Greece's position of principle is well known, one in favour of respect for international law and the avoidance of violence. Greece, as is well known, actively backs the resumption of peace talks, which are the only path for a comprehensive and viable solution to the Palestinian issue, with the establishment of a Palestinian state, one that co-exists peaceful with the state of Israel," the ministry statement read. (ANA-MPA) Caption: The US-flagged vessel "Audacity of Hope" is seen docked at the industrial anchoarge of Keratsini, west of Piraeus, Greece on 02 July 2011. The ship was prevented by the Greek Coast Guard from sailing to Gaza the previous day, a ban that also applied to another eight vessel in a flotilla aiming to break the sea blockade off the Gaza Strip by Israeli navy forces. ANA-MPA / EPA / KATERINA NOMIKOU © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |