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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-09-13Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek, Italian FMs carry out joint visit to AlbaniaTIRANA (ANA-MPA - D. Katsimente) Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Lambrinidis on Monday concluded a joint visit to Tirana with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, where they represented the European Union.In meetings with Albania's state and political leadership, including the country's president, prime minister, foreign ministery and main opposition party leader, Frattini and Lambrinidis reaffirmed the support of the EU and their own countries for Albania's EU accession prospects. ana-mpa They stressed the need to accelerate reforms in order for Albania to make progress in its accession course, adding that valuable time had already been lost. The visit is taking place at a particularly critical time for Albania, which is awaiting for the European Commission's recommendation on its application to be given the status of an EU candidate-state.ana-mpa Addressing reporters, the Greek Foreign Minister Lambrinidis said that "Greece has to play and is playing a strong role in the region of the Balkans." [02] PM calls for unwavering support from his MPsANA-MPA/Prime Minister George Papandreou on Monday called on his ruling PASOK MPs and the Greek people to give an "overwhelming national response" to those who question the country and its Eurozone membership.Addressing his party’s Parliamentary group, Papandreou stressed that now is the time for Europe to prove that it exists and has the ability to defend the euro. ana-mpa Papandreou repeated that implementation of those decisions and the implementation of reforms will produce a primary surplus in 2012, expressing certainty that PASOK’s Parliamentary group “will rise to the occasion” ana-mpa He stressed that the July decisions will have to be supported by all Eurozone countries, pointing out that Europe is faced with a systemic crisis while Euro-skepticism is on the rise. “All obstacles will be overcome by our determination,” he stressed, pointing out that “there are certain ones who want Greece out of the The prime minister pointed out that speculation over Greece’s exit from the Eurozone have affected banking institutions and investors, stressing that such an atmosphere would have had an impact on any country. Åurozone and, at the same time, there many who bet on the country’s political and economic failure”. He also said that “there are others who have taken their money out of the country and want its bankruptcy or exit from the Eurozone.”ana-mpa Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |