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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-07-09Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM Samaras to meet with ESM managing directorANA/MPA---Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Wednesday held a meeting with the president of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin at Maximos Mansion. After the end of the meeting, Yakunin left the premier's office without making any comments.Samaras at 14.00 will meet with the managing director of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Klaus Regling. [02] Greece 'sets an example' on defence spending, NATO secretary general saysANA/MPA--- NATO's secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen praised Greece for the fact that along with the United States, the United Kingdom and recently Estonia are the only "allies that invest at least 2 percent of gross domestic product in defense," the Greek service of the Voice of America reported.Rasmussen, who addressed the "Atlantic Council" think tank in Washington on "A Strong Transatlantic Bond for an Unpredictable World", said people at both sides of the Atlantic shares common values such "individual liberty, democracy, human rights and the rule of law." He noted that "today, those values and our way of life are once more under threat" and added "An arc of instability from the Middle East to North Africa and the Sahel. Rising tensions and territorial disputes in Asia. And a revisionist Russia breaking international rules and undermining trust". "I believe there are three things we must do. Reinforce our economic ties. Deepen our personal and cultural links. And strengthen our security," NATO secretary general said. "The trade deals currently being negotiated between North America and Europe are the next step. And the right step. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership will eliminate tariffs, cut red tape and open up new markets. It is potentially the biggest trade and investment deal in history," he noted. On the enhancement of cultural and personal ties between the US and European countries, NATO secretary general pointed out the need "to increase our transatlantic student scholarships and exchange programmes; To increase our scientific and cultural cooperation." "Security is necessary for us to live free from fear," Asmuseen noted. "Some European nations can - and should - do more," he added and referred to Greece, which despite the severe economic crisis invests at least 2 percent of its Gross Domestic Product in defense. [03] International tourist arrivals up 17.1 pct in first halfANA/MPA---International arrivals increased 17.1 percent or by 760,000 in the first six months of the year, boding well for the achievement of the Greek Tourism Enterprises Association (SETE) target for 19 million international arrivals in 2014.The target includes road and sea arrivals, but not cruise arrivals, which are estimated to increase by 2.2 million. According to data released by SETE, Athens continues its excellent performance with an increase of 32.8 percent or about 400,000 additional arrivals in the first six months. The target of 750,000 additional arrivals in the capital is expected to be overcome. In the meantime, a large increase of over 20 percent has been recorded at the airports of Chania (24.1 percent), Santorini (26 percent), Kalamata (58.5 percent) and Samos (22.1 percent). Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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