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Thursday, 21 November 2024 | ||
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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-04-21Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Gazprom's head Alexei Miller in AthensANA/MPA---The Greek-Russian cooperation in energy issues will dominate a meeting between Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and the head of Gazprom Alexei Miller on Tuesday.The main issue of the discussion will be the new pipeline that will bring natural gas from Turkey via Greece to Central Europe. The meeting between Tsipras and Miller has been scheduled for 16.00. Earlier in the day, at 14:00, Miller will have a meeting with Productive Reconstruction, Environment and Energy Minister Panagiotis Lafazanis. The investment for the construction of the Greek section of the pipeline is estimated at 2 billion euros and its implementation will improve the supply safety for the Greek market, create new work positions and upgrade geopolitically the country. During the discussions, they are expected to raise the issue of the current natural gas supply contract of Gazprom. Meanwhile, Lafazanis on Wednesday will visit Sofia to participate in a trilateral ministerial meeting of Greece, Bulgaria and Romania to promote the so-called "vertical" pipeline aiming at identifying new sources of natural gas supply for the countries of the region, including the Greece - Bulgaria (IGB) pipeline with capacity up to 5 billion cubic meters per year, the construction of which is expected to begin in 2016. [02] Talks between Greek delegation and Brussels Group in 'progress' climateANA/MPA---The negotiations between the "Brussels Group" and the Greek delegation of economic experts continue on Tuesday for a fourth day in Paris in a climate of "progress."Tuesday's meeting will start at 11.00 a.m. (Athens time) with an aim to be concluded within the day ahead of the Euroworking Group teleconference on Wednesday in Brussels. The participants are expected to take stock of the differences in certain fields of the programme aiming to find the best possible convergence. [03] The US is interested in stability in Greece and the wider region, FM Kotzias saysANa/MPA---The meeting between Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias and the US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday in Washington focused among others on the economic situation in Greece, the ways in which the US can help Greece, the need for greater confidence in the Greek economy, the increase of investments and trade, the Greek-Russian relations and the Cyprus issue.The two officials also discussed on the Greek government's initiatives regarding the Greek-Turkish relations, the relations with FYROM, the developments in the region and the Cyprus issue. Regarding the controversial bill of the Justice ministry, Kotzias said he explained the attitude of the Greek government, "an attitude which is defined and determined by the fact that there are eleven rulings of the European Court of Human Rights regarding the conditions in prisons," noting that "none of the convicted to be subject to the provisions of the new law is going to be released, but will be detained under other conditions, namely in his home under the conditions provided by the new law." "The importance that the US government gives on terrorism issues is known," Kotzias said adding that the Greek government understands the US concerns, but stated that they "do not correspond to reality and the essence of the law." In reply to journalists' queries on the Cyprus issue, he noted that "all our western partners are interested in a solution to the Cyprus problem" and added that "in order for a solution to be found, it must be a good solution accepted by the Cypriot people, a solution that in order to be effective should not let other rights to the so-called guarantors." Both sides gave explanations regarding the attitude towards Russia and the problem of Ukraine. "We explained to them," Kotzias said the "good and traditional relations we have with Russia, our help to Ukraine, and regarding Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' recent visit to Moscow we explained that it is a good agreement with economic prospects for the country. Kerry was kind enough to tell me that in a few days they will send their own proposals to help develop the country's economy." Finally, Kotzias said that the United States is interested in the stability of Greece and the wider region adding that he has invited Kerry to visit Greece. [04] Traffickers of sailing boat that run aground off Rhodes to the prosecutorANA/MPA---Two Syrian nationals, aged 26 and 27, alleged to be the traffickers of the undocumented migrants on board the vessel that run aground in the area of Zefyros, Rhodes island, resulting to the death of three migrants (a man, a woman and a child) will be sent on Tuesday to Rhodes prosecutor. The traffickers were recognised by the migrants during the preliminary examination.Ninety migrants, most of them Syrian nationals, out of the 93 that were on board the sailing boat were rescued. Meanwhile, 42 undocumented migrants were located early Tuesday in a dinghy boat at the sea region of Lesvos island. All migrants are safe and were transferred to Mytilene port. Moreover, 39 undocumented migrants were located during the night at Farmakonissi island. The migrants were transferred to the port of Leros island. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |