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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-25Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek government recalls ambassador from Austria; Vienna reactionThe Greek government has recalled the country's ambassador to Vienna, Chryssoula Aliferi, the foreign ministry announced on Thursday.According to a foreign ministry statement, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias decided to recall Aliferi for "consultations aimed at safeguarding the friendly relations between the states and peoples of Greece and Austria." "It is clear that the major problems of the European Union cannot be confronted via thoughts, attitudes and extra-institutional initiatives that have their roots in the 19th century, and nor can the decisions of the heads of state be supplanted by directives from police directors. The latter is a major problem for democracy. It points to the need for the European Union to be protected from various parties who are ignorant of history," the announcement said. "Unilateral initiatives for resolving the refugee crisis, along with violations of international law and the European acquis by member states of the EU, are practices that can undermine the foundations and process of European integration. "Responsibility for dealing with the migration and refugee crisis cannot weigh on one country alone. Common sense dictates that effective handling of this complex problem should be governed by the principles of solidarity and fair burden sharing. Greece is working in such a direction," it concluded. Meanwhile, according to an ANA-MPA dispatch from Vienna, the Austrian foreign ministry on responded with renewed criticism of Greece and its handling of refugee flows toward northern European countries. In an announcement reported by the Austrian news agency APA, the Austrian foreign ministry said "Austria understands the tension prevailing in Greece, since the pressure on Greece is increasing for it to cooperate in a restriction in the flow of refugees." Commenting on the decision to recall Greece's ambassador, the Austrian foreign ministry said it was the right of every country to recall its diplomats and expressed hope that this would help bring about a change in prevailing views on the Greek side. [02] 11 Greek naval vessels to assist NATO patrol in eastern AegeanThe Hellenic navy will assist a NATO naval force tasked with patrolling the eastern Aegean in a bid to stem the flow of Mideast war refugees and irregular migrants being ferried onto Greek territory from the neighboring Turkish coast. Two gunboats, two missile and five patrol vessels will be allocated. Moreover, the Greek frigate "Salamis" will be part of the Alliance flotilla.[03] Greek bank deposits continue downward spiralGreek bank deposits fell further by around 1.2 billion euros in January to 122.2 billion, the Bank of Greece announced on Thursday.Bank deposits are down around 17 pct over the last 12 months, after falling from 148 billion euros in January 2015. [04] Opposition parties strongly criticise draft bill as contrary to ConstitutionMain opposition New Democracy and the lesser opposition Potami party on Thursday strongly criticised an "improvement" to a draft bill on public administration assessment, tabled in Parliament the previous day, charging that the bill "provocatively creates an additional 33 administrative secretary positions."In an announcement, a ND Parliamentary spokesperson noted that "this very important amendment was tabled without a report from the General Accounting Office. This is yet another provocative violation of Parliamentary regulations and the Constitution." Potami called the measure "scandalous" and asked that it be immediately withdrawn. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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