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Saturday, 21 December 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-12-07The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTSNEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5. THE VOICE OF GREECE 7/12/2000 3:56:44 μμ [01] Pasok deputies voted draft bill on labour reformsThe ruling Pasok party deputies last night voted in principal the draft bill on unemployment and labour reforms.Labour Minister, Tasos Yiannitsis, described the bill as the result of dialogue, stressing that its aim was to create at least 300.000 new jobs until the end of the government's four year term. However, opposition parties described the draft bill as inefficient, estimating that it would not help combat unemployment. [02] General Confederation of Greek Workers ,24-hour strike todayThe General Confederation of Greek Workers has staged a 24- hour strike for today Thursday in protest against the bill on labour reforms.The GCGW calls the government to recall the bill.Participating in the strike are employees in banks, in Public Utility Companies, means of public transport, and ships. The Civil Servants' Union has announced work stoppages from 11 o'clock. Grammar and High School teachers as well as employees in hospitals participate in the strike. Employees of the State Radio and Television Company ERT have announced work stoppage from 11 o'clock in the morning to 19 o'clock in the evening. [03] EU Summit meeting in Nice begins todayThe European Union Summit meeting begins in Nice, France today with the participation of Greek Prime - minister, Costas Simitis.At this Summit, European leaders will mainly negotiate on the composition of the European Commission and the counting of each member -state's decision- making votes. Other issues to be discussed are the EU's enlargement, the Intergovernmental Conference, unemployment, public health and taxation policies as well as environment, safety of food and foreign policy issues. In the meantime, tens of thousands of people crowded the streets of Nice yesterday demanding a Europe of solidarity and a social face, which will correspond to the call of the Confederation of European Unions. [04] First Greek-Turkish agreement on confidence building measuresNATO Secretary General, Lord Roberson, in Brussels yesterday announced the first Greek- Turkish agreement on confidence building measures within the framework of negotiations under the auspices of NATO.According to the agreement both countries should notify each other on their national military exercises. [05] Greek National Defence Minister meets with his American counterpartIn the meantime, National Defence Minister, Akis Tsochatzopoulos, had a meeting with his American counterpart, William Cohen, in Brussels yesterday on the sidelines of the NATO Ministerial meeting. The two men discussed bilateral issues focusing on Greece's role in the regional safety of South-Eastern Europe.Mr. Tsochatzopoulos briefed Mr. Cohen on his imminent visit to Belgrade on December 14. [06] Cyprus issue among Turkey's short-term obligationsReferring to the Cyprus proximity talks, the President of the Cyprus Republic, Glafkos Klerides, stressed that if the Turkish Cypriot representative, Raouf Denktash, did not participate in the 6th round of proximity talks, then the Security Council should be informed.Before his departure for Nice, where he will participate in the Summit of candidate countries for admission to the European Union, Mr. Klerides stated that importance laid on the fact that the Cyprus issue remained among Turkey's short- term obligations according to EU-Turkey partnership text, therefore Europe would have to evaluate Turkey's stand regarding the Cyprus issue every 6-months. [07] Fuel prices went downSignificant reductions in fuel prices worldwide and positive developments in the Athens Stock Exchange allow for a climate of optimism regarding the country's economy.Gasoline will go down by 12 dr. per litter, diesel oil by 10 dr. per litter and heating oil by 13 dr. per litter. [08] Athens Stock exchange went significantly upIn expectation of the new measures for the Athens Stock Exchange and following Prime- minister, Kostas Simitis, speech during which he presented the government's economic policy, the Athens Stock Exchange rose by 5,74% yesterday closing at 3.733 points. The volume of transactions amounting to 124,4 billion drachmas.[09] American - Greek mutual law assistance treaty ratifiedThe plenum of the American Senate ratified the American-Greek treaty on mutual legal assistance on October 18.The treaty provides for bilateral cooperation in the implementation of the law and exchange of information regarding kidnapping and economic crime cases . Greek Foreign Minister, Giorge Papandreou, and his American Counterpart, Madleen Allbright, had signed the agreement in May 1999 in Washinghton. [10] Expert looking into the Samina Express case resignedThe expert looking into the Samina Express tragedy, Elias Stefanakos, suddenly resigned yesterday. He had asked for protection measures, maintaining that his life was threatened.[11] Greek Ambassador to London refused to attend dinner at a British Museum hall decorated with the Parthenon MarblesGreece's ambassador to Britain, Alexandros Sandis, said he will boycott a Royal dinner at London's British Museum today, because guests have been invited to dine in a gallery housing the disputed Elgin marbles.Alexandros Sandis said the decision to use the marbles, removed from Athens 200 years ago, as a backdrop for the dinner today was insensitive and risky. Known as the Parthenon marbles in Greece, the sculptures - Alexandros Sandis said - were a symbol of the birth of Western civilisation. The Greek Culture Minister, Evangelos Venizelos, commented on the British provocative act, stressing that the sculptures were not decorative elements, but objects of respect. On a relative development, the British newspaper "Guardian" criticizes the British Museum commenting that the meal at the halls of the museum with the Partenon Marbles provokes. [12] UNICEF telemarathon dedicated to ''street children'' this yearAccording to UNICEF,over 5.500 children in Greece between the age of two and fifteen and at least 100 million children all over the world are victims of terror, violence and abandonment on a daily basis.On the occasion of the " Child Day" on December 11, UNICEF has dedicated this year's telemarathone to the " Street Children ". Yesterday, UNICEF, in the presence of eight children from Latin America, who are under its protection, released interesting data on the conditions in Greece regarding children living in the streets. The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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