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Thursday, 21 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-03-28The 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 28/3/2001 2:44:49 μμ [01] Amendment providing immigrants with second opportunity for stay permitsInterior Minister Vaso Papandreou submitted to parliament an amendment which would give many immigrants a second opportunity to have a stay permit issued. Specificaly illegal immigrants would have to prove that they are living in Greece for one continous year until the publication of the bill.[02] Greek initiative for Balcan Defence ministers' meeting on April 5thThe latest developments in FYROM was the main subject of talks during a telephone contact on Tuesday between Greek Prime-minister Kostas Simitis and his Bulgarian counterpart Mr.Kostof. The two prime-ministers shared the view that the Skopyian goverment should combine a decisive stand along with a political dialogue to deal with the provocative actions of the Albanian extremist groups in order to avert any escalation of tension.Both Mr.Simitis and Mr.Kostof discussed ways to avert a possible withdrawal of the ethnic Albanians Democratic party from FYROM's coalition goverment which move - as they believe- would give rise to serious political problems. Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou will fly to Skopyie today to chair a meeting of Greek ambassadors to Balcan countries. Mr.Papandreou will also meet with his Skopyian counterpart Sertzan Kerim and attend an event for the Olympic cease-fire in the presence of the President and Vice- president of the International Olympics Committee Huan Antonio Samaranc and Zaques Rogue respectively. In the meantime, Greek Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos will meet with his Albanian counterpart Mr.Lesy in Kastoria on Saturday within the context of his initiative to hold a meeting on April 5th of Defence Ministers of neigbouring countries with Fyrom. Washingthon supports this initiative and announced that t would send a senior delegation to attend the meeting. Greek Prime-miniter Kostas Simitis discussed with Communist party Geeral Secretary Aleca Papariga the developments at the borders of FYROM with Kossovo as a result of the actions by the Albanian extremist groups as well as the situation in the Balcans in general. Mr.Simitis presented the firm Greek position to Mrs .Papariga and briefed her on the initiatives undertaken by the Greek goverment within the framework of the EU and NATO for the normalisation of the situation. On her part Mrs.Papariga asked for non- military involvement of Greece in the crisis in Fyrom. In the meantime Albanian extremist groups have threatened to continue their armed struggle while both the EU High Commissioner and the NATO General Secretary have called on the Albanian guerillas to surrender their weapons and praised FYROM's goverment for its stand during the crisis . However, Washingthon has expressed reservation with regards an end to the crisis. Prime-minister Simitis briefed President Stefanopoulos on foreign and domestic issues. Measures to promote social policy. Prime-minister Kostas Simtis on Wedesday will meet with the President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos to brief him on domestic and foreign policy issues and later will meet with Labour Minister Tasos Yiannitsis to examine reforms in the social security system. In the meantime the inner-cabinet meets tomorrow,Thursday to discuss fiscal ad social policy issues. For this reason Prime-minister Simitis met with the minister and the undersecratary of National Economy, Yiannos Papantoniou and George Drys respectively and discussed measures to support low-income classes. The goverment is promoting a 600 billion dr. package to support large families and raise low pensions. According to reports, the goverment is examining reduction of military expenditures to find the funds for a social policy in the next three years. [03] New international airport officially opened on TuesdayThe new international airport in Spata "Eleftherios Venizelos was inagurated yesterday in the presence of the President of the Republic Kostis Stefanopoulos. An Olympic Airways Boeing with its crew members performed the first symbolic landing while Archibshop Hristodoulos had earlier read a special wish for safe flights.Prime-minister Simitis in a short and uniting speech, described the new airport as one of the major infrustructure projects marking Greece's presence in Southeast Europe. He also stressed that this major project was the result of cooperation between many goverments. The Eleftherios Venizelos airport will start fully operating on Thursday. [04] Radio stations refused operation licencesCrews of the Public Power Company-DEH- accompanied by prosecutors and police forces cut off the sypply of power to 28 radio stations which were refused operation licences because they created problems with the safety of flights in the new airport.[05] Extension of deadline for signatures to include or not religious affiliation on new ID'sThe special committee of the Holy Synod which convened yesterday under Archbishop Hristodoulos decided to extend till the end of April , the collection of signatures regarding the inclusion or not of religious affiliation on the ID cards. Metropolitan of Nafpaktos Ierotheos clarified that the extension was given after the request by Greeks living abroad who will spend Easter in Greece and want to sign.[06] Drop of inflation below 3% in second half of 2001The governor of the Bank of Greece, Mr.Papadimos briefing the parliamentary ecoomic affairs committee on the annual monetary policy report estimated that inflation would drop below 3% in the second half of 2001. Mr.Papadimos also said that rapid reforms in the taxation system are necessary to boost economic development.[07] Elections in Tertiary Education InstitutesElections in Tertiary Education Institutes begin today with the upgrading of Technological Institutes being the amin issue of confrontation. In his speech at an event of the Law School students supporting the ND party, the President of the ND party Kostas Karamanlis underlined that indifference and abstention was the biggest enemy of the students' elections.Mr.Karamanlis also criticised the inistry of Education for its handling of educational issues. [08] Early fires due to unusually high temperaturesUnusually high for the season tempeartures have brought on early fires. A fire is raging in the region Varelia on the island of Karystos while fires have rekindled in Samos due to strong winds.[09] Greek and German national football teams play tonightThe President of the Republic will attend the World Football Cup preliminary game between Greece and Germany's national football teams.[10] Athens stock marketOn the Athens stock market, the general share index dropped by 0,80% to close at 3057 points with alow volue of transactions.[11] Gasoline 4drs. up this weekGasoline will go up by 4 dr. per litter this week most probably because of the drop of the euro against the dollar.[12] Weather forecastChangable weather with sunny intervals and local rains in Attica and most parts of the country. Moderate to strong northwesterly winds in Athens with temperatures ranging from 14-23 degrees Celcius and in Thessaloniki from 8-18 degrees Celcius.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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