The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-04-06

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

6/4/2001 10:48:23 рм

[01] Papandreou visits Turkey

Mr. Papandreou was warmly welcomed yesterday by his Turkish counterpart Ismail Cem, who pointed out the need for the Aegean to be transformed to a lake of peace.

Additionally, Greece's proposal for the removal of mines from Evros was positively received by Turkey.

From his side, the Greek Foreign Yiorgos Papandreou minister conveyed the Greek people's message for peace and friendship to the Turkish people.

The Greek Foreign minister's visit to Turkey is of special importance following his proposal for a mutual decrease of the two countries' armaments programme at a time when Turkey is undergoing an economic crisis.

[02] European Popular party meeting in Sophie

New Democracy party President Costas Karamalis, who is attending the meeting, was authorized by the European leaders to take an initiative so that a solution could be found on the issue of instability in the region.

Mr.Karamanlis stressed that the New Democracy party would not consent to a EU's enlargement not including Cyprus .

[03] Tsochatzopoulos in Skopyie for meeting of Southeastern European countries

All Defence Ministers including the European Popular party, expressed their support to FYROM'S territorial integrity, denounced the Albanians' terrorist acts in Skopyie and agreed to boost their cooperation for the consolidation of stability in the region. The European Popular party expressed an identical stance on the issue.

[04] Measures to combat poverty announced by Simitis

Poor families living remote mountainous areas will be subsidized with 200.000 drachmas if their yearly income does not exceed half a million drachmas and if the whole family's income is 750.000, they will receive 100.000 drachmas.

Additionally, families whose income is up to 1 million drachmas will receive a school allowance of 100.000 drachmas in addition to an 48.000 drachma allowance, while 45-65 year olds who have been unemployed for a long time will receive 35.000 drachmas.

As Labour and Health Ministers announced, the government intends to extend the social and welfare program to " Home assistance" for the elderly, the creation of day-care centers and activity centers for children with special needs.

According to the Prime minister the government's aim was to limit inequalities and to boost the position of the low incomes so that they could deal with a competitive economy.

From his side, New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis described the whole programme as a mockery and asked for a discussion to take place at Parliament on Social Policy.

The Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party spoke of poor tips and the Greek Communist party of a deceptive policy.

[05] NBC President feels safe in Greece

Addressing the Greek journalists after his meeting with the President of 2004 Olympics Yianna Agelopoulou Daskalaki and members of the organisational committee of 2004 Olympics, Mr. Emersol stressed that he felt secure in Athens as he did in any other European or American city.

He also announced that 500-600 Greek technicians and workers would be hired so that they could cooperate with NBC for the coverage of the Games.

[06] Amendment for compound interests voted for at Parliament

[07] Church of Greece and Ecumenical Patriarchate hold discussions in Fanari

The discussions ended before they even began when during his opening speech Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos stressed that the Patrirchate volume of 1850 and the Patriarchate act of 1928, which determined the status of the autocephalous Church of Greece and the new countries were holy texts and could not be questioned by anyone.

[08] 3,11% rise in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

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