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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-01-04The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] NEWS IN ENGLISHTHE VOICE OF GREECE4/1/2002 2:09:00 ́́ - Snowfalls all over Greece - Greece adjusts well to the introduction of the euro - Stricter measures for the financing of political parties - Athens FIR and Greek airspace to stay intact says - Athens Simits to visit the USA - Karamanlis to visit Constantinople - 0.32% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday [02] Snowfalls all over GreeceThe adverse weather conditions prevailing all over Greece with heavy snowfalls have caused problems to the road network and to Athens itself. A lot of villages have been cut-off including 35 villages in the prefectures of Lasithi, Rodopi and Evia.At the same time, all ship departures from the ports of Pireaus and Rafina have been cancelled due to the gale foce winds blowing in the sea. The weather is expected to improve as of tomorrow. [03] Greece adjusts well to the introduction of the euroThe first work day with euros being used in the market went smoothly on Thursday when shops opened after a two-day holiday.Greeks adjusted themselves to the new conditions and fears of serious problems did not come true. Development ministry and economic crime squad officials made surprise checks in the market throughout the day to examine prices and receipts. However, certain increases have been observed in the market, primarily in the services sector. Deputy Development Minister Christos Theodorou said during his visit to shops in downtown Athens that reports have been made which are being probed and urged consumers to notify the relevant authorities when they ascertain violations. Theodorou said that the acceptance of the new currency was more than impressive and particularly by elderly citizens. At the same time, the European Commission has placed Greece among the five countries best incoroporating the euro in their systems, while the President of the European Central Bank Wim Duisemberg praised Greece. Last comes Italy, which faces problems in adapting with the new currency. The success of the introduction of the euro led the British Prime minister Tony Blair to express his support to the new currency, stressing that it would be foolish for Britain to remain out of the eurozone. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Development will be carrying out checks during the period when the drachma and the euro will be circulating at the same time. According to the Economic Crime Squad, (SDOE), very few businesses have tried to exploit counsumers. [04] Stricter measures for the financing of political partiesThe government committee has introduced stricter measures for the financing of political parties and candidate MPs. Prime Minister Constantine Simitis from his side, stressed that the target of the government committee is the upgrading of the quality of Democracy.Among the changes introduced, are transparency in private and public financing, more efficient checks, heavier fines for those breaking the law and drastic decrease of electoral expences. The New Democracy party accused the government of hypocricy and irresponsibility, while the Greek Communist party spoke of unprecedented hypocricy. Finally, the Democratic Social Movement descibed the changes introduced as insufficient. [05] Athens FIR and Greek airspace to stay intact saysIn reply to Ankara´s demands for Greece to submit plans for flights from Rhodes to Nicosia, Athens has anounced that there is no question as regards the Athens FIR and the Greek airspace.[06] Athens Simits to visit the USAThe issues to be discussed during Prime Minister Costas Simitis´ official visit to the USA with the American President George W. Bush will be international terrorism, European safety, Greek-Turkish relations, the Cyprus issue and the Olympic Games of 2004 in Athens.[07] Karamanlis to visit ConstantinopleFollowing an invitation by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, New Democracy President Costas Karamanlis is paying an official visit to Constaninople as of today. Mr. Karamanlis will end his visit on Sunday.[08] 0.32% rise in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterdayGains were recorded in the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday. The general index rose to +0.32% at 2.635,75 points, while the volume of transactions was at 130.6 million Euro or 44.5 billion drachmas.The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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