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Sunday, 24 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-10-10The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastA mainly fine day is forecast in most parts of the country, with some cloudy patches in the west that may turn to showers mainly in the northwest. Winds southerly, strong to very strong. Temperatures in Athens between 16C and 28C and in Thessaloniki from 14C to 25C.(10/10/2002 12:20:00 μμ) [02] Green light for Cyprus –EU admissionThe European Commission , in its official report released yesterday, gave ten countries- among them Cyprus- the green light to complete E.U entry talks. But the commission did not propose a date for opening negotiations with Turkey , on the grounds that Turkey still falls short of the political criteria on human rights. The omission provoked disappointment and anger in Ankara .Final decisions on the admission of the 10 countries are expected to be taken during the E.U summit in Copenhagen in December Athens and Nicosia expressed satisfaction at the content of the report while Prime-minister Simitis underlined that favourable developments were the result of hard work. Foreign Minister, George Papandreou also expressed satisfaction while referring to Turkey he reiterated Greece s position in favour of Turkey s European prospect. N.D party spokesman, Theodoros Roussopoulos spoke of a significant development underlining the need for national unanimity In an interview with the Greek state radio, Cyrpus government spokesman , Mihalis Papapetrou underlined the Greek government s cooperation in Cyprus- E.U admission procedures but stressed that special attention was necessary in view of the admission stages that follow. Turkish Foreign Minister Sukru Gurel said that his country was still confident of winning a date for talks at the Copenhagen summit but repeated threats saying that the E.U could seal the division of Cyprus if it admitted the island without a deal to reunite it. The U.S welcomed the E.U Commission decision for enlargement and expressed satisfaction that the commission recommended enhancement of its pre-accession assistance to Turkey as Turkey has taken major and positive reform steps in recent months (10/10/2002 12:25:00 μμ) [03] Local government elections- strong worded political confrontationA few days prior to local government elections on Sunday and the tones in political confrontation between the two major political parties remain high.Prime-minister Simitis launched a strong attack against the main opposition N.D accusing it of cooperation with the extreme right wing, and cultivation of a polarisation climate. He also accused the conservative N.D party of political opportunism and lack of program. On his part , N.D party leader , Kostas Karamanlis accused the government of following division tactics and a black propaganda fabricating imaginative and extreme scenario about the N.D party s cooperation with the extreme right wing. (10/10/2002 12:57:00 μμ) [04] Tax reforms – favourable to salary earners and pensionersThe new taxation draft bill to be soon tabled in the parliament provides for increase in the tax free income to 10 thousand euro for salary earners and pensioners and to 8.400 euro for other categories of tax payers. Tax free income increases depending of the number of children.Economy undersecretary, Apostolos Fotiadis maintained that new tax measures are to the benefit of all Greeks specially salary earners and pensioners expressing the conviction that the new taxation draft bill will prove to be step for the redistribution of income. (10/10/2002 12:59:00 μμ) [05] Significant economic progress in GreeceAccording to an article in the Economist magazine , Greece has made significant economic progress in the recent years while the dismantling of the November 17 urban guerrilla group has enhanced domestic stability.(10/10/2002 1:01:00 μμ) [06] Heating oil at last year s levelDevelopment Minister, Akis Tsihatzopoulos, said that heating oil will remain at last year s level , about 32 cents per liter. As of Monday reduced tax heating oil will be available to consumers.(10/10/2002 1:01:00 μμ) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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