The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 04-03-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Preparations continue for government's policy statements

Negotiations, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, are continuing at a rapid pace, in view of the governments policy statements, which will be announced on Saturday. The new parliament will convene on Thursday. The Cyprus issue and the progress of the governments work were the focus of a meeting today between Karamanlis and the honorary president of New Democracy, Constantine Mitsotakis, who expressed his concern about developments following the Madrid attacks.

[02] UN sees Greece, Turkey joining Cyprus talks

The United Nations said today that Greece and Turkey would have to join tough Cyprus reunification talks next week, as Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders would not settle their differences alone before then. Today, de Soto began separate consultations wtih the two leaders, in a bid to persuade them to agree to trade-offs on the complex blueprint, which envisages a loose federal system with broad autonomy for the two communities.

[03] Greeks debate NATO help for Athens Games

A little-known guerrilla group claimed responsibility today for a failed bomb attack on a US bank, as debate simmered over whether inviting NATO to protect the Olympic Games would make Greece a more prominent target. Bomb experts destroyed an explosive device placed late last night outside a Citibank branch in an Athens suburb by a group calling itself the "Revolutionary Struggle."

[04] Pasok leader congratulates Spanish Socialist Party on election win

The leader of the main opposition Pasok party, George Papandreou, sent a congratulatory telegram today to the General Secretary of the Spanish Socialist Party, following its win in Sundays general elections. Papandreou stressed that the win came at the right time, in one of the most crucial and difficult moments for the country, immediately after the Madrid terrorist attacks, aimed at the Spanish people and democracy.

[05] Europeans honour Madrid victims in silent vigil

From airports to car plants, schools to government ministries, Europeans across the continent stopped work for three minutes of silence today, to honour the dead in last week's Madrid train blasts. Several hundred EU officials gathered in the heart of the European district of central Brussels, where European Commission President Romano Prodi stood alongside Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt for the grim memorial.

[06] Games security remains top priority - Defence Minister

The issue of security at the Athens Olympic Games was discussed at todays meeting between National Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos and the American ambassador to Greece, Thomas Miller. Protecting and reinforcing the country against any potential terrorist act during the Games continues to be a top priority for the government, said Spiliotopoulos after the meeting.

[07] Weather forecast

A partly cloudy and mild day is forecast, with occasional showers in the western part of the country.Temperatures in Athens will range from 7 to 16 degrees centigrade, and in Thessaloniki from 4 to 13 degrees.

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