The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-02-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Clear Message to FYROM

07 Feb 2008 14:26:00

By

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÁNA-ÌNA

Prime Minister Mr. K. Karamanlis sent anew a message to Skopje leadership from Bucharest, asking from FYROM to abandon its provocative attitude and to make a step forward for the finding of a consensus solution. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, on an official visit to Romania, met Thursday with his Romanian counterpart Colin Popescu-Tariceanu, with whom he discussed developments in Kosovo and the Balkans, including the FYROM "name issue" as well as Turkeys European prospects. Mr. Karamanlis stressed that the finding a mutually acceptable solution to the FYROM "name issue" was an undeviating criterion for the neighbouring countrys course towards the Euro-Atlantic institutions. However the main focus of Mr. Karamalis visit was the signing of an energy pact between the two countries.

Karamanlis: Provocative Attitude Is Outside the European Rationale

The Prime Minister called on FYROM to make a step forward to the finding of a mutual accepted solution

He stressed that Greece backs all the Balkan countries in their Euro-Atlantic course, but on condition that they fulfil all the criteria, stressing that intransigence and a provocative attitude were outside the European rationale.

Karamanlis said that Greece gives great importance on the gradual incorporation of all the Balkan countries in the Euro-Atlantic institutions; however this depends mainly on their own performances.

"Respect of the principle of good neighbourhood is a mandatory condition for countries that wish to be in the same alliance," the Greek prime minister underlined.

Energy Pact with Romania

The main focus of Mr. Karamalis visit to Bucharest was the signing of an energy pact between the two countries.

This is a framework agreement in the sector of natural gas, oil and electricity, which is an update of an older agreement signed between the two countries in 1977.

The pact provides that a standing coordinating committee that will meet regularly in the two capitals to discuss timely matters concerning the agreements materialisation will be established.

The signing of the pact is part of the framework of a general upgrading of the energy cooperation between the two countries, Karamanlis said, adding that the pact was dictated by the fact that the two countries were partners in the EU and allies in NATO. It is self evident that Greek-Romanian cooperation takes into consideration the EU regulations for diversification of energy sources, diversification of energy channels, and their inter-connection, he said.

The Romanian Prime Minister pointed out that the two countries target at working together on their energy policy ensuring energy sources and a better position on the energy map, as well as a guarantee of corridors for the transport of energy that will serve the interests of both countries.

Greece intends to promote similar cooperation frameworks with all neighboring countries and this is part of Greeces strategy as a key country to the energy map of the wider Balkan region.

In his announcements Mr. Karamanlis said that his visit is highly symbolic aimed at sealing the excellent cooperation between the two countries which will set the foundations for a qualitative upgrading of those relations. It is a visit that gives a new dynamic to a traditional friendship, the Prime Minister said.

Karamanlis also made reference to the economic cooperation and trade relations between the two countries, which he said have been steadily increasing in recent years.

The prime minister also referred to the Greek Plan for the Economic Reconstruction of the Balkans, and to the trilateral Bulgaria-Romania-Greece cooperation targeting at a common policy line on Balkan issues.

The energy accord was signed earlier by Greek Development Minister Christos Folias and Romanian Economy and Finance Minister Varujan Vosganian. Minister of State Theodoros Roussopoulos, Deputy FM Yannis Valinakis, and the director of the prime ministers press office, Yannis Andrianos also participated in the Greek delegation.

In the morning, Karamanlis visited Patriarch Daniel of Romania at the Romanian Patriarchate

At noon, Mr. Karamanlis met with Romanian President Traian Basescu, while in the afternoon the prime minister will attend a reception in honour by Greeks doing buiseness in Romania, to be hosted by Greeces ambassador in Bucharest.

[02] SYN's 5th Congress

Sources: ÍÅÔ 105,8

The 5th Congress of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (Synaspismos) party begins today, Thursday and will conclude on Thursday afternoon with the election of a new president. The two candidates for the party leadership are MP Fotis Kouvelis, and Alexis Tsipras. SYN Secretary Nikos Houdis and SYN president Alekos Alavanos will deliver speeches to the 1200 members of the Congress.

Translated by Sofia Gartziou

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