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

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greek President in Vienna

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias arrived late on Wednesday in Vienna for a four-day formal visit, invited by Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Upon his arrival at the Vienna airport, Papoulias was welcomed by the Minister for Women and Civil Service. Papoulias is escorted by his wife, Culture Minister Michael Liapis, Deputy Foreign Minister Giannis Valinakis, state officials and businessmen. Papoulias visited Austrias Archdiocese, which houses the historical Greek National School in Vienna, the oldest Greek school ever founded abroad.

On Thursday morning, the President of the Hellenic Republic will meet with Austrias Federal Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer and then with President Fischer at the Presidential Mansion. Later on, Papoulias will hold talks with Mayor Michael H&#228;upl and Parliament Speaker Barbara Prammer. On Thursday evening, Fischer and his wife will host a dinner in Papoulias honour at the Presidential Mansion.

Translated by Areti Christou

[02] In Istanbul

02 Ιουλ 2008 19:12:0 (Last updated: 02 Ιουλ 2008 22:10:3)

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA

The anticipated rise in power consumption is expected to be addressed with imports from neighbouring nations. Greeces Development Minister Christos Folias signed a power swap deal with his Turkish counterpart in Istanbul, while he met with Tayyip Erdogan. Folias also visited Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar.

Addressing the 5th International Energy Forum, which was held in Istanbul, Christos Folias stressed: "It is a great pleasure to be among you, exchanging views on the matter of regional energy cooperation and development. A matter of pivotal strategic importance to both Greece and Turkey, but to all the nations of the modern world. It is our conviction that the nations making up the geopolitical triangle, Eastern Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, will enjoy a constantly mounting role in the world balance of energy market in the near future. Their energy dynamic allows them to further expand their volume of supplies not only to the European but also the world energy market. At the same time, being strategically positioned between East and West, they become the focus of investments in infrastructure.

So, networking is the key word. Energy commodities produced in the area should reach the worlds top markets. This is a major challenge. To have oil and natural gas transferred to the consumer nations safely and sufficiently. And this is where the role of Greece and Turkey becomes decisive. Our nations can contribute to sending the areas energy products to the European market. We are at the threshold of major international energy routes and we cannot just be bystanders of the developments. On the contrary! We have to be active pioneers, active players in the hearth of the developments. We aim to offer Greece energy sufficiency and at the same time, being an energy hub, we wish to have a positive contribution to meeting the needs of energy intensive European economies."

Translated by Areti Christou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article