The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-09-24

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

CONTENTS

[01] Negotiations Only on the Name-Issue

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ANA-MPA, NET

After her Wednesday meeting with UN Special Envoy Matthew Nimetz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis stated that the negotiations on the FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) name-issue would continue with the delegations of the two countries. Mr Nimetz, who will have a meeting with FYROM President Branko Crvenkovski later this evening, stated that he is to discuss only the FYROM name-issue, adding that "the UN will not focus on national identities."

Furthermore, he reiterated that Athens truly wishes to resolve the issue, adding however that FYROM shares "different views." From her side, Ms Bakoyannis stated that Greece wishes the solution of the name-issue will not have "winners and losers."

Translated by John Crystallidis

[02] Wrangling in Parliament on Economy

By Katerina Ioannidou

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8

Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis told the competent Parliamentary committee that the draft plan of the 2009 state-budget to be tabled at Parliament in the coming days offers continuity, consistency and flexibility. He also stressed that the new measures will be introduced in on the most crucial periods of the world economy and will aim at relieving the low brackets and boosting development and anti-inflation tendency. His statements however, triggered PASOK (Socialists) cadre Louka Katselis reaction who argued that the government had lost its credibility.

LAOS (Popular Orthodox Rally) cadre Asterios Roudoulis stated that it had become a habit to blame others for all. Finally, in reply to PASOKs criticism, Mr Alogoskoufis asked the party to proceed to its self-criticism, accusing it of grubbing along between populism of the 80s and state control. He also added that Mr Papandreou pretended he was not aware of the economic crisis he is about to talk about now in America.

Translated by John Crystallidis

Related News:

Focus on the Economy

[03] EU to Introduce Daytime Lights for Cars as 2011

By Andreas Roditis

Automobile makers will be required to equip new car models in the European Union with special daytime lights from 2011 in a bid to cut down on road accidents, the European Commission announced Wednesday

The special lamps are automatically switched on when the car engine is started. When it gets dark, drivers will still have to switch on their regular driving lights manually. When this occurs, the daytime lights will go out. The rules will only apply to new models of cars and trucks which are introduced from 2011, rather than all new cars. Regarding big trucks and busses 18 months later, that is as of August 2012.

Translated by John Crystallidis

[04] Ecumenical Patriarch: Turkey, Cyprus, Halki and Dialogue

Sources: ANA, Associated Press

At today's Press Conference Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew referred to Turkey, Cyprus, Halki, the Ecumenical Patriarchate's problems and his support to dialogue among religions and cultures. Mr Barholomew urged the European Union to take on Turkey as a member if it improves democratic and human rights standards. "Europe needs to bring Turkey into its project," Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I told the European Parliament.

"What I and the majority of the people of Turkey wish is full integration, full membership of the European Union, on condition that the criteria and preconditions that apply to all candidates are abided by," he told a later news conference.

Bartholomew, who is based in Istanbul, Turkey, is the spiritual leader of hundreds of millions of Orthodox Christians worldwide.

He appealed to the EU not to make religious or cultural differences an obstacle to Turkish membership. Turkeys population of 70 million is predominantly Muslim. But I do not think that should be considered to be a stumbling block," Bartholomew said. "We must not exclude from the European family somebody who simply has a different belief from us."

But he said Turkey needs to improve protection for religious minorities as part of wider human rights reforms. Bartholomew called in particular for Turkish authorities to allow the reopening of a Greek Orthodox seminary and return Church property. Turkeys efforts to join the EU have long been hampered by disputes over democratic standards, human rights and the divided island of Cyprus.

The EU insists religion is not an obstacle to Turkey joining, but opinion polls indicate many Europeans are wary about letting the country into the 27-nation bloc.

Bartholomew gave his backing to talks between the president of Cyprus and the countrys breakaway Turkish north in order to end the islands 34-year division. "We are very optimistic and very hopeful that this time the dialogue between the two communities will have a happy outcome," he said.

[05] Oil Goes up by Two Dollars per Barrel

By Andreas Roditis

Sources: ANA

Crude oil prices have gone up by two dollars per barrel today, as concerns over US supply with oil in the international markets today, as well as indications that OPEC will reduce production in September threatened the US rescue plan of monetary sector

Light crude in New York rose by 1.79 dollars per barrel to 108.40 per barrel, while Brent in London for November delivery rose by 1.80 dollars, having reached 104.88 dollars per barrel.

Besides, as per the data of the US statistical service to be released later today, the oil reserves will be lower by two million barrels for the fifth consecutive week due to the problems caused by Ike typhoon.

Translated by John Crystallidis

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