The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-02-16

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Farmers Leave Promachonas Border Crossing

The farmers who were keeping the Promachonas crossing in the border with Bulgaria left the roadblock, after their meeting with Deputy Agricultural Minister Mihalis Karhimakis and Deputy Interior Minister Markos Bolaris.

Source: NET 105.8-ΝΕΤ-ANA/MPA

News item: 33343

[02] Greek PM Holds Important Talks in Russia

After his meeting with Russian Prime-minister Vladimir Putin, Greek Prime-minister G. Papandreou spoke of Greece-Russia strategic cooperation that would contribute to the country's exit from the financial crisis. Within framework of talks, they reached agreements concerning Burgas -Alexandropolis oil pipeline and South Stream natural gas pipeline as well as agreements on cultural, research and scientific fields. On his part, Mr. Putin said that cooperation between the two countries will help recovery in Greece's economy and give a new boost for furthering relations between the two reliable partners. Referring to the financial crisis, Mr. Papandreou expressed certainty that the Greek people would support reforms for a viable economy and just society promoted by the government. The financial crisis started neither in Greece, nor Russia and the EU but in the largest world economy, the US , which also has a high state debt and deficit said the Russian Prime-minister.

Prime-minister G. Papandreou talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev covered economy, energy and bilateral issues. Upon welcoming the Greek Premier, Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia hopes the Greek government will support the results yielded between the two nations when Greece was under a Conservative rule and underlined that Mr. Papandreou's visit will give a new boost for closer ties between the two countries. Papandreou, on his part, touched on the historically close relations between the two countries and highlighted the need for a strategic cooperation that will be even more effective and essential.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 33339

[03] Papandreou-Medvedev Meeting

Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, who is on a two-day visit to Moscow, is meeting with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev. Upon welcoming the Greek PM, Medvedev wished for a closer cooperation between Greece and Russia during Papandreou's premiership. Papandreou claimed that his goal to have Greek-Russian cooperation boosted.

Papandreou will then meet with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Source: NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 33333

[04] Evros Prefecture in State of Emergency

Evros Prefecture, on the northernmost tip of Greece, remains in a state of emergency, due to flooding in the region from the same-name river that separates Greece and Turkey in the Thrace province. More than 130,000 square metres have flooded. The village of Poros and 20 houses in the village of Lavara have been evacuated. The recent heavy showers caused the Pinios dam in Ilia, southern Greece, to overflow, turning arable land into lakes. Things are not that different in Halkidiki, northern Greece, where dozens of municipalities have been declared in a state of emergency due to the heavy rainfalls.

"We are expecting state aid to fix damage caused in the road network and to avoid the worse in case new showers hit the area," said the Halkidiki Prefect, Asterios Zografos.

He then went on to add that the houses and the businesses of the residents of Halkidiki have been damaged, while the streams have been filled with debris that have to be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, more damage will be caused in case the weather deteriorates further.

Source: ANA/MPA, NET, NET 105.8 News item: 33331

[05] Two Nuns Found Dead in a Geraka Convent

Two nuns, who were also sisters, died inside their room at a monastery in Gerakas due to a fire. The Fire Service said the two old women were trapped inside their room and died. Fifteen firefighters rushed to the site and put out the fire before spreading. However, it was too late for the two nuns.

The one was found dead on her bed and the other sitting in a chair near the bed.

Flash estimates speak of negligence, however the Fire Service is investigating the case.

Source: ANA/MPA News item: 33325

[06] Crucial Talks on OAEE

Employment Minister Andreas Loverdos will hold crucial talks to discuss the financial problems of the Insurance Organisation for the Self-Employed (OAEE). The Organisation has called for a financial aid to live up to its obligations. Speaking on NET television, Andreas Loverdos assured that OAEE would pay pensions of this month and the month that follows.

In the meantime, touching to the measure providing for a single retirement age for men and women, he said that Greece would ask the EU to let it implement that measure as of 2013. Shifting his attention to the spending in pension funds, he spoke of a huge effort to curtail spending by 2 million euros.

The Employment Minister also argued that there should be a stop to early retirement and mentioned that about 250,000 enterprises fail to pay their contribution to IKA (Social Insurance Institute).

Source: NET 105.8 News item: 33330

[07] One Dead and Two Injured in Gang-Police Clash in Byronas

One civilian was killed, two policemen injured and extensive material damage to houses, shops and cars is the heavy toll of security forces armed clash with criminals in Byronas, Athens district. The two criminals, who have committed several robberies, have been arrested while the injured were transferred to hospital.

The bloody incident occurred shortly before 17:00 on Tuesday, when security forces had surrounded the house of two young Albanian nationals, members of a bank robbery gang. When the criminals realized that they had been surrounded started firing at policemen who returned the fire. During the exchange of fire two policemen were injured while a passer-by was fatally wounded. One of the criminals was arrested in his house while the other sought refuge in a bakery from where he threw 5 hand grenades against policemen, two of which exploded

Finally, the second criminal was also arrested by police forces who had cordoned off the area. Experts arrived at the site to defuse the hand grenades that had not exploded. News item: 33358

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