The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-10-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Cooperation to Face Climate Change

The Mediterranean Climate Change Conference, organized by Greece and Turkey, concluded with the signing of Collaboration Declaration. It was attended by state leaders, ministers and heads of non-government organizations. "This threat unites us", was the opening phrase in Prime-minister George Papandreou speech. Mr. Papandreou made a special reference to Turkish Prime-minister, Tayip Erdogan presence at the conference, underlining that it was an indication that the two neighboring countries may lay aside their differences to work together against common threat in the region. "It is important to take regional initiatives as we head towards a global agreement on climate with very slow pace", stressed the chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), Dr. R.K. Pachauri.

"This Threat Unites us"

Opening the "Mediterranean Climate Change Initiative" conference in the Athens resort of Buliagmeni, Mr. Papandreou stressed the significance of the high level of representation at the conference, noting in particular Turkish Prime-minister Tayyip Erdogan's attendance.

"The fact that Turkey is represented here at high level, by friend Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is indicative that the two countries can put aside their differences in the face of the common threats," the Greek Prime-minister said. Having learned the value of cooperation in difficult conditions, Greece and Turkey stand united on one of the most important issues, that of climate change", he added.

"From within the "bad scenarios" for climate change appearing to be coming true in the southeastern Mediterranean with more frequent extreme weather phenomena and threats to the region's unique agricultural production, which is a capital for its culture, an opportunity arises, that of taking advantage of the cooperation among the regional countries to develop a new growth model, making use of the region's resources, to create new green industries", Papandreou said,

"Our cooperation becomes even more mandatory because globalization, as it is developing, has created major inequalities, great instability, due to climate change, energy problems, nutrition crises, crisis in water management, but also due to economic clashes and recession", he said.

"These changes are of historic importance. Not only is climate threatened but also our culture, our lives and the next generations may just recall today's Mediterranean as a memory. This is why I personally together with the Turkish Prime-minister took the initiative to develop common actions and decisions so the Mediterranean becomes a strong voice at world negotiations on climate, an appeal of particular importance a month and a half before Mexico conference on climate change. We are here to show we can lead initiatives at regional Mediterranean level", said Mr. Papandreou and added "working together we can come out stronger and face existing problems".

Turkish Prime-minister Tayip Erdogan, in his address, underlined Turkish government's sensitivity on environmental issues, citing that his country has drawn a legal framework providing for protection of environment and developmental plan particular sensitive on environment issues with a time frame till 2012.

In a video intervention, the chairman of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), Dr. R.K. Pachauri said " It is important to take regional initiatives as we are heading at a very low pace to a global agreement on the climate" and referred to several repercussions of climate change in the Mediterranean which will a significant impact on many economic activities.

sOURCES: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 ÁNA/ÌPA

Related News: Mediterranean Climate Change Conference

News item: 43917

[02] Papandreou-Erdogan Meeting

Prime-minister George Papandreou is having a long meeting with his Turkish counterpart Tayip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Climate Change conference, taking place in Athens suburb of Buliagmeni. The two premiers agreed to launch a joint initiative on illegal immigration. The agenda of talks certainly included bilateral relation issues. Mr. Papandreou will have separate meetings with the prime-minister of Malta and the head of the Palestinian Authority.

The Prime-ministers of Greece and Turkey agreed to intensify cooperation at all levels to halt immigration wave from Turkey to Europe through Greece during thei two hour meeting on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Climate Change conference held in Athens. Messrs Papandreou and Erdogan had the opportunity to discuss issues of bilateral interest as well as issues concerning the broader region.

Greece wants to have close cooperation with its neigbours, within the frame of international law principles, to the benefit not only of Greece and Turkey but also to the broader region said Mr. Papandreou.

The Greek side raised implementation of agreement for readmission of illegal immigrants passing from Turkey into Europe in exchange for Greek assistance to help relax visa rules for Turks.

Exploratory talks on continental shelf issue continue without timetable aimed to bring positive results said Mr. Papandreou in response to a relevant question. Other issues discussed included Cyprus, developments in Middle East , Ecumenical Patriarchate, energy and cooperation in the tourist field.

Sources: ÍÅÔ - ÍÅÔ 105.8 - ÁNA/ÌPA

News item: 43914

[03] Mediterranean Climate Change Conference

Greece and Turkey indicate that they can leave differences behind to deal with common threats, such as climate change said Prime-minister G. Papandreou in his speech at the opening of Mediterranean Climate Change Conference taking place in Bouliagmeni.

Need for Cooperation

Mr. Papandreou underlined that Greece's initiative combines tackling climate change through green development.

He said collaboration is the only effective road and invited Mediterranean leaders to discuss the next steps together as a region. Attending the conference are state leaders, ministers and heads of non-government organizations.

Papandreou -Erdogan Meeting

In the meantime, Prime-minister George Papandreou is having a meeting with Turkish president Tayip Erdogan on the sidelines of the conference. Talks are expected to cover bilateral relation issues.

Source: ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 43721

[04] Inspections at Universities

The Education Ministry is trying to put an end to familiocracy phenomena at universities. Appointments to university professor posts of 15 persons, relatives of professors, have been recalled while another 100 cases are being examined.

There is even a case where the father had the supervision of his son's ph degree work while there are several other similar cases due to inefficient legal framework. The man previously referred was even selected to the post of Social theology professor at the Athens University.

Education undersecretary is trying to convince universities to give evidence so to shed more light in the cases that legal framework has not been observed.

Source: ÍÅÔ

News item: 43714

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