The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-11-04

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

CONTENTS

[01] G. Papandreou: "Green Growth One-Way Road"

Greece needs a new model of green development with respect to environment and utilization of all resources, said the Prime-minister on Thursday presenting the program "Building the Future", drawn by the Ministry for Environment, Energy and Climate Change. Mr. Papandreou particularly referred to cooperation between the state and private and social sectors to achieve reduction of energy consumption dearly paid by low income groups.

"Saving Energy will Benefit Low- income Groups"

Environment Ministry leadership, in the presence of the Prime-minister, presented a national plan to upgrade the country's building which will start at the beginning of 2011 and last till 2010.

Addressing the event, Mr. Papandreou underlined that it is the biggest plan of its kind implemented across the EU, indicating that investments in green interventions could be the basic axis for the country's growth strategy.

All people can participate in the plan aimed to improve quality of life, reduce cost of living and create new job positions said the Prime-minister.

Greek households are the biggest energy consumers in Europe according to surveys which show that they consume 30% more energy than Spain and 50% more than Portugal although the three countries have the same climate and double or triple energy compared to developed countries in Scandinavia.

"We combine protection of the environment with a new growth logic which will save resources, boost investments, create new job positions and additional value to our products":

G. Papandreou

Countries like Greece have no other option but green growth model, added Mr. Papandreou.

"The construction sector could not be exempted as it takes up significant part of the economy and is responsible for over 50% of the country's investments", he said

Mr. Papandreou said that low-income groups bear the heaviest cost for energy as only 8% of poor households live in insulated buildings compared against 64% of higher income groups. Heating cost is 127% higher for poor households.

Concluding his speech, Mr. Papandreou invited all market forces to contribute in the country's effort for recovery, citing the need for national understanding and unity of forces to overcome the financial crisis.

The Prime-minister will speak at a gathering in Patra at 18:00, on Thursday and at the Sporting Stadium, in Athens on Friday.

The program "Building the Future" presented by Environment, Energy and Climate Change Minister, Tina Birbili provides for actions that will save energy to some 3 million buildings across the country till 2020. It is estimated that implementation of the program will save households and businesses 9 billion euros in the next decade.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA-ÌPA

News item: 45780

[02] Two Young Man Detained for Parcel Bombs

The two young men, Panagiotis Argyrou, 22 and Gerasimos Tsakalos, 24, arrested for the parcel bombs delivery to foreign embassies, were detained after their statement to interrogator. They were transferred under strict security measures to Evelpidon Court where they refused to give their statements telling the interrogator that they do not want to participate in that procedure. The two young men are facing 4 criminal and 4 misdemeanor charges. In the meantime, experts detonated a parcel bomb bound for the French embassy . It was left at ACS courier company in Kallithea.

The explosive device was inside a book and they had Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos as the sender. Police continue investigations on parcels found in Markopoulo.

Sources: ÁNA-ÌPA, ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8

News item: 45778

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