Macedonian Press Agency: News in English, 04-03-10

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Macedonian Press Agency at http://www.mpa.gr and http://www.hri.org/MPA.

CONTENTS

[01] NEW GOVERNMENT SWORN IN

[02] CONGRATULATIONS TO KARAMANLIS

[03] PARLIAMENT RENEWED BY 40%

[04] CHANGE OF GUARD IN THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

[05] THE PRIORITIES OF THE MERCHANT MARINE MINISTER

[06] THE PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER

[07] SIOUFAS: NO POLITICAL DISCRIMINATIONS

[08] CHANGE OF GUARD AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

[09] FORMAL CEREMONY FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE NEW DEFENSE MINISTER

[10] GIANNAKOU: NATIONAL INTEREST ABOVE ALL

[11] PAPALIGOURAS: TIME FOR A LOT OF WORK AND LESS TALK

[01] NEW GOVERNMENT SWORN IN

The new government, led by Costas Karamanlis, was sworn in today. It includes 18 Ministers, one Alternate Minister and 27 Deputy Ministers. Only two officials from outside the Parliament are participating in the new government Ambassador Petros Molyviatis as Foreign Minister and former rector of the National Metsovo Polytechnic School Themistocles Xanthopoulos as Deputy Minister of the Environment, Planning and Public Works, and two women, M. Giannakou in the Ministry of Education, and F. Palli Petralia as Alternate Minister of Culture. The Ministry of Culture is held by Costas Karamanlis himself, while only 11 members of the present government were members of the Mitsotakis government in 90-93. The Presidency of the Parliament was undertaken, for the first time in modern Greek history, by a woman, Anna Psaroudi Benaki, and Stavros Dimas was appointed EU Commissioner.

[02] CONGRATULATIONS TO KARAMANLIS

The ties of friendship and cooperation between Greece and the US were referred to by White House Spokesperson Scott McClellan, who conveyed the congratulations of US President George Bush to Costas Karamanlis. Speaking to the press, the White House Spokesperson stated that the US President would like to congratulate Mr. Karamanlis for his election, and New Democracy for its victory in the elections. Mr. McClellan stressed the close ties of friendship and cooperation, which connect Greece and the US. Mr. Karamanlis was congratulated by many foreign leaders and distinguished personalities of the sports sector.

[03] PARLIAMENT RENEWED BY 40%

There are an impressive number of new faces and women in Parliament, which will convene and be sworn in on March 18. Of the 300 MPs, 122 were elected for the first time in these elections and the renewal percentage reached 40%. There were 97 MPs reelected from ND, while 69 were reelected from PASOK. However, many well known names will remain outside Parliament during the next term. Among them is Achilleas Karamanlis who is not an MP for the first time since 1961.

[04] CHANGE OF GUARD IN THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

New Transportation and Communications Minister Michalis Liapis made it clear that he came to improve things and serve the Greek people in the best way on everyday life issues, limit bureaucracy and promote transparency.

Mr. Liapis gave a special emphasis to the Olympic Games and stressed that the goal is to be held in a flawless manner.

[05] THE PRIORITIES OF THE MERCHANT MARINE MINISTER

New Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefalogiannis presented his priorities today.

They include the strengthening of the competitiveness of the Greek merchant marine, the adoption of measures to make the Greek flag more attractive to merchant ships, the transportation needs of the Greek islands, the transformation of the port of Pireaus into an international maritime center, the protection of the environment, the creation of more jobs and the security shielding of the Greek ports and seas in view of the Olympic Games.

Also, Mr. Kefalogiannis referred to the need for the activation of the National Council of Maritime Policy and the use of new technologies in the ministry.

[06] THE PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTER

The new common agricultural policy, the absorption of the EU funds and the settlement of pending managerial issues, such as subsidies and compensation, are at the top of the list with the priorities of the new leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture which was renamed to Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food.

The three basic priorities were presented by new minister Savvas Tsitouridis. He reiterated that the agricultural program of New Democracy will be implemented because it has been appreciated and its cost lays within the limits of the budget.

[07] SIOUFAS: NO POLITICAL DISCRIMINATIONS

New Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas referred to the importance of the tourist industry while taking over the ministry from his predecessor.

He made a special reference to the country's energy sufficiency during the Olympic Games and underlined that among the goals of the new government is the support of the small and medium sized businesses, which includes the adoption of specific measures such as, tax reforms and the new development law.

Mr. Sioufas called for the cooperation of all ministry employees and stressed that no political discriminations will be allowed.

He said that the basic principles are transparency and absolute respect to the laws.

[08] CHANGE OF GUARD AT THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH

New Minister of Health Nikitas Kaklamanis stated that he will continue the positive work done so far.

Mr. Kaklamanis said that major priorities are the creation of a reliable and effective mechanism for the protection of public health during the Olympic Games and the exploitation of EU funds.

He said that a self-evident goal of all future actions that will be undertaken by the new government will be the improvement of the everyday life of the people especially, the situation in public hospitals.

[09] FORMAL CEREMONY FOR THE RECEPTION OF THE NEW DEFENSE MINISTER

New Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos was received with military honors at the Pentagon today.

He underlined that he will exercise a consensus policy and pointed out that he will not ask for political party dedication.

Earlier, he had stated that his ministry's priority will be the safety of the Olympic Games.

[10] GIANNAKOU: NATIONAL INTEREST ABOVE ALL

New Minister of Education Marieta Giannakou pledged to cooperate with all the ministry employees regardless of their political affiliation, stressing that the state has to function whether ministers are coming or going because national interest is above all.

Mrs. Giannakou stated that all issues will be solved with transparency and honesty, while referring to her predecessor she stated that the work done will be exploited and if something needs to be changed this will not mean that the value of everything done is being depreciated.

[11] PAPALIGOURAS: TIME FOR A LOT OF WORK AND LESS TALK

The independence of justice and the creation of prisons with a humane face, are the two sectors most emphasized by new Justice Minister Anastasios Papaligouras.

Mr. Papaligouras stated, among others, that time for a lot of work and less talk is the motto of the new government, while referring to the ministry employees he called on them to work together, stating that they will be judged based on their ability and honesty.

Macedonian Press Agency: Brief News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article