Athens News Agency: News in English, 04-03-14

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Avramopoulos sends message to Berlin Tourism Exhibition

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits U.S.

[03] Weather Forecast: Light cloud on Monday

[04] Government spokesman says Greeks to observe 3-minute silence for

[05] Cyprus president holds talks on Cyprus with PM, meets President

[01] Avramopoulos sends message to Berlin Tourism Exhibition

Greek Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on Sunday sent a message to the Berlin Tourism Exhibition, expressing his regret that he could not be present at the event due to pressing work in Athens following the creation of the new ministry.

The minister noted that the new Greek government proceeded in the establishment of the Tourism Ministry which he said will ''pave a unified policy on a long-term basis, in cooperation with the tourism agencies.''

Avramopoulos stressed that the devolopment of tourism is one of the top priorities of the New Deocracy government.

He said he was prepared to exchange views in the near future during a planned meeting of tour operators in Athens. ''Our aim is the best possible cooperation in light of the Olympic Games, but also in the post-olympic period,'' he said.

[02] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos visits U.S.

NEW YORK (ANA/P. Panagiotou) - Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is currently on his 5th visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of America.

Vartholomeos, in New York since Saturday, received a warm welcome by Archbishop of America Dimitrios and will make a number of visits to communities and foundations of the Greek-American community.

During his week-long stay in the United States, Vartholomeos will also meet New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and give a lecture on Thursday evening on the sidelines of the exhibition ''Byzantium: Faith and Strength''.

[03] Weather Forecast: Light cloud on Monday

Light cloud is forecast with temperatures increasing slightly throughout the country. Winds northerly moderate. Temperatures in Athens 7C to 16C and in Thessaloniki 6C to 15C.

[04] Government spokesman says Greeks to observe 3-minute silence for Spanish people

Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos announced on Sunday that the Greeks, together with all the peoples of the European Union, will observe three minutes of silence on Monday to participate in the mourning of the Spanish people for the victims of this week's terrorist attack in Madrid.

Roussopoulos said Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos has already issued a relevant circular to all services in the public and wider public sector.

''We Greeks condemn, in the most unequivocal manner, the hideous terrorist attack in Madrid on March 11 and to pay tribute to the innocent victims of this heinous criminal act we will be participating in the mourning of the Spanish people tomorrow together with all the peoples of the European Union, observing three minutes of silence at 14.00 hours,'' he said.

[05] Cyprus president holds talks on Cyprus with PM, meets President Stephanopoulos

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos held extensive talks at the Maximos Mansion on Sunday and reached a coincidence of views and agreement on further moves which are necessary to enable a reunited Cyprus to join the European Union.

Karamanlis reiterated that the Greek government fully supports the efforts of the people of Cyprus for a European, workable and viable solution based on the Annan plan.

He added that the two delegations agreed on the moves which must be made to enable Cyprus to join the EU united and for Greek and Turkish Cypriots to enjoy the fruits of the new European reality together.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the constructive position of the Republic of Cyprus will meet with a response from the other side.

He further said that the talks are continuing despite difficulties faced in the negotiations. He also reiterated that support for President Papadopoulos is a position which will not change or be questioned.

Asked whether ratification of the decision for a referendum by the Turkish National Assembly is necessary beforehand, Karamanlis said this is one of the points which must change.

He also said the level at which the various sides will be represented in the quadripartite meeting has not yet been determined and is still being discussed.

Karamanlis expressed the view that the dimension of the security issue is very serious and that the good intention and the moderate stance displayed by President Papadopoulos is evident to all.

President Papadopoulos thanked the Greek government and characterised the fact that Athens is backing Nicosia in its difficult struggle with its wholehearted support as being very important.

''The target remains a viable and workable solution by May 1,'' President Papadopoulos said, adding that the negotiations are difficult and expressed the hope that even at the 12th hour the position of the Greek Cypriot side will be appreciated and it will meet with the appropriate response.

President Papadopoulos said he has assurances that the position of the Greek Cypriot side is understandable. However, he added that it is very difficult for the UN to attribute responsibilities since it has the role of negotiator.

Asked why the Greek Cypriot side does not reveal its positions in public, in contrast to Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, President Papadopoulos said he will fully brief the people of Cyprus when it will be necessary for him to do so.

''Mr. Denktash may have different pursuits. However, Nicosia attributes great seriousness to the process, it considers this stage to be crucial and for this reason it does not negotiate through the press,'' he added.

President Papadopoulos was received by President Kostis Stephanopoulos earlier in the day.

Later on in the afternoon, President Papadopoulos will be holding successive meetings with the leaders of opposition parties. At 5 p.m. he will be meeting main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou and afterwards Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Nikos Constantopoulos.

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