Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-02-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece will firmly support the positions and views formulated by Cyprus government, foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakos stresses

[02] Gov't on GDP growth, inflation rate

[03] Greece, Serbia seek closer business ties

[04] Gov't proposes one-job-only rule for journalists in wider public sector

[01] Greece will firmly support the positions and views formulated by Cyprus government, foreign ministry spokesman Koumoutsakos stresses

"Greece will be a firm supporter of the positions, views and perceptions formulated in Nicosia. The fact that this discussion is underway is, I believe, positive, and when the positions are formulated, the Greek government will lend its support so as to advance them in the best possible way," Koumoutsakos told a regular press briefing.

"Communication and cooperation are, at any rate, continuous, and that is the framework in which we are moving forward," the spokesman said, replying to questions as to whether the Greek government intended to make public any positions concerning changes possibly being sought to the Annan plan for a Cyprus solution.

Asked to comment on statements by Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos inferring that the Cyprus government was prepared for dialogue on the Cyprus problem, Koumoutsakos noted that it was not a new development "the fact that the Cyprus government and the President of the Republic of Cyprus are expressing their volition for dialogue so that the discussion towards a solution may advance".

[02] Gov't on GDP growth, inflation rate

Alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stressed, moreover, that year-on-year inflation for 2004 reached the 3-percent mark, down from 3.5 in from the corresponding 12-month period of 2003.

Asked about comments this week by EU Commissioner for Monetary Affairs Joaquin Almunia, who forecast a 3.3 percent GDP growth rate for the Greek economy, Antonaros noted that previously higher government estimates came before results of a high-profile "fiscal audit" were published.

"If we accept Mr. Almunia's estimates -- which the government doesn't share -- then naturally we would have to accept a minor adjustment downwards," the spokesman said.

The EU Commission this week recommended the extension, to the end of 2006, of a deadline for bringing Greece's budget deficit below the 3-percent benchmark. The deficit was re-calculated at an estimated 5.5 percent of GDP in 2004, with the Commission forecasting 3.6 percent this year and meeting the limit of 3 percent for 2006.

[03] Greece, Serbia seek closer business ties

The speakers noted that Greek investment had made a key contribution to modernisation of Serbia's economy, especially in banking, financial services, insurance, telecoms, industry and construction. Also valuable was Greece's involvement in growth plans for southeastern Europe's energy network.

A day earlier, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas told the meeting that the government was working for closer ties between the European Union and Serbia-Montenegro,

"Greece is working to advance European association for Serbia-Montenegro, and its future entry into the European family...Ours is the first EU country to have devised an integrated national action plan for reconstruction of the Balkans," Sioufas said.

Outlining the government's Balkan policy, the minister noted a bill was in the pipeline to set up an international university in the northern port city of Thessaloniki; incentives were available for the creation of cargo transit centres; and a natural gas pipeline to Austria through the Balkans was being urged.

[04] Gov't proposes one-job-only rule for journalists in wider public sector

Roussopoulos, a well-known local journalist and commentator prior to becoming ruling New Democracyâs spokesman when the party was in the opposition, made the proposal during the second extraordinary meeting of ministry officials with party representatives and the journalism unions' leaderships.

The proposal, if implemented, would affect employees classified as "journalists" in permanent positions, or ones employed as advisers, associates or even temporarily assigned from one department to another.

Ministers would also submit lists with journalists employed by their respective ministries.

Finally, Roussopoulos called on interested parties to submit their proposals for rules governing a code of ethics for journalists.

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