Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Deputy FM Valinakis meets with Serbian PM Kostunica during Belgrade visit

[02] OA extends low fare programme for one more month

[03] City of Athens announces events for carnival period

[04] Gov't to fund centre for arts, travel correspondents

[01] Deputy FM Valinakis meets with Serbian PM Kostunica during Belgrade visit

During the meetings, Valinakis stressed the need for the development of the Balkans into a "European neighbourhood with the participation, definitely, of Serbia-Montenegro".

"All the countries of the region must proceed towards the European Union, with different speeds due to realities, certainly however this neighbourhood must also include Serbia. It is not conceivable for a European neighbourhhod in the Balkans with a 'hole' in the middle. It is our conviction that Serbia has its position in this course and we will help it in its effort," the Greek deputy foreign minister said.

Valinakis' visit to Belgrade acquires particular importance, both in light of Greece's participation in the United Nations Security Council, in a period during which the matter of Kosovo may posssibly be decided, as well as in view of the assumption by Greece of the presidency of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP - former Balkan) in May.

"All these things create increased interest for the region and we are happy that we can, within the framework of our capabilities, to contribute in the effort for the Balkans to approach the European Union," Valinakis stated.

The deputy foreign minister was due to depart later in the day for Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, to participate in the meeting of the European Affairs deputy ministers and senior officials from 17 European Union countries. The meeting will be held within the framework of the regular cooperation with his counterparts on the EU's fiscal prospects for the period 2007-2013, and in continuation of the corresponding meeting which was held at the initiative of the foreign ministry in Athens on January 17.

[02] OA extends low fare programme for one more month

The offer is extended to March 27 from February 28 as initially planned.

OA offers special fares on return tickets (129 euros) in its scheduled flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to Rome, Brussels, Frankfurt, Milan, Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Munich and Berlin. It also offers return tickets from 149 euros to Amsterdam, Madrid, London, Geneva, Moscow, Paris, Manchester and Vienna.

The indicative prices do not include airport taxes and duties.

[03] City of Athens announces events for carnival period

The events will begin on Thursday, March 3 and end on the Clean Monday holiday that marks the start of the 40-day Lent period leading to Easter, which is celebrated by the Greek Orthodox Church this year on May 1.

They will take place in nine squares in the city centre and central Athens neighbourhoods, at Thission, Zappion, Technopolis in Gazi, the Varvakio meat market and on pedestrianised roads around the city. For the first time, there will be simultaneous events on the three Athens hills of Filopappou, Skouze and Strefi.

[04] Gov't to fund centre for arts, travel correspondents

Funding for the project would total 43,000 euros, the minister told an FPA luncheon, at which he was the guest speaker.

Avramopoulos also said that a bill to boost spa tourism would be sent to parliament in coming days; and a new organisation to spur agrotourism would be finalised by the end of the month.

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