Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Cyprus to set up joint committee on shipping

[02] Papandreou satisfied with results of main opposition PASOK congress

[03] Gouldandris Museum information programme on environmental problems

[01] Greece, Cyprus to set up joint committee on shipping

The decision was taken during the recent official visit to Cyprus by a delegation of Greece's Merchant Marine ministry that wrapped, a press statement released in Nicosia on Tuesday said.

EU shipping policy and cooperation between Cyprus and Greece on a broad spectrum of shipping-related issues concerning were at the centre of the talks. Two delegations agreed that on an international level each country must represent itself and express its position autonomously.

In that direction, Cyprus, Greece, Malta and other EU countries have undertaken several initiatives, which aim to exclusively promote shipping at a European level and to protect professions at sea.

Cyprus Communications and Works Ministry Permanent Secretary Makis Constantinides and Greek Ministry of Merchant Shipping General Secretary Ioannis Tzoannos also looked into ways of addressing several initiatives within the EU that they believe ignore international organisations and their policies.

The Cyprus delegation also put on the table the insurance rights of Cypriots, who have worked or work in Greek-flagged ships, as well as the issue of Cypriot students studying at Greek Merchant Marine Academies. They also examined setting up a Cyprus Maritime Chamber.

Both Constantinides and Tzoannos expressed their satisfaction over the results of their contacts, underlining that they look forward to further cooperation between the two countries in merchant shipping.

[02] Papandreou satisfied with results of main opposition PASOK congress

Papandreou made the statement as he arrived at the Olympic tae kwon do indoor hall in the early afternoon to participate in a cleanup effort at the site by volunteers and party cadres.

Asked about results of the congress, Papandreou said all expectations were surpassed by what he called the large turnout and delegates' enthusiasm, which he added was primarily achieved through the substantive discussions that took place.

He also focused on the congress' election results of members of the party's national council for reconstruction.

[03] Gouldandris Museum information programme on environmental problems

The programme, titled "Man and Environment in the 21st century - The critical problems", was presented Monday by Niki Goulandris and officials of the Gaia Center for Environmental Research and Education officials at the Zappeion Press Centre.

The public awareness initiative by the Gaia centre will extend to 10 cities in the country, where 18 topics prepared by specialised scientists will be presented. The presentation of each topic will be based on the local conditions of each city and in accordance with the needs of local societies.

Presentations will begin in Thessaloniki on April 4, focusing on urban environment and major cities, while the programme will be concluded in Athens at the end of the year with an examination of the demographic problem.

The programme will be carried out under the auspices of the development and culture ministries.

French philosopher Michel Serres was also present at the presentation.

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