Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-10

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis meets with Spain's Zapatero in Madrid

[02] Athens chosen as headquarters of International Committee for Mediterranean Games (ICMG)

[03] PM tells Madrid conference terrorism emerging as major threat for international security

[04] Gov't announces six major road projects worth 7.0 bln euros

[05] Foreign ministry reiterates Athens' position regarding Kosovo

[01] PM Karamanlis meets with Spain's Zapatero in Madrid

Karamanlis arrived in the Spanish capital to participate in an international summit focusing on the fight against international terrorism.

One common initiative reportedly discussed by the two leaders involved cooperation by Madrid and Athens over the level of funding from the 4th Community Support Framework (CSF).

According to sources, Karamanlis also reiterated his proposal for the establishment of a European-wide coast guard force, with discussions revolving around the possibility for a pilot programme to ascertain whether any such force can be fielded throughout the European Union's coastlines.

The Greek premier also briefed his Spanish counterpart over his recent tour of the western Balkans, whereas Zapatero outlined his proposal for a special summit to coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the Barcelona Declaration

[02] Athens chosen as headquarters of International Committee for Mediterranean Games (ICMG)

The agreement was signed by ICMG President Amar Addadi and Greek Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos, on behalf of the government, during a brief ceremony at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex's (OAKA) natatorium and in the presence of numerous local sports sector dignitaries and officials.

"The gesture by the Greek government for the permanent establishment of our headquarters in Athens will make the Mediterranean Sea a sea of peace," Addadi said, adding that the ICMG will be the only international sports federation based in the Greek capital.

On his part, Orfanos stressed that the success of the 2004 Olympic Games allowed Greece to link its past with the present and future. The deputy minister also stressed that the government wants to promote Athens and Greece as hosts for other major sports events.

(Caption: A view of the ICMG signing ceremony in Athens on Thursday)

[03] PM tells Madrid conference terrorism emerging as major threat for international security

The conference is taking place a year after the attack at a Madrid railway station in which about 200 people were killed.

"Wherever democracy takes root, terrorism cannot flourish," the prime minister said.

"The reason for this is because its main ideological basis contrasts with the nucleus of values of the free and democratic countries:tolerance and respect and acceptance for different ideas, values and cultures," he added.

Karamanlis went on to say that "Greece and we Greek people, having suffered from terrorism, are in a position to understand the pain caused by this terrorist attack to the families of the victims and sympathise with them fully. Greece condemns in the most categorical way terrorist acts in their entirety as criminal, regardless of whatever motive, form or appeal. Every cause, no matter how just it might be, cannot function as an alibi for terrorist acts."

The prime minister expressed his will for cooperation "at international level, in the framework of international legality and the safeguarding of human rights, so as to eradicate this scourge from our societies and the world."

He further said that Greece has ratified the 12 international agreements, it remains bent on the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and welcomed the decision "which urges all countries to adopt suitable and effective laws aimed at forbidding the possession, production and trafficking of weapons of mass destruction by non-governmental forces. We also fully support the implementation of the international agreement on the eradication of the phenomenon of financing international terrorism."

Karamanlis said that all necessary measures have been taken in Greece to have international agreements and directives to be incorporated in the Greek legal system, adding that "the protection of human life and of the security of our citizens is of paramount importance for us and our top priority and we shall not make any compromise on this."

He also referred to the safe hosting of last year's Athens Olympic Games, stressing that this constitutes a tangible example of efforts made.

"The effective measures taken by Greece, as well as cooperation had with the international community, resulted in the Games being held in a safe environment with full respect for Olympic values and without any repercussion on the human rights and the political freedoms of both Greek and foreign citizens," the prime minister said.

He went on to say that cooperation among countries is imperative because terrorism and organised crime know no borders.

"The promotion of regional and international cooperation is mandatory in this framework. Anti-terrorist strategy and an overall plan of action have been adopted in the framework of the EU. We vigorously support both the spirit, as well as their strict implementation. Our efforts to achieve consent at the United Nations for an accurate definition of the meaning of terrorism have been intensified," Karamanlis said.

[04] Gov't announces six major road projects worth 7.0 bln euros

The six projects will be assigned to construction groups which will also take over management of a part of the national road network to cover the cost of the project.

The six projects are the national road linking Patras-Pyrgos-Tsakona, a highway in central Greece, the national road linking Corinth-Tripoli-Kalamata and Lefktro-Sparta, the Ionian roadway linking Antirrio with Ioannina, part of the national road in the Gulf of Malliakos and the Thessaloniki underwater tunnel.

Presenting the projects, Souflias said all existing public road tolls would be abolished and would be replaced by new private ones, while he stressed that employees in state-run toll booths would not lose their jobs.

[05] Foreign ministry reiterates Athens' position regarding Kosovo

Moreover, foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said Washington and Moscow were also briefed via diplomatic channels.

In response to press questions during his briefing, the spokesman reiterated the Greek side's four basic goals for the strife-plagued province, namely, safeguarding stability; implementation of European principles in Kosovo; existence of a multi-national society in the region and establishment of security for all the residents of the province.

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