Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Terrorism cannot be tolerated, PM Karamanlis stresses after Madrid conference

[02] FM Molyviatis to meet with US Sec. of State Rice in Washington

[03] Friday to mark 1-year anniversary of Madrid train station bombing

[01] Terrorism cannot be tolerated, PM Karamanlis stresses after Madrid conference

"The message we are sending unanimously and in every direction is that we cannot tolerate terrorism. No cause can justify such crimes. Human life and the security of our citizens is of paramount priority and we shall cooperate on an international level to safeguard it," he said.

Karamanlis said proposals were made on the combatting of terrorism by the international community, in the framework of international legality and respect for human rights, adding that the contribution of democracy in this direction was also probed.

Earlier in the day, Karamanlis met for the first time with new Romanian prime minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu and discussed bilateral relations, while Romania's impending accession to the EU and the situation in the region were also examined.

The prime minister also had brief meetings on the sidelines of the conference with Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker, Polish prime minister Marek Belka, Spanish prime minister Jose Louis Rodrigues Zapatero, and European Commission president Jose Barroso.

The prime minister also referred during the press conference to his meetings with his Spanish, Polish and Romanian counterparts.

Talks with Zapatero focused on stable and close cooperation between the two countries on issues of mutual interest to the countries of the EU's south, while it was also agreed that consultations to promote these issues must be extended.

Views were also exchanged with the Zapatero and Belka on the EU's fiscal prospects (the 4th Community Support Framework), the Lisbon strategy and enlargement.

Bilateral relations were discussed with Tariceanu as well as this Balkan nation's accession to the EU, which Greece supports, as well as the situation prevailing in the area.

Karamanlis further said he had the opportunity for talks with many leaders.

The prime minister later attended a reception hosted by the Spanish royal couple, during which he held brief talks with King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia on the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Karamanlis was scheduled to leave for Athens on Friday morning.

[02] FM Molyviatis to meet with US Sec. of State Rice in Washington

He will also meet with National Security Adviser Steven Hadley the same day, whereas a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is set for March 28.

"Beyond the traditional issues, other matters will be discussed, along with the course of the Cyprus problem, developments in the Balkans, Greek-Turkish relations within their new European dimension as well as Turkey's European course," foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said, adding that the visit and talks will mark the beginning of a new and closer cooperation with Washington.

[03] Friday to mark 1-year anniversary of Madrid train station bombing

Friday will mark the one-year anniversary of the sinister attack, blamed on extremists linked to the "al-Qaeda" terrorist group.

In commenting on the occasion, the Greek foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday noted that "this sad anniversary reminds us that terrorism, as a phenomenon, surpasses national borders and assumes dimensions that transform it into a significant threat to international peace and stability".

Spokesman George Koumoutsakos added that dealing with terrorism is a major challenge for the international community, one necessitating coordinated action and cooperation on the bilateral and multilateral levels.

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