Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis addresses ND's Central Committee

[02] Anti-war rally held in central Athens

[03] Greek-Bulgarian meeting in Drama for the protection of Nestos River

[04] Women's Union of Greece to hold event in Alexandroupoli on the European Constitution

[01] PM Karamanlis addresses ND's Central Committee

"We committed ourselves to the citizens to brush aside the gray of corruption, to strengthen the essence and quality of democracy. We committed ourselves to these and we will not abandon them. We are abolishing the laws of vested interests, we are advancing measures which place a barrier to bad management and waste, we support the institutions, we safeguard institutionally the State," Karamanlis said.

"The struggle against vested interests is a struggle for the collective interest. And we will win this struggle, the difficulties invigorate our determination. The citizens will be the winners in the clash against corruption, immunity and hypocricy," he added.

The prime minister launched an attack against the main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK), saying that "while we respond to our obligation, some others choose to undermine" and he explained that "while we, along with the main opposition party, voted the constitutional regulation for the main shareholder, today it is us who support it and they undermine it, we struggle for transparency and they abandoned what they committed themselves, they reached the point of claiming that those who support constitutional order do not strengthen the country's prestige."

Karamanlis also spoke on the continuation of his economic policy. "We said the truth on the economy and we undertook a difficult effort. The situation which we inherited from the past is diificult, the debts are enormous, the deficits are great, the absence of basic structural changes is a problem," he said.

Describing the situation, Karamanlis said that Greece has no more margins for delays, it must go forward and for it to go forward changes and reforms are needed. He also spoke about privatisation, noting that it would reduce public debt, attract foreign investments, strengthen competition and create new jobs.

The prime minister further referred to the ratification of the European Constitution by Parliament, saying that it is an historic step in the road of the common European future.

In his speech, he referred to Greek-Turkish relations, stating that "we support Turkey's European prospects, clarifying however that this road depends first of all by Turkey itself and from its response to the fundamental European criteria and the prerequisites placed each time for its next step.

He underlined that "I hope in a creative discussion with my Turkish counterpart in the coming days and it is self-evident that we are awaiting the soonest poosible Turkey's response to the obligations it has undertaken for the Customs Cooperation Protocol."

The prime minister also referred to Greece's relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and particularly the pending name issue. "Despite the negative stagnation of many years it has the position has been accepted on an international level for a mutually accepted solution through substantial dialogue and I hope there will be a response by the other side," he said.

[02] Anti-war rally held in central Athens

The rally was jointly organised by the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the Civil Servants' Supreme Administrative Council (ADEDY), the Athens Labour Centre (EKA), schools of Athens University, municipalities and other groups.

Slogans included "No to war, stop the occupation in Iraq, freedom to Palestine and no participation by Greece in the war operations of NATO and the European Union."

The demonstrators gathered at Syntagma Square and then marched to the U.S. Embassy.

[03] Greek-Bulgarian meeting in Drama for the protection of Nestos River

Addressing the meeting in the city of Drama, Deputy Agricultural Development and Foods Minister Alexandros Kontos underlined the need for closer cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria so as to stop the pollution of the waters of the river which pass through the two countries. He further said that in light of Bulgaria's accession to the European Union, it was necessary for the neighbouring country to adapt its national legislation to the parameters of the EU.

The deputy minister referred to the good relations between Greece and Bulgaria these past years and to the efforts which have been made for this purpose. Kontos underlined:"Many times, a proper neighbour, a friend who cares and is really interested, is even better than a relative."

The rapporteurs, distinguished Greek and Bulgarian scientists, noted that Nestos River had great ecological, economic and development importance in the broader region, therefore it is necessary for there to be Greece-Bulgaria inter-state cooperation for the river's protection and the proper management of its waters.

[04] Women's Union of Greece to hold event in Alexandroupoli on the European Constitution

Speakers at the event will be former minister and main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) deputy Evangelos Venizelos and the head of PASOK's parliamentary group in the European Parliament, Eurodeputy Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou who was recently elected Secretary of PASOK's National Council.

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