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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-09-09Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greece reminds that no EU presidency should exploit its position to advance national political choicesGreece's foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos on Friday pointed out that no EU presidency should exploit its position in order to advance purely national political choices. Replying to questions, during a regular press briefing, regarding the ongoing discussion at the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in Brussels aimed at formulating a reply (counter-declaration) to Turkey's unilateral declaration on July 29 that its signature of the Association Agreement Protocol -- by virtue of which Ankara extended its customs union agreement with the EU to the 10 new member states, including Turkey -- did not mean recognition of the internationally-recognised (except by Turkey) Republic of Cyprus and that it refused to open its ports and airports to Cypriot ships and planes, and the British EU presidency's stand, Koumoutsakos stressed: "The principle of objectivity is fundamental for the successful exercise of the mission of each and every EU presidency"."I fear that the developments of the past 24 hours in the discussion in Brussels (COREPER) on this matter render it necessary to repeat this," Koumoutsakos said. "It is self-evident that no (EU) presidency should take advantage of its abilities for the projection of purely national political choices," Koumoutsakos concluded. [02] PASOK unveils 'Black Book' listing gov't blunders and let-downs; Roussopoulos respondsMain opposition PASOK on Friday released a 128-page publication that it dubbed the "Book of Unreliability", in which the party lists a series of what it says are blunders, broken promises and outright lies by the present government. Unveiling the book, PASOK spokesman Nikos Athanassakis said that the government was revealed as unreliable and as having deceived the electorate, while noting that the book would continue to follow the government "month by month and day by day". He said the book showed that there had been a full reversal of every pre-election promise made by the government and its every announcement had been either a lie, an unkept promise or a mistake.Noting that the book could just as easily be entitled the "Handbook for the Good Liar", Athanassakis said that it would continue to grow because the government had not changed its tactics. Responding later in the day, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that "with its 'Black Book', PASOK and its president have given their opposition arguments the hue of reaction and conservatism. Reaction to every change and reform, while perpetuating the distortions, rigidities, practices and beliefs of the 20 years of PASOK governmenance". According to Roussopoulos, the book only served to highlight PASOK's own actions, omissions and failed promises when in government. "Greek men and women have condemned PASOK's governments for the things they did and failed to do over 20 years; for the hidden debts and deficits, for unemployment and high prices, for untransparency and corruption, for bureaucracy and party-politics, for the crime of the stock market, for Olympic Airways and the Land Register," he stressed. According to Roussopoulos, the electorate supported the government in its effort to carry out necessary reforms and changes needed by the economy and demanded by society. "Because they know full well that reforms are a one-way street that will lead to a truly humane, just and social state," he said. PASOK's own unreliability and its lack of counter-proposals and positions were highlighted even more by this attempt, 18 months after the elections, to blacken and denigrate the real and effective work of a government that will be judged by its citizens at the end of its four-year term, Roussopoulos concluded. [03] ANA, MPE live web coverage of TIF highlight eventsGreece's two news agencies, the Athens News Agency (ANA) and the Macedonian Press Agency (MPA) will directly broadcast from Thessaloniki the highlight events of the 70th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) live via Internet to the entire country and throughout the world. The programme of live webcasts by the two news agencies, which are currently in the process of merging, includes the inauguration ceremony of the 70th TIF and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' opening address on Friday, September 9, at 8:00 p.m. and Prime Minister Karamanlis' keynote address to the official banquet hosted by the Helexpo-TIF administration on Saturday, September 10, at 8:00 p.m.The programme includes: Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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