Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece most likely not infected by bird flu, professor says

[02] Main opposition calls on gov't to brief parliament on bird flu

[03] President Papoulias concludes official visit to Cyprus

[01] Greece most likely not infected by bird flu, professor says

He also said that all procedures dictated by national and EU legislation were followed.

"The news is good. Except for the laboratory tests, which according to [national] law, veterinary practice, and EU law, must continue, looking at the epidemiological and clinical data that we have from the turkeys in Oinousses, it seems that there is no case of bird flu, the kind that has devastated Southeast Asia. That flu, especially in turkeys, causes death within 48 hours and wipes them out," he said.

Kyriakis explained that while one of the nine turkeys proved positive to the H5 virus, this in itself is not cause for alarm.

Among the various strains of the virus, it is the H5N1 strain that is deadly and which has caused numerous deaths in southeast Asia.

Results from viral tests that will determine which strain of the H5 virus the infected turkey carried, are expected next week.

[02] Main opposition calls on gov't to brief parliament on bird flu

Nine main opposition PASOK MPs called on Wednesday for the Parliamentary Committee on Production and Commerce to convene in order to be briefed by Minister of Agricultural Development and Foods Evangelos Basiakos on avian influenza.

"Ministers' contradictory statements and the insufficient information provided to citizens threaten to transform the bird flu into public panic," MPs said in a statement.

"Thousands of citizens are lining up at pharmacies for flu shots that do nothing against bird flu, while poultry breeders are finding themselves at an impasse with long-term, disastrous consequences," they said.

In a related development, PASOK Spokesman Nikos Athanassakis blamed the government for "the confusion and panic created among the public regarding bird flu".

Athanassakis said the government handled the matter "incompetently" and called on ministers "to get serious."

Finally, he urged citizens to listen to experts' opinions and not those of ministers.

[03] President Papoulias concludes official visit to Cyprus

Accompanying President Papoulias at Larnaca Airport, Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos asked his Greek counterpart to convey to the Greek government, all politicians and the Greek people, Cyprus' gratitude for its unanimous input in efforts to end the continued tragedy on the island.

In a statement before departing, Papoulias said he returns home strongly moved with everything that he had lived in the last four days and for him the visit was a spiritual elation.

"I was spiritually elated because I experienced the high morale of the people of Cyprus, and concern because I experienced their concern over the continued Turkish barbarism on the island", he stressed.

The Greek President said that he is "very encouraged by the discussions he had with President Papadopoulos and with Cyprus' political leadership".

He expressed the view that "under these preconditions and with this morale, we will achieve in the end what we are pursuing, a free

Cyprus, without occupation troops, a Cyprus that will prosper in the great EU family".

President Papadopoulos in his statement said the UN decisions and the EU principles offer the framework and basis of the Cyprus problem.

"We will move within this framework to support and achieve the aim of a solution", President Papadopoulos said. He added that in this effort, Greece remains our supporter.

The Cypriot President thanked Papoulias for his visit and the message it conveys to the people.

"It sends messages of unwavering support for the final justification of our common struggle", the president added.

Papadopoulos stressed that Papoulias' visit renewed his interest for Cyprus and "gave us the opportunity to reiterate the sincere respect we have for you", he added.

"We assure you that we will continue with consistency to work and cooperate to achieve a functional and viable solution to our national issue", the president concluded.

A red carpet departure ceremony was held in the presence of President Papadopoulos and the island's political, religious, military leadership and the cabinet.

During his stay on the island, President Papadopoulos held a meetings with President Papadopoulos and the island's political leadership.

He also visited Makedonitissa Tomb in Nicosia, where army officers and soldiers killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion are buried, and laid a wreath and was declared honourary citizen of Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Paralimni, Derynia and occupied Famagusta.

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