Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-10-27

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Nation's political leadership issues Oct. 28 messages

[02] Greek PM in London for EU summit

[03] Papandreou meets London Mayor Ken Livingstone

[01] Nation's political leadership issues Oct. 28 messages

"Oct. 28 is a day of celebration and pride for the persistence and strength of character shown by Hellenism," the prime minister's message began.

"It is an anniversary for conferring our grateful respect to all those who rose to the occasion against the forces of totalitarianism and violence," Karamanlis stressed.

In referring to the fact that 2005 marks the 60th anniversary since the end of the Second World War, Karamanlis emphasised that the present finds "European citizens demonstrating their faith in the values of ideals of democracy, freedom and cooperation, values that are more effective and beneficial than useless clashes and conflicts."

The Greek prime minister concludes by saying that this legacy serves as a "debt and challenge for our generation as well as a historical debt for each individual, so that peace, democracy, mutual respect act as guides for our society, on the path to prosperity, stability and development."

On her part, Parliament President Anna Psarouda-Benaki noted that the Oct. 28 national holiday symbolises the Greek people's rejection of totalitarianism, resistance to tyranny, a belief in freedom and national confidence.

Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou stressed that the Greek people have defended universal human values, beyond anyone's expectations, during some of history's most crucial moments, "amid difficult junctures and under uneven conditions".

"Greeks have demonstrated that they know how to stand their ground, and that is the message of the 1940 War, one that remains timely for every person and people that wants to live free; that knows how to struggle for independence and wants to define their future," he said.

In his message to Greece's extensive expatriate community around the world, Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianides stressed that observing the anniversary was vital for preserving the nation's consciousness of itself and its history.

"The Greeks of the 1940s did their duty without expecting any reward, but nevertheless leaving to us a sacred trust: to fight united, whatever the cost and sacrifices demanded, for the good of the country," he stressed in his message.

He said the anniversary was a day of memory and pride for those who had fought and sacrificed their lives to uphold the same values that had sealed the Greek nation's course through the centuries: love of freedom and the Greek people's commitment to defend it to the death.

"Paying tribute to those heroic Greeks and their majestic struggle is not simply carrying out our duty, the debt of those who come after to their forefathers. These commemorative events that Greeks all around the world today take part in are something more than just anniversary celebrations held out of an outmoded sense of duty. They are an act of survival, of rescuing our historical past from oblivion and of waking our national consciousness," he said.

[02] Greek PM in London for EU summit

The summit will discuss the ideas presented by European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso concerning the Community's economic future and social cohesion, in the framework of globalisation, including a new farm offer that Barroso says the EU will soon make in World Trade

Organisation talks aimed at clinching a global trade liberalisation deal by the end of this year.

Greece is expected to push for social cohesion to remain at the top of the EU agenda, emphasising that the concept of cohesion has formed the 'backbone' of the EU. Athens diplomats said Karamanlis will argue for continuing support of EU member-states that have not "caught up" with the powerful states in the Community and not just those that joined in the latest wave of expansion.

Greek government sources said that Athens will resist attempts to re-open the issue of agricultural spending, and insist that the agreement on CAP and farm spending remain in force until 2013. They said that about 20 countries, including France, have formed a united front on this issue. The British side has argued for reduction in agricultural spending and more funds for research and innovation.

The Greek position is that it would be reasonable to begin talks on reviewing agricultural spending in 2009 but without revising existing agreements until 2013.

The summit is not expected to reach make any formal conclusions, while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also been invited to attend the summit lunch.

[03] Papandreou meets London Mayor Ken Livingstone

Regarding the return of the Parthenon Marbles, Papandreou suggested that the Olympic Games in London in 2012 will be a new opportunity to grant Greece's request for their return. "It would be a move that will be appreciated and recognised throughout the world, and have a positive impact on Britain's image," he said.

Livingstone, for his part, assured Papandreou that he wanted to play an active part in promoting the Olympic Truce in the run-up to the London Games, in his capacity as mayor.

In statements after the meeting, Papandreou reported that Livingstone was prepared to come to Greece to discuss the issues of education and local government.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article