Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-12-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Jordan sign econ cooperation accords, King Abdallah meets with President

[02] OA expects increased passenger traffic

[01] Greece, Jordan sign econ cooperation accords, King Abdallah meets with President

Tourism development minister Dimitris Avramopoulos and Jordanian industry and trade minister Sharif al-Zubi on Wednesday signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector, while deputy foreign minister Evripides Stylianidis and al-Zubi signed an agreement on promotion and mutual protection of investments. The agreements were signed in the presence of the two heads of state.

After their meeting, Papoulias praised the Jordanian monarch's position in favour of a moderate Islan and against terrorism, and said they were in agreement that the establishment of a Palestinian state was the only solution for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The two men also took positions in favour of a united and democratic Iraq.

"We agreed that the confrontation of terrorism cannot be effected only with suppressive means but that, in order to be tackled at its roots, it is necessary to improve the education and living conditions of the peoples, and for human rights to be respected," Papoulias told reporters.

He also said that he had Abdallah had "reaffirmed the very good relations between our two countries and the proximity of our views on the difficult and complex issues facing the Middle East".

King Abdallah stressed the desire for further strengthening bilateral economic relations, adding that, for that purpose, he would meet on Thursday with "select members of Greek industry and the private sector".

Abdallah was greeted at the Presidential Mansion with honours of head of state by the Air Force philharmonic orchestra and an honour guard of the Presidential Guard.

Immediately afterwards, Papoulias and Abdallah held private talks, after which they were joined by the delegations of the two countries. The two economic cooperatin agreements were signed during the wider meeting.

Abdallah closed his statements with an invitation to Papoulias to visit Jordan soon.

[02] OA expects increased passenger traffic

Speaking to reporters, Papageorgiou said he was fully confident that Olympic Airlines, in its present form, would win the bet despite negative predictions made by its opponents, and would continue flying until a new company was established in 2006.

OA's chief recently completed a tour in European countries and in the US to meet with foreign tour operators. Papageorgiou said the climate of his meetings was very positive and said the message he received was that a significant increase in passenger traffic was expected next year. Olympic Airlines reported a 13 percent increase in its international passenger traffic, while domestic passenger traffic rose by 1-1.5 pct this year, compared with 2004.

Papageorgiou said OA's good performance in 2005 was achieved despite the fact that the Greek national airline operated with less aircraft compared with the previous year. He sounded optimistic over a new company to succeed Olympic Airlines -currently under formation- since "it will not carry with it sins of the past".

The Greek government has hired Sambre to draft a number of business plans for the new airline company with the aim the new company to be profitable. Plans are expected to be ready by January 15. OA's chief executive Odysseas Vlamis expressed his optimism that the government would find the necessary private capital to create the new company. Vlamis said Olympic Airlines would present its summer flight programme by the end of January.

Olympic Airlines is one of the safest airlines in the world, operating under very high standards. It is not just an airline company, but a national symbol that has to be safeguarded to continue operating. OA's chairman urged everyone to help in efforts to preserve the national carrier.

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