Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Change and reform still the goal, PM tells new government

[02] New ministers sworn in after government reshuffle

[03] PM meets visiting Israeli President Katzav

[04] Bakoyiannis to accompany PM to Germany

[05] Reshuffle no fix for problem policies, opposition stresses

[01] Change and reform still the goal, PM tells new government

The axes of the government's strategy were not changing, he said, noting that the government was following a strategy of changes and reforms in the state, the economy, education, and health.

"We are not limiting ourselves to the administration of a situation of things. Our target is to change things so that all the citizens will benefit. We are advancing changes and reforms that are not guided by tenets and ideologies but by the needs of the economy, society, and each and every citizen," the prime minister said.

He said the government was working intensively for full streamlining of the public finances so that what the country was facing and the people were undergoing today, due to the past, would never again be repeated.

On foreign policy, he said that "our policy is summed up in the triptych: stability, cooperation and development".

The government, he continued, was investing in the development of relations of trust with all of Greece's neighbours, and backed their European orientation, sought continuous improvement and full normalisation of Greek-Turkish relations, and wanted more than anything a resolution of the Cyprus issue so that the last remaining walls on European territory would fall. "We want a functional and viable solution compatible with the principles on which the EU is founded," he added.

Karamanlis further said that he placed particular emphasis on economic diplomacy, and on expanding and upgrading Greece's internatonal cooperation.

Also, he said he sought dialogue, agreement and cooperation with all the political forces and productive groups, as well as with all the social partners.

"We are following a strategy of a modern social centre," he said, noting that the government was not springing surprises on anyone, but was "listening, discussing, composing", but "we have no right to be remiss".

The fourth axis of the government's policy was a governance of responsibility, confidence and security, Karamanlis continued, stressing that the government was not identified with the state but was working systematically for a better state, at the side of the citizen. "We are in a constant, all-out, head-on collision with corruption," he stressed.

He further spoke of strengthening the institutions, the institutional shielding of the state and the upgrading of the mechanisms of checks, while at the same time expressing his support for justice as well as its functionairies, both in ridding it of the corrupt rackets and it the speedier fulfilment of its task.

The main aspiration over the coming period was continuous reinforcement of effectiveness and acceleration of the production of work.

Turning to the changes and reforms that have already been legislated, and particularly to the implementation of the law on the DEKO (public utilities and organisations), the liberalisation of the markets, the advancement of denationalisations, the creation of an environment friendly to the entrepreneurship, competitiveness and extroversion of the economy.

Absolute coordination of the ministers' initiatives and actions with all the other related ministries was necesssary, Karamanlis said, adding that this was key for the government. He also noted that strict timetables, which must be strictly adhered to by each ministry, were also necessary.

"You all need to introduce specific timetables in all the services and organisations operating within the framework of your authority," the premier told his ministers, and called on them not to forget the 'pact' made with the citizens, stressing that constant upgrading of all the ministries' cooperation with the prefectural and local governments was imperative.

Further, he called for constant cooperation with the MPs, stressing that the three key words were "agreement, coordination, and a collective spirit, on the road to the changes. We are proceeding, all together, in a common stride, with a uniform political word".

Karamanlis also urged his ministers and deputy ministers to maintain a lasting communication with the citizens, to 'wage the battle of arguments' in all areas of public dialogue "with political maturity, dynamism and a responsible public presence", and called for absolute dedication to the principles of transparency, and implementation of the laws and policies that ensure protection of the citizens' rights.

The prime minister further outlined the problems inherited by his government and the work that has already been accompoished, noting that the results so far inspired optimism and reinforced the government's belief "in the better that we want and can" accomplish.

In ND's two years in government, there had been weaknesses, he conceded, and also noted that some decisions taken had not been pleasant, but explained that those decisions had been imperative, because otherwise the country would have been led to insurmountable impasses, and the repercussions would have primarily affected the financially weaker.

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[02] New ministers sworn in after government reshuffle

After the ceremony, the Archbishop wished the new government members strength and success in their task.

The ministers and deputy ministers were brief in their statements after the ceremony, while the new foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis -- who leaves the post of Athens Mayor following her appointment to the government -- said she had packed her briefcase to accompany the prime minister on his visit to Berlin later on Wednesday, while adding that more trips were also planned.

After the swearing-in ceremony, the new ministers went to the Maximos Mansion (government headquarters) for the traditional 'family photograph', and from there to their respective ministries for the handover ceremonies.

Among them the prime minister, who has given up the culture ministry portfolio that he took when Greece was preparing to host the Olympic Games.

Handing over the reins to former public order minister George Voulgarakis - in the presence of former alternate minister Fani Palli-Petralia and former deputy minister Petros Tatoulis - Karamanlis said his decision to take on the culture ministry aimed to show that culture was a top priority issue for the government.

He referred to the successful hosting of the Athens Olympics, relocating the ministry in Rendi and the Arts Academy founded in Liossia as achievements made during his tenure.

Voulgarakis, on his part, said he was honoured to succeed Karamanlis at the ministry's helm and underlined that arts and culture were a "reference point" and a "treasure" which should become a new source of income for the country.

Earlier, Voulgarakis had welcomed new government member Vyron Polydoras at his old post of public order minister.

In one of the most closely watched changes in the government's composition, outgoing foreign minister Petros Molyviatis turned over the ministry's helm to Dora Bakoyiannis, who is quitting the prestigious Athens mayorship to join the government and becoming the first woman to be given charge of the foreign ministry in Greece. In statements at the handover ceremony, Bakoyiannis stressed that the Cyprus issue would be among her top priority, along with Greek-Turkish relations and Balkan developments.

At the employment ministry, outgoing minister Panos Panagiotopoulos - who was not given another portfolio in government - expressed some bitterness to be leaving "two years of effort, toil and creative work" said the prime minister's choice "did not do justice" to what had been achieved at the specific ministry. At the same time, he stressed his continued support for the premier and welcoming the new minister Savvas Tsitouridis, saying he was happy to be handing the ministry over to an "old friend".

He also congratulated his former deputy minister Gerassimos Giakoumatos, who retains his post at the ministry and expressed sorrow at the departure of Nikos Angelopoulos, who he said knew more about the social insurance system than any other person in Greece.

Taking over, Tsitouridis addressed both Panagiotopoulos and Angelopoulos, saying the best in their political careers was yet to come.

The handover at the national defence ministry between outgoing minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos - who is also departing from the government - and new Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis was warm and friendly by contrast. Spiliotopoulos thanked his two deputy ministers, who will remain, for their work over the past two years and said his successor was a man "who knows how to give battle".

Meimarakis noted that he entered the ministry with "mixed feelings", both because of the grave responsibility of the ministry and because he was succeeding a very able, worthy and moral man.

At the health ministry, former minister Nikitas Kaklamanis - who is quitting the post to stand for Athens Mayor - appeared visibly moved as he said goodbye to friends and staff and welcomed new Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos. Presenting Avramopoulos with a pen, he expressed a wish that the new minister would use it to sign a bill for health-sector procurements that he had not had time to sign himself.

On his part, Avramopoulos praised his predecessor and said his successful course at the helm of the health ministry would help him earn the mayor's seat in Athens. He also pledged to continue Kaklamanis' policy of putting health above parties and people, while saying that health was a "national issue".

A handover ceremony also took place at the development ministry, where Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas bid farewell to former deputy minister George Salagoudis and welcomed Anastasios Nerantzis, who will replace him. Nerantzis also attended a ceremony at the transport ministry, where he handed his portfolio for the now abolished deputy transport minister's post to Transport Minister Mihalis Liapis.

At the tourism ministry, former minister Dimitris Avramopoulos - now minister of health - welcomed new Tourism Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, who was previously alternate culture minister.

In statements afterward, Avramopoulos said that he would be taking part in the World Tourism Forum that will take place on Saturday, where he would review the actions of the Greek tourism ministry during the past two years and present the new advertising spot of the National Tourism Organisation that would "seal" his term as tourism development minister.

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[03] PM meets visiting Israeli President Katzav

No statements were made after the meeting.

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[04] Bakoyiannis to accompany PM to Germany

According to sources, the Greek Embassy in Berlin has also arranged for a meeting between Bakoyiannis and her German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier before the Greek and German delegations begin talks, which are customarily led by a deputy minister in Germany.

During a handover ceremony at the foreign ministry after the new government was sworn-in, Bakoyiannis said she would place priority on the major issues of Greek foreign policy, with the Cyprus issue at the top of the list, and emphasis also on Greek-Turkish relations and developments in the Balkans.

Molyviatis, a long-standing career diplomat who announced his retirement from public service on Tuesday following the announcement of a major government reshuffle, congratulated Bakoyannis, "the first Greek woman foreign minister", on her apointment and expressed conviction that she would succeed in her task.

"Mrs. Bakoyannis needs no introductions. She is a strong presence in public life, with high popularity, and I am certain that she will carry on the same way in the foreign ministry, too," he said, and also outlined the achievements made during his own term in the foreign ministry.

Molyviatis also thanked all the services of the foreign ministry for their contribution to his efforts.

Bakoyannis, in turn, said that it was a "privilege" to succeed Molyviatis "who, through his many years of effort, put his mark on the country's foreign policy and earned respect".

"I believe I speak on behalf of all the Greeks, when I say a big 'thank you'. Your opinion and advice will always be valuable to me," she told Molyviatis.

The new foreign minister said that the New Democracy government's foreign policy was governed exclusively by national interests, was consistent and had continuity, rising above petty partisan expediencies, and aimed at the greatest possible consensus, in cooperation with parliament.

She said Greece's position on the international scene was that of a "trusted and credible partner, a factor of peace and stability, with great potential for expanding its international role".

"The compass will be only the good of the people and the nation," she said, adding that she had the honour and pleasure of having the experience and abilities of the ministry personnel at her side.

She further thanked outgoing deputy foreign minister Panayotis Skandalakis - whose post is being taken over by Theodoros Kassimis - for his contribution and work.

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[05] Reshuffle no fix for problem policies, opposition stresses

"The policy of the Karamanlis government remains a dead-end policy that does not solve the problems faced by the Greek people concerning high prices, unemployment and protection of their basic rights," Papandreou noted.

The Greek people would opt to condemn the government for the policy it was following at the elections, he added.

Alavanos noted that the changes to some of the ministries showed the government was shifting toward even more Atlantic and neoliberal social directions.

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