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] Papandreou: Reshuffle no fix for problem policies

[02] Bakoyiannis: Priority on Cyprus issue

[01] Papandreou: Reshuffle no fix for problem policies

"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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[02] Bakoyiannis: Priority on Cyprus issue

Moliviatis, a long-standing career diplomat, announced his retirement from public service on Tuesday following the announcement of a major government reshuffle.

During the handover ceremony, which took place after the swearing-in of the new government ministers and deputy ministers, Molyviatis 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.

"We gave the Cypriot people the ability to freely decide their destiny, without adverse consequences for either Cyprus or Greece. We continued to improve Greek-Turkish relations, and we rendered the Greek-Turkish matters EU-Turkish matters," Molyviatis said.

"We ensured that Skopje's European course was comprehensible only with the name FYROM and the obligation that it contributes to finding a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue. We strengthened our position in the European Union, where Greece is respected for its determination and constructive attitude," he continued.

Further, "we upgraded our bilateral relations with the US, Russia and other countries. We expanded Greece's influence in the Balkans. We did not allow, nor will allow, the falsification of our national interests. This is the heart and soul of our foreign policy," the 77-year-old retiring career diplomat said.

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, with his long efforts, 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 founded exclusively on the national interests, was consistent and had continuity, was exercised above and beyond petty partisan expediencies, and aimed at the greatest possible consensus, in cooperation with the parliament.

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

"Our foreign policy is exercised with the aim to, and is obliged to, advance the principles of democracy and the peaceful resolution of differences," Bakoyannis said, stressing that she would exercise diplomacy with "principles, a programme, realism, and creativity".

"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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