Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-18

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Reforms will be completed, DM says

[02] Main opposition leader addresses Serbian Democratic Party

[03] Research and technology centre to be set up in Thessaly

[04] In favour of women in decision-making posts, SYN leader says

[05] New ad for Greek tourism presented

[01] Reforms will be completed, DM says

Reforms will continue at an even faster pace when New Democracy takes office for a second term, the former party secretary added.

Referring to his new post at the defence ministry, Meimarakis said that ND is opposed to party politics within the armed forces, noting that "those who are capable and worthy will get ahead."

As for the upcoming mayoral and prefectural elections, Meimarakis said that the best people for the job must be nominated. In Thessaloniki, those candidates are Thessaloniki Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis and the city's mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, he said, urging party members to help in their re-election.

Meimarakis also referred to labour relations, accusing certain groups of trying to upset 'labour peace' as a way of striking a blow to the government.

"The government is right not to intervene in collective labour negotiations and is right to ask the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) to improve its proposals in order to achieve 'labour peace,' the absence of which hurts society and the economy," he said.

He also accused main opposition PASOK and its affiliated trade union organisation PASKE "for not respecting decisions resulting from dialogue," in reference to the voluntary retirement scheme carried out at the Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE).

As for DAKE, Meimarakis said that the group must maintain its independence from the party and the government.

Finally, referring to the election of a new party secretary, Meimarakis said that he would help whoever is elected.

Other speakers at the event included Macedonia-Thrace Minister Yiorgos Kalatzis, Labour Minister Savvas Tsitouridis, Deputy Sports Minister George Orfanos, DAKE Presidents Elias Perperidis (Private Sector), Yiannis Haidas (Public Sector) and others.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[02] Main opposition leader addresses Serbian Democratic Party

Papandreou, an official guest of Serbian President Boris Tandic, was well received by the 2,500 conference attendees.

In his speech, Papandreou said that he is in Belgrade in order to fulfill the promise he made to help Serbia become an EU member.

"I convey to you the solidarity of the Greek people, European solidarity, a message from our party PASOK, a personal message. It is a message from a socialist family, that of Socialist International. I believe in Serbia, I believe that democratic forces when united can bring about real change," he said.

Papandreou called on the Democratic Party and its leader Boris Tandic to work together in cooperation with Socialist International in order to achieve peace, stability and prosperity for Serbian citizens.

On the sidelines of the conference, Papandreou met privately with Tandic with whom he discussed developments in the region and particularly the Kosovo issue ahead of negotiations scheduled to begin in Vienna on Monday.

Papandreou also met briefly with Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Prime Minister Vlado Buchkovski.

Buchkovski invited Papandreou to Skopje to attend celebrations marking the 15th anniversary since the creation of the Social Democratic Party.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[03] Research and technology centre to be set up in Thessaly

Speaking to members of the political community in Thessaly, Sioufas thanked all those who contributed to making the most of new technologies, research and technology in the region, adding that "together we can implement a comprehensive strategic plan for Thessaly's development."

Referring to the government's policy for the region, the minister said that "Our policy for the Thessaly region is based on a comprehensive approach, coordinated by the Thessaly Technological Park and which includes the creation of a Thessaly Research, Technology and Development Centre and a Regional Innovation Hub."

The purpose of the innovation hub is to improve competitiveness in Thessaly's key economic sectors, such as food and beverages, textiles, furniture and biological fuels.

Finally, Sioufas reiterated that the government's main objectives in regards to the fourth Community Support Framework are to support Greek regions and to capitalise on new technologies.

On his part, Secretary General for Research and Technology Yiannis Tsoukalas said that the Centre will play a decisive role not only in Thessaly's economy but in the country's economy as a whole.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[04] In favour of women in decision-making posts, SYN leader says

Conference participants representing local government, trade unionism, feminism and social movements, presented their views on issues such as the labour market, violence against women, economic exploitation of women, domestic violence as well as preparations ahead of mayoral elections and the European Social Forum.

Alavanos described the women's conference as a useful and timely initiative helping to "better organise our work and women's networking."

Despite legislation, Alavanos said that women's issues represent a major social and democratic problem.

Referring to women in the workplace, he said that current conditions comprise a hostile environment for working families, adding that extended work hours undermines their position.

He also accused the Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) as being responsible for the large number of women unemployed as a result of the shutting down of numerous factories in northern Greece.

Alavanos also slammed the mass media for degrading women through daytime progamming, calling for action aimed at protecting women's integrity and rights.

In closing, Alavanos urged women to play a leading role in the issues that concern them through cooperation.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[05] New ad for Greek tourism presented

The concept, according to the ad's creators, is that Greece is a movie in which visitors are invited to star in.

Tourism Development Minister Fani Palli-Petralia expressed confidence that the new ad will be successful, noting that Greece must capitalise on its 'brand name' which it developed thanks to the 2004 Olympic Games.

On his part, former tourism minister Dimitris Avramopoulos noted that the new advertising campaign provides a sense of optimism at a time of international uncertainty.

The presentation was made on the sidelines of the 1st International Tourism Forum, organised by the ministry and the Greek Tourism Organisation (EOT) in cooperation with the World Travel and Tourism Council.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

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