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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-03-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] President Papoulias inaugurates conference of Sarakatsani GreeksPresident Karolos Papoulias inaugurated the 2nd Conference of Sarakatsanis from Greece and Abroad on Saturday, underlining the invaluable contribution of Sarakatsani Greeks to the country's cultural and economic life. The conference is being organised by the Panhellenic Federation of Sarakatsani Societies at pavilion 8 at the Thessaloniki International Fair."The Sarakatsanis constitute a considerable part of our nation. For centuries they had been crossing the mountains and plains in Greek and Balkan territory, a place where Hellenism had flourished," President Papoulias said. "Nomadic life cultivated the passion for freedom in their souls. A passion that was transformed into memorable sacrifices during ourt nation's liberation struggles," he added. Minister of Macedonia and Thrace George Kalantzis conveyed greetings to the conference from Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, while greetings from Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda were conveyed by the Vice President of the House George Sourlas and from main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou by party Deputy Nikos Salayiannis. The 1st Conference of Sarakatsanis from Greece and Abroad had taken place 10 years ago. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [02] PASOK party leader addresses National Council conferenceMain opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou addressed his party's 5th National Council conference again on Saturday and accused the government of denigrating the country's image. Papandreou further criticised Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis personally for giving full backing to Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, adding that he also has responsibility himself.Papandreou said that "Mr. Karamanlis personally has responsibility for the insult against the Greek people" and noted that it is a case of "arrogance taking on the dimensions of an affront" against the sacrifices and efforts of the Greek people to enable the country to join the eurozone. He also accused the government of failing to utilise relevant advantages and of undermining the course of the economy. The PASOK leader also referred to what he called "the deceit of the fiscal audit" and said of the government that "instead of ruling and solving the problems of the country, the only thing they are thinking of is their opposition tactic towards PASOK." Papandreou said that the account of the party's course over the past two years is positive and stressed that the party has found itself at the beginning of a new phase, the structural elements of which are the continuous presence of PASOK at the side of the citizen and his poblems. He also expressed his solidarity for the young people of France, terming them "rebels with a cause" and called on young Greeks to become "rebels with a cause" as well. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [03] Government does not interfere in collective labour agreement negotiations, employment minister saysEmployment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis said in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, on Saturday that the government does not interfere in collective labour agreement negotiations. "The government does not interfere, nor could it interfere and it would not interfere in collective negotiations. This has never happened," he said.Tsitouridis, who was asked by reporters to say whether the government intends to make a move to facilitate the signing of a general collective labour agreement, said that "we honour and respect the institution of collective negotiations and we call on all to reach an understanding round a table." Asked further to comment on statements by Federation of Greek Industries (SEB) President Odysseas Kyriakopoulos on wage increases concerning the collective labour agreement, the minister said that the government's position is that all, with their positions and statements, must not dynamite what the country needs, understanding. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [04] ND secretary holds talks with mayors of Thessaloniki prefectureThe ruling New Democracy party's Central Committee secretary Lefteris Zagoritis held talks on Saturday with mayors from the northern prefecture of Thessaloniki, who had been elected with ND's support during the previous local elections. Talks with the mayors focused on the next local elections in the country due in October this year."On April 7, ND's national conference on local administration issues will be taking place at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (in Piraeus) and Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis will be attending," Zagoritis said in a statement to reporters. "We will have the opportunity there of discussing our positions on first and second stage self-administration, prospects and the great deal of work accomplished, both at institutional level and the level of financial support for self-administration," he added. The meeting between Zagoritis and the mayors was also attended by local party officials. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |