Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-06-30

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM briefs premier on Moscow visit, Turkey's EU course

[02] PM confers with SEB chief Daskalopoulos

[01] FM briefs premier on Moscow visit, Turkey's EU course

Replying to questions after the meeting, Bakoyannis said that the timetable set out for Turkey was crystal clear, following the decision of the recent EU summit.

Asked to comment on the most recent provocations by the Grey Wolves in Turkey, Bakoyannis said that the Grey Wolves' attitude was condemned by the entire world "and, I wish to believe, in Turkey as well".

She warned that such an attitude was not in line with a European prospect, nor with the respect of religious and human rights.

Bakoyannis briefed Karamanlis on her talks in Moscow on Thursday with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, and with Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Nicholas Burns, whom she met on Wednesday.

The minister said there were many issues in "crucial development" such as Iran, adding that Greece hopes that Iran would respond positively to the proposal made by the EU to the US, Russia and China.

To another question, Bakoyannis replied that Russia had a clear position on the Cyprus issue, as it did on the Balkans, which was positive for the Greek views.

On Thursday, the EU Commissioner for enlargement Olli Rehn warned Ankara, in statements to the Finnish news agency STT, that "complete suspension of accession talks with Turkey because of its refusal to implement Customs Union with Cyprus is a possible option for the European Union".

[02] PM confers with SEB chief Daskalopoulos

Daskalopoulos told reporters after the meeting that they discussed a series of topics concerning society, and also the role of the business world in the present and the future.

Quesioned on the planned reforms in the social insurance sector, Daskalopoulos said that an "unprejudiced" dialogue would take place, adding that it was a good thing that the issue was put to the negotiations table, since this way the working people would not be worried about their pensions.

Regarding the IKA state-run social insurance foundation, Daskalopoulos said that the foundation's funds needed better management and effectiveness.

Concerning the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the SEB chief said he was waiting for the new GSEE presidium to be finalised -- following the recent resignation of GSEE president Christos Polyzogopoulos to pursue a political career -- but the target was cooperation within the established mechanisms, given that the interests were common interests.

Asked to comment on the planned reforms in Education and the reactions they have sparked among university students and professors, Daskalopoulos said that the upgrading of Education was a major national perspective.

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