Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-08-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM stresses reform in meeting with judiciary's new leadership

[01] PM stresses reform in meeting with judiciary's new leadership

Papaligouras stated that the reform, modernization and upgrading of justice are fundamental priorities for the government based on the policy followed by the ruling party of New Democracy for more than two years.

The prime minister met with the new judiciary leadership to congratulate them and wish them success, stated Papaligouras, pointing out that the common goal of the political and judicial powers is the upgrading of justice to be able to respond to current demands and serve the people in the best way.

Present in the meeting were Supreme Court Prosecutor Giorgos Sanidas, Court of Audit chairman Giorgos Kourtis, Court of Audit general commissioner Giorgos Schiniotakis and the administrative courtsā general commissioner Panagiotis Roumeliotis.

The prime minister meets with ENAE leadership

The prime minister also met with the leadership of the Greek prefectures union ENAE later on Wednesday, in the presence of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos and deputy minister Thanasis Nakos.

Pavlopoulos stated that it was a scheduled meeting within the framework of dialogue on administrative reform launched by the prime minister. He underlined that existing institutions must be supported for the reform to take place, adding that this is the policy followed by the government during the past few years.

Pavlopoulos stated characteristically that prefecture-level local government was created by previous PASOK governments but had been abandoned in the past decade, pointing out that the current government has solved economic issues and the funds allocated were threefold compared to 2004.

The issue concerning welfare benefits was settled, said Pavlopoulos adding that prefectures will get additional personnel as a total of 1,500 positions will be staffed with permanent employees through the ASEP (Supreme Staff Selection Council) procedures.

The interior minister also said that prefectures will play a role in the 4th Community Support Framework and, in spite of the fact that funds are less compared to the 3rd CSF, the regions will not be deprived of money.

Athens-Piraeus supra-prefect Fofi Gennimata stated that the dialogue with the prime minister and the interior ministry leadership was constructive. She underlined that the code for prefecture administrations will be voted by parliament by the end of the year and that it was confirmed that the role of the prefectures in the 4th CSF will be upgraded.

Gennimata added that they also discussed everyday life problems and issues concerning welfare benefits, the lowest of which being those received by women and single-parent families.

Drama-Kavala supra-prefect Costas Tatsis pointed out that the positive interventions made by the government have reversed the situation in local government, pointing out that the foundations were laid leading to the institutionās improvement and evolution.

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