Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis stresses interfaith dialogue at Asia-Europe Meeting

[01] Karamanlis stresses interfaith dialogue at Asia-Europe Meeting

"In this way we can strengthen the voice of moderates and help the international community combat ignorance, bigotry and hatred and deal with threats, such as terrorism and religious fanaticism," he said.

He also urged the ASEM summit to "consider the global threat of terrorism" on the fifth anniversary since the 9/11 attacks and announced that Greece was bidding to host an ASEM Interfaith Dialogue conference.

Outlining the results of the meeting between 25 EU member-states and 13 Asian countries, Karamanlis said these had covered issues linked to multilateralism and current developments in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.

The meeting also discussed economic and trade cooperation, emphasising globalisation, competitiveness and a stronger role for small and medium-sized enterprises through broader cooperation.

During Monday's meeting ASEM leaders agreed to accept five new member-states, among them Bulgaria and Romania.

Regarding his earlier meeting with Finnish prime minister Matti Vanhanen, currently chair of the European Council, Karamanlis said this covered EU enlargement in view of the European Commission progress reports for Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

The two men also discussed labour issues and the situation in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The Greek premier categorically opposed a proposal by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to extend working time, conveyed by Vanhanen, joining a number of EU states that also reject the British proposal.

Karamanlis called on the EU presidency to exert pressure on Ankara to fulfill the obligations it has assumed towards the European Union.

On the sidelines of ASEM, the premier met Latvia President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, who is a candidate for United Nations Secretary-General.

Earlier, the Greek prime minister toured an exhibition of artifacts from Mt. Athos, currently on display at the Helsinki Art Museum.

He said the exhibition highlighted the ecumenical reference of Orthodoxy, adding that the more than 1,000-year tradition of Athos was a "priceless cultural treasure, and directed at the entire world".

Greece, as the guardian of Mt. Athos, was doing its best so that this tradition would continue with new momentum and inspire values and ideals in a world that had so much need of those today more than ever, Karamanlis said.

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