Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-12-03

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Costas Karamanlis to meet Italian counterpart Romano Prodi on Monday

[02] Agricultural dev't minister in Cairo

[03] Business mission to Kuwait, Bahrain

[04] Culture minister to address UN

[01] PM Costas Karamanlis to meet Italian counterpart Romano Prodi on Monday

The prime minister conferred on Friday with National Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, who briefed him on the course of the economy and the new tax bill, which was tabled later in the day in parliament.

Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting that the bill contains substantial tax reliefs for all the Greeks. Regarding the economy, Alogoskoufis said that the developments were positive, stressing the 4.4 percent growth in Greece's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2006 against the corresponding period last year, adding that the reduction in the deficit was proceeding in accordance with the budget forecasts.

Alogoskoufis further noted that unemployment was also declining, while the development of employment was within the margins of the forecasts.

On inflation, the minister said it was being contained, assisted also by the containment of international oil prices.

[02] Agricultural dev't minister in Cairo

He noted that the Greek community of Cairo had succeeded in overcoming many obstacles in the past and to reverse a pessimistic course, creating a positive outcome for themselves but also for the history of Greeks abroad.

"These volunteers, these protagonists of the national initiatives, preserve the roots, the traditions, and remember Greek history. They make us proud of their contribution, and they prove this at every opportunity," Basiakos said.

Paying tribute to the accomplishments of the Greeks of Egypt, Basiakos said that "your work is an example for imitation by the overseas Greeks all over the world", and expressed admiration at the Greek community's activities in the sectors of health, education, and also their social work, as well as their substantial contribution to the work of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.

He reiterated the Greek government's support in any problems they may face, replying to Greek community vice-president Vassilis Sarantinos, who asked for Athens' economic support as well as its assistance in staffing the Greek Community's foundations, so as to enable this vital part of the Greeks of Egypt to continue.

The event, held in honour of Basiakos, was attended by Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria, who thanked the Greek state for its assistance to the Orthodox Church of Africa's work.

[03] Business mission to Kuwait, Bahrain

The mission, organised by the Arab Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development, comprises 14 businessmen representing the branches of aluminum, construction, textiles, tourism, foodstuffs, capital investment, and joint ventures.

The purpose of the visit is to increase Greek exports to those countries and the attraction of investments to Greece.

Stylianidis will also hold a series of bilateral meetings with the deputy foreign, economy, commerce and industry ministers of the two countries, aimed at strengthening the bilateral, political, commercial and economic relations with them.

[04] Culture minister to address UN

Greece's culture minister George Voulgarakis will address the plenary of the 61st UN General Assembly, calling for adoption of a draft resolution submitted by Greece in early November for "the return or restoration of cultural property to its country of origin".

Voulgarakis, who arrived in New York on Saturday, is also scheduled to inaugurate on Tuesday an exhibition titled "Athens-Sparta: From the 8th century to the 5th century BC", which is jointly organised by the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation and Greece's National Archaeological Museum.

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