Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-12-20
CONTENTS
[01] PM and transport minister discuss ministry issues
[01] PM and transport minister discuss ministry issues
Transport and Communications Minister Mihalis Liapis was received by
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at his offices in the Maximos Mansion
on Wednesday and briefed him on issues concerning his ministry.
Liapis said the discussion had covered matters related to Olympic
Airlines following a decision by arbitrators and the changes underway
at the Greek Railways Organisation (OSE), as well as the road safety
bill.
Later on, while outlining the government's plans for the further
privatisation of Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE) on the
fourth day of the ongoing Parliamentary debate for the 2007 budget,
Liapis stressed that this was expected to boost competition in the
telecoms market and benefit consumers.
"We are seeking a strategic alliance with a private investor but also
to adapt OTE's management to conditions in the deregulated
telecommunications market, in order to further boost competition
between companies," he said.
He underlined that any strategic partner found would have to be able to
guarantee this increase in competition and revealed that the government
had hired three consultants to explore the possibilities in
international markets.
The minister also noted plans to separate the various functions of the
Greek Railways Organisation (OSE), stressing that 2007 would be a
landmark year in Greece for railways and road safety, as a result of a
new traffic code designed to limit accidents and save lives.
|