Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] Climate change to dominate EU leaders' talks, Greek PM says

[02] Inflation unchanged at 2.7% in Feb., yr/yr

[01] Climate change to dominate EU leaders' talks, Greek PM says

"We in Greece are also obliged to adapt our activities and our initiatives in the direction [of combatting global warming] and to deal with the problem and this is precisely what we intend to do at a faster pace," he added.

Karamanlis underlined that the repercussions of climate change have begun to be apparent in peopleâs lives for a long time.

"We have an obligation to the present and above all the future generations to work toward combating this alarming phenomenon. And we must work together systematically and in an organised way, as much on a European level as in our country," he said.

Also attending the EPP leaders' meeting is Greek European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, in charge of environmental issues.

Prior to the start of the EU summit, meanwhile, Karamanlis is scheduled to meet European Commissioner for monetary affairs Joaquin Almunia, Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker who heads the Euro-group and European Parliament President Hans Gert P?ttering.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis

[02] Inflation unchanged at 2.7% in Feb., yr/yr

Greek annual inflation - measured by the consumer price index - was 2.7 pct in February, unchanged from January, the National Statistical Service said on Thursday.

The service, in its monthly report, said it expected the inflation rate to continue falling in March. Greece's harmonised inflation rate was also unchanged at 3.0 pct in February, while core inflation (excluding fresh farm produce and fuels) rose to 2.9 pct in February, up from 2.6 pct in January.

The statistical service said the 2.7-pct figure of the inflation rate in February reflected a 0.3-pct decline in foodstuffs and non-alcohol beverage prices, an 11.6-pct fall in clothing and footwear due to the sales season, a 3.2-pct decline in durable goods, a 0.6-pct decline in hotel, coffee and restaurant service prices, and a 0.4-pct decline in other good and services. The consumer price index in February also recorded a 0.6-pct increase in heating oil and house rental prices, a 0.3-pct rise in health care prices and a 0.3-pct increase in leaded petrol prices.

Caption: A file photo of a gas station in Athens. ANA-MPA / P. Saitas.

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