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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-13Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papoulias in Croatia for official visitPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias arrived in Zagreb on Tuesday for an official visit to Croatia that is expected to give renewed impetus to already cordial relations between Greece and Croatia. Shortly after his arrival, Papoulias was received by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic for talks. Afterwards, the Greek president said that the two countries had a common line on how to resolve problems in their region, using peaceful means, negotiations and dialogue. He stressed that both Greece and Croatia stood to gain from such an approach in solving the area's problems. During talks between the two presidents and later between delegations of the two countries, the two sides discussed bilateral relations, issues concerning southeastern Europe and international developments. Papoulias underlined Greece's support for Croatia's bid to join the European Union, stressing that this would be a historic event for the region that would further reinforce the nucleus of Balkan countries in the Community and signal the commencement of the accession process for the western Balkans. In response to questions, the Greek president later said that Athens' support for Croatia was consistent with Athens' foreign policy on this issue, which envisioned EU entry for both the western and eastern Balkans, both because this would contribute to their development and because they were historically an important part of Europe. Regarding bilateral trade relations with Croatia, Papoulias stressed that they did not currently reflect the warm relations between the two countries on a political level and that there were large margins for developing these further. Mesic also pointed to the recent rapid development of bilateral relations and thanked Papoulias for Greece's unwavering support of Croatia's bid to join the EU and NATO. He confirmed that he and Papoulias had more-or-less identical views on the region's problems and global sources of crisis. Before the meeting, Mesic presented Papoulias with the medal of the Grand Order of Queen Jelena, the most prestigious medal offered by the Croatian Republic, for his services to peace in the region. He stressed that these had extended beyond the borders of Greece and that the Greek president's relations with the Arab world, in particular, had made him well-known in international circles.Caption: President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias, left, is greeted in Zagreb by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic at the presidential mansion on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. ANA-MPA / M. Kiaou. [02] Gov't denies 'state violence' criticismThe government on Tuesday flatly dismissed suggestions that police handling of protestors during last week's rallies was a display of "state violence"."There is no state violence, nor do I want to intrude on issues related to police operational readiness," alternate government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros told reporters in response to questions. "In the midst of very difficult circumstances, police are called on to carry out the duty of protecting law and order, security, as well as the life and the property of Greek citizens. They do this efficiently," Antonaros added. He was replying to questions about the use of tear gas on Monday by riot police against relatives and supporters of 49 teens and young adults arrested during violent incidents on Thursday. The incident occurred outside the courthouse where they are on trial. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |