Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-16

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Continuation of reforms stressed by PM at labour group's congress

[02] Papandreou, opposition address labour congress

[03] Greece, Qatar sign framework agreement

[04] FM in Washington next week

[01] Continuation of reforms stressed by PM at labour group's congress

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Friday reiterated that his government would be persistent and bold in implementing its reforms policy, addressing the 33rd congress of the General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE), the country's largest umbrella trade group.

At the same time, he referred to the "role and clout" of trade unions in that policy, pointing to the goals growth and progress, attraction of new investments, the creation of new jobs and expanding the rights of the working people along with the guarantee of a more just, but at the same time viable, social insurance system.

Karamanlis said that times required "targeted reforms", stressing that "there cannot be a continuation of timid policies, ones that created unemployment of "nightmarish levels" while, commenting on the developments in the education sector, he spoke of "outdated ideologies that leave youth, university degree-holders, helpless against the spectre of unemployment".

Regarding the government's work, Karamanlis spoke of "implementation with clear-cut terms" that have led to "measurable and encouraging" results, citing the reduction of the deficit, a growth rate that has surpassed predictions, as well as an increase in exports and tourist flow to Greece.

Regarding the issue of employment, the premier stressed that "there is nothing more pressing than an unemployed person's demand for a job" and, in this direction, underlined the triptych of "training, development, employment", stressing the policies aimed at upgrading the public university and at boosting employment and entrepreneurship.

Competitiveness, he said, is the key to development in the new age, but added that, in the discussion in Europe on the changes to labour law (Green Paper), the government will support the position of safeguarding "the European framework on employment, a fundamental aspect of which is the collective negotiations, as well as protection of the working terms and conditions". He said a combination of flexibility and security was a firm goal. "Labour Law is and will remain the law of the weaker side of the labour relationship, which, naturally, is labour..."

Regarding social security reforms, Karamanlis spoke of "consolidating the viability of and justice in the public sector system", reiterating that the horizon for the changes was the next four-year term in office, with full implementation of the existing legislation (the 1999 and 2002 laws) as a pre-condition, as well as the precise calculation of the pension system's long-term (actuarial) deficit.

Karamanlis noted the rapid changes in Europe and the world and called for "vision and adaptation", stressing that a deep sense of social responsibility was required, as well as synthesis of proposals and ideas, changes and reforms that guarantee a strong and competitive economy, viable anthropocentric growth and would activate the human potential.

The government, he continued, was responding to the conservatism of inertia and inaction with progressive choices, with prudence and boldness.

"We do not have the luxury, on this course, of wasting precious time. We want all the citizens as participants. We want the participation of the major social representative of the working people, GSEE. We all have responsibilities and obligations. We all have a role and a say on the path to growth and progress. The benefit is for all the Greek people," the premier concluded.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis addresses GSEE delegates at the Athens seaside resort of Vouliagmeni on Friday, March 16, 2007. ANA-MPA / K. Mavrona.

[02] Papandreou, opposition address labour congress

Papandreou referred to a "stifling stench of scandal" in the management of the social insurance funds' reserves, and accused Employment Minister Savvas Tsitouridis for the failure of a relevant committee over three years. In the purchases and sales of bonds, he said, the commissions reached 400 percent, while losses were from working peoples' money and not the ministers' money. He further accused the government of failure in growth rate due to its policy of excessive borrowing, cheap labour, tax breaks on profits and the abandonment of public education. Those policies, he added, were leading to an unequal distribution of income, a sell-off of the public utilities and high prices, while he also charged that a "clientelistic state" has emerged and is corrupting citizens. Papandreou said a solution existed for a more just society, which, however, required deep-rooted changes, and mainly a policy of "redistribution of the immense social wealth". In that direction, he added, there was a powerful "neo-right" to be confronted in Greece and globally which, with its policy, was accumulating wealth in the hands of the few and controlling the mass media. The PASOK leader spoke of a "democratic revolution internationally", while he also committed himself to a policy against the abolition of collective labour negotiations, and in favour of safeguarding labour agreements and trade unions' leading role. PASOK, he said, was ready to meet the challenges, based on an alliance of progressive social forces, and promised a policy for improvement of the working people's lot, a dignified income, and quality in public services, as outlined in his party's recently-unveiled platform.

KKE

Speaking on behalf of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), political bureau member George Marinos criticised the two-party system, and what he called the "two management rationales of a system of exploitation". Regarding the mobilisations in the education sector, he criticised the policy of commercialisation and class barriers to education, as well as what he said was the pending privatisation of institutions of higher education (AEI), warning that the fight against the newly passed framework law on higher education would continue until it was overturned. Marinos further called for an increase in salaries and pensions.

Synaspismos

Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) leader Alekos Alavanos devoted his address to safeguarding the university students' and professors' movement, saying their struggles were directly related to the struggles and demands of the working class, while again demanding the withdrawal of the framework law. He spoke of a "collapse of constitutional reform", which he described as "the mother of all counter-reforms of the government" under the weight of the students' movement. Alavanos said the top priority was the safeguarding of the rights of young working people, citing as examples Article 16 of the Constitution and the uprising in France, while he also called for an immediate solution regarding public sector contract-employees, charging fraud at their expense.

Caption: PASOK leader George Papandreou addresses GSEE delegates on Friday, March 16, 2007. ANA-MPA / K. Mavrona.

[03] Greece, Qatar sign framework agreement

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Qatari Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Al-Thani signed the agreement for the respective sides, whereas earlier discussions focused on the situation in the Middle East and other issues of mutual interest.

"There is a confirmed interest for investment of Qatari capital in Greece," the Qatari foreign minister said, while underlining the need for a "long-term" partnership with Athens.

Al-Thani stressed that the desire is for Greece-Qatar relations to expand amid a very favorable bilateral climate, especially after a successful trip to Doha by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias last May.

On her part, Bakoyannis referred to the excellent cooperation between the two countries and her counterpart on the UN Security Council, as well as the continuation of this cooperation "in a mutual effort to reveal the crucial situation in the Middle East today".

The high-ranking Qatari official also expressed his view that Greece's close relations with the Arab world should lead to its more active participation in the region's developments.

Both sides, in fact, have agreed to establish embassies in each other's capital by May, it was announced.

Al-Thani was later received by Papoulias at the presidential mansion.

[04] FM in Washington next week

Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Friday received US ambassador to Greece Charles Ries ahead of the minister's scheduled visit to the United States next week, which includes talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday.

Replying to press questions after the meeting, Ries said a tripartite agreement for construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline -- signed by Greece, Bulgaria and Russia on Athens on Thursday -- "contributes to a diversification of energy sources".

Questioned on the possibility of participation by US companies in the project's construction, the ambassador said "this will depend on the Russian conditions".

Caption: FM Bakoyannis, left, with US ambassador to Greece Charles Ries on Friday, March 16, 2007. G. Antoniou.

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