Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-05-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Karamanlis addresses the SEECP summit meeting in Zagreb

[02] Gov't issues urgent demand for funds' annual results

[01] Karamanlis addresses the SEECP summit meeting in Zagreb

The prime minister also expressed a conviction that in spite of a disappointing conclusion in talks held in Vienna, chances for the two sides to reach a consensus solution have not been exhausted.

Karamanlis stated that the two sides should be given ample time to reach a settlement, while pointing out that each time a breakthrough is achieved both parties should be given time to adjust to the "new reality", thereby preventing any possibility that a solution will create "arrogant winners and humiliated losers" in the region.

The Greek prime minister also stated that any settlement reached should be approved via a UN resolution.

Turning to the wider region, Karamanlis stressed that important developments await all South East European countries and pointed out that the region's countries should assume increased responsibilities concerning their future.

"Increased regional cooperation between SE European countries is in step with close cooperation with the EU and other international factors. The relationship with the EU is of major importance, as the regional cooperation agenda will be harmonised as much as possible with the EU's agenda regarding western Balkans," he stated.

Meeting with Montenegro PM

Earlier, Karamanlis met with his Montenegrin counterpart Zeljko Sturanovic ahead of the opening session of the Summit.

The SEECP meeting will bring together SE European leaders, European Commission President Manuel Barroso, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns, among others.

After the summit, participating state leaders will sign a protocol on good neighbourly relations, stability, security and cooperation in SE Europe.

Caption: Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis (L) meets with his Montenegro counterpart Zeljko Sturanovic (C) on the sidelines of the 10th South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit in Zagreb on Friday, May 11, 2007. ANA-MPA / G. ANTONIOU

[02] Gov't issues urgent demand for funds' annual results

The minister, in a letter sent to the boards of all social security agencies and funds, also demanded annual reports and financial results of previous years by May 25 at the latest, otherwise the economy and finance ministry may proceed to cut all state subsidies to any entity that failed to report their results in a timely manner.

Magginas also annulled a tender to hire an auditing firm as an advisor to funds interested in purchasing structured bonds issued by the Greek state and banks, after only one firm expressed interest in the tender.

The minister, who assumed the employment and social protection portfolio last week, said a new tender would be held under the same terms soon.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Magginas.

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