Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-06-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM meets with Ecumenical Patriarch ahead of BSEC anniversary summit

[02] Heatwave expected to peak on Tuesday

[01] PM meets with Ecumenical Patriarch ahead of BSEC anniversary summit

Karamanlis also said that respect of human and individual rights was a precondition for Turkey's European course, adding that "support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is our duty".

The Greek prime minister, who arrived in Istanbul on Sunday night, was received by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the morning, shortly before the opening of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation organisation (BSEC) summit meeting in the Turkish capital marking the 15th anniversary of the forum's founding.

Karamanlis also said that the challenges of the times intensified the need for major contribution by the Church.

Vartholomeos, in turn, explained that Turkey was hindering the Ecumenical Patriarchate from carrying out its mission while, in an indirect response to statements by Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gul to an Athens daily that were published on Sunday, concerning "legal obstacles", he said: "Let them eliminate the legal obstacles. If the political volition exists, they can do it. It is not possible that the Ecumenical Patriarchate does not have its own Theological School".

In an interview with the Sunday edition of "Kathimerini" newspaper, to a question on the Chalki School of Theology, Gul said that the Turkish government was seeking ways to overcome the legal stumbling blocks so as to ensure the reopening of the Seminary "within the terms of our Constitution and the secular educational system".

The Ecumenical Patriarch also thanked Karamanlis for his support to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, adding that "you are the guarantor of the nation's unity", and noting that he was following both Karamanlis' and foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis', as well as the entire government's, activities abroad as well as domestically.

Vartholomeos further expressed hope that Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece will overcome the current crisis in his health and return to his duties, adding that "the Archbishop is a powerful personality".

Itinerary

Karamanlis is also slated to meet with Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan at noon on Monday, after which he will attend a luncheon hosted by the Turkish prime minister for the heads of state and government and foreign ministers of the BSEC member countries.

The Greek premier is due to address the summit, which marks the 15th anniversary of the BSEC's founding, during the afternoon session, while on Monday evening he will attend a dinner hosted by the Turkish President, followed by a night-time sail on the Bosphorus.

Karamanlis is accompanied by foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis, minister of state Theodoros Roussopoulos, and deputy foreign minister Evrypides Stylianidis.

Bakoyannis will also have a private meeting with her Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Presidents of Albania and the Ukraine are heading their countries' delegations to the 15th Anniversary Summit, the slogan of which is "Setting Sail for New Horizons", while representatives of the European Commission, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation are attending the summit as observers.

[02] Heatwave expected to peak on Tuesday

On Sunday, temperatures reached 43 C in many parts of the country, while the highest temperatures were recorded in Elefsina, with the thermometer climbing to 46 C, followed by Kalamata, with 45 C, and Greeks throughout the country flocked for respite to the beaches.

Electricity consumption in the capital and other large cities was expected to rise sharply on Monday, following the return of thousands of residents who had "escaped" to the countryside over the weekend, particularly due to increased use of air conditioners.

Power failures were also noted Sunday in the Attica prefecture, in the areas of Faliron, Kallithea, Tzitzifies, Peristeri, Petroupolis, Haidari and Kamatero, while shortages were also recorded in several areas of Thessaloniki.

The Athens and Piraeus municipalities have announced that a number of air-conditioned municipal buildings will be open to the public until the evening hours to provide relief from the heat, and also the Peace and Friendship Stadium, while the health ministry has activated the Perseus Plan, placing all hospitals throughout the country and the EKAB ambulance service on alert.

High-risk groups, including the elderly and people with health problems, have been asked to avoid circulation if possible, while a four-digit telephone line -- 1570 -- is available for emergency situations.

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