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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-13
CONTENTS
[01] We've launched an era of changes and reforms, Karamanlis stresses
[02] Conference on ancient drama at Delphi
[01] We've launched an era of changes and reforms, Karamanlis stresses
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Friday opened his speech at the
first session of the ruling New Democracy party's newly elected Central
Committee by referring to the self-sacrifice shown by the men and women
of the Fire Brigade, as attested by the recent tragic deaths of three
firemen on Crete. The prime minister stressed that all Greeks are
thankful to them and are on their side, adding that the battle they
give is a battle to ensure quality of life for all. Karamanlis stated
that "we suffer the consequences of climate change", adding that
weather phenomena favor the outbreak of fires. The fight is tough but
there is no other choice available but to continue fighting, he
stressed. Referring to the 7th ND party congress last weekend, he said
that party positions were confirmed, while at the same time it also
served as a starting point for a new dynamic course. The prime
minister expressed determination to move forward with reforms and
changes and continue the effort aimed at dealing with the problems of
society, stressing that in March 2004 the people opted for political
change and the country entered an era of changes and reforms.
Karamanlis lashed out at main opposition PASOK without naming it,
stressing that the people reject polarization practices while adding
that it promises today what it was unable to do in the past, without
offering an apology either for the deficits handed over to the current
government or the stock market crime. He stressed that the changes and
reforms launched will continue with greater determination in the
government's next four-year term, pointing out that the sweeping
education sector reform will continue ensuring equal access
opportunities for the young. The education reform will continue in the
next four-year term, he stated, underlining that the revision of
article 16 of the Constitution is imperative while adding that it was
proposed by the main opposition as well. Referring to the public
sector, Karamanlis stated that the State is the great patient that was
inherited, adding that solutions were found to lingering problems, the
local government was reinforced, procedures were simplified, red-tape
was tackled, while problems are not being swept under the carpet but on
the contrary they are spotted and dealt with. "We are in the middle of
an uphill course and we are preparing the major reform in the
administrative structure", he stressed. On the issues of transparency
in public sector transactions, he said that corruption will be
combated, stressing that there will be no discounts in the effort.
Karamanlis also referred to the economic policy implemented by his
government, stressing that the country has exited the excessive deficit
procedure (EDP) and the growth rate achieved is among the highest in
Eurozone. The absorption rate of community funds was increased while
energy agreements of major national importance were signed turning
Greece into an energy hub, he stressed. The results of the policy
followed are beginning to show and are acknowledged both by the
European Union and international organizations, while a rise is
recorded in tourist flow. Exports have increased, inflation is at its
lowest point and foreign investors were becoming reacquainted with
Greece, said Karamanlis. He stressed that in 2006 investments recorded
a 70 percent rise compared to 2003 while unemployment dropped under 9
percent and employment rate rose to 61 percent. The foundations for a
strong economy were laid during the past 3.5 years, said the prime
minister, to ensure a strong social state focusing on the individual,
stressing that the social insurance problem will also be solved.
Karamanlis stressed that the vision of ecumenical Hellenism is a top
priority adding that the draft law on the voting rights of overseas
Greeks will be introduced to parliament in October, characterizing the
move as national duty constituting a major step for the participation
of the Greeks living abroad in domestic political developments. In
conclusion, he emphasized that the government will continue on the path
of changes and reforms, stressing that there is no turning back for
Greece. Unanimous election of the seven MPs on ND Political Council
The seven MPs that will be members of the ruling New Democracy party's
new Political Council were later unanimously elected by the party
Central Committee. No ballots were used because the number of
candidates equaled the number of the seats available. They are
Prokopis Pavlopoulos, George Voulgarakis, Marietta Yannakou, Evangelos
Meimarakis, Fani Palli-Petralia, Vyron Polydoras and Dimitris Sioufas.
An election is underway for the non parliamentarian members of the
party's Political Council, with 10 candidates competing for 7 seats.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister and New Democracy party
president Costas Karamanlis.
[02] Conference on ancient drama at Delphi
The European Cultural Centre of Delphi (ECCD) is organising a two-day
conference this weekend at the eponymous site in mountainous central
Greece focusing on the theme of "The Tragic Heroine as a Symbol in
Modern Society", an event capping off the two-week-long 8th
International Conference on Ancient Drama, which included numerous
theatrical performances, roundtable discussions and presentations at
the Centre by artists from around the world. Women's role in western
and non-western society is the sub-theme of the series of events at the
Delphi Centre, which lies just outside the boundaries of the renowned
archaeological site of Delphi, considered by the ancient Greeks as the
sacred "navel of the world" during antiquity.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Athens-based Research Center for
Gender Equality (KEThI), with an international panel of distinguished
speakers scheduled to speak over the weekend. The Delphi Centreās 8th
International Conference on Ancient Drama will conclude on Sunday
evening with a performance of Euripides' "Medea", direction and
translation by Pilar Tavora, at the centre's Phrynichos outdoor odeon.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph showing scenes from a performance of
ancient drama by the National Theatre of Greece put on at Delphi's
stage.
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