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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Education minister on Cyprus visitGreek Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou is due to arrive in Cyprus on Thursday for an official visit, at the invitation of her Cypriot counterpart Akis Kleanthous.During the visit, Yiannakou will have talks with Kleanthous on bilateral education issues, and will also represent the Greek government at events marking and condemning the 33rd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the island republic, which will take place in Nicosia and Paphos. Yiannakou will further be received on Thursday by Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos. Caption: File photo of Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou. [02] Gov't, unions on EU referral on retirement agesNational governments are responsible for policies on social security systems, Employment and Social Protection Minister Vassilis Magginas stressed in Athens on Wednesday following a meeting with representatives of the country's two largest trade unions, ADEDY and GSEE.Magginas said there was consensus over drafting a "line of defence" against a decision by the European Commission to refer Greece to the European Court of Justice over the country's policy regarding different retirement ages between men and women working in Greece's vast public sector. Magginas reiterated that the social security problem will be addressed to after general elections in the country (scheduled for March 2008), based on the interests of pensioners and after completing a wideranging social dialogue. He noted, however, that retirement ages in Greece were relatively high on the EU list. Spyros Papaspyros, the head of the civil servants' union (ADEDY) urged the government to make every effort - legal and political - and warned that the impact on retirement ages would be significant, while he called on civil servants - women in particular - to avoid early retirements and accompanying low monthly pension payments. Yiannis Panagopoulos, president of GSEE - Greece's largest trade union umbrella - also urged wage-earners to remain calm and to avoid any "rash moves" towards early retirement, while he criticised government agencies for failing to anticipate the EU executive's actions. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Vassilis Magginas. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |