Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader tours fire-ravaged Achaia

[02] Greece, Italy and Turkey sign nat'l gas agreement

[01] PASOK leader tours fire-ravaged Achaia

He visited Achaiaâs Egion and Diakofto municipalities where he was briefed on the situation prevailing in the region.

Papandreou criticised the government ?for the lack of coordination, lack of precaution, lack of proper organisation and the lack of meritocracy in the staffing of the Fire-brigade.?

?It is not the time to analyse the enormous responsibilities, with a government absent and a prime minister as a spectator,? Papandreou said.

The PASOK leader reiterated his proposal for a meeting of political party leaders under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic.

?I also insist today on the ned for broader understanding of all the social and political forces. Our recruitment for this new ecological national crisis. I insist for there to be understanding between the parties under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic, for a campaign to deal with this major matter,? the PASOK leader added.

[02] Greece, Italy and Turkey sign nat'l gas agreement

The agreement was signed in Rome by Greek Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, Italyâs Economic Development Minister Pierluigi Bersani and Turkeyâs Energy and Natural Resources Minister Mehmet Hilmi Guler.

Speaking to reporters, the Greek minister said it was a significant day for all countries in the Caspian Sea and the Middle East and of course for Europe and noted that ?the project linked Asia with Europe for the first time and this is a development with pan-European and global dimension?.

The ground section of the Greek-Italian natural gas pipeline will be built by DESFA, while the underwater pipeline by DEPA and Edison. The Greek-Turkish section of the pipeline, which is almost ready, will be inaugurated by the prime ministers of Greece and Turkey by the end of August.

?It is a deal with large and significant benefits for us all, for the three countries and their people,? the Greek minister said, adding that Greece has already proposed a draft agreement with the government of Azerbaijan for the supply of natural gas and said he had discussed the issue with Italy and Turkey.

Sioufas said Italy and Turkey were ?strategic energy partners? and noted that the project was another starting point to further enhance economic, development and energy relations between the three countries.

Natgas agreement signed in Rome a 'historic event', PM says

The trilateral agreement for a natural gas pipeline signed by Greece, Italy and Turkey in Rome on Thursday was a historic event for all concerned, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis stressed later the same day.

"The signature of the trilateral Italy-Greece-Turkey Intergovernmental Agreement for the construction of the Southern European Natural Gas Corridor is a historic event, not just for the three countries but also for the countries of the Caspian Sea and the Middle East. It is an equally important project for Europe, since it ensures via Turkey and Greece the transport of natural gas from Asia to the major European markets," Karamanlis said.

He also pointed out that Greece was improving its position even further in Europe and the wider region with the signature of Thursday's agreement, in addition to those for the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the completion of a Greek-Turkish natural gas pipeline and a proclamation for the construction of the South Stream natural gas pipeline,.

"With strategy and planning, our country is being converted into a major and powerful international conduit for oil, natural gas and electricity and is upgrading its geopolitical position and its international standing," the prime minister stressed.

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