Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-03

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with FM on foreign policy issues

[02] Mubarak received by Greek president Papoulias

[03] KKE's Papariga meets with OA personnel

[01] PM Karamanlis confers with FM on foreign policy issues

Bakoyannis told reporters after the meeting that they discussed foreign policy matters, given Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's arrival on a state visit to Greece and the imminent arrival in the evening of Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, as well as a visit by UN special envoy on the FYROM "name issue" Matthew Nimetz, who is currently in Skopje, who is due in Athens after his FYROM visit.

Replying to press questions concerning the FYROM "name issue", Bakoyannis said: "I want to hope that they will not persist with their intransigence, so that a solution can be found", adding that the Skopje government will present its views to Nimetz, whereas the Greek side has already, for some time now, adopted a specific policy that is to the benefit of both countries.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis.

[02] Mubarak received by Greek president Papoulias

Papoulias added that the veteran Egyptian statesman's visit to Greece would contribute to giving new momentum to already excellent bilateral relations between Greece and Egypt.

He further thanked Mubarak for his support to the ethnic Greek communities of Egypt, while noting that Egyptian guest workers in Greece were contributors to Greece's economic growth.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Papoulias said they reviewed bilateral relations, as well as developments in the region, with the focus on the Palestinian question and the Middle East, as well as all of Africa, where the president noted that Egypt plays a leading role.

In a particular reference to the Cyprus issue, Papoulias expressed hope that Turkey will realise that its course to the EU demands respect of the UN resolutions regarding Cyprus.

Regarding the international conference in Annapolis, Papoulias spoke of a 'first step' which it was hoped would continue.

On Greek-Egyptian relations, he said that cooperation in the educational and cultural sector would be further reinforced through the state-of-the-art Library of Alexandria.

Mubarak, in turn, expressed particular appreciation of Papoulias' role in the cause of peace, and of Greece's position on the Middle East issue.

Caption: Greek President Karolos Papoulias (R) with visiting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Presidential Mansion in Athens on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. ANA-MPA / ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU.

[03] KKE's Papariga meets with OA personnel

In the meeting with contract and temporary OA personnel at Thessaloniki's Macedonia Airport, Papariga stressed that the communist party will defend their labour rights and the company's existence.

Papariga also said that KKE does not recognise the Commission's right to judge and assess OA, and is in favor of a public sector national air carrier.

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