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Friday, 19 April 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-08Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM Karamanlis in Lisbon for EU-Africa summitGreek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was in Lisbon on Saturday, where he will take part in the EU-Africa summit meeting taking place here over the weekend.The summit begins on Saturday morning, while those attending will sit down to a dinner at the Feira Internacional de Lisboa at the Parque das Nacoes in the afternoon. The European and African leaders will then have another meeting on Saturday afternoon and then attend an official dinner given in their honour by Portuguese President Cavaco Silva at Ajuda Palace. Karamanlis is due to return to Athens on Sunday. On Thursday, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis briefed the PM on the Eurogroup and ECOFIN meeting on the state of the international and European economy. After the meeting, the FinMin underlined that several uncertainties prevailed in the global economy, but he also stressed that the European economy didn't appear to be strongly affected for the time being. The draft law for the "National Social Cohesion Fund" was tabled in parliament on Friday, while the 'tax reform' draft law will be tabled in parliament before the vote on the 2008 State Budget. [02] Papandreou urges action against climate changeThe fight to prevent climate change was both a political issue but also an everyday concern, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said on Saturday in a message to mark Global Day of Action Against Climate Change.He stressed that PASOK had moved in this direction with its promise to create an independent environment ministry and that it had included an environmental parameter in its policy statements, as well as special measures for climate change. According to PASOK's leader, the main opposition party was also campaigning to establish a new model for growth in Greece that will protect the environment and highlight its role as a comparative advantage. Referring to the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali and the steps being taken on a worldwide basis to tackle the problem, Papandreou stressed the need to reduce emissions of pollutants and called on the Greek government to fulfil the goals of the Kyoto Protocol. CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photograph of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou. [03] Action Against Climate Change rally in AthensActivists in Athens marked the Global Day of Action Against Climate Change on Saturday by staging a protest rally with a difference, featuring street theatre, music, juggling and stilt-walking acts. Thousands of people of all ages and social backgrounds gathered together in the city centre to join the protest for saving the planet.Traffic was interrupted in the roads around Syntagma Square shortly after 13:00 when the protestors started arrived in separate groups, one for each of the 102 organisations and movements taking part, and the streets began to become congested with people. Encouraged by the bright sunshine and the relatively warm December afternoon, several Athenians from all walks of life swelled the ranks of those clamouring to save the planet and taking part in the worldwide protest against climate change. Colourful banners with various slogans also highlighted the local environmental dangers faced by Athens and Greece in general, with the demands of local movements for their neighbourhoods mixing in the more general demands on a national level for restricting greenhouse gas emissions, establishing alternative energy sources and create bike lanes. CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photograph of a rally held to protest about the incineration of the Parnitha national park in the summer. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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