Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-06-07

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou on higher education

[02] Athens on latest FYROM tiff

[01] Papandreou on higher education

Papandreou said the current model of higher education in the country "has concluded its cycle", although the "shock" of private universities is not an answer, he added.

The PASOK leader called for "full autonomy" of universities that answer to society and with evaluation.

He also expressed his support for public monitoring of universities' finances and a link with the job market, while again calling for a minimum 5 percent of GDP to be spent on education.

[02] Athens on latest FYROM tiff

"Greece, as the host country of the summit meeting of Southeastern European states, desired the participation of all its guests without exception," the spokesman said.

"President Crvenkovski, as with all the other heads of state participating in this international meeting, had been invited to come to our country. In spite of the efforts made on our side, President Crvenkovski chose not to take part," he added.

He stressed that this incident, along with others, confirmed the need to find a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of the neighbouring republic's name.

"We sincerely seek such a solution. A solution without losers, that will strengthen bilateral relations and regional security and will help the neighbouring country realise its European and Euro-Atlantic ambitions," Koumoutsakos concluded.

Greece sternly objects to the use of the name 'Macedonia' by its northern neighbour on the grounds that it implies territorial claims against its own northern province of the same name.

Caption: File photo of foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos. ANA-MPA.

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