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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-01Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou re-elected SI presidentGreece's main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou has been unanimously re-elected president of the Socialist International (SI) at the organisation's 23rd congress, which opened on Monday in the coastal resort of Lagonissi, southeast of Athens, and runs through Wednesday.Papandreou thanked delegates for his re-election and promised "hard work for the further strengthening of the Socialist International." Luis Ayala was also unanimously re-elected SI secretary general, a post he has held for the past 19 years. Caption: Greece's main opposition PASOK party leader and Socialist International (SI) president George Papandreou. (ANA-MPA / K. Mavrona) [02] Inner Cabinet meetingTransparency and control of expenditure in the wider public sector, as well as the incorporation of the ministries' special accounts in the next state budget, were the focal points of Tuesday's meeting of the Inner Cabinet, chaired by prime minister Costas Karamanlis.The Inner Cabinet, which discussed matters falling under the authority of the economy and finance ministry, was also briefed by minister George Alogoskoufis on the situation in the global economy and its repercussions. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Alogoskoufis announced that it had been decided at the meeting to set up an inter-ministerial committee on transparancy and control of expenditure in the wider public sector, and particularly in the authoritative bodies in the sectors of health, social security and local government. The inter-ministerial committee, which will comprise the relevant ministers, will supervise the budgets, their materialisation and the accounts of the above bodies, aimed at curbing expenditures and achieving the greatest possible transparency. Alogoskoufis said the Inner Cabinet further decided the incorporation of the ministries' special accounts in the budget, aimed at control of the expenditures. He said that both decisions would be materialised in the summer, with a relevant draft law to be tabled in parliament, and will be implemented with the new budget. Alogoskoufis further said that the policy of reforms will continue, so that the Greek economy may better withstand the international crisis. Caption: Economy and finance minister George Alogoskoufis. (ANA-MPA) [03] Highest tribute to Archbishop DemetriosGreek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America was decorated on Tuesday with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix, the country's highest distinction, by President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias."It is a small honor in light of all that you have done for the Hellenism of America," Papoulias told the Archbishop. Accepting the distinction, Demetrios said that the Cross and the Reborn Phoenix were symbols of the Hellenes abroad. Archbishop Demetrios called on Papoulias at the Presidential Mansion, shortly after his arrival from Rome, where he attended the meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos and Pope Benedict. The insignia of the Order of the Phoenix is cross-shaped. It is made of white enamel and on the cross the mythical phoenix with open wings is depicted in relief, rising out of the flames. The phoenix is also depicted in relief in the centre of the star. The reverse side of the cross bears the emblem of the Hellenic Republic. The ribbon which accompanies the insignia is deep yellow with a narrow black border on both edges. Caption: Archbishop Demetrios of America. (ANA-MPA) Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |