Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-07-02

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

CONTENTS

[01] Socialist International congress ends

[02] Electricity trading deal

[03] Talks on greener transport

[01] Socialist International congress ends

Papandreou told delegates that socialists would lead the campaign for tackling the negative repercussions of climate change, noting that "we have agreed on common positions on complicated problems, such as the world economy, equality, the food crisis, migration and world peace."

"We are indispensable, we have the solutions and ways to change the world," the SI president underlined, adding "we will make the difference and we have the courage to make the difference."

Wednesday's session ended with the adoption of motions on climate change, the world economy, migration, the food crisis and the peaceful resolution of differences.

Close to 700 participants from 150 parties and organisations from 120 countries, including party leaders, among them some heads of government and Presidents of Republics, ministers, parliamentarians and party representatives attended the congress which was held under the overarching theme "Global Solidarity: The courage to make a difference".

The congress was held at a resort hotel in Lagonissi, southeast of Athens from Monday to Wednesday.

[02] Electricity trading deal

"This is the second agreement between us since the pipeline went into operation and this is proof that there is a very great potential for cooperation," the minister noted in his statements.

Folias underlined that Greece occupies a key position for energy security and expressed his pleasure at being able to discuss important energy plans linking Greece and Turkey with the Turkish premier and Guler.

The Greek minister is visiting Istanbul in order to attend the 5th International Energy Forum on "Energy Innovations for Sustainable Development".

"The Greek-Turkish pipeline is an act of cooperation and friendship between our two countries that serves as a single conduit for transferring natural gas from the countries of Asia and the Middle East via Turkey and Greece to Italy and the rest of Europe," Folias said during the forum, noting that the pipeline's inauguration last year had "sealed a new era of cooperation between Greece and Turkey".

While in Istanbul, Folias was also received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who outlined the results of his successful visit to the Vatican over the weekend.

CAPTION: EPA/ANA-MPA file photograph showing electricity pylon.

[03] Talks on greener transport

The minister outlined the government's strategy in this area, namely a drive to link transport with protection of the environment, and the two sides agreed to a series of regular meetings on specific topics, starting with one on the use of bicycles.

Other issues discussed were the use of taxis, with the minister inviting environmental organisations to submit their own specific proposals, and ways of improving Greece's fleet of private cars, where rates of withdrawing vehicles from circulation are still the lowest in Europe.

During the course of the meeting, Hatzidakis also announced that the Audit Council had approved the purchase of 320 new buses for the Athens public bus company that used new technology and were very environment-friendly.

The groups represented at the meeting included Greenpeace, Mediterranean Network SOS, the Hellenic Society for the Environment, Ecocity, Friends of the Bicycle, Cyclists, Passenger Network and WWF Hellas.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of Transport and Communications Minister Kostis Hatzidakis

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