Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-14

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM discusses programme to boost transparency

[01] PM discusses programme to boost transparency

Also present during his meeting with Labelle was the head of the watchdog's local chapter, TI Greece director Costas Bakouris, and Justice Minister Sotiris Hatzigakis.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hatzigakis said that Greece was developing a programme with TI that will culminate in October, in the framework of the United Nations.

He said that, soon, the government will advance a draft law ratifying the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) being promoted by TI, noting that the government was particularly interested in this issue, and that the ratification of the Convention would be a small step in this direction.

Asked to comment on recent attacks on the justice system by MPs, Hatzigakis said that Justice was doing its job well, and should not be hindered in the exercise of its work.

Labelle, in turn, expressed satisfaction with the meeting, adding that Karamanlis placed particular weight on the issue of transparency.

She also thanked the prime minister and the Greek government's decision to host "the most important international conference against corruption" at the end of October in Greece.

Bakouris expressed satisfaction with the meeting, noting that a major survey on the issue of corruption and what can be done to improve the situation in Greece would be presented later in the day at an event at the Megaron-Athens Concert Hall organised by the Greek National Chapter of TI, which will be addressed by Karamanlis and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.

PM briefed by interior minister

Later the same day, Karamanlis was briefed on a special operational plan for public administration currently underway, with emphasis on issues related to local government, by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

Afterwards, Pavlopoulos stressed the important role reserved for local authorities in the new administrative structure and said that he had discussed this during an informal meeting over the weekend with the head of the Central Union of Municipalities and Communities of Greece (KEDKE), Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis.

His collaboration with the premier had also covered transparency issues that will arise at the international conference organised with TI next October, Pavlopoulos said.

"Transparency and the eradication of corruption are issues that concern our country and the entire world. The government places great emphasis on these," the minister stressed.

He said the talks with Karamanlis had included an analysis of all the measures taken, as well as the measures planned, in order to fulfill the government's pledges to stamp out corruption.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article