Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-04-07

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM confers with Development Minister

[02] Greece, Cyprus on economic ties

[01] PM confers with Development Minister

Folias told reporters after the meeting that Greece remained solid in its goal to render the country a key energy hub in the region of Southeastern Europe, aimed at ensuring a "guaranteed energy adequacy" for the country and also of evolving into a dependable energy transit center.

Asked whether cooperation with Russia in the energy sector would be expanded, Folias said that cooperation was continuing, adding that the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project was progressing.

"We always cooperate with all all who have something to contribute to our targets," Folias said.

To a question on the high prices, Folias said that a number of steps have been taken, but not all, adding that the problem could not be solved from one day to the next.

The minister noted that 41 measures have already been announced, which had been positively received by the market and society, of which 12 have already entered into effect, while new announcements would be made in two weeks.

He said that the government was continuing its efforts to check any dysfunction arising on the market, and warned that tough steps would be taken against transgressors.

Caption:ANA-MPA file photo of Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis

[02] Greece, Cyprus on economic ties

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Alogoskoufis said they discussed ways of boosting bilateral economic and trade relations.

The Cyprus economy, he added, had marked immense progress in recent years, and was one of the first countries among the EU's new member states to join the eurozone.

"We have many common points, and both economies are founded on extroversion," Alogoskoufis said, adding that he had invited Stavrakis, at the head of a delegation, for talks here aimed at further strengthening the relations between the two countries.

He said that prospects for expanding relations in the framework of the wider region of southeastern Europe would be examined.

On his part, Stavrakis said that the commercial and economic relations between the two countries were very strong, adding that it was only natural that his first visit abroad, as Cyprus' new finance minister, was to Greece.

Both countries have comparative advantages, Stavrakis said: "Greece has stong ties in SE Europe, and Cyprus with Russia and the Ukraine. Our cooperation will continue also via joint enterprises, to the benefit of the Cypriot and the Greek economies."

Caption:ANA-MPA/CNA/KATIA CHRISTODOULOU/ file photo of Cyprus Finance Minister Charilaos Stavrakis

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