Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-02-26

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader to present "Green Development"

[02] EU Commissioner Hubner begins Epirus tour

[03] Bakoyannis to meet Nimetz

[01] PASOK leader to present "Green Development"

Invited speakers at the event include EU Greek Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas and Christos Zerefos, President of the European Committee for the Renewable Energy Sources.

PASOK spokesman George Papaconstantinou, meanwhile, did not confirm a visit by Papandreou to Germany, adding however that the main opposition party leader continued his contacts and meetings for the promotion of his proposals for the handling of the present economic crisis.

On Olympic Airways

Main opposition PASOK's proposal for the establishment of a mixed scheme for the ailing national carrier Olympic Airways (OA) was reiterated on Wednesday by party spokesman for transport and communications issues Nikos Sifounakis, during a press conference.

Sifounakis noted that PASOK proposed the establishment of a mixed scheme with private and state capital in a strategic alliance, to create a reliable international air carrier.

He said that any solution that does not guarantee state participation was a 'red line' for PASOK, adding that state participating would ensure the labor regulations and would avert the establishment of oligopolies.

Sifounakis further said that the government must take a clear-cut position on the PASOK proposal and announce whether there was any other investment scheme interested in OA.

He accused the government of segmental sell-off of the airline, instead of adopting a viable solution, adding that the process of direct negotiations being followed by the government was not at all similar with the Alitalia solution, since the government has not set up a consortium of investors.

Sifounakis also said that PASOK proposes that the 290 million euros won by OA in court be used to cover, with state participation, the new mixed scheme, while the management should be a politically neutral one.

[02] EU Commissioner Hubner begins Epirus tour

The commissioner visited earlier the Egnatia Highay at the region of Driskos and was briefed on the process of works at this international motorway.

H?bner visited next the Ioannina University and was given information about the construction of a second student residence at the campus, before travelling to the Ioannina Scientific and Technological Park.

On Friday morning, the commissioner will visit the ancient site of Dodoni. 1.8 million Euros have been allocated by the EU for the restoration of the ancient theatre. In the afternoon, she will be travelling to Corfu.

[03] Bakoyannis to meet Nimetz

Following her meeting with Nimetz, the Greek foreign minister will hold talks with U.S. UN Ambassador Susan Rice.

On Friday afternoon (Greek time), Bakoyannis will be addressing the UN's Security Council. She is expected to refer to the 2009 Greek chair of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) priorities.

Before her speech, the foreign minister will meet Security Council President, Japan's UN Ambassador Yukio Takasu.

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