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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-03Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou calls for elections in SeptemberA call for early elections in September was made by main opposition leader George Papandreou on Friday, while addressing the first meeting of PASOK's National Council after the European Parliament elections. He also proposed an agreement with the government to re-elect the current Greek president Karolos Papoulias, provided Papoulias desired to stand."Holding early general elections will give rise to a new government that will be able to draw up a reliable budget for 2010 and will chart a new course of hope and re-organisation for the country," PASOK's leader stressed. He also clarified that PASOK would support Papoulias' re-election if the president chose to stand, adding that Papoulias had served his current office in the best possible way. Papandreou proposed that PASOK and the government agree on Papoulias's re-election right away, combined with a decision to go to elections immediately. Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou. [02] Gov't dismisses call PASOK call for early electionsGovernment Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros on Friday dismissed main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou's call for early elections in September, saying the government had no intention of "following him in an effort to trivialise institutions.""Mr. Papandreou has again today tried to entangle, in an inadmissible manner, the President of the Republic in his own petty party projects," Antonaros said in a written statement. "Mr. Papandreou's position that he does not intend to support the re-election of the current President of the Republic, thus provoking early general elections, is well known. It is self-evident that we will not follow him in the effort to trivialise institutions, an effort whose only motive is PASOK leadership's greed for power," Antonaros concluded. On his part, ruling New Democracy (ND) central committee secretary Lefteris Zagoritis said "the country does not need elections, it needs seriousness and responsibility." [03] Black Sea Bank offers 40-mln-USD credit line to Turk EximbankThe Black Sea Bank for Commerce and Development on Friday announced it will offer funding of up to 40 million US dollars to the Turkish state bank Turk Eximbank through a five-year, revolving pre-export credit line. The new credit line, added to an existing 10-year cooperation between the two sides, will be used by Turk Eximbank to continue funding the country's export-oriented companies.The Black Sea Bank has loaned Turk Eximbank more than 361 million US dollars as part of its revolving short-term pre-export finance. Turk Eximbank is fully owned by the Turkish state and it is the official export finance vehicle of the country. [04] Special tourist brochure showcases mountainous ThessalyA tourism and travel information guide highlights the rugged beauty of mountainous Thessaly, central Greece, its history, tradition, local products and the hospitality of its people.The brochure, entitled "Mountainous Thessaly" was published by the Thessaly Region local government utilising the "Mediterritage" programme, a worth-noting experience-exchange programme that focuses on the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the mountainous regions in the Mediterranean. Elements of the special cultural identity of Greece dating back to the prehistoric times are visible everywhere in the numerous monuments, churches, Byzantine walls and fortresses. Among the most important monuments in the world, the UNESCO-protected rock towers of Meteora are located in the Thessaly region prefecture of Trikala. Tens of picturesque villages and protected traditional settlements are found in mountainous Thessaly offering a great variety in accommodations that respect local architecture and the region's landscape. Caption: The unique rock formations of Meteora rise over the plain of Thessaly, Thursday 20 April 2006. ANA-MPA/CHRISTOS CONSTANTOPOULOS [05] Stocks end 0.29% downGreek stocks ended slightly lower in the Athens Stock Exchange on Friday, with the composite index of the market falling 0.29 pct to end at 2,211.04 points. Turnover was a low 95.7 million euros, of which 18.5 million euros were block trades.Most sectors moved lower, with the Constructions (2.22 pct), Media (2.02 pct) and Food/Beverage (2.02 pct) suffering the heaviest percentage losses of the day, while Oil (2.73 pct), Travel (1.27 pct) and Utilities (1.02 pct) scored gains. The FTSE 20 index fell 0.16 pct, the FTSE 40 index eased 1.14 pct and the FTSE 80 index ended 0.29 pct down. Broadly, decliners led advancers by 120 to 87 with another 46 issues unchanged. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |