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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-03-18Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Greece prefers European solutionsBrussels (ANA-MPA/G. Milionis) -- Prime minister George Papandreou stressed that Greece is not asking the EU for money, but rather for an "instrument" that can be used, if necessary, in statements to the European Parliament on Thursday morning in Brussels and in a later meeting with the Europarliament's Special (ad hoc) Committee on the Financial, Economic and Social Crisis (set up in October 2009) during the committee's "Public Hearing on European Economic Governance and EU tools for Economic and Social Recovery"."When you have that 'instrument' in place, it is sufficient to stop the speculation and give the time required for the reforms to yield, given that the high cost of borrowing undermines both the measures taken by the Greek government and the prospects for development," Papandreou told the ad hoc Committee, while he also replied to questions from the Committee's MEP members. Asked if Greece is seeking a political decision of support at next week's EU Summit, Papandreou said that, from his meeting on Wednesday with European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso, he is aware that the Commission is prepared to endorse a mechanism, adding that "we are expecting this from the Summit...not only Greece, but other member countries as well, as I surmise from the questions addressed to me today in the European Parliament". He stressed that this is an opportunity for the eurozone that must not be missed. European Parliament president Jerzy Buzek agreed with Papandreou's view, stressing that the entire situation also comprises, in tandem, a good opportunity for the eurozone to create mechanisms that will avert crises. [02] Elinoil reports higher 2009 profitsANA-MPA/Elinoil on Thursday announced lower 2009 results, with consolidated turnover falling to 659.5 million euros last year, from 746.6 million euros in 2008, reflecting a significant decline in fuel prices as the volume of sales grew 4.0 pct despite adverse business conditions in the country.Gross profits totaled 51 million euros in 2009, from 49.1 million in 2008, for an increase of 3.8 pct, while EBITDA grew 18.5 pct to 11.5 million euros. [03] Greece, Abu Dhabi examine partnership prospectsGreece and Abu Dhabi are examining partnership prospects in renewable energy, shipping, culture and tourism, Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Luca Katseli said on Thursday.Speaking to reporters, in the framework of the Hellenic & United Arab Emirates Business Forum in Athens, the Greek minister said government officials was having very important meetings with representatives of the Abu Dhabi government -a delegation of 15 officials- to examine partnership prospects in three sectors of great significance for the country. Katseli said Abu Dhabi was making big efforts to shift towards renewable energy sources, a strategy which was also the Greek government's priority in the framework of promoting green development in the country. The three sectors are ports, infrastructure and culture/tourism. [04] Deputy FM Kouvelis hold talks with UAE delegationDeputy Foreign Minister Spyros Kouvelis met on Thursday with a delegation of United Arab Emirates officials currently in Athens for the Greece-UAE Business Forum between Greece and UAE organised at the initiative of the two governments.The purpose of the forum is to promote investments in ports, infrastructures, energy renewable sources and cooperation in the culture and tourism sectors. [05] FM spokesman on FYROM: Greece continues with positive policy, but sees no reciprocationANA-MPA/Greece is following a firm policy on the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and sends a positive message of friendship and support to the neighboring people, but is disappointed by the lack of reciprocation on the part of FYROM, foreign ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras told a press briefing on Thursday."Unfortunately, we have yet to see reciprocation from the other side," he said, adding that "we want the government of Mr. Gruevski (FYROM prime minister) to come to the negotiation with a positive and constructive attitude. We believe that we could immediately reach a solution if the political will exists," the spokesman stressed. [06] Extended hours for Delphi archaeological siteDelphi had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece and was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world.The archaeological site of Delphi will be open daily from 7:30am to 7:00 pm. The extended hours will be in effect until April 30.The Delphi Museum is open daily from 8:30am to 3:00pm. [07] IMF and EU one and the sameCommunist Party of Greece Secretary General Aleka Papariga during her visit to a technical lyceum in the Perama district of Piraeus on Thursday, stressed: "As it has been confirmed in recent years, the dilemma of 'PASOK or New Democracy' is misleading and manufactured. The same holds true for the dilemma 'European Union or International Monetary Fund'."Papariga added that the people must make a choice between"whether to support the parties of the plutocracy, or redeploy the working class-popular movement to block the government's new antisocial measures and open the way for radical change". "Not a single euro to the plutocracy," she concluded. [08] Unemployment at 10.3 pctGreek unemployment jumped to 10.3 pct in the fourth quarter of 2009, from 7.9 pct in the corresponding period in 2008, the National Statistical Service said on Thursday.The statistics service said the number of unemployed people totaled 514,401 in the October-December period last year, up 121,733 from the same period in 2008, while the number of employed people totaled 4,476,806. Unemployment was higher among less educated people, while Southern Aegean (13.2 pct), Eastern Macedonia-Thrace (12.2 pct) and Western Macedonia (12 pct) recorded the highest unemployment rates among the country's regions. Northern Aegean (5.3 pct), Western Greece and the Peloponese (8.7 pct) recorded the lowest unemployment rates. Unemployment among first-time job seekers totaled 25.8 pct of total unemployed people, while long-term unemployment accounted for 43.3 pct of total. The statistics service said 87 pct of unemployed people were seeking full-time employment, while part-time employment remained a low 6.2 pct. [09] New Hellenic museum in Chicago(ANA-MPA) -- A new National Hellenic Museum in Chicago will be ready in 2011 to replace the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center founded in 1983.According to the "Chicago Tribune" newspaper, the museum will house 180 oral histories of Greek-Americans and thousands of artifacts, ranging from ancient Greek pottery to clothing worn by the first Greek migrants to the New World. The US$25-million, three-storey 40,000 square-foot building is located on the northeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren streets. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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