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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-04-20Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM: Gov't determined to fight corruptionANA-MPA/Prime Minister George Papandreou underlined on Monday night that his government has proved its political determination to fight corruption and to create "a new framework of principles and rules which will lead to the greatest reforms in the country ever, for the benefit of citizens."Addressing an event hosted by Transparency International, Papandreou said "the crisis derives mainly from the non transparency of state power and the public life of the country, from a clientelle conception that has corroded everything." The prime minister also referred to tax evasion, noting that with the law which was voted in Parliament last week and which "promotes a radical change in the country's taxation system we have abolished every kind of exemption." [02] Samaras addresses Int'l Transparency eventANA-MPA/"The country needs a new liberal model of governance," main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras underlined on Monday, addressing an event hosted by Transparency International.Samaras said the current system has collapsed and pointed out that the country needs a new model of governance, starting with the adoption of a small in size and flexible government. The ND leader stated that modern governance calls for decentralization of authority, underlining that the current system cannot produce development. He stressed that it generates only deficits and debts while being unable to utilize the country's comparative advantages or attract foreign investors. [03] Health minister announces mergers and abolitions of welfare bodiesANA-MPA/Health and Social Solidarity Minister Mariliza Xenoyiannakopoulou on Monday announced the first organisations and services supervised by the health ministry that are to be merged with others or abolished as part of a cost-cutting drive.She said future mergers to be decided by the ministry may even include some of the smaller hospitals spread around Attica, whose administration will be taken over by larger ones. The first services to be merged or abolished are in the welfare sector. They include the National Centre of Health Research, which is to be abolished because there are services within the ministry that can cover its mission. [04] Terror group arms cache foundWeapons and explosives have been found in a safehouse of the "Revolutionary Struggle" group in the Athens district of Kypseli. According to police sources, it is the group's main safehouse and the greatest part of weapons, if not all, has been found.Due to the materials found in the apartment, the police were evacuating the tenants from the apartment building as a precaution, until the materials are removed. [05] Gov't calls for freeze on hotel pricesThe government has called on hoteliers to contain their prices and to absorb the recent increases in VAT rates, Culture Deputy Minister, responsible for tourism, Angela Gerekou said Monday.Speaking to reporters after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister George Papandreou - ahead of the premier's speech at the general assembly of the Federation of Tourist Enterprises on Wednesday - she said the government was expecting a swift resolution to the visa problem, while predicted increased arrivals from Russia, eastern Europe and the Balkans this year. She also admitted that the abolition of cabotage in the cruise ship sector was still a pending issue [06] Deputy FM's talks in NYNew York (ANA-MPA/P. Panagiotou) -- The role and contribution of Greeks abroad in the growth of the Greek economy was at the focus of talks between deputy foreign minister Spyros Kouvelis and Greek-American businessmen and local Greek organisations in New York on Tuesday."A major effort is being made by the present government in order to overcome the crisis and enter a new period of development," Kouvelis said during a press conference later, stressing that the Greeks abroad are "the vehicle for intensification of economic cooperation between Greece and the US". Kouvelis, who represented the Greek government in celebrations in NY marking the March 25 anniversary celebrations and the traditional Greek Parade last Sunday on 5th Avenue in Manhattan and also held a series of meetings with local businessmen and state and city officials, said that the government's target is to present the true picture of Greece and the real facts on the state of the Greek economy, as well as the government's initiatives to embark on a new developmental course for the country. [07] Athens Newspaper HeadlinesThe Tuesday edition of Athens' dailies at a glanceThe discovery of the "Revolutionary Struggle" terrorist group's arms cache in a safehouse in the Athens district of Kypseli on Monday, the escalation of pressure on the market with the new skyrocketing of the spread, and the new social security system, dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers. ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: ""Kallikratis local administration reform plan will provoke a civil war". APOGEVMATINI: "Ashes from the market and lava from the IMF - The die has been cast for the support mechanism after the new skyrocketing of the spread". AVGHI: "In the IMF's grips - Government determined to 'surrender' to IMF". AVRIANI: "IMF predators ready to devour Greece - The big looting begins". ELEFTHEROS: "Employment Minister Andreas Loverdos' 'operation disorientation' for laborers and pensioners". ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Document on the scam - How they downrated our bonds". ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Simple examples of what is awaiting the pensioners". ESTIA: "National 'rescue' government in order to politically undertake the weight of the measures". ETHNOS: "Blow against terrorism - Police discovered 'Revolutionary Struggle's' safehouse". IMERISSIA: "The recourse is a matter of time - Government ready to ask for help". KATHIMERINI: "The main safehouse full of weaponry and explosives discovered'. LOGOS: "The way ... opens for the recourse to the support mechanism". NAFTEMPORIKI: "On the final stretch to the support mechanism". RIZOSPASTIS: "Strike on 21 and 22 April against the austerity measures". TA NEA: "Police disarmed the terrorists - They found the main safehouse". TO VIMA: "Guns and rockets next to the courthouse". VRADYNI: "Environment Minister Tina Birbili's announcement on the penalties for illegally enclosed semi-balconies". Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |