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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-04-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Public transport work stoppage on TuesdayÁna - Mpa/Public transport will be at a stand-still from 11 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon on Tuesday due to a 6-hour work-stoppage called by transport workers' unions to attend a demonstration against the government's economic measures at Athens' downtown Kotzia Square.The only public transportation to be running normally will be the Proastiakos suburban railway. Commuters should be aware that the public transport means will start withdrawing from service at least one hour before the stoppage kicks in on Tuesday morning, while full restoration of service should be expected one hour after the end of the stoppage. [02] Defence Minister at EDA, EU joint DM-FM meetingsBrussels (ANA-MPA/V. Demiris) -- The progress in the European Defence Agency (EDA) programs with NATO was discussed Monday in Brussels at a meeting of the EDA Steering Committee, with national defence minister Evangelos Venizelos representing Greece.Venizelos and alternate foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas are also attending a joint meeting of the EU foreign and defence ministers. Addressing the Steering Committee, Venizelos referred to the FRONTEX activities and the importance of respect of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as the need for establishing an integrated EU maritime policy that would take into consideration the Common Security and Defence policy as well as the EU's other marine policies. [03] Tourism outlook flatGreece's Tourism Research and Forecasts Institute (ITEP) on Monday said tourism prospects for 2010 were not favourable as a volative and uncertain economic environment was leaving no room for quantitive but for quality approach in the industry. ITEP, in a report, said 2010 would be the same -and even more difficult- compared with the previous year, with early reservations figures negative so far. Reservations from Greece's traditional tourism markets, Germany and the UK were down 10 pct and 7.0 pct so far this year, reflecting negative comments by foreign media over the country's situation. However, the country was getting positive messages from the markets of France, Italy and Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, etc). The Institute said it expected last minute reservations to rise this year, but stressed these could be unable to counterbalance the sector's huge revenue losses. Generally, ITEP expected incoming tourism to be around last year's levels, or to rise slightly.Domestic tourism was also expected to fall this year, since the cost of living has risen significantly and wages were cut as part of a government austerity program. Greek consumers were expected to cut their holiday costs and to resort to last minute reservations hoping to achieve better prices. ITEP said the government should offer significant support to the tourism sector to help in minimizing its losses. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |