Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM spokesman: TAP gas pipeline deliberations continuing

[02] Opinion poll gives SYRIZA small lead over ND

[03] Seamen's union calls 48-hour strike for Jan.31

[04] Valia Calda national park

[01] FM spokesman: TAP gas pipeline deliberations continuing

Delavekouras said that TAP "comprises a major strategic plan for Greece as well as the EU's security in energy." The TAP consortium is based in Switzerland and includes Norway's Statoil, Switzerland's Axpo and Germany's E.ON Ruhrgas.

[02] Opinion poll gives SYRIZA small lead over ND

The opinion poll conducted by Pulse polling company on Jan. 21-22 showed that 21.5 pct would have voted for SYRIZA if elections were held today (23.5 pct in November 2012) and 20 pct would vote for ND (19 pct in November). The ultra-right Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) got 12 pct, maintaining its showing compared with a November poll, followed by PASOK with 6.5 pct (6 pct in Nov.), Independent Greeks 5.0 pct (from 6.5 pct), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 5.0 pct (from 5.0 pct in Nov.) and Democratic Left (DIM.AR) 4.0 pct (3.5 pct in Nov.).amna

In favour of other party are 5.5 pct (from 5.5 pct) of the respondents, blank vote/abstention gets 11.5 pct (from 10.5 pct), and those who were undecided or refused to respond reached 9.0 pct (from 8.5 pct).

Counting only the valid ballots (no blank/spoiled votes are counted, undetermined abstention rate) SYRIZA will get 24 pct, ND 22.5 pct, Chryssi Avgi 13.5 pct, PASOK 7.5 pct, Independent Greeks and KKE 5.5 pct, DIM.AR 4.5 pct and Other Parties 6.5 pct. Undecided are 10.5 pct of the respondents.

Regarding the leader most suited to be prime minister, Antonis Samaras was chosen by 29 pct (26 pct in November) and Alexis Tsipras by 22 pct (23.5 pct in November). However, 46 pct of the respondents (from 47 pct) rejected both of them and 3 pct chose not to answer the question. amna

The most crucial issue for political developments in 2013 is "definitely" the economic measures that will be implemented by the government according to 49 pct of the respondents, while another 25 pct said that the economic measures would "probably" be the decisive issue. The so-called "Lagarde list" issue would "definitely" play a decisive role according to 6 pct of the respondents, while 9 pct said that this would "probably" be the case. A total of 11 pct responded "Don't Know/Won't answer".

[03] Seamen's union calls 48-hour strike for Jan.31

A statement by PNO calls for the withdrawal of the controversial draft law, characterizing it as a "casus belli" and a "gravestone" for Greek seamen who would see fundamental changes in their labour rights. amna

PNO also expressed solidarity with striking Athens metro employees, saying that the back-to-work order issued by the government is a "shameful and undemocratic measure."

[04] Valia Calda national park

Another highlight is Lake Polyfytou, which contrary to popular belief, was not first created in 1973 from damming, but has existed for at least four million years.amna

According to geologist and author Dr. Anne Ewing-Rassios, a member of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGMEM) of the Western Macedonia region, verdant Grevena prefecture and the entire Pindus mountain range can generate considerable and "Eco-friendly" economic development through "geo-tourism". amna

Ewing-Rassios first arrived in northwest Greece from Los Angeles in the 1970s to study the region's geology, putting roots in the area and permanently moving to Greece in the mid '70s, despite the fact that back then "everyone was looking at me in astonishment because I was the first woman they saw wearing jeans and driving a car," she says jokingly.

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