Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-02-26

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Samaras attends meeting on hydrocarbons

[02] Greece works systematically to combat fraud and corruption‏

[03] Port employees hold nationwide strike

[01] PM Samaras attends meeting on hydrocarbons

The meeting takes place at the Environment, Energy and Climate Change Ministry.

The surveys, conducted by the Norwegian company PGS, were completed last year, while the tender for the concession of 10-15 research areas will be launched in 2014.

The agreement between Greece's natural gas corporation DEPA and Russia's Gazprom for a 15 pct retrospective reduction in natural gas prices will also be discussed.

[02] Greece works systematically to combat fraud and corruption‏

Speaking to reporters, during a news conference on the occasion of a meeting of OLAF, the European agency to combat fraud, in Athens, Staikouras presented the steps taken by Greek authorities such as the appointment of a National Coordinator to Combat Corruption, drafting of a National Action Plan against Corruption and the set-up of various institutions to help in combating fraud and corruption.

The Greek minister stressed that these actions have already offered results "which are returning as dividend to the society" and stressed that Greece has gained 14 places in the corruption perception index of Transparency International in 2013.

"The effort to combat fraud will not stop here. It is constant, systematic and stable. It covers very dimension of economic activity and civil administration. And towards this direction we continue our partnership with OLAF and all related European structures to safeguard the protection of the EU's economic interests," Staikouras said.

Giovanno Kessler, managing director of OLAF, speaking to reporters, acknowledged efforts made by Greek authorities and stressed that "combating fraud was part of a strategy for economic recovery in Greece".

[03] Port employees hold nationwide strike

The Port Employees Federation of Greece (OMYLE) and the Union of Dockers have called a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in all ports and harbours throughout the country. Workers have already gathered at Klafthmonos square, in central Athens, to protest against the sale, while a march to parliament will follow.

Thessaloniki Port Authority (THPA) workers are also holding a 24-hour strike on Wednesday in solidarity to the decision of OMYLE.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article