Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-04-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] 'Green Cultural Pathways' linking culture and nature throughout Greece until Sunday

[02] May 25 Euroelections a milestone for this generation, Tsipras says

[03] Opinion poll shows ND lead over SYRIZA in national elections

[04] Six investment groups express interest in Piraeus Port share

[01] 'Green Cultural Pathways' linking culture and nature throughout Greece until Sunday

"It is a very important programme that reflects the philosophy of the political leadership and the government as a whole, because in a country like Greece that combaines cultural heritage with unbelievable natural beauty, policy for the environment and culture must be fully cooperative and convergent," Panagiotopoulos said.

He also informed the media about Greek exhibitions due to travel abroad in the current year, such as the "Heaven and Earth" exhibition on Byzantine-era art that toured the National Gallery in Washington and was now at the Getty Centre in Los Angeles, or the exhibition "Greeks: From Agamemnon to Alexander the Great" that was due to open in Ottawa in December.

Another major Greek archaeological exhibition that would be travelling abroad, he added, was that on the Antikythera Mechanism, with senior culture ministry officials due to begin discussions on its transfer to Washington in June.

"The issue of holding exhibits of Greek cultural heritage abroad is a key policy direction. We believe the country needs this extroversion, which will rebuild the country's image abroad, show Greece's cultural heritage and promote the country in the best possible way. The image of Greek culture is the best possible ambassador for the country," he said.

The Greek Cultural Pathways programme includes a number of events taking place throughout this week until Sunday, including rambles, hikes, bike rides, thematic tours, artistic events, educational programmes and presentations. All events are free of charge and take place in all 29 Greek prefectures, involving more than 150 agencies and organisations and large numbers of volunteers.

Highlights of the week's events include the tour "In the footsteps of Aristoteles and Theophrastus" organised by the Museum of Natural History and the Lesvos Petrified Forest on the island of Lesvos, highlighting the island's natural environment, or the hikes organised around the Eleftherna archaeological site in Rethymno, a region known for hundreds of endemic plants.

[02] May 25 Euroelections a milestone for this generation, Tsipras says

Tsipras once again underlined the political importance of the Euroelections of May 25 and said that "they will prove to be a milestone for our generation. That, to a great degree, will determine the fate of the next as well".

In renewed criticism of the government on the occasion of the medium-term Programme 2015-2018, Tsipras said that "apart from liars they are also dangerous and they must leave".

[03] Opinion poll shows ND lead over SYRIZA in national elections

According to the poll results for national elections, New Democracy (ND) leads among those questioned with 22.1 percent, followed by SYRIZA with 21.2 percent, newly founded party POTAMI with 8.5 percent, ultra-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 6.8 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 6.8 percent, ELIA with 5.8 percent, Independent Greeks with 4.3 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 3 percent while 3.6 percent expressed preference to other parties. The unidentified vote reached 13.6 percent.

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (who is also ND party leader) was chosen by 42.7 percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 27.2 percent, while 29.4 percent said "none of above".

However, in euroelections SYRIZA leads with 20.2 percent, followed by ND with 19.5 percent, To Potami 8.8 percent, Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 7 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 6.7 percent, ELIA with 5.5, Independent Greeks with 4.1 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 2.8 percent.

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted between 3-5 and on 7 March 2014.

[04] Six investment groups express interest in Piraeus Port share

According to an announcement by the Hellenic Republic Assets Development Fund (TAIPED), the state privatisation agency, they are the following investment groups:

- APM Terminals B.V.

- Cartesian Capital Group, LLC

- COSCO (Hong Kong) Group Limited

- International Container Terminal Services, Inc

- Ports America Group Holdings

- Utilico Emerging Markets Limited

Consultants will evaluate the applications and forward their proposal to TAIPED regarding those candidates who fulfill criteria for participation in the tender's next phase.

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