Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-07-24

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Papoulias inaugurates exhibition on democracy

[02] European Commissioner Hahn visits Larissa in central Greece

[03] Piraeus Port approves agreement for new investments by COSCO

[01] President Papoulias inaugurates exhibition on democracy

"I want to thank everyone who worked on this exhibition. An excellent exhibition," Papoulias said.

The exhibition, organised by the Library of the Parliament and the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy, under the scientific supervision of special committees, opened its doors on Thursday, July 24, 40 years since the restoration of democracy.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, DIMAR leader Fotis Kouvelis and the secretary general of communist part KKE attended the event.

The president of the parliament Evangelos Meimerakis in his opening speech said "The organization of this exhibition was not a random choice for an anniversary event, but aims to honour in the best possible way ... the protagonists of that period and especially the Greek people who actively participated in the effort to overthrow the dictatorship and embraced the effort for the full restoration of the Democracy."

Meimarakis underlined that all political forces contributed to the restoration of democracy and the country step by step returned to normalcy. "The Greeks proved that when they are united, they can face difficulties," he said adding that this is an example for all of us who are trying to deal with another crisis, an economic crisis that is affecting all the Greek society. Finally, Meimerakis stressed that there is no room for complacency in this ongoing effort.

[In photo, President Papoulias (L) at the E. Venizelos park, the former EAT-ESA military police headquarters, speaking with survivors and relatives of people tortured by the junta. Papoulias laid a wreath at the site on the same day as the opening of the exhibition on democracy at Parliament, as part of commemorative events to mark the fall of the junta 40 years ago.]

[02] European Commissioner Hahn visits Larissa in central Greece

The European Commissioner visited the Regional Authority of Thessaly in the context of his tour of the 13 regions in the country to ensure the effective utilization of structural resources, which are the main sources of public investments in the country, commenting that Greece shows signs of recovery.

As regards the country's regional authorities, he said that their role was crucial to Greece's recovery and, referring to the Region of Thessaly, expressed satisfaction about the absorption rate of community funds.

On the new programming period, he underlined that in 2014-2020 Greece will receive 15.5 billion euros in funds that will have to be used correctly in support of the real economy.

The EU Commissioner noted that there is progress in the Greek economy, adding that everybody in Europe knows that the Greek people are shouldering a big burden.

Hahn visited projects co-financed by the NSRF and local businesses, as well as archaeological sites and a technological educational institute.

Later in the day, he will arrive in the city of Volos, also in central Greece, where on Friday morning he will meet with representatives of the Association of Industries in Thessaly and Central Greece.

[In photo, Hahn at the Varlaam Monastery in Meteora, Kalabaka, in central Greece]

[03] Piraeus Port approves agreement for new investments by COSCO

According to the investment plan, Piraeus Container Terminal S.A. (PCT) – a subsidiary of Cosco Pacific Limited – will build and exploit the West Pier III facilities at the OLP Container Terminal, construct the Petroleum Products Pier and upgrade with new equipment Pier II and East Pier III.

The European Commission has already given the "green light" to Greece for COSCO's new investment in Piraeus, by approving an amicable settlement agreement between COSCO's subsidiary and Piraeus Port Organization (OLP), overcoming the biggest hurdle to expanding Greek-Chinese cooperation in the port of Piraeus.

Under the agreement reached between PCT S.A. and Piraeus Port, the Chinese company will invest an additional 230 million euros, offering huge benefits to the country as it doubled not only the value of the investment but the number of new jobs, creating another 700 jobs and 1,500 jobs indirectly.

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