Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] EXCLUSIVE: PM Tsipras' article on TIF

[02] EXCLUSIVE: ND leader Mitsotakis' article on TIF

[03] Cypriot gov't spox Christodoulides stresses importance of Athens Med Group Summit

[04] Rhodes Conference on Safety and Stability to start on Thursday

[01] EXCLUSIVE: PM Tsipras' article on TIF

Over the years, TIF has managed to become the meeting place of new ideas, innovation and healthy entrepreneurship. It has also become the channel of communication with countries abroad. With our neighbors in the Balkans and beyond.

TIF always had special political significance. The 81st TIF finds the country on the verge of recovery. But the recovery did not come on its own. Growth as well as recession are not natural phenomena. They are the results of political choices.

Our aim is for Greece to stand again on its feet. For this reason, we work daily based on a plan and a vision. Our goal is to return to fair and sustainable growth.

It is time we looked to the future. To visualize our country in the coming years, the next decades. A country free from guardianship, out of the circle of recession and unemployment.

A country of creation, equality and justice. A modern European democracy that can and must play a key role in an area of upgraded importance.

TIF is an excellent opportunity for the political parties to enter into a constructive dialogue about the future of the country and citizens. On our part, as the Greek Government, we are ready to make this start. To talk about our vision for Greece in 2021, a country that is recovering, a country that is being restructured.

The challenge of the future is still open. It is in our hands to win it this time.

[02] EXCLUSIVE: ND leader Mitsotakis' article on TIF

It is particularly positive that the 81st TIF restores the institution of the honored country with Russia. A really important initiative for the future of trade and business relations between the two peoples.

TIF has contributed greatly to the development of an open dialogue between the business and political circles of the country. The proposals and initiatives of the government and the main opposition reflect the course of our country. At the same time it leaves behind a priceless historical document that is judged with absolute clarity by the Greek people.

Moreover, TIF gives the opportunity to refer to the contribution and the importance of Thessaloniki and Northern Greece in the country's perspective, in Europe and in the world.

[03] Cypriot gov't spox Christodoulides stresses importance of Athens Med Group Summit

The group was established three years ago, at the initiative of the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides. "The summit of Athens is the first meeting of the group, held at the level of heads of state and government."

"The summit of the South" is considered essential in view of the forthcoming informal summit meeting of EU leaders to be held in Bratislava on September 16, focused on the future of Europe following the outcome of the British referendum," he stressed.

"The aim of the summit is the positive, constructive and complementary contribution of the Group to this debate," Christodoulides stated.

The Cypriot government spokesman underlined that "another burning issue of the meeting in Athens will be migration, and the need for full respect and implementation of the principle of solidarity between EU member states."

"This issue," he said, "is one of the most critical issues Europe is faced with today, since the Mediterranean countries have to deal with most of the pressure."

Regarding the economy and growth, he noted that "it is particularly important for leaders to express their positions through the exchange of views to make better understand the particularities of the Mediterranean region in defining the Union's future policies. In addition, he noted, there is need for awareness of our other European partners to generate investment prospects in the Mediterranean region.

Christodoulides stressed the important role of the Mediterranean countries to stabilize the European safety structure, since they are the borders of the EU to the Middle East and North Africa.

"In such an unstable region, where there are constant conflicts and where the threat of terrorism always lurks, the Mediterranean basin should become a pillar of peace, stability and cooperation, building bridges between Europe and the Middle East / North Africa," according to the Cypriot government spokesman.

He also stressed that the Summit of Athens "will support the EU efforts to evaluate the new geopolitical conditions in the region and to define the Union's future objectives and priorities for cooperation and joint action in security."

[04] Rhodes Conference on Safety and Stability to start on Thursday

The conference is organised by the Foreign Ministry with the participation of foreign ministers and senior officials of European and Arab states.

The conference, an initiative of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, will attempt to bridge the European and Arab world and create the ground for closer cooperation of South East Europe with key countries in the Middle East and North Africa, which in one way or another how they can play an important role in solving the crisis afflicting the region.

In his inaugural speech, Kotzias will refer to the importance of the meeting for the participating countries, the interconnectedness and interdependence of all in the key region of the eastern Mediterranean, which is facing thorny problems constantly magnified, and will emphasize the need for collective and coordinated action. He will also stress the importance of making the Conference of Rhodes a permanent institution of peace and security dialogue for the whole region.

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