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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-10-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Avramopoulos says Greece doing the best it can on asylum procedureThe European Commission will not send an ultimatum to Greece concerning its handling of the asylum procedure for refugees, the EU's Commissioner on migration Dimitris Avramopoulos told journalists in Strasburg on Tuesday, adding Greek authorities are doing their best.The Commission proposed the extension of the temporary internal border controls in five member-states for an additional three months. "Greek authorities are doing their best, with the full support of our services and the Commission generally. I hope and believe that the current situation will not continue in the coming months. No, we will not send an ultimatum to Greece, because they're doing all they can; we are helping and supporting them and we hope than soon, even the asylum procedure will be fully normalized," he responded when asked if the prolongation of the border controls is related to Greece's delays in the handling of migration. He also said that the 60,000 refugees and migrants currently in Greece will not stay there forever. [02] New ferry link between Thessaloniki and Izmir expected to start in 2017Greece and Turkey's transport ministries are expected to sign in the following days a memorandum for a ferry link between Thessaloniki and Izmir, Thessaloniki mayor Yiannis Boutaris said on Tuesday during a meeting of the city council.Boutaris said the new route could start in the first months of 2017 and will bring significant economic and touristic benefits to the city. He made the announcement after a two-day visit to Ankara where he held talks with the Turkish Transport ministry, along with representatives of "Hellenic Seaways". "We started the effort to link Thessaloniki with Izmir in 2011. A lot of talks took place at the level of experts, but the issue was delaying because of the port charges, because in Thessaloniki they totaled 8,000 euros and in Izmir 19,000 euros," he explained. Eventually Turkey lowered its port fee and in the coming days the two sides are expected to sign the MoU. It will be followed by an agreement with the company that will make the route, which will be twice a week and will last 12 hours. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |