Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] Foreign ministry slams 'flagrant violation of international law' by Turkish navy in Agathonisi

[02] Strikes and work stoppages on Athens public transport on Tuesday, Wednesday

[03] Tempi tunnels shut due to electrical problems

[01] Foreign ministry slams 'flagrant violation of international law' by Turkish navy in Agathonisi

"It is clear that there are forces in Turkey that do not want an understanding and good neighbourly relations between the two countries," the ministry said.

Ministry sources also said criticized the "irresponsibility of some sides in Athens who, instead of recognizing that the meeting in Beijing changed the daily agenda of bilateral talks and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan moved away from his revisionist rhetoric, are trying to fuel tensions by discovering non-existing issues." And added: "Do they want the Turkish President to accept the Lausanne Treaty of not?"

[02] Strikes and work stoppages on Athens public transport on Tuesday, Wednesday

As a result, Athens buses will not be running between 11:00-16:00 on Tuesday, while on Wednesday both buses and trolley buses will only operate for 12 hours, between 9:00 in the morning and 21:00 at night.

Similarly, the city's tram, metro and electric railway lines will only run from 9:00 in the morning until 16:00 in the afternoon on Wednesday, in order to allow strikers to attend rallies in the city centre, while metro trains will stop at Doukissis Plakentias station without continuing on to the airport and the intervening stops.

Trains throughout the country will be at a standstill on Wednesday, including the Proastiakos line serving the Athens airport, due to a 24-hour strike by the railway workers' union federation.

Air-traffic controllers have announced a four-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, with no flights between 11:00 in the morning and 15:00 in the afternoon. The departure and arrival times of many more scheduled flights before and after the work stoppage will be modified. Those planning to travel by air are advised to contact the airline company they are flying with.

Athens buses will then continue strike action on Thursday, when services will only be running between 9:00 and 21:00 on that day.

In announcements regarding their decision to strike, transport-sector staff unions said the agreement reached by the government with Greece's lenders calls for a new tax hikes that will reduce incomes, further cuts to pensions, destruction of the welfare state and the selling-off of public assets, including urban transport companies, to private-sector firms hiring staff with flexible labour terms and low job security.

Earlier today, the Hellenic Seamen's Federation has declared a 48 hour strike in all ship categories for Tuesday and Wednesday. The federation will convene on Tuesday to decide on their next steps. Passengers due to travel in the next days should contact the travel agencies on possible changes or cancellations of their trip.

[03] Tempi tunnels shut due to electrical problems

A press spokeswoman for the company, Irene Zavridou, said the problem was identified at 16:00 and the tunnels were closed to traffic as a precaution. Until repairs are complete, traffic will be diverted onto the old national highway going through the Tempi pass.

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