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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 00-01-11
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <ert.ntua.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] HEALTH CARE SERVICES ON THE ALERT
[02] GREECE AND ITALY PROMOTE THEIR COOPERATION
[03] SIMITIS-D'ALEMA IN AN EVENT AT THE ATHENS UNIVERSITY
[04] SIMITIS EXAMINES NATIONAL ISSUES
[05] NO RIFT BETWEEN ATHENS AND NICOSIA
[06] ADMISSION TO THE EMU MORE IMPORTANT THAN ELECTIONS
[07] NEW DEMOCRACY EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
[08] TRIBUTE TO HARILAOS TRIKOUPIS' MEMORY
[09] THE GREEK COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH PORTUGUESE MINISTERS
[01] HEALTH CARE SERVICES ON THE ALERT
Greek health care services are on the alert to deal with the flu virus
which has hit hundreds of thousands of people throughout Europe. In
Italy, 2 million people, who have got the flue were hospitalised. At
the same time, the hospitals in the biggest Italian cities have no free
beds. The flue has also hit the United States, where according to an
anouncement of the Health Centre in Atalanta the number of patients is
not big enough to rise concern. So far, in Greece, only the usual
viruses have appeared, the main symptom being a high temperature.
However, doctors say these viruses are not related to the epidemic that
has hit the rest of Europe.
[02] GREECE AND ITALY PROMOTE THEIR COOPERATION
Joint action by Greece and Italy in the Balkans is among the issues
scheduled for discussion by the Greek prime minister, Kostas Simitis,
and his Italian counterpart, Massimo D'Alema, who arrived in Athens on
an official visit yesterday. In the meantime, a Greek-Italian agreement
regarding the cooperation of the two countries' police forces for
combatting crime was signed by the two Public Order ministers in Rome
yesterday. The Greek Public Order minister Michalis Chrysohoides stated
that the agreement will allow for a common cooperation within the
framework of decisions of the summit Council in Tampere, as well as
Messers Simitis and D'Alema proposal for the adoption of a common
policy on security issues.
[03] SIMITIS-D'ALEMA IN AN EVENT AT THE ATHENS UNIVERSITY
In an event held at the Athens University, where Premier Costas Simitis
and his Italian counterpart Masimo D' Alema delivered speeches, Mr.
Simitis spoke of the formation of a new relation between development
and social protection and the modernisation and upgrading of the Social
Welfare system, adding that they all form the axis of a
socialist-progressive policy for the 21st century. Mr. Simitis pointed
out that the cohesion of the Greek society is the most qualitative
element of life in Greece, underling at the same time the dangers
encountered for democracy in the case the mass media tried to control
the public opinion.
From his side, Mr. D' Alema stressed the "Left" is making a mistake by
considering
Globalisation as a demon, desribing at the same time as wrong its
over-liberal consideration. He also said that politics should play its
role again, since with developments in economy, it has lost its
omnipotence. Mr. D'Alema appeared optimistic as regards Greece's entry
to the European Monetary Union and described the Greek government's
stance in the Helsinki summit as brilliant and courageous.
[04] SIMITIS EXAMINES NATIONAL ISSUES
The Premier Costas Simitis met yesterday with the Foreign minister
Yiorgos Papandreou and Alternate Foreign minister Christos Rokophylos
to plan and examine the government's priorities as regards important
national issues. According to information, the three men examined
Greek-Turkish relations after the Helsinki summit, the Cyprus issue in
view of the second round of talks in Geneva, developments in the
Balkans as well as issues related to the Middle East. They also
discussed about the Foreigm minister's imminent trip to Ankara on 20
and 21 January, where 4 agreements concering the so-called issues of
"low policy" will be signed with Turkey.
[05] NO RIFT BETWEEN ATHENS AND NICOSIA
Following the Greek Premier Costas Simitis' advisor Yiorgos Pandayias'
explanation regarding an article of his, which caused Nicosia's
reaction, the Cypriot government underlined that there exist no
differences between Greece and Cyprus as regards a solution of the
Cyprus issue, which will be promoting the establishment of a bizonal,
bicommunal federation. After Mr. Pandayia's explanations, the Cypriot
spokesman Michalis Papapetrou stated that Athens and Nicosia's goals
remained the same. In the meantime, the Greek Foreign minister Yiorgos
Papandreou, who is arriving in Nicosia today, will have discussions
with the Cypriot government.
[06] ADMISSION TO THE EMU MORE IMPORTANT THAN ELECTIONS
The government spokesman Dimitris Reppas has said that the election
date was not among the governments priorities and urged against any
talk about this issue. The government, he added, would not allow anyone
jeopardise the country's admission to the Economic and Monetary Union.
[07] NEW DEMOCRACY EXTRAORDINARY CONGRESS
The New Demcoracy party executive committee yesterday met to discuss
issues related to the extraordinary party congress announced by the
party President Costas Karamanlis. They discussed the problems of the
Greek economy in the post EMU era and the party's proposals on the
country 's major problems. Meanwhile the independent deputy and former
New Demcoracy leading member Vassilis Kondoyiannopoulos yesterday said
that the New Demcoracy party was a leader- centred party and added he
might join PASOK.
[08] TRIBUTE TO HARILAOS TRIKOUPIS' MEMORY
A two volume album on Harilaos Trikoupis' life and work was presented
to journalists yesterday by the Speaker of the House Apostolos
Kaklamanis. The album was a tribute to the memory of this major Greek
statesman who dominated the country's political life in the second half
of the 19th century as a diplomat, minister and seven times Prime
minister.
[09] THE GREEK COMMISSIONER MEETS WITH PORTUGUESE MINISTERS
The Greek Commissioner on issues related to Employment and Social
Affairs Anna Diamandopoulou had an important meeting with three
Portuguese ministers in Lisbon yesterday. The meeting took place
within the framework of Portugal's resumption of the European Union
Presidency. Mrs. Dimandopoulou met the Labour and Solidarity minister
Fero Rodrigez, the Science and Technology minister Mariano Gango and
Maria de Belem minister of equality. Special emphasis was given on
issues related to the viable pension system in the European Union
countries, employment through the use of information systems and the
coordination for the creation of new jobs. For this reason, 15 events
will take place in first half of 2000.
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