The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 06-04-14

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Friendly Meeting Greek-Bulgarian Agreement

On Friday morning, Greece PM Kostas Karamanlis and his Bulgarian counterpart, Sergei Stanishev, signed a proclamation of friendship and collaboration. The agreement includes the establishment of a common mechanism for dealing with natural disasters, as was the case recently with the River Evros floods, as well as opening up a new border crossing in Kyprinos, Evros. In a joint Press conference, Kostas Karamanlis stressed that the agreement outlines the new context of Greek-Bulgarian relations. "Both sides aim to seal the excellent collaboration, which will be upgraded in the context of the EU. We supported the neighbouring countrys European prospects and wish to welcome it as a new equal member of the Union in 2007," said Kostas Karamanlis. He also added, "We agreed to support the European course of the West Balkans, while we exchanged views over the Kosovo regime," thanking his Bulgarian counterpart. On the other hand, Sergei Stanishev thanked the Greek presidency for its initiatives concerning Bulgarias European progress, noting, "The collaboration between the two countries is developing continuously on all levels." He also added, "The two Governments will continue talks on those matters, focusing on the negotiations for Kosovos regime. [] The solution would have to guarantee stability in the area." During the second day of his visit to Bulgaria, Kostas Karamanlis also met with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov.

Arriving in Kilkis on Friday Afternoon

Kostas Karamanlis discussed with the Bulgarian side the problem concerning the waters of the River Evros, while on the other hand, the Bulgarian President asked Greece to recognise Bulgarian driving licences.

The Greek PM is accompanied by Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and State Minister Thodoros Roussopoulos. In the afternoon, Karamanlis will embark on a tour of Kilkis, where he will visit the local hospital and the Prefecture headquarters, while he is scheduled to speak at an event in the evening. On the weekend, the Greek PM will visit Thessaloniki.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

Greek PM in Bulgaria

[02] While Flying over the Corinthian Gulf Mirage 2000 Missing

Sources: NET

The alarm has sounded at the Hellenic Air Force General Staff to locate a Mirage 2000 fighter plane, which disappeared from radar on Friday morning, five minutes after having taken off from Tanagra military airport. The Mirage disappeared a little at 9:07pm, while it was flying over the Corinthian Gulf. A little after takeoff, the pilot reported mechanical failure in the planes computer. A sea, land and aerial operation is underway to locate the pilot, while the search is mainly concentrated in the Yliki-Elikonas-Galaxidi triangle. Due to the low cloud cover, the aerial search is quite difficult, so land forces have rushed to the area. In the meantime, National Defence Minister Vangelis Meimarakis, who was onboard Navy frigate Hydra watching a Navy drill, is returning to the Ministry. Three helicopters, a C-130, a Navy surveillance ship, a torpedo boat and port police craft are assisting in the operation. The plane was en route to Italy, where it was to take part in a drill.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[03] In POE-OTA, KEPs and the PPC Triple Strike Front

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

The PPC (Public Power Corporation) employees are staging a strike on Friday, demanding pay rises over the 2006 inflation rate, while they have scheduled a rally at 10:00am in Chalkokondyli Street. In the meantime, teachers from music schools and schools of private tuition blocked Mitropoleos street, in front of the Education Ministry, a little after 11:30am. Meanwhile, employees in POE-OTA (Panhellenic Federation of Workers Associations of Local Government) and KEPs (Citizens Service Centres) are continuing their collective actions. At 10am, the Federation will meet with PASOK secretary Mariliza Xenogiannakopoulou at the partys headquarters, while at 4pm it will convene anew to decide on future actions. On Thursday, employees at KEPs, who are demanding reinstatement of their labour relations and permanent status for all contract workers, marched towards the Interior Ministry, while earlier they had gathered outside the Supreme Court, on the occasion of the appeal hearing to reverse the rulings issued by the First Instance Court in favour of the contract workers.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

Related News:

KEPs still on Strike

Refuse Collectors Insist on Strike

[04] Biministerial Meeting on Partnerships

Sources: ΝΕΤ

The Biministerial Committee on Public and Private Sector Partnerships is convening chaired by Economy Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis. Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas, Education Minister Marietta Giannakou and Deputy Public Works Minister Themistoklis Xanthopoulos are also attending the meeting. The proposals on the construction of some 27 school complexes submitted by the School Building Organisation (OSK) are to draw the attention of the meeting.

[05] At 30 People Missing Eight Killed in Colombian Mudslides

By Athina Saloustrou

At least eight people were killed and another 30 are missing after a mudslide swept over a small town in the countrys south. The town of Bendiciones in Valle province was buried under tonnes of mud, following the heavy rains that afflicted the area. The rescue crews have recovered eight bodies so far, however there are fears that the death toll will increase, since many people are still missing. About 50 people have been killed and thousands left homeless by flash floods and mudslides so far in Colombias wet season, which weather forecasters say will last until June.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[06] Following a Nighttime Ambush Iraq: 30 Police Officers Missing

By Athina Saloustrou

As per the countrys Interior Minister and police sources, insurgents ambushed an Iraqi police convoy with a roadside bomb close to Baghdad and the authorities are trying to determine if there are any victims. The same sources fear that at least 30 police officers were killed or are missing following the attack late Thursday. The convoy was ambushed en route to Najaf.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

[07] Olympiacos Bade Farewell to Prague

By Vasilis Kalpinos

Olympiacos missed the chance to qualify for Euroleagues Final Four in Prague, after losing to Maccabi in Tel Aviv 77-73 in the third and last quarterfinal. The Greek team fought well against the two-time defending European Champions throughout the game, but they could not hold on to the end. So, Maccabi took the ticket to the basketball event in Prague to defend their title once again. The Israelis will have to go past Spanish Tau on April 2 to advance to the final. The score per period: 26-24, 44-42, 62-58, 77-73.

Translated by Areti Christou

[08] Fourth H5N1 Death in Egypt

By Mary Lou Tzempelikou

Sources: BBC - NET - ANA

Concerns are growing in Egypt following the death of an 18-year-old woman, who passed away Thursday of avian flu, increasing the number of victims to four. On Thursday night, the Authorities announced the death of the woman, who was being hospitalised since Monday, while her health had already gravely deteriorated when she was admitted into hospital. As per the news agency MENA, the woman was living in a province north of Cairo, while a total of 12 human cases have been reported in Egypt so far. According to the Egyptian authorities, the H5N1 virus first surfaced in birds in February, while the first human case was reported a month later. Egypt is a significant crossroad for migratory birds, while along with Turkey they constitute the two countries outside Asia to have been hit the worst by the virus.

WHO Voices Concerns

The Egyptian Government has launched a campaign to raise public awareness, as the citizens continue to slaughter domestic birds, without following basic hygiene regulations.

Out of the 12 people infected, four passed away, five recovered and three remain hospitalised. The World Health Organisation has voiced its concerns over the deaths, which occurred within such a small time span, while Egypt has culled over 10 million birds and banned domestic poultry farms.

The measures also affected Cairos Zoo, which closed down in February, when it was discovered that several birds had been infected.

Translated by Vicky Ghionis

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