The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 08-05-06

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Crucial Talks Ahead

06 May 2008 09:32:00

Sources: ΝΕΤ 105.8, ANA-MPA

The deal to sell extra OTE (Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation) shares to Deutsche Telecom has prompted a week of intensive talks and acrimonious political wrangling.

Greek Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis made it clear that the Greek state would not abolish its veto rights over matters of national interest, the states ownership threshold has been set at 5%.

Transport and Communication Minister Kostas Xatzidakis said that the agreement meant to cement OTE and provide Greek citizens with better services.

In the meantime, the OTE personnel has been on a 48-hour strike since Tuesday morning, while they are planning to hold a rally in central Athens at 1pm.

Reacting to the deal, the Greek opposition parties speak of the sell-off of the Organisation. PASOK (Panhellenic Socialist Movement) blasted the Government for a scandalous transaction, while SYRIZA (Coalition of the Radical Left) labeled it as a tragicomic situation.

Translated by Areti Christou

Related News:

Crucial Week for OTE Talks

[02] Inner Cabinet Session on Defence Affairs

Sources: ANA-MPA

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis will meet Tuesday morning at 10 with the Ministers of National Defence and Finance, V. Meimarakis and G. Alogoskoufis respectively, as well as with Foreign Affairs Minister Dora Bakoyannis to discuss the military equipments the nation needs in the near future.

An inner Cabinet meeting will take place about an hour later to reflect on matters pertaining to the Defence Ministry. Defence Minister V. Meimarakis is expected to unveil a draft law on the Greek armed forces ranking system.

Asked whether the proposal whereby young males should be recruited at the age of 18 to perform their military service, Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said that the issue had been discusses and that the Defence Minister had repeated commented on that. "Proposals are being processes. No decision has been taken yet," noted Roussopoulos.

Later on Tuesday, the Prime Minister will join a parliamentary debate on Constitutions provisions that are meant to be revised.

Translated by Areti Christou

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article