Athens News Agency: News in English, 01-06-17

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Weather Forecast-Monday

[02] President-Honourary Plaque

[03] First ever twinning of Greek and Turkish municipalities celebrated

[04] DM does not exclude various candidates for PASOK's presidency

[05] Acropolis Rally - Colin McRae win

[06] Weather - Sunday

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

[01] Weather Forecast-Monday

Fair weather is forecast throughout the country on Monday with local cloud in the west and north in the afternoon. Winds westerly northwesterly light to moderate. Temperatures will range between 16C and 33C in the west and north, 19C and 36C in the rest of continental Greece and 21C and 34C in the Aegean islands. Temperatures in Athens will range between 22C and 36C and in Thessaloniki between 18C and 33C.

[02] President-Honourary Plaque

President Kostis Stephanopoulos received an honourary plaque at an event organised by the Local Union of Municipalities and Communities of the Achaia precture on Saturday night noting that he has limited powers and can do little.

"Of course, it is never appropriate for executive powers to be given to a president. However, more regulatory powers could be given," he said.

President Stephanopoulos said corruption does not exist in the highest ranks of politics but of administration, adding that public administration should be rid of "this shame".

"We are currenty experiencing the most calm period of democracy in the country. I am confident that we shall continue to improve and promote democracy which should shine because there is no ideal type for this form of government," he further said.

Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis also addressed the event and referred to politicians from the Achaia area which include two presidents of the republic and 13 prime ministers and underlined their contribution to the nation.

[03] First ever twinning of Greek and Turkish municipalities celebrated

The municipalities of Gera, on the Greek island of Lesvos, and of Altinoluk in Turkey were twinned on Saturday in the first twinning of municipalities from the two countries in the history of Greek-Turkish relations.

The event was attended by Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos, Minister of the Aegean Nikos Sifounakis, mayors and representatives of social agencies and of the political world.

Gera Mayor Voyiatzis said "our act does not constitute an intervention in the foreign policies of our governments", adding that it only symbolises the will of the two peoples for peaceful cohabitation in the Aegean.

On his part, Altinoluk Mayor Ismail Aynour referred to those who allow a group of provocateurs to intervene between the two peoples and to sow hatred, saying that "we should not allow anyone to think he can turn back the river of friendship we have created, confirming the traditions of centuries."

Vartholomeos blessed the twinning of the two municipalities and planted an olive tree together with the two mayors, while saying that "we believe and proclaim that relations between Greeks and Turks should be relations of friendship, cooperation and good neighbourliness in the interest of both countries."

Vartholomeos also addressed cordial greetings to Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and the Greek Church during a service at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mytilene on Sunday.

[04] DM does not exclude various candidates for PASOK's presidency

Defence Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos, in an interview Sunday with the NET television channel's programme "7th Day", left open the possibility of another candidacy, apart from that of Prime Minister and PASOK President Costas Simitis, for PASOK's presidency at the party's upcoming congress which, as he said, will take place in eight months from now.

Tsohatzopoulos said it was self-evident that the incumbent president will be a candidate, adding that "you do not know whether he will be the only candidate. We shall see. Everything is discussed at a congress."

Tsohatzopoulos, commenting on foreign affairs and on a statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem that "an improvement in Greek-Turkish relations is to the benefit of both countries" wondered how this will be achieved "since, despite their various statements, the Turks are not making concessions and are insisting on their unilateral and legally groundless claims against Greece".

Tsohatzopoulos said the key to improving relations between the two countries is "for a political will to exist which will be facilitated now through the process of Turkey's adjustment to the EU."

He further said the decision taken at the European Union's Goteborg summit necessitating a start to the EU's enlargement course after the intergovermental conference, to take place in 2004, is helpful for the prospect of Cyprus's accession to the EU.

Tsohatzopoulos said the key to developments in Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is the stance to be obserbed by the Albanian people and the Albanian government.

He also said the government's decision for Greece to participate in a NATO military force in FYROM does not deviate at all from Greece's steadfast policy on the avoidance of military intervention in neighbouring Balkan countries.

In an interview with the Sunday edition of "Eleftherotypia" as well, Tsohatzopoulos referred to the PASOK government's course, saying that there is ground for the climate to be reversed provided there is speed in defining a new action plan and determination and boldness in taking decisions.

Tsohatzopoulos said "the 12th hour which will sound final failure has not arrived for the government."

On the question of the government's "left turn", he said "it cannot take place with words and old slogans which, indeed, are not compatible with the lips voicing them."

He added that it could be understood with specific social measures and tangible proof which the citizen will meet every day on the way to his work.

Tsohatzopoulos further said a government reshuffle should take place and should not be a target in itself but a symbolism for a new start, adding that it should include new persons from the parliamentary group.

Referring to himself, the defence minister sees himself undertaking either the foreign ministry or the national economy ministry or the position of deputy prime minister with parallel responsibility for an important portfolio.

[05] Acropolis Rally - Colin McRae win

Scottish driver Colin McRae barely edged his Ford team mate Carlos Sainz on the third and last day of the Acropolis Rally, the second consecutive year that the Scotsman has won the race.

Norwegian Petter Solberg, driving a Suburu Impreza, came in second.

[06] Weather - Sunday

Sunny weather is forecast for throughout Greece on Sunday, with only light winds in the Ionian and western Greece; north-northwesterly winds, moderate to gusty, in the Aegean. Temperatures in Athens between 22C and 36C; 18C to 33C in Thessaloniki.

[07] Foreign Exchange Rates - Monday

Buying rates until Monday

U.S. dollar 390.231

German mark 172.829

French franc 051.531

Pound sterling 549.632

Irish punt 429.202

Belgian franc 008.379

Luxembourg franc 008.379

Dutch guilder 153.389

Italian lira (100) 017.457

Austrian schilling 024.565

Danish kroner 045.339

Swedish kroner 036.902

Finnish mark 056.852

Spanish peseta 002.032

Portuguese escudo 001.686

Japanese yen (100) 322.741

Swiss franc 221.582

Norwegian kroner 042.263

Cyprus pound 587.824

Canadian dollar 255.224

Australian dollar 205.791

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article