Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-07-11

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

CONTENTS

[01] Deputy FM Stylianidis winds up visit to Munich

[02] Extention of shop hours will benefit growth, employment

[03] Interior Minister tours illegal migrants shelter on Lesvos

[04] 8th 'Symi Symposium' begins in Rethymno

[05] BOCOG VP Binghua praises Greece's impeccable Olympics, in meeting with deputy culture minister Petralia

[01] Deputy FM Stylianidis winds up visit to Munich

During his visit, Stylianidis met with Bavarian state minister of economic affairs, infrastructure, transport and technology Dr. Otto Wiesheu, to whom he outlined Greece's economic diplomacy in the wider region of SE Europe.

The two men agreed to the holding, in the near future, of a commercial and business forum with the participation of the Greek and Bavarian Chambers of commerce and industry, in the framework of further reinforcement of bilateral economic relations.

Stylianidis further called on the offices of the Greek Community of Munich, where he discussed overseas Greeks affairs with the community's board of directors.

The Greek deputy minister also met with the deputy prime minister and interior minister of the Bavarian state, Guenther Bechstein, with whom he discussed prospects for cooperation in the security sector between Greece and Bavaria.

Bechstein proposed bilateral contacts at ministerial level in the coming months.

The two men also had an in-depth discussion on the Balkan countries' and Turkey's European course, the European Constitutional Treaty, and the Cyprus issue.

[02] Extention of shop hours will benefit growth, employment

Asked whether the prospect was being examined of shops also opening up on Sunday's, Papathanasiou said that although such a measure was being applied in an increasing number of countries, it was nonetheless not common practive and "the government has decided not to open up this issue, and it is not opening it up".

To a question on whether the government was mulling measures to tackle illegal commerce, Papathanasiou noted that in the past six months, within the limits of the development ministry's authority, 18,000 inspections had been carried out which turned up approximately 1,000 cases of violations, and the lawful sanctions were imposed in those cases.

"We are now reviewing the standing legislation so that, first of all the illegal products will be destroyed," he said, explaining that, the practice up to recently had been that "the State, after paying large sums of money to store (the illegal goods) in warehouses, would put them up on auction, resulting in the (illegal) products re-entering the market, and legally this time".

Secondly, he said, the government was abolishing the "private bazars", from which he said "some crafty individuals made good money and at which illegal comerce was rampant" while, third, in addition to the legal sanctions imposed on such illicit trade to date, administrative sanctions would also be added, namely fines imposed on-the-spot, so that the violator would face immediate punitive action, and repeatedly, if he/she continued the violation.

"not out of obstinacy, but because it believes this will benefit growth, increased turnover and employment, and chiefly because it will render the battle against excessive prices more effective," deputy development minister Yannis Papathanasiou said in an interview with Eleftherotypia newspaper published in the Sunday edition.

Asked whether the prospect was being examined of shops also opening up on Sunday's, Papathanasiou said that although such a measure was being applied in an increasing number of countries, it was nonetheless not common practive and "the government has decided not to open up this issue, and it is not opening it up".

To a question on whether the government was mulling measures to tackle illegal commerce, Papathanasiou noted that in the past six months, within the limits of the development ministry's authority, 18,000 inspections had been carried out which turned up approximately 1,000 cases of violations, and the lawful sanctions were imposed in those cases.

"We are now reviewing the standing legislation so that, first of all the illegal products will be destroyed," he said, explaining that, the practice up to recently had been that "the State, after paying large sums of money to store (the illegal goods) in warehouses, would put them up on auction, resulting in the (illegal) products re-entering the market, and legally this time".

Secondly, he said, the government was abolishing the "private bazars", from which he said "some crafty individuals made good money and at which illegal comerce was rampant" while, third, in addition to the legal sanctions imposed on such illicit trade to date, administrative sanctions would also be added, namely fines imposed on-the-spot, so that the violator would face immediate punitive action, and repeatedly, if he/she continued the violation.

[03] Interior Minister tours illegal migrants shelter on Lesvos

While on the large island, Pavlopoulos visited a shelter for the temporary hosting of illegal immigrants, as hundreds have landed on the island over the past decade from the opposite Turkish coast.

"What's important on the issue of illegal immigration is to take preventative measures, because illegal immigration does not only mean a person risking his life, but unfortunately, it points to a type of modern-day slave trade, which is unacceptable for our civilisation," he said, while noting that the Greek government will continue to upgrade such facilities and to treat migrants with respect.

Regional heads as well as the high-level ministerial delegation also attended a presentation of the "Theseus" programme for local governments.

[04] 8th 'Symi Symposium' begins in Rethymno

This year's principle theme is entitled "New Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century".

Participants are expected to cover issues such as the democratic deficit in western countries; the role of technology in helping -- or hindering -- democracy; globalisation and its challenges to democratic institutions; views on democracy outside the West; the impact of terrorism on democracy; and how the relationship between religion and politics is being redefined.

In statement circulated by PASOK's press office, Papandreou notes that specifically in terms of democracy, "... we will table certain major questions, from global governance to the major issues of Europe, such as the recent referenda for the European constitution, the terrorist attack London, the relationship between these numerous problems and the lack of democracy as well as with religious fanaticism..." he said.

[05] BOCOG VP Binghua praises Greece's impeccable Olympics, in meeting with deputy culture minister Petralia

Petralia, who is visiting Beijing on the official invitation of the Chinese government, toured the main Olympic Stadium, the "heart" of the Beijing Games, and noted that China was proceeding at a rapid and intence pace in its Olympics preparations.

She said that Greece could transfer knowhow and experience to China's preparations, adding that "we are on a path of close cooperation" between the two countries.

Petralia said that the Olympics cooperation between Greece and China was "an important bridge between two great civilisations", giving a new dimension to the relationship developing between the two countries.

The Chinese people observed with great interest the "exceptionally successfull and unforgettable Olympic Games of Athens", Binghua said. "We are very impressed by Athens' Olympics organisation," he added, explaining that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies would be held at the National Olympic Stadium, nicknamed "Bird's Nest", just as they were held at Athens' OAKA stadium in 2004, as well as the soccer final.

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