Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-07-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece, Turkey seeking convenient date for Greek PM to visit Ankara

[02] Greek FinMin optimistic over Helenic Telecom's outlook

[03] President Papoulias attends swearing-in of new diplomats

[01] Greece, Turkey seeking convenient date for Greek PM to visit Ankara

Asked to comment on recent opinion polls in Greece and abroad that indicated that Greeks and many Europeans opposed Turkey's future membership in the European Union, Koumoutsakos noted that the polls had some weight and reflected the desires of public opinion at the specific time of the poll. However, he explained, the time when Turkey's accession would be decided was still at least 10 years away, and that was when the issue would be definitively decided.

He said that the Greek policy on the issue, which was endorsed by the country's political parties, "serves the national interests and stability", and stressed that "our policy can be summed up in four words: Full conformity-full accession".

Asked whether the recent KYSEA (government council for foreign affairs and defence) decision for the purchase of US-made jetfighters for the Hellenic Armed Forces reflected an 'Atlantic (NATO) turn' in Greek foreign pollicy, Koumoutsakos said that the "European component" comprised the "backbone" of Greek foreign policy and the country's orientation.

Athens, he added, was consistently in favour of all the policies that reinforce Europe's role and voice in the world, and expressed surprise at the characterisation of Greek foreign policy as "pro-Atlantic".

[02] Greek FinMin optimistic over Helenic Telecom's outlook

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Hellenic Telecomsā president Panagis Vourloumis, Alogoskoufis stressed that an agreement reached in May between the organisationās board and workers was an historic moment for OTE and the economy, while it proved the many positive results of striving for consensus in major economic issues. ?This consensus had positive effects for the economy and the society, with citizens being the main beneficiaries,? he said. Alogoskoufis added that offering Greek students low price access to the Internet was proof of the benefits to citizens.

Speaking to reporters, Vourloumis said the meeting discussed the progress of OTE's restructuring programme and stressed that the Greek state has a big equity participation in the organization and has a direct interest on OTEās progress.

[03] President Papoulias attends swearing-in of new diplomats

In a brief address, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis said that the principles of Greece's foreign policy were "peace, friendship and cooperation with all and especially with neighbours, respect for international legality and international law, respect for human rights and democracy".

The minister also welcomed the presence of President Papoulias at the foreign ministry, noting that he had been one of the longest-serving foreign ministers of Greece in the country's recent history.

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