Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-09

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly President Rene van der Linden visiting Athens

[02] FM briefs President on foreign policy issues

[03] Papandreou steps up criticism of gov't

[04] Deputy FM meets Ukrainian counterpart

[01] CoE's Parliamentary Assembly President Rene van der Linden visiting Athens

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday met with the President of the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly, Rene van der Linden, who held talks earlier in the day with Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis. The European official also met in the morning with Parliament President Anna Benaki-Psarouda, main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Secretary General Aleka Papariga and Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party leader Alekos Alavanos.

Benaki-Psarouda underlined the special value of the Council of Europe as an organisation that is working for democracy, the institution of Parliament and human rights in the European Union during her meeting with Linden.

"Enabling the Council of Europe to continue and increase its activity for the benefit of democracy all over Europe, from the East to the West, is our joint effort. The presence of Mr. van der Linden in Greece strengthens the role of National Parliaments, which are the genuine voices of peoples and must play a special role in the history of Europe," she said.

Van der Linden referred to the role of National Parliaments in the framework of Europe, as well as to the need to strengthen the role of the Council, which promotes democracy, legal order and respect for human rights.

The issue of the reactions caused in the Moslem world as a result of the cartoons concerning the Prophet Mohammed was also discussed during the meeting.

Benaki-Psarouda condemned the use of force, saying that "freedom is a basic right of man, which is expressed with movement and expression, but respect for religious beliefs and of credos is also a right which must be equally protected. It is our duty to secure a balance between these two rights and to develop the responsibility of those exercising them."

Van der Linden also pointed out that "on the one hand we must defend freedom of the press and on the other respect for culture and religion."

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[02] FM briefs President on foreign policy issues

"We advocate a solution that will reunite the island, and are in favour of the economic reinforcement of the Turkisy Cypriots, provided the Cypriot principles on this matter are respected. If there is any isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, that is due to the (Turkish) occupation (of the northern part of Cyprus)," Molyviatis said.

Asked to comment on his meeting Wednesday with US ambassador in Athens Charles Ries and whether the phone-tapping issue was discussed, Molyviatis replied that "we have nothing to discuss with the US on this matter."

Referring to the phone-tapping issue in general, Molyviatis said that "the Greek diplomatic and consular authorities have standing orders to assist every Greek citizen who approaches them with a lawful request."

Questioned on the prospect of a government reshuffle, the foreign minister said "I shall not be the one to make statements on a matter that is at the exclusive discretion of the prime minister."

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[03] Papandreou steps up criticism of gov't

He spoke during address during a Parliament session convened to debate the issue of a heating oil subsidy, which PASOK favors.

"The prime minister does not want, cannot, and doesn't tolerate the democratic domain of Parliament," the former foreign minister said.

He also dismissed charges by National Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis that PASOK was attempting to undermine the government's economic policy vis-?-vis the EU Commission.

In response, Deputy Economy Minister Petros Doukas said:

"You asked where the prime minister was. Well, he's working day and night to lift the country back on its feet from the tragic state that you left behind."

The deputy minister also took umbrage with Papandreou's charge that the government is attempting to classify Greek citizens into "patriots" and "untouchables", saying the remark takes the country's political life back 40 years.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[04] Deputy FM meets Ukrainian counterpart

According to a ministry statement, Valinakis expressed Greece's support of Ukraine's efforts to strengthen ties with Euro-Atlantic organisations, stressing however, that this must be based on the country's progress in implementing economic and political reforms.

Greece, as a member of the EU, supports the strengthening of democratic institutions, reforms, and the fight against corruption in Ukraine, Valinakis said.

According to the ministry, the two officials also discussed Ukraine's negotiations with the EU for the simplification of issuing visas, while Valinakis said that Greece hoped for an agreement soon, and referred to Greece's support and active role within the EU to contribute towards this end.

Finally, Valinakis and Buteiko confirmed the very good relations existing between the two countries and agreed to further develop them in areas of mutual interest.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

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