Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-04-05

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin "fully satisfied" with Australia visit

[02] Cruise ship passengers taken to safety

[01] FinMin "fully satisfied" with Australia visit

Speaking to ANA-MPA, after the conclusion of his talks with government officials in Victoria and New South Wales and his counterpart Peter Costello, the Greek minister said his intention was to underline Greeceās role as an ideal business partner for foreign companies seeking to begin activities in Southeastern Europe.

?As the role of Australia is particularly important in the Southeastern Asia and the Pacific region, Greeceās role is becoming more important each day in Southeastern Europe,? Alogoskoufis said, adding that Australian officials fully acknowledged that Greece was no longer a ?relatively small isolated economy, but the epicenter of a region with a population of 140 million people and with great growth outlook?.

?I underlined to the Federal Economy Minister Mr. Costello Greeceās great capabilities through its ports to promoting commerce throughout the region and offering significant business opportunities to Australian investors,? he said.

The Greek minister noted that foreign investments to Greece doubled last year and stressed that the governmentās economic reforms helped in transforming the Greek economy into a dynamic, open and competitive economy. He expressed his belief that his visit to Australia would contribute in boosting Greek exports, attracting Australian investments to Greece and forge closer commercial and economic relations between the two countries.

Alogoskoufis headed a large business delegation of 32 Greek enterprises. The Greek minister said more than 200 meetings were held with Australian enterprises with very encouraging results. He underlined that Greece would continue its business presence in Australia, particularly in the sectors of building materials and technology, while the country will participate in an international food and beverage trade fair ?Fine Food? to be held in Sydney in September.

Alogoskoufis invited his Australian counterpart to visit Greece.

[02] Cruise ship passengers taken to safety

The shipowner company "Louis Hellenic-Cruises" sent the Greek cruise ship "Perla" to Santorini to take the 1,170 passengers, that is expected to arrive late on Thursday night. Until then, the passengers will be given hospitality at hotels on the island at the company's expense.

The 1,170 passengers and 390 crew of the cruise ship Sea Diamond, that develpoped a list while sailing off the fashionable Aegean island of Santorini on Thursday afternoon, were being taken to the port of Santorini, according to an earlier press release by the Greek merchant marine ministry.

The announcement said that the listing of about 12 degrees occurred at 16:00 hours in the sea region half a nautical mile off the town of Fyra on the island of Santorini as gale force 5 winds were blowing in the area, while Super Puma and Greek Navy helicopters, the cruise ships Ocean Majestic and Aegean 2, tugboats and other vessels sailing in the region rushed to the scene and the people on board have been picked up and taken to the port of Santorini.

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