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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-04Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PM to address Hellenic American Chamber event on Tues. eveningPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis will receive Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak at the Maximos Mansion early in the afternoon, before addressing a conference of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce in the evening. <!--A day earlier, Karamanlis met with Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis for a discussion of foreign policy issues.Bakoyannis told reporters after the meeting that they discussed foreign policy matters, given Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's arrival on a state visit to Greece and the imminent arrival in the evening of Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, as well as a visit by UN special envoy on the FYROM "name issue" Matthew Nimetz, who is currently in Skopje, who is due in Athens after his FYROM visit. Replying to press questions concerning the FYROM "name issue", Bakoyannis said: "I want to hope that they will not persist with their intransigence, so that a solution can be found", adding that the Skopje government will present its views to Nimetz, whereas the Greek side has already, for some time now, adopted a specific policy that is to the benefit of both countries. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.--> [02] Papandreou to meet Mubarak, BabacanPASOK leader George Papandreou addressed a conference of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening, stressing that the government is not preparing society for a tough international economic environment and that major changes are necessary. On Tuesday, Papandreou will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and in the afternoon with Turkish FM Ali Babacan.During his address he noted that a violent redistribution of income is taking place at the expense of the weaker classes, with increases in public utility rates and in indirect taxes, while predicting that there will also be an increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). Papandreou also referred to the social security issue, saying that the government has not submitted its proposals so far and that its intention is not to solve it but to "wash its hands". The PASOK leader went on to say that what is needed for the social security issue to be solved is a new development model and, mainly, the state must fulfill its commitments, that currently amount to eight billion euros. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |