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Friday, 22 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-01-29Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Cabinet approves port reformsThe inner cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday authorized Marine and Island Policy Minister George Voulgarakis to table a framework law in Parliament as soon as possible protecting and guaranteeing the rights of the Piraeus and Thessaloniki Port Authority employees.Voulgarakis briefed the inner cabinet on the reform attempted by the government in the countryâs ports, which aims to bolster the port industry so that it will be able to withstand global competition. The minister stated that the law will offer important incentives for voluntary retirement, while guaranteeing the right of the employees to remain on the job if they wish. In addition, the employees of the Piraeus and Thessaloniki Port Authority Organizations will be given the option to acquire company shares at lower prices. Caption: ANA-MPA file photograph of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis. [02] Erdogan on Karamanlis' visitTurkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' official visit here last week as "extremely useful" for the development of bilateral relations and the deepening of dialogue aiding cooperation between the two neighbours.Speaking to his ruling AKP party's Parliamentary group, Erdogan noted that "we must accept that there are certain historical problems between Turkey and Greece, but the era when such problems were magnified has passedâ¦" "Both countries must trust themselves and the other," he said, noting that his talks with Karamanlis allowed for the one-by-one examination of problems. "We weren't satisfied with just this, however, and we found the opportunity to discuss what we can do jointly, the principles we can create together ⦠we agreed to sidestep the problematic area(s) and to move to the non-problematic area, and at the same time to make an effort for the problem area," he said. The Turkish prime minister added that both countries must realise that the other is not a threat but an "opportunity". "Economic, trade, tourism and energy cooperation are the most attractive fruits of peace and dialogue," he concluded. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (seated) and Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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