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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-02-19
CONTENTS
[01] PM Karamanlis briefed by foreign minister
[02] Russian thanks for ship's tow
[01] PM Karamanlis briefed by foreign minister
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis was briefed on Tuesday by Foreign
Minister Dora Bakoyannis at the Maximos Mansion, the government
headquarters in Athens. Bakoyannis briefed the PM over her recent
visit to the United States, the latest developments in Kosovo and
Monday's related European Council decision, as well as on imminent
proposals by UN mediator Matthew Nimetz on the FYROM "name issue".
Responding to a question by reporters on whether the exercise of a veto
against FYROM NATO membership is imminent, the foreign minister stated:
"we are in the middle of a negotiation. We'll see. I believe that
seriousness and responsibility dictate that we discuss such matters in
the competent bodies and make an announcement when we are ready". On
Kosovo, Bakoyannis cited statements made a day earlier, stressing that
Greece will make its decisions after analysing all developments and
their repercussions on regional security and national interests.
[02] Russian thanks for ship's tow
The Russian Navy General Staff thanked Greece for responding
immediately to the distress call sent out by a Black Sea fleet vessel
that was left rudderless in rough seas off the Aegean island of Ikaria
on Monday. The Russian Navy on Tuesday thanked the Hellenic Navy
general staff and the crew of the frigate "Bouboulina" for the
assistance offered in towing the Russian naval vessel PM-138 to safety
a day earlier. The rescue operation was covered extensively in the
Russian mass media. The Russian vessel, identified as a support and
repair ship, sent out an SOS while sailing 13 nautical miles northwest
of Ikaria, in the eastern Aegean, after reportedly faltering in rough
seas due to engine failure. Two all-weather helicopters, a C-130 plane
and the Hellenic Navy frigate were dispatched to the area. All 106
officers and sailors on board the Russian ship are safe.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of a tugboat operating in the central
Aegean, near the Cyclades of Paros.
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