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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-01-14Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Govt on election speculation, state utilities, OAThe government spokesman on Wednesday reiterated that he does not comment on issues raised by Parliament deputies, when asked about the criticism launched by ruling New Democracy (ND) MPs regarding so-called "golden boys", a recently coined euphemism for lavishly paid executives in public utility companies or state-affiliated corporations. Regarding statements by ND parliamentary spokesman Panos Panagiotopoulos targeting Public Power Corporation S.A. (PPC) President Takis Athanassopoulos, the government spokesman said he will make a comment when he has something to say regarding public utilities. In answer to the ubiquitous early election question, Antonaros said those responsible are trying to pull attention away from their own political dead-end and are not members of the government. Referring to the imminent dialogue on education, the government spokesman stressed that it will be open and all sides are invited to present their positions. Regarding debt-burdened national carrier Olympic Airlines (OA), Antonaros stressed that Development Minister Costis Hatzidakis -- up until recently the transport minister -- has accumulated knowledge and experience on the issue, however, it now falls under the jurisdiction of the new Transport Minister Evripides Stylianidis.[02] OTE 'optimistic' over '09 courseHellenic Telecommunications Organisation's (OTE) chairman and chief executive, Panagis Vourloumis, on Wednesday expressed optimism over the group's course, both domestic and abroad, despite an international financial crisis currently underway.Speaking to reporters, Vourloumis said his cooperation with Deutsche Telekom (DT) was good, reiterated that Cosmote remained the group's "strong card" and criticised the market regulator's policy, especially towards OTE. Vourloumis announced that there would be a new round of voluntary retirement of employees in the group, although he noted that it would cover a limited number of staff. He confirmed that the group would hire specialised staff (probably around 700) and said that state organisations and ministries owed around 70 million euros to the group. He said a financial crisis would not hit hard the telecommunications sector and announced that an extraordinary general shareholders' meeting would be held February 6. Vourloumis said he intended to remain at his post as head of the organization by next June, "unless" he was forced to leave earlier. The climate of cooperation with Deutsche Telekok was good, he said, adding that cooperation would begin this year in certain sectors, such as procurement. Vourloumis said binding offers in the sale of Cosmofon, Cosmote's subsidiary in FYROM, were expected to be submitted in February and noted that there were currently six candidates in the tender. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of OTE CEO Panagis Vourloumis. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |