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Sunday, 22 December 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-15Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] PASOK leader on Cyprus invasion 'anniversary'Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou said it was grievous that for 35 years the Cyprus problem remains open as an issue of invasion and occupation by Turkey, and stressed that the occupation was the "essence" of the Cyprus problem, in a statement on Wednesday on the 35th anniversary of the coup on Cyprus by the military dictatorship ruling Greece at the time, which he added had brought so many tribulations to the island republic and to Hellenism.Speaking in Skiathos, where he is attending the Symi Symposium, Papandreou noted Turkey's stance on the Cyprus issue, while he also outlined the position that the Greek government must maintain at the EU summit in December, during which the EU-Turkey relations will be re-examined. "It is an opportunity for Greece to once again decisively re-determine the EU's relations with Turkey," Papandreou said, and accused the New Democracy government of omitting to say "something that it is its duty to have as its guideline: that no one should take for granted Greece's stance in December". Papandreou opined that a solution to the Cyprus issue presupposes a change of strategic perception on the part of Turkey, which needs to allow the Turkish Cypriots to freely negotiate, themselves, a common future in a reunited Cyprus in the EU, while adding that Turkey, as a candidate country for EU membership, has the obligation to fulfill all its commitments to the EU and, "first of all, to withdraw its occupation forces" from Cyprus. The PASOK leader further said that a ray of hope has recently been cast by Cyprus president Demetris Christofias' vision, which was shared by the entire political leadership of Cyprus, for a reunited European Cyprus without outside interventions, manufactured timetables and arbitration. He also described Turkey's provocative actions in the Aegean and on Cyprus as condemnable. [02] Fire in Sithonia destroys wooded areaThe fire that broke out in the region of Tripotamos in Sithonia Peninsula, Halkidiki Prefecture in northern Greece, was extinguished before noon on Wednesday after destroying roughly 600 stremma of olive trees and pine trees.The causes of the fire, that broke out on Tuesday afternoon, remain unknown and firefighters with volunteers are still in the region to prevent rekindling. [03] President briefed by health ministerPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias was briefed by health minister Dimitris Avramopoulos on Wednesday on the measures that have been taken in light of the worldwide new flu A/H1N1 pandemic, as well as on progress in the ministry's anti-smoking campaign and actions.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Avamopoulos said that vaccination of high-risk groups would begin in early September, with the priority on children up to 15 years of age and elderly with heart and respiratory problems. The children, he added, would be vaccinated in the schools and daycare centers, while the innoculation of the elderly will be the responsibility of the local governments. Avramopoulos said that all steps have been taken so that the local residents and visitors in Greece may feel secure, while the alert and preparedness levels have been increased. He also noted that the largest proportion of new flu sufferers were either tourists or Greeks returning from abroad, adding that their detection had been made possible due to the effectiveness of the controls system in place at the country's borders and gates of entry. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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