The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-05-03

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

3/5/2001 1:44:00 μμ

NEWS HEADLINES

Pope John Paul II to visit Greece Simitis addresses PASOK party Parliamentary group on Social Security issue Klerides in Greece Rogge praises works regarding Public Transport Discussion on terrorism to begin in Parliament Sheldon on an official visit to Greece Meeting on promoting Greek-Turkish Tourist cooperation Tension regarding the upgrading of Technological Institutes 0,59% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

[01] Pope John Paul II to visit Greece

In the meantime, Greek Catholics express their optimism as regards the importance of the visit believing that it will improve the relations of the two Churches.

They have also stated that during the meeting of representatives of the two Churches the Holy See has shown full understanding to the demands of the Orthodox Church, which derive from the sensitivity of the Greek people and everything was done so that the Vatican would include the Cyprus issue in the joint communique.

At the same time, the Greek Church is taking all measures to deal with the reactions of para-ecclesiastical organisations.

During his stay in Greece, the Pope will meet with the President of the Hellenic Republic Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime minister Costas Simitis, main opposition New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis and Foreign minister Yiorgos Papandreou.

It should be noted that it is the Pontiff 's first visit to Greece following the the separation of the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholic Church and the Schism of the Churches in 1054.

In the meantime, following the invitation of the Metropolitans of Xanthi, Serres and Nigrita, Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos is paying a four-day visit to Thrace beginning from today.

[02] Simitis addresses PASOK party Parliamentary group on Social Security issue

At the same time, the Prime minister said that the time had come fro the government to clearly face tis mission and called on all parties and union leaders to submit their completed proposals.

The Prime minister defended the government 's economic policy and referred to the increase of social expences, describing PASOK as the party of the workers.

However, during the meeting, several deputies critisized the government 's handling of the Social Security issue. At the same time the leading group of the movement was also critisized.

From its side, the New Democracy party stated that the government and the Prime minister continued to ignore their responsibilities, adding that noone had the right to trivialize the social existence of the civilians.

The Greek Communist party Secretary General Aleka Papariga described the dialogue on the Social Security System as an attempt for delusion and asked for the withdrawal of Mr. Sioufa 's bills, while Messers Yiannis Theonas and Mitsos Kostopoulos belonging to the Movement for Unity of the Left Wing anounced their cooperation with the Coalition of the Left Wing and Progress party.

[03] Klerides in Greece

Following his meeting with his Greek counterpart Costis Stephanopoulos, he said that Greece is on the Cypriots' side and consists the sole support for them.

From his side, Mr. Stephanopoulos stressed that the resumption of the Cyprus proximity talks and Cyprus accession to the European Union consisted issues of primary importance to the Greek Foreign policy.

Besides, Mr. Klerides revealed a statue of Archbishop Makarios at Vasilissis Sophia and Alexandra streets.

In the meantime, Turkish jet fighters violated the Greek airspace over Limnos and Kastelorizo yesterday.

[04] Rogge praises works regarding Public Transport

The President of the Coordinating Committee described as very important and difficult the works to be done for transportation demanded for the 2004 Olympics, as 1 million additional people will be using the public transport.

In tandem, he made an appeal to the Athenians to use the public transport instead of their cars during the Olympics, an appeal with which Mr. Verelis agreed.

For that reason bus lanes will be doubled during the 2004 Olympics.

[05] Discussion on terrorism to begin in Parliament

According to these changes the term "criminal organisation" will be reformulated, while the surveillance of homes and business enterprises will be forbiden.

[06] Sheldon on an official visit to Greece

Mr. Sheldon also met with right-wing main opposition party of New Democracy leader Kostas Karamanlis.

According to information, Mr. Sheldon appeared satisfied with the improvement in the Greek-Turkish relations, while Mr. Karamanlis pointed out that there have been no meaningful steps showing a change in Turkey's stance.

[07] Meeting on promoting Greek-Turkish Tourist cooperation

The participants also examined the issue of Greece 's obligations deriving from Shoegen 's treaty.

[08] Tension regarding the upgrading of Technological Institutes

The Presidents of the Technological Institutes had an extraordinary meeting yesterday, while the teachers of Technological Institutes will abstain from their duties today and tomorrow.

[09] 0,59% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday

The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article