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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 01-05-10
From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>
CONTENTS
[01] Greece 20 years in the European Union
[02] European future for the Balkans says Karamanlis
[03] Simitis to present a clear picture of the Greek economy
[04] Unconditional dialogue for Social Security System issue
[05] Law allows the stay of thousands of foreigners in Greece
[06] Work stoppage and strikes in hospitals
[07] Opposition against draft bill regarding the upgrading of Technological
[08] Archbishop Christodoulos in Moscow
[09] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos receives Archbishop of American
[10] Military exercises
[11] Opinion poll shows 49,3% of Greeks dissatisfied with Greek government
[12] Samson dies in Cyrpus yesterday
[13] New prices on fuel as of today
[14] 1,35% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday
NEWS IN ENGLISH ERA 5 - THE VOICE OF GREECE
10/5/2001 1:57:00 μμ
[01] Greece 20 years in the European Union
During his speech at Zappeion mansion yesterday commemorating the 20th
aniversary from Greece?s accession to the European Union, Prime
minister Costas Simitis said that Greece proved to be a factor of
stability, peace and cooperation in the Balkans. Mr. Simitis also
referred to the European vision of a competitive economy with social
cohesion and security. Present at the event were the President of the
Hellenic Republic Constantinos Stephanopoulos, Foreign minister Yiorgos
Papandreou and Foreign Undersecretary Elisavet Papazoi. In the
meantime, Mr. Papandreou informed the United Nations Secretary General
Kofi Anan about Greece?s intention to acquire a seat at the United
Nations Security Council for the period 2005-2006.
[02] European future for the Balkans says Karamanlis
During the meeting of the Parliamentary Group of the European Popular
party in Thessaloniki yesterday, New Democracy President Costas
Karamanlis stressed that the future of the Balkans could only be
European. He also pointed out that Greece should undertake initiatives
towards that direction, as well see that peace and security could be
established in the region. In tandem, he asked for the denunciation of
extremist groups in Skopje.
[03] Simitis to present a clear picture of the Greek economy
During a Cabinet meeting yesterday, the participants discussed the
stance Prime Minister Costas Simitis would adopt during today
discussion in Parliament on the course of the Greek economy. According
to government spokesman Dimitris Reppas, the Prime Minister will try to
present a clear picture of the Greek economy on the occasion of the
completely wrong views presented by the New Democracy party on the
issue.
[04] Unconditional dialogue for Social Security System issue
Political party leaders will participate in a discussion on the Social
Security System in Parliament today. Prime Minister Costas Simitis is
expected to call on all sides to partipate in an uncondinional dialogue
on the issue. During a Cabinet meeting yesterday, the government?s
position for an unconditional dialogue on the Social Security issue was
reaffirmed once more.
Following the end of the meeting government spokesman Dimitris Reppas
said that state financing of the Social Security System should be taken
for granted, stressing that the government insisted for a dialogue with
the Trade Unions and other organisatinons.
From his side, National Economy minister Yiannos Papantoniou proposed
the creation of a Social Security Fund, which would be financed from
tax revenues and revenues from privatizations.
[05] Law allows the stay of thousands of foreigners in Greece
Thousands of foreigners, who are living and working in Greece, will be
allowed to stay in Greece according to the new law for immigrants which
will be valid from June 2. The immigrants will have to submit the
supporting documents within two months.
[06] Work stoppage and strikes in hospitals
Due to the six-hour work stoppage of employees in all public hospitals
in Athens and Greece, they will function with sceleton staff today,
while employees of the rest hospitals have staged a 24-hour strike.
The employees are demanding a rise in their salaries, more staff to be
hired and the withdrawal of the measures regarding the Socical Security
System.
[07] Opposition against draft bill regarding the upgrading of Technological
Institutes
During the discussion on the upgrading of the Technological Institutes
in Parliament yesterday, Education minister Petros Efthymiou went ahead
with ammendments on the draft-bill regarding the incorporation of the
Technological Institutes to University Education. Mr. Efthymiou
accepted the political parties demand to describe the Technological
Institutes as non University ones in the draft bill, but to be excluded
in its provisions, satisfying thus the the demand of the Professors of
the Technological Institutes. All political parties are against the
draft bill, since as they maintain it does not clarify crucial issues
and it does not achieve the real incorporation of the Technological
Institutes to University Education. From their side, University
Professors will meet today to decide on their stance in the future. In
the meantime, the Agronomic School and the University and Technical
University of Crete will remain closed today.
[08] Archbishop Christodoulos in Moscow
During his meeting with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece
Christodoulos in Moscow yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Poutin
reiterated Russia' s support on the Cyprus issue.
[09] Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos receives Archbishop of American
Dimitrios
Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos received the committee responsible
for the revision of the Constitution of the Archbishopric of America
headed by Archbishop of America Dimitrios in Fanari yesterday.
[10] Military exercises
The yearly military exercise of the Greek Navy "Thunderstorm 2001",
which began last Monday will end on May 12. Besides, another military
exercise codenamed "Sarisa 2001" will begin in Central Macedonia
tomorrow and will end on May 17.
[11] Opinion poll shows 49,3% of Greeks dissatisfied with Greek government
According to the results of the opinion poll of "Kapa Research"
presented by NET Television yesterday, Prime minister Costas Simitis
and New Democracy party leader Costas Karamanlis are considered as
equally capable for the post of Prime ministers Both received 36,1%,
while New Democracy party is ahead with 9 units. 49,3% of those asked
said that they were not satisfied with the government.
[12] Samson dies in Cyrpus yesterday
Nikos Samson, the Cypriot who cooperated with the Greek junta in 1974
and led the coup detat in Cyprus died at the age of 66 in Nicosia
yesterday.
[13] New prices on fuel as of today
New prices on fuel were implemented as of today. Specifically, unleaded
will be sold by 5 drachmas more expensive per litre, while diesel oil
will go up by 1 drachma.
[14] 1,35% drop in Athens Stock Exchange yesterday
The General Share Price Index of the Athens Stock Exchange yesterday
dropped by 1,35%, closing at 3.112,90%.
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