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Friday, 22 November 2024
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The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 02-12-18The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>CONTENTS[01] Weather forecastCloudy and showery weather is forecast in most parts of the country on Wednesday with storms in the Aegean and light snowfall on high ground. Winds variable, moderate, turning strong in parts of the Aegean. In the north, temperatures will range from 01C to 08C; in the west from 04C to 14C; and in the rest of the country from 06C to 15C. Temperatures in Athens between 07C and 13C; and in Thessaloniki from 05C to 08C.(18/12/2002 10:54:00 рм) [02] Parliament discussion on the Cyprus issueA discussion on the Cyprus issue will take place today in Parliament. Prime Minister Costas Simitis asked from all parties to be united, adding that although views varied from party to party on the points to be negotiated, everyone wishes to resolve the Cyprus issue.Mr Simitis described Cyprus' accession to the European Union a major development, adding that the government's next goal was the solution of the Cyprus problem. The Prime Minster also said that irrelevant of the referendum to take place in Cyprus, its accession would not be affected by the result of the referendum. At the same time, the New Democracy President Costas Karamanlis underlined that all Greek political forces contributed to the positive result in Copenhagen, expressing however his reservations as to whether Cyprus' accession to the EU would be combined with the solution of the Cyprus issue. Mr Karamanlis also disagreed totally with the developments on the issue of the Euro force. From her side, the Secretary General of the Greek Communist party Aleka Papariga described United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annnan's plan a blackmailing dilemma, reiterating that Cyprus' partitioning had become official in Copenhagen. Synaspismos party leader Nikos Konstanopoulos stated that the decisions taken in Copenhagen open positive prospects for the Cyprus issue. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated that a draft bill regarding thte Foreign Policy Council will be tabled at Parliament soon. Finally, in Turkey the Justice and Development party supports the continuation of discussions for Cyprus Mr Tayep Erdogan reiterated, expressing the hope that the discussions would lead to a solution. At the same time, the representative of the Turkish-Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash stated that Mr Denktash appears ready to begin negotiating on Mr Annan's revised plan. (18/12/2002 10:55:00 рм) [03] Discussion on the new state-budgetThe discussion on the new state budget is to begin this afternoon at Parliament and end at midnight on Sunday with the MPs voting by name.Prime Minister Costas Simitis described the voting of the budget a confidence vote, describing New Democracy party President Costas Karamanlis' statements on the new state budget demagogic rhetoric, aiming at creating impressions. From his side, following his meeting with the governor of the Bank of Greece, Mr Karamanlis reiterated that as with the previous budgets, this one was also fictitious, describing a myth what the government maintained regarding the fiscal policy. (18/12/2002 10:57:00 рм) [04] Social Security reforms in the EU insufficient says the CommissionIn its report on the social security systems of the 15 EU member-states the European Commission has described the social security reforms made insufficient, since all of them are facing problems.As of Greece, it is underlined that measures must be taken to combat tax evasion, while the attempted reform on the pension system in 2002 is described as a positive step, but still ineffective, for which additional efforts must be made. The report ends describing the promotion of structural changes in the social security and pension system an urgent need, while Greece is accused of not having managed to boost employment. (18/12/2002 10:59:00 рм) The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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