The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 09-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] K. Papoulias- D. Bakoyiannis Meeting

âThe significant point is that all OSCE members came and we achieved to start Western âRussian rapprochementâ was Mrs. Bakoyiannis response to Mr. Papoulias question regarding the outcome of OSCE Summit on the island of Corfu.

Referring to Ankara's proposal for a package agreement on all problems linked with the Aegean Sea, the Greek Foreign Minister made clear that the issue of the continental- shelf is being discussed on the grounds of international law and agreements that have been signed. Mrs. Bakoyiannis also called on Ankara to respect its obligations following violations of Greek air-space over the islands of Agathonisi and Farmakonisi by Turkish jet fighters and the reactions of the Greek government.

Speaking about her trip to Turkey, Mrs. Bakoyiannis said that she had accepted the invitation by her Turkish counterpart but the exact date of her visit has no been set yet. She also said that talks with Turkey are based on respect to international law and implementation of international agreements, underlining that there was no blank check for EU-Turkey's admission and certainly the issue of illegal immigration which should be dealt. Finally, she stressed that Greece's stance at December EU Summit Meeting regarding Turkey's European orientation could not be predetermined.

Sources: ÍÅÔ, ÍÅÔ 105.8, ÁNA

News item: 24890

[02] Liberalization of Services

The biministerial committee on economy decided the liberalization of services, thus integrating the EU directive into the national law. Finance Minister Giannis Papathanasiou hailed it as a major reform capable of widening the scope of competition, reducing prices, boosting e

âIt is a major step that will boost the Greek economy,â commented Giannis Papathanasiou. More steps regarding closed markets will follow, added he.

Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPAOlder news items: News item: 24889

[03] Prison Guards Referred to Disciplinary Board

According to information, the Justice Ministry has not ruled out assigning investigations into corruption within the prison system to an appellate group.

In the meantime, ring members Panagiotis Vlastos, Ioannis Skaftouros and Vassilis Stefanakos are expected to get a deadline to testify.

Konstantinos Andreou and Ristefci Boban, also members of the ring, were given until Tuesday to testify.

The two defendants have been in detention since 27 April when they were arrested on the Athens-Corinth motorway, because the car they were on was loaded with a makeshift explosive devise. According to evidence, they had been ordered by alleged ring leader Panagiotis Vlastos to plant the bomb in a target that has yet to be determined.Source: NET, NET 105.8, ANA/MPA

News item: 24883

[04] Changes in Means of Mass Transport

The Transport Ministry has announced that bus lanes network in Piraeus, Kallithea, Athens and west suburbs would be gradually extended from 50km to 150km which would increase reliability of bus services while bus speed could be even doubled when lanes are free. Attika new bus chart includes among others reduction in numbers of buses in the city center and increase of municipal and inter-municipal services linking suburbs with metro and suburban railway stations.

The new transport plan, which will be finalized in September, expect for extension of metro and tram also provides for modernization of stations, creation of new connection stations and the purchase of new vehicles. The smart fare and telematics system will also be gradually introduced.

Transport Minister Evripidis Stylianidis underlined that the government has placed high importance on reforms in means of mass transport with the aim to improve everyday life of people and improvement of services to provide commuters with reliable, comfortable, cheap, fast and environmentally friendly means of transport.

News item: 24879

[05] Heat Wave Expected at the Weekend

News item: 24874

[06] Russian Rights Activist Found Dead

A prominent human rights activist was found dead after being kidnapped in Russia's troubled republic of Chechnya Wednesday, provoking outrage from President Dmitry Medvedev and the international community.

Natalia Estemirova, a close friend of murdered Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, worked for the human rights organization Memorial in the Chechen capital Grozny and documented abuses by law enforcement agencies, colleagues said.

Her body was found in neighboring Ingushetia.

"The news was reported to the president, he was outraged and gave all appropriate orders to the head of the investigations commission (Alexander) Bastrykin," Medvedev's spokeswoman Natalya Timakova said.

The murder is the latest in a series of killings of journalists and human rights defenders in Russia which has drawn international condemnation and led to questions about Medvedev's pledges to uphold the rule of law and build a freer society.

"The body had two wounds to the head, it was clear she had been murdered in the morning," Madina Khadziyeva, a spokeswoman at the Ingush Interior Ministry, told Reuters. She did not specify the nature of the injuries.

"It is evident that this deliberate murder could be related to Natalia Estemirova's human rights activities," said Medvedev's spokeswoman.

Estemirova's body was found in woodland near the Ingush city of Nazran, the Ingush interior ministry spokeswoman added.

She was snatched as she left her house Wednesday morning, pushed into a white vehicle and driven away, colleagues at Memorial and Tanya Lokshina, Russia researcher for New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW), told Reuters.

Source: Reuters

BBC: Russian leader condemns killing

News item: 24867

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