Athens News Agency: News in English, 00-03-11

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Simitis-PASOK Parliamentary Group

[02] President-Oath-Parliament

[01] Simitis-PASOK Parliamentary Group

Prime Minister Costas Simitis, addressing the last session of the PASOK Parliamentary Group on Saturday morning prior to the dissolution of parliament, called on his deputies to "sweep the Greek countryside" in light of the April 9 general elections, expressing the conviction that PASOK would once again emerge victorious.

Referring to the swearing-in of President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos during a special ceremony in parliament the same day, Simitis noted that parliament was closing its sessions with a significant symbolism. He criticised the main opposition New Democracy party of attempting for six months to "muddy the waters" around the election of the president, noting that PASOK's stability compelled the ND to eventually follow suit.

The prime minister said that PASOK fulfilled everything it had promised in the 1996 elections, adding that progress has been made in every sector since 1996.

Simitis stressed that during the next four-year term, PASOK's main objective is to promote social cohesion through the economic policies it has adopted over the last years.

[02] President-Oath-Parliament

President of the Republic Kostis Stephanopoulos, who was recently re-elected by parliament with a sweeping majority, was sworn in on Saturday morning for a second five-year term during a special ceremony in the House.

The swearing-in ceremony started with an address by Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis followed by an address by Stephanopoulos.

The president took the oath before Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece.

Following the signing of the swearing-in protocol, Stephanopoulos greeted Prime Minister Costas Simitis and the political party leaders.

After the ceremony, the president laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and later received the congratulations of the country's political leaders, diplomatic corps and judiciary at the presidential mansion.

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