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Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-03-31Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis receives State. Dept. deputy Sec't Zoellick; FM says Ankara must fully implement customs protocolGreek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday received visiting Deputy US State Department Secretary Robert Zoellick at his office, as the Cyprus issue, Balkans developments as well as relations with Turkey dominated a later meeting between the high-ranking US diplomat and Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis.The latter commented directly on Turkey's announcement this past week that it will extend a customs union protocol with the European Union's 10 newest members -- the significance lying with Cyprus. "...it (Ankara's decision) was a first step. Others must follow; the signing of the protocol (extension) and its implementation, because someone doesn't sign something he has no intention of implementing," the veteran Greek diplomat said. On his part, Zoellick referred to a "strategic friendship" between Athens and Washington, while praising Greece for the successful hosting of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. Moreover, he noted that a possible Greek initiative aimed at promoting the Mideast peace process could come in the form of hosting a US-backed international conference. Returning to the long-standing Cyprus issue, Molyviatis reiterated "a common desire by all interested sides" to restart a process for reuniting the east Mediterranean island republic. However, he said meticulous preparations should precede any new initiative in order to guarantee a successful outcome -- an allusion to the failed Annan peace plan several months ago. [02] Finmin calls for price restraint after tax riseFinance Minister George Alogoskoufis said on Thursday that a rise in Value Added Tax brackets announced this week should not be passed down in its entirety to prices."We inherited a situation in the economy with a deficit above 6.0% that should drop to 3.0% by next year, and we have no leeway to fool ourselves," Alogoskoufis told Sky radio in an interview. "We did whatever we could to avoid the new tax measures, but when it became clear at the close of the 2004 budget that much ground had to be covered, that is when we began to seek the best way to lower the deficit," he added. Asked if this week's extra tax measure was the last, the minister replied: "Certainly, wide-ranging tax measures, are not foreseen from now on. If there are adverse developments, some minor moves may be made, but moves of this scope and this nature, no." [03] PM attends debut of 'Open Stadiums - Celebration of the Olympic Ideals Continued' programmePrime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday joined nearly 2,600 junior high-schoolers for a high-profile event at the Athens Olympic Stadium complex to kick-off the programme "Open Stadiums - Celebration of the Olympic Ideals Continued".The programme is a major culture ministry initiative supported by the premierâs office, the ministry of education, various sports federations, Greece's Olympic champions and volunteers. "Our meeting here today is a continuation of the celebration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games ... The summer of 2004 was a major Greek summer, for culture, sports and our country," Karamanlis told a crowd of thousands of young adults, half a dozen Cabinet members and Olympic champions. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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