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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-12-20
CONTENTS
[01] Budget debate on Thurs. evening doubles as confidence vote
[01] Budget debate on Thurs. evening doubles as confidence vote
Debate on the draft 2008 budget concludes in Parliament on Thursday
evening at roughly around midnight, with a roll-call vote, a
more-or-less vote of confidence, to follow.
Meanwhile, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis returned from his
official visit to Moscow earlier in the week and talks with Russian
leadership, especially Russian President Vladimir Putin at the
Kremlin.
Expanding energy cooperation between Russia and Greece dominated talks
in Moscow between the two leaders. In statements after the more than
one-hour meeting, both men said the expansion of already burgeoning
energy cooperation between the two countries substantially benefits
Europe's energy sufficiency and security, with particular mention to a
finalised three-nation pact (Russia, Bulgaria and Greece) to construct
the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline and proposals for the
"Southstream" natgas pipeline linking Russian gas reserves with SE
Europe.
Putin, in fact, said a signed protocol -- establishing an international
company by the three sides to build the Burgas-Alexandroupolis line --
is the next-to-last step for constructing the pipeline.
Bilateral defence-related cooperation was also discussed, with
Karamanlis directly referring to the purchase of 420 Russian-made
armoured vehicles, whereas Putin said there is "no restriction" on the
development of bilateral defence cooperation with Greece, including an
interest to proceed with joint weapons production on Russian soil.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis
addressing Parliament.
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