Compact version |
|
Wednesday, 11 December 2024 | ||
|
Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-11-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek Prime Minister Tsipras ends official visit to Israel, Palestinian areasRAMALLAH (ANA-MPA/ S. Sideris) -- The Greek government supports the creation of a Palestinian state based on the borders of 1967 and with East Jerusalem as its capital, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday, in statements after meeting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.He also repeated his invitation to Abbas to visit to Athens, which will take place on Dec. 21. Tsipras noted that Greece's position on the Palestinian issue was one of "principle" and independent of the country's efforts to develop bilateral ties with Israel. Later in the day, Tsipras was received by Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III. The Greek premier hailed the contribution of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in interfaith dialogue at an especially critical time for the region. In welcoming the prime minister, the Patriarch noted that his visit is especially important as it is taking place at a time when Christians in Middle East are facing difficulties and are looking to Greece for protection, despite the country's hardships. The Patriarch referred to the historical role of the Patriarchate and the efforts made for centuries to preserve Orthodoxy, while he also noted its role in the harmonious coexistence of different religions in the historic city. [02] Greek president, Italian counterpart discuss refugee crisis, bilateral relationsROME (ANA-MPA/ A. Andreadis) -- Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Thursday said that the refugee crisis, bilateral relations and cultural ties were the three issues that dominated his talks here on Thursday with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.Pavlopoulos was received by Mattarella for one hour at the Italian presidential mansion. In statements afterwards, Pavlopoulos said these three issues had the greatest importance for the two countries. "The first, obviously, is related to the refugee crisis. I clarified, on my part, and there was great understanding on the part of the Italian president on this issue, that Greece is acting according to the dictates of international and European law," he said. [03] PM requests meeting with political party leader: sourcesGreek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked President of the Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos to convene a meeting of the Parliament-represented political party leaders in order to brief them on the refugee crisis and to discuss the all-important and contentious issue of pension system reform, sources accompanying the premier to an official visit to Israel said on Thursday.The government, after first consulting with the president, intends to propose that a meeting be held on Saturday, since Tsipras is due in Brussels for the EU-Turkey summit meeting on Sunday, the same sources added. The prime minister called Pavlopoulos on the phone on Thursday to brief him on his meetings in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and to ask him to convene a political leaders' meeting when the latter returns from Rome. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |