Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-08 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Greece has no other choice but to remain in EU's hard core, says Shipping Minister Kouroumblis [02] Arrivals of migrants and refugees on Aegean islands remained low in the last 48h --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Greece has no other choice but to remain in EU's hard core, says Shipping Minister Kouroumblis The country has no other choice. It will remain in Europe's hard core" stated Shipping Minister Panagiotis Kouroumblis speaking to SKAI TV on Wednesday. "The is no such discussion or second thoughts" he said noting that it is another matter if Europe decides to self-dissolve. On the negotiations he said that "what they demand is painful... The review delays due to government's resistance and objections to the demands". [02] Arrivals of migrants and refugees on Aegean islands remained low in the last 48h Migrants and refugees arrivals on the northern Aegean islands remain at low levels in the last 48 hours. 13 persons arrived on Lesvos, 21 on Chios and 41 on Samos island. Currently, 8780 migrants and refugees that have sought for asylum in Greece and their request has been not examined yet remain stranded on the northern Aegean islands.