Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-03-12 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] President Pavlopoulos: Europe needs unity, not multiple speeds [02] PM praises 'invaluable contribution' of Greece's armed forces --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] President Pavlopoulos: Europe needs unity, not multiple speeds President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Sunday voiced his disagreement with the idea of a "multiple-speed Europe," stressing that Europe needs to protect its unity and that this "does not have speeds." Addressing an event where he was named honorary citizen of the Greek municipality of Ermioni, Pavlopoulos noted that Greece's history had repeatedly shown that "the great and important things we achieved united, while every disunity has resulted in painful injury, striking even to our national core." "So now we have an obligation, always with respect for the ideological and political individuality of each of the democratic political forces, to proceed united to deal with the deep crisis for our country and our people," Pavlopoulos added. Greece's progress has been defined by an unswerving dedication to the country's European path, given that this path leads to the defence of both the country and of the entire European edifice, thus by extension to the European ideal "whose roots are by general admission Greek," Pavlopoulos said. "In this framework I should like to conclude by stressing the following: the best way to honour the 60th year since the start of the European Union, especially with the opportunity of the emblematic summit meeting in Rome on March 25, is to protect its unity. And sticking to proclamations is not enough," he said. At this critical time, the president added, the EU needed real will and bold decisions for the defence of its future. "On this path and in this direction Greece can and must play a leading role - and it will," he added. [02] PM praises 'invaluable contribution' of Greece's armed forces Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras praised the excellent deterrent capability of Greece's armed forces but also their invaluable contribution to society in a statement aired during the launch of the revived television programme on the armed forces "With Virtue and Boldness," which Greece's state television channel ERT1 resumed broadcasting on Sunday. The segment was filmed during the prime minister's visit to Thessaloniki last week, during which the former Pavlos Melas army camp was turned over to the municipality of the same name. "When the Armed Forces also produce social work, then their operation is optimised, as is their contribution to the Greek people, to Greece and the social whole in general. I want to congratulate the political and military leadership and say that the Armed Forces are fully trained and in an excellent state of deterrent readiness; at the same time their concern in these difficult years of crisis is to contribute to the state's efforts to deal with these crises effectively, whether they concern the refugee crisis, where their contribution was truly invaluable, or the daily life of citizens, their quality of life. And today we have such an example, a very important one," Tsipras said. "I am pleased to have an opportunity to make a statement as prime minister on a show that has a long history in public television and concerns the Armed Forces, a show that returns renewed, as the Armed Forces are renewed, so that they can assist and contribute to improving quality of life and social cohesion," the prime minister added.