Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-03
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
CONTENTS
[01] Tsipras discusses opportunities and challenges for local regions
     with regional governors
[02] TAP, DESFA reaffirm latter's role in operation and maintenance
     of pipeline
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[01] Tsipras discusses opportunities and challenges for local regions
with regional governors

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras discussed the possibilities, advantages
and challenges facing Greece's regions during a meeting with the
country's 13 regional governors, in the presence of Interior Minister
Panos Skourletis, at Maximos Mansion.

Tsipras said that the reasons of the crisis are well known and referred
to the distorted productive model of the past that contributed to the
crisis. He asked the regional governors to draft "a new plan on the
productive model that should be fair, sustainable and viable," adding
that "this issue refers to the whole political system, the productive
groups and the local administration".

"I want to have a substantive conversation with you, to plan the next day
with sobriety and not miss this opportunity. I don't want my introduction
to be formal. I have the feeling that everyone - in the government,
the political system and in the local government – an opportunity to
thoughtfully plan the next day," he said according to his office.

Among the points discussed was granting local government increased powers
that will allow them to plan and implement growth policies effectively
though the appropriate legislation.

Tsipras noted the characteristics and targets of sustainable development:
the creation of stable and quality jobs, investing in comparative
advantages, utilizing productive capabilities and the fair distribution
of the benefits to society and particularly those hurt during the
economic crisis.


[02] TAP, DESFA reaffirm latter's role in operation and maintenance
of pipeline

The intention of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) to entrust natural
gas grid operator DESFA with the operation and maintenance of the
pipeline on Greek territory, as well as the operation and maintenance
of TAP in Albania (through the creation of the company DESFA-ALBGAZ),
was reaffirmed at a meeting on Wednesday between the heads of the two
companies in Athens.

DESFA president and CEO Sotiris Nikas and TAP Managing Director Ian
Bradshaw reaffirmed the deal, as well as DESFA's role in training and
transferring technical know-how to ALBGAZ.

The meeting was also attended by TAP's Country Manager for Greece,
Rikard Scoufias, as well as high ranking executives from both companies.