Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-19
From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>
CONTENTS
[01] Gov't VP Dragasakis: Stability-Security-Adaptability form the basis
     for Greece's touristic development
[02] FM Kotzias participates in 127th meeting of Committee of Ministers
     of the Council of Europe
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[01] Gov't VP Dragasakis: Stability-Security-Adaptability form the basis
for Greece's touristic development

The Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) has elected Yiannis Retsos as
its new president to succeed Andreas Andreadis.

Retsos is the current president of the Hellenic Hotel Federation and
managing director and one of the five main shareholders of Electra Hotels
and Resorts.

The event was attended by Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos
and government vice president Yiannis Dragasakis who presented the
government's targets in the tourism sector over the next period. He
explained that the current tourist boom is not due to external factors
but it is based on Greece's comparative advantages. The stability and
security of the country as well as the adaptability of the Greek tourist
product form the basis for the great tourist development, he said.

Focusing on the government's strategic goals in tourism in the coming
period, Dragasakis spoke of the need for sustainable, balanced and
socially just development, respecting the environment and the cultural
heritage of the country.

He also underlined that tourism must become a lever for the development
of society through its interconnection with other sectors of the
economy. Dragasakis emphasized the connection between tourism and domestic
production, adding that he sees great scope for growth and initiatives.

On her part, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura pointed out the strong
performance of the tourism sector in 2017. The aim of the ministry is
that Greece attracts tourists 365 days a year, she said.


[02] FM Kotzias participates in 127th meeting of Committee of Ministers
of the Council of Europe

The 127th annual meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council
of Europe, with the participation of 28 foreign ministers, 8 deputy
foreign ministers and 10 permanent representatives of the 47 member
states of the organization, is taking place on Friday in Nicosia with
the participation of Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias.

The Nicosia Convention on offences related to cultural goods will also
be signed during the meeting. This is the first international treaty
that provides for the criminalization of the illicit trafficking of
cultural goods.

The agenda also includes the issue of "enhancing democratic security
in Europe."

The participants will also discuss the fight against terrorism, the
issue of migration and the conflicts in Europe.

At the closing session, Cyprus will deliver the Presidency of the
Committee of Ministers to the Czech Republic.