Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-05-25 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] PM Tsipras to participate in NATO summit in Brussels [02] Tzanakopoulos: Agreement on June 15 that will satisfy all involved sides [03] The Bridge Experience, a sports event that eliminates distances [04] Medical tourism in Greece can attract investment interest, Economy Min Papadimitriou says [05] Operation of mosque in Athens among government's commitments --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] PM Tsipras to participate in NATO summit in Brussels Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is in Brussels on Thursday to participate in the meeting of the leaders of NATO member states in the "shadow" of the terrorist strike in Manchester. The role of the international organization is to link - on an equal basis - both sides of the Atlantic and to strengthen collective security, contributing to peace and stability in the wider region on the basis of international law. According to the government, Greece constitutes a pillar of stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Balkans and the wider Black Sea neighborhood. At the same time Athens is promoting the strengthening of the Mediterranean Dialogue, aiming to enhance regional security and stability. On the sidelines of the Summit, the Greek Prime Minister will meet with his Albanian counterpart Eddie Rama. Based on the information so far, Alexis Tsipras will have no other meetings, but only a few short contacts. Tsipras is accompanied by Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias. [02] Tzanakopoulos: Agreement on June 15 that will satisfy all involved sides "On June 15 there will be an agreement which will satisfy all the involved sides and there is not a single chance to get into a crisis situation or to need to take recourse to political solutions (early elections)" stated State Minister and government spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopulos speaking to STAR TV on Thursday. "Our aim is to tap the markets on a trial basis in order to get prepared because as of August 2018 we must be able to refinance our debt from the markets" said Tzanakopoulos and added "This is the aim of the current programme. Do you believe that Europe wants to bear another rescue programme or that there is the political capital in Europe to be led to a new failure of the Greek programme. I clearly state to you that nobody is working towards this direction" underlined Tzanakopoulos. [03] The Bridge Experience, a sports event that eliminates distances The Bridge experience, the first sports event that 'builds bridges' and eliminates the distances will be held on the Rio-Antirrio Bridge on 8 and 9 July. It is a two-day competition that includes run and bicycle race and swimming. The competition is open to all audiences of all ages as well to professional and amateur athletes from all over Greece and abroad. The event has also a charity character because a large part of the revenues will be offered to the Union of Social Agencies "Pylons of Solidarity-Costis Stefanopoulos) and to the non-profitable organisation «Charity4U-Sports for All» that supports Greek athletes in the difficult course to distinction. A series of parallel events include wine tasting, excursions to Nafpaktos and Rio Castles, beach cleaning and planting trees. [04] Medical tourism in Greece can attract investment interest, Economy Min Papadimitriou says The health sector and in particular the medical tourism can attract foreign and domestic investment interest, Economy Minister Dimitris Papadimitriou said in a conference held by Naftemporiki newspaper on Thursday. The tourist flow to Greece is steadily expanding and 50 pct of the increase in foreign investment inflows concerns investments in tourist real estate and assets. He underlined that the pharmaceutical industry can become a lever for growth, adding that the legislative framework, to encourage and promote the development of clinical studies, must be completed. Exports of private health services through medical and spa tourism can also be boosted, Papadimitriou said, which may become one of the 8 growth levers of the Greek economy in the coming years thanks to the natural and cultural heritage of the country as well as its climate. The minister stressed the importance of dealing with the lack of transparency on pricing systems (mainly in public hospitals), some legislative gaps and bureucracy. [05] Operation of mosque in Athens among government's commitments "The operation of an islamic mosque in Athens is one of the government's and Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' commitments" stated Deputy Foreign Minister Yiannis Amanatidis on Thursday. Amanatidis explained that the opening of the mosque contributes to "the promotion of the country's image abroad as well as to the State's providence to Greek and other community's citizens that are muslims in order to exercise their religious duties". Finally he noted that by voting the relevant article "the country's political forces upgrade the international presence of the country with respect to the human rights".