Subject: Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 17-06-09 From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" CONTENTS [01] Pavlopoulos urges Greece's partners to fulfill their obligations towards the country [02] Annual Pride Parade to kick off in central Athens on Saturday --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [01] Pavlopoulos urges Greece's partners to fulfill their obligations towards the country Greece is expecting the solidarity of its partners and the implementation of their commitments towards the country, particularly now that Greece is about to overcome the crisis, President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said on Friday speaking at the official dinner held in his honour by German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin. Pavlopoulos said the principle "pacta sunt servanda" is an essential European principle whose consistent implementation is a prerequisite for maintaining the credibility of the European Union. "Such a stance towards Greece is required by the very founding principles of the European Union and by European law," he said, adding that solidarity among partners is a given but "does not imply any excessive claim on our part." Pavlopoulos also commented on the recent elections in the Netherlands and France, where "forces of populism" were defeated. "I am certain, knowing the tradition of the German people […] that the upcoming German elections will give a loud response to the populist enemies of our common European project and the corresponding European vision," he said. Pavlopoulos is on a two-day official visit to Berlin following an invitation by Steinmeier. On Saturday, Pavlopoulos will inaugurate along with his German counterpart the exhibition documenta14 in Kassel. [02] Annual Pride Parade to kick off in central Athens on Saturday The Greek capital will host the main gathering of its annual Athens Pride event on Syntagma square on Saturday, according to the organizers. Since the first Pride rally in 2005, the aim of the festival has been to elevate the visibility of LGBTQI persons in Greek society, and in so doing advance their rights and demands. Athens Pride also raises youth awareness and support through its Volunteer Program. The parade will kick off at 19:00 in the city's main square which will be followed later at night with the open-air concert. This year, the main slogan is "A matter of education", which aims at main problems facing LGBTQI people, such as the long-awaited legislation on gender identity.