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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-01Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Greek gov't signs strategic agreement with MicrosoftThe Greek government and Microsoft on Wednesday signed a strategic agreement offering preferential financial terms for the purchase of software licenses by the Greek state, free software use rights for Greek civil servants (including home use) and training by Microsoft on the use of new technologies. The agreement was signed in Lisbon by Economy and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis on behalf of the Greek state. It is part of a government plan to promote a new digital strategy in the period 2006-2013 and to forging closer cooperation between the public sector and private enterprises in the IT sector.Under the agreement, Microsoft will set up an innovation centre in Greece with the aim to support the local academic community as well as Greek software companies in developing cutting-edge technologies and to improve their international competitiveness. Microsoft will also set up at least 10 computer labs for the vocational training of unemployed people, seniors as well as offering scholarships or free software to Greek universities. The agreement also envisages the introduction of pilot electronic governance programme and support of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The Greek minister urged Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates to hold a future government officials' conference on information society in Athens, while stressing that the agreement offers significant opportunities to a new generation of Greek students, researchers and businesspeople. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [02] PM: 'Greece enjoys monetary stability'Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Wednesday evening inaugurated an exhibition entitled "Greek banknote 1822-2002". In his address, Karamanlis said that "Greece today enjoys an unprecedented for its history monetary stability which our participation in the euro secures." He added that the government is continuing with determination "the battle for the reduction of the deficits and of the public debt so as to secure a better tomorrow in a really strong economy."Karamanlis stressed that "Greece is jointly shaping European monetary policy through the participation of the Bank of Greece in the European Central Bank." Referring to the exhibition, organised by the Social and Cultural Benefit Foundation and the National Bank of Greece, he stressed that "it symbolises the market, both in the modern and classical meaning of the term, of this community of the exchange of views." Karamanlis was welcomed at the Diomidis Mansion, where the exhibition is being held, by Alternate Culture Minister Fani Palli-Petralia, Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis, Deputy Development Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou and National Bank of Greece President Takis Arapoglou. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [03] FM: Greece supports Afghanistan's reconstructionLONDON (ANA-MPA/L. Tsirigotakis) - Greece has supported and continues to support the international community's efforts to rebuild Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis said on Wednesday, the second and final day of the international conference on Afghanistan held in London. Molyviatis referred to Greece's actions so far, including rebuilding the Kabul museum and thus showing the great importance it places on Afghanistan's culture and history.Additionally, the Greek military has been charged with supervising Kabul's airport from the end of 2005 through 2006. Molyviatis announced that for the period 2007-2009, Greece will be contributing �5 million for Afghanistan's development programme, noting however, that the funds are to be allocated specifically for the sectors of health care, education and infrastructure. The conference on Afghanistan, attended by delegations from 60 countries, concluded with the adoption of a five-year programme for the country's reconstruction, which primarily aims at security, human rights, economic and social development and dealing with the country's drug trade. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. [04] Wage rises to match 2006 inflationPublic sector wage rises are to match inflation anticipated for 2006, with pensions topping the figure, the national economy ministry said on Wednesday. "The decisions were made bearing in mind the need for faithful adherence to the budget and after exhausting all leeway for fiscal policy," the ministry said in a statement. The increases on base wages for state workers will be 3% in 2006 with an additional 1.1% for years of service.State pensions are to rise by 4%, with 7% to be awarded to farmers and recipients of the EKAS bonus for low pensions, double the inflation rate," the statement said "Implementation of incomes policy, the rises in wages, pensions and the EKAS bonus will cost the 2006 budget about 761 million euros, while total wages as spending under the budget will be almost 23 billion euros," the ministry added. ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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