Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-08-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] OA flights to UK gradually restored following 'green light' by British authorities

[02] Greek FM has phone talks with U.S. and French counterparts

[03] FinMin praises Emporiki chief in wake of Credit Agricole buy-out

[04] PM briefed by tourism development minister

[01] OA flights to UK gradually restored following 'green light' by British authorities

The British government had taken emergency measures following the arrest of several people suspected of planning terrorist attacks against passenger jets.

An OA flight was due to depart at 6 p.m. for London's Heathrow Airport, while the night flight to Manchester will be carried out as normal.

From early afternoon, OA empoyees started to notify by phone the passengers who were due to travel with the company, to arrive at Athens' "Eleftherios Venizelos" International Airport so as to board the plane.

On its part, British Airways recommends passengers who have as their destination London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports, before heading for the airport, to first telephone at 801 11 56000, so as to be briefed if and when the flights will take place.

Meanwhile, increased security measures are being taken since Thursday morning at "Eleftherios Venizelos" airport as well as at the country's other airports which carry out charter flights or scheduled flights abroad.

Checks at the points of entry to the aircraft are strict, especially with regard hand luggage which passengers take with them on board the plane.

[02] Greek FM has phone talks with U.S. and French counterparts

Consultations at the United Nations are continuing so that an agreement can be found on a draft resolution, while the possibility of a decision being reached on Friday is not excluded.

The U.S. Secretary of State is expected in New York in the event that an agreement is reached and it is possible that she may host a dinner on Thursday night to her counterparts who are at the United Nations' headquarters.

Bakoyannis concluded her contacts with all the involved parties and on Wednesday afternoon met with her counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, during which all the developments were discussed, as Greece undertakes the presidency of the UN Security Council in September and other important decisions on Lebanon but also on the Middle East are expected to be taken.

The Greek foreign minister also met with UN Undersecretary for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari and discussed developments in the Cyprus issue.

If developments permit, a report on the course of the Cyprus issue may be submitted at the Security Council.

[03] FinMin praises Emporiki chief in wake of Credit Agricole buy-out

Alogoskoufis praised Provopoulos for his management since taking over as bank president in 2004 and for adhering to procedures in an impeccable manner, as he said, during the period prior to the bank's sell-off.

ANA-MPA file photo of George Provopoulos.

[04] PM briefed by tourism development minister

Petralia referred to very positive figures so far concerning tourist arrivals and hotel bookings.

Responding to a question regarding the terror scare in British airports, Petralia cited the high-level of security in Greece as demonstrated by the successful hosting of the 2004 Olympic Games.

The main opposition PASOK on Thursday afternoon responded to Petralia's statements.

"Unfortunately, the situation in Greek tourism is not as presented by the minister with her statements today," said PASOK's Parliamentary Group development coordinator Christos Protopapas and the party's tourism development rapporteur Panagiotis Sgouridis.

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