Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Prime minister briefed by FinMin on global economy outlook

[02] PASOK leader in Halkida; slams government

[03] FM chairs UNSC meeting on Arab-Israeli conflict

[04] President concludes state visit to Germany

[05] Euro-Med ministerial conference on industry

[01] Prime minister briefed by FinMin on global economy outlook

Alogoskoufis told reporters after the meeting that the European economy is on track as deficits were being reduced and growth rates were increasing, adding that forecasts on the global economy were favorable for the next two years.

The minister also referred to the very significant role played by the emerging economies of China and India.

Beginning next week, attention will focus on the preparation of the new state budget and its draft plan will be presented by October 2.

Based on finance ministry predictions, this year�s goal for containing the deficit to 2.6 percent will be met, while next year�s goal will be to cut the deficit by between 0.2 and 0.3 percent.

Also, based on the same predictions, the new budget will include no tax increases or car circulation fee hikes, but it will include the government-announced increases for the low pension benefit (EKAS) and the OG, farmers social insurance fund's pensions while, at the same time, taxation rates will be reduced.

[02] PASOK leader in Halkida; slams government

"We believe in local government, in the strengthening of the insitutions of popular participation and transparency, in the strengthening of democratic institutions which create a just society and a society of values," he told his audience.

"Unfortunately, the present government, instead of building institutions, it destroys institutions, instead of strengthening democratic functionings, it undermines them. Instead of strengthening meritocracy and equality for every citizen, it creates inequalities and new divisions," said Papandreou, adding that "we see around us corruption, a high cost of living and unemployment, with the responsibility of this government."

Earlier, in talks with citizens, Papandreou said, referring to the New Democracy (ND) government, that "they enterered the state, the power, and saw it as a booty for those affiliated to them, their own people and their company."

Papandreou said that PASOK "has again put forward the importance of a just society, in order for us to be able to create a country with security and certainty for every citizen."

The local government elections will be held on October 15.

[03] FM chairs UNSC meeting on Arab-Israeli conflict

"The international community is determined to work very hard to advance the Middle East Peace Process," Bakoyannis said after the discussion at the Security Council, held at foreign ministers' level for the first time in more than two decades, which included the Palestinian issue and was also attended by foreign ministers and representatives of the countries of the region.

UN secretary general Kofi Annan made the opening address at the extraordinary debate, while Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas also briefly addressed the Council at the end of the discussion.

The speakers lauded Greece for its "important initiative", while US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice told reporters after the meeting that she was planning a visit to the Middle East in the near future.

"On behalf of the Greek Presidency (of the Security Council), I wish to express our satisfaction. It was a very creative and very good meeting. The first at this (foreign ministers') level to deal with the problems of the Middle East and the Palestinian issue," Bakoyannis said, noting: "There is a common element and a common perception that arose from this meeting. Namely, that the international community is determined to work very hard to advance the Middle East Peace Process."

"The Middle East cannot wait. The Palestinian crisis cannot wait. We must act, and we must act quickly. I think this (the discussion) was an important step forward," Bakoyannis stressed.

Asked by reporters whether the result would have been better for peace if the Security Council had adopted a Presidency statement, Bakoyannis, the Council President for the month of September, replied "I am not certain because what we see today, as you, also, have ascertained, is the expression of satisfaction with this meeting by all the leaders who attended. Everyone is satisfied, proving that when there is political will, there is always a ray of hope".

To a second question on why a Presidency statement was not issued, Bakoyannis explained that a Presidency statement "is not a simple affair", expressing conviction that "it was much better for the statements of all the sides, and what each side believes, to be heard", adding also her belief that the demonstration of support, from all the sides, for President Mahmoud Abbas was also "very important".

To a question on the Middle East peace process, Bakoyannis noted that "Greece, as you know, is a country situated very close to the Middle East, and is a member of the European Union...We will continue to work in the same direction as during the Security Council presidency, for a comprehensive, just and viable solution for peace in the Middle East".

To a comment that she appeared satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, Bakoyannis said that "what I know and can tell you is that, at the end, everyone was satisfied, and that's what counts".

Addressing the debate earlier, Bakoyannis said that "we all have the ability to do something, regardless of power and size, and we all have the common responsibility of helping the peoples of the Middle East to materialise their vision of living in dignity and peace and looking with hope to the future".

"As a citizen of Athens, and guided by the spirit of our forefathers, I cannot but maintain my firm belief in the prevalence of reason. The prevalence of reason, tolerance and acceptance, and also of symbiosis -- to use a Greek word -- over force," she said, and appealed to all sides "for reason and understanding to prevail so as to give the seeds of peace sown by the international community the chance to bloom in the fertile and historic land of the Middle East, to be benefit of all the peoples of the region, but also of the entire world".

Address to extraordinary Security Council meeting

Bakoyannis opened her address by expressing appreciation to the attendants for their support of the Greeck Security Council presidency's efforts to hold the discussion on the situation in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue, stressing that it was an honour for her to preside over the session, but also a great responsibility.

She said everyone present was cognizant of the multifaceted challenges faced by the international community in the Middle East. The nature of the challenges was such that they influenced not only the peoples of the region -- the Israelis, Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians, Egyptians and others -- but also the entire international community.

All partners of the United Nations, be it the European Union, the Arab League or the Non-Aligned Movement, to name just a few, consistently place the Middle East question very high on their agendas, Bakoyannis said, adding that despite any differentiations in the positions stated, one crucial element was common to all of them, an element that was reiterated by everyone at the extraordinary Council session, which was the need to achieve a just and viable solution to the Middle East problem.

"That constitutes our common goal and, I believe, the collective will of the world's peoples, as repeatedly expressed by their representatives during the opening session of every UN General Assembly," Bakoyannis said, adding that she could not recall any other conflict to have been at the centre of interest of so many for such a long time.

Yet, she stressed, as the years turned into decades, entire generations have grown up knowing only hatred, while reason and understanding have given up their place to fundamentalism and extremism.

"Despite the common desire for the prevalence of peace, generations of Israelis and Arabs have been deprived of the right to live in freedom and security, and for precisely this reason I am fully aware of the weight of the responsibility today," Bakoyannis said.

The burden was immense, she continued, in the face of the paini of so many people for such a long time, in the face of the tears of the mothers who have lost their sons and daughters in this conflict, but also in the face of the brave vision and determination of those who, throughout the history of this suffering region, genuinely tried to bring peace and paid the highest price in the service of this cause.

"It is our duty to make every effort, to investigate all ways, and to exhaust all our abilities for the achievement of this sought-after peace, in memory of the innocent victims, and to the benefit of the coming generations," Bakoyannis added.

"As a citizen of Athens, and guided by the spirit of the forefathers of that city, I cannot but maintain my firm belief in the prevalence of reason. Of reason, tolerance and acceptance, ans also of symbiosis -- to use a Greek word -- over force," she said.

"What does this mean for us? It means that the goal of achieving peace cannot be served by refusing to recognise the existence of one's neighbour, nor by perpetuating a climate of fear and insecurity through a combinatin of suicide and missile attacks. Nor can peace be advanced by such practices as the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit," Bakoyanis warned.

Equally, peace could not be achieved by denying an entire nation its rightful place where it could live in dignity and freedom, or by imposing restrictions that were both humiliating and disparaging and obstructed every prospect for a smooth day-to-day life, nor could it be achieved by forcefully confiscating land and erecting barriers.

"Any settlement must be reached in conformity with international law, including the resolutions adopted by the Security Council. It must be the product of negotiations, the outcome of which should not be prejudged by unilateral measures," she continued.

The princples that must comprise the foundation for a comprehensive and viable, lasting peace are well known, Bakoyannis said, and included all the relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 1397 (2002) and 1515 (2003), the terms of reference of the Madrid Conference, including the principle of "land for peace", and the Arab Peace initiative.

The Quartet was also expected to continue its active engagement to fulfill its role, and Greece welcomed its most recent decision to meet regularly, including with the parties and other regional partners, to monitor developments and the actions of the sides involved, and to examine the next steps.

"We look with expectation to tangible results arising from this process," Bakoyannis stressed, adding that "we must also realise that causes are neither advanced, nor assisted, through force and terrorism. And that security is not ensured exclusively and only through military means."

Bakoyannis appealed to all sides for reason and understanding to prevail so as to give the seeds of peace sown by the international community the chance to bloom in the fertile and historic land of the Middle East, to be benefit of all the peoples of the region, but also of the entire world".

[04] President concludes state visit to Germany

Talks expectedly revolved around international and European issues, with the Greek side again outlining its positions on a variety of matters, particularly EU-Turkey and Greek-Turkish relations.

Papoulias, moreover, reiterated that Europe must develop a "single voice" on the international stage, especially in terms of foreign policy and security.

The Greek president also discussed the thorny issue of WWII-era war reparations with Koehler -- an issue that Athens regards as unresolved -- with the intention being to establish a "communications channel" between the two presidencies, thus allowing for a proposal to be referred to the German president's office.

Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis, who accompanied Papoulias, noted that the Greek head of state clearly detailed Athens' positions to the German side regarding its national issues and the future of Europe.

He also said talks with German authorities revolved around the strengthening of Greek-language programmes in certain schools.

The President also met with representatives of the Greek community in Germany.

[05] Euro-Med ministerial conference on industry

The conference, aimed at boosting industrial growth in Mediterranean countries, takes place in Greece instead of Finland, which turned over the hosting of the Euro-Med presidency to Athens in order to concentrate on its ongoing EU Presidency.

Speaking in Rhodes, Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas primarily referred to a Mediterranean free trade zone by 2010.

The Euro-Mediterranean ministerial conference proceedings will be attended by ministers and representatives from the 25 EU member-states, Bulgaria and Romania, which are at the threshold of EU accession, as well as nine non-EU Mediterranean countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and the Palestinian Authority.

The conference will be opened by Verheugen, Finnish Trade and Industry Minister Mauri Pekkarinen, who will preside over the EU Council of Ministers, Sioufas and Jordan's Industry and Trade Minister, Sharif Ali Zuabi.

Pekkarinen and Sioufas will be the co-chairmen of the conference.

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