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Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-11-02Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Turkish military chief continues visit to GreeceTurkish military chief Gen. Yasar Buyukanit continued his official visit to Greece on Thursday by meeting with his counterpart and host, Adm. Panayiotis Hinofotis, for talks mostly revolving around efforts to reduce tensions in Greek-Turkish relations and to increase a climate of trust between the two neighbours.The lengthy meeting, which was described as being of an "exploratory nature", also touched on regional security issues. Both sides appeared positive over the prospect of a joint Greek-Turkish task natural disaster force, within the framework of NATO, which will be able to operate in the wider Mediterranean and North African region. Another item up for discussion by the two countries' top military chiefs included the establishment of a council of Balkan countries' general staff chiefs, an initiative aimed at boosting regional security. An inaugural council meeting in Thessaloniki at the beginning of the year was discussed, among others. The Turkish general staff chief also expressed his condolences over the death of Hellenic Air Force aviator Lt. Costas Iliakis, the Greek F-16 pilot whose plane crashed into the southeast Aegean Sea last May following a mid-air collision with a Turkish F-16 during a mission to identify intruders in the Athens FIR. In other matters, Gen. Buyukanit referred to security problems faced by Turkey and Ankara's European prospects. Earlier, the highest-ranking Turkish military officer was received by Defence Minister Evangelos Meimarakis for a courtesy visit. In the morning, Gen. Buyukanit laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in front of Greece's Parliament, before he was officially received at the national defence ministry. During his official four-day visit to Greece - in reciprocation for Hinofotis' earlier visit to Turkey - the Turkish military chief will tour several archaeological sites and museums before departing on Saturday. Caption: Gen. Buyukanit, left, and Adm. Hinofotis salute an honor guard on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006, at the national defence ministry in Athens. ANA-MPA photo / M. Marogianni. [02] Italians Abroad con'f begins in AthensA two-day conference of the General Council for Italians Abroad (GCIA) group's Europe and North Africa chapter convened in Athens on Thursday, with representatives from the Italian foreign ministry and expatriate Italians in Greece participating.Issues dealing with education, health and welfare as well as economic development are expected to dominate the sessions. Deputy Foreign Minister Theodoros Kassimis, whose portfolio includes expatriate Greek issues, greeted delegates during the conference's opening. On his part, Italian ambassador to Greece Gianpaolo Scarante said the decision to hold the conference in Athens, "the place where the western concept was born, is a symbolic exercise in democracy." ANA-MPA file photo of Kassimis. [03] Chinese journal: Greece a top honeymoon spotGreece is among the top 10 destinations in the world for honeymoons, according to a Chinese publication. The Chinese tourism publication Zhongguo Luyou Bao stated that Greece was chosen by 10,000 readers between May and September as one of the top 10 most popular honeymoon destinations. A special distinction will be awarded during a ceremony in Shanghai on Nov. 16. The event will be attended by senior Chinese tourism ministry officials, representatives of Chinese airlines and tourist agents.Caption: The Classical-era Temple of Poseidon at the promotory of Sounion, in extreme southeast Attica prefecture. ANA photo / V. Kalalougas. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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