Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader: 'time for the people to speak'

[02] FM in Rome for talks on Monday

[03] LMU event on Parthenon Marbles

[01] PASOK leader: 'time for the people to speak'

Papandreou severely criticised employment minister Savvas Tsitouridis in the case of the management of the Civil Servants' Auxiliary Insurance Fund (TEADY) reserves by the Akropolis stock brokerage, at the same time casting blame on prime minister Costas Karamanlis as well for being a "simple observer".

"An entire mechanism was set up with the Funds' reserves, with the social insurance recipients' monies, with your money, so that some individuals would receive commissions...Parasites and party middle-men," Papandreou said, adding that this affair was not only a matter of justice, but also a huge political scandal, on which the government was obliged to shoulder its political responsibility for the truth to shine and for the guilty parties to face justice.

"The New Democracy (ND) government is the worst government the country has ever had," Papandreou said.

He accused the government of "having no shame", saying "they came (to power) under the banner of transparancy, and the stench of the scandals becomes more stifling every day".

"The plethora of scandals, which are falling like rain, convince us that the corruption is not a chance event. It is a gang that considers the state its own, booty for pillaging," Papandreou said, adding that he was prepared to "puthis foot down" against such practices and perceptions, as prime minister, considering PASOK's electoral victory a certainty.

The PASOK leader attacked the government policy in all sectors and, with respect to farm issues, said that "agricultural development minister Evangelos Bassiakos, as if he lives on another planet, informs the prime minister that the agricultural income has increased", and charged that the delay in the payment of subsidies to farmers in Serres prefecture was "unprecedented".

He pledged that the PASOK programme would be implemented in full and, to the question of whether the money to do so existed, Papandreou said: "The money exists, its only that Mr. Karamanlis prefers to give it to the few and powerfu".

Papandreou pledged "a 550 euros monthly pension for every farmer, and 950 euros monthly for each (farmer) couple", a new policy in the agricultural sector that will attract young farmers, a new policy on farmland that will give the land to those who cultivate it and give the periphery a developmental momentum, extension of the EKAS (low pension benefit) to benefit another 300,000 pensioners, 2,000 euros for each family for every child born and 1,000 euros in a time investments account in the name of the newborn, and a doubling of the number of daycare centres.

[02] FM in Rome for talks on Monday

Bakoyannis will later be received by Italian President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano, while in the afternoon she will have meetings with the leaders of Italy's bicameral parliament, lower house Chamber of Deputies president Fausto Bertinotti, and upper house Senate of the Republic president Franco Marini.

The Greek foreign minister is on a one-day visit to Rome, from where she will depart directly for a US visit.

In an interview with Italian news agency ANSA, Bakoyannis described Greek-Italian relations as "excellent".

"Greek-Italian relations are excellent, given that our countries have common historical bonds, allieances and friendship. italy is a country that has played a protagonistic role in the history of Europe and, together with Greece, has contributed decisively to the formulation of that which we today call European Culture," Bakoyannis said.

To a question on the problems of terrorism and illegal immigration, the Greek foreign minister said that the cooperation between Greece and Italy "on these two major modern-day challenges is close and effective, not only at bilateral level, but also in the framework of international organisations such as the UN, the EU and NATO, as well as in the initiatives in which both countries participate, such as the Mediterranean Forum".

With respect to terrorism, "it is clear that we cannot be complacent, nor can we limit ourselves to isolated actions. On the contrary, it is necessary that we be vigilent and cooperate," she said.

"Important initiatives have already been undertaken, at EU level, for the establishment of an international strategy founded on the principles of democracy and the just state, as well as on respect of human rights," Bakoyannis stressed, adding that "the success of such a strategy also presupposes close cooperation with third countries not only on stamping out terrorism but also on tackling its causes".

On illegal immigration, Bakoyannis said that this posed "another major challenge for Greece and Italy".

The Greek foreign minister noted that "our geographical position in the Mediterranean and our role as 'access gateways' to Europe attract waves of migrants to our two countries, rendering cooperation a necessity".

She said that the EU countries have come to realise that in order to confront illegal immigration and terrorism, cooperation was necessary among all the states, including those from which the migrants originate.

"It is necessary to strengthen the Communicy mechanisms as well as the relevent funding. In that context, Greece endorses the reinforcement of the Frontex (European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union), with the aim of creating as soon as possible an efficient cooperation network in the EU for carrying out constant patrols in the Mediterranean," Bakoyannis continued.

Regarding Kosovo, Bakoyannis said that "the common desire of our countries is to contribute so that this region, which has suffered so much up to now, will develop into a European region characterised by peace, stability and growth".

"More specifically, the problem of determining the future status of Kosovo is going through a particularly critical stage. it is clear-cut that it is a copious process, which requires particuarly caution and a positive political volition on the part of all the sides concerned," the foreign minister added.

"In that framework, we supported the efforts of UN intermediary (special envoy) Marti Ahtisaari and the international community to reach a compromise that will enable us to approach a lasting and balanced solution capable of guaranteeing equal rights, development opportunities and prosperity for all of its inhabitants, in line with the principles and values of the United Europe," Bakoyannis concluded.

US visit, itinerary

Foreign minister Bakoyannis is due to arrive in New on Tuesday for a meeting with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while on Thursday (March 22) she will head to Washington for talks with US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and other officials.

Foreign ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said Bakoyannis' US talks would cover a wide range of issues, with the focus on Kosovo and the Balkans, the FYROM name issue, and developmens in the Cyprus issue.

Bakoyannis will also have meetings on Thursday with US Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), after which she will attend a lunch in hour honour hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-California).

While in Washington, Bakoyannis will further have meetings with US National Security Advisor Steven Hadley and the US president's Assistant for Homeland Security director Frances FragosTownsend, with whom she will discuss developments on the visa waiver issue, which Koumoutsakos said was being followed at high level, given that constant progress was being made.

On Friday, Bakoyannis will take part in a special event at the White House marking Greek National Indepdence, which will also be attended by US President George Bush.

[03] LMU event on Parthenon Marbles

The event included a photography exhibition titled "Marbles" by photographer A. Papapostolou, addresses by Dr. Matthew Dillon, professor of Classics and Archaeology at LMU on the Parthenon and journalst Christos Constantopoulos on Greece's campaign for the return of the Marbles from Britain, the restoration works ongoing on the Acropolis site and the new Acropolis Museum, and the screening of a 35-minute documentary "The Pheidias Legacy" which was a co-production with ANA-MPA.

On Friday, the Hellenic Cultural Centre will organise a second screening of the documentary, with an address by Constantopoulos, in the Cypress Room at St. Spyridon Church in San Diego.

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