Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-06-08

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Lifting of excessive deficit procedure a 'milestone decision' for Greece

[02] Acropolis in the running for 'world wonder'

[01] PM: Lifting of excessive deficit procedure a 'milestone decision' for Greece

"The decision vindicates the sacrifices and efforts made by the Greek people to solve problems inherited from the past," Karamanlis said, adding that EDP was lifted through his government's efforts to cut deficits in a short period of time, in tandem with high growth rates in the country and tacking unemployment. "Our future course is founded on this national success," he stressed.

Karamanlis also briefed Papoulias on his trip last month to New Zealand, Australia and Vietnam, underlining that a warm reception he was given by the large ethnic Greek communities in Australia and New Zealand filled him with "great emotion and national pride."

He also stressed that he conveyed to Papoulias the respect and love of Greeks abroad.

Conversely, Papoulias briefed Karamanlis over his recent visit to Russia and meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Discussing the prime minister's trip in the presence of reporters, Papoulias said he was most envious of the premier's visit to Vietnam, saying he did not have the chance of traveling there will serving as foreign minister.

Responding to a question by Papoulias regarding the ongoing G8 Summit, Karamanlis said there were no expectations for anything concrete to result, pointing to the importance of a dialogue taking place while noting that the EU has to assume a leading role on global environmental issues.

Caption: President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias (R) welcomes Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at the presidential mansion in Athens on Friday, June 8, 2007. ANA-MPA / G. ANTONIOU.

[02] Acropolis in the running for 'world wonder'

Results will be presented in a special ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal on July 7. Among the monuments in the running are the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, the Great Wall of China, the Maya Pyramid of Chichen Itza in Mexico's Yucatan, the granite statues of Easter Island, Stonehenge, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu in Peru and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan.

Votes can be cast online either by either becoming a member of New7Wonders and choosing your seven candidates once, during registration, or by buying a personalised certificate and voting for one candidate of your choice. Telephone voting is also available, as is voting from anywhere in the world.

Caption: An ANA-MPA photo shows the frontal, west side view of the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens.

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