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Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-06-11Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Int�l Constitutional Law con'f opens in AthensThe 7th World Congress of the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL) opened at the Zappeion Hall in Athens on Monday, with several government ministers and officials attending. The conference was organised and hosted by the Greek Constitutional Law Union, under the aegis of the interior ministry, and will continue until June 15.Opening remarks were made by Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos, followed by Education Minister Marietta Yiannakou and Deputy Foreign Minister Evripides Stylianidis, among others. Speaking on behalf of the government, Pavlopoulos declared the start of the conference and thanked the IACL for choosing to hold its conference in Athens. During his address, the minister stressed that "there are and should be no borders, as long as Constitutions return to their roots: the protection of human rights," while calling for international cooperation and organisation to deal with the threats to human rights, which he described as "subcutaneous, stronger and more dangerous". He also expressed hope that the meeting in Athens would be a basis for promoting the EU Constitutional Treaty and the starting point for debate on a global level. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos. [02] FM holds talks with Palestinian leadershipForeign Minister Dora Bakoyannis held a series of meetings with the Palestinian leaders here on Monday afternoon, initially meeting with Palestinian Authority Finance Minister Salem Fayyad, followed by meetings with the PLO's chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.The Palestinian delegation, headed by Abbas, later hosted a luncheon for the Greek foreign minister. Bakoyannis had the opportunity of discussing issues concerning the Patriarchate during the luncheon, that was also attended by members of the Presidential Christian Affairs Committee. Highlighting Greece's mediating role as a European Union member-strate, the foreign minister said that a "momentum" currently exists that must not be lost. The Arab Initiative, the "Quartet" initiative, meetings in the framework of the EU are aimed at a resumption of the peace process. "I encouraged Mr. Abbas to continue meetings with (Israeli Prime Minister Ehud) Mr. Olmert," Bakoyannis said, stressing that dialogue is always the only reply to force. Bakoyannis will be meeting on Monday night, before leaving for Damascus, with veteran Israeli leader Shimon Peres, expected to be elected president of the country by the Knesset in the next few days. Caption: Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis is received by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Monday, June 11, 2007. ANA-MPA / A. DOUKAS. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |