Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-07-16

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

CONTENTS

[01] Symi Symposium on Turkish elections, environment

[01] Symi Symposium on Turkish elections, environment

The "10th Annual Symposium of Symi" organised by the Andreas G. Papandreou Foundation, was addressed Sunday evening by main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou.

Among those taking part are 30 internationally acclaimed politicians, business people and academics that include intellectuals, Nobel prize winners and activists, while the symposium is scheduled to end on July 20.

Former Turkish finance minister Kemal Dervis and journalist Ipek Cem, daughter of late Turkish foreign minister Ismail Cem, who are participating in the symposium, said that the expected victory of Prime Minister Tayipp Erdogan's party in Sunday's elections will "bring things back to their normal track, as regards Turkey's European Union course, with a steadfast orientation."

George Papandreou, on his part, reiterated his known position that the continuation of Turkey's EU accession course and its full accession is to Greece's benefit, on condition, however, that the neighbouring country complies to all prerequisites set by the union, as was the case for all countries including Greece and Cyprus.

Papandreou, as well as all other speakers, "did not detect any meaning" in French President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal for the creation of a Meditarranean Union, assessing that such a proposal "is rather a proposal aiming at the exlusion of Turkey from the EU than something which can acquire a serious substance."

Climate changes and the environment were the second topic discussed during the first day, with speakers noting that the USA "has not played the role it ought to, and this offers a double opportunity to the European Union, first to assume a leading role over an important issue on an international level and, secondly, by understanding this role, to be able to strengthen the union's cohesion."

Papandreou is expected in Athens on Tuesday to preside over a meeting of his party's parliamentary council. On Wednesday, the PASOK leader will address a rally on the island of Syros.

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