Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Bakoyannis honoured

[02] Deputy FM urges youths

[03] NTNG to perform Nesin play

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] FM Bakoyannis honoured

"A politician may leave local government but local government never leaves him," Bakoyannis said, addressing the event which was also attended by her Austrian counterpart Ursula Plassnik.

The Greek minister was honoured by the State of Tyrol and Innsbruck's municipality, "as the first woman elected as Athens mayor and the first woman mayor in history that hosted the Olympic Games," and for her contribution to European regional policies and local government.

Addresses were also made by Plassnik, Tyrol Governor Herwig van Staa and the mayor of Innsbruck.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis

[02] Deputy FM urges youths

"We want Europe to move ahead, but we also want to secure our national interests," he said, explaining that the European Union was created to unite the peoples, after disasters".

Valinakis outlined the procedural operation of the European Council (council of EU heads of state and government), with particular reference to the member-states' right of veto, noting that the goal in each meeting was consensus and the achievement of agreement, with the best possible ensurance of the national interests of each country, explaining that if a country sets out a veto from the very start, then the discussions would not lead anywhere.

Addressing the young delegates at the Simulation, held at the Zappeion center, Valinakis said "you are the future of Greece and Europe, the future of Greek and European diplomacy", adding that the Simulation was a process through which the young generation could understand the significance of Europe and learn how difficuult it is to find common ground for agreement.

Chief of the European Commission representation in Greece, Ierotheos Papadopoulos, welcomed the youths and explained that the Simulation was a "game" through which young people learn the procedures of the European Council, while Hellenic Center for European Studies (EKEM) chairman Yannis Kofinis said that the 51st anniversary of the European Union was being celebrated Friday, adding that the target of the Simulation was to enable the youth to "get to know and love" Europe.

The Model European Council Simulation takes place on the anniversary of the May 9, 1950 declaration to the international press read out by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in Paris -- to the background of the threat of a third World War engulfing all of Europe --calling on France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation", which resulted the following year in the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the precursor of today's European Union. May 9 was officially established as "Europe Day", or "Schuman Day", by the EU leaders at the 1985 Summit in Milan.

The event is organised by the EU representation in Athens and the EKEM, in cooperation with the foreign ministry and the ministry of education.

The delegates comprise two students from every school in Greece and an accompanying teacher, selected by the education ministry, with delegates each representing one of the 27 EU member countries and the various EU institutional bodies.

The young delegates to the Simulation will this year are debating a European Commission proposal on the environment, focusing on renewable energy sources.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs Yannis Valinakis

[03] NTNG to perform Nesin play

The play, which has been presented in more than 70 performances in Thessaloniki and various other Greek cities over the 2006-2007 period, will also travel to the cities of Ordu and Bulancak next Friday and Saturday, respectively, at the invitation of the cities' mayors.

Aziz Nesin (1916-1955) was one of Turkey's most prolific humoristic writers and intellectuals, with more than 100 books published, and his works have been translated into more than 30 languages. He was noted for his earthy sense of humor and instinctive humanism, and was also a champion of Greek-Turkish friendship, intellectual freedom and freedom of speech, and a pro-democracy political activist, contributing to the illumination, modernisation and democratisation of society, especially during the last years of his life, saying himself that he was "paying dues to society".

He was also a humanitarian, establishing the Nesin Foundation in 1972, which took in destitute children and provided them with shelter, education and training from elementary school until completion of high school, a trade school, or until they acquired a vocation. Nesin donated his copyrights for all his works in Turkey or other countries -- including his published books, all plays to be staged, films, and all his works performed or used in radio or on television -- to the Foundation.

In "Come and Kill Me My Dear" (Hadi Oldursene Canikom), Nessin satirises the establishment, alcohol, desire, love, the system and politicians, and the human desire for communication and coexistence.

Two widows, Siyen (Fonsou) and Dicha (Vosniakou), with a deep desire for life, and hope, await redemption in a 'visit' by a 'killer' rapist (Gounaris).

The play was translated into Greek by Panagiotis Ampatzis, with sets and costumes by Anna-Maria Angelidou, music by composer Akis Gerontakis, and lighting by Giorgios Tarkassis.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of a State Theatre of Northern Greece play in the ancient Epidauros theatre

[04] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The part privatisation of National Telecommunications Organisation (OTE), the rise in inflation and forecasts for the cost of living dominated the headlines on Friday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "The changes in the administrative map of the country - 350 Municipalities to merge in 17 Prefectures".

APOGEVMATINI: "Goverment to give 10,000 euro per fire-stricken family for house restoration".

AVGHI: "Inflation spiralling - 4.4 the official rate in April".

AVRIANI: "FinMin George Alogoskoufis won - He succeeded in concluding the strategic agreement for OTE with Deutsche Telekom, despite the major interests that infested OTE in the last decades".

CHORA: "Moscow expelled two US diplomats - Economic and cold war setting".

ELEFTHEROS: "Raging war among arms dealers - Who will get the largest pieces of the 12 billion euros armament pie".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS:"Lethal blood transfusions - Health Minister had announced in March 2006 molecular blood checks, but nothing has changed".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The OTE agreement contains resale option - The Germans will pass throught the sieve all of OTE's cadres".

ESTIA: "Apprehension over the Greek economy is rational, Financial Times newspaper remarks".

ETHNOS: "(Education Minister Evripidis) Stylianidis touts non-state universities - He cast 'bombs' on public colleges and universities".

KATHIMERINI: "Inflation threatens the economy - It remained at 4.4 percent in April".

LOGOS: "Green light for OTE's sale - Announcements will be made in the following week".

NIKI: " Once upon a time OTE was Greek - The Greek giant will be handed over to the Germans in the following week".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Solidarity with Cuba, which keeps alive the vision of socialism".

TA NEA : "Feta cheese is cheaper in Berlin - (Greece the) Champions in high prices, resulting from profiteering".

TO VIMA: "Prices nightmare - Why (European Central Bank President Jean Claude) Trichet fears inflation".

VRADYNI: "The four keys points in Town Planning blueprints - Debate to begin in parliament in the following days".

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