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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-11Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Karamanlis briefed by Interior MinisterPrime Minister Costas Karamanlis was briefed by �nterior �inister Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Tuesday on the ministry's planning for more efficient combating of crime and on the recently agreed EU pact on immigration and asylum.Pavlopoulos told reporters after the meeting that a new plan on curbing crime has entered into effect, adding that the improvement was visible with regard to case solving by the Greek Police. The minister said that he was not underestimating the problem, especially in specific neighbourhoods, adding that the ministry would continue its efforts, while he also noted that the Greek Police has made significant steps as regarded organized crime. Regarding the migration pact, Pavlopoulos said that two crucial meetings would be held in November, at the initiative of the Italian EU presidency, concerning implementation of the Pact, keeping in mind human rights, and added that Greece has taken initiatives on that issue, which have been acknowledged by the EU. Pavlopoulos said that Greece would put forward at those meetings the matter of implementation of the Pact mainly by non-EU countries or countries wishing to join the EU, so that they would abide by their obligations in combating people trafficking. Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis(R) and Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos(L). [02] Gang of hooded assailants attack political party offices in central AthensThe new offices of main opposition PASOK party in downtown Athens were attacked on Tuesday by a group of roughly 15 hooded individuals at around noon, with the assailants throwing stones, wooden sticks and paint "bombs" at the office building's facade. Immediately afterwards they turned against the political office of former merchant marine minister George Voulgarakis, located across the street. The group, reportedly self-styled anarchist and anti-state activists, threw paint at Voulgarakis' office and caused damage to the vehicle belonging to his security detail, as well as to another three parked cars. Finally, the assailants caused limited damage to a Eurobank bank branch and to a bookstore owned by Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) MP Adonis Georgiadis before fleeing toward Exarchia square, a long-reputed reputed hub of anarchist activity in central Athens.[03] Thessaloniki prefect wraps up visit to AustraliaMelbourne (ANA-MPA / S. Hatzimanolis) -- Thessaloniki Prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis concluded his five-day visit to Australia, held on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the twinning of Melbourne with Thessaloniki, and departed on Tuesday for his return to Greece. During his visit, Psomiadis met with the political leadership of the State of Victoria and visited major Greek expatriate community organizations. While in Melbourne, he attended the unveiling of a marble stele on Lonsdale Street, at the centre of the Greek quarters, donated by the Thessaloniki Prefecture with the figure of Alexander the Great carved on one side and Thessaloniki's patron Saint Demetrios on the other. Psomiadis attended the inauguration of a billboard exhibition at the premises of the Pan-Macedonian Association of Victoria, while he was also present in the inauguration of the Hellenic Museum of Melbourne launched with a special exhibition that focuses on Australians who fought and fell in Greece.[04] SYN leader visits state ambulance serviceCoalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN) leader Alexis Tsipras was briefed Tuesday on the problems faced by the State Emergency Ambulance Service (EKAB) personnel during a visit to the EKAB headquarters. After meeting with employee representatives at the EKAB facilities in Athens, Tsipras stated that he had an up close look at the personnel and ambulance shortage problems and charged that the National Health System (ESY) is being downgraded. Tsipras blamed the current and the previous governments for the state the EKAB,n accusing them of depreciating the health system to attract private investors to the hospital sector, while suggesting that radical policy change and fundamental reconstruction of ESY is required.[05] Papoulias receives Serb PMPresident of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Tuesday received visiting Serb prime minister Mirko Cvetkovic, to whom he expressed his personal interest in the development of Greek-Serb relations, which he described as historical."I have a tradition in the efforts for promotion of Greek-Serb relations," Papoulias, a former foreign minister, stressed, adding that he remained today personally interested in the development of those relations. He stressed that Greece supports Serbia's efforts for its European and Atlantic propsects, adding that "we want you to be strong, and we want Serbia to find the path to growth and stability". Papoulias described the bilateral relations as excellent, and noted in particular the economic cooperation between the two countries, stressing that Greece was on the front line of foreign investors in Serbia. Turning to finance minister Diana Dragutinovic, who is accompanying Cvetkovic on his Athens visit, Papoulias noted that "every finance minister is the firm backbone of the efforts made by the government". Cvetkovic, in turn, stressed that the relations between the two countries were friendly and long-lasting. Caption: President of Republic Karolos Papoulias(R) receives Serb prime minister Mirko Cvetkovic on Tuesday 11 November 2008 at the presidential mansion in Athens .ANA-MPA/SYMELA PANTZARTZI Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |