Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou opens SI meeting in Montenegro

[02] Greece-Canada accord

[01] Papandreou opens SI meeting in Montenegro

The global financial crisis, climate change, illegal migration and regional crises are at the top of the agenda of the SI meeting being held in the town of Budva.

Papandreou attended a working dinner of the SI Presidium on Sunday night, during which Greenpeace International Executive Director Gerd Leipold presented to participants a "non-paper", regarding the SI's relations with the "green movements".

Monday's SI meeting will also be addressed by Montenegro's prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists Milo Djukanovic, and Montegrin parliament president and leader of the Social Democratic Party Ranko Krivokapic.

Four main topics will be discussed, with the global financial crisis topping the agenda, on which Papandreou has stressed the need for a 'road map' for the Balkans' exit from the crisis

The second item is climate change, ahead of the SI presidium's meeting in New York in September, where the presidium will finalise the SI proposals to be submitted in December at the UN Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen.

This is the first time that the two issues of the global financial crisis and climate change are being discussed simultaneously, in an effort to draft a common text.

The third item on the agenda is regional crises, with the main focus on Iran, on which Papandreou has recently conducted a series of contacts.

The fourth item is illegal migration, which Papandreou has been putting forward at all international fora. The SI president will brief the presidium on the issue with respect to both Europe and Greece in particular, which is a major gateway for illegal migrants.

The SI president chose to convene its meeting in Montenegro "in order to send a message of support to the Balkans, and to the western Balkans in particular."

[02] Greece-Canada accord

According to a foreign ministry announcement, the agreement settles the taxation of income gained through activities in Canada by natural or legal persons resident in Greece (and vice versa).

It also includes favourable provisions regarding Greek companies intending to do business in Canada. It determines the extent of the contracting parties� tax competencies and ensures a stable tax regime and a level-playing field for investors. The signing of this agreement opens up new horizons for the economic relations of the two countries.

Tax barriers (double taxation) are to a large extent removed, cooperation prospects between the tax authorities of the two countries are strengthened with a view to the prevention of tax evasion, and more favourable conditions are created for the operation of Greek businesses that are active in Canada.

This bilateral agreement is now the most important form of economic cooperation between Canada and Greece and it is expected to work as an incentive towards further improving their economic and trade relations, the ministry announcement said.

Foreign minister Dora Bakoyannis and her Canadian counterpart Lawrence Cannon on Monday signed a bilateral agreement between Greece and Canada on the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Income or Capital and the Prevention of Tax Evasion.

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