Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-08-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Athens mayor's reaction to gov't initiative to safeguard city's historic centre

[02] AEK-Dundee at Karaiskaki

[01] Athens mayor's reaction to gov't initiative to safeguard city's historic centre

"The government in power is exclusively responsible for cracking down on crime and for instilling a sense of security in the citizens of our cities. I am pleased that, after many months, the prime minister is dealing with the problem that exists in Athens� historic centre and has adopted all of the City of Athens� proposals in full, just as they were submitted several months ago to the competent ministries and featured in a volume ... Two points mentioned by the prime minister made a particular impression on me," he said, adding:

"Firstly, that he fully agreed with me on the need for the Organisation Against Drugs drug rehabilitation units to be relocated away from the city�s historic centre - all of them had been established during PASOK government terms - ignoring the fact that the competent deputy minister, Ms (Fofi) Gennimata, has a totally different point of view from his.

"And the second element that made an impression on me is that I did not hear a word about the substantive safeguarding of Greece�s borders, which would ensure that our country no longer constitutes a �borderless state�, where anyone can enter and leave, for whatever reason they like."

[02] AEK-Dundee at Karaiskaki

Although final UEFA approval is pending, both teams should breathe a sigh of relief, as the 33,500-seat Karaiskaki Stadium -- the home field for Olympiacos Piraeus -- is a purpose-built football venue constructed just ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.

Additionally, only Dundee United supporters will be on hand, as AEK Athens' management has decided not to open the stands for its own fans. The popular Athens club can still bring along an unspecified number of team officials, sponsors and VIP guests, however.

Wednesday's development follows the unprecedented thrashing of another Athens field on Tuesday afternoon by hooligans bent on preventing the AEK-Dundee match from taking place there.

The 11,500-seat but sub-par Nea Smyrni field, home to mid-level Panionios Athens, would have served as the venue had it not been vandalised.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Karaiskaki Stadium in the Athens coastal district of Neo Faliro.

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