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Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-10-17Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Opinion pollAn opinion poll, the results of which appeared in an Athens newspaper on Sunday, indicates that 7 in 10 people believe that the Memorandum could have been avoided.More specifically, according to the results of a Pulse RC opinion poll appearing in the Sunday edition of Eleftheros Typos newspaper, 7 in 10 of the respondents said that recourse to the Troika (EU-IMF loan) could have been avoided, while 28 in 100 said they will abstain from voting in next month's local government elections. Regarding voter intent, ruling PASOK was leading by a margin of 6 percentage points over main opposition New Democracy (ND) with 27 percent in favor of PASOK against 21 percent for ND, followed by 8.5 percent for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), 4.0 percent for the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, 3.0 percent for the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA parliamentary alliance), and 2.5 percent for the Ecologists-Greens, while 6.0 percent said they would vote for "other parties". More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [02] 32nd annual Athens International Boat Show�he 32nd annual Athens International Boat Show opened to the public on Saturday evening at Metropolitan Expo exhibition center at Athens' 'Eleftherios Venizelos' International Airport.The Athens Boat Show is the most important specialised event of its kind, offering a unique show of equipment and services ranging from aquatic sports through surfing, water skiing and diving technologies to charters, motorboats and luxury yachts. A wide range of products will be on exhibit, including: boat and yacht engines, equipment, gear and accessories; navigation equipment; boat building material; repair and maintenance; trailers and hoists; Coast guard and emergency equipment; deck fittings; diving equipment and gear and fishing gear and tackle; jet skis and accessories; marina developers; motor boat;, nautical gift items; sailing boats and yachts; ship management; small boats; super yachts; water skiing equipment; aquatic sports clothing; aquatic tourism; cruise liners and charters; and wind surfing and equipment. The Athens International Boat Show, the slogan of which this year is "Affordable getaways for all", was inaugurated on Saturday evening by Maritime Affairs, Islands and Fisheries Minister Yiannis Diamantidis. The Boat Show will run through October 24. (ANA-MPA/Civitas file photo) More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [03] FM in Middle EastAmman (ANA-MAP/Ch. Poulidou) -- Foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas on Sunday began a four-day visit to the Middle East with Jordan as the first stop, where he had meetings with Jordanian prime minister Samir Rifai and foreign minister Nasser Judeh, and was received by King Abdullah II.In his meeting with Rifai, the foreign minister placed particular emphasis on matters concerning the economy, the reforms being advanced by the Greek government and the gradual change in the business environment. It was noted during the meeting that the assumption of major projects in Jordan by Greek companies -- such as the construction of large Aeolic (wind) parks by two consortia in which Greek companies are taking part -- as well as the wider Greek business activity in Jordan enable the convening of a Business Forum but also underline the need for a double taxation agreement between the two countries, the negotiation of which has already begun. During his meeting with Jordanian counterpart Judeh, a Memorandum of Political Deliberations was signed between the two countries, while the two foreign ministers also reviewed bilateral relations as well as the wider problems of the region. The results so far of the Greek scholarships program was also discussed, with the ministers stressing that 2,000 Jordanians have studied in Greece under the program, with multiple benefits on bilateral relations. On the Middle East, Droutsas underlined in statements to the press the stabilising role played by Jordan in the region, and its consistent support for the Middle East peace process, adding that he was briefed by Judeh on the most recent developments in all aspects of the process and on the latest developments in the endo-Palestinian dialogue. Droutsas noted the importance of this discussion given the corresponding discussion taking place in the context of the EU, where Greece is trying to credibly convey the prevailing climate in the region. The Greek foreign minister said that he and his Jordanian counterpart further discussed issues impacting stability in the region, such as relations with Iran and with Turkey and developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, while he also briefed Judeh on developments in the Cyprus issue and the FYROM name issue. Judeh, in turn, stressed the historic bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, adding that he had an "exceptional discussion" with Droutsas. On the Middle East, the Jordanian foreign minister stressed his country's opposition to all unilateral actions, and stressed the need for an independent and viable Palestinian state. The two foreign ministers were slated to continue their discussion during an official dinner on Sunday night. Droutsas was received later by King Abdullah II, whom he invited to visit Greece. The two men discussed matters concerning bilateral cooperation as well as the Middle East at this crucial conjuncture for the future of the peace process. Greece, Droutsas said, is interested in the developments in the issue given that its relations with the region but also its membership in the EU enable the country to play a constructive role. Droutsas will visit Israel and the Palestinian Territory on Monday, followed by Egypt on Tuesday and Lebanon on Wednesday. Caption: Greek foreign minister Dimitris Droutsas (L) with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh (R) in Amman. (EPA) More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [04] Warning bell sounded in 2008Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker said in an interview with a Greek newspaper appearing on Sunday that "since 2008 we had been pressing and ringing the warning bell to the Greek authorities to take measures to reverse the situation, which appeared to be taking on dangerous proportions", adding that efficient measures were taken by the current government and "I can say that I am very satisfied".In an interview with the Sunday edition of To Vima newspaper, Juncker said that even if the government were to change in Greece, the Memorandum will remain. He said he understands the difficult daily life of the Greek people "but there is no other path". Juncker further said he saw no need for taking new measures, nor for discussion about the possibility of extending the repayment period of the EU-IMF loan, since "Greece is making substantial progress as regards consolidating the public finances" and "the noteworthy reduction in the deficit". On corruption, the Eurogroup chief said that Greece indeed has a serious problem, "but it is not the only one (country) in the European Union to face such problems". He said that the current prime minister of Greece "had the courage to repeatedly acknowledge that corruption is a major problem for the country", adding that "he should not be criticised for what he said...Other prime ministers in the European neighborhood have also admitted to having such issues in their own countries". Caption: Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker (EPA) More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form [05] Med climate change conferenceAn international conference on Climate Change in the Mediterranean will take place in Athens on Friday, October 22, at the initiative of Greece's prime minister George Papandreou.The Mediterranean Climate Change Initiative conference will focus on ways to advance policies and actions to tackle the repercussions of climate change and for the transition to a viable deveopmental model. The conference will be attended by government leaders and members from Mediterranean countries More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |