Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-06-29

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM, Samaras speeches before mid-term vote

[02] Designs unveiled for Niarchos complex

[03] EU leaders praise vote

[01] PM, Samaras speeches before mid-term vote

Papandreou expressed certainty that the ruling PASOK Parliamentary group will rise to the occasion and vote in favour of the medium-term programme -- hours before the 155. He stressed that main opposition New Democracy (ND) also relies on the same certainty, clarifying that "the ND MPs have adopted an irresponsible stance because they know that we will act responsibly".

He said that the "ND MPs follow their leader, who is surrounded by people telling him that saying 'no' is doing good to his image."

Papandreou stressed that "now is the time to display a measure of responsibility and make sure that salaries and pensions will be paid". He also said that "many are protesting outside; those who suffer injustices and others who do not want let go of the privileges to which they have become accustomed. We should make sure that none of us will have to experience the consequences of a collapse�There is no 'plan B' for Greece. Our partners will only think how they can save themselves. There are no magic solutions. Things are simple: we can either follow the rough path of change or be met with disaster." (ANA-MPA)

Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras responded that "now is not being decided whether we will collapse or not, but whether we will make yet another fateful step toward the absolute economic collapse - the social and political collapse." He said that ND has a responsibility "to tell the truth to our partners," adding that he proved that the medium-term programme is not viable. He also said that he will be judged only by the Greek people. (ANA-MPA)

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[02] Designs unveiled for Niarchos complex

The construction of the cultural, educational, and recreational complex, designed by noted Italian architect Renzo Piano, who is regarded as master of sustainable architecture, will be launched this year and will include the 170,000m2 (42-acre) Stavros Niarchos Park, a state-of-the-art headquarters for the National Library of Greece, as well as a new cutting-edge for the Greek National Opera.

The construction of the 550-million-euro project will be funded entirely by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and after it is completed it will be donated to the Greek state.

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[03] EU leaders praise vote

A joint statement from Van Rompuy and Barroso stated Greece "has taken an important step forward along the necessary path of fiscal consolidation and growth-enhancing structural reform".

"But it has also taken a vital step back - from the very grave scenario of default," they added. (ANA-MPA)

European parliament president and former Polish premier Jerzy Buzek said the landmark vote, in the years to come, "may be seen as a turning point for Greece and the eurozone".

"This was not an easy choice to make and I salute those who voted in favour of this tough reform package," Buzek said.

In a related development, the two biggest groups in the European Parliament, the European People's Party (PP) and the Party of European Socialists (EPS) also praised the Greek Parliament's vote. (ANA-MPA)

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