Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-07-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou extends invitation to political dialogue

[02] FM Lambrinidis holds talks with German counterpart

[01] Papandreou extends invitation to political dialogue

Addressing a Cabinet meeting, Papandreou rejected the view promoted by certain circles blaming the economic crisis and austerity measures for all the country's ills.

"The crisis alone cannot breed violence," the prime minister stressed, adding that "assaults, attacks and jeering, even when targeting ordinary citizens, are being urged and incited by extreme political groups" and "by individuals desperately seeking a personal political role, as well as, by certain media-bred public opinion shapers".

He said that everybody should assume their share of responsibility and underlined that "a State that is ruled by the law cannot tolerate �spontaneous� or organized violence."

He pointed out that the attacks on MPs and the parliament "mutilate democracy and undermine civil liberties". Referring to historical precedence, he stressed that "every time anti-parliamentarianism and the practice of challenging democratic institutions were cultivated have resulted to anti-democratic diversion."

Papandreou extended an "invitation to dialogue and responsibility" to everybody and added that he will suggest the establishment of a cross-party committee to discuss and decide on policies and measures "that will protect institutions, safeguard the rule of law, improve the organizing of public gatherings, police operation, etc.

The prime minister referred to the reforms currently promoted by the government focusing on the tertiary education and stressed that reactions are expected by those "who have an interest in maintaining the status quo".

Expressed faith in the reforms that are being promoted and pointed out that "the decisions we make today will serve in the future as a reference point; a turning point in our country�s history."

Papandreou ruled out the likelihood of snap elections, stressing that in 2013 the people will be called to assess the job done.

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[02] FM Lambrinidis holds talks with German counterpart

According to a Foreign ministry announcement, Lambrinidis stressed that "the solidarity being shown by Germany and the responsibility, as well as the solidarity and responsibility that Greece is also being called on to show are, I think, the basic principles that will take us out, united and stronger as Europeans, from this crisis."

Lambrinidis further said "with Guido we discussed a great deal about the efforts to tackle this crisis. Greece has proved its determination over this past year and a half. It took measures that it had to and will take even more difficult measures now. Measures that cost dearly to the Greek people, measures that are producing, thanks to the sacrifices of the Greek people and I am deeply grateful to Guido Westerwelle and in our discussion over the fact that so much and so intenseley and so much, if you want, humanely recognised these sacrifices. I thanked him naturally particularly for Germany's contribution to this very difficult effort for Greece as well as for Europe."

Lambrinidis also said "I want to stress here something that is frequently overlooked. Today's Greece is consistent, it is reliable. We are fulfilling the measures that we have said that we shall take. Last year the changes that took place in the country in one year alone were changes that have not taken place ever in any other European country in the history of the European Union. Mistakes were made naturally and we are corrrecting them with new determination and with new support from our partners and for this reason I thank once again publicly for the solidarity and for the support."

Lastly, Lambrinidis said "it is not only the European and the Greek-German issues that preoccupied us. We spoke of the 'Arab spring', we spoke about Libya, we spoke about the Middle East, about a series of issues that we shall each face seperately as well as together as Europeans soon."

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