Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-11-05

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Sworn-in ministers say they will work to set Greece on a path to development

[02] Business tycoon Andreas Vgenopoulos dies of heart attack at 63

[01] Sworn-in ministers say they will work to set Greece on a path to development

Concerningt his new duties, Pappas said it is a demanding portfolio and one where Greece can play a leading role. "Greece has a very crucial geographical location; it could become a trade and transit hub, and to achieve this it must have reliable networks. We are ready to work hard."

Speaking earlier to ANA, he described the reshuffle as one of "renewal, growth and reconstruction".

"It is a step for the country to continue to the next phase. The priorities and symbolisms are clear; there are many new faces entering the government. We get to work immediately," he added.

Olga Gerovasili, the new Administrative Reconstruction Minister, told ANA earlier that the new government's aim is to promote stable policies for economic growth, debt relief and social justice.

"From a different position, at a crucial time for the country, with all our strength to escape the deadlock," she said after her swearing-in.

Asked about his new position, State Minister Christoforos Vernardakis told ANA his first priority is to form a strong task force which will produce the government's policies.

"Firstly I need to be briefed and secondly we must make a very good team that will be able to carry out quickly all this work of strategic planning, coordination of government policies and highlighting new issues," he said. "The first thing as of Monday is to form a strong task force which will be the heart of the production of the government's policy."

On his side, State Minister Alekos Flambouraris told the news agency the government reshuffle has two elements: to complete the second program review quickly so that, if things go well, Greece can tap the markets next year.

The second element is that "everyone realizes that the crucial issue is restarting the economy through productive reconstruction," adding that growth will come through investment programs so that state funds can collect revenues.

[02] Business tycoon Andreas Vgenopoulos dies of heart attack at 63

Vgenopoulos was born in Athens in 1953, studied at the Law School of the University of Athens and formed the law firm "Vgenopoulos & Partners". Since 1998 he began his involvement in the banking and investment sector, eventually creating MIG, one of the largest business groups in the country and south-eastern Europe.

Under his leadership, MIG acquired a known dairy company, a shipping firm, a hospital, an information-computer company, as well as a tourism and a real estate company in the Balkans. Through his investment vehicle, MIG, he also bought a majority stake in the Cypriot, now-defunct Laiki Bank which collapsed during the financial crisis of Cyprus.

In the past he was a fencing champion, taking part with the Greek mission at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

The funeral service will be private, for family members.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article