The Hellenic Radio (ERA): News in English, 10-04-22

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From: The Hellenic Radio (ERA) <www.ert.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Actions to Boost Tourism

Prime-minister George Papandreou, in his speech at the conference of Hellenic Tourist Enterprises Association, announced that a dialogue with all involved sectors would have been completed till the end of May for the government to proceed to the lifting of cabotage. Mr. Papandreou also stressed that the tourist sector should use the financial crisis as an opportunity to change attitude and mentality to achieve viable development. He underlined the need for coordinated strategy by all competent ministries to contribute to the development of a model of green tourism. "Patriotic duty is to save the country and this is what we are doing", said the Prime-minister once again referring to the major issue of economy and activation of rescue mechanism. Furthermore, he strongly criticized the former ND government saying that it led the country to the brink of the cliff.

Lifting of Cabotage

In response to tourist sectors firm request for the lifting of cabotage, the Prime-minister announced the conclusion of dialogue with all interested sectors till the end of May for the government to proceed to the lifting of cabotage on cruise ships.

Mr. Papandreou referred to the benefits of the measure both for the shipping field and employees, underlining that it would not only create new job positions in the land and sea (4.000 Italian sailors are employed in Italy's cruise business) but also job positions in other fields.

The Hellenic Marine Federation board meets on Thursday to discuss all possibilities. In its announcement, however, it stresses that the positions of Greek sailors about cabotage were ignored and portrays lift of cabotage in cruise marine as a tough blow to competition terms of ships flying Greek flag, leading to writing off of many ships from Greek registry and loss of hundreds of jobs.

Measures to Boost Tourism

To protect employees in the shipping sector the government plans:

To upgrade training of sailors involved in hospitality sector, promote Greek sailors in responsible positions in cruise companies, include employees in cruise ships in subsidy programs similar to OAED program for hotel employees.

Among other measures to boost tourism is the relief of airport taxes from all state-owned airports during summer and 50% in winter (except Eleftherios Benizelos International Airport) in order to attract low cost airport companies, tour operators and charter operators. He also announced cuts for the issuing of visas to tourists from Russia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia

Source: ���, �NA-�PA

News item: 35741

[02] New Arrest Warrants in the next Days

Five more arrest warrants are to be issued in the next days as Antiterrorist Agency continues investigations. Policemen are examining 4.000 pieces of evidence they have gathered from hide-outs and houses where they carried investigations while the three guns found in Kypseli hide-out had not been used in terrorist attacks. Evidence so far indicates that there are more weapons that have not been found yet. Police circles fear new terrorist attack from members of terrorist organizations that have not been arrested. Investigations continue in Kypseli while the region around 8 Aiginis St. remains cordoned off.

Source: ���

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News item: 35771

[03] Ash Cloud Tightens Grip over Europe

Air travel across much of Europe has been paralysed, since the huge cloud of volcanic ash spewed out by the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland has tightened its grip over the continent. Flights remained grounded for a fourth consecutive day. Meteorologists said that the cloud is moving towards the higher levels of the atmosphere, but it may grow thicker on Tuesday and Wednesday, posing a greater danger to flights. There is no need for emergency measures in Greece, although flights from and to Europe are being cancelled. The EU summits scheduled to take place Monday in Brussels and Luxembourg were put off due to the volcanic ash cloud. However, the EU Transport Ministers will join Monday a video conference to discuss the air travel lockdown.

Several European nations have had closed or restricted their airspace by Sunday afternoon, whereas restrictions in several nations will remain until Monday. Experts said that the cloud is moving towards the south and it could reach northern Greece.

Aviation officials warned that airplane engines could become clogged with the tiny particles of rock and glass if pilots attempt to fly through the dust. However, carriers, including KLM and Lufthansa, carried out successful test flights.

The inconvenience in the air travel is the worst after the 11 September hit in the USA, when the American airspace had closed for three days, with the EU carriers having cancelled all America-bound flights.

The air travel problems forced several political leaders to cancel their travel plan. US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicola Sarkozy and several others cancelled their trip to Poland to attend the funeral of the Polish President.

The volcanic activity started getting weaker on Saturday, however it may take days or even months before it comes to a head, said experts. Meteo service AccuWeather stressed that the ash cloud will grow thicker on Tuesday and Wednesday, posing a greater threat to flights. However, it is forecast to be narrower and affect a smaller area.

The same service said that a storm in the Atlantic and the change in winds on Thursday could break up the cloud.

Source: ANA/MPA News item: 35561

[04] Flights in Europe Back to Normal

Flights in Europe are returning to normal after a week's of unprecedented disruptions due to the volcanic ash cloud said Eurocontrol, European air traffic monitoring agency. Restrictions are still in effect in Finland and some parts of Scotland. Flights to Denmark fully restored while airports in south Scotland and Norway still remain closed.

Airports in south Sweden and southwest Norway remain closed as shifting winds sent a new plume of volcanic ash over Scandinavia.

Airline services are back in track in Denmark and all restrictions have been lifted since 08:00, on Thursday. However, the spokesman for Denmark air control agency said restrictions may be put in force again in the event of high levels of volcanic ash.

Rumania's national air carrier (TAROM) cancelled 9 flights yesterday, however, competent Rumanian authorities announcements indicate normalization of flights.

The General Civil Aviation Directorate in France announced that French airports were also reopened, including the busy Charles de Gaulle, where thousands of flights had been cancelled in the last days.

Source: �NA-�PA

News item: 35744

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