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Papandreou called on social partners to support government reforms

Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou met representatives of employers and employees as well as professional organizations yesterday, in view of the Thessaloniki International Fair scheduled for next week.

He called on them to support his government's reforms and stressed that the danger of bankruptcy has not completely disappeared yet.

The social partners presented Papandreou with proposals for bettering the country's economic state, promoting development and entrepreneurship as well as safeguarding worker's incomes.

General Confederation of Workers of Greece (GSEE) president Yiannis Panagopoulos requested a new mix of economic and social policy, one that will dynamically exceed the memorandum and will restore the needs of the unemployed, of low-pension earners and of employees in the private sector.

PASOK National Council begins its works today

The ruling PASOK party three day National Council convenes begins its works today - with the occasion of the 36th anniversary from the party's founding - at the Faliro Tae Kwon Do stadium. Procedures will conclude on Sunday with the Council's approval of the PASOK local and regional election candidates.   

Meanwhile, the PASOK political council convened yesterday, chaired by Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou, to focus on the upcoming local and regional elections.

The PM told the council that 2011 would be a difficult year, however, he added that there is scope for reform that would promote development and improve institutions. Papandreou also emphasized the importance of the role of regional governor under the Kallikratis local administration reform plan.

Papaconstantinou says no further measures will be taken

No further measures will be taken by the government other than those included in the economic programme for 2010 and 2011, Finance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou told French economic newspaper La Tribune in an interview.

The minister added that an increase in VAT "would be negative for economic activity."

Main opposition ND deputies withdraw from committee investigating the structured bonds case

Main opposition New Democracy party announced its withdrawal from a fact-finding Parliament committee probing the structured bonds affairs, following its withdrawal from a similar committee on the Vatopedi issue. A party statement  denounced a "structured disorientation, structured extortion and structured lies."

In statements, ND deputies and members of the committee stressed that they had warned that they would not tolerate such attitudes and accused PASOK of refusing repeatedly to have an in-depth probe of the bonds issue since 1997.

FM spokesman: The Turkish casus belli against Greece is unacceptable

Athens has sent a strong message to Ankara regarding the 12 miles issue.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu denying relevant press reports said on Tuesday that Ankara would not lift the casus belli against Greece.

Greek Foreign Ministry's spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras replied to this statement by noting that "the extension of Greek territorial waters to 12 nautical miles is a title of Greece foreseen by the International Law of the Sea".

He also noted that "it is unacceptable a candidate country for EU membership to use a threat of war against another EU member state".  Mr. Delavekouras stressed that it was Turkey's issue to abolish it.

Greek Foreign Ministry expresses satisfaction on the launch of Middle East peace talks

Greece has warmly welcomed the beginning of direct Middle East peace talks.

The Foreign Ministry sees these direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians that began yesterday in Washington as a "great opportunity" for a final resolution of the Middle East issue.

Foreign Ministry's spokesman Grigoris Delavekouras noted that "Greece calls people and governments of the region not to succumb to the logic of violence and to proceed into an honest, fair, constant and viable solution of their problems".

LAOS party withdraws backing of Psomiadis in Central Macedonia region

Popular Orthodox Rally LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis withdrew his backing of Panagiotis Psomiadis for the post of regional governor of central Macedonia.

Psomiadis commented that he feels he has the support of LAOS followers in Macedonia regardless.

"The Siemens bribery scandal didn't surprise me", businessman Sokratis Kokkalis testified

Businessman Socratis Kokkalis testified before the parliamentary committee probing the Siemens scandal yesterday. Mr. Kokkalis said his company, Intralot, is competitive to Siemens and made clear that his company does not use bribes in it's dealings. He also added that he wasn't surprised to learn about the scandal as he believes bribing to be common practice for many businesses.

Former Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos also testified before the special committee yesterday.

Public transport routes change ahead of tonight's U2 concert

Public Transport companies will alter their normal timetable ahead of the U2 concert this evening which is to take place at OAKA Olympic Stadium in Athens.

For one hour after midnight, the suburban railway trains will leave Eirini station every five minutes, while a special bus will carry out the journey from Kifisias avenue to Syntagma Square and back every three minutes. Commuters will also be able to use the metro from Attiki to Syntagma square stations every 7,5 minutes.

Ministers are not permanent, the premier will decide of local candidates, government spokesman comments

Political party staff are intensifying preparations in view of the Thessaloniki International Fair and forthcoming local administration elections.

Prime Minister Giorgos Papandreou will be briefed by representatives of production and social sectors today while the PASOK National Council, which will ratify candidacies for local elections, begins it's works tomorrow.

Meanwhile, government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis denied that there were any ministers who believed they were permanently positioned in a ministry. He also added that it is the Prime Minister's responsibility to select candidates for local administration elections.