Greek government launches support of households with heavy d
ATHENS, March 15 (Xinhua) — \”The indebtedness of Greek households undermines the foundations of economic and social life, \” said Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli here on Monday, as he unveils new initiatives to solve the problem.
Six out of ten households in Greece have heavy debts to banks and two out of ten already cannot meet their obligations, according to a survey presented on Monday during an event organized by the Ministry of Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping on the occasion of the World Consumer Day.
Greek households today owe at least 120 billion euros (164.46 billion U.S. dollars) to banks, while six years ago the amount stood at 52.5 billion euros, according to data presented by the non governmental organization \”Union of Consumers- Quality of Life. \”
The Greek government intends to promote soon a new bill on the indebtedness of Greek households and transparency in bank transactions and to create a nationwide net for the free of charge education of consumers on better management of debts.
\”This year\’s World Consumer Day in Greece found Greeks with low incomes desperate due to the new hikes in VAT rates which were enforced today,\” the Greek Center of Consumers said, commenting on the second package of austerity measures announced by the Greek government recently.
Greek citizens fear that the further increase in VAT rates from 19 percent to 21 percent on goods and services will reduce dramatically their purchasing power.
Greek Labor Minister Andreas Loverdos and the National Confederation of Greek Commerce head Vasilis Korkidis announced on Monday that in a sign of solidarity to the people most affected by the crisis, unemployed will get a discount of 20 percent to various stores.
Greek government announced earlier this month a package of austerity measures in an effort to reduce the high fiscal deficit from 12.7 percent to 8.7 percent by this year.
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The flag-hoisting ceremony is held to mark the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
President of Hungary Laszlo Solyom (L) attend the flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
Artists perform in front of the National Museum during a celebration to mark the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
Artists perform in front of the National Museum during a celebration to mark the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
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BRUSSELS, March 15 (Xinhua) — European Union (EU) member states Monday adopted targets for biodiversity protection until 2050 after they failed to deliver on a target of halting biodiversity loss in the EU by 2010.
They now agreed on \”a headline target of halting the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020,\” according to a conclusion adopted unanimously by EU environment ministers at a monthly meeting here.
A recent progress report produced by the European Commission showed the EU lags far behind its target of halting biodiversity loss by 2010.
It was alarmingly revealed that 50 percent of all species and up to 80 percent of habitat types in need of protection in Europe have \”unfavorable conservation\” status, which means there is a real danger of species decline.
EU ministers also agreed on a long-term vision for 2050 in terms of biodiversity protection, based on a proposal from the commission.
\”By 2050 EU biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides are protected, valued and appropriately restored for biodiversity\’s intrinsic value and for their essential contribution to human wellbeing and economic prosperity, and so that catastrophic changes caused by the loss of biodiversity are avoided,\” they said.
Spanish environment minister Elena Espinosa, whose country holds the EU six-month rotating presidency, said at a press conference that the EU should not repeat its mistake after missing 2010 biodiversity targets, adding the new vision has set out clear targets.
EU commissioner for the environment Janez Potoznik said the 27-nation bloc should combine its targets for biodiversity with its new economic strategy for the next decade, also known as Europe 2020 strategy.
The commission recently presented the Europe 2020 strategy, calling for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the EU by 2020, which would be debated by EU leaders at a summit later this month.
The 2020 strategy should deal with \”not only growth and jobs, but also what kind of growth and jobs,\” Potoznik said.
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The flag-hoisting ceremony is held to mark the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
BUDAPEST, March 15 (Xinhua) — Hungary marked the 162nd anniversary of its ill-fated revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848 with an all-day series of political and cultural events on Monday.
The program began with a flag-raising ceremony at parliament and continued with cultural programs at the National Museum, site of the outbreak of the revolution, as well as a variety of historical pageants in downtown Budapest focused on children. Traffic on Chain Bridge, a symbol of the city, was limited to pedestrians and horse drawn vehicles and residents braved the wintery cold to enjoy the festivities.
President Laszlo Solyom and Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai held an award-presentation ceremony in Parliament to mark the day. They awarded the Kossuth Prize to outstanding representatives of the arts and humanities, and the Szechenyi Prize to the country\’s top scientists, engineers and doctors.
Speaking in Parliament, the president called for the unity of all Hungarians in and outside Hungary, saying that their cultural cohesion had to be preserved.
Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky addressed a traditional gathering on March 15 Square in the heart of the city, which was interrupted by hecklers from the far right.
President of Hungary Laszlo Solyom (L) attend the flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 162nd anniversary of the revolution and war of independence against the Habsburg Empire in 1848, in Budapest, Hungary, March 15, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
Demszky, a member of the liberal SZDSZ party, has spoken to crowds on March 15 every single year since first being elected to office 20 years ago. He is the longest-standing political figure to continuously hold office in Hungary but will not stand for re- election this fall.
The various political parties each held separate gatherings. Conservative Fidesz, expected to win parliamentary elections next month by a landslide, drew a huge crowd. The main speaker was Viktor Orban, party chair and the man likely to be the country\’s next prime minister.
Pointing out that there were only 27 days until elections, he predicted a decisive victory for his party. He likened his forthcoming election victory to a bloodless constitution-supported revolution and promised to lead Hungary in a new direction.
Eight years of left-wing rule had left the country in dire shape, he said. \”The economy is in a coma, the state is staggering, the government is on its last legs, health care is in terrible shape and public security has surrendered,\” Orban said.
? Five-year-old Sahil Saeed\’s Pakistan National Identity Card (NIC) photograph. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
ISLAMABAD, March 16 (Xinhua) — British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed Tuesday that the abducted British-born boy Sahil Saeed has been recovered safely by Pakistani security agencies.
\”Yes, we have been informed by police officials that the child is recovered and safe,\” Press Officer of British High Commission Habib ur Rehman told Xinhua.
\”This is fantastic news. It brings to an end the traumatic ordeal faced by Sahil and his family,\” said Habib while reading out the press note of Adam Thomson, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan.
Habib said they are still waiting for operation details.
\”I would like to praise the high level of cooperation between UK and Pakistani authorities and in particular I would like to thank the Jhelum police for their role in bringing about the safe return of Sahil,\” the British High Commissioner said in the statement.
The grandfather of the child, talking to local TV channels, also confirmed the recovery, \”I have not met him yet but police called us and said that child is in safe hands,\” he said.
? Family members of five-year-old kidnapped British boy Sahil Saeed feed each other traditional Pakistani sweets upon news of his release in Jhelum, 120 km (75 miles) southeast of Islamabad March 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
According to Deputy Superintendent Police Sultan Meeran, abductors ran away after they left the child outside a school in the City Khariyaan District of Jhelum in the eastern province of Punjab early morning.
Sahil, 7, on his holiday visit to Pakistan from Oldham, northern England, was abducted after his grandmother\’s house was raided by robbers armed with guns and hand grenades on March 4 when they were about to leave for Britain.
The abductors demanded 0.1 million sterling pounds for ransom.
After the abduction, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani assured to child\’s father and British higher authorities for child recovery.
Last Thursday, Pakistani officials said the British boy has been released but the British High Commission refused to confirm.
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MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) — Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov on Tuesday called Russia a valued friend of his country, Russian news agencies reported.
\”Russia is our strategic and reliable partner,\” Berdymukhamedov said during a meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Ashgabat.
Turkmenistan highly values its political, economic and educational cooperation with Russia, the president was quoted as saying.
Lavrov, for his part, said Russia is \”satisfied with the development of the bilateral relations.\”
Lavrov was in Ashgabat for a two-day working visit, seeking further expansion of bilateral ties in economy and trade. He was also to hold talks with Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov.
Russian gas monopoly Gazprom and its Turkmen counterpart Turkmengaz clinched a deal on the sidelines of President Dmitry Medvedev\’s visit to the Turkmen capital in December.
Under the new contract, Turkmenistan will supply Russia with up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually at European-level prices.
The two countries meanwhile agreed to jointly implement two projects of the Caspian gas pipeline and the East-West gas pipeline.
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MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday that the date and venue for the signing of a strategic arms reduction treaty (START) have not yet been determined.
Negotiators from both countries would report to Lavrov and U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton on the progress of the arms talks in Moscow on Thursday, said Lavrov as cited by the Interfax news agency.
Clinton is to meet Lavrov in Moscow between on March 18-19, when both sides are expected to discuss the START treaty.
\”We will receive reports from the heads of the delegations and see how they are implementing the agreements that were reached by the presidents,\” said Lavrov on his way from Ashgabat to Moscow.
\”The end of March or the beginning of April are the dates when the delegations will finalize the treaty, provided they strictly follow the presidents\’ instructions,\” said Lavrov as cited by the Itar-Tass news agency.
\”It is up to the presidents to decide where the treaty is to be signed and when,\” he added.
Earlier Russian media reported that Kiev had suggested to serve as the venue of the signing ceremony, in an effort from the newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to position as a link between Russia and the West.
Russia and the United States have been working on a new arms control deal since Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. president Barack Obama met in April last year, but they failed to reach a pact before START-1 expired in December.
The U.S. missile defense plans have become a major sticking point in the nuclear disarmament negotiations.
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MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) — Russia\’s State Duma, or lower house of parliament, might block a new strategic arms treaty (START) with the United States, if it is not linked with missile defense, the Duma\’s speaker said Tuesday.
\”We will not ratify it, if it does not take into account the link between strategic offensive weapons and missile defense,\” Boris Gryzlov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.
Gryzlov told his Bulgarian counterpart, Tsetska Tsacheva, Tuesday U.S. plans to deploy elements of a missile defense shield in eastern Europe was \”a particularly sensitive issue for Russia.\”
He also asked her whether Bulgaria would join the planned deployment.
Tsacheva replied the project \”has not been discussed either in the government, or in parliament,\” adding \”what is meant here is only NATO\’s ideas, voiced by U.S. officials through the mass media.\”
Russia and the United States have been working on a new arms control deal since Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. president Barack Obama met in April last year, but they failed to reach a pact before START-1 expired in December.
The U.S. missile defence plans have become a major sticking point in the nuclear disarmament negotiations.
On Feb. 12, the U.S. ambassador to Bulgaria James B. Warlick said there had been informal discussions at different levels \”in Sofia and in Washington\” about basing parts of the American missile shield in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov also said he supported plans for taking part in a new U.S. missile defense system in Europe.
However, Bulgaria informed Russia on Feb. 19 there were no official negotiations with the U.S. about the planned missile defense system.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated on March 9 the new arms control deal would link strategic offensive and defensive weapons, which was agreed by Medvedev and Obama during their meeting last April.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to meet Lavrov in Moscow on March 18-19, when both sides are expected to discuss the START treaty.
The Kremlin said on Saturday that, during a telephone conversation, Medvedev and Obama agreed it was now possible to talk about specific dates for signing the new treaty.
The Russian daily, Kommersant, meanwhile reported newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych suggested Kiev as the venue for the signing when he met Medvedev in Moscow on March 5 and Moscow had shown interest.
Anna German, deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said Kiev\’s bid to host the signing ceremony was part of Yanukovych\’s efforts to serve as \”the bridge between the East and the West.\”
Related:
Russia, U.S. look to date for signing new arms treaty
MOSCOW, March 13 (Xinhua) — Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Barack Obama said on Saturday that it was now possible to talk about specific dates for signing a new arms reduction treaty, the Kremlin said.
MOSCOW, March 16 (Xinhua) — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reassured Tuesday that the new strategic arms reduction treaty (START) with the United States will combine offensive and defensive weaponry.
Lavrov reiterated Russia\’s stance concerning the issue in a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Konstantin Grishchenko broadcast live by local TV station Russia Today.
\”It would be comfortable for Moscow to sign the strategic arms reduction treaty with Washington in Kiev, but the choice is up to the Russian and American presidents,\” said Russia\’s top diplomat.
Lavrov also said that Russia would be happy to sign the new START treaty with the United States in Kiev, Russian news agencies reported.
\”There will be a legally binding link with missile defense, so no problems will arise,\” he said.
Earlier Russian media reported that Kiev had suggested to serve as the venue of the signing ceremony, in an effort from the newly elected Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to position as a link between Russia and the West.
Grishchenko said at the press conference held in Moscow that signing the new START treaty in Kiev would strengthen non- proliferation regime.
\”We believe the very fact of this agreement being signed in Kiev could be an important signal for those countries which are still in limbo and will contribute to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,\” said Grishchenko.
Russia and the United States have been working on a new arms control deal since Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. president Barack Obama met in April last year, but they failed to reach a pact before START-1 expired in December.
An outline of the new pact, agreed by both presidents, includes slashing nuclear warheads to 1,500-1,675 and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.
The U.S. missile defense plans have become a major sticking point in the nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of the Russian State Duma, or the lower house of the parliament, said earlier Tuesday that the State Duma might not ratify the new treaty if it is not linked to missile defense.
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BUDAPEST, March 16 (Xinhua) — Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, who took office in February, paid a one-day official visit to neighboring Hungary on Tuesday.
Josipovic was received by his Hungarian counterpart Laszlo Solyom, and held meetings with Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai and Speaker of Parliament Bela Katona as well as Viktor Orban, head of the conservative Fidesz party currently in opposition but widely expected to win next month\’s parliamentary elections.
Solyom called the visit a symbol of friendship and trust between the two countries and voiced his hope that Croatia would be able to become a full member of the European Union during Hungary\’s presidency in 2011.
Josipovic noted that EU membership depended in part on resolution of a border dispute between Croatia and Slovenia currently before an international court of arbitration.
Both Solyom and Josipovic focused on regional policy including construction of infrastructural links such as connecting their power, road and rail networks.
The Hungarian Speaker of Parliament also focused on Croatia\’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations at a meeting between the two men in the afternoon. Katona called Croatia\’s effort to join the EU an example that the other Balkan countries might follow, underlining the Hungarian parliament\’s multi-year support for Croatia in its integration effort.
Both Katona and Josipovic said they were committed to livening up economic relations, with a particular focus on joint efforts along the border between the two countries.
Speaking of his meeting with Josipovic, the opposition Fidesz leader also voiced his commitment to assisting Croatia in joining the EU. Hungary considers Croatia a strategic partner in energy security and in intensifying European community policies, Orban said.
At a meeting with the prime minister, Josipovic\’s last meeting of the day, Bajnai congratulated the new Croatian president on his recent election, underlined Croatia\’s strategic importance to Hungary as an economic partner, and called ties between the two countries \”exemplary.\” He underlined Hungary\’s commitment to helping the countries of southeast Europe to join the European Union.
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ISTANBUL, March 12 (Xinhua) — Turkish Ambassador to Sweden Zergun Koruturk returned to Turkey on Friday, noting that the resolution passed in Swedish parliament Thursday recognizing the Armenian genocide was groundless.
Local CNNTurk television quoted Koruturk, who arrived at Istanbul\’s Ataturk airport, as saying that it was not befitting of Sweden to pass such a resolution for the sake of its own elections.
The Turkish ambassador had been called back to Ankara for consultation shortly after the Swedish Parliament on Thursday approved a resolution on Armenian allegations regarding the 1915 incidents with 131 votes against 130.
Koruturk said the resolution \”is groundless,\” adding that \” Sweden is to hold elections in September. This resolution was brought up in 2008 but delayed until now. This is going on because of the election period.\”
She said Turkey and Sweden had enjoyed a perfect relations and Sweden had been the greatest supporter of Turkish membership in the European Union.
On March 4, Turkey temporarily recalled its ambassador to the United States following a U.S. congressional panel approved a resolution labeling the incidents of 1915 as \”genocide.\”
Turkey strongly rejects the genocide allegations and regards the events as civil strife in wartime which claimed lives of many Turks and Armenians.
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BUDAPEST, March 16 (Xinhua) — Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said on Tuesday that Greece needed support from Europe rather than financial aid.
Speaking in Budapest, Hungary, after meeting Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, Papandreou said that Greece was taking necessary measures to overcome its current economic problems but needed \”breathing space\” so that the measures could have \”oxygen to survive.\”
? Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai (R) and his Greek counterpart George Papandreou attend a news conference after their meeting in Budapest, Hungary, March 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Dani Dorko)
Greece needed immediate help from the EU, Papandreou said, but he stressed that \”we are not asking for money, rather a safety net for our reform package.\” The Greek measures aim to cut its budget deficit from 12.7 percent to 8.7 percent in 2011, and 4 percent by 2012.
He proposed an EU instrument of \”solidarity\” that would intervene in the markets so that Greece could borrow at rates similar to other countries in the eurozone and not too expensive for the country in the medium or long-term.
Papandreou said that beyond the short-term, Europe needs new financial and economic architecture such as a European Monetary Fund or eurobond loan facilities to combat financial and market instability.
On Monday, finance ministers of the Eurogroup endorsed the austerity measures taken by the Greek government and agreed in theory to help Greece if needed but offered no bailout plan.
Hungarian Prime Minister Bajnai said, \”Europe should follow an all-for-one and one-for-all philosophy, and show solidarity to Greece as it showed to Hungary in 2008.\”
Hungary received a 20 billion euros standby loan from the IMF, World Bank and the EU in 2008 which, Bajnai said, \”built a dam against speculation and restored confidence in the country.\” Hungary\’s state budget deficit is now one of the lowest in the European Union.
The Hungarian crisis management model of austerity measures showed that \”help is sometimes required from outside, although each country should also do its own homework and show individual responsibility,\” Bajnai said.
Related:
Eurogroup endorses Greek austerity measures, offering no bailout plan
BRUSSELS, March 15 (Xinhua) — Finance ministers of the Eurogroup Monday endorsed the austerity measures taken by the Greek government and offered no bailout plan despite wide speculation before the meeting.
According to a statement released after the meeting, the ministers of the 16-nation bloc said that the additional fiscal measures announced by the Greek authorities on March 3 \”appear sufficient to safeguard the 2010 budgetary targets provided they are effectively, fully and timely implemented.\”? Full story
? Demonstrators protest in Athens, capital of Greece, on March 11, 2010. Violent clashes between police and groups of hooded youths broke out in central Athens on Thursday, marring a massive demonstration against government austerity measures aiming to tackle the cash-strapped country\’s economic troubles. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)?
ATHENS, March 11 (Xinhua) — Violent clashes between police and groups of hooded youths broke out in central Athens on Thursday, marring a massive demonstration against government austerity measures aiming to tackle the cash-strapped country\’s economic troubles.
At least two people were injured and dozens were arrested by riot police officers during the clashes that moved from Syntagma Square in front of the parliament to Omonoia Square.
Dozens of hooded young men holding crowbars and bats broke more than a dozen shop windows and set cars and dustbins on fire. Similar scenes also occurred in other parts of Athens.
Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
Greece\’s two umbrella unions, private-sector GSEE and public-sector ADEDY, called the third general strike in a month to protest spending cuts and increased taxes. The two unions represent more than five million workers across the country.
\”It\’s so bad, when a small minority of troublemakers get all the attention, while people should focus on the large participation of Greek citizens in the strike,\” 55-year-old Kleopatra Anagnostopoulou told Xinhua.
Flights were grounded, schools and hospitals closed and public transportation blocked due to the strike.
Television and radio channels across the country have also changed programs, as journalist unions also took part in the strike.
\”We agreed to change, not to sink. We demand another solution to our problems, \” Spiros Koutsoukis, a 38-year-old postman told Xinhua.
\”Your salary vanishes, war ships remain\” was written on banners raised by a group of young men who opposed the huge defense expenses in front of the parliament.
According to the latest polls, most Greeks denounced the austerity measures and urged the government to focus on scandals, tax evasion and speculative behaviors. But analysts in Athens said that the socialist government would insist on the implementation of its policy, under pressure from its EU partners and international markets.
? A demonstrator clashes with policemen in Athens, capital of Greece, on March 11, 2010. Violent clashes between police and groups of hooded youths broke out in central Athens on Thursday, marring a massive demonstration against government austerity measures aiming to tackle the cash-strapped country\’s economic troubles. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)?
BELGRADE, March 16 (Xinhua) — In her quarterly report to the United Nations, Catherine Ashton, the European Union\’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, warned that quarrelsome ethnic leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina were undermining key reforms, reported Dnevni Avaz, a Sarajevo daily, on Tuesday.
Ashton indicated that very little progress had been made with respect to the crucial reforms defined as \’five goals and two conditions\’ and as stipulated by the Council for the Implementation of Peace.
\”There is a decline in communication between political leaders, along with a rise of divisive statements from Republika Srpska ( the Bosnian Serb entity), and inter-ethnic disagreements in the Federation of BiH (the Bosnian entity dominated by Bosniaks and Croats),\” Ashton is quoted as saying.
In addition, Ashton specifically reproached Bosnian Serb leaders for disputing the authority of the High Representative to BiH, who represents the interests of the international community.
Republika Srpska had \”openly violated\” annexes of the Dayton Peace Agreement and was defying the authority of the High Representative, Ashton reported. She went on to say that Bosnian Serb politicians were planning a court challenge of the current and previous High Representatives for abuse of power.
The only cited bright note in the report was the security situation in the country, which was stable and expected to remain that way.
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