Premier Karamanlis: 'We're unwavering in implementing reforms policy'

Premier Karamanlis: 'We're unwavering in implementing reforms policy'
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis again emphasised wide-ranging reforms as the centerpiece of his government's policy in inaugurating the 71st Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) Friday evening, days after extending an open invitation for a "strategic investor" to takeover the national telecoms utility and following the successful sale of a major state-run bank over the summer. "In a world of insecurity and uncertainty, Greece is safeguarding a new course for stability, development and progress. We are facing, with boldness, the challenges arising around us, with progressive reforms and not with conservatism; with radical changes and not a stagnant management; with responsibility and not with cheap populism," he said from the podium of the TIF convention centre. At the same time, he flatly dismissed opposition criticism of the high-profile reforms. Moreover, days after a "mini summit" in Athens with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov to finalise the long-delayed construction of an oil pipeline connecting the Black Sea with the Aegean, Karamanlis referred to the creation of an "energy community" in SE Europe, noting that both the oil pipeline project as well as an under-construction natgas pipeline extended from Turkey reinforced regional cooperation and peace.

As far as the former is concerned, Karamanlis said the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline project is a "historic decision" that benefits all sides.

Foreign affairs

In touching on foreign policy, Karamanlis reiterated that Athens desires good-neighbourly relations with Turkey and favours the latter's harmonisation with the EU's economic and political acquis, along with the Union's principles and values.

"Its (Turkey) absolute compliance with its commitments towards Europe is necessary, however, as is the case with every candidate-state, in each step of its accession course. The progress, therefore, is dependent on Turkey itself," Karamanlis said.

The premier noted that Greece is decisively promoting its interests, responsibly and seriously, amid an international climate of insecurity, "Greece stands out as a factor of stability in the wider region", he characteristically said.

Turning even farther to the east, Karamanlis referred to Greece's positive role in the recent crisis in Lebanon, before focusing on the long-standing Cyprus issue, where he repeated that the goal is a "truly functional, viable European solution to be found as soon as possible". Additionally, he repeated standing Greek policy backing the European orientation of all the Balkan states, while referring to the creation of a unified financial, energy and trade zone throughout southeastern Europe.

"That's why we are promoting the creation of a free trade zone that will include all of our northern neighbours. We're also promoting the construction of major road and rail axes," he added.

Thessaloniki, Thrace

Returning to the domestic front and particularly to the area that hosts the TIF every year, Karamanlis outlined a series of ongoing projects and initiatives for the greater Thessaloniki area, following "15 years of unfulfilled promises," as he charged.

Among others, the cited the completion of the entire Egnatia motorway project spanning the breadth of northern Greece by 2008, the Malliakos bypass on the main north-south highway as well as the commencement of two projects for metropolitan Thessaloniki that have been on the drawing boards for a decade and a half: a metro network and an underwater highway off the city's seawall. "Whatever we said will be done. Thessaloniki has passed from the words of the past to the works of the future," he told an audience in the hall convention centre.

Meanwhile, Karamanlis also devoted a noteworthy part of his address to the development of the border Thrace province in the country's extreme northeast, saying that the government was particularly interested in all of the province's citizens. "We're developing a model and modern European minority policy; we're demonstrating in practise that Greece is a land of equality for all before the law."

He concluded his address by saying: "Greece today is ensuring the conditions for a constant and balanced development based on the citizen; it is building an economy of opportunities guaranteeing a personal benefit for each and every citizen..." Karamanlis stressed.