PM's Question Time - Talks on Education, Pension System, Iraq-Turkey

[Ellinas]

The thorny issues of education and the social security system, as well as the Turkey-Iraq dispute topped the debate held in Parliament on the occasion of the Prime Minister’s Question Time. Addressing an interpellation filed by the Greek Communist Party (KKE), Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis urged the students to suspend their actions and return to classrooms, calling on all political powers, parents and teachers to contribute to this end. It is not fair the few denying the right to learning, nor is it fair for some circles playing games with the children’s souls, stressed Karamanlis. "Taking over schools [by the students] is a distinct lock-out against knowledge, the last thing education needs," argued Karamanlis, further underlining that the Government is open to the dialogue.

Reassurances on the Social Security

Answering an interpellation by SYRIZA cadre Alekos Alavanos on the private education institutions, the Prime Minister stressed that the Government is drawing up an institutional framework providing for a harsher system monitoring such institutions.

Alekos Alavanos, on his part, requested the Prime Minister ban their operation.

Pension Rights

Replying to the interpellation filed by KKE MP Spyros Halvatzis, Kostas Karamanlis pointed out that the state budget will fund the social security system, without calling for additional contributions, cuts in pensions and rises in retirement age limits.
He also made it clear that the individuals and the bodies expressing their views on the social security do not reflect the Government’s intentions.

"The pensioners should rest assured that their rights will not be affected under any circumstances," assured Karamanlis, while clarifying that the arduous and unhealthy occupations list is to be expanded.

Kostas Karamanlis blasted KKE’s refusal to attend the dialogue, claiming that all political forces have to take part without flimsy pretexts. Spyros Halvatzis explained that the KKE abstains from a dialogue that means to trim the pensioners’ rights.

On the Crisis at the Turkish-Iraqi Border

Answering to LAOS leader Giorgos Karatzaferis’ interpellation on the Government’s stance regarding Turkey’s military operations in northern Iraq, Premier Kostas Karamanlis argued that Greece champions Turkey’s conditional EU bid membership, as it can promote peace and stability in the region.

"Greece has voiced its concern to all international fora and is working to have this dispute peacefully settled," concluded he.

Commenting on Karatzaferis’ claim, whereby Karamanlis unquestionably aligns himself with other nations’ positions terming those fighting as terrorists, the Prime Minister underlined, "There are no nation-terrorists, but individual persons, and it is the international treaties that define terrorism."

"I have my own stance on the issue and I am not influenced by the others," said he.