Galery

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After last night's statements by the President of the Union of owners of taxis Evtimios Limberopoulos that the "climate" in their relations with the government began to warm up government made them today a direct proposal for dialogue "without any prejudice". At the same time it urged them to realize their responsibility towards society and the economy of the country.

Government sources of high standing noted that the prime minister's speech before the parliamentary group in which he stressed the true desire for a dialogue with the federation of taxi owners in the country has helped a lot for this.

"Our efforts are aimed at liberalizing the profession but following some rules. The government's intention to continue the dialogue is quite clear. The government will listen to its interlocutors. I invite the owners of taxis to cooperate with us in this critical period. There is no reason for arguments. We will continue trying to improve taxi services," said George Papandreou.

Shortly after the Prime Minister's speech the taxi owners have asked to meet with him in order to present to him their positions in relation to the liberalization of the profession. President of the union in Athens Evtimios Limberopoulos even said that with his words George Papandreou stood on their side.

Nevertheless, the owners of taxis continue their strikes and protests that take place without any advance notice. Their president even prayed "God help us not to have any confrontations." Evtimios Limberopoulos said further that the federation has hired a group of lawyers to look through the course of events from the outset and they will file complaints against the political leadership of the Ministry of Transport, in case the proposals of the Minister Yannis Ragoussis prevail. "So did our colleagues in Ireland and won the case," he said.

The department indicates that the profession will be liberalized. The management said it would present its proposals soon and urged taxi owners to stop their strike and to participate in the dialogue, stressing that "in no case will it give in to the pressure on the part of the guild."

George Papandreou also used this phrase verbatim during his speech in the parliament. Government sources indicated that the Minister of Transport Yannis Ragoussis has the full support of the Prime Minister. "The goal is for the dialogue to continue and for an agreement to be reached on the liberalization of the profession."

While expecting the specific proposals of the Minister the government does not preclude the opportunity to conduct a discussion also about the setting of criteria for the ratio of taxis for a particular population. All official statements, however, are postponed for the start of the long-awaited dialogue.

At the same time a new criminal investigation is held in relation to the protests of the owners of taxi at the toll booths around Athens, Thessaloniki and other places in the country. Their actions to raise the barriers and ensure free passage of thousands of vehicles became the reason for another reaction on the part of the Athens district prosecutor Eleni Raikou, who ordered the police to find out if during the protest there was any violence.

In turn the police asked for the records of the security cameras of the toll booths in order to find the necessary evidence, after the owners of the taxis have been lifting the barriers without complying with the officers at the booths.

In addition, rumors are growing more and more that many taxi owners violate the strike, by working undercover and serve customers with their personal cars, and in some cases even with their professional cars, although they have carefully removed the plates with the "taxi" sign from the roof of their cars.