Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Monday called on President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias to discuss the procedures for the revision of the constitution that his ruling New Democracy party (ND) has proposed.

Karamanlis told reporters after the meeting that the constitutional revision is the new government's most ambitious institutional initiative, and the epitomy of the reforms underway in all areas of public life.

The premier explained that constitutional revision was a basic requirement so that the individual changes being made would have optimum results for the country and the citizens, adding that the large majority of the Greek people and political forces acknowledged the need for the revision, and noting that the citizens demanded "changes everywhere".

The aim, he said, was to give all citizens the ability for creativity and prosperity, to liberate the education forces, ensure the greatest possible degree of transparency in public life, and to effectively protect and upgrade the natural environment.

In order for the constitutional revision to be a success, Karamanlis said, a responsible, open and board dialogue was necessary with all the political forces, the specialized agencies and the citizens. He added that the dialogue process would begin within the next few days.

Karamanlis and Papoulias also discussed the prime minister's upcoming visit to China, where he would be accompanied by a large business delegation.

The premier told Papoulias that apart from the political significance of his visit, there was also great economic interest, as his talks with the Chinese officials would also focus on Greek-Chinese cooperation in light of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and the promotion of Greek agricultural products on the vast Chinese market.

Source: Athens News Agency

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