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Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 17-01-02Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>Weekend BulletinMonday, January 2 2017 CONTENTS
[01] President expresses his abhorrence for the terrorist attack in IstanbulPresident Prokopis Pavlopoulos expressed on Sunday his abhorrence for the deadly terrorist attack on a nightclub in Istanbul early on New Year's Day.The general secretary of the presidency, Ambassador Giorgos Gennimatas, expressed to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece Yasar Cevik the president's abhorrence "for the barbaric terror attack". Pavlopoulos also expressed the Greek people's full support towards the Turkish people, his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and his best wishes to the injured for a speedy recovery. [02] Foreign ministry condemns 'barbaric terrorist attack' in IstanbulGreece's foreign ministry condemned on Sunday the "barbaric terrorist attack" carried out at an Istanbul nightclub early on New Year's Day and expressed support for the Turkish people and the families of the victims."We express our undivided support for the Turkish people and address our sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as well as our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured," the ministry said in a statement. According to official information so far, 39 people were killed and 69 were injured when a gunman opened fire inside the nightclub "Reina". [03] No Greeks among the injured of Istanbul's terror attack, says Greece's general consulateISTANBUL (ANA/A. Rombopoulos) - A team from Greece's general consulate in Istanbul said on Sunday they didn't locate any Greek citizens among the injured after visiting several hospitals in the city from the terrorist attack in Istanbul on New Year's.Although the identities of the - so far - 39 victims have not all been revealed, consulate authorities have no information about Greek citizens or diaspora being among them. So far Turkish authorities have identified Israelis, Jordanians and Azeris among the 15 foreign nationals who died. The general consulate also recommended caution to all Greeks visiting or currently living in the city as well as to avoid busy areas. [04] Tsipras on Istanbul terror attack: Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of TurkeyPrime Minister Alexis Tsipras send his sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Istanbul on Sunday which claimed the lives of 39 people and injured 69, according to information so far."Sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the heinous terrorist attack in Istanbul. The Greek people stand in solidarity to the people of Turkey in these difficult times. We must increase our cooperation so that 2017 is a year of peace and security," he tweeted. Earlier, the prime minister had expressed his condolences to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece, Yasar Cevik, though his diplomatic office. [05] PM's office expresses condolences for victims of Istanbul's terror attack to Turkish envoyThe prime minister's diplomatic office expressed Alexis Tsipras' heartfelt condolences for the deadly terrorist attack in Istanbul on Sunday morning and the Greek people's support for the Turkish people in this difficult time to Turkey's Ambassador to Greece, Yasar Cevik, government sources said.[06] Parliament head condemns terrorist attack in IstanbulParliament President Nikos Voutsis joined on Sunday Greece's leadership in expressing his abhorrence and condemnation over the deadly terrorist attack in Istanbul earlier this morning. He also send his sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for speedy recovery to those injured in the attack.[07] Pavlopoulos: 2017 must be the year of national restoration, hope and optimism"Let 2017 be a year of national restoration, hope and optimism," Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Saturday said on his message for the New Year.Pavlopoulos said that he hoped 2016 was the last year of pessimism and lack of perspective that plagued out country and its people. He underlined that we must send the message inside and outside the country that we support our national targets with determination and united. He added: "It is necessary to change the specific austerity policy implemented so far that leads nowhere." Moreover, he said that the major issue of the refugee crisis can only be efficiently addressed with the direct and definite termination of the war in Syria and the wider region. He also referred to national issues such as the Cyprus problem and the Lausanne Treaty. [08] Tsipras; Greece will take a step forward in 2017Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in his message for the New Year described 2017 as the year that "our country will take the great step forward" in the economy, society, and our national issues."We aspire that 2017 will be the year that the irreplaceable role of Greece in the international and European scene will be confirmed," he underlined. The Prime Minister referred to the government's main targets for the new year, especially in the fields of economy, society, growth, investments and he sent a message of optimism. "We may still have a lot of challenges ahead but for the first time we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. He stressed that 2017 will be the year that the confidence to the Greek economy will be restored adding that this is not just a wish but a realistic estimate. The conclusion of the second programme review will be followed by the quantitative easing and Greece's return to the markets. He explained that Greece made significant progress last year. "We achieved the stabilisation of the economy and recorded positive growth rates. We managed to reduce unemployment by another 3 percentage points and increased the number of people that are entitled to public health services. The humanitarian programme was widened and Greece became the first country in the EU as regards the absorption rates of EU funds," he said. [09] 2017 must mark the beginning of the restoration of our country, ND leader Mitsotakis says"2016 ends with a feeling of frustration and national depression. The answer, however, to the disappointment is not resignation. 2017 must mark the beginning of the restoration of our country. And we have to do that for the sake of country and all the citizens," main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Saturday said in his message for the New Year.He underlined that the Greeks must draw their own plan for exiting the crisis; a plan based on truth and willingness for real change. "The Greeks are proud of themselves and will not compromise to the misery. We have an obligation towards our history and the future generations to seek something better. Let 2017 be the year that we will take a step forward. We can achieve that," Mitsotakis stressed. [10] UN Secretary-General Guterres: 'A call for peace'The new Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, send on Sunday his first message for peace on New Year's day. The full message is as follows:"On my first day as Secretary-General of the United Nations, one question weighs heavily on my heart. How can we help the millions of people caught up in conflict, suffering massively in wars with no end in sight? Civilians are pounded with deadly force. Women, children and men are killed and injured, forced from their homes, dispossessed and destitute. Even hospitals and aid convoys are targeted. No one wins these wars; everyone loses. Trillions of dollars are spent destroying societies and economies, fueling cycles of mistrust and fear that can last for generations. Whole regions are destabilized and the new threat of global terrorism affects us all. On this New Year's Day, I ask all of you to join me in making one shared New Year's resolution: Let us resolve to put peace first. Let us make 2017 a year in which we all - citizens, governments, leaders - strive to overcome our differences. From solidarity and compassion in our daily lives, to dialogue and respect across political divides... From ceasefires on the battlefield, to compromise at the negotiating table to reach political solutions...Peace must be our goal and our guide. All that we strive for as a human family - dignity and hope, progress and prosperity - depends on peace. But peace depends on us. I appeal to you all to join me in committing to peace, today and every day. Let us make 2017 a year for peace. Thank you." [11] 2017 must be the year of the healing of the society's wounds"Our concern is the removal of inequalities, the change of the poverty climate and the relief of the weakest citizens, and we will continue to be working on this direction," the President of the Parliament Nikos Voutsis said on his message for the New Year.Voutsis wished that 2017 will be the year that the wounds of the society, as a result of the economic crisis, will be wounded. As he said, 2016 was a year full of challenges, not only for our country, but for the whole world. "Undoubtedly, the major political changes at international level, the economic crisis and the continuation of the war in the Middle East, have had an impact," Voutsis noted and added that "our people addresses these problems with dignity." [12] The second programme review will be concluded without new measures, gov't spokesman saysGovernment spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos on Saturday, in statements to SKAI TV, expressed the government's optimism that the second programme review will be concluded in January without new measures.He also ruled out the possibility of further pension reductions and reassured that the elections will be held in 2019. Moreover, the government spokesman said that the Greek side has made all the necessary compromises adding that 95 percent of the issues of the second programme review have been settled. He also said that the IMF demand for another 4.5 billion euro measures in 2019 will by no means be made acceptable. [13] ND leader Mitsotakis' message to the Greeks of the DiasporaMain opposition New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis send a message to the Greeks Abroad asking for the cooperation of all the Greeks to the national effort for the restoration of the country."We have to unite our forces for the restoration of Greece. We create the political conditions. You, the Greeks of the Diaspora, can contribute to the effort for the reconstruction of the country," Mitsotakis said in an interview with the newspaper "The National Herald." "On the occasion of the dawning of the New Year, I express to you my best wishes with the assurance that 2017 is finally going to be the year for our Greece. As you know, I have also lived among you. So, I have firsthand knowledge of your progress and your commitment to the Greek ideals and traditions. I am aware of your selfless love, and how you ache and agonize about the situation in our Greece. I know that despite the repeated promises, you have not even been granted the right to vote from your country of residence, a right enjoyed by almost all other minorities. I repeat that this will change when New Democracy is in power. Greece will gain a responsible political leadership, which is also worthy of its migrant children. Dear friends, it is evident, unfortunately, that the Tsipras government is particularly damaging for our country. Ask yourself: is the situation in Greece now better than it was two years ago when Tsipras undertook the governance or is it worse? The answer is absolutely clear: it is much worse. Therefore, election time, which the country so desperately needs, will not be long in coming. And there is no doubt that the Greek people will trust us with the great responsibility of exiting our Greece from the crisis and defending our territorial integrity." With your valuable support, our country will change course, hope will return, and Greece will regain its sovereignty. All together, let's make 2017 the year for our Greece." [14] Digital Policy Min Pappas rules out possibility of elections or referendumThere will be neither elections nor referendum, Minister for Digital Policy Nikos Pappas said in an interview with Realnews on Sunday and reassured that the second programme review will close soon."There is no reason for delays," he underlined. For the IMF participation in the programme, the Digital Policy Minister said that "Greece has accepted its participation for the sake of the agreement. It is its own decision now whether it will stay or not. Greece has met its commitments. The rest need to do the same." Asked whether the hard core of the creditors seek the collapse of Tsipras' government, he replied: "It is reasonable that the hard core of the neoliberal European Right finds it difficult to accept this reality" of a left progressive government in Greece that achieves fiscal balance and puts the country on recovery course." [15] PASOK leader Gennimata's message for the New YearPASOK leader Fofi Gennimata on Saturday sent a message for the New Year:"In spite of the difficulties, we can be more optimistic in our daily lives. Together we can overcome the problems and leave the crisis behind us," Gennimata said and added: "No more saviors and illusions. With national concord and new confidence we should move forward to a better present, and hope for the future. Priority must be given to our children. Because they deserve it. Happy new year to everyone." [16] KKE sec gen Koutsoumbas' message on New YearCommunist KKE party secretary general Dimitris Koutsoumbas on Saturday sent a message for the New Year."2017 must be a key year for the restoration of the labour movement and the reconstruction of the social alliance through a more powerful communist KKE party so that the country gets back on growth track to the benefit of the people and far from the exploitation. We wish a happy new year to everyone." [17] Stathakis to ANA: Government decides on top issues; will continue policy of redistributionThe government is the one which takes decisions on issues of top priority, Environment and Energy Minister Giorgos Stathakis told Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA) in an interview published on Sunday, adding a pension bonus could be redistributed this year if conditions allow it.Commenting on the recent clash with the institutions over the pension bonus and the suspension of the VAT for some islands, the minister said the government never violated any agreement with its lenders and cited the unblocking of Greece's debt relief measures by EU bodies. "It is certainly useful to have a climate of mutual cooperation and trust but in the core of it it's the government itself which takes decisions for issues it considers of top priority," he said. Asked whether the government is considering distributing again a pension bonus in 2017, Stathakis responded positively. "The government has clarified that overachieving fiscal targets implies redistribution in favor of the weaker social groups. And it will continue to do so. If everything goes well, we'll continue in the same framework," he said. Financial News [18] Greeks bought mainly food and clothes over Christmas holidays- MARLAB pollFood and clothes were the main items purchased by Greeks over the Christmas holidays, a poll by the marketing laboratory (MARLAB) of the University of Macedonia revealed on Sunday, with 85 percent of respondents saying they shopped during the holidays.According to the data, 15 percent of participants said they didn't buy anything, citing as main reasons a lack of money (43 pct), lack of time (23 pct), lack of need (20 pct) and crowdedness in stores (7 pct). In terms of money spent, 76 percent of those polled said they spent up to 200 euros, 20 percent said they spent from 201-500 euros and the remaining 4 percent spent more than 501 euros ahead of Christmas. For New Year's Day, 73 percent said they would buy presents but the vast majority (92 percent) said they'd spent less than 200 euros Asked what category of goods or services they chose to spend money on, the poll concluded that shoppers mainly chose food and clothing items. Specifically, 54 percent of respondents said they spent 15-30 pct of their money on food, while 40 percent spent 30-60 pct of their money on clothes and shoes. Another 13 percent said they used 30 percent of their money on technology products and another 16 percent spent 30 percent on jewelry and accessories. An 11 percent of participants spent 30 percent on toys and 3 percent spent 30 percent on furniture. Only 5 percent spent 30 percent of their money for books. Another 24 percent of the sample said they travelled over the holidays, with 90 percent visiting regions of Greece and 10 percent going abroad. The average duration of the trip was seven days. For accommodation, 54 percent chose a family house, 14 percent preferred being hosted by friends and 24 percent booked a hotel. MARLAB's poll was conducted through social media in the period between Dec. 27 and Dec. 30. It was based on 195 people of whom 27 percent were men and 73 percent were women. Divided by age, 57 percent of respondents said they were 18-24 years old, 26 percent were 25- 35 years old, 13 percent were 36-50 years old and the rest 4 percent were older than 51. In terms of employment, 51 percent of the sample was university students, 11 percent said they were unemployed, 18.4 percent worked in the private sector, 5 percent in the public sector, 10.6 percent were self-employed, 2 percent were business owners and 2 percent pensioners. General News [19] Athens, Thessaloniki welcome 2017 with singing and fireworksAthens welcomed the New Year with a fireworks display on the stroke of midnight following a day of celebratory events in central Athens. Hundreds of people ignored the bitter cold and joined the crowd that had gathered in the neighborhood of Thisio where the municipality of Athens was hosting music gigs to bid farewell to 2016 and welcome the New Year.Thessaloniki welcomed 2017 with 3,000 fireworks and celebrations which centered on Aristotelous square. [20] Forty six refugees-migrants arrived in Chios on the first day of the yearForty six refugees and migrants arrived in Chios on Sunday morning, the first day of 2017, despite the bitter cold, local authorities said.Coast guard officials transferred the people at the port after their boat reached the beach of Aghia Ermioni at 04:00. They were then sent to VIAL camp to be registered. [21] Weather ForecastMostly sunny weather with possible rain in the south and northwestern winds are forecast for Monday. Wind velocity will reach 6 on the Beaufort scale. Scattered clouds and fair weather in the northern parts of the country with temperatures ranging from -03C to 10C. Partly cloudy in the western parts with temperatures between 02C to 12C. Scattered clouds with possible rain in the eastern parts with temperatures between 06C and 12C. Partly cloudy over the Aegean islands and Crete, 07C-12C. Mostly fair weather in Athens, 03C-12C. Partly cloudy in Thessaloniki, 0C-09C.[22] Athens News Headlines at a glanceKATHIMERINI: The hedge funds' new attack against the euroTO VIMA: The society's SOS ETHNOS: Agreement on programme review and mid-term plan REAL NEWS: Emigration wave ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: The 2017 account KONTRA NEWS: What islands the Turks are seeking TO PARON: Geneva is a trap AVGHI: 2017 is a milestone year ESTIA: Greece was a surprise in 2016 36, TSOCHA ST. ATHENS 115 21 GREECE - TEL: 64.00.560-63 - FAX: 64.00.581-2 INTERNET ADDRESS: http://www.ana.gr - E-MAIL: anabul@ana gr - PRESIDENT & GENERAL DIRECTOR: MICHALIS PSILOS Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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