Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-07-03

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Alogoskoufis satisfied with bank sector reform plan; responds to Evert criticism

[02] T-storms cause problems in Athens on Sunday afternoon

[01] Alogoskoufis satisfied with bank sector reform plan; responds to Evert criticism

Economy Minister George Alogoskoufis reiterated on Sunday, as part of an interview published by an Athens daily, that the recent banking sector pension reform finally pushed through by the government last week was a "major and difficult reform".

In pointing to the complexity of the scheme, Alogoskoufis said this was clearly demonstrated "during a dialogue held over the past six months.

"Neither the banks agreed amongst themselves, nor did OTOE (the bank employees' trade union), which tried to prop up a system that was favourable for bank employees in comparison to other wage-earners. I wholeheartedly believe the solution that was ultimately found is a good solution," he was quoted as saying by the daily "Ethnos".

Moreover, he again stressed that the bill passed by Parliament last week means that a "level playing field" in the bank sector has been created, whereas a major problem affecting state-run banks was solved, "especially with Emporiki and ATEbank, which were being led to their closing".

[02] T-storms cause problems in Athens on Sunday afternoon

At one point, traffic police said inbound traffic on the Corinth to Athens national roadway was backed up for 13 kilometers.

The heavy rainfall, forecast by the weather bureau a day earlier, also caused flooding in several low-lying areas of the Greek capital, affecting basement apartments and road underpasses.

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