Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-01-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] Inner cabinet discuss draft bill on sale & lease back plan for public sector's assets

[02] President Papoulias meets Italy's Berlusconi

[01] Inner cabinet discuss draft bill on sale & lease back plan for public sector's assets

An inner cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, on Wednesday discussed a draft legislation -sponsored by the Economy and Finance ministry- over the sale and lease back of public sector's real estate assets.

Speaking to reporters, after the meeting, Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis said the draft legislation offered the opportunity for the transfer of capital and know-how from the private sector to the public sector with the aim to make a more efficient use of the latter's real estate assets.

The Greek minister said the draft bill would be presented for consultation with interested parties in the next few days and would be formally presented next week. Alogoskoufis said a ministry decision to raise tax downpayment rates for businesses said the measure would not lead to higher taxation but it was aimed to make a more effective the collection of taxes. The minister said the measure would not affect corporate profitability while it was harmonising Greece with EU legislation.

[02] President Papoulias meets Italy's Berlusconi

Berlusconi also hosted a luncheon in honour of President Papoulias, which was attended by Education and Religious Affairs Minister Marietta Yiannakou, Macedonia-Thrace Minister Nikos Tsiartsionis, Deputy Foreign Minister Panagiotis Skandalakis and Deputy Culture Minister Petros Tatoulis.

At the meeting with Berlusconi, a review was made of Athens-Rome bilateral relations and the need was stressed for cooperation to be further promoted in the economic, commercial and cultural sector.

Also discussed was the situation in the Balkans, developments in Europe and Turkey's European Union accession course. Papoulias briefed Premier Berlusconi on the Cyprus issue and on Athens-Ankara relations.

In President Papoulias' meeting with Prodi, the former European Commission president stressed to the Greek president that the election campaign period is tough in Italy. Prodi told reporters that they discussed the situation in the Mediterranean, the future of Europe, Turkey's EU accession course, the Cyprus issue and the situation in the Balkans, particularly in Kosovo.

Foreign Minister Fini told reporters that he did not discuss with President Papoulias Turkey's latest "proposals" for the Cyprus issue, but about the Middle East and the Balkans.

In the afternoon, Papoulias inaugurated in the Italian capital an exhibition of Cycladic Art which will last until February 26.

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