Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-04-25

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

CONTENTS

[01] PASOK leader addresses SMEs

[02] Alogoskoufis, Almunia addess Economist con'f

[03] KKE delegation to visit Lebanon

[01] PASOK leader addresses SMEs

Papandreou went on to say "a wide alliance that breaks away from the ordinary conception of consensus and goes a step further, to make you participants in this effort of ours."

The PASOK leader termed SMEs "special interlocutors" of PASOK, adding that "we are not calling for the vote of the Greek people as the 'lesser evil', but we are consolidating with our programme the conscious support of the Greek people for the new hope in this country."

Papandreou said that the five main goals of this wide alliance are focused on the creation of a state of transparency, a fair redistribution, a new development model, a modern welfare state and investing in man.

He termed as "tragically negative the account of the New Democracy (ND) government" and stressed that from "the supervision of the economy, the revision of GDP and the 'main shareholder' to managing the shipwreck in Santorini, ND is accumulating policies and practices that are harming the country's image internationally."

Referring to the "bonds" issue, Papandreou spoke of an "inalienable and continuous crime against the social insurance funds," adding that "we shall seek responsibilities and also for whoever they exist."

Commenting in particular on targets, Papandreou referred to the establishment of a stable tax framework and of an accounting definition of revenues for all businesses, the gradual abolition of the Books and Data Code, speedy and fair solutions for differences between the tax authorities and taxpayers, the establishment of a specimen control system and the replacement of most money fines by a point system.

He also pointed to a considerable decrease in tax for undistributed profits, the taxing of companies' distributed profits and dividends as income for private persons, the assessment of the repercussions of all government measures on SMEs and an increase in public investments to 5 percent of GDP at least.

Lastly, Papandreou focused on a decrease to one week of the minimum time required for the commencement of a company, facilitating access for commencement and initial development funding, the reshaping of bankruptcy law with the aim of providing a "second chance", learning and encouraging entrepreneurship at school and linking the educational and research system with production and providing a new role for the banking system.

[02] Alogoskoufis, Almunia addess Economist con'f

The Greek minister said the country was in the "middle of the road" and that a greater effort was needed in certain sectors, such as a public administration.

Alogoskoufis acknowledged that challenges needed to be dealt with were sustainability of public finances, a long-term viability of the social insurance system and implementing a National Strategic Framework Benchmark. He noted this could be the last chance, since Greece was not expected to receive as much money from EU funds in the future.

"Public finances are in very good shape, with fiscal deficit below 3.0 pct, the public debt falling, economic growth rates almost double the Eurozone's average, unemployment dropping, entrepreneurship is rising and foreign investments total 4.3 billion euros in 2006," he said.

Alogoskoufis noted that Greece moved away from the standard of state-backed growth with more emphasis given to private investments. He stressed there was absolutely no room for complacency. "We need constant and consistent effort," he said.

Almunia

Addressing the seminar, EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, said a strong EU would have positive results for the Eurozone. Referring to the achievements of Economic and Monetary Union, Almunia said they include the limitation of foreign exchange risk, protection of Eurozone economies, containing inflation and an accommodative monetary policy.

"EMU has been a European success story. The positive impact of the euro on macroeconomic stability and economic integration are among the many tangible benefits derived introducing the single currency nearly 10 years ago ... The euro has even overtaken the dollar in the international bond market, with 49 percent of the total global bond market denominated in euros in 2006 compared to 37 percent for the dollar," he stressed.

[03] KKE delegation to visit Lebanon

According to a party press release, during its visit, the delegation will hold talks with Berri, all the country's political parties, political organisations and movements, while it will also visit regions in southern Lebanon that were hit by Israeli raids in July 2006.

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