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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-09-19
CONTENTS
[01] Papandreou hosts dinner for party MPs
[02] President briefed by FinMin
[01] Papandreou hosts dinner for party MPs
"The latest developments reveal the true face of the ruling New
Democracy (ND) party," main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou
said on the sidelines of a dinner he hosted Thursday night for his
party MPs participating in the third summer recess session of
parliament. Speaking to reporters, Papandreou pointed out that two
factors have played a decisive role in this revelation, namely, the
people's awareness and the systematic effort made by PASOK to bring the
problems to light. Referring to the results of recent opinion polls,
Papandreou said that they are the reflection of the governmental policy
and the problems faced by the people. He said that the top issues for
PASOK are the "people's finances" and the "lack of a social state",
stressing that if the sectors of health and education were functioning
properly the people would feel less burdened. He also pointed out that
PASOK's priorities were on transparency and unemployment. Caption:
ANA-MPA file photo of main opposition PASOK party leader George
Papandreou
[02] President briefed by FinMin
President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias on Friday received Economy
and Finance Minister George Alogoskoufis, who briefed him on the latest
global economic developments, particularly following the collapse of
Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest investment bank on Wall Street.
Speaking to reporters afterwards, Alogoskoufis noted that for the past
year a major crisis has hit the international credit system, coupled by
an exacerbation in worldwide inflation rates, while referring to the
recent developments in the United States, he said the crisis that
started in American markets has predictably affected the entire world,
since it has resulted in an increase in interest rates and a lack of
capital liquidity on the markets.
Regarding the impact on Europe, Alogoskoufis said there was stagnancy
in many economies during the first six months and an increase in
inflation. Referring to the Greek economy in particular, he said
repercussions were chiefly in interest rates and inflation, which in
turn affects households, public finances and the economy and its
growth.
The minister added, however, that the effects on the Greek economy were
much smaller compared with other economies, and it was important that
the guidelines set out by the government's economic staff to be
continued with consistency and continuity, so that growth will continue
and so that effects of inflation and rising interest rates could be
ameliorated.
Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of FinMin George Alogoskoufis.
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