Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou addresses SI meeting in Mexico

[02] Polytechnic uprising anniversary

[03] First anniversary of MiFID

[01] Papandreou addresses SI meeting in Mexico

Papandreou noted the ?danger? of socialist principles and values becoming a "fashion" as more and more conservative politicians use certain socialist principles when referring to the economic crisis.

?For us, this development was a pleasant surprise, but we do not want to become a fashion. We want our principles and values to remain clear and stable. We have a great responsibility to make things clear, as conservative forces have created an upheaval. However, the challenge we are facing is historic,? Papandreou said.

The SI president presented five proposals for a way out of the economic crisis.

Firstly, the creation of a fund for social protection in order for social security to be guaranteed, particularly in developing countries.

Secondly, the establishment of a special fund which will support small and medium-size businesses and the employees working in them. ?This will be an answer to one of the greatest problems of the international economic crisis,? Papandreou said.

Thirdly, the creation of a special fund which will undertake the support of fluidity in the economy.

Fourthly, special measures for the support of developing countries and their economies, which must have fluidity so that they do not end up bankrupt.

Fifthly, the promotion of the necessary reforms in the international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation.

[02] Polytechnic uprising anniversary

Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas, heading up a Parliament delegation, also laid a wreath at the Polytechnic memorial. "The night of the Polytechnic brought the dawn of democracy", Sioufas said afterwards.

Earlier, tributes were paid by Deputy Education Minister Spyros Taliadouros.

The gates of the Polytechnic closed at 2 p.m. ahead of the customary march through downtown Athens.

As with every Nov. 17 commemoration, police are taking increased security measures along the thoroughfares where the march will pass.

?The message of the Polytechnic Uprising can be traced today in the collective struggle of resistance and disobedience launched against those who wish to make our future worse than the present,? Coalition of the Left (Synaspismos) President Alexis Tsipras stressed, laying a wreath at the Polytechnic Monument.

On his part, Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos underlined the timeless messages derived from the Polytechnic uprising, pointing out that democracy in the country is consolidated and has evolved smoothly, underlining that ?we are struggling for a better quality democracy while protecting human rights.?

He also expressed a hope that scheduled marches and events commemorating the uprising will be peaceful.

?The 35th anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising is being commemorated by the Greek people and all political forces,? government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros stated, pointing out that ?we pay tribute to the known and unknown fighters who stood up to the dictatorship demanding freedom, justice and dignity.?

?In line with the spirit of this great anniversary we reaffirm our commitment to keep on fighting for democracy and the consolidation of a new political culture in a spirit of unity and consensus, guaranteeing more opportunities for education, employment and prosperity for the young,? the government spokesman stressed.

Traditional march

The march from the Polytechnic to the US Embassy, marking the 35th anniversary of the student uprising against the dictatorship, ended at 7 p.m. on Monday.

Despite the strong rainfall, the demonstrators sent for yet another year their message.

Minor incidents occurred during the march when self-styled anarchists threw a fire-bomb, stones and bottles with water against the riot police in front of the embassy.

CAPTION: Students carrying the Polytechnic flag during Minday's march in central Athens. (Photo:ANA-MPA)

[03] First anniversary of MiFID

Addressing a conference organized by the European Union on the occasion of the first birthday of MiFIDās implementation in European stock markets, Kapralos -who is also president of FESE- said figures so far showed an improvement in new services and activities offered in the market and better investorsā protection from the introduction of transparency regulations. Kapralos, however, expressed his doubts over the quality of transaction execution, market transparency, price discovery and the neutrality of various trading platforms.

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