Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-02-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM reaffirms volition to implement pension reforms

[02] FinMin: privatisations to proceed

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM reaffirms volition to implement pension reforms

At the same time, he announced that funding of a newly instituted "social security solidarity account" would come from 10 percent of the total annual revenues from the privatisation of public utilities and various state-owned enterprises and organisations (known by the Greek acronym "DEKO"), 4 percent of the annual VAT revenues, and 10 percent of monies collected by social security agencies from social resources.

Stressing that the above funding would be forthcoming from social resources and not social security funds' reserves, Karamanlis said "it is the minimum contribution to the weaker members of the (social security) system and the young generation", and "a fundamental expression of social solidarity".

Outlining the government's proposals for resolving problems faced by Greece's social security system, Karamanlis said relevant decisions "exceed the boundaries of the governmental term in office", and that the goal of the bill on reforming the system that will be tabled in parliament is to set immediately into motion the necessary and urgent changes.

"It is our obligation to not allow the conservatism of the few to become a dam to the interests of the many," Karamanlis said, adding that his government's choice was to build an increasingly just system that will not be at risk of collapse, that will not impose on some others in the near future to cut back benefits from the many, nor to detract services from the young generation.

"The strategy of reforms cannot be disrupted, suspended or stopped," he said.

Karamanlis said the reform strategy, for his government, was non-negotiable, and that he would not compromise with the reactionism of the few and "accommodated", nor would he allow the interest of the many to be sacrificed to petty-partisan or guild-mentality expediencies.

"We will not overlook the risks that young people will be called on to face in a few years' time, if we do not take measures immediately," he stressed.

Criticising the opposition and certain social agencies, Karamanlis said the deliberate downgrading of existing problems was a "hypocritical attitude", that inertia was, in essence, shirking one's responsibility, and that reaction to necessary reforms was a choice of social indifference, stressing that "we will not become party to that".

He further stressed that no transient political cost could take precedence over or outweigh the cost that society will pay if weaknesses of the social security system are not tackled immediately.

"I am determined to carry on, at any cost necessary, on the road that guarantees security and certainty for the many; on the road that leads to a more cohesive and more just society, the road that the youth deserve, the road that we agreed on with the citizens," Karamanlis said, adding that reform was an imperative obligation and need arising from the reality of the past and the forecasts on the demographic challenges.

The prime minister further said a fundamental priority of his government was the responsible confrontation of the multi-fragmented state of the social security system, with its 155 social security funds, overseen by five different ministries. "In a healthy, redistributed system, the ratio of working people and pensioners will be 4:1, against the current ratio of 1.75:1," he explained.

Karamanlis also assured that the primary parameters of the social security system would not be changed

"The general retirement ages are not being increased. Contributions will not increase. Pensions will not be reduced. Matured pension rights will not be touched in any instance. Most of the changes will commence after long transition periods, to be completed gradually over a lengthy period of time".

"It is our duty to dare, to agree, to carry out the reforms, in a moderate and just manner, for the interests of the many," the prime minister said, stressing that the social security reforms were society's demand but also the obligation of all the political forces and agencies, "a duty to the many, to the financially weaker, to the youth and, in the bottom line, to the country".

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of Greek PM Costas Karamanlis.

[02] FinMin: privatisations to proceed

"Reform of the banking system is one of the Greek government's top priorities. It was the target when we privatised National Bank in 2004, and it was our target when we did the same with Emporiki Bank in 2006. It was the same incentive when we restructured ATEBank and the Post Office Bank, before it was listed on the Athens Stock Exchange."

Referring to the government's privatisation drive, the FinMin stressed: "We are now entering into the second stage of the privatisation programme. We have already received international offers for the ports of Thessaloniki and Piraeus, the largest port of the country. These offers will focus on the modernisation and improvement of the ports' infrastructure. A similar project regarding the privatisation of airports is also pending. Negotiations concerning Athens airport have already begun," he said.

Meanwhile, in a published interview on Sunday, Alogoskoufis expressed his optimism on government's social security reforms, adding that he believes that a draft bill will be passed by Parliament without any problems. He also said that ruling New Democracy's marginal majority in Parliament -- it retains 151 MPs plus one affiliated independent -- will not hinder social security reforms or the government, in general.

Finally, he forecast that the Karamanlis government can proceed and complete its four-year term.

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo of FinMin George Alogoskoufis.

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Pension rates for 25-year-olds, 40-somethings and 50-somethings based on newly proposed social security figures".

APOGEVMATINI: "Pension reform affects two million insured".

AVGHI: "The left's time has come".

AVRIANI: "Early elections set -- Alter for two successive ballots with goal being a new government with a wider Parliamentary mandate".

CHORA: "Forecast for major earthquake, over 6.5 on the Richter scale, by VAN group in next two months".

ETHNOS: "Hurricane 'Tsipras' overcoming ND, PASOK", a reference to the new and youthful (34) leader of the leftist Synaspismos grouping, Alexis Tsipras.

ELEFTHEROS: "Working mothers and 45 year-olds will be the first victims of the social security reforms".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Operation 'black money' ", a headline claiming that US and British experts are in Athens to probe cases involving fuel smuggling and suspicious capital from Arab sources.

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "New and shocking evidence in Zachopoulos case in latest indictment against Evi Tsekou".

EPOCHI: "Silent consensus amid high-pitched rhetoric -- Agreement over VAT hike, funds and privatisations"

KATHIMERINI: "War on fuel smuggling rings".

LOGOS: "Indications of political establishment's overturning".

NIKI: "Karamanlis' people in key (government) posts".

PARON: "Tsekou outmanoeuvres blackmailers", a reference to the jailed former culture ministry contract employee at the centre of an alleged blackmailing ring that targeted resigned ministry general secretary Christos Zachopoulos.

PROTO THEMA: "Turks broke a Greek teacher's hand in Evros Prefecture!"

RIZOSPASTIS: "Surge in struggle against anti-social security attack".

TO VIMA: " 'We won't fall like Mitsotakis (a reference to the 1990-93 government of ex-PM Constantine Mitsotakis),' FinMin George Alogoskoufis declares".

VRADYNI: "VAT rate up 2 percentage points to finance fund in favor of poor".

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