Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-03-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou sharply criticised PM

[02] 'Name issue' to resume on Tues.

[01] Papandreou sharply criticised PM

He said that PASOK championed a new leap for the young generation, while charging that the new social security bill being passed by the government would create a "labour Middle Ages", which he pledged his party would abolish when it took over the government.

"With your bill, there will be no ability for serious pensions, but fear, particularly among the youth, with uninsured work, without payment and overtime. You are bombarding the young general with insecurity," Papandreou said, adding that his party had a specific proposal to put forth, one beginning at birth, up to 26 years of age, with the creation of provisions for four years of financing with full social security from state dispensation".

Papandreou further criticised the Left's stance on controversial Article 16 of the Constitution, stressing that efforts should focus on upgrading public universities, and adding that an absolute priority was to solve the issue of their autonomy, with full self-administration but subject to evaluation.

Caption: Main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou. ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS

[02] 'Name issue' to resume on Tues.

"It (meeting) was a useful and sincere exchange of views; several thoughts and ideas were tabled, we will study these and relevant directions will be given to our negotiators, who will meet (with diplomats representing the FYROM side) in New York City next Tuesday," Bakoyannis said.

The Greek FM again reiterated that the Greek side attended Friday's meeting -- which was hosted by a top US diplomat -- with a sincere volition to find a mutually acceptable solution, "with clear-cut positions, strong arguments and a determined stance."

In response to press questions, Bakoyannis said no agreement or memorandum was signed during Friday's meeting.

Asked about Athens' positions over a possible solution, Bakoyannis noted that "our position is quite clear ... we desire a name that will describe a difference between the wider geographical region of Macedonia and the area covered today by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). I believe that this is fair and unambiguous, as well as significant for the region's stability."

Finally, she said that the ongoing negotiating process, under UN mediator Matthew Nimetz, is neither being replaced. "Meetings taking place with the initiative of the United States are supportive vis-?-vis this process."

Caption: File photo of Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis. ANA-MPA.

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