Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-02-06

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Clear plan to handle economic crisis

[02] Papandreou calls on election agreement

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] PM: Clear plan to handle economic crisis

Karamanlis, who was speaking at the Maximos Mansion following the presentation of the stability and growth programme by Finance and Economy Minister Yiannis Papathanasiou, pointed out that there are two paths, that of responsibility and that of irresponsibility. He added that there are some who are promising easy and deadlocked solutions, but such solutions do not exist, while these paths lead to deadlock.

The prime minister noted that the government's responsible and stable policy guarantees a better future for all citizens. He said that government policy is based on three axes, in maintaining growth, even with lower rates this year, but with higher rates in the years to come.

Karamanlis also referred to the economy's fluidity programme, to supporting businesses, to boosting public investments and to promoting necessary reforms.

The second target is monetary restructuring by curbing expenditures, limiting extravagance and restricting tax evasion. The third target is supporting the financially weaker to the economy's endurance limits with targeted interventions in socially vulnerable groups, while shielding employment at the same time.

Karamanlis said that social cohesion is the base of government policy and that nothing is easy and nor can it be done from one day to the next and added that everyone must help to overcome this crisis.

"There can be no growth without the support of entrepreneurship, without the restriction of deficits there can be no essential funds to support the socially weaker and without monetary restructuring the reliability of the economy cannot be backed", he said.

The prime minister further said that the economy cannot forge ahead without targeted actions and pointed out that no economic policy can move ahead by itself and a political and social environment that favours consensus is necessary.

It is necessary, he added, that social groups jointly consider society in its entirety and frontal clashes should be avoided since "no to everything" cannot be applied.

Karamanlis underlined that with the new stability and growth programme, following the revision of evaluations of all the international organisations as well, "the government is taking all factors into consideration with a new mixture of policy. No country and no society can handle the international crisis by itself. However, we can, with a specific programme, prevent the grave repercussions with realism and with a stable policy."

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at his statement at the Maximos mansion on Thursday 5 February 2009 .ANA-MPA/SYMELA PANTZARTZI

[02] Papandreou calls on election agreement

As regards the issue of the President of the Republic, Papandreou said that the country has a successful President who will be supported by PASOK if he wishes to have a second tenure.

Papandreou added that when the time for the election of the president comes, the present main opposition party will assess the country's interest as to what PASOK's choice will be in the event that its proposal is rejected by the prime minister and elections are not held until March 2010. In any case, he added, PASOK respects the institution of President and supports President Karolos Papoulias.

The PASOK leader also said that the party is seeking a majority government and advised those who are doubtful to be patient and, replying to a question on whether PASOK is ready to rule, said that it is even more ready than in 1981 to rule because it has both experience and wisdom and is aware where the country must head to.

Caption: Main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou at a press conference in Athens on Thursday 5 February 2009. ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS

[03] Athens Newspaper Headlines

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis' nationally televised message regarding the economy and main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou's press conference along with Marfin Group's (MIG) interest on Olympic Airways' acquisition dominated the headlines on Friday in the Athens dailies.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Inter-ministerial committee on economic confirms measures for 870,000 self-employed professionals".

APOGEVMATINI: "Karamanlis: We're supporting people to deal with financial crisis".

AVGHI: "Government reinstates the 10,500-euro tax-free ceiling to cajole voters".

AVRIANI: "Marfin VP Andreas Vgenopoulos saves Olympic Airways and acts as life-vest for taxpayers".

CHORA: "Vgenopoulos gives wings to Olympic Airways - MIG's proposal gives the life kiss to the national air carrier".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "PASOK leader demands general elections and sends message to Karamanlis: Go, it's my turn - Karamanlis later emphasises: I'm not going anywhere".

ELEFTHEROS: "Spectacular changes in tax code - Breather for 900,000 self-employed professional and SME owners".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Consent instead of elections - Leaders of two major parties cross swords on economy, early elections".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "They dismantle their policy - Government without plan".

ESTIA: "Positive changes in tax code - Reinstitution of tax-free ceiling".

ETHNOS: "Papandreou throws down the gauntlet for general elections ".

KATHIMERINI: "Karamanlis U-turn in economic policy - Asked for consent in face of crisis".

LOGOS: "Papandreou challenge: I want general elections now - Karamanlis calls for consent".

NIKI: "Heavy taxes for real estate".

TA NEA: "Government imposes new taxes on way to ballot box".

VIMA: "Papandreou: Election now, with mutual agreement for election of new President of Republic".

VRADYNI: "Tax-free ceiling reinstated - Paper's report verified".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Multinational threatening unions, unionists with prosecution".

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