Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-05-26

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

CONTENTS

[01] Premier: 'We dare difficult decisions'

[01] Premier: 'We dare difficult decisions'

"We dare difficult decisions that guarantee a considerable future benefit. If we do not do it, the country will never be rid of the burdens it is carrying. If we stay with easy decisions and pleasant words, the country will never develop the speed of progress that it can have," the prime minister said.

Karamanlis placed emphasis on the causes of the crisis, the measures taken by the government to limit the repercussions and his intention to continue steadfastly along the path of reforms.

The prime minister commented on the international economic crisis and said that it was caused by strong doses of irresponsibility at many levels of the public and private sphere, by the inadequacy of transparency rules and by a correlation of irresponsible decisions that accumulated and swelled an explosive toxic mixture.

He also referred at length to the measures taken by his government and stressed the need for backing the financially weaker and supporting employment.

Karamanlis pointed out that while unemployment in Europe is registering decades records, it has been much lower in Greece since 2004, adding that small and medium-size enterprises that are active in tourism, commerce, processing and services are being supported with 1.3 billion euros.

Monetary restructuring is another axis, as he said, and noted that hirings are being restricted in the public sector, all codes concerning flexible expenditures have been reduced by 10 percent and the programme on transparency in public hospitals and social security funds is going ahead in accordance with the timetable.

The prime minister also underlined the need of confronting tax evasion, saying that "tax evasion is an exclusively antisocial attitude that the country can no longer stand. The confrontation is continuing with increasing intensity."

Karamanlis highlighted the government's overall effort to enable the country to emerge from the crisis strengthened and this will be achieved, as he said, with a responsible policy, adding that "we shall achieve this with difficult decisions. There are no pleasant recipes in difficult times."

The prime minister summed up his address by saying that "considerable work has been achieved over the past five years. Above all, the country has entered a reformist strategy which is not stopping, which is not being abandoned. Today, it is being acknowledged that the reforms are more necessary and more imperative than ever. The reformist discussion has opened in Greece and I feel profound satisfaction."

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