Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-02-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] Samaras begins Cyprus visit

[02] Joint work group between Greece and Abu Dhabi

[03] Faith in the people's strength

[04] Tsipras seees deterioration

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Samaras begins Cyprus visit

Speaking a dinner in his honor hosted by the Cyprus Democracy Rally (DISY) party Political Bureau, Samaras said that the developments on the part of the Turkish Cypriot side are "rather bleak".

However, he added, it was significant that "with DISY we are jointly forging a course that may give us the synergy for achievement of the common purpose, in other words to work together for a solution of the Cyprus issue through a common target and procedures that we will faithfully adhere to".

The Greek main opposition leader also assured that "the effort for joint confrontation of the Cyprus problem, based on specific UN resolutions, but also with new aspects for Cyprus, such as the European acquis, never leaves our mind, nor will it", and stressed the need for supporting the struggle of the Cypriot people for a solution and reunification of the island, jointly with all the parties in Greece.

Samaras is due to be received on Monday by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias, and will have separate meetings with the leaders of the Cypriot political parties.

[02] Joint work group between Greece and Abu Dhabi

The joint group's first meeting will be taking place in Athens in the coming weeks, as it was revealed following meetings Economy, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Louka Katseli had in a brief visit to Abu Dhabi, accompanied by Minister of State Haris Pamboukis.

The ministry's target is the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries with the attraction of investments from Abu Dhabi and with the active presence of Greek businesses in the development of the emirate's western region.

[03] Faith in the people's strength

In an interview with the To Vima newspaper appearing on Sunday, replying as to why the KKE is not attempting a rapprochement with the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) parliamentary alliance, Papariga said that the tendencies in the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology (SYN), which heads the SYRIZA alliance, and the components of SYRIZA, "are seeking a magical way that will make capitalism more human, the EU and the ECB (European Central Bank) more pro-people, so that profits can coexist harmoniously with the human".

"Fortunately for the working people and the popular movement, the KKE has not been infected with that incurable disease," Papariga added.

The KKE staged a rally in downtown Athens on Saturday, ahead of Wednesday's nationwide labor strike called by the country's two largest umbrella federations ADEDY (civil servants unions' federation) and GSEE (General Confederation of Workers of Greece), which was addressed by party leader Aleka Papariga.

The KKE leader charged that the government, through the measures it is taking, wants to ensure the full profitability of the big capital, and warned that "there is no time, we must avert and obstruct the barbarous measures before the government brings them to parliament".

She said that the government intends to "take" not only the "14th salary" (Christmas bonus), but also 2-3 additional salaries of the working people through increases in VAT and the special consumption tax on fuel, which will raise prices in general.

"The government is lying when it says it is taking measures to cover the deficits and debts. In reality, only a very small part of those will be covered. It has one and only goal, to ensure the full profitability of the big capital, recovery on the backs of the working people who are not just simply the victim. This time, the consequences will be tragic and long-lasting," Papariga charged.

[04] Tsipras seees deterioration

He reiterated the need for the creation of a powerful front opposite the "conservative coalition" of prime minister George Papandreou, main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras, and Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis.

Tsipras further reiterated the need for unity in the Left sphere.

The SYN leader warned that the situation of the economy will deteriorate rapidly, and the recession will deepen to the point that it will not be at all easy to come out of it for many years to come. He added that the restrictive measures that have been proposed were totally ineffective because they will sink the economy deeper into recession and take Greece further away from any prospect of a way out.

This situation, in turn, will make the pressure on the weak social strata asphyxiating to the point that "we will have a dissolution of the social cohesion, and phenomena of nouveau poverty".

At the same time, however, the bankers continued unobstructed to profiteer, the shipowners continued to not pay taxes, the big-time contractors continued not to pay social security contributions, the Church continued to "keep all its robes for itself", and taxation on the profits of the big capital was being reduced, at a time when the low-salary earners were being squeezed dry by the indirect taxes, Tsipras charged.

Another major aspect of the repercussions of the economic policy being followed was the 'expropriation' of the social rights, he continued, stressing that, together with the immediate economic measures, institutional reforms were also being advanced that will "turn the country many years back".

In essence, he charged, the state was "pulling out of social security".

In an interview with Proto Thema newspaper appearing on Sunday, Tsipras said that Greece's problem is in essence a European problem and has to do with the structural weaknesses of the EU, which instituted a common currency without mechanisms to support the weaker economies.

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

New tough measures being mulled by the government, a European Commission, European Central Bank (ECB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) team due in Athens Monday evening, and main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras' statements at the party's first pre-Congress conference leading up to the June 25-27 8th regular Congress were the main front-page items in Athens' dailies on Monday.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Yes, ND is being reborn - The entire rank and file a tight fist".

APOGEVMATINI: "Resistance front by top ministers - Government cadres place 'red lines' on Maximos (government headquarters)".

AVRIANI: "The officials who took deliver of the C4I (security system for the Athens 2004 Olymmpic Games), who returned the letters of guarantee and relieved Christoforakos (Siemens Hellas fugitive former CEO) of accountability in the affair must face the docks - Prosecutor's intervention necessary in the immense scandal".

CHORA: "The search for 25 billion euros for interest payments in a 'fog' - Speculation of rescue plan by eurozone countries intensifies".

ELEFTHERI ORA: "PASOK (government) putting gravestone on March 25 (Greek Independence Day) - Citing the economic crisis, the foreign ministry instructed Greece's embassies and consulates abroad to cancel the commemorative events of the national anniversary".

ELEFTHEROS: "G.A.P. (prime minister George A. Papandreou) reveals how he became a politician, in 'entertaining' interview with German magazine Spiegel".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Lethal game - How the inflated the GDP deficit - The fraud with the government's accounting 'alchemies' on the economy brought to light".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Cookery for 25 billion euros assistance - 'Window' from German' finance ministry - Loan-test for the markets".

ESTIA: "The antidote to the crisis - We must all work more".

ETHNOS: "Three scenarios on the final 'deal' with the EU, as Commission-ECB-IMF auditors are due to arrive today (Monday)".

IMERISSIA: "Final stretch to new measures - The road opens for assistance, borrowing".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "The 12 changes to the income statement (E1 document)".

TA NEA: "George's 'tough poker game' for 25 billion euros loan - Counter-attack on all fronts to change the climate".

VRADYNI: "We will become a leading power - Samaras unveiled ND's political and ideological manifesto".

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