Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou: Social state is not the problem

[01] Papandreou: Social state is not the problem

This year's high-end conference focused on the theme of "The challenges of growth, employment and social cohesion", organised by the International Labour Organization and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Greek prime minister emphasised that democracies can handle challenges and pointed out that "oxygen must be given to institutions" through the combating of a lack of transparency and corruption, while on the question of deficits and debts, he said that their handling constitutes responsibility, but at the same time there should be growth and an increase in employment.

Papandreou said the tackling of climate change through the turn of the production model to a "green" economy will bring about growth and jobs and noted that Greece is an "ideal place" for the development of "green" investments.

He also referred to the measures taken by the government, saying that they have the citizens' support, despite the fact that there were cutbacks in salaries and pensions.

Outlining his proposals, Papandreou underlined the need for "training the citizens in the new economy."

The prime minister reiterated his proposal on the funding of "green" growth through "economic tools", such as the "green" bonds, the Tobin tax and the coal tax.

Giving examples of the possibilities that are created with the turn to the "green" economy, Papandreou said that the improvement of buildings' energy performance gives jobs and, referring to photovoltaic systems, he said that they are becoming more and more popular "since we are taxing heating oil."

The Greek prime minister further said that even huge regions such as the Sahara, if utilised through the "green" economy, could, for example, provide Europe regarding energy.

On the question of the younger generations in Greece, as well as the trend being noted of abandoning the country, Papandreou said that in Greece "there is a highly specialised (professionally and scientifically) youth, there are also those who leave" and underlined that "pessimism must be dealt a blow and we must tell young people 'take the country in your hands and change it'."

The Greek prime minister mentioned that new methods of governance are required, as well as a change in a series of life models, such as of the consumer one, adding that "young people realise these and are prepared."

Papandreou concluded by saying that "we must teach young people to use knowledge as a tool to add value to all that they do and we must support their initiatives."

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