Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-09-22

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

CONTENTS

[01] Papandreou-Biden meeting in D.C.

[02] FinMin on updated Memorandum

[03] Railway workers call repeated work stoppages

[04] Gov't on tax revenues

[05] Karamanlis to testify for Vatopedi

[06] Greek-Turkish energy talks

[07] Report on sea cruise

[01] Papandreou-Biden meeting in D.C.

In welcoming the Greek prime minister, Biden praised Papandreou for the "excellent work he is doing in the handling of the economic crisis and, God willing, he will put his country on the right path again."

Speaking to reporters afterwards, the Greek prime minister said his talks with Biden covered a wide range of issues, such as the global economic crisis, the Middle East issue, the Cyprus problem as well as the fYRoM "name issue".

Papandreou added that he briefed the US vice president on Greece's initiatives regarding the wider region's problems and highlighted Athens' volition and positive contribution in resolving these problems.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[02] FinMin on updated Memorandum

Papaconstantinou appeared optimistic over the achievement of the targets of monetary adjustment that have been set by the end of the year and reassured that there shall be no new negotiating of the Memorandum, but its adjustment every three months.

In the same framwork of fiscal transparency and control, the new Budget will include for the first time an appendix on the course of public utilities and all ministries will be obliged to make a register on the assumption of commitments, to avoid the phenomenon of their accumulation without fiscal coverage.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[03] Railway workers call repeated work stoppages

A 5-hour work stoppage has been announced for noon on Wednesday with the participation of all OSE workers. The OSE engine drivers will hold a 5-hour work stoppage on Thursday.

Commuters are advised to contact the OSE information service to avoid any inconvenience.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[04] Gov't on tax revenues

Speaking to reporters, Petalotis said the government was immediately acting after Prime Minister George Papandreou announced swift action to resolving tax transactions with enterprises. "Citizens and tax authorities are leaving the past behind, building a relation of mutual trust," he said.

The Finance ministry has put for consultation with all interested parties, a draft law envisaging this voluntary close of pending tax cases. The draft law covers all pending tax cases of enterprises and self-employed citizens for the period 2000-2009, including tax cases pending in administrative courts and rescheduling of outstanding tax debt to the public sector.

The Finance ministry announced four large changes in the process of decision-making in tax cases and a reorganization of tax services, including stricter penalties to tax evaders.

The draft law will offer generous discounts to taxpayers and full payment in 12 monthly tranches.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[05] Karamanlis to testify for Vatopedi

The relevant letter that will be addressed to the former prime minister informs him that the Committee "judged unanimously that it would be useful for you to contribute with your testimony as well in the probing of this affair. For this reason, we are at your disposal, to determine jointly, the most suitable way for this contribution of yours."

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[06] Greek-Turkish energy talks

Speaking to reporters, Birbili underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation in the sectors of energy, natural gas and Renewable Energy Sources (RES).

Responding to a question on the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline and the transport of petrol through the Bosporus Straits, the Turkish minister stated that "the large number of oil tankers crossing the straits is a heavy load and the Burgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline is an alternative solution in order to bypass the straits."

On cooperation in the sectors of electricity and natural gas as provided by the Cooperation Memorandum signed by the two ministers on May 14, Yildiz pointed out that "we have stated that we are ready to gradually launch the export of electricity."

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

[07] Report on sea cruise

Regarding Greece, the report showed that direct expenses of the sea cruise industry for 2009 totaled 598 million euros (4.3 pct of European total expenses), with 503,000 passengers boarding (10.4 pct), while 4,973,000 people selected Greece as their travel destination (20.9 pct).

Andreas Stylianopoulos, an executive in Navigator travel organization, representative of Royal Caribbean International in Greece and member of ECC, said that Greece clearly must focus on the sea cruise sector, before it was too late and stressed that the official handling of the cabotage issue was not the right one, with the industry lowering its expectations over its benefits.

More than 4.9 million Europeans made reservations for sea cruise last year, a figure 12.1 pct compared with 2008, accounting for 29 pct of all sea cruise passengers worldwide. The majority of sea cruises visiting ports in the Mediterranean and the Baltics.

More details on the subscriber's page of APE-MPE | Subscription request form

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article