Athens News Agency: News in English, 10-09-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Papandreou chairs cabinet meeting

[02] Discussion at foreign ministry on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

[03] EU Commissioner Malmstrom in Athens

[01] PM Papandreou chairs cabinet meeting

Papandreou said that so far this effort is proceeding with success. However, as he noted, this success will be sealed by the major changes that must be promoted in every sector and must improve the daily life of the citizen, his prospect and future.

The prime minister referred to the issue of pending tax cases, pointing out that all these years the taxation system was functioning with evident deficiency and tolerance for tax evasion.

At the moment, he added, there are 2.5 million unchecked uses, a phenomenon for which he attributed responsibility almost exclusively to the state.

This is the reason, as he stressed, for which a new start must be made, a new taxation conscience must be shaped and there should be a new taxation conception.

"This reform is taking place for us to change the unbearable legacy of a sinful past, part of which are the unchecked cases." the premier said.

Referring to the difficulty in clearing up all these cases, Papandreou stressed that no taxation apparatus, not even the most perfect could effectively clear up and in a transparent way so many cases in a small period of time.

The prime minister reiterated his advice to the cabinet members "not to identify themselves" with their ministries and called on them to shape a specific timetable for the major priorities set by every ministry.

He further said that the government must work with binding timetables and also called for every ministry not to bring a certain issue fragmentally to the cabinet council, but must present its overall policy that which will be highlighted publicly.

The prime minister placed special emphasis on the communication management of government actions, stressing that the aim is the maximisation of the result of government initiatives.

Papandreou also referred to the announcements made in Delphi on Sunday and concern changes in Third Stage Education where, as he said, "we made a start" and added "we have every possibility of building a system that we deserve and that meets the needs of the times."

He also commented on statements by main opposition New Democracy (ND) party leader Antonis Samaras on the annihilation of the deficit, characterising him and the ND cadres "apprentice magicians who, however, are responsible for the present deficits with their actions. We, he added, are continuing with seriousness and speak with actions that are changing Greece."

He also said that to young people's dilemma on leaving or staying in the country, the government replies that they must stay to change the country.

Papandreou referred briefly to his visit to the United States and to the meetings he had there, saying that there was a very positive response regarding the effort being made by the country to exit from the economic crisis and promote major changes.

Focusing as well on the issue of the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), Papandreou said that Greece is always ready and has the will to promote the issue for the finding of a mutually acceptable solution.

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[02] Discussion at foreign ministry on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks

The two featured speakers were Menachem Klein, a professor at the Bar-Ilan University of Tel Aviv, as well as Yezid Sayigh, a professor at the King's College London. Participating in the discussion, coordinated by ANA-MPA Managing Director Nikolas Voulelis, was ELIAMEP General Director Theodoros Dokos.

Both Klein and Sayigh analysed developments from their perspective, yet both were critical regarding the stance of Israeli governments, which they said mostly favoured a climate of tension. Both academics, in their addresses, and replying to questions, did not predict success of the re-commenced talks.

"There are no hopes of progress for full pacification, under the present circumstances. Many things must change," Klein said, pointing out that good intentions are not enough, and that there must be pressure towards the Israelis, who are insisting on maintaining the status quo by expanding settlements in the West Bank.

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[03] EU Commissioner Malmstrom in Athens

Talks focused on the issue of asylum and illegal immigration.

The EU Commissioner also met with Citizens' Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis.

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