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Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-06-26Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Critical week for the economyA critical week opens for the Greek economy on Monday, as the Medium-Term fiscal programme, ratification of which has been set out by the EU as a condition for the smooth financing of Greece, goes before the parliament plenary.The programme will be put to vote in parliament on Wednesday amidst reactions by the opposition and trade unions, while its Implementation Law will be voted on by the House on Thursday. Greece's two major umbrella federations GSEE and ADEDY, representing the private and public sectors respectively, have called a nationwide 48-hour strike on Tuesday and Wednesday while the Medium-Term programme will be debated and voted on in the 300-seat parliament, in protest of austerity measures and the Medium-Term programme, as well as planned nationalisations of state utilities and organisations. © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [02] 'Measures unjust, but serve pressing national need'(ANA-MPA)--Greece's new finance minister Evangelos Venizelos acknowledged that the measures contained in the government's Medium-Term fiscal programme and its Implementation Law are tough and in many instances unjust, but added that he took the responsibility of introducing them upon his assumption of the ministry because they were the only way at this time to serve a pressing national need.In a statement on Saturday evening, Venizelos said: "I am fully aware that the measures contained in the Medium-Term fiscal program and the Implementation Law are heavy and in many aspects unjust. I undertook the responsibility of introducing them, barely having been a week at the Finance Ministry, because only in this way is an urgent national need served at this time."(ANA-MPA) He said that finalisation of the 28 billion euros Medium-Term programme, of which 5.6 billion euros are still outstanding, "needed to be done in order to close this circle of negotiations and for fulfillment of the conditions for the prompt disbursement of the (12 billion euros) 5th tranche of the 110 billion euro (EU-IMF bailout) loan", adding that "these 12 billion euros of this 5th tranche are absolutely necessary in order to service the cash needs of the public sector, which in reality is servicing of the immediate and vital needs of the citizens".(ANA-MPA) Venizelos reiterated that the ministry is at the same time planning the next step, which contains three points: First, ensuring the viability of the state debt, "without which the sacrifices of the Greek people will be in vain"; Second, immediate change of taxation policy and the creation of a National Tax System that will remedy injustices and discrepancies and will restore the moral and social balance of the measures; and, third, negotiation for a new support programme that will lead Greece not only back to the markets but also the restoration of its fiscal and economic independence.(ANA-MPA) © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [03] Jump-start of reform effort(ANA-MPA)--Greece's central bank chief stressed the need for a powerful jump-start of the reform effort and also consensus of the political and social forces of the country so as to safeguard, "as the highest national duty", Greece's European perspective, in a newspaper interview appearing on Sunday.George Provopoulos, governor of the Bank of Greece, said in an interview with Kathimerini newspaper that Greece's time for convincing the eurozone and the markets that it can handle the problem of the debt's viability was "running out", warning that "whoever thinks that if Greece leaves the Memorandum we will return to the previous condition is making a big mistake".(ANA-MPA) He said there are no alternative solutions outside the Memorandum.(ANA-MPA) © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [04] Samaras: Better tomorrow(ANA-MPA)--Main opposition New Democracy (ND) leader Antonis Samaras on Sunday called for a "different economic policy" that would "not be founded on excessive taxation".There is a better tomorrow for the country, provided there is a change of policy, said Samaras, who was attending the 31st annual get-together of Sarakatsani in Pertouli.(ANA-MPA) "There is a better tomorrow. The most difficult thing that I see throughout all of Greece is the dejection, the feeling of depression, something that does not suit the Greeks. That must be overturned, and you give hope only when you have specific, serious elements of a different policy that at the same time acknowledges the huge problem," the ND leader said.(ANA-MPA) © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [05] Papariga in Chania(ANA-MPA)--Communist Party of Greece (KKE) leader Aleka Papariga stressed the need for a political alliance in order for the country to exit the crisis, speaking to a party event in Chania, Crete, on Saturday night.Papariga reiterated her opposition to a referendum, opting instead for early general elections, anticipating that elections would be held soon.(ANA-MPA) She also made a renewed attack on the Memorandum, the Medium-Term fiscal programme and the measures being advanced by the government.(ANA-MPA) She said that the crisis was deepening not only in Greece but in the eurozone as well, and predicted that even if Greece succeeds in overcoming the crisis "we will be in shackles for the next 100 years from the debts".(ANA-MPA) © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form [06] Edessa cherries showcasedAn event showcasing the famed cherries of Edessa, northern Greece, will be held on July 6 at a central Athens hotel, organised by the municipality and the Athens association of Edessa-born residents, aiming to hook up Edessa cherry producers and cooperatives with local food establishments."The municipal authority is attempting an overture to the markets. We plan to hold similar events in other parts of Greece over the coming years. Through our cherries, we want to acquaint the public with Edessa's other beauties as well," municipal chief for cultural tourism and the environment Evangelos Kyriakou told ANA-MPA. Edessa accounts for 60 percent of overall cherry production in Greece, and most of the Edessa crop is exported. Local cooperatives and women's groups have developed trade in various cherry products such as spoon sweets, juice and cherry-flavored tea. (Photo by EPA/M. Reynolds) © ANA-MPA SA. Intellectual rights and copyright belong to the ANA-MPA S.A. Reproduction of ANA-MPA content by visitors of this website is strictly forbidden. More details on the subscriber's page of ANA-MPA | Subscription request form Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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