Athens News Agency: News in English, 11-11-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM in Brussels, Luxembourg on Mon-Tues

[02] ND leader meets with troika chiefs

[03] Karatzaferis confers with troika

[01] PM in Brussels, Luxembourg on Mon-Tues

Papademos will be in Brussels on Monday, where he will have meetings with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.

On Tuesday, the prime minister will be in Luxembourg, where he will meet with eurozone president and Luxembourg prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

[02] ND leader meets with troika chiefs

The meeting, that included Foreign Minister and ND vice president Stavros Dimas and the members of the party's economic staff, focused on developments in Greece and Europe and the Greek economy's open issues, mainly regarding guarantees for the disbursement of the 6th tranche of the EU-IMF bailout loan and the course for the implementation of the decisions taken at the October 26 eurozone summit.

Samaras reiterated to the troika representatives that he has taken five actions that constitute the full and institutional expression and commitment of the ND party that it shall implement the European agreement of October 26:

First, that he has stated his position publicly in the Greek Parliament.

Second, that he has sent a letter to the European People's Party analysing his positions in the wake of the latest developments and the assumption of the premiership by Lucas Papademos and reiterates his commitments. The letter also appeals to the leaders of the parties and therefore to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy as well.

Third, that he has committed himself on the October 26 agreement at the meeting with the new prime minister under the President of the Republic.

Fourth, that the vote of confidence he gave to the Papademos government also constitutes a commitment.

Fifth, the approval of the 2012 budget in principle also functions in the same direction.

He let it be clearly understood in this framework that these actions are adequate and he does not intend to place an additional signature.

[03] Karatzaferis confers with troika

After the 50-minute meeting at his office in parliament with the troika chiefs and a five-member team of EU-IMF technocrats, Karatzaferis said "I will do what is needed in order for the country to receive the 6th tranche", referring to the possibility that written assurances will be asked of his party, but added that his statement had to do with "the party's stance" and not with any letter.

A close associate of Karatzaferis later clarified to AMNA that the LAOS leader is not addressing any letter to the EU partners or international lenders, but will address "an open letter to the Greek people, via the party's newspaper, in which he will explain his views and the party's positions".

This letter will also be forwarded to Greece's EU partners and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, Karatzaferis' associate said, adding that the letter will set out the need for the 6th tranche in order for Greece to meet its needs, chiefly the inelastic expenditures which are salaries and pensions, and the bonuses and benefits in view of the upcoming holidays.

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