Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-02-27

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Tax authorities step up pressure on state debtors

[02] Opinion poll gives marginal lead to SYRIZA

[03] PM: We're still on red alert, but country is moving upward

[04] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies

[05] Greece announces completion of seismic research for hydrocarbon

[06] Greek Tourism organisation launches this year's promotion campaign in Berlin

[01] Tax authorities step up pressure on state debtors

The Finance Ministry moved to the measure following a lagging behind in receipts for January.amna

In his memo to tax offices, Theoharis noted that proceedings against debtors to the state were dangerously close to the five-year write-off deadline, and urged tax officers to move to prosecute as soon as all lawful conditions necessitated it

[02] Opinion poll gives marginal lead to SYRIZA

According to the poll results, SYRIZA was leading with 23.1 percent, followed by ND with 22.8 percent, Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) with 10 percent, PASOK with 5.3 percent, Independent Greeks with 5.3 percent, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) with 4.5 percent and Democratic Left (DIMAR) with 4.4 percent, while 6 percent of the respondents expressed support for other parties and the blank and invalid votes and abstention was 10.4 percent. The unspecified vote reached 8.2 percent.

In response to who would be most suitable for prime minister, current Prime Minister Antonis Samaras was preferred by 50.5 percent of the respondents, followed by SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras with 30.5 percent, while 19 percent did not answer.amna

The geographic coverage of the opinion poll was nationwide and was conducted between 15 and 22 February 2013.

[03] PM: We're still on red alert, but country is moving upward

"Nothing is finished. We are on red alert but the country is heading upwards, not downwards," Samaras said.

The premier said that 44 billion euros will be channeled to the Greek economy in the period 2014-2020. He elaborated that Greece had secured 35 billion euros on the basis of the decisions of the last EU Summit, and together with the funds that have yet to be absorbed from the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) the sum would reach 44 billion euros, which he said are sufficient to spur growth.

Although there indeed was a shortfall in state revenues in January, nevertheless "we have done much better with respect to (reducing) expenditure, resulting in a primary surplus", Samaras said.amna

He warned that "nothing is finished, we are on red alert", but added that "the country is heading upwards, not downwards", and accused main opposition SYRIZA of "political amoralism" because it "wagers on the destruction of the country".

Samaras further cited the political developments in Italy, and called on the MPs to think what would have happened today, with the generalised sense of insecurity, if Greece had not secured its smooth financing "now that may estimate that multiple the money will be required for other countries" in the EU.amna

The premier further assured that the process of denationalisation for the State Natural Gas Company (DEPA) and its subsidiary distributor Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator (DESFA) will be "absolutely transparent".

[04] The Wednesday edition of Athens' dailies

AVGHI: "Main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras to parliament: Yes to investors, no to pirates".

DIMOKRATIA: "Public sector: The...cat and the mouse".

EFIMERIDA TON SYNTAKTON: "Righter than the Right".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: " 'Greekometer' for the nationality".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Merging of university schools brings explosion in base entry grades".

ESTIA: "Negative lessons from Italy".

ETHNOS: "Ala Italian historic compromise"

IMERISSIA: "Debts arrangement or prosecution".

KATHIMERINI: "Harsh negotiation over layoffs in public sector".

LOGOS: "Handcuffs for 5,000 euros (in debts to the state)".

NAFTEMPORIKI: "Prosecution and asset seizures for debts over 5,000 euros".

RIZOSPASTIS: "Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) an impasse for the poor farmers".

TA NEA: "Catechism of hatred".

VRADYNI: "Work for 400,000 unemployed".

6 DAYS: "In jail for 5,000 euros debts".

[05] Greece announces completion of seismic research for hydrocarbon

The research programe began in November and were completed on Tuesday with the return to the port of Patras of Nordic Explorer, the geophysics research vessels, of the Norwegian company PGS which won an international tender.

The vessel has made seismic records totaling 12,431 km, surpassing the initial planning because of the increased interest showed by hydrocarbon companies for more details from specific regions. The ministry, in a statement, said that these companies were among the leaders in the sector. Following collection and processing of seismic research data, authorities will present the findings to the oil companies which will express interest in the first stage. A second stage will follow with an international tender for the exploitation of fields.amna

Energy and Climate Change Minister E. Livieratos, thanked the captain, the crew and the scientists aboard the Nordic Explorer vessel and all those who worked to preparing this project.

[06] Greek Tourism organisation launches this year's promotion campaign in Berlin

At a presentation of NGTO's tourism promotion campaign at the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Livadas said Greece's schedule for participating in major travel fairs in 2013 will be finalized by the end of March, while next year's planning will be launched as early as this summer. amna

He underlined that, for the first time, the country will adopt a unified promotional campaign outlined in a handbook that will provide specific guidelines to all interested parties.

The goal of the organisation is the improved management of the brand name "Greece, All Time Classic" that would promote Greece in international markets despite the funding cuts in advertisement and promotion, Livadas noted.

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