Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 13-05-19

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

CONTENTS

[01] SYRIZA on PM's visits in China, Azerbaijan and the privatisation policy

[02] DIMAR leader on possible reshuffle, reforms, elections

[03] No damages, injuries from bomb explosion across from Greek embassy in Libya

[04] Hellenic Postbank, Proton Bank expected to be sold by July 15

[01] SYRIZA on PM's visits in China, Azerbaijan and the privatisation policy

"While the Greek economy is collapsing as a result of the memorandum's policy and society is suffering from unemployment and poverty, the prime minister signs agreements to sell off the state's wealth and christens them 'investments'," the party's announcement said.

According to the announcement "the sellout of our strategic tools for growth and public property, the destruction of the environment and the dismantling of the welfare state, together with the starvation wages, turn the country into a third world state. Only the abrogation of the memorandum and its replacement wtih a national plan of productive reconstruction, development and support of the employment can halt the course towards disaster."

[02] DIMAR leader on possible reshuffle, reforms, elections

"I believe that a reshuffle should take place in July. I also think that the government should be smaller and reach the end of its four-year term," Kouvelis said, underlining that there was no reason for early elections.

DIM.AR's leader strongly supported cooperation between the political parties as "necessary and mandatory for the country," while he stressed that there must be no further cuts in pensions and salaries. He also emphasised the need for immediate measures to combat unemployment, speed up reforms and promote the major structural reorganisation needed in Greece's economy and the public sector.

Replying to a proposal by PASOK leader Evangelos Venizelos, who suggested that PASOK and DIM.AR run on a shared ticket in the next general elections, Kouvelis said his party was interested "a reconstruction and regrouping of the progressive area with a European orientation." He noted that any convergence should be sought based on the development of a substantive dialogue on specific issues and not through "political gimmicks". It is clear that we are not interested in party collaborations, he added.

Regarding party finances, Kouvelis said that this was not an internal affair concerning the parties only but also a matter for the law.

[03] No damages, injuries from bomb explosion across from Greek embassy in Libya

In an announcement, the Ministry said that the bomb was placed next to a car parked on the street across from the Greek embassy and close to those of Saudi Arabia and Algeria.

[04] Hellenic Postbank, Proton Bank expected to be sold by July 15

The text of the memorandum, released by the European Commission on Friday, also noted that non-systemic banks currently controlled by the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund -Hellenic Postbank and New Proton Bank- must be sold by July 15.

All other non-systemic banks which will not be able to cover their capital needs by this date, will be led to liquidation or to be absorbed by the four systetmic banks of the country (National Bank, Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank and Eurobank) in cooperation between the HFSF and the Bank of Greece.

Additionally, Greek authorities must present an integrated strategic plan for the banking sector by mid-July. The HFSF, the Bank of Greece and the Finance ministry will have the responsibility of drafting the plan, in cooperation with the EC-ECB-IMF troika.

Following completion of the strategic plan, the troika will begin talks over a possible merger between systemic banks in Greece, such as a "frozen" merger plan between National Bank and Eurobank.

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