Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-09-22

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

CONTENTS

[01] FM Venizelos meets UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

[02] FinMin Hardouvelis: Greece does not need new loan

[01] FM Venizelos meets UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

Venizelos stated that all national issues were discussed, especially the Cyprus one.

He also said they discussed "the issue of the name of FYROM and all the major open international crises, as the secretary general is interested in the Greek and the European position and attaches much importance to our contribution to the formation of a pure and active European policy on these issues."

Venizelos also referred to the Cyprus issue, noting that "with regard to our major, open issues, that are included in the agenda of the UN, our position is very clear. We support President (Nicos) Anastasiades' initiatives, we consider that the appointment of the new Special Advisor to the Secretary General (Espen Barth) Eide is a very good choice that can work supplementary, but we still want a solution that is in line with the decisions of the Security Council of the United Nations, a solution that is sustainable, fair, a solution that is consistent with the acquis communautaire, and above all, a solution that can be accepted by the Cypriot people, by the two communities, through a referendum."

Referring to the issue of the name of FYROM, Venizelos stated that "as regards the name, I had the opportunity a few weeks ago, to talk at length with Mr. Nimetz in Athens. We are ready to participate in subsequent meetings. We support this process, but we have made big, creative steps. Our position is very clear. The national position is in favour of a compound name with a geographical qualifier, for all uses-erga omnes, for domestic and international use. So, we expect the other side to take corresponding, productive and in good faith steps."

On the issue of terrorism and more specifically on reports that the Greek authorities have gathered information from the CIA and other agencies over the last 48 hours, according to which seven people of Greek origin are related to jihadists and that jihadists were trained on Greek territory, Venizelos said: "Greece participates in the international rally against the so-called Islamic State. Greece respects and implements the decisions of the Security Council, the EU, NATO on these issues. We have no problems with jihadists in Greece, but there is a problem in our wider region. So we take part in international cooperation of exchanging information in order to protect our countries, because this is now a matter of internal security. Greece is not facing a problem right now, but we are rather interested in our neighboring countries and the wider region."

[02] FinMin Hardouvelis: Greece does not need new loan

"The cycle of memorandums is reaching its end," he was quoted as saying. "Few things remain outstanding. I assure you that Greece is able to cover its needs through its financing programme. In addition, markets have shown in the last few months and under very difficult circumstances that they now trust the Greek economy. Rating agencies are constantly upgrading us and the interest rates from the free market are being reduced. We will not need a third loan support package; the Greek debt is viable," he clarified.

A further extension of the loan "is possible, financially and politically, as is a conversion of part of the loan with a variable interest rate to loans with a fixed interest rate," he added.

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