Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 14-10-22

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] Strong reactions in Athens to Davutoglu statements on Cyprus

[02] PM Samaras receives Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Athens

[03] Those in arrears for October will not qualify for state debt settlements, labour minister warns

[01] Strong reactions in Athens to Davutoglu statements on Cyprus

President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias sent a message to Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades, expressing support in the face of Turkey's "illegal and provocative" actions, which he said violated Cyprus' sovereign rights.

"At this time when the Cyprus Republic's sovereign rights to its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) are being violated in an illegal and provocative manner by Turkey, I wish to relay the unanimous support of the Hellenic Republic and the entire Greek people," Papoulias said, while stressing that the European Union must stand by Cyprus at this time.

"I express our hope and anticipation of a positive result from the actions that your government is undertaking to deal with the situation that has arisen, hoping at the same time that the European Union will actively display its solidarity," he said.

According to Greek government sources, meanwhile, Davutoglu's statements were an additional provocation.

"Unfortunately, the references made by the Turkish prime minister to scenarios of partitioning 'two states' are indicative of the true Turkish intentions," the sources said.

The challenging by the Turkish side of the existence and international legal identity of the Republic of Cyprus constitutes gross violation of international law and an insult to the European Union, they added.

The same sources noted that Cyprus is a member of the UN, EU and the Eurozone and only Turkey refuses to realise and recognise this fact.

"It is unthinkable that a Turkish prime minister cites as a legal basis, for the illegal Turkish exploration in the Republic of Cyprus EEZ and continental shelf, the illegal and legally void 'agreement' between Turkey and the Turkish-Cypriot pseudostate. The existence of this 'agreement' constitutes no argument; it constitutes additional proof of Turkey's will to violate international law," the same sources said.

In statements earlier on Wednesday, Davutoglu said that Turkey will continue seismic research in the Mediterranean south of Cyprus, in spite of the Cyprus government's objections and the threat that EU accession negotiations will be interrupted. It said its seismic survey vessel "Barbaros" was acting on the basis of agreements between Turkey and the illegal occupation regime in the northern part of the island, which is recognised only by Turkey.

"We have a right to carry out seismic surveys in the region and we will always exercise our rights," Davutoglu was reported as saying, while in a statement reported by the Turkish news agency Anadolu, he is quoted as saying that "Turkish Cypriots have as many rights as the Greek Cypriots to the continental shelf or Cyprus' EEZ".

The Turkish premier also noted that if the Cyprus government contested its right to carry out seismic research to the south of the island republic because the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime had occupied the north, "then we must discuss the scenario of two states".

[02] PM Samaras receives Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Athens

Government sources said that Samaras and Fischer discussed economic affairs, with the Greek prime minister briefing Austria's president on Greece's progress in carrying out reforms and its efforts to boost competitiveness. Both sides referred to tourism, in particular the large numbers of Austrian tourists coming to Greece.

Fischer also briefed Samaras on the situation in Austria and the efforts to keep the country's public deficit below 3 pct of GDP, while also expressing satisfaction with the very good level of bilateral relations and Greece's efforts at economic reform.

According to the same sources, Samaras informed Fischer that Greece was now "taking the final steps in order to emerge from the recession that has lasted more than six years" and noted that the country had carried out the greatest number and deepest reforms ever made in such a short space of time. He also referred to the sacrifices made by the Greek people in the process, which were acknowledged by Fischer, who noted that Greece was on a positive course.

Their talks also covered international affairs, such as the turmoil in Ukraine, the issue of the "so-called Islamic State" and the Cyprus issue, as well as the ongoing problems of illegal migration.

[03] Those in arrears for October will not qualify for state debt settlements, labour minister warns

"There will not be the slightest divergence from what the prime minister said, nor from what we have planned as a government to table regarding the settlement of overdue debts to the state. The month for its implementation is October, which means that the specific regulations will be tabled by the end of the month," the minister said.

"These regulations will include a framework of settlement schemes that have the following features: 100 installments for debts of 15,000 euros or less - and there will be, in this case, an adjustment for fines and increments. For debts over 15,000 euros there will be 72 installments and a brave, downward, adjustment in fines and fine increments. At the same time, we will have a bold reduction in interest rates," Vroutsis added.

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