Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-05-07

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

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

CONTENTS

[01] ND: Gov't continues to lie to the Greek people

[02] Eurogroup chief: Discussion of Greek debt relief not a taboo

[03] Brussels Group is moving towards the conclusion of this phase of negotiations

[01] ND: Gov't continues to lie to the Greek people

The party claims that the government adopts recession measures such as increase of taxes and squeezing of households' income through the abolition of the tax free threshold and discounts.

"Mr. Tsipras is cheating twice the Greek people. Not only because he proposes more fiscal measures than those included in 'Hardouvelis e-mail' but because he copied most of those proposed and added extra taxes, taxes and taxes," said ND's non paper.

Finally, ND accused SYRIZA that as main opposition it undermined systematically the ND government's efforts in the country and abroad and that now "100 days after the formation of their co-governance (SYRIZA and Independent Greeks), the country is paying their fake promises, their inertia and their incompetence."

[02] Eurogroup chief: Discussion of Greek debt relief not a taboo

Although "it is very early to hope for a final agreement on May 11, nobody in the eurozone discusses another scenario than to offer to Greece the means for an financially independent future within the eurozone" he said.

The only final date for the discussions between Greece and its lenders is, on political view, "the end of June, when the second support programme ends but another final date could exist if the liquidity problem becomes very serious in Athens", explained Dijesslbloem.

He reassured that there are no disagreement between the European countries and the IMF which recommends a relief of the Greek debt.

"The discusson on the relief of the Greek debt is not a taboo subject. The only thing that is politically impossible is the cancellation of its nominal value. However, this discussion for the debt will be held only when the second programme has been completed".

[03] Brussels Group is moving towards the conclusion of this phase of negotiations

Regarding the increase of retirement age in Greece, diplomatic sources said that negotiations are focused on 2020-2015 and does not concern those who have already acquired their pension rights.

On labour issues, there are still many differences between the two sides.

The negotiations between the Greek political negotiation group and the institutions will continue in Brussels on Thursday and will probably be concluded on Friday. However, the possibility of deliberations at a technical level during the weekend is not ruled out.

A teleconference of the Finance Ministers has also been scheduled for Friday. According to sources, the Eurogroup is expected to confirm the convergence achieved in several sectors.

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