Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-05-09

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

CONTENTS

[01] Gov't Vice President Dragasakis: We must insist on a clear solution

[02] Eurogroup president : Solution will be found for Greece

[03] Economy Minister Stathakis: Overall agreement until the end of May

[01] Gov't Vice President Dragasakis: We must insist on a clear solution

"Radical measures are needed. We must insist on a clear solution" .

On his meeting with European Central Bank president Mario Draghi in Athens he said that the government spoke openly and has asked for the implementation of 20 February Eurogroup's agreement adding that they had an open political discussion.

At a question which is the government's criteria for a successful agreement, Dragasakis said that "the first is what primary surpluses we will have. High surpluses mean austerity while the low surpluses mean difficulties but you can have growth" he noted and included in the criteria for a successful agreement "to succeed a sustainable debt for the society not only sustainable in figures".

Referring to the first 100 days of the government, he said that it was a stress test for the people and the government which was found in a pressure grip. He also noted that the people have shown very high tolerance and this allows the government to defend policies that serve the country and the majority of people's needs. On the tax system, he noted that the government wants to reach to "a simple system, just and stable"

Regarding the government' plans on the banks, Dragasakis said that the system that troika and the former governments created, is a system that protects the within the banks' interests not the banks and reminded that that people bore the burden of the banks' recapitalisation adding that the government will not compromise with a situation that will protect corruption. "We will proceed to the necessary changes always respecting the interests of the private shareholders who invested after the crisis and showed trust to the country and to this government's prospects" clarified Dragasakis.

[02] Eurogroup president : Solution will be found for Greece

"On financial terms we are now more powerful than three years ago when the Athens crisis hit and now there is more trust regarding the recovery. Politically however, we must prove that we are united over the solution of the problems. The currency union is strong but it must face the lack of the political union" stated Dijsselbloem.

He also added that "all Eurogroup members are determined to keep Greece in the eurozone and to help the country return to growth and sustainability".

At a question if a plan B is ready, Eurogroup president explained "we are ready for everything but as politicians, as I said, we are determined to work in order the financial condition in Greece to become sustainable in the eurozone".

Regarding the ongoing negotiations he said "we have made progress but we are not very close to an agreement. An agreement will not be reached at the Eurogroup meeting on Monday. More time is needed but I do not know how much time. There is no dead line for the agreement with Athens".

Asked if the Greek government has cash only for a few days, Dijsselbloem said "nobody knows or maybe only the Greek government knows".

On the Greek government's proposals, he said that "I know that a series of proposals were tabled but they must be evaluated. We at the Eurogroup are only interested in the final targets. Meaning, Athens to state the course in order to reach a fiscal sustainability with the success of primary surplus, the return to growth through the necessary reforms and to the financial stability of the banking system. These are the three pylons of the plan".

[03] Economy Minister Stathakis: Overall agreement until the end of May

Stathakis considered unlikely the recourse to elections or referendum.

He also underlined that June's agreement "in no case constitutes a new memorandum" adding that the "key element to avoid a new loan is the debt's restructuring in a way that will reduce the needs for loan particularly for the period 2015-2022 and to make the debt medium term sustainable"

At a query on the privatisation of regional airports, Economy Minister said that a new round of deliberations with those interested has opened in order the conditions to be re-examined without cancelling the competition with aim an "agreement in the interest of the Greek State".

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