Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-11-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Pavlopoulos, PM Tsipras agree on need for political agreement on matters of strategic importance

[02] Greek economy to contract by 0.7 pct in 2016

[03] A meeting between Greece, Turkey and Germany on the refugees crisis would be meaningful, says German gov't official

[04] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos proposes establishment of European Intelligence Agency

[05] EU welcomes approval of draft law on prior actions by the Greek parliament

[06] External borders are protected, says Alt. Citizens Protection Minister Toskas

[01] President Pavlopoulos, PM Tsipras agree on need for political agreement on matters of strategic importance

On his part, the premier asked Pavlopoulos' contribution in order that an essential political agreement could be achieved over crucial issues and on matters of strategic importance. Pavlopoulos reassured Tsipras that this is the role of the President of the Republic, particularly in crucial moments, stressing that "the President's regulatory role is necessary in the difficult times".

Referring to the latest developments on the implementation of the programme, the Prime Minister stated that we are at the end of a very difficult circle and these days we successfully overcome a very difficult condition with the completion of the banks' recapitalisation.

[02] Greek economy to contract by 0.7 pct in 2016

In the period from tabling the pre-draft budget until tabling the final draft, there was a significant positive development: an upwards revision of economic growth in 2015 and 2016. This revision showed that the Greek economy did not fall into recession in 2015 since the country's Gross Domestic Product remained unchanged. In comparison with a provision included in the pre-draft for a contraction of 2.3 pct in 2015, the final estimate is an impressive improvement. The Greek economy resisted and rejected all catastrophic scenarios. The improvement for 2016 is smaller but not insignificant.

The budget envisages a provision for 150 million euros in revenue from revising income tax for individuals.

The 2016 budget envisages net budget revenues of 53.527 billion euros, up from 53.344 in the pre-draft budget, down compared with 55.603 in 2015. Regular budget net revenue is projected at 49.107 billion euros in 2016, from 49.462 in the pre-draft budget plan and 50.871 billion in 2015. Budget spending is projected at 55.751 billion euros in 2016 from 55.685 billion in the pre-draft budget plan and 55.705 billion in 2015. Regular budget spending is envisaged at 49.001 billion euros in 2016, from 48.935 billion in the pre-draft budget plan and 49.305 billion in 2015.

The state budget cash primary surplus is projected at 3.706 billion euros in 2016, from 3.590 bln in the pre-draft budget plan and 5.797 billion in 2015, while primary state budget surplus (ESA) is projected at 1.860 billion from 2.346 billion in the pre-draft budget plan and 4.512 billion in 2015.

The country's Gross Domestic Products is projected to reached 174.437 billion euros in 2016, from 173.365 in the pre-draft budget plan and 184.870 billion in 2015.

[03] A meeting between Greece, Turkey and Germany on the refugees crisis would be meaningful, says German gov't official

"The three leaders talked and they agree a meeting would be meaningful" stated Seibert but he clarified that he is not in the position to announce the exact date or the place of the meeting.

[04] EU Commissioner Avramopoulos proposes establishment of European Intelligence Agency

As he stated, after the European Counter Terrorism Center in Europol that was formed after the attack at Charlie Hebdo, "now it is the right time to take a step further and to lay the foundations for the creation of a European Intelligence Agency and called all the member states to implement the European Agenda for Safety".

[05] EU welcomes approval of draft law on prior actions by the Greek parliament

EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas said that the draft law includes all the agreed prior actions as well as reforms in the financial sector that are necessary for the recapitalisation of the Greek banks. He also said that the representatives of the institutions are completing the evaluation report to be submited to the EWG that will convene on Friday in order to take the final decision.

[06] External borders are protected, says Alt. Citizens Protection Minister Toskas

"It is time the democratic principles of liberty and safety to be combined in a balanced way. Historically, this balance has been succeeded and the fear should be faced in the light of these principles" he said.

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