Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-12-27

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras may attend World Economic Forum on Jan. 21-24

[02] State Minister Flambouraris says main pensions are secure in new bill

[03] Greek gov't, parliament must create conditions for investments, growth, says hedge fund manager

[01] PM Tsipras may attend World Economic Forum on Jan. 21-24

Tsipras' participation will depend on domestic commitments he will have during that period, which will be numerous, the sources said, adding that his attendance is seriously being considered.

[02] State Minister Flambouraris says main pensions are secure in new bill

Speaking about the bill on Skai TV, the minister said he is certain it will be approved by all 153 MPs of the government coalition and noted that the solution for the ailing social security system is increasing revenues, not making cuts.

Asked about the possibility of forming alliances with other parties following an interview on Avghi newspaper where he made favourable comments about Vasilis Leventis, the leader of the Centrists' Union, Flambouraris said the government "seeks dialogue as it does with society and is not trying to win any MPs".

He did, however, hail Leventis' stance through the years, saying that he "has been defending the interests of the economically weak for 30-35 years and he finally made it in parliament".

Commenting on his wealth statement, the minister said he has submitted a second statement and that the relevant committee will convene to make its own decisions. "There's an effort, through evidence that have nothing to do with reality, to undermine myself, Alexis Tsipras and SYRIZA," he said.

[03] Greek gov't, parliament must create conditions for investments, growth, says hedge fund manager

"It's up to the government and the parliament to agree and create the appropriate environment which will unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of the Greeks that will generate investment, growth, employment and rising living standards," the investor was quoted as telling the paper.

Paulson, who five years ago was selling Greek bonds betting on the country's bankruptcy, has invested 1 billion euros in the recent recapitalization of Greece's lenders, and appears willing to invest more money if reforms in favour of the market continue. He also expressed his satisfaction with the measures taken by the movement and described Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as a "skillful political leader".

The investor also stressed that reforms and a restructuring of Greece's debts go hand in hand.

"Now that the storm has passed, we start to see small openings in the clouds. But for the sun to shine the government must complete the course of reforms and especially passing the social security and tax reforms through Parliament, to implement the planned privatizations, implement all actions agreed and complete satisfactorily the first [program] review," he noted.

If Greece continues the "right policies", he continues in the interview, it may end up with the fastest growing economy in Europe in 2016 and 2017 and the financial market the largest profits in Europe in 2016.

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