Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-01-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] FinMin Tsakalotos met German counterpart Schaeuble

[02] Alt.FM Xydakis meets with Dutch FM Koenders

[03] Survival game "The Island" to take place on Greek island

[04] Skourletis accuses Eldorado Gold of staging "political show" and sending ultimatums

[01] FinMin Tsakalotos met German counterpart Schaeuble

No statements to the press were made.

[02] Alt.FM Xydakis meets with Dutch FM Koenders

During their meeting late Tuesday in Amsterdam, first stop of Xydakis' short tour to European capitals, the Greek minister briefed his counterpart on Greece's efforts to face the pressure of the unprecedented refugees inflow underlining that the country has already dealt in the best possible way with the increasing needs and engagements, said Foreign ministry sources.

He also said that the country is working hard and will succeed to meet its commitment to the European partners adding that Greece has received less assistance than what is needed to confront the refugee and migrant crisis and called the claims according to which the country does not want the EU's assistance false.

Moreover, Xydakis highlighted the geopolitical reasons that have created the refugee crisis noting the peace role that the European Union should play in the Syrian crisis. In this context, he recognised the key-role of the current Dutch presidency in EU and the importance of the intitiative it will undertake. Xydakis also highlighted Greece's special geographical position noting the importance and responsibilities of the protection of the sea borders which cover thousands of kilometres. He reminded that Greece has rescued over 100,000 people in 2015 according to the rules of the international law, the Geneva Treaty for refugees as well as the founding treaties of the European Union.

On his part, the Dutch Foreign Minister expressed special interest for the Cyprus issue and asked, according to information, to be briefed on the course of the issue.

Finally, Xydakis briefed Koenders on the course of the Greek programme noting that Greece is making rapid progress and focused on the need for EU to contribute in this effort responding to the commitments that has assumed so that the country exits the long-standing crisis as soon as possible. He also said that the Greek government's first priority is to attract new investments so that job position open for the Greek people with special emphasis on tackling youth unemployment that very often forces the young people to leave the country.

Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis will meet on Thursday with his German counterpart Michael Roth.

Xydakis' European tour in order to inform on the Greek positions in matters of common European interest as the migration and refugees crisis will be completed on Friday where he will meet with Greek eurodeputies in Brussels.

[03] Survival game "The Island" to take place on Greek island

"Such original projects like 'The Island' highlight the potential of the islands, attract specific categories of tourists and can contribute to the lengthening of the tourist season, Tourism Deputy Local Governor Marietta Papavasileiou said.

The mayor of Halki, Michalis Patros, underlined that this game is a pleasant alternative to highlight the beauty of Alimnia worldwide. "We welcome the organization of such an event that shows a different way of promoting Alimia. I hope that this game is successful," he said.

Joris Meermans, head of a four-member mission from Belgium, who visited the island a few days ago expressed his enthusiasm for Alimnia, stating that the island was exactly what the agency "Beyond Borders" was looking for. He also appeared confident, that this may be the beginning of a very good cooperation with the South Aegean Region and the municipality of Halki.

"Beyond Borders" is a new and ambitious tourism agency that organises concept adventure trips, which do not exist anywhere else in Europe.

[04] Skourletis accuses Eldorado Gold of staging "political show" and sending ultimatums

Speaking to SKAI radio, Skourletis stressed that the government wanted the investment in Chalkidiki, but with the preconditions envisaged by the Greek law. The Greek minister did not exclude the possibility of renegotiating the contract from zero, adding that he could not dismiss the possibility that the company was seeking to withdraw from the investment due to a decline in international gold prices.

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