Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Bank share price decline not entirely Greek phenomenon, Sallas says

[02] ND leader meets Merkel, presents party's refugee policy

[01] Bank share price decline not entirely Greek phenomenon, Sallas says

The Greek banker, replying to a question on the causes of a drop in Greek bank share prices after their recapitalization, said: "The environment of the whole market must be taken into view. Markets are monitoring monetary policy more cautiously now. Big market indexes such as Dow Jones and Dax are recording losses this year, a trend that has affected all banks, it is not entirely a Greek phenomenon. Our job is to consistently execute our work, improving our weak spots and implementing a long-term strategy".

Commenting on this long-term strategy, Sallas said it should focus on further cutting expenses, closely monitoring earnings sources and focusing on the Greek market to establish our power. "However, we wish to address, being stronger now, to foreign enterprises investing in Greece," Sallas said, adding that "we are recording satisfactory progress in the restructuring of our non-performing loans".

Sallas said that Piraeus Bank, with a 19.6 pct basic capital rate, was at a good position for the present and commenting on the NPLs problem, said that Piraeus Bank has already set up its own NPLs settlement unit which has great success in its work so far. The Greek banker said that Germany has done a great lot for Greece during the crisis. "It has funded the biggest part of bailout programmes. We cooperate closely with several German companies, such as Fraport, Lidl, Hochtief, Tui and Beiersdorf, to mention a few. If I could express a wish, it would be: Invest in Greece! Despite critics, Greece offers good opportunities for enterprises," Sallas said.

[02] ND leader meets Merkel, presents party's refugee policy

Mitsotakis discussed with Merkel his view on the refugee crisis, with the German Chancellor noting she agrees with the Greek stance that borders must not close. An associate of Mitsotakis said that the two countries' interests on the refugee crisis converge.

During the EPP meeting, the leader of ND clashed verbally with Austrian Vice Chancellor Reinhold Mitterlehner who insisted that the only way to halt refugee flows is to close Greece's northern borders. Mitsotakis responded that this is not a solution in any way, noting that if these borders close, refugees will simply find a new route into Europe. "Greece's borders are European borders. You cannot transfer Europe's borderline – which is now at the Aegean – to FYROM," he said at the meeting.

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