Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-21

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Pavlopoulos sends message of unity and solidarity to Greek people

[02] IMF needs to understand that Greece is a European country, FinMin Tsakalotos says

[03] An ecumenical government is not the solution to the problems, ND leader Mitsotakis says

[01] President Pavlopoulos sends message of unity and solidarity to Greek people

Pavlopoulos is visiting Ioannina for the celebration of the 103rd anniversary of the liberation of the city from the Turks on 21 February 1913.

"The history of Epirus is an integral part of the history of our Nation, the Nation of the Greeks," Pavlopoulos stated and pointed out the true national characteristics of Epirus and its people from the post-Byzantine period onwards, that send rather instructive messages for the people and nation.

[02] IMF needs to understand that Greece is a European country, FinMin Tsakalotos says

He also underlined that the basis for the discussion cannot be other than those agreed last summer.

"The IMF must understand that Greece is a European country which has references to the EU acquis and that any obstruction in the negotiations complicates the government's strategy to escape the vicious circle of measures-recession-new measures," Tsakalotos stressed.

The Finance Minister estimated that the program review will soon be completed and added that the creditors should not ask for further fiscal measures and pension cuts when the economic performance and the revenues are higher than expected. "We have red lines on the issue of pensions and fiscal adjustment," he explained and noted that part of the discussions for the completion of the evaluation concerns the management of the expenses earmarked for dealing with the refugee problem.

He stated that there is no reason for a new recapitilisation of the banks, but as regards the debt, he proposed a political solution that will not transfer the technical solution in the future. "This is the only way to boost demand and support investors," he stressed.

Tsalakotos also said that the government's new development law will be presented in spring.

[03] An ecumenical government is not the solution to the problems, ND leader Mitsotakis says

He also cleared out that he does not trust Alexis Tsipras and he could not co-govern with him.

Mitsotakis stated that he is not asking for elections. "I do not participate in election talk that causes political uncertainty," he said and added: "I am sure I will win the elections whenever they are held ... there is a strong momentum for New Democracy. May aim is, of course, self-majority, but this does not mean I will not seek collaborations."

The leader of the main opposition lashed out at Tsipras accusing of having adopted a dangerous policy in the first half of the year, either as a result of ignorance or arrogance. As he said, he led the country very close to the total destruction and hurt the Greek economy significantly.

Regarding New Democracy's policy, he said that it changes and it promotes a totally different political speech. "The main challenge is the organisational restructuring of New Democracy," he stressed.

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