Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-03-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] Central banker: Greek debt talks may start Apr 15; country will repay 3.5 bln to ECB in July

[02] Alt. Defence minister visits Schisto's refugee relocation camp

[03] Athens' central market to remain open overnight

[01] Central banker: Greek debt talks may start Apr 15; country will repay 3.5 bln to ECB in July

Concerning debt talks, the head of the Bank of Greece said: "It is a commitment of the Eurogroup on November 28, 2012, when I was finance minister. According to this commitment, if Greece achieves a primary surplus and if it implements the necessary reforms, then its partners will take some measures to ease the debt. This commitment has not been fulfilled yet. I hope our partners, as well as the IMF, will be in a position to fulfill this commitment, because it's not just a promise, it's an agreement."

Asked by the paper whether Greece will be able to repay its looming debt tranche to the ECB, Stournaras said the government is "negotiating effectively with its partners and there will be an agreement with its creditors for the ESM to repay the tranche, which will the ECB to be repaid."

Commenting on the reforms Greece is implementing, he said they are being implemented not because Greece's creditors request it, but because they are necessary to have a viable social security system. "We need a just taxation system in which all those who can pay will pay what they're due," he added.

He also reassured that the country's lenders are adequately recapitalized and that the banking system is stronger now than in the past, as the CET1 and capital adequacy ratio (pro forma) indicators are approaching 18.2 pct, which is the second highest in the eurozone after Finland, which is at 20 pct.

He reiterated however, that non-performing loans remain a big challenge and that the government and the banks must take hard but necessary measures so that banks can achieve the ambitious target of reducing them.

[02] Alt. Defence minister visits Schisto's refugee relocation camp

Vitsas expressed his satisfaction for the effectiveness of the Armed Forces who set up the camp as part of the efforts to manage the refugee-migration crisis.

[03] Athens' central market to remain open overnight

Bakeries will also be open on Monday selling the traditional lagana bread.

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