Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-05-17

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

CONTENTS

[01] EU-IMF deal on Greece by May 24 'difficult but not impossible', says Eurozone official

[02] Turkish authorities seeking to sue Greek Air Force pilot for downing Turkish F-16 in 1996

[01] EU-IMF deal on Greece by May 24 'difficult but not impossible', says Eurozone official

The official explained that an agreement has already been achieved between the Greek authorities and the institutions on the main package of measures and expressed optimism that the two sides will also agree on the contingent mechanism within the week. The overall deal could include this main package of measures along with the mechanism and a political agreement on Greece's debt, he added. "We're working on this direction. It's difficult but not impossible," he said.

Concerning the contingency mechanism, the official said the two sides are close to "a solution that meets the criteria of automation, legislation and transparency" set by the Eurogroup in Amsterdam, making it clear that the mechanism is now part of the bailout deal and the comprehensive package of measures.

On debt relief, the Eurozone official said the expectation is there's a "political agreement" in the next Eurogroup for the form of measures and the timetable for their implementation, if they are deemed necessary.

[02] Turkish authorities seeking to sue Greek Air Force pilot for downing Turkish F-16 in 1996

The charges included the Ankara prosecutor's letter are that the Greek pilot, while intercepting the Turkish plane in a Mirage 2000, shot the Turkish figher jet down over international waters using a missile. He is also accused of violating Turkish laws for the protection of the independence, unity, integrity and security of the Turkish state.

The legal proceedings were initiated by the family of the dead Turkish pilot, whose body was never recovered, assisted by Turkish unions of retired military officers and nationalist organisations. Also involved is the surviving co-pilot Lt. Col. Osman Çilekli, who had ejected from the plane when he realised it was falling and is now claiming one million euros in compensation.

According to Turkish authorities, the two pilots were on a training flight in the Aegean.

The issue of the fallen plane is periodically revived by Ankara, especially during times of tension in Greek-Turkish relations, and some years ago it employed a Canadian firm in an attempt to find and raise the sunken aircraft, which was ultimately abandoned.

The Greek side considers the aircraft's fall an accident, while the Turkish co-pilot that survived was recovered in the Greek search-and-rescue area, indicating that the aircraft fell while in Greek airspace. In fact, Çilekli had thanked Greek authorities for his rescue and the care he received in Greek hospitals at that time.

The fatal crash occurred during a mock dogfight between two Turkish F-16s and two Greek fighter jets that were scrambled to identify and intercept them after they entered Greek airspace. At some point during the intense manoeuvres, the unlucky F-16 pilots radioed that the aircraft was out of control and that its crew were ejecting.

There were no Turkish vessels or helicopters taking part in the subsequent search-and-rescue operation because the Turkish side declined to put them under the orders of the Greek frigate "Elli", which was coordinating the operation.

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