Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-14

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

CONTENTS

[01] Greece has met all prior actions, Dijsselbloem says

[02] Greek economy to return to growth in second half of 2016, Economy Minister says

[03] First meeting of Council of National Communication Policy

[01] Greece has met all prior actions, Dijsselbloem says

Dijsselbloem was speaking at the economic and monetary committee of the European Parliament in Brussels.

In reply to a question by SYRIZA MEP Dimitris Papadimoulis, Dijsselbloem underlined that Greece and its lenders have entered a different phase. Comparing the current situation to the situation last summer, the president of the Eurogroup said that last year the trust between Greece and its creditors was hurt, but since then things have changed a lot. "The climate is different; we work constructively. Of course differences exist, but we continue to work constructively," he said.

He also said that the roadmap for debt relief has already been drafted . As he said, there are measures that can be taken earlier, but the debate on the Greek debt will be completed after the end of the Greek programme. He added that more can be done on the debt after 2018.

Finally, he admitted that the target of 3.5 percent of GDP surplus after 2018 is not realistic and may be lowered in the following years. He cleared out, however, that the issue of the primary surplus will not be raised at a Eurogroup level now, but towards the end of the year.

[02] Greek economy to return to growth in second half of 2016, Economy Minister says

"I'm optimistic that in the second half we'll get into positive territory and the economy will show results quickly," he told journalists.

Asked about capital controls and when he expects them to be lifted, Stathakis said: "There's a plan, which has not been announced yet, for a continuous relaxation of controls. I don't think there's anyone who can make a safe a safe prediction at this time [on when they will be lifted]. The recovery of the economy and especially the positive messages from the banking system is the crucial point to talk about a reverse course of the economy."

[03] First meeting of Council of National Communication Policy

The Council of National Communication Policy is responsible for the strategic planning, the evaluation and drafting of national communication policy as well as the central management of the the communication crises.

Its mission is the building and coherent management of the country's positive picture in Greece and abroad.

Interior Minister, Economy Minister, Defence Minister, Culture Minister, Foreign Minister, Finance Minister and State Minister responsible for communication policy participate in the council which is supported by the General Secretariat of Communication.

It is the first meeting following its adoption by the Greek Parliament.

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