Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-06-28

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

CONTENTS

[01] PM Tsipras: 'I hope outcome of British referendum will serve as wakeup call for Europe'

[02] Greece is regaining credibility, Moscovici says

[03] Britain has made a choice, must exit as soon as possible, says Hollande

[04] Brexit vote in Britain 'unfortunate', ND leader says on arrival for EPP

[05] Dervenohoria wildfire enters third day, burns swathes of pine forest

[06] Bill approving COSCO-OLP deal to be tabled in parliament later today

[01] PM Tsipras: 'I hope outcome of British referendum will serve as wakeup call for Europe'

"I'm afraid we're at a difficult crossroads. Europe has reached a predictable crisis because of the democratic deficit, because of the absence of social cohesion and solidarity. I hope that the outcome of the British referendum will work as a wakeup call for Europe," Tsipras told journalists.

"In any case, it is necessary to take brave decisions in order to make Europe more attractive to its people. It's necessary to take emergency initiatives in order to replace austerity with growth, division with convergence, unemployment with decent jobs and endless negotiations behind closed doors with transparency and democracy," he added.

BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/ C. Vasilaki) "We are not the guests of Europe's conservatives," Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was quoted as saying by government sources on Tuesday, in his address to the leaders of European socialist parties in Brussels.

While attending the Party of European Socialists (PES) summit as an observer, Tsipras noted a broader issue with the rise of the far-right in Europe and stressed the need to form a "progressive pole" that will make a bid for leadership, the sources added.

The Greek premier also raised an issue of "different standards in the treatment of member-states" during his address, comparing what he said was an "exceptionally polite" reaction to the referendum held in Britain with the more "hostile" approach afforded to the referendum in Greece.

Lastly, Tsipras raised an issue of democratic legitimacy in the negotiations with London, saying that the European Commission and the European Parliament must be actively involved in the process, which must not take the form of intergovernmental agreements not involving EU institutions.

[02] Greece is regaining credibility, Moscovici says

Greece is a country that is regaining credibility, Moscovici said and announced that he will be meeting with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras when he visits Athens in the second half of July.

[03] Britain has made a choice, must exit as soon as possible, says Hollande

Hollande said he regretted this decision, but added Europe must respect it. For this reason, he urged Britain to trigger Article 50 as quickly as possible and activate exit procedures. "There's no time to lose, because today the whole world is looking at Europe," he said.

"One country has decided to leave the European Union. I know it's painful … but what the people voted must be respected," he continued and added: "History continues for Europe."

Hollande also said Europe also has to take action to "protect our borders, increase investments, focus attention on the young and deepen Eurozone by harmonizing policies on at a tax and social level". "Europe has to take its responsibilities," he noted.

[04] Brexit vote in Britain 'unfortunate', ND leader says on arrival for EPP

"These are trying times for the EU," Mitsotakis said, noting that it was now up to the British government to make the decision that will begin the process for the country's departure from the EU.

The referendum result revealed the increasing concern among Europeans, who felt unprotected against the forces of globalisation and threatened with a reduction in their incomes, Mitsotakis said. It was the obligation of the EPP to address these "perfectly valid" concerns, he added.

On the result of the Spanish elections, Mitsotakis said they proved that populism was not the answer to the problems facing European societies.

"It is the obligation of the political leaders to lead our nations and the EU to a new post-populist era in politics," he said.

On the sidelines of the EPP summit, Mitsotakis met the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

[05] Dervenohoria wildfire enters third day, burns swathes of pine forest

According to the fire brigade, the fire was raging on two main fronts with many loci in deep ravines, while the fire rekindled in several areas during the night, especiallyl near the village Prasino.

The fire brigade's forces on Tuesday morning were mainly focused on a front burning between the villages Prasino and Panakto, while the second front to burning to the east, near the Fragou quarries and Titan facilities. According to the authorities, however, no inhabited regions were at risk.

Ten fire-fighting airplanes and five helicopters resumed operating from first light, battling the flames from above, while a force of 136 firemen, 74 vehicles, 179 fire-fighters on foot, 100 soldiers, 23 municipality vehicles, 10 private water carriers and 17 excavators were operating on the ground.

[06] Bill approving COSCO-OLP deal to be tabled in parliament later today

The aim is to approve the deal in the plenum by Friday, ahead of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' official visit to China.

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