Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-07-15

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

CONTENTS

[01] President Pavlopoulos expresses condolences to French President Hollande

[02] PM Tsipras inaugurates General Hospital of Santorini

[03] PM Tsipras: Left and progressive aim the recovery of the economy

[04] Finance ministry dismisses reports over unilateral action on primary budget surplus

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis accuses PM Tsipras of 'audacity and cynism'

[01] President Pavlopoulos expresses condolences to French President Hollande

[02] PM Tsipras inaugurates General Hospital of Santorini

In his statements Tsipras said that the construction of the hospital has been completed and noted the importance of the artificial kidney unit that will operate in the hospital which will facilitate the islanders as well as tourists with health problems that want to visit the island.

[03] PM Tsipras: Left and progressive aim the recovery of the economy

Tsipras said that his values and targets remain the same adding that he continues to look for solutions to the problems and seek the best possible result. "We are more aware of international correlations and the country's potential," he noted.

He reiterated that elections will be held in autumn 2019 and his party will win thanks to the results of its policy. He admitted that the deal reached included some harsh compromises but "we managed to pass the first programme review with the minimum losses." The prime minister stressed that there is for the first time a real prospect of recovery. As he said, there is no uncertainty any more as for Greece's place in the eurozone.

The transition to normality will be gradual and the aim is a competitive economy along with a fair society, the prime minister underlined.

Regarding the economy, he said that it is important for the market to be boosted and revenues to increase - this is already well on track - so that taxes are lowered. As for the surplus, he said that the 3.5 pct will not be maintained forever and no economy can constantly have such surpluses.

As regards Greece-China relations, he said that former prime minister Costas Karamanlis had opened a path, which now becomes an avenue because China's strategy for faster transportation of goods in Europe coincides with the Greek strategy for exploiting our geographic location. Our country is a major international player, Tsipras stated.

He underlined that the same high level of relations exists with Russia adding that the role of the country is upgraded at international level and Greece makes good use of its potential.

The prime minister also referred to the efforts made to improve the terms of the privatisation agreements and accused the main opposition of constantly protesting.

[04] Finance ministry dismisses reports over unilateral action on primary budget surplus

Ministry officials told AMNA that there was no teleconference with the institutions over a medium-term framework and primary surpluses and noted that Alternate Finance Minister George Houliarakis was in London over the past few days for contacts with international investors.

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis accuses PM Tsipras of 'audacity and cynism'

Speaking at 'Konstantinos Karamanlis' Institute on Brexit, the leader of ND noted that Tsipras surpassed himself in audacity and cynicism saying that everything he did was perfect. "He justified everything and he did not feel the need for self-criticism. He did not feel that he ought to apologise to the Greek people," he said. Mitsotakis also wondered whether the prime minister believes what he is saying or he is consciously lying.

Moreover, he expressed his grief and sorrow over the terrorist attack in France. "We need much more cooperation in security issues, cooperation between countries. The challenge of terrorism must be tackled at European level," he stressed.

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