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] Pappas: 'We must defend Europe's values against hate'

[02] Ancient Philippi listed as UNESCO World Heritage site

[03] Tsakalotos signs agreement with EIB for Research and Innovation Foundation

[04] New rail strike announced next week

[01] Pappas: 'We must defend Europe's values against hate'

"We are shocked by the attack in Nice. We must stay united. We must defend our values against hate," he said. Democracy, tolerance and integration were the values that had made Europe the best region on the planet, Pappas added and called for political initiatives to make clear that Europe will retain this form.

Pappas and Alternate Foreign Minister Nikos Xydakis, who had accompanied him to Rome, as well another six European ministers at the meeting, signed the condolences book at the French Embassy in Rome and replied to reporters' questions.

In his reply to the ANA, Pappas thanked the Italian government for organising the ministerial meeting to discuss the road map for Europe and noted that the progressive forces were responsible for "proposing and designing a new agenda for the Union," which would be an alternative to the "reply of hate and nationalism of the far right, that of the conservative forces that consider that nothing must change in Europe."

IMF admitted mistakes and now seeks to repeat them, Pappas tells EU ministers in Rome

The admission that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had failed in Greece's case - made by IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde - was a statement of "historic significance" since the core policies that had failed were those of internal devaluation and deregulated labour markets, Minister of State Nikos Pappas said on Friday.

"What is surprising is that, even as they admit their mistakes, they repeat them. As we speak, they insist on a full liberalisation of restrictions on mass layoffs and a reinstatement of lock outs by employers. If an economy is stagnant and mass layoffs apply, then companies will lay off. They will not hire. And stagnation will become recession," Pappas said, addressing a meeting of Party of European Socialists (PES) ministers for European Affairs in Rome.

Past experience had shown the necessity of forming an alliance of leftist and progressive forces that will make Europe capable of solving its problems with transparency and democratic responsibility, without resorting to "institutions that make mistakes, admit them and then repeat them," he added.

Pappas said Europe must seek European solutions to European problems, stop bypassing the European Parliament and European Commission through intergovernmental organs like the European Council and the Sherpa method and eliminate the solidarity deficit made so painfully clear by the refugee crisis.

The progressive European ministers for European affairs are scheduled to meet in Athens on September 9 for further discussion, at the invitation of the Greek government.

[02] Ancient Philippi listed as UNESCO World Heritage site

A culture ministry announcement said the dossier for Phillipi's application was completed in January 2015, with the collaboration of several ministry antiquities and Byzantine monuments departments, the Kavala-Thassos Antiquities Ephorate, the Archaeological Resources Fund and the contribution of the Kavala municipality.

Philippi are one of the most important and complete archaeological sites in northern Greece with several monuments linked to the town's development from the Hellenistic era to the later Byzantine years. It was also the site of the first Christian church in Europe, founded by the Apostle Paul in 49-50 AD, followed by many others once Christianity became established as the official religion.

[03] Tsakalotos signs agreement with EIB for Research and Innovation Foundation

"Greece is turning a new page as the conditions are created to convert a vicious cycle of recession into a virtuous cycle of equitable growth, with the focus on the needs of society," Tsakalotos said. The recapitalisation of the banks, completing the first review and the disbursement of 7.5 billion euros in loans, as well as the reinstatement of the ECB waiver and the start of a discussion on relieving Greece's debt were the main factors of the government's road map for restoring confidence in the Greek economy and creating a clear corridor for attracting long-term investments, he added.

Filis said the agreement once again underscored the importance the government attaches to research and innovation.

[04] New rail strike announced next week

In a union meeting on Friday, workers decided to escalate strike action after the Hellenic Republic Asset Development Fund (HRADF) decided to accept a binding offer from the Italian state railway for a 100 pct stake in TRAINOSE for 45 million euros. They decided to hold a new meeting on Thursday to decide their action going forward.

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