Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-13

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

CONTENTS

[01] The completion of the current programme review and the planning of the next one on the negotiation table

[02] It's time to share the benefits of growth, Labour Min Katrougalos says

[03] Greek economy to grow by 2.7 pct in June 2016-June 2017, Econ Min says

[04] #Now IsThe Time campaign aims to extend Greek tourist season

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for national reform plan

[06] Construction production index up 9.7 pct in Q2

[07] Wooden sailing boat with migrants and refugees located off the coasts of Samos

[01] The completion of the current programme review and the planning of the next one on the negotiation table

According to Finance ministry's sources, the issues were the following:

- the completion of prior actions that will give the green light for the disbursement of the 2.8 billion euro loan sub-tranche

- the preparation of the second programme review

- the draft laws on voluntary revelation of undeclared income and plastic money

- the planning of the negotiations for the following days

According to the same sources, the representatives of the institutions, joined today by the IMF representative Delia Velculescu will remain in Athens until next Friday.

[02] It's time to share the benefits of growth, Labour Min Katrougalos says

Upon his arrival to the European Commission's conference on "Public consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights", Katrougalos said that the adaptation period has ended and it's time to share the benefits of growth. He also explained that the reductions made are the ones included in the social security law voted adding that main pensions will not be reduced. Only auxiliary pensions which along with main pensions exceed 1,300 euros will be reduced, he said.

Katrougalos underlined that credibility in Greek economy is restored and stated that it is time Greece returned to social Europe.

[03] Greek economy to grow by 2.7 pct in June 2016-June 2017, Econ Min says

In comments made to Skai TV station, Stathakis said that the economy grew 0.2 pct in the second quarter, compared with the first quarter, and noted that according to estimates the economy will grow in the third quarter as well, adding that the fourth quarter of the year will be crucial as a positive growth rate in that period would mean that the economy was on a growth course after completing three successive quarters of growth. The Economy minister stressed there were signs that a combination of exports, steady increase in employment and other indexes showed that the economy was turning to growth. Stathakis said a review of the Greek program will be completed by the end of September and that disbursement of the 2.8-bln-euro sub-tranche was expected in the first fortnight of October, adding that his agenda in negotiations did not include social contributions for professionals and farmers.

[04] #Now IsThe Time campaign aims to extend Greek tourist season

"For the selection and the promotion of the actions of the campaign, we took into account the messages and the trends in each country, based on both the political and economic circumstances and dynamics of the markets. More specifically, we took into account the emotions that each Greek destination causes to visitors, always aiming at further enhancing autumn tourism in Greece," Dimitris Tryfonopoulos, EOT secretary general said.

#NowIsThe Time is promoted through EOT's accounts in the social media as well as its advertising campaigns on the Facebook, Ádara and Taboola in its basic markets (UK, Germany, France, the Nordic markets, the Netherlands, Poland, USA and Canada).

[05] ND leader Mitsotakis stresses need for national reform plan

"We want to send a clear message from Thessaloniki. We will speak of an agreement of truth that will make the Greek economy work again. We will promote the necessary structural reforms, that will make the economy competitive and will lead to steady and sustainable growth," Mitsotakis said and added: "Without private investments, the Greek economy is not going to recover. And the views of social partners are extremely valuable in this effort."

Meanwhile ND spokesman Giorgos Koumoutsakos stated on Tuesday in an interview with public broadcaster ERT stated that the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) is the stand of responsibility and sincerity for New Democracy, .

Our aim is to make the people believe that ND is the alternative solution, he noted adding that "We want to restore the relation of sincerity with the citizens."

He claimed that ND is first in polls but in Thessaloniki "we want to prove that we have a plan" adding that "we have made a very good preparation for a credible roadmap that will get us out of the crisis."

Finally, commenting on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' speech in TIF he said "Mr. Tsipras was unconfortable and flat. He was "a countdown" prime minister."

[06] Construction production index up 9.7 pct in Q2

The statistics service, in a report, said that the index was up 28.7 pct compared with the first quarter of 2016, while the seasonally-adjusted index was up 5.9 pct in the same period.

[07] Wooden sailing boat with migrants and refugees located off the coasts of Samos

The sailing boat, accompanied by a coast vessel, was led to the port of Karlovassi, Samos.

According to Coast Guard, another 94 migrants and refugees were rescued in the last 24 hours in two incidents in the sea regions of Lesvos and Chios.

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