Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-09-18

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

CONTENTS

[01] Solutions will be found to keep Greece in path of stability, says Commission spokesman

[02] Lesvos municipality asks NGOs in Kara Tepe camp to leave

[01] Solutions will be found to keep Greece in path of stability, says Commission spokesman

"I believe that solutions will be found to allow Greece to be consistent in its road to stability which will bring growth, but also allow the European institutions to provide assurances to the countries that participate in the European program that Greece is focused on this path," Schinas said in a video interview.

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations between the government and its lenders, he expressed his wish that the two sides will come to an agreement soon but avoided going into details, saying it is best to allow negotiators to do their job. "I believe the program has obligations for both sides," he added.

Concerning a proposal by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker for some flexibility in the Stability and Growth pact, he said that the head of the EC had stated from the start of his tenure that Europe needs fiscal responsibility, structural reforms, and investments.

"You're right when you say there are two schools in Europe. One that prefers the two first and the other that wants more flexibility," Schinas said, adding that in his recent speech in the European Parliament, Juncker opted for a "smart implementation" of the pact.

"I think our recent decisions for Spain and Portugal show that this can help the governments to move towards growth. There's no doubt that Greece as well as a lot to win by this type of implementation of the Pact," he noted.

[02] Lesvos municipality asks NGOs in Kara Tepe camp to leave

The meeting was called by Lesvos mayor Spyros Galinos, after media reports that a new camp was being created on the island, inside the former military camp of Lemonou. Work at the camp froze on Friday after the intervention of Defence Minister Panos Kammenos.

Among other demands presented in the resolution, the municipality urges the government to decongest the island by transferring some of the refugees to other locations and accused NGOs active in Kara Tepe of "deceiving him" as they participated in the creation of the new camp without his knowledge. The resolution also says the municipality should have the exclusive jurisdiction and managerial autonomy over the camp with the role of the NGOs limited to supportive and advisory role.

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